The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) joined Caesars Entertainment on Tuesday, Dec. 17 to celebrate the grand opening of the highly anticipated Caesars Virginia casino & resort. Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks, alongside members of his Executive team and Dinilawigi (Tribal Council), attended the event, marking a significant milestone in EBCI’s ongoing partnership with Caesars Entertainment.

For the third Congress in a row, a House bill that would grant federal recognition to the state-recognized Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has passed.  By a vote of 311-96, the Lumbee Fairness Act (H.R. 1101) passed the U.S. House of Representatives, in the 118th Congress, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. 

Tribal officials of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) held a groundbreaking for improvements to the Soco Falls Trailhead on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 13. The project is being paid for with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funds. 

The trial in Jackson Co. Courthouse for second-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica and Ah-Yo-Ka Calhoun began on Dec. 3. The trial ended in just a few days with a plea agreement from defendant Jacob Wilnoty resulting in the dismissal of two second-degree murder charges.

During their regular session on Thursday, Dec. 5, Dinilawigi passed Ord. No. 334 (2024) unanimously that changes the distribution plan from three staggered distributions to five. 

After raining all morning, the sun suddenly shone brightly through the clouds as the ribbon was cut on a building where youth are learning Cherokee language and traditions.  The Snowbird NEST (Native Education Snowbird Traditions) Program opened a new facility on the morning of Monday, Dec. 9.