Alice Gwin Henry

 A Beloved Woman of the Cherokee, (Declared by Walker Calhoun), Chief of the Tanasi Council Tribe. The Tanasi Council Tribe was recognized in 2010 by the state of Tennessee. President of the Faraway Cherokee 501c3,c9 Non Profit, Charitable Native American Indian Organization ,A former Commissioner of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs, Native American Indian activist & Educator, A renowned Artist. Loved & respected by Native Americans &other people of many origins.

  Alice was born in 1941 in Memphis Tennessee. Her father was Thurston Bryant Gwin born in 1899 in Chattanooga Tennessee of the Cherokee Clan Anisahoni (Blue Holly). Her mother was Mattie Ellen McCaig born in 1922 in Humboldt Tennessee of the Cherokee Clan Aniwaya (Wolf).Growing up with her elders & family, she lived the Cherokee ways in private because the Native Americans were not looked upon favorably & were persecuted if found out. She passed on her knowledge & spirituality to her children Bobby, David, & Sharon & her grandchildren. One day one of her grandchildren came to her and told her that one of her teachers in school told her that there were no more Indians in Tennessee.  Alice set out to educate people of the truths of the continuing Native American existence in Tennessee. Already being an award winning nationally recognized artist whose paintings are hanging on many walls along side of other fine collectibles. Her paintings also hang in many galleries including the Amerind (American Indian) Museum in Dragoon Arizona. She has won many awards in prestigious art show like the Laguna Art Affair, the Big Bear Valley Art Festival,the Calico Arts & Crafts show, the Hesperia Art Fair in California, the Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson Arizona, & many more. She studied the history of Tennessee & with the knowledge of what she already knew,she created a painting she named “My Homeland Tennessee” depicting the rich & beautiful history of Tennessee & in 1996 Alice, with the loving support of her husband, Master Sargent Dale Edwin Henry who was retired from the United States Marine Corps traveled along with the Tennessee bicentennial train, educating people of all ages. So many people were so fascinated with the painting & Alice's teachings that she was asked to speak to many schools,universities, & events. Alice made such an impression with her teaching & her Homeland Tennessee painting that there were articles written about her & awards presented to her. In 1996 she was awarded the Tennessee Eagle Award, She also received a Certification of Appreciation by the Memphis Pow Wow Association, In 2001 she received a certificate of recognition for being 1 of 50 women who make a difference by the city Memphis the state of Tennessee. In 1999 the senate joint resolution bill # 405 presented by Senators Steve Cohen & Tre Hargett was passed into law that My Homeland Tennessee would be the official Tennessee Bicentennial Painting & Alice was commended for her contributions to Tennessee with her artwork, teachings & her charitable acts that touched the lives of so many people. My Homeland Tennessee is a collector painting, the only one of its kind,created by a woman of color that was declared the Tennessee Bicentennial painting. A print of the painting is in the Tennessee time capsule. Prints of this painting hangs on many walls including the White House. It was in Vice President, Al Gore's office.“My Homeland Tennessee” has been all over Tennessee & America as a learning tool & a colorful reminder of the rich history of this great state & the Native American People that Helped form this state & our Nation. 

                                     " My Homeland Tennessee "

       Declared the official Tennessee Bicentennial Painting in 1999 via bill                                                          resolution 405