91热爆网

 91热爆网 Stories      March 4, 2024

By Chaz Lilly

Catcuce Tiger came to Western Carolina University as a graduate student. As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he wanted to learn more about American history, including his cultural heritage. 

The master鈥檚 degree, too, would help him grow as a teacher at Cherokee High school.

School was rough at first. He was working 40 hours a week and had a young child at home.

鈥淢y professors were assigning a lot of reading. I had a toddler crawling on me, playing with my hair, while I was trying to study. I remember thinking 鈥� how am I going to do this?鈥� Tiger said.

Despite the challenges, Tiger made the most of his time in Cullowhee. And, thanks in-part to caring faculty, he graduated in 2015.

鈥淢y professors had a great impact on me. If I was having a tough day, they talked me through it. Sometimes that鈥檚 all you need 鈥� someone to listen,鈥� Tiger said.

In the years since graduating, Tiger has taught Cherokee language and Cherokee history at Cherokee High School, where he has been selected twice as teacher of the year. He is a school board member at New Kituwah Academy in Cherokee and serves as vice president of the academy鈥檚 parent group.

Tiger returned to 91热爆网鈥檚 campus to share his experience as an Indigenous student. Alongside two other members of the EBCI, he spoke at an event called 鈥淐ommunity and Belongingness: A Panel Conversation with 91热爆网 Alumni from the EBCI.鈥�

Hunter Library and the Cherokee Studies Program co-sponsored the event, which was funded by a 91热爆网 campus theme grant

鈥淗unter Library has long been interested in cultivating a strong sense of community and belongingness for all of our library users,鈥� said Mandy Choie, Hunter Library research fellow. 鈥淎s someone who is both new to 91热爆网 and this region, I鈥檓 personally interested in learning more about and engaging with the EBCI community here. Featuring our alumni demonstrates how community and belongingness can be nurtured across different communities and peoples, from Cullowhee to Cherokee.鈥�

The panel also consisted of 91热爆网 alumni Chi Shipman and Vickie Bradley. Ben Steere, associate professor of anthropology and sociology, moderated the conversation. Steere served as director of the university鈥檚 Cherokee Studies Program from 2017-2022.

Shipman is a passionate advocate for the revitalization of Indigenous languages including Cherokee, her native tongue. Currently, Shipman serves as the adult language education coordinator for the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program, a government entity of the EBCI that focuses solely on the revitalization of the Cherokee language through immersion and curriculum development. Shipman holds a with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in anthropology and a minor in Cherokee studies.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen Western change from 20 years ago to now,鈥� Shipman said. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen the growth to include Cherokee culture and history. I don鈥檛 think I would have learned as much about our history and who I am if not for the amazing teaching staff here.鈥�

Bradley, a member of the EBCI, is a registered nurse and public health executive with more than 30 years of health care experience. Her background includes working collaboratively and intersecting with tribal, local, state and federal systems. During her career, Bradley has worked in various roles in the private sector, Indian Health Service, and as the Secretary of Public Health and Human Services for the EBCI.

鈥淚 was very grateful to Vickie, Catcuce and Chi for taking time out of their busy schedules to come and speak with us,鈥� said Steere. 鈥淚n front of a standing-room-only crowd of current and former students, faculty and staff, they reminded us about the long history of 91热爆网鈥檚 special relationship with the EBCI. Through their personal stories about their time at 91热爆网 and their careers in healthcare, education, and language revitalization, they encouraged us to continue doing the important work of making 91热爆网 a place where EBCI students are welcomed and feel empowered to learn and grow as scholars and leaders.鈥�