Events Calendar
Benefits and Fundraisers
Agelink Afterschool Fundraiser. July 31 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Agelink Afterschool Building (Modular trailer), 61 Childrens Home Loop, Cherokee, NC. 28719. Each plate purchased helps provide a fun and memorable end of summer experience for the afterschool children. INFO:(828) 359-5552
Cherokee Family Safety Program Ride. Aug. 29 register at 9 a.m. ride at 12 noon. Meet at 7923 Big Cove Rd., Cherokee, NC.28719 INFO: Thomas Wolfe (828) 269-8989. All proceeds go to the Family Safety Program in Cherokee, NC.
EBCI Community Events
Accepting Applications Kituwah Ways. Apply by July 30 by 4 p.m. Apply with Tara McCoy, RKLI P.O. Box 507, Cherokee, NC. 28719 or email tara.mccoy@cherokeeboysclub.com or in person at 171 Boys Club Loop, Cherokee, NC. 28719. Taking applications for 2026-2027 Kituwah Ways Adult Leadership Program. Participants deepen their understanding of Cherokee history and culture, while developing leadership skills. INFO: (828) 359-5542
Smoky Mountain Youth Football Jamboree. Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. Info: Janell Rattler (828) 736-3231 or Timmy Ray Smith 788-2793
NASA Softball Tournament. Aug. 6-8 at John Crowe Ballfields in Whittier, N.C. Info: Janell Rattler (828) 736-3231 or Timmy Ray Smith 788-2793
NAIWA Blueberry Festival. Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m at the Yellowhill Community Activity Center 1416 Acquoni Rd., Cherokee, NC 28719. Blueberry pancakes, BBQ after 11am., and baked goods. Sponsored by NAIWA. INFO: (828) 736-5285.
From Darkness Into Hope. Sept. 10 from 3 p.m. – 7p.m. at the Oconaluftee Island Park US-441 N & Newfound Gap Rd S, Cherokee, NC 28719. Annual Mental health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Event. INFO: (828) 359-6180
Honoring Long Person. Sept. 25 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. meet at Peaches Squirrel Recreation Complex 1139 US-19, Cherokee, NC. 28719. Share a meal, learn about river heritage, then head to the different parts of the Oconaluftee to clean. INFO: facebook.com/HonoringLongPerson.
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. Oct. 7 – Oct. 12 at Burgess – Oocumma Veterans Memorial Cemetery 21 Longbranch Rd., Cherokee, NC. 28719. The 51st Anniversary of the ending of the “Vietnam War”. C0-hosted by the American Legion Steve Youngdeer Post #143 and EBCI Cherokee Parks and Recreation Department.
Cherokee Cultural/Historic Events
Sequoyah Remembrance Day. Aug. 3 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Sequoyah Birthplace Museum at 576 HWY 360 Vonore, Tenn. 37885. Come by and learn about the amazing history of Sequoyah at the museum dedicated to the life and story of Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee written language. Info: (423) 884-6246
Cornhusk Doll Workshop. Aug. 7 from 3 p.m. – 5p.m. at Red Clay State Historic Park. 1140 Red Clay Park Rd SW, Cleveland, TN 37311. Learn to craft traditional cornhusk dolls. Taught by EBCI Member Laura Walkingstick. INFO: (828) 707-6122 or email Rezdogartstudio@gmail.com
35th Annual Cherokee Festival. Sept. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Sequoyah Birthplace Museum at 576 HWY 360 Vonore, Tenn. 37885. Cherokee Arts and crafts demonstrations, Cherokee storytelling, flute playing, Cherokee dances, name written in Cherokee, genealogy help, craft vendors and food vendors. Info: (423) 884-6246
EBCI Community Regular Meetings
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.
Qualla Boundary Historical Society. meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Yellowhill Community Building 918 Acquoni Rd. Cherokee, NC. 28719. Eeryone is welcome to attend the meetings, can join and be a member. The Society is organized to promote, preserve, and educate members of the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), residents of the Qualla Boundary, and others so interested in Cherokee culture, history, arts and crafts, and genealogy/family histories. Follow on Facebook: Qualla Boundary Historical Society.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) Meetings
(All meetings are held in the Cherokee Tribal Council House in Cherokee, N.C. unless otherwise noted.)
Health Board. July 15 at 8:30 a.m.
Roads Commission. July 20 at 9 a.m.
Timber Committee. July 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Planning Board. July 20 at 1 p.m.
Lands Committee. July 23 at 9 a.m.
Minor’s Fund Work Session. July 30 at 9 a.m.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino events
Concerts and Shows
Grand Funk Railroad on its “Still Shinin’ On Tour”. Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center in Cherokee, N.C. For tickets, visit: Grand Funk Railroad: Still Shinin’ On Tour Tickets Aug 01, 2026 Cherokee, NC | Ticketmaster
Gary Allan. Aug 7 at 9 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center in Cherokee, N.C. For tickets, visit: Gary Allan Tickets Aug 07, 2026 Cherokee, NC | Ticketmaster
Gabriel Fluffy Iglesias Live. Aug. 14 at 9 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center in Cherokee, N.C. For tickets, visit: Gabriel Fluffy Iglesias Live Tickets Aug 14, 2026 Cherokee, NC | Ticketmaster
Travis Tritt. Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center in Cherokee, N.C. For tickets, visit: Travis Tritt Tickets Sep 19, 2026 Cherokee, NC | Ticketmaster
Mike Epps. Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center in Cherokee, N.C. For tickets, visit: Mike Epps Tickets Oct 02, 2026 Cherokee, NC | Ticketmaster
Promotions and Other Events
Pow Wow Listings
5th Annual Big River First Nation Pow Wow. July 21-23 at the Big River First Nation Pow Wow Grounds in Saskatchewan, Canada. Emcees: Ruben Little Head, Cornell Tootoosis. Host Drum: Whitetail Boyz. Co-Host Drum: Northern Cree. Info: Curtis Bear (306) 468-7203, Wally Morin Jr. (639) 470-3329
Kawacatoose First Nation Pow Wow. July 21-23 at the Kawacatoose First Nation Pow Wow Grounds in Raymore, Saskatchewan, Canada. Emcees: Jackson Tahuka, Sanford Strongarm. Host Drum: Stoney Park. Info: (306) 835-2125, kfnpowwow@gmail.com
Oklahoma City Pow Wow Club 76th Annual Indian Hills Pow Wow. July 22-26 at the Indian Hills Pow Wow Grounds in Oklahoma City, Okla. Emcees: Alan Fletcher, Mike Burgess. Head Singer: Sonny Toppah. Info: No contact information provided
Tsuut’ina Nation Annual Celebrations Pow Wow. July 23-26 at Redwood Meadows Fairgrounds in Redwood Meadows, Alberta, Canada. Tuut’ina MC: Hal Eagletail. Visiting MC: Jackson Rolling Thunder. Host Drum: Wild Rose. Info: Marcie Two Guns at Marcie.meguinis@tsuutina.com
46th Annual Keweenah Bay Indian Community Maawanji’iding Pow Wow. July 24-26 at Ojibwa Campgrounds in Baraga, Mich. Emcees: Joel Syrette, John Teller Jr. Host Drum: Summer Cloud. Invited Drums: Raining Thunder, Young Kingbird. Info: Info: Chrstine Awonohopay (906) 201-2297
57th Annual Thunderchild First Nation Pow Wow. July 24-26 in Turtleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Emcees: Juaquin Hamilton-Youngbird, Bart Powaukee, Elmer Rattlesnake, Winston Bear. Host Drum: Cozad. Honorary Host Drums: High Noon, Young Thunder, Big Bear. Invited Drums: Ho-Chunk Station, Blackstone, Wild Horse, Black Otter, Mato Pejuta, Bear Creek, Poundmaker, Cree Confederation, Hay Creek, Iron Swing. Info: Roderick Wapass (306) 392-0041
Ely Shoshone Pow Wow. July 24-26 in Ely, Nev. MC: Harold Begaye. Host Drum: Red Hoop. Invited Drum: Iron Colt. Info: Maria Stanton (775) 388-3816
Fort Totten Days Wacipi and Celebration. July 24-26 at Andrew Shaw Sr. Arena in Fort Totten, N.D. Emcees: Dr. Leander “Russ” McDonald, Harold Blacksmith. Info: (701) 766-4486, akicita@spiritlakevjw.com
Gii-Ishkonigewag Pow Wow. July 24-26 in McGregor, Minn. Emcees: Terry Fiddler, Reuben Crowfeather Jr. Host Drum: Red Willow. Invited Drums: Black Lodge, Fort Peck Sioux, Smokeytown. Info: Taria Aubid (320) 630-5086, taria.aubid@millelacsband.com
Saginaw Chippewa 42nd Annual Pow Wow. July 24-26 at The Hill Campground in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Emcees: Keveon Kingbird, Anthony Monoessy. Host Drum: Under the Pines. Info: (989) 775-5643, PowwowCommittee@sagchip.org, www.sagchip.org/powwow
74th Annual Tulsa Pow Wow. July 25-26 at Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa, Okla. Emcees: Warren Queton, Marshal Williamson. Head Singer: George Valliere. Info: (918) 724-0762, tpwvendinfo@gmail.com
Wiconi 20th Annual Living Waters Pow Wow. July 25 at Aldersgate Conference Center & Campground in Turner, Ore. MC: Bob Tom. Host Drum: Four Directions. Info: Gary Eastty (360) 903-9570, magwiconi03@gmail.com
Long Plain First Nation Competition Pow Wow. July 31 – Aug. 2 at the Long Plain First Nation Pow Wow Arbor in Long Plain, Manitoba, Canada. MC: Clifton Goodwill. Co-MC: Caleb High Eagle. Host Drum: Dakota Hotain. Info: No contact information provided
36th Annual Oklahoma Indian Nation Pow Wow. July 31 – Aug. 2 in Concho, Okla. MC: Burl Buffalomeat. Head Singer: Richard Deere. Info: No contact information provided
58th Annual Menominee Nation Contest Pow Wow. July 31 – Aug. 2 at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena, Wisc. Emcees: Joey Awonohopay, Vince Beyl. Vendors Info: Mike Fish Jr. (715) 584-6667, mfishjr@mitw.org
Beaver Lake Cree Nation Competition Pow Wow. July 31 – Aug. 2 at the Beaver Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow Grounds in Beaver Lake Nation, Alberta, Canada. Emcees: Cliff Whitford, Ben Cardinal. Host Drum: Sound Child. Vendors Info: (780) 404-6640
Canupawakpa Dakota Nation Wacipi. July 31 – Aug. 2 at the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation, Manitoba, Canada. MC: Harold Blacksmith. Host Drums: Dakota Travels, Riverside Dakota. Info: No contact information provided
Rocky Boy Pow Wow. July 31- Aug. 2 at the Rocky Boy Pow Wow Grounds in Box Elder, Mont. Emcees: Elmer “Bannock” Rattlesnake, Jackson Tahuka Rolling Thunder, Daryl Wright. Host Drums: Southern Cree, Meskwaki Nation, Rocky Boy Agency. Vendor Info: Brandi Buffalo (406) 399-4605, Laurie Sunchild (406) 301-3949
54th Annual Indian Fair Days & Pow Wow. Aug. 1-2 at the North Fork Recreation Center in North Fork, Calif. MC: Frankie Williams. Host Northern Drum: Spirit Ground. Host Southern Drum: Hummingbird. Info: (559) 877-2115, smmpowwow@gmail.com
67th Annual O-Sa-Wan Pow Wow. Aug. 1-2 at Plowman’s Park in Big Rock, Ill. Info: Linda (847) 721-3128, linda4709@comcast.net
Friendship Pow Wow. Aug. 1 in Jean Lafitte, La. Host Drum: Mahil Trial. Info: Lisa Creppel (504) 994-7713
Support Groups
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
Western N.C. and Beyond Events
Smoky Mountain Summer Fest 2026. July 25 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Sevierville Fairgrounds, 754 Old Knoxville Hwy. Sevierville, TN. 37862. Classic car shows, food trucks, live music, vendors. Free public admission. INFO: (865) 388-0099
Connecting to Place II: Blue Ridge Craft Trails Invitational. Aug. 7 – Sept. 27 (Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Mars Landing Arts Center in Mars Hill, N.C. The 20 participants are from the Far West region of Western North Carolina, representing seven towns and the Qualla Boundary: Franklin, Waynesville, Dillsboro, Bryson City, Cullowhee, Canton, Cherokee, Maggie Valley, and Brasstown. The artwork consists of different mediums including clay, fiber, metal, paper, and wood. This is free and open to the public. Info: (828) 747-7267, http://MarsLandingGalleries.
Pet Food Giveaway. Aug 19 starting at 10 a.m. at the Cherokee Animal Care Clinic 1100 US HWY 441N, Whittier, NC. 28789.
2026 Trade Fair. Aug. 21 – 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 W Madison Ave., Athens., TN. 37303. Crafts, music, history, food, textiles, quilting and more. INFO: (423) 745-0329.
Pistol Creek, Catch of the Day. Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Sam Houston Schoolhouse 3663 Old Sam Houston School Rd, Maryville, TN. 37804. Bring a lawn chair. INFO: (865) 983-1550.