Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns

04/10/2026

GCAIC is honored to partner with the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force for their annual Missing Persons & DNA Event

📅 Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 10am – 2pm
📍 Avondale Estates Farmers Market on the Town Green | 64 N. Avondale Rd., Avondale Estates, GA

If you have a missing loved one, DeKalb County Police and the DA's Office will be on-site to take reports and enter case information into national law enforcement and missing persons databases. DNA donations will also be collected for CODIS and genealogy databases. Bring photos, medical records, and ID documents for your missing person, if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Event information & registration https://sites.google.com/view/dekalbcoldcase/events?pli=1

03/25/2026

We're excited to be partnering with the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival this year! Our very own Rhonda Bennett, Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns Member and Chair of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee, will be bringing the story of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee to the festival stage. Culture lives in the stories we tell — come hear them.

🗓️ Saturday, April 11 at 11:30 AM | Blue Ridge Room
(Session will also be recorded for online viewers)

📅 April 10–11, 2026
📍 The Ridges Resort, Hiawassee, GA
🔗 more info at: www.gamountainstoryfest.org

We're so fortunate to have Rhonda Bennett as one of our 2026 regional voices! Rhonda is the Council Chair of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee. She has served on the Council for 21 years and also serves on the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns and the Lumpkin County Native American Advisory Board. She co-founded the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee Center, currently under development, which will depict the history of the Cherokee living in the North Georgia area at the time of the removal in 1839 (The Trail of Tears) and how the discovery of gold affected the Tribe’s future. It is her goal is to reveal the true history of the Tribe that remains in Dahlonega today. Rhonda will be telling the story of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee at the festival on Saturday, April 11, at 11:30 AM in the Blue Ridge room. We'll also be recording this session for our online viewers. To hear Rhonda and our other terrific tellers, reserve your festival ticket through https://www.gamountainstoryfest.org.

01/06/2026

Exciting News!

The Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns and New South Associates, Inc. is partnering with the Partnership for Innovation to host 2 college student interns this summer. This 12-week paid internship will provide hands-on experience in Native American studies, community outreach and archaeology while you work alongside our talented team on a project that supports the creation of a StoryMap highlighting Native American history and lifeways in Georgia, including K-12 and public educational materials.

This year’s interns will contribute to an existing StoryMap.
• Develop valuable skills in public outreach, communication, and Native American cultures in Georgia.
• Gain hands-on experience in social impact, public education, and historic preservation and archaeology.
• Work on a meaningful project that addresses the history and cultures of Native Americans of Georgia

Internship Job Description - https://tinyurl.com/39yhth3z

This project will develop a digital tool (Story map integration) to help visitors discover, learn about, and plan visits to Native American heritage sites across Georgia. The goal is to increase cultural awareness and responsible tourism while supporting rural economies and honoring Indigenous history.

Apply Now! Link: https://lnkd.in/eGAxeHZ6

Benefits:
• $8,000 total (after taxes), bi-weekly pay
• Mentorship from industry professionals from our team
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders
• Professional development workshops and seminars
• Opportunity to contribute to a growing and impactful organization

03/28/2022

In November, for the first time a sitting Georgia Governor invited and met with representatives from each of our state-recognized tribes shortly before offically declaring November Native American Heritage Month in Georgia. Better yet, we were able to include our four strongest partners in the ceremony. Special thank you to Atlanta Braves President Derek Schiller, Gerogia Southern President Dr. Kyle Marrero, and Univeristy of North Georgia and Department of Natural Resource representatives for thaking the time to celebrate with us.