Get Real & Heal. Now – April 10. Mon. Wed. & Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Cherokee Fitness Complex 810 Acquoni Rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. FREE 12 week group exercise program for patients who have had a cancer diagnosis. Info: Sherri.Watterson@Cherokeehospital.org

Unto These Hills Auditions. Jan. 24 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Cherokee Historical Association Mainn Office 564 Tsali Blvd. Cherokee, NC. 28719. Casting for Indigenous youth and adults for the 2026 season. Info: (828) 497-2111

Blood Drive. Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Cherokee High School, 86 Elk Crossing Lane, Cherokee, NC. 28719. Donate in Memory of Mianna “Peaches” Squirrell. Students must be 16 years of age to donate.

WIPCE Public Presentation. Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. at the Yellowhill Activity Center 1406 Acquoni Rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. The delegation will host a public presentation as part of RKLI’s commitment to strengthening Cherokee leadership, participants will complete community projects inspired by their experience, the delegation organized through the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) recently traveled to Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand), to attend the 2025 World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE), joining more than 4,000 Indigenous leaders and educators from around the world.

MANNA Foodbank Community Market. Jan. 29 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the Wolftown Gym 27 Long Branch rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. Stop by for free grocery staples, produce and other perishable items. Bring your Own bags. Free and Open to all community members. Info: megastam@ebci-nsn.gov or (828) 359-6934

Tribal Sovereignty in the 21^st Century. Jan. 29 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Museum of the Cherokee People in the TJ Holland Education Room 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. As part of the James A. Cooper Lecture Series, Cherokee Studies presents Stacy Leeds, Cherokee Nation Citizen. Leeds is the leading scholar of Indigenous law and policy, with extensive experience in law, higher education, economic development and conflict resolution. INFO: bhriggs@email.wcu.edu

2026 Cherokee Indian Fair Theme Contest. Deadline Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. Prize is $250 for winning entry. Enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are eligible to enter. Rules: open to all ages, entrants younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian co-sign the liability release form and along with the W9. Theme must be culturally oriented. Theme must be seven words or less and write a short paragraph describing the meaning of your theme. Only one entry per person. Entry forms available at the Cherokee Welcome Center (828) 359-6490 Emailed forms can  be emailed contact: Lisa Frady at lisafrady@ebci-nsn.gov or brandy Sequoyah at bransequ@ebci-nsn.gov. Winner will be selected at the next Cherokee Indian Fair Committee meeting on Feb. 4. *EBCI Destination marketing department and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.*

Childbirth Classes. Feb. 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in the Cherokee Choices Community Room 806 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC. 28719. Info: Tricia Carver (828) 788-4401 email triccarv@ebci-nsn.gov

Elder Member Appreciation Day. Feb. 12  from 5 a.m – 3 p.m. at the Cherokee Fitness Complex 37 Cherokee Boys Club Loop Cheroke, NC. 28719. Come out, bring a friend, there will be food, door prizes, challenges, swag and demonstrations of the new recovery equipment (hydromassage beds and compression sleeves, call to reserve your time slot to try the new NORMATEC compression sleeves). INFO: (828) 359-6495.

Sweetheart Market. Feb. 12 from 10a.m. –  3 p.m. at the Pam Taylor Gym 10 Old Gap Rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. Over 30 vendors, gifts for your sweetheart. Several varieties of food onsite. INFO: Angie Garcia (828) 778-4585.

Valentine’s Fashion Market. Feb. 13 from 4p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute 171 Boys Club Loop, Cherokee, NC.2 8 719. Snag a last minute gift for your loved one. Featuring Kananesgi Artists: Faith Long-Pressley of Ganvhida Design, Tara McCoy, Tonya Carroll, Alicia Wildcatt of Greybeard Metal Smithing, Paula Wojtkowski of Unapologetically Rez, Tooter Owens, Mary Thompson, Alex Lane and Louise Goings. Info: kananesgi17@gmail.com

Member Appreciation Day. Feb. 18  from 5 a.m – 6 p.m. at the Cherokee Fitness Complex 37 Cherokee Boys Club Loop Cheroke, NC. 28719. Come out, bring a friend, there will be food, door prizes, challenges, swag and demonstrations of the new recovery equipment (hydromassage beds and compression sleeves, call to reserve your time slot to try the new NORMATEC compression sleeves). INFO: (828) 359-6495.

Feather Cape Class. Begins Feb 2 from 3:30pm – 5:30 p.m.in the Maker Space at the Qualla Boundary Public Library 810 Acquoni Rd. Cherokee, NC. 28719.  Limited spots available call to sign up by Thursday. Jan. 22. Lottery draw will be held on Friday, Jan. 23. Cost $25 Info: (828) 359-6738

CALL FOR ARTISTS. Over the next 6 months. In the Maker Space in the Qualla Boundary Public Library 810 Acquoni Rd. Cherokee, NC. 28719. Seeking interested artists to teach one or more of these workshops: feather capes, fingerweaving, bandolier bags, pucker toe moccasins, beadwork, copper, silver and metalwork. Infor: Chi Shipman (828) 359-6725 or chiship@ebci-nsn.gov

Cherokee Language Workshop with Aniyona Museum of the Cherokee People Multipurpose Room January  21, 26 & 28, 5pm-6pm CLMAP graduates lead a free language workshop for all at Museum of the Cherokee People. Info: (828) 497-3481

Cherokee Winter Social. Jan. 31, 2026 at the Peaches Squirrel Sports & Rec. Complex 1212 Birdtown Rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. MC: Catcuce Tiger. Everyone Welcome! Traditional Dress & Ribbon Shirts/ Skirts encouraged. All Cherokee Singers welcome, bring your rattles & drums. Food provided by Nikki’s Frybread.

Fingerweaving Fridays,  February 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2:30pm-4:30pm Museum of the Cherokee People Art Studio 589 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC. 28719 Bring a project or choose materials from the Museum’s selection at this free craft circle open to beginner and experienced weavers. Info: (828) 497-3481

Books on the Boundary: The Bone Thief, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Museum of the Cherokee People Store 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee, NC. 28719Museum of the Cherokee People’s book club meets to discuss The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lillie (Cherokee Nation). Info: (828) 497-3481

Halloween Script Contest. Submit by March 1. Cherokee Historical Association is looking for a new haunted house script to use for Legendary Fears 2026. Should be suitable for outdoor venue and approximately 10 scare actors. Preference will be given to scripts by Indigenous authors and subject related to Cherokee culture. Info: Chelsey@CherokeeAdventure.comm

NAIWA (North American Indian Women’s Association, Inc.) Cherokee Chapter meets the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the West Senior Center in Cherokee, N.C. Eligibility for membership: any American Indian or Alaska Native or Canadian First Nations woman, 18 years of age or older, who is officially identified as a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe/Nation. The meetings contain information on purpose and further aims. All who meet the eligibility are invited to attend.

NAIWA Daughters meetings. Each meeting is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Qualla Java in Cherokee, N.C. Meetings are scheduled for Aug. 10 and Sept. 14.

(All meetings are held in the Cherokee Tribal Council House in Cherokee, N.C. unless otherwise noted.)

Health Board. Jan. 21 at 8:30 a.m.

Confirmation hearing for Cruz Galaviz to the Kituwah, LLC Board. Feb. 3 at 9 a.m.

Confirmation hearing for Nelson Lambert to the Tribal Gaming Commission. Feb. 3 at 9:15 a.m.

Work Session on Tabled Ord. No. 6 (Judicial Code). Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m.

13^th Annual Great River Eagle Days Winter Gathering Intertribal Pow Wow. Jan. 24-26 at the Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy, Ill. MC: Clifton Hall. Info: Leslie Haslem (217) 430-5087, Ravenwoman2015@yahoo.com

Big Mac Memorial Round Dance. Jan. 31 in the Shakopee Cultural Center in Shakopee, Minn. Emcees: Jackson Rolling Thunder Tahuka, John Teller Jr. Invited Groups: Meskwaki Nation, Southern Boyz, Wild Rose, Red Willow. Info: Terri Ann Taylor (952) 495-4462

Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow, Jan. 30 –  31, 2026, at Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, Fl. 33314. Emcees: Juaquin Hamilton, Ruben Little Head. Pow wow Info: Eugenia Osceola (954) 594-2992 or Rochelle Osceola (954) 805-1623.

Annual Gourd Dance & Stomp Dance. Jan. 31 at Mary E. Silvers Exhibit Hall in Stillwater, Okla. Info: nasaosu@gmail.com

Myaami Winter Gathering. Jan. 31 at the Miami Nation Council Building in Miami, Okla. MC: George Alexander. Host Drum: Ironbow. Info: Julie Olds (918) 541-3131, Nate Poyfair (918) 325-0295, https://miamination.com/

Sweetheart Dance. Feb. 7 at the Bridgestone Intermediate School in Oklahoma City, Okla. MC: Carla Whiteman. Head Singer: Leonard Cozad Jr. Info: Felecita Toledo (405) 408-5310

Prairie Island Waniyetu Wacipi. Feb. 13-15 at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino Event Center in Welch, Minn. Emcees: Whitney Rencountre and Redwing Thomas. Host Drum: Bad River. Invited Drums: The Descendants, Hay Creek, Ironwood, Smokeytown, Bad Nation. Info: https://prairieisland.org

20^th Annual Gathering at the Rapids. Feb. 14-15 at GLF Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. MC: Joey Awonohopay. Host Drum: Blackstone. Co-Host Drum: Bear Creek. Info: Elizabeth.nahwegezhic@algomau.ca

Quapaw Nation Gourd Dance and Hand Games. Feb. 14 at Miami Council House in Miami, Okla. MC: Awk-A-Noxie Hamilton. Info: Lane Ellick (918) 543-1853 or Shawn Ellick (918) 290-0026

15^th Annual Bay Area American Indian (BAAITS) Two Spirit Pow Wow. Feb. 14 at Fort Mason Festival Pavillion in San Francisco, Calif. Info: admin@baaits.org

Spirit of Nations Pow Wow. March 28 at Jefferson County High School at 115 W. Dumplin Valley Rd. in Dandridge, Tenn. Info: www.indiancreekproductions.com

Yellowhorse Pow Wow Celebration. April 4-5 at Founders Hall at 4950 Swinyar Dr. in Collegedale, Tenn. Info: Tammera Hicks (423) 240-7270 or NAServices.org@gmail.com

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Analenisgi. Info: www.AAwnc80.com

Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Cherokee Baptist Church at 812 Tsalagi Road, in Cherokee, N.C. This is a Christ-centered recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, hang-ups, and habits of any kind. All are welcome. Info: Chris McMillan (828) 788-5410

Cherokee Cancer Support Group, potluck dinner with a speaker the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Betty’s Place, 40 Goose Creek Rd, Cherokee, N.C. Anyone is welcome to attend the potluck. The group provides educational and emotional support to clients and families of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians members with cancer. The group can provide financial assistance for fuel, lodging, and transportation and also can assist with mastectomy items, nutritional supplements, wigs, and related products. The group can volunteer to take a client to their appointment if it is requested in a timely manner. Betty’s Place is open Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: (828) 497-0788

Life@WesternCarolina. each Wednesday morning during the academic school year the Life@ group meets on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C.  For those over the age of 50 and looking for ways to engage with the community. To learn more or register visit life.wcu.edu or contact Western Carolina University Educational Outreach (828) 227-7397.

MARA (Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous) meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. in the Rivercane Room at Analenisgi. Info: Analenisgi (828) 497-9163 or visit: https://cherokeehospital.org/locations/analenisgi

Narcotics Anonymous meets on Mondays at 6 p.m. at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Info: North Carolina NA Helpline (855) 227-6272, or www.NA.org

The New Voice of God: Language, Worldview and the Cherokee Bible.  Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. at City Lights Bookstore 3 E Jackson St. Ste 1, Sylva, NC. 28779.  Margaret Bender & Tom Belt will share their new book, The New Voice of God: Language, Worldview, and the Cherokee Bible. Showing how Cherokee Christians ingeniously adapted Christian practices to create unique social and spiritual identities, The New Voice of God documents how this adaptation—manifest in the translation of Christian texts into Cherokee—not only bridged two vastly different languages but also exposed deep philosophical differences, challenging Western cultural norms and reshaping spiritual discourse. Info: (828) 586-9499

Stecoah Stories & Seeds. Speakers Series. Jan. 28, Feb. 11, 25 March 11, 25 at 11:30 a.m., at the Stecoah Valley Center 121 Schoolhouse Rd, Stecoah, NC. 28771. Event is Free, donations are appreciated. Local stories of Graham County, includes soup lunch. Info: (828) 479-3364 stecoahvalleycenter.com.

Local Geology. Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Jackson County Library 310 Keener St., Sylva, NC. 28779. Learn about local geology with Dr. Waters- Tormey.  With over 20 years’ experience teaching and researching geology of the Southern Appalachians as a professor at Western Carolina University. Her main interests are in how rocks formed deep in tectonics plates develop fracture systems as they are brought to the surface by tectonic events.  Hosted by the Balsam Mountain Trust. Info: (828) 586-2016.

Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society meeting. Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center at 45 East Ridge Dr. in Bryson City, N.C. Don Casada will present “Jacob Shope’s Mule Sets the Record Straight” about the Deep Creek area. Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation. This is free and open to the public.

EBCI Community Night with the Georgia Swarm. Feb 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gas South Arena 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth, GA 30097. As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, you may claim up to four (4) complimentary tickets to the Georgia Swarm’s annual Native Heritage Night on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA.Simply click GET TICKETS  to select your seats. Upon adding seats to your cart, your discount code will be automatically applied for the four (4) complimentary tickets! An order processing fee of $5 will be applied at checkout. We’re excited to have you join us for a night of family fun and fast-paced indoor professional lacrosse!

Calling all Vendors. Greening Up The Mountains is looking for Artisans, Crafters, and Food and Beverage Vendors to submit their application for the Greening Up the Mountains Festival to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.This year’s festival seeks artisans and crafters selling their own handmade products. Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors from the expanded Appalachian area are encouraged to apply. Please visit the festival’s website: http://www.mainstreetsylva.org/greening-up-the-mountains/ to review the 2026 Vendor Policies and submit your application. Applications will be accepted through March 20, 2026. For more information, please contact the event coordinators at greeningupthemountains@townofsylva.org.

Spring Rod Run. April 24- 25 Old Cherokee High School Site, 1501 Acquoni Rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719 Thousands in Cash Giveaways, Early Bird Show and Shine Thursday after Lunch, Tool Box and Cooler Scooter Raffles, 50/50, Cruise Thru the Great Smokies National Park, Participant Meal, Valve Cover Racing, Model Car Contest, Vendors, Swap Meet, Food Vendors, Home Built Trophies, and More!! Pre-Register before April 10th and be entered for a huge cash prize!!! INFO: Cherokeerodders.com