Noquisiyi is one of the most apparent symbols of Cherokee history in western North Carolina. The mound rests in modern day Franklin, N.C. and is one of three major Cherokee mounds in this area, with the others being Cowee and Kituwah.

We are a proud people with a strong culture. Our history is, well, ancient. It is our brand. It is who we are. The Cherokee as a race, as a people, are known, around the world.

My kneejerk reaction to these 10 minutes of the workings of our government was that I wished that the Chairperson had a media panic button or kill switch to disable the cameras and audio. I was embarrassed for our Tribe.

The Truth is, it’s the enemy’s focus on us in the Church that can highlight any problems we have seen lately.

This message is Part 2 of the message about the Kituwah Society Guiding Principle: Strengthen one another with encouraging words and all that you do. Today I wanted to talk about encouraging one another.

As I was reading over the information of the tragic loss of a young woman on the Oconaluftee yesterday (Feb. 24), I was reminded how very fragile life is. This lady from Ohio, reported age 34, lost her life while kayaking the river.

In this day and age of people seeking inclusivity for all, it seems incredible that I’m even writing this column arguing that Paralympic athletic events should be included in the Olympic Games.  Right now, they’re held as a separate event, a second Olympics if you will, and I just feel that is wrong and doesn’t make sense. 

Those of us who daily have the privilege to live in the mountains take for granted the incredible display of nature’s beauty that is routinely available to enjoy. There are those who live not so far away who don’t have the great pleasure of seeing trees full of birds, streams full of fish, and lands teeming with wildlife so often that it is commonplace.