Preparing New Cherokee Leaders by Emphasizing Traditional Tribal Values
With the emergence in the past decade of a casino owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the tribe has prospered financially, and leadership opportunities for tribal members have multiplied. With the casino, tribal government, and other organizations all seeking to employ tribal members with strong leadership skills, the leadership pool has been stretched thin. To help the tribe develop new leaders to join the ranks of those already serving, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation developed several successful leadership programs.
In 2016, based on feedback from the community, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation started a collaborative project with the Cherokee Boys Club to maximize the potential of the existing leadership programs. As a result, the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute was formed to house the existing leadership programs under one umbrella organization.
The Cherokee Boys Club is a non-profit organization that has successfully provided employment, training, and community service to the Cherokee community since 1932. Much of the Cherokee Boys Club’s success can be attributed to Mr. Raymond E. Kinsland. Mr. Kinsland served as the General Manager of the Cherokee Boys Club for over 50 years. In 1968, he was made an honorary member of the EBCI because of his selfless service to the Cherokee people and community. Mr. Kinsland’s character and selfless leadership exemplify what we want to pass down in our programs.
In the Cherokee culture, leaders are those that do what needs to be done without seeking recognition for their efforts. The goal of the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute is to help produce a selfless, giving generation that is grounded in traditional Cherokee values and educated in modern leadership. As of August 2017, the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute is fully staffed and working on strategies, public relations, marketing, and community relationship planning for all programs.
The Traditions of Cherokee Leadership
Cherokee values are illustrated by two Cherokee traditions, ga-du-gi and the Grand Council. Ga-du-gi, which in the Cherokee language means “working together for the common good,” is a Cherokee tradition in which community members help neighbors in need without being asked for help.
Grand Councils were conducted for many generations to deliberate on important matters. At these councils, every Cherokee, from the oldest to the youngest, had the right to be heard. Tribal leaders sought understanding and consensus through mutual inquiry.
Concepts of the Leadership Initiative
As the Cherokee Preservation Foundation worked closely with Cherokee tribal members to develop the leadership initiative, we created a program that:
Is culturally based and grounded in Cherokee values.
Includes exposure to the broader world of Native cultures and challenges.
Emphasizes learning by doing, and includes formal learning, mentoring, and internship components.
Integrates leadership into new and existing organizations and programs.
Includes a discovery process into tribal identity, values, and history.
Utilizes the wisdom of elders through teaching, mentoring, and monitoring.
Supports individual, organizational, and community change and growth, and is oriented to community rather than individual benefit.
Embraces all generations and is accessible to all tribal members following diverse pursuits, as many vocations and pursuits of leadership are valued and supported.
Encompasses partnerships with Tribal and community programs.
Collaborates with other effective, culturally compatible programs across the U.S.
Using the concepts and initiatives above, three culturally based leadership programs were developed.
The Cherokee Youth Council for youth grades 7-12, the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program for college undergraduates, and the Right Path Adult Leadership Program.
Meet the RKLI Team
Tonya Carroll
Department Manager
Tonya Carroll (Eastern Band Cherokee) has led the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute since 2016, bringing heart and vision to everything RKLI does. A graduate of the pilot Right Path program in 2011, she’s passionate about growing strong Cherokee leaders through culturally based programs.
She holds degrees in American History and Public History from Western Carolina University and has a deep love for Cherokee language, culture, and community. Tonya also helps organize the Kananesgi Art Market and Fashion Show, celebrating EBCI artists.
Martha Wolfe
Administrative Assistant
Martha Wolfe (Eastern Band Cherokee) has been keeping things running smoothly at RKLI since June 2018. With a background in both CBC Printing and the EBCI Finance Office, she brings a mix of creativity and organization to her work. Martha supports all RKLI programs and is known for her top-notch graphic design skills.
When she’s not supporting RKLI’s programs, you can often find Martha at the bowling alley, where her skills and competitive spirit are just as impressive.
Tara McCoy
Duyugodv’i Right Path Leadership Specialist
Tara McCoy (Eastern Band Cherokee) has been guiding RKLI’s adult leadership programs since August 2017, overseeing Right Path, Duyugodv’i, Kituwah Ways, and Dinedi Eginelv. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Guilford College and is a 2011 graduate of the Right Path program. Tara brings a strong commitment to community service to her role.
Beyond leadership development, Tara is a master artist with work spanning pottery, shell carving, beadwork, finger weaving, and jewelry making. Tara is also the founder of the Kananesgi Art Market and Fashion Show events that uplift and celebrate Cherokee artists and designers.
Levi West
CYC Leadership Specialist
Levi West (Eastern Band Cherokee) leads RKLI’s youth programming, including the Cherokee Youth Council and the Youth Cultural Exchange Program. Since joining the team in 2021, he’s helped guide youth through culturally grounded leadership experiences rooted in Cherokee values.
Levi holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and recently earned his master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. He’s also an emerging Cherokee potter, actively studying traditional techniques and supporting artisan resource gathering. His research on historic and sacred Cherokee sites helps connect youth and community members to the land and culture.
Levi is passionate about empowering the next generation and preserving Cherokee knowledge for the future.
Raylen Bark
Grants and Fundraising Specialist
Raylen Bark (Eastern Band Cherokee, Choctaw, Hualapai, and Hidatsa) joined the RKLI team in July 2024 as our Grants and Fundraising Specialist. A recent graduate of Dartmouth College, Raylen brings fresh perspective, strong writing skills, and a deep commitment to supporting culturally based leadership development for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
She’s passionate about advocacy and policy and is exploring the path toward law school. Raylen brings energy, creativity, and a thoughtful approach to building relationships and securing support for RKLI’s programs.