'Gadugi,' roughly translating to 'service' in English, holds profound significance for the Cherokee community. In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Bryant, the founder and director of Appalachian State University’s Gadugi Partnership. Dr. Bryant shares insights into how this ethos of cooperation, both in caring for community members and the Earth, manifests in their community on the Qalla Boundary. We also discuss the importance of acknowledging our ancestors and the vital roles community partnership, language, education, and acknowledgement play in healing the wounds of history.

Learn more about the Gadugi Partnership at Appalachian State:

https://gadugischolars.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR0aBZJIs1JhKymVltdKxUyhZcwm43id4FlZn4fo2rHw1pLxvLxL3ZWcxzM&m=1

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057270286764

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to downstream@coosa.org. We’d love to hear from you.

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA. Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks

Ryan Simmons

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin:

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville