Planning for the Next Seven Generations with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)

The EBCI and Carolinas CAP teams have formed a partnership to integrate climate into all aspects of tribal governance. The goals of this partnership are to:

  • identify and prioritize climate and health hazards in collaboration with the EBCI Tribal Government leaders and community members

  • develop a Tribal Government Climate Action Plan to enhance tribal capacity to develop climate resilience solutions now and in the future

Through collaboration with native Cherokee speakers, the following Cherokee translation of “climate change” was created: E-lo-hi-a(d)-ste-da-li-sgv-i

E-lo-hi-a(d)-ste-da-li-sgv-i better reflects the traditional knowledge of a people who have lived with the land for a very long time, and honors the relationship to the land

A photo of a group of people meeting in Cherokee, NC

EBCI and C3HE teams gather for a meeting

Key project activities include:

  • We are conducting two surveys targeting:

    1) EBCI Tribal Government staff: to understand their climate concerns, how climate change is currently being considered in divisional/programmatic priorities, and potential barriers to achieving policy change;

    2) EBCI Tribal Community members: to understand their climate concerns, the importance of the issue of climate change, and valued cultural and community assets that might be impacted by climate change.

    Results of these surveys will be incorporated into the Tribe’s Climate Action Plan and inform tailored communication strategies to achieve tribal-wide participation and buy-in from all members.

  • On June 27, 2023, The NC State Climate Office (NCSCO) installed a new North Carolina ECONet weather station in Cherokee, NC as a complement for existing air quality monitoring.

    Weather and climate data captured through the station will enhance the tribe’s capacity to measure air quality, and allow them to pursue external funding to alleviate air quality concerns.

    This station is integrated into the NCSCO’s full suite of data plotting and access tools. Data can be viewed at: https://econet.climate.ncsu.edu/m/?id=EBCI&tab=current

  • We have created two-page profiles on historical and projected changes in drought, extreme heat, extreme precipitation, and wildfires for Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary.

    These profiles will be also used to start the conversation with community members about climate hazards, leading to the development of a personal solutions guidebook.

  • In collaboration with the Museum of Cherokee Indian (MCI) and the Kituwah Adult Language Program, we are working to archive the richness of the Cherokee language as a direct expression of the Tribe’s traditional knowledge and connection to place.

    The stories, perspectives, and words shared by the people participating in this project will directly influence and serve as an important foundation for the EBCI’s Climate Action Plan.