The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians recently acquired about
198 acres of ancestral territory in Tennessee.
The property is located in Sevier County. It's known locally as Dumplin Creek, whose name comes from a treaty signed by the historic Cherokee Nation in 1785.
The tribe is exploring economic development opportunities at the site, which is located off a
busy interstate near the Smokies Stadium, home of the Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball team. The tribe already owns 122 acres on the other side of the highway, according to news reports.
“The EBCI’s purchase of the Dumplin Creek property, 197.524 acres located off Exit 407 of Interstate 40, is an exciting opportunity to further our economic development interests within our aboriginal territories,” Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed said in a statement to The Cherokee One Feather, the tribe's news paper.
Separately, the tribe, headquartered in neighboring North Carolina, is asking Congress to return ancestral land in Tennessee
through
H.R.453, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act.
The bipartisan bill covers significant cultural and historic properties that are currently managed by the federal government.
The
U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.453 in December.
The bill awaits further action in the
U.S. Senate.
Read More on the Story
Tribe closes on property in Sevier County, Tenn
(The Cherokee One Feather February 3, 2020)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians seek revenue beyond the reservation; Chief discusses Sevier County property plans
(WBIR February 5, 2020)
Cherokee buy more property off Sevier Co. exit, considering possible resort, hotels, convention space
(WBIR January 30, 2020)
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