NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Ugvwiyuhi Social: September
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks maintains a Facebook page to share public information. This report recaps the postings on his page. These are excerpts. We encourage you to visit the Chief’s page for full content and context.
Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas seeking federal acknowledgement through Congress
The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, a state-recognized group based in McAllen, Texas, is seeking federal acknowledgement as an American Indian tribe through a newly-introduced House bill. H.R. 10435 (Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Recognition Act) was introduced by Rep. Vincente Gonzalez (D-Texas) on Sept. 16, 2026.
EBCI receives $3.7 million grant to expand Burgess-Oocumma Veterans Memorial Cemetery
The Burgess-Oocumma Veterans Memorial Cemetery was dedicated in 2022, and now a sizable grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) will help the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) honor its veterans for generations to come.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI Public Health and Human Services honors employees at Annual Division Gathering
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) held the PHHS Division Gathering at the historic Kituwah Mound on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
2025-26 EBCI Royalty Farewells
2025-26 EBCI Royalty Farewells
Senior Miss Cherokee 2025-26 Farewell
My name is Lisa Fowler Penick, and I am honored to have served as your 2025-2026 Senior Miss Cherokee.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: The deer are out; here are some insurance, safety tips
Deer can be seen along roadways anytime of the year. However, the months of October, November and December account for 40% to 44% of all deer-vehicle collisions in the United States.
COMMENTARY: Are you voting in the midterm elections?
A sachem is a Wampanoag leader. In the early part of the 17th century Qusamequin (Yellow Feather) was the supreme sachem or ‘Massasoit’ of the Wampanoag. He or she was the consummate diplomat to his own and other nations, guided by a council of hand-picked advisors.
COMMENTARY: Personal reflections on addiction
I wrote this poem after reading the testimony of the guy who turned me on to my ruin, what got me 21 years of my life locked up. I can blame only myself. I hope people learn from my mistakes and know there is hope out there.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Murphy 44 Cherokee 23
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) traveled to the Murphy Bulldogs on the evening of Friday, Sept. 25. FINAL SCORE: Murphy 44 Cherokee 23.
FOOTBALL: Cherokee wins SMC conference-opener
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) traveled to the Rosman Tigers in Rosman, N.C. on the evening of Tsungilosdi (Friday), Duliisdi (Sept.) 18 and came away with a 42-14 win in their Smoky Mountain Conference opener.
10th Annual Cherokee Skate Jam largest yet
Wheels were thundering across the concrete as the 10th Annual Cherokee Skate Jam was held at the Ayvdagwalosgiyi (Thunder Place) in Elawodi (Yellowhill) in Cherokee, N.C., on Unadodaquidena (Saturday), Duliisdi (Sept.) 12.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Nancy Leopard Finger
Nancy Leopard Finger passed on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at the age of 93. She was born in Haywood County on Aug. 13, 1933, into a family of 13 children, to the late Frank and Alice (Ashe) Leopard.
OBITUARY: Jarrett Cody Youngdeer
Jarrett Cody Youngdeer, 41, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at 11:10 a.m. at his residence in Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: Thomas Franklin Goolsby
Thomas Franklin Goolsby, 69, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, NC.
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