William & Mary Students Find Unforgettable Lessons with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

CHEROKEE, N.C. (Cherokee411) — Sixteen students from William & Mary spent their spring immersed in the culture, sovereignty, and ongoing resilience of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of Native identity and tribal governance.

Led by Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, director of the university’s American Indian Resource Center, the students participated in a deeply immersive field experience—one that challenged assumptions and reshaped understanding.

“This was not tourism. This was relationship-building,” said Moretti-Langholtz. “The EBCI opened their doors, their homes, and their hearts.”

The students visited sites across the Qualla Boundary, including the Museum of the Cherokee People and the Kituwah Mound—considered the mother town of the Cherokee. They met with tribal leaders, cultural experts, and Cherokee citizens who shared stories of survival, land stewardship, and cultural revitalization.

For junior Laura Ciskanik, the experience was transformative. “It was deeply personal, and I will carry it with me forever,” she said.

The trip was part of a long-running course designed to connect students with Native nations. This year’s visit came with added significance, as it marked the first time the course focused on the EBCI specifically.

Students also engaged with Cherokee youth programs and learned about efforts to preserve the Cherokee language, combat stereotypes, and navigate modern-day challenges such as healthcare access and economic development.

“This experience helped me better understand what sovereignty really means—and why it matters,” said student John Dooley. “It’s about more than treaties. It’s about people.”

The EBCI’s partnership with William & Mary reflects a growing commitment to intertribal-university collaboration rooted in mutual respect and ongoing dialogue.

Source: https://news.wm.edu/