NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Qualla Boundary Public Library successfully completes makerspace planning grant through Cherokee Preservation Foundation support
The Qualla Boundary Public Library has announced the successful completion of a $15,000 planning grant provided by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation in support of the development of a community-centered makerspace at the library.
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Alea Martens will make modeling debut at Kananesgi
The Kananesgi Fashion Show will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Alea Martens, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will make her modeling debut. She will model clothes by Mrs. Freida Saylor, an EBCI tribal member and designer.
Behind the designs: Alex Lane returns to the Kananesgi Fashion Show
Alexandria Lane is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the manager of visitor services for the Museum of the Cherokee People. Lane made her debut as a designer in the 2024 Kananesgi Fashion Show, and she will be returning this year with a new collection.
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute awarded grants from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI), a department of the Cherokee Boys Club, has announced that it has received two grant awards from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPF) to support its culturally based leadership programs for youth and adults.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Christmas Story
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s (Mary’s cousin) pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
COMMENTARY: 2025
Looking back on this year’s newspaper, I am so proud of the amazing team that delivers Qualla Boundary news to you. While the headline might capture the focus of the week each week for our community, that is only the tip of what those editions brought to us in community news over the year.
COMMENTARY: Top men are on it
We, as a tribe, have been debating and searching for ways to communicate facts and truth to our people without sharing them with other people.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Qualla Boundary Senior Games announces new N.C. Senior Games Ambassador
Sherrene Swayney, from Cherokee, N.C., has been chosen by Qualla Boundary Senior Games to serve as a North Carolina Senior Games (NCSG) Ambassador, she will join, Lois Dunston, Loretta Bolden, Margaret Teesateskie, Annie Owens, and Willard McCoy.
RUNNING: Bell signs to run cross country and track at Mars Hill University
Another member of the historic Cherokee High School (CHS) Braves 2021-22 cross country team has signed to run at the collegiate level.
4 The Future Foundation practices with inaugural CHS club lacrosse team
On the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 8, Jeremy Thompson of the Thompson Brothers’ 4 The Future Foundation (4TFF) and Stacy Smith Ledford, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and executive director of 4TFF, stepped onto the field at Ray Kinsland Stadium for practice with the inaugural Cherokee High School (CHS) club lacrosse team.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Thomas Joseph “Tom” Haigler
Thomas Joseph “Tom” Haigler, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at home in Bryson City, N.C., with his daughter by his side.
OBITUARY: Leonard E. Lossiah (Butch)
Leonard E. Lossiah (Butch), 77, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.
OBITUARY: Doyle Jack Smith
Doyle Jack Smith, 79, of Bryson City, N.C., passed away surrounded by his family after a 10-month battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a rare and incurable brain cancer.
HAPPENINGS
Landscapes by Jenean Hornbuckle to be exhibited in Virginia
Art on 16 Contemporary Gallery, in Marion, Va., is celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November by exhibiting the landscape paintings of Jenean Hornbuckle, an EBCI tribal member.
Native American Heritage Month to be celebrated at WCU with series of special events
November is Native American Heritage Month, and a series of events and activities is planned by Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center in celebration of the designation.
Museum will offer stamped pottery workshop
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will offer a two-day workshop on making stamped pottery on Thursday, Nov. 1. Tammy Beane, of Collinsville, Ala., will teach how to make traditional Cherokee stamped pottery.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art” exhibit set to open
“A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art” features over 50 works of art in a variety of media by 30+ Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Cherokee Nation artists.
Bardo Arts Center plans for a permanent exhibit on contemporary Cherokee culture, language
Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University has announced plans to host a permanent and contemporary exhibit of Cherokee culture and language, developed in collaboration with members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Cherokee Heritage Center prepares for 50th annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale
Artwork is now being accepted for the 50th annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale, hosted by the Cherokee Heritage Center.
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(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm