Qualla Boundary

The Qualla Boundary is essentially the reservation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. While not technically a reservation--rather, a "land trust"--the Qualla Boundary is a Cherokee-controlled area that the United States' government has not been able to eradicate. Though officially located in the town of Cherokee, North Carolina, "Cherokee," in this case, refers to the township of Yellow Hill.

The Qualla Boundary is a highly politicized area that makes most of its money from tourism and the Harrah's Casino, instituted in the early 1990s. The negative reprecussions of the casino, in this case, have been enormous. While the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (which was supposed to be "terminated" and now officially has no reservation) has multiple casinos, the Qualla Boundary's single casino has caused massive rifts in Eastern Cherokee society.

There are also a number of "reservation tract" areas within the counties surrounding the Qualla Boundary. These areas are owned by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.