Participation high for third year of Cherokee sochan gathering in park

Gathering sochan or green-headed coneflower is a sacred family tradition that connects the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to their heritage. A new agreement with Great Smoky Mountains National Park recognizes and honors the Tribe’s historical ties and cultural knowledge with respect to the land. Photo courtesy of GSMA.

While the word “harvest” usually brings autumn to mind, spring is the time of year for harvesting sochan. Also known as green-headed coneflower, sochan plays an important role in the cultural heritage of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who gathered food and medicine directly from the land in the Great Smoky Mountains long before […]