NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Planning Board holds monthly meeting, discusses Fair location, Qualla Boundary entry signage
The Planning Board of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) met on the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 19. EBCI Project Management Grants and Planning Coordinator Kim Deas led roll call.
Adding resources: Ribbon-cutting held for additions to Big Cove Fire Station
A ribbon was cut and a fire hose was uncoupled to officially open the new additions to the Big Cove Fire Station in Kolanvyi (Big Cove) on the beautiful afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 22.
Ordinances submitted during Annual Council deal with bear hunting, hemp stores, and more
Several ordinances have been submitted, deemed read and tabled, during this year’s Annual Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) session dealing with topics from bear hunting to hemp stores. Each ordinance has to set for at least 25 days from the day it was introduced before being acted upon.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
State Archives Program to explore Cherokee experiences during the American Revolution
The State Archives of North Carolina, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, will host a virtual program Wednesday, Nov. 4 exploring the complex history of the American Revolution in the Cherokee homeland and the challenges of commemorating the conflict in western North Carolina.
Patsy & Henry Lambert Legacy Fund established to support Cherokee families and community needs
Patrick and Cyndi Lambert have established the Patsy & Henry Lambert Legacy Fund through the Community Foundation of western North Carolina. The permanent charitable endowment will support Cherokee families and community needs for generations.
Cherokee Youth Council hosts sites tour
12 members of the Cherokee Youth Council (CYC) hosted a sites tour and cleanup for various leaders in the Cherokee community on Saturday, Oct. 17. During the tour, CYC members shared historical information, traditional stories and practices, maps, and pictures.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Against referendum question on tribal elections
Why are we having a referendum on election law? If the election law had been in the Charter, none of this would be taking place.
COMMENTARY: The Native vote was hard-fought
For Native people here in the United States, voting is a right secured by the relentless advocacy of those who came before us. Access to that right is even more complex for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.
Health insurance fraud is expensive; we all pay for it
I’ve talked a lot about insurance fraud over the years. Americans pay $308.6 billion annually just to cover the cost of insurance fraud, according to a 2022 study conducted by Colorado State University for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Cherokee tops Andrews for sixth win of season
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) hosted the Andrews Wildcats at Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. on the chilly evening of Friday, Oct. 23.
Team, Family, Community: Cherokee Youth Football program’s key to success
The Cherokee Youth Football program has had a standout season, with the peewees and mites teams going undefeated and competing in the Cracker Bowl Saturday, Oct. 24, and the termites and midgets teams having strong finishes as well.
FOOTBALL: Cherokee tops Hayesville for Homecoming
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) hosted the Hayesville Yellowjackets at Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C., on the evening of Friday, Oct. 2.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Maybelle Smoker Welch
Maybelle Smoker Welch, 69, of the Snowbird Community in Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family, following a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: Johnny Dale Tramper
Johnny Dale Tramper, 68, passed away Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 at his residence.
OBITUARY: Thomas “Brandon” Stephens
Thomas “Brandon” Stephens was born on Feb. 5, 1972, to Thomas “Tommy” Earl Stephens and Evangeline “Vangie” Wolfe Stephens
HAPPENINGS
32nd Annual Stories from the Pumpkin Patch
The thirty second Annual Stories from the Pumpkin Patch will be held Saturday, October 11th from 3pm till 8pm at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. The evening will feature several storytellers from the Jonesborough International Story Tellers Guild. These...
LampLight Theatre to present “The Advocate” in Cherokee
While many haunted attractions promise a night of terror, LampLight’s favored traveling production of “The Advocate” will besiege you long past your visit to see it. Have you ever wondered if God and Satan are real? Is there really a time we will all stand in God’s court of judgment?
12th Annual Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala set for July
The 12th Annual Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala, which will be held on Saturday, July 15 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, promises to be “A Star-Filled Summer Night,” to celebrate healthcare and community in a festive atmosphere under the stars.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
World Premiere held for “Raising Cane: The Cherokee and Rivercane”
A world premiere of “Raising Cane: The Cherokee and Rivercane” was shown at the Thomas Auditorium Blue Ridge Community College on Unadodagwidena (Saturday), Duliisdi (Sept.) 19. The movie highlights the use of rivercane by Cherokee Basket weavers/makers.
Visit Cherokee NC upcoming events
Below is a current list of events from Visit Cherokee NC occurring during September and October in Cherokee, N.C.:
“Your nation is your family”; Sovereignty Play coming to Cherokee
“Sovereignty”, a play written by Cherokee Nation Citizen Mary Kathryn Nagle that explores the impact of the Indian Removal in present-day, is coming to Cherokee Central Schools Sept. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm