Pose with Indians - and Bill the Buffalo

Cherokee, North Carolina

The main drag of Cherokee has been known for years as a place where tourists (for a donation) can have their picture taken with a real Indian -- who's usually outfitted in elaborate ceremonial regalia. The most famous practitioner of this art, Chief Henry, "the World's Most Photographed Indian," passed away in 2007. Since then the photo-op Indians of Cherokee appear to have consolidated into two designated locations at the prime east and north entrances to town (Chief Henry's son, Chief Lambert, often poses at these spots).

There wasn't much activity on the east side during our last visit (it was late in the day), but we were happy to discover Wildcat, Wild Horse, and Pheasant on duty at the north approach -- along with an old friend, Bill the Buffalo, who we remembered from an earlier trip. We struck up a conversation about Chief Henry, then later asked how much it would cost to take a picture of all three (and Bill). Wildcat said, "Chief Henry would ask for a $5.00 donation. That sounds about right." And we snapped away.