The Cherokee were one of the primary Native American tribes originally inhabiting the Appalachian region.

The Cherokee people historically occupied much of the Appalachian region, particularly in areas that are now North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. They were part of the larger Iroquoian language family and were known for their sophisticated social systems, trade networks, and knowledge of the Appalachian environment. The Cherokee lived in harmony with the land, relying on its resources for farming, hunting, and gathering. Their deep cultural connection to the region remains evident today through preserved traditions and sites, despite the devastating impacts of the Trail of Tears, which forced their relocation to the western United States in the 1830s.