Event listings are FREE of charge. Send your flyers/info to Scott at scotmckie@ebci-nsn.gov or to Cherokeeonefeather1966@gmail.com
BENEFITS/FUNDRAISERS
Turkey Shoots at the Jesse Welch Turkey Shoot Facility in Kolanvyi (Big Cove). Good food, good fun, great prizes, great benefits.
- Dec. 14 at 3 p.m., benefit for the Tracy and Cindee West family
- Jan. 1, 2025 at 3 p.m., sponsored by Norman Walkingstick
Bingo Fundraiser for Kenai Juarez. Dec. 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Deb West Senior Center (formerly Tsali Manor) in Cherokee, N.C. $20/person and includes Bingo cards and a door prize raffle ticket. Proceeds will benefit hospital stay for surgery. Info: (828) 269-8063
Senior 2025 Fundraisers at the West Senior Center (formerly Tsali Manor). Info: Annette Craig (828) 226-6703
- Jan. 18. Breakfast, Bake Sale, and 50/50 Raffle. $15/plate
- March 15. Bingo
- April 14. Basket Raffle
- May 25-31. Silent Auction
EBCI COMMUNITY EVENTS
NAIWA-Sponsored Christmas Bazaar. Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pam Taylor Painttown Gym in Cherokee, N.C. Local shopping and food. Info: Lucille Wolfe (828) 736-5285
Annual Cherokee Central Schools Indian Market Bazaar. Dec. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Elementary and Middle School gymnasiums. This is sponsored by the CCS Cultural Dept. A frybread fundraiser will also be held. For more information or to reserve a table, contact Jakeli Swimmer or Laura Pinnix (828) 554-5004.
Cherokee Choices Cookies and Cocoa Open House Event. Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cherokee Choices off of Acquoni Road in Cherokee, N.C. See what free programs Cherokee Choices has to offer. Free refreshments. Info: April Innis (828) 359-6201 or apriinni@ebci-nsn.gov
Elawodi (Yellowhill) December activities at the Yellowhill Activity Center:
- Dec. 13: deliver Christmas cards to Tsali Care.
- Dec. 17: Youth EcoExplorer program from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., celebrate Mammalogy Season. The NC Arboretum will be offering special prize (a pair of binoculars) for each child that attends.
- Dec. 21: Christmas Dinner at 4 p.m., door prizes and treat bags will be given out. Community members, please bring side dishes or desserts. The club is providing ham, turkey, dressing and gravy.
- Dec. 31: RezHope Recovery Winter Social for New Year’s Eve from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Cherokee Christmas Parade. Dec. 14 in downtown Cherokee, N.C. Info: (828) 359-6490
2nd Annual Luftee Leap. Jan. 1 at the Oconaluftee Island Park in Cherokee, N.C. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Unity Field. The plunge is set for 12 p.m. Donations are being taken for the Leap, and all donations will go to the Cherokee Cancer Support Group.
EBCI COMMUNITY REGULAR MEETINGS
Cherokee Storytellers meet the fourth Tuesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ray Kinsland Leadership building in Cherokee, N.C. All ages are welcome. The group shares stories and resources.
Cherokee storytelling and Cherokee history in the Snowbird Community Library at 60 Snowbird School Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C., every fourth Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.
TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETINGS
(All meetings are held in the Cherokee Tribal Council House in Cherokee, N.C. unless otherwise noted.)
Enrollment Committee: Dec. 9 at 9 a.m.
Lands Acquisition: Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.
HIP Committee: Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Parks & Rec.: Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.
Roads Commission: Dec. 16 at 9 a.m.
Timber Committee: Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Planning Board: Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.
Health Board: Dec. 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Qualla Housing Board: Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
HEALTH & SPORTS EVENTS
POW WOW LISTINGS
Cherokee Gourd Society Christmas Pow Wow. Dec. 14 in the Tahlequah Community Building in Tahlequah, Okla. MC: Mark Bolin. Head Singer: Sonny Blackbear. Info: Don Stroud (918) 456-3637
Annual Chasenah and Connahvichnah Pow Wow. Dec. 21 in the Comanche Nation Community Center in Apache, Okla. Emcees: Eugene Blackbear and Edmond Nevaquaya. Head Singers: Kenneth Cozad and Howard Cozad. Info: Info: (580) 986-9402
Comanche Little Ponies New Year’s Celebration. Dec. 28 in the Watchetaker Hall Comanche Nation Complex in Lawton, Okla. MC: JR Ross. Head Singer: Leonard Cozad Jr. Info: Lowell Nibbs (580) 583-5279, lowellnibbs@yahoo.com
Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization Cheers to Sobriety “Dancing for Strength & Prosperity” New Year’s Eve Gourd Dance and Social Pow Wow Celebration. Dec. 31 at the National Guard Armory in Albuquerque, N.M. MC: James Edwards. Head Southern Singer: Edward Pacheco. Info: Milton Yazzie (505) 410-8475, mel_yazz@yahoo.com
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 Recovery is a Bible-based 12-step small group meeting held Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. held in the Rivercane Conference Room at Analenisgi. All material is provided. This small group is for anyone struggling in life with addiction, food, depression, anxiety, relationships, or spiritual struggles. Info: Deb Conseen-Bradley at kellideb@gmail.com or Scott Hill (828) 508-7836
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
WESTERN N.C. & BEYOND EVENTS
Have Breakfast with Santa. Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center at 121 Schoolhouse Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C. Cookie decoration, ornament craft. $8 per person. Bring your own camera. Info: (828) 479-3364
Christmas in the Mountains Art & Craft Show. Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center at 121 Schoolhouse Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C. Info: (828) 479-3364
“Visions of Christmas: 1862”. Dec. 7 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site at 2620 South Roan St. in Johnson City, Tenn. Reenactors and volunteers will be in period clothing to recreate the atmosphere of the late months of 1862 for the Haynes family and Northeast Tennessee as the young nation was grappling with the American Civil War. Admission: $6/adults, $3/children 12 and under. Members of the Tipton-Haynes Historical Association receive free admission. For more information to make a reservation (highly recommended) for the 1862 Christmas candlelight tour, call (423) 926-3631 or email tiptonhayes@outlook.com