Inspired by Community

Faith Long-Presley is an enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Founding Owner of the highly successful Ganvhida Designs, LLC, a company named to honor her Long family ancestry. Long-Presley comes from a renowned lineage of Cherokee craftspeople and artisans. After graduating with a BA from Carson Newman University in Business Administration, Long-Presley returned to Cherokee, North Carolina as the Portfolio Risk Manager and Social Media and Digital Marketing Manager for a Native Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, the Sequoyah Fund. In 2017, Long-Presley served as Miss Cherokee, a position that showcased her commitment as a cultural ambassador for the EBCI. Her dedication to Cherokee arts and culture continued to grow as she partnered to develop the Annual Kananesgi Fashion Show in Cherokee, NC, now in its sixth year. Long-Presley has also been a contributing designer for the past five years. Since her first entry into the world of fashion design, Long-Presley has earned 1st place in textiles and the 2023 Destination Marketing Creativity Award at the Kananesgi Art Show. Additionally, she is a potter and her work is on display at the Museum of the Cherokee People. Long-Presley has dedicated her career to empowering EBCI citizens to achieve their goals as professional artists through training, financing, and mentorship. She currently lives in Cherokee, North Carolina with her husband and daughter.

 

Photo by Ravens Eye Media, Bear Allison

A Special Thank You

I wanted to give my Etsi, my mama, a special thank you.

She has been my number one supporter through this journey and throughout my entire life. From buying the very first ribbon skirt I made, botched ribbon and all, to constantly driving me to be a better woman and community member. I am so incredibly proud of who she is as a person and I am eternally grateful that Creator made her my mama.

Gv-Ge-Yu

Sgi