Cherokee National Treasure
Pottery
"We need to teach Cherokee People that our Southeastern pottery traditions predate most in the Southwest by thougsands of years. Our artistic designs and forms are distinct and unique to our ancestors' knowlege and understanding of the world around them."
Often referred to as the Mother of Cherokee Pottery among Western Cherokee, Anna Belle Sixkiller has dedicated her life to learning, teaching, and perpetuating the ancient traditions and technology of our ancestors. Her passion for traditional Cherokee artistic expressions has greatly influenced many renowned Cherokee artisands who attribute their awareness and understanding of ancient Southeastern designs, methods and motifs to her teachings.
As a Cherokee National Treasure, Anna has proven a noteworthy role model, diligently working to ensure that our traditional art forms are kept alive and preserved. Her contributions have resulted in generations of Cherokee artisans who continue to produce traditional Cherokee art forms influenced by and originating from the Southeastern Mississippian Ceremonial Complex (900 AD-1600 AD).
