In addition to leading recycling education on the Qualla Boundary, the Cherokee Youth Council is keeping a two-mile stretch of road litter-free.
With the average American generating 4.6 pounds of trash each day, it’s no wonder that recycling has become a front burner issue in Cherokee and communities across the United States. In Cherokee, young people are driving local recycling efforts.
Their interest began three years ago, when Cherokee youth started participating in the now annual eco-study tour organized by the Cherokee Extension Office and supported by Cherokee Preservation Foundation. These young people were initially startled, and then impressed, to see the lengths that Costa Ricans go to recycle their waste.
At Costa Rica’s EARTH University, which hosts the students, 70% of the waste produced at the school is recycled. The first group of eco-travelers came back to Cherokee committed to ramping up recycling in Western North Carolina, and their passion for the endeavor helped lead to the creation of the Cherokee Youth Council.
The Youth Council gives young enrolled members of the tribe, grades 7 through 12, the opportunity to make their voices heard on issues that are important to them, serve their community and develop their leadership skills. They meet at the Cherokee Youth Center and are led by four facilitators and a volunteer who between the ages of 18 and 23; they are Karina Bottchenbaugh, Candice Craig, Ahli-Sha Littlejohn, Jeremy Wilson and Hwineko Walkingstick.
Today the Youth Council is driving recycling in the region, primarily through an education effort in which Youth Council members are informing Tribal members and other neighbors about what can be recycled and where recyclable items may be taken.
Community members can recycle newspaper, cardboard that hasn’t been touched by food products, office papers, glass, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, motor oil in a sealed container, wood and car batteries. Recycling bins have been placed in locations in Big Cove, Yellowhill, Birdtown, Wolfetown, Painttown, Big Y and the 3200 Acre Tract.
If you know of a young person who may be interested in joining the Cherokee Youth Council, encourage them to call Cherokee Cooperative Extension, 554-6931, for more information.
