Interview with Henry Lambert

Interview with Henry Lambert

Autobiography

Cherokee Indians -- Public opinion

Indigenous American tourism -- Social aspects

Lambert, Henry Ray, 1935-2007

Tourism

Henry Lambert, popularly known as "Chief Henry," talks about his work--posing as a Cherokee "chief" wearing Indian attire, including headdress, for tourists and vacationers visiting Cherokee, North Carolina. Lambert initially worked as a construction worker, but at the time of the interview Lambert had been working as "Chief" for a Smokies gift shop for nearly 47 years. According to him, he has been photographed with movie stars and even George Bush who had visited the area while he was running for presidency. He has received postcards and letters from all over the world. One of the best things Lambert liked about his job was that he could make kids happy. Lambert mentions he kept up with movies and kids' culture--Pocahontas and Lion King--so he could better interact with children. He also mentions his least favorite part was being criticized by tourists for a variety of reasons including the authenticity of his Cherokee attire, about what he ate, or that he was not a "real Indian." Some tourists were even surprised he could speak in English. Lambert's typical work day involves posing for photographs with tourists, holding doors open for ladies, being courteous with visitors, and shaking hands with kids. He also sells arrows, walking sticks, blow guns to the gift shop which then resells it. Although Lambert is now old, his regular customers still come year after year to take pictures with him.

Lambert, Henry Ray, 1935-2007

WCU Mountain Heritage Center Oral Histories

Hunter Library Digital Collections, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723

1940s; 1950s; 1960s; 1970s; 1980s; 1990s;

1996-03-20

Mansfield, William

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

audio/mp3;

sound recordings

interviews

eng

Sound

35670

https://southernappalachiandigitalcollections.org/object/35670

2015-05-22

All rights reserved. For permissions, contact Hunter Library Digital Collections, Western Carolina U, Cullowhee, NC 28723;

Cherokee County (N.C.)

North Carolina

00:25:25(duration)

00:47:11(duration)

Oral Histories of Western North Carolina