“Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” is an exhibition that displays Cherokee language, culture and history through images, text and sound recordings.

The exhibit runs through Sept. 19 in the Balsam Building Lobby on the campus of Southwestern Community College in Sylva. Also, the exhibit team will solicit community input from noon until 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Slated to travel to ten sites in the region, the exhibit places cultural interpretation in locations frequented by the public. Using recordings made by Native speakers, the exhibit focuses on Cherokee language and culture and is sponsored by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is also done in partnership with Cherokee Central Schools, SCC, and the Cherokee Center and Cherokee Language Program at Western Carolina University.  

Fall showings include Western Carolina University, Health and Human Services Building on the Millennial Campus, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville and the Cherokee Central Schools Cultural Arts Center in Cherokee.