Jack “Tsegi” Cooper, who is in the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Immersion program, and Cherokee fluent speaker Gilliam Jackson, are teaching the Western Carolina University (WCU) Cherokee Language Certificate Program.

The Center for Native Health (CNH) has announced Kristina Hyatt as the program officer for Maternal & Child Health programming.

Following a rigorous search, NAFOA, founded as the Native American Finance Officers Association, has named Cory M. Blankenship, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as its new executive director. He will officially assume the role on Sept. 30.

The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute held the completion ceremony on Aug. 22 for the Dinedi Eginelv (To Give What Was Given to Us), and the Anigiduwagi Iyunadvnedi (Kituwah Ways), Adult Leadership Programs at the Yellowhill Activity Center. Both programs are advanced levels of the Duyugodv’i Right Path Adult Leadership Program. The most advanced level is Dinedi Eginelv.

On Aug. 29-30, the Cherokee Youth Council sponsored a series of workshops for the school system and other tribal organizations, the community, and youth and young adults by Dr. Pearl Yellowman that covered topics such as epigenetics, activating ancestral knowledge, and how your environment impacts brain development.

A team of Great Smoky Mountains National Park employees was recently awarded the 2023 Excellence in Education Award at a National Park Service awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Many of the agency’s top awards were presented at the 2023 National Service Awards ceremony.