On Friday, March 27, I attended the 5th Annual North Carolina News and Information Summit at McKimmon Conference and Training Center at North Carolina State University (NC State) and met with my mentor and cohort for the 2026 Law and Justice Reporting Fellowship I received officially on March 18.

A letter sent to Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks from a U.S. Forest Service official outlines the rights that members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) have in traditional gathering in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest. 

Firefighters continue to actively suppress the Rabbit Creek and Fox Gap wildfires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

The March meeting of the committee to prepare a constitution draft for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians began without a quorum on Thursday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cherokee Council House. 

In a special session held on the morning of Friday, March 27, Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) considered and approved Resolution No. 156 (2026), endorsing Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks for the position of treasurer of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA).

On Wednesday (March 25) afternoon, Great Smoky Mountains National Park received a report of a wildfire in the Twentymile Area. Fire managers are currently working to estimate fire acreage. Additional firefighting resources have been ordered to support suppression efforts.

Firefighters continue to suppress the Rabbit Creek Fire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fire is 47.5 acres and is 25 percent contained. Crews continue to establish and reinforce fire line around the perimeter.

This Week in Native News