The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States of America, who are descended from Cherokee who remained in the Eastern United States while others moved or were forced to relocate to the west in the 19th century. The history of the Eastern Band is synonymous with that of the Qualla Boundary, although the EBCI own, hold, or maintain additional lands in the vicinity, and as far away as 100 miles from the Qualla Boundary. The Eastern Cherokee are the descendants primarily of those persons listed on the Baker Rolls of Cherokee Indians. Located in beautiful Western North Carolina, Cherokee is the gateway to both the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Oconaluftee River runs through the heart of Cherokee and offers both locals and tourists incredible swimming holes, tubing and kayaking fun, as well as the most trout stocked river in the SE United States. Cherokee is also home to Harrah's Cherokee Hotel & Casino and Sequoyah National Golf Club http://www.cherokee-nc.com/ http://www.harrahscherokee.com/casinos/harrahs-cherokee/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml http://www.sequoyahnational.com/index.php