Hip-hop artist Chief Swagg (front row, far right), aka Jeffrey Duarte, signs autographs for fans following a concert at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on the night of Friday, May 11. Shown in photo at left (left-right) front row – Emily Welch, Joi Owle, Maria George, Carolyn George and Chief Swagg; back row – Larissa Martinez and Makailah Oocumma. “The event was a huge success with close to 300 attendees, most of which were youth,” said Sky Kanott, Cherokee Youth Council program manager, who helped organize the event. “We wanted to impact the youth on the Qualla Boundary as a positive influence to live their lives and go after their dreams without drug and alcohol involvement, and Jeffrey Duarte, better known as Chief Swagg, is a performing advocate for a drug-free lifestyle.” (Photos courtesy of Sky Kanott/Cherokee Youth Council)
