About NEST

Founded in 2013 as "Snowbird Cherokee Traditions Corporation", NEST (Native Education Snowbird Traditions) has been serving our community with programs designed to keep the Cherokee culture and language alive.

Our Beloved Founder

Shirley Jackson Oswalt grew up in the Snowbird Community of what is now known as Graham County, North Carolina. She grew up speaking and hearing the Cherokee language in her home and taught herself to read and write in it as well.

Shirley started Snowbird Cherokee Traditions Corporation to work towards preserving the Cherokee language and culture for future generations. In the absence of curriculum to use for teaching the Cherokee language, Shirley developed her own that are still the basis for what we teach today.

In addition to her work around the Cherokee language, Shirley is also contributed to other cultural preservation efforts like helping in the creation of The Junaluska Society to perpetuate the memory of the famous Cherokee leader buried in Graham County.

February 2, 2017, Shirley was named a Beloved Woman of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the highest honor that can be given to a Cherokee woman.

Shirley passed away August 21, 2017.

Honoring Our Past

Check back for more information on our previous teachers and students.