Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The United States Department of Agriculture recently awarded the Cherokee National Historical Society; parent organization of the Cherokee Heritage Center, a grant of $83,400. The grant is part of the USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. The plans for the funds are to continue the operation of a complete pottery manufacturing operation. The grant will be matched by the Cherokee National Historical Society's contribution of $93,100 toward the project.

The pottery manufacturing operation was donated to the Cherokee National Historical Society in 1999 by Mr. and Mrs. Reusser of Bartlesville. They wanted to see the pottery company continue and ultimately benefit the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma's people. "We are grateful to the Reussers for their gift and to the USDA for making our dreams of creating important pieces made by Cherokees possible," said Mary Ellen Meredith, Executive Director.

The initial project of Cherokee Heritage Pottery is producing recreations of Sequoyah Pottery. The students at Sequoyah Orphans Training School in Tahlequah made pottery using ancient southeastern Cherokee pottery designs and methods. The limited edition of Sequoyah Pottery is being offered for sale. Seven pieces are being recreated with an edition of 250 each, pieces are numbered and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. "Future plans include teaching Cherokee pottery classes and producing hand crafted traditional pottery made by Cherokees," explained Patricia Stewart, Director, Cherokee Heritage Pottery. Stewart is leading the pottery project.

"The RBEG program is an excellent example of a federal program that works," said Charles P. Rainbolt, USDA Rural Development State Director. "The goal of the program is to provide employment opportunities in rural America and we appreciate the partnership such as the Cherokee Historical Society for helping us achieve that goal in Oklahoma."