Cherokee, NC Indian Reservation: Craft items?

[Disneyliscious]

We are taking a road trip in August to Gatlinburg, TN and thought about going over the mountain into Cherokee, NC and visiting the Indian reservation. Never done this before. I am interested in some of the local crafts they make and looked around online and found a website that shows some of the items for sale. Was kind of taken aback by the prices. A hand weaved basket was upwards of $100, a tomohawk was $700, carved stone and wood was all $200+.

I am use to visiting the Amish to find quality, local goods at MUCH lower prices. For those of you who have been to the reservation, are there any items for less than $50? Just looking for souvenir type things mainly or maybe household goods such as bowls or something for the grandbaby.

 

[Rhie]

Well, I can think of three reasons why Amish-made is cheaper than First Nations-made. I don't know for sure, but the following reasons would make sense as to the difference in price:

1) There are many more Amish than there are First Nations peoples. Simple supply and demand means that if you have more people making things, there will be more of those things, and therefore a lower price per thing

2) The Amish don't rely exclusively on selling to tourists for their source of income. Sadly, many First Nations peoples rely on that and casinos, and that's it.

3) If they really are traditionally made, they are likely made completely by hand, without the use of modern tools. Even the more conservative sects of the Amish use power tools for work.

That's not to say you have to buy anything, of course. I understand being on a budget, believe me!

 

[Disneyliscious]

I agree thats likely why. While I was browsing a few sites looking at the reservation I kind of felt like the Indians were being exploited in a way. Made me feel sad. With that said, I would very much like to have something hand made by them as I'm sure they have perfected their crafts for centuries now.

 

[dadtoagirl03]

Don't worry about the Cherokee people, as the Harrah's Casino that is on the reservation is taking very good care of them.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

Don't worry about the Cherokee people, as the Harrah's Casino that is on the reservation is taking very good care of them.

I don't ago with you. You are not doing anyone here or there any good by perpetuating stereotypes and misinformation.

If you believe this, you must believe that public schools are funded and just fine from our state lotteries. Just because it was said, does not make it so.

I would suggest you do some basic research and educate yourself about the situation.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

When we were there everything seemed very expensive. VERY.

And, just from my own observation, it wasn't as well made as I thought it should be for the price.

Obviously, your mileage may vary.

 

[Disneyliscious]

When we were there everything seemed very expensive. VERY.

And, just from my own observation, it wasn't as well made as I thought it should be for the price.

Obviously, your mileage may vary.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I think your confirmation of what I saw online is enough to make me just skip over this.

 

[kymom99]

I would personally skip it. I've been there. It wasn't the highlight of my trip.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I would personally skip it. I've been there. It wasn't the highlight of my trip.

I think you've said it best.

 

[loves to dive]

I've been a number of times, my grandfather was half Cherokee so for us it was a little sad and a little like going home. He would never go since when he was growing up he didn't even admit to his heritage, there was just too much prejudice in the north Georgia mountains at the time. It is very touristy but the living village (if it's still there) is interesting since you get to actually see people doing their craft. Anything handmade, is going to be expensive, I went to high school in NM in the 70s and since my daddy worked with most of the tribes (State Highway Dept. building roads and having to get permission) we had a number of friends that made things for us and didn't charge. I treasure those items now and certainly couldn't afford them if I had to buy them.

 

[HeatherRaye]

I am completely confused on why an Indian reservation is a tourist attraction. Here in northern California that is where the tribal members live, it is not somewhere that people visit on vacation and gawk at them. My husband is Indian and while we do not currently live on a reservation he did growing up and the idea of someone going to visit it on vacation is completely foreign to me. Of course things in the mid-west could be completely different than here is CA but based on my experience I find it odd.

And to address your question - that $100 basket probably took upwards of 25 hours to make, I am sure you can figure out the hourly rate on that.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I am completely confused on why an Indian reservation is a tourist attraction. Here in northern California that is where the tribal members live, it is not somewhere that people visit on vacation and gawk at them. My husband is Indian and while we do not currently live on a reservation he did growing up and the idea of someone going to visit it on vacation is completely foreign to me. Of course things in the mid-west could be completely different than here is CA but based on my experience I find it odd.

And to address your question - that $100 basket probably took upwards of 25 hours to make, I am sure you can figure out the hourly rate on that.

Interesting, my husband is native american. He is from the Pueblo tribe. We live in Sacramento.

 

[HeatherRaye]

Interesting, my husband is native american. He is from the Pueblo tribe. We live in Sacramento.

My husband is Pomo from Sonoma County and that is where we live as well.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I am completely confused on why an Indian reservation is a tourist attraction. Here in northern California that is where the tribal members live, it is not somewhere that people visit on vacation and gawk at them.

I actually had this exact same thought when I realized this was an attraction in NC.

And to address your question - that $100 basket probably took upwards of 25 hours to make, I am sure you can figure out the hourly rate on that.

Didn't mean to imply that the items weren't worth their price as I'm sure they do take lots of time and skill to make. It's just more than I'm willing to pay. Those are two different things entirely.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Didn't mean to imply that the items weren't worth their price as I'm sure they do take lots of time and skill to make. It's just more than I'm willing to pay. Those are two different things entirely.

This is actually a huge problem in the craft world overall. People see something they can get at target or walmart for next to nothing and think they're being price gouged (not saying you said that).

I crochet, I plan to make a stockpile to sell (once I stop crocheting everything for my girls!!), but people see a blanket and think, oh, $30 when it is likely there is far more than that in just supplies, let alone the countless hours spent laboring over it.

I, personally, would pay extra for handmade items IF it was something I wanted and was high quality, but not everyone appreciates handmade and that's okay too.

 

[dadtoagirl03]

I have all the information I need as I live less than 30 minutes from the reservation. I've seen the new schools, community centers, parks, improved hospital and police force. The yearly payouts to tribe members is up to almost $10k per person. A child who was born when the casino opened in 2004 would have received over $170,000 in their trust fund they could access at either 18 or 21 years old. So like I said the casino is taking care of the people. No mis-information or sterotyping in my statement.

 

[kymom99]

They will let you take a pic with someone in full dress for $$. So they have made their way of life a tourist attraction in NC

 

[friend2Figment]

We have family that live near there so we have been to Cherokee spanning a decade. Most of the shops do not offer true hand made items as tourist do not want to pay the price. There is still a small shop across from the Harley store that has local made items. The dream catchers are nice. You can tell which are hand made as they will have a name or code. Reasonably priced.

 

[Disneyliscious]

This is actually a huge problem in the craft world overall. People see something they can get at target or walmart for next to nothing and think they're being price gouged (not saying you said that).

I crochet, I plan to make a stockpile to sell (once I stop crocheting everything for my girls!!), but people see a blanket and think, oh, $30 when it is likely there is far more than that in just supplies, let alone the countless hours spent laboring over it.

I, personally, would pay extra for handmade items IF it was something I wanted and was high quality, but not everyone appreciates handmade and that's okay too.

I understand what you are saying. I often buy hand made, quality goods and pay a premium price for them because its something I want. My kitchen table and 6 chairs were made by the Amish and it cost $3000. I could have gotten a table at a furniture store for a few hundred dollars but the quality and durability of the one from the Amish will last my entire lifetime and probably that of my kids and grandkids too. Its solid wood and extremely heavy (wooden logs).

I don't want an Indian crafted basket bad enough to pay $200 for it. That doesn't mean the basket isn't worth that nor does it mean I would go buy a $5 basket at Walmart. It just means I won't buy a basket. I mainly wanted something for my granddaughter and considered a pair of moccasins but she will be 1 year old and will grow out of them so fast. It just wouldn't be worth it to me to pay that premium price for something she'd get so little use from (not that they aren't worth the price).

I had read some reviews on tripadvisor that said some of the "crafts" were actually made in China. Thats a real bummer and most definitely cheapens the image of the legitimate items as well (sadly). I stopped at an Amish store once and they had local food items. In one corner there was a freezer with DiGiorno pizza in it. Never went back because it just made me feel like they were cutting corners and more concerned with making a dollar than staying true to their quality (even though the pizzas had nothing to do with their other items). I guess I'm just funny like that.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

I am completely confused on why an Indian reservation is a tourist attraction. Here in northern California that is where the tribal members live, it is not somewhere that people visit on vacation and gawk at them. My husband is Indian and while we do not currently live on a reservation he did growing up and the idea of someone going to visit it on vacation is completely foreign to me. Of course things in the mid-west could be completely different than here is CA but based on my experience I find it odd.

And to address your question - that $100 basket probably took upwards of 25 hours to make, I am sure you can figure out the hourly rate on that.

Cherokee is a tourist town, similar to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN. There is a historical area where people can see native culture, a casino, a theatre, hotels, etc.

The drive through the mountains from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth doing.

I agree with what others have said, if buying something there, make sure it doesn't say "made in China" on it somewhere.