Qualla Boundary Public Library and Snowbird Community Library launched a new reading program, Hinigoliya (you and I read), on Tuesday, March 5. Hinigoliya is a reading initiative to promote early literacy for children in kindergarten to third grade within the five-county service area (Graham, Cherokee, Swain, Jackson, Haywood).

The quarterly Cherokee Speakers’ Consortium meeting between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) was held from Feb. 13-16 in Cherokee.

The Museum of the Cherokee People is examining many sides of the issue of tribal sovereignty in a new exhibit, entitled “sov*er*eign*ty: Expressions in Sovereignty of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)”.  It will open to the public on Friday, March 15, 2024 and is scheduled to run through the end of February 2025. 

Inclusion, representation, and health – both physical and mental, are all passions of Dr. Natalie Welch who works daily to improve these in Indian Country.  A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Dr. Welch has worked with some of the tops in the sports business. 

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 25th work anniversary of Executive Director Julie Spiro Donaldson on Thursday, Feb. 15.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is often at the forefront of Indian Country, and a group of enterprising young Cherokee ladies have another first for the Tribe.  They have formed the Junior NAIWA (North American Indian Women’s Association) Cherokee Chapter which is the first such organization in the country. 

Ulster Museum, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has recently refreshed “Inclusive Global Histories”, an exhibition which was launched in March 2022 demonstrating National Museums NI’s continuing commitment to decolonisation, diversity and inclusion.  The exhibit will be on display until March 2025.

Lucina Lira is a youth development professional for the Cherokee Youth Center, an afterschool and summer youth program. Lira, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), attended the Youth Center as a child, and she now enjoys providing a fun and educational space for new generations.