Museum of the Cherokee People announces 2026 exhibitions & events
Entering its 78th year, the Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) in North Carolina has announced a slate of public events and exhibitions for 2026 centering Cherokee history, culture, and storytelling from the Cherokee perspective.
The upcoming changing exhibitions reflect an institutional shift toward becoming a first-voice museum that prioritizes knowledge shared directly by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), including community members, scholars, and artists. Through free programs and exhibitions, the Museum will explore Cherokee connections to land, stories of resilience and innovation, and the living artistic traditions that continue today on the Qualla Boundary and beyond.
“One of our current strategic priorities is ‘identity,’ and by that we mean intentionally focusing on how we become a first-voice museum,” said Executive Director Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians). “We want to make this shift a promise and commitment to Cherokee people. Meaningful self-representation lifts up our community, and our visitors are seeking authentic experiences. The impact of this shift can be seen not only in our exhibit labels, but also in our events, programming, and collections care.”
The Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Tribal institution, is currently undergoing a multiyear renovation project. Improvements include updates to its public facility and the construction of offsite collections housing to better care for objects of cultural patrimony. While the work continues, the Museum’s main exhibit remains open, featuring updated interpretation that invites visitors to actively engage as MotCP transforms into a museum by and for Cherokee people.
Throughout the year, MotCP will offer educational programming and special events for both the tribal community and the general public. A complete calendar is available at motcp.org/events.
Among the highlights is “Cherokee History & Stories with Kathi Littlejohn,” a free monthly series held on the first Monday of each month beginning in February from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Museum’s multipurpose room. Storyteller and historian Kathi Littlejohn (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) will lead informal discussions exploring culturally significant places, stories, and figures in Cherokee history. No registration is required.
From March 17 through December 30, the Museum will present “Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution.” Timed with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the exhibition examines a pivotal period for Cherokee sovereignty, government, land, and community life. Historic objects are shown alongside works by contemporary Cherokee artists, centering Native voices and creativity while tracing 250 years of Aniyvwiya innovation, adaptability, and resistance.
Opening June 5, “Didanisisgi Gadagwatli: A Showcase of Pottery from the Mud Dauber Community Workshop” will feature work by students from the Museum’s annual community pottery workshop. Led by renowned ceramic artist Tara McCoy (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), the exhibition highlights the dedication and skill of an emerging generation of Cherokee artists.
The Museum will also host its annual “The Way We See the World” event on August 7, 2026, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Since 2022, the event has spotlighted Native pop culture and contemporary perspectives, primarily by Cherokee creators. Past guests have included filmmaker Sterlin Harjo (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma), musician Ken Pomeroy (Cherokee Nation), and filmmaker Loren Waters (Cherokee Nation, Kiowa Tribe), a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. The 2026 lineup will be announced at a later date. The event is free and open to the public, with reserve tickets available.
More information about exhibitions, events, and the Museum’s ongoing transformation can be found at MotCP.org.
