Community archaeology in the Cherokee heartland of southwestern North Carolina

Western Carolina University’s campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina, is located on the former site of the Cherokee town Tali Tsisgwayahi (Two Sparrows Town), and is only 20 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina. For over two decades, a key feature of WCU’s archaeology program has been frequent and direct communication and collaboration with citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. In this paper we discuss the history of this long-term program of community-based archaeology and highlight specific practices that have led to positive developments in research, teaching, and public outreach.