The Cherokee have always viewed the river as

"Long Man (Gunahita Asgaya)" whose head lay in the mountains with feet in the sea. Long Man (or Long Person) was a revered figure among the Cherokee as the one who provided water to drink, cleanliness, food, and numerous cultural rituals tied to medicine and washing away bad thoughts and sadness.

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Annually in the fall, numerous EBCI and regional organizations get together to honor the flowing waters of our region and to clean the banks and river bottoms. 

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Please contact us if you'd like to participate in the 2023 celebration.

 

We would like to encourage EVERYONE to take some time  to clean up a waterway near you. Post a picture using #honoringlongman