Together we survive - lessons of the Cherokee

ASHEVILLE — “We are still here”, Cherokee elder Nancy Pheasant, told the attentive audience. “Despite media images and years of erasing us and our history, we have survived.”

In Western North Carolina we know this partly by the names of places where we live...Swannanoa, Junaluska, Nantahala, Tuckaseegee, Hiwassee, Cullowhee. We are reminded that we live on Cherokee land.

We have also realized that we have much to learn from Cherokees still living in Western North Carolina. In October and November, AARP hosted a series in Asheville featuring Cherokee storytellers who shared history, culture and stories told for generations.

When planning this series, we talked with our partners about the divisions and acrimony in our country. The storytellers reminded us that Cherokees embrace values that have helped them endure many challenging times in the past. It felt right to create a program to share these values:

• Spirituality: A Cherokee life-way that bonds people in good times and bad, providing hope.

• Group Harmony: Freely giving time, talent, and treasures in community and kin relationships.

• Strong Individual Character: Acting selflessly with integrity, honesty, perseverance, courage, respect, trust, honor, and humility.

• Sense of Place: Being good stewards of the land, connecting it to tribal identity.

• Honoring the Past: Learning from ancestors and elders, embracing tribal identity.

• Educating the Children: Providing values-oriented education and recreation, being strong role models.

• Sense of Humor: Lightening the pressure in serious situations to help make good decisions when facing adversity.

Just before our series was to begin, we were devastated by Hurricane Helene. It was a time to turn to the wisdom of these values. Storyteller Kathi Littlejohn told us that Cherokee stories reflect values that can help us all be resilient. Today in Western North Carolina we are learning the powerful truth of these important values.

AARP NC is grateful to Nancy Pheasant, Xander Simmons and Kathi Littlejohn for their valuable contributions planning and presenting these programs.

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Alan Briggs is a retired lawyer and nonprofit executive, and an active volunteer for AARP North Carolina is the Mountain Region.