The Cherokee Little People Village is made up of four small houses built from a variety of naturally sourced materials as well as items that are thought to be pleasing to Cherokee Little People. As our Little People walk with the Cherokee people wherever we may be, it is a reminder of our connection to land and spirit as well as to each other.

Look closely in the brambles and the ferns, small houses have arrived as a reminder that we do not walk alone from place to place. Many folks are used to seeing things like fairy houses from European traditions and are often unaware that we have our own Little People that are deeply connected to this land. While not every tribe is friendly with their Little People, the Cherokee honor them, leave them gifts and often see them as important spiritual allies with the land. We also believe that wherever Cherokee walk, the Little People come with them. When the people from my nation walked from our homes in the Southeast on the Trail of Tears, they walked with us. When many of our families moved West to Washington, they came along with us again. The Anidawi are known to take special care of children who may get lost, help with lost things (although they like to borrow too) and are powerful spiritual beings. My hope would be to inspire wonder and be a reminder that we are not alone on this land with each of the small houses. Each was created with a combination of Cherokee themes combined with elements and aspects of this land that belongs to the many tribes of Washington state. I wanted to create a collaboration of cedar and beach wood, mossy branches and vibrant glass combined harmoniously. As they walk with us, we too must find our place together.

Visit the houses and leave little offerings if you so wish! A pretty rock, a small leaf, a stick that looks like a bird are all tiny treasures. Move from the house and gardens, past the pond and down the sloping hill towards the three bridges. Cross the bridge on the right to begin! There are four houses to find: 1 Bird House, 2 Pumpkin House, 3 Water House and 4 Spider House. Try to find them in that order, which is to walk in a counterclockwise circle towards the last house which represents our story of the First Fire. Enjoy and Wado!

About the artist:

Indigenous/French Intermedia artist Megita Denton hails from Texas and spent many years embedded in the Pacific Northwest region and cultures. Born on her grandmother's couch in Galveston, Texas in 1979, Denton has been living and creating unconventionally ever since. Her intermedia practice is grounded in the land, motivated by connection, and envisioned for positive social impact. Denton’s recent site-specific public works are the next evolution of a practice that includes film, sound, metal and mixed media sculpture, painting, woodworking, fiber arts, photography, projections, large scale public murals, performance, light composition, resilient landscape design, and artistic research.