Cherokee Preservation Foundation

06/21/2026

WATCH: For nearly 200 years, elk were absent from the Great Smoky Mountains. Today, they are one of the park's most iconic wildlife species.

"Elk: A Reintroduction" tells the true story of how elk returned to Great Smoky Mountains National Park after disappearing from the Southern Appalachians in the early 1800s. The film traces the history of elk in the Smokies, the factors that led to their disappearance, and the ambitious reintroduction project that brought them back to Cataloochee Valley in 2001.

For nearly 200 years, elk were absent from the Great Smoky Mountain...

06/17/2026

WATCH: As part of the Remember the Removal ride, Cherokee cyclists cover over 900 miles, traveling from their ancestral homelands in the Southeast to Oklahoma.

As part of the Remember the Removal ride, Cherokee Nation cyclists ...

06/11/2026

Congratulations to Faith Long-Presley, the first participant to graduate from all four Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute programs.

Faith’s leadership journey began when she joined Cherokee Youth Council at age 11 and continued through the Youth Cultural Exchange Program, Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, and the Duyugodv’i Right Path Adult Leadership Program.

Today, she continues to give back as a mentor, chaperone, guest speaker, community leader, Portfolio Risk Manager for Sequoyah Fund, and owner of Ganvhida Designs.

Her story reflects the long-term impact of culturally based leadership development and the strength of programs that support EBCI members from youth into adulthood.

Read more about Faith’s milestone: https://cherokeepreservation.org/faith-long-presley-becomes-first-participant-to-graduate-from-all-four-ray-kinsland-leadership-institute-programs/

06/09/2026

Tennessee has dedicated the new Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park at the historic Blythe Ferry crossing in Meigs County.

The site preserves and interprets the history of Cherokee removal and honors the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) people who were forcibly removed from their homelands in the 1830s. As part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, the park will continue to serve as a place of remembrance, education and reflection.

BIRCHWOOD, Tenn. — Tennessee State Parks Monday dedicated the new Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park, which preserves and interprets the history of the Cherokee removal and honors the memory

05/26/2026

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for the Fall 2026 grant cycle. The deadline to apply for a grant is Monday, June 1, 2026, before 5pm.

05/26/2026

Rivercane is returning to Western North Carolina, and a new WUNC story looks at why that matters for streambanks, flood resilience, habitat, and Cherokee cultural preservation.

Rivercane enthusiasts hope this native bamboo can help to heal old harms to land and people – and strengthen the riverbank against the next flood.

05/22/2026

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation, with the support of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, and the Offices of the Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) and Taline Ugvwiyu (Vice Chief) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) came together collaboratively for the 18th annual Day of Caring on Thursday, ...

05/19/2026

CPF, RTCAR, Sequoyah Fund & Center for Native Health were well represented at The Council on Foundations Annual Conference - Building Together 2026 in Seattle earlier this month.

05/18/2026

Unto These Hills, an outdoor historical drama tracing the Cherokee story from the years before the Trail of Tears to the present day, returns May 30 for its 76th anniversary season at Mountainside Theatre.

This year’s production features Native artists representing five federally recognized tribes, recent theatre upgrades, and the continued sharing of Cherokee history through one of the region’s most important cultural experiences.

We’re proud to support improvements that help strengthen the guest experience and prepare Mountainside Theatre for the season ahead.

Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama Returns for 76th Anniversary Season Beginning May 30th. The beloved outdoor drama, Unto These Hills, is set to captivate audiences once again as it opens its 76th Anniversary Season on Saturday, May 30th. - PR13145613

05/15/2026

The Cherokee Historical Association is preparing for a major milestone, and we’re proud to support the work that helps make it possible.

A new grant from our foundation will help strengthen the visitor experience at Oconaluftee Indian Village and Mountainside Theatre, supporting improvements that preserve Cherokee history and culture while preparing these important sites for the future.

Read more about the grant and what’s ahead:

Cherokee Historical Association Awarded $520,000 Grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation. Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) is proud to announce it has been awarded $520,000 in grant funding from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. - PR13145608