NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute awarded grants from Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) has announced it has been awarded a grant of $268,160 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to support administrative costs associated with managing and overseeing its culturally based leadership programs.
COMMENTARY: Is there a passion for a tribal constitution?
For decades, the tribe has given lip service to the idea of a constitution for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Members of the community have advocated. They have assembled. They have planned.
Modules set for new Kituwah, LLC. Office
On the morning of Tuesday, April 28, modules were set at the area across the road from McDonald’s in Cherokee, N.C. for the new office building for Kituwah, LLC.
Qualla Open Air Indian Art Market
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COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, and Eastern Cherokee BIA host Eco-Cultural Wildland Fire training
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Natural Resources Department supported by the Eastern Cherokee Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Nature Conservancy held a National Wildlife Coordinating Group FFT2 wildland fire training recently with an eco-cultural focus to build tribal workforce development and produce community fire practitioners and wildland firefighters.
EBCI Community Clubs win at WNC Communities
The WNC Honors Awards, a signature program of WNC Communities, continued its 76-year tradition of recognizing rural community development clubs for their innovative ideas, volunteer-powered leadership, and grassroots service.
Two Cherokee women receive NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award
Two Cherokee women have received the In These Mountains NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award to better delve into the ancient art of making honeysuckle baskets
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: What sovereignty actually means in 2026
As we enter a new year, there have been more public conversations about Tribal sovereignty and that attention creates opportunity. But when important ideas are discussed more widely, it matters that they are understood clearly.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Back to work, Part 1 of 2
Many of us have worked in the ministry alongside hundreds of good people who relished the opportunity to do for others by being the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
COMMENTARY: Educate, don’t opinionate
Okay, this is probably one of my most unpopular topics, particularly to my colleagues. I really have an issue with media outlets that attempt to manipulate public opinion by injecting media bias, or that of their advertisers, into news stories.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Climbingbear signs to play at Keiser University
Luke Climbingbear, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), signed a letter of intent on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 21 to play football this fall at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Fla.
ON THE SIDELINES: Sportsmanship can be contagious
I’ve covered a good many Cherokee vs. Swain Co. athletic contests over the years, and it’s always an interesting time between the two rivals. The Lady Braves hosted the Lady Maroon Devils at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 6, and I witnessed a small, but very important, display of sportsmanship that I hope is contagious.
BASKETBALL: Braves and Lady Braves carry on a legacy
Cherokee High School (CHS) basketball held an Alumni Night on the evening of Friday, Feb. 2 in Charles George Memorial Arena. Braves and Lady Braves basketball players from previous years were honored at halftime.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Josephine Yde Bradley (Jo)
Josephine Yde Bradley (Jo), beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 surrounded by her family at the age of 87.
OBITUARY: Una Lea “Teetsie” Sampson
Una Lea “Teetsie” Sampson, 62, went to her heavenly home where she was greeted by loved ones on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at Mission Hospital.
OBITUARY: Thomas Eugene Pheasant Jr.
Thomas Eugene Pheasant Jr., 23, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Cherokee, N.C.
HAPPENINGS
The Southern Momma Cledus T. Judd Comedy Experience coming to Harrah’s Cherokee
Bang Productions presents The Southern Momma Cledus T Judd Comedy Experience, produced by John Edmonds Kozma and featuring Comedians Red Squirrel and Gary Cargal, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Friday, June 14.
Alabama to perform at Harrah’s Cherokee
Alabama will play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Friday, May 24. Tickets go on sale at www.ticketmaster.com on Friday, March 8.
Region A Partnership for Children Community Groups Workshop and Meeting schedule for March 2019
Region A Partnership for Children Community Groups Workshop and Meeting schedule for March 2019
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Queen House Gallery offers opportunity to Cherokee artists
The Queen House Gallery opens Friday, Oct. 8 and will feature classic and contemporary work from all Native American artists.
WCU seeks public feedback in updating its campus master plan
Western Carolina University is in the process of updating its 2014 Campus Master Plan and will hold two virtual forums to allow for public feedback.
Dracula looks to bring a spectacle to Cherokee
An immersive experience, high-level action, and a lot of blood. This is what is being promised from the producers of Dracula: The Failings of Men, a show coming to the Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee this weekend.
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Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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