The life and military service of the late Fred B. Lunsford, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who was a World War II veteran and a Baptist minister, was honored during a ceremony at the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 headquarters in Cherokee, N.C. on the morning of Wednesday, July 2.

The Cherokee Senior Citizens Program, in collaboration with community members, participated in a nationwide Elder Abuse Awareness Walk recently, joining thousands across the country to bring attention to a serious and often overlooked issue: the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.

Sitting at a table in the Qualla Boundary Public Library, Keredith “Tooter” Owens looks over a pile of her photographs documenting her career as a fancy shawl dancer at pow wows. 

Nakoa Chiltoskie, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, loves the graceful movements of dancing and the camaraderie that pow wows bring.  She started dancing at age 7.

Hollie Stover, or Usdasdi, is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the office administrator for New Kituwah Academy (NKA) in Cherokee, N.C.

Anthony Lett, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been in the pow wow dance arena for most of his life.