There you are alone in your head, and you’re thinking something sinful, like; you must do this, you hate that, somebody wronged you and you want revenge, she’s hot and needs me, I must have this or that, I’m addicted and need that.

When I started working at the Cherokee One Feather in October 2023, an immediate goal of mine was to create recurring graphics and articles on the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) movement, specifically as it relates to the Qualla Boundary.

“Getting old ain’t for sissies.” This is a statement that you will hear frequently among the older generation, and it refers to many of the challenges of getting older. As we age, things change for us inside and out. Physically, our bones, muscles, and internal organs begin to wear and deteriorate. It starts happening sooner than most of us think (or want to think).

I have seen most of you after the invitation to the alter has been made; it looks like everyone is saved. That’s good. I’m in good company.

COMMENTARY: How to win an online fight

I wanted to write to you regarding your recent article referring to the six “fake Cherokee Tribes”. While I cannot speak for any of the tribes officially, I’ll say that I am a proud citizen of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama and that is why I am writing to you as merely a tribal citizen.

In November 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the Shawnee Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe proposed two amendment changes for NCAI’s membership eligibility requirements, which would restrict voting and individual membership to federally recognized tribes.

As the current government moves closer to a tribal information portal, these are thoughts that every community member needs to consider.