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Beloved Woman and native Cherokee language speaker Ella Bird was featured in the PBS-NC documentary A Sacred Thread, which premiered this summer. Bird's on-screen quote is referencing a speech made by then-Chief Richard Sneed, regarding the disappearance of the Cherokee language and its native speakers.

Beloved Woman and native Cherokee language speaker Ella Bird was featured in the PBS-NC documentary A Sacred Thread, which premiered this summer. Bird's on-screen quote is referencing a speech made by then-Chief Richard Sneed, regarding the disappearance of the Cherokee language and its native speakers.

'A Sacred Thread’

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Nicole Wright Cherokee Scout Andrews – Many people relate the story of the first Thanksgiving: of how pilgrims and natives gathered to share a meal. Many also hopefully took a chance to celebrate Native American Indian Heritage Month in November.
Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Robbinsville High School CTE Instructor Megan Williams (left) joins students Ashley Howell (center) and Jazmin Crisp atop Mount LeConte during the program's recent field trip.

Reaching new heights

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
On Nov. 5, Robbinsville High School Career and Technical Education instructors Rick Parham and Megan Williams took a hike. This was no ordinary hike, however.
Members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs will hold a Christmas concert entitled “Music in the Mountains” at 3 p.m., Saturday. The groups met for rehearsal Sunday.

Members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs will hold a Christmas concert entitled “Music in the Mountains” at 3 p.m., Saturday. The groups met for rehearsal Sunday.

Combining efforts for a higher cause

Latresa Phillips
Friday, December 5, 2025
West Fort Hill – On Sunday, members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs met together for the first rehearsal of a concert that will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Robbinsville United Methodist Church.
This is all that remains of a 2021 Toyota 4Runner that was involved in a two-vehicle accident Friday on Tallulah Road.

This is all that remains of a 2021 Toyota 4Runner that was involved in a two-vehicle accident Friday on Tallulah Road.

Car crash leaves two injured

Kevin Hensley
Friday, November 28, 2025
Mill Creek – A two-vehicle accident Friday on Tallulah Road resulted in two drivers being transported to area hospitals. Around 3:28 p.m., Anahi Aguilar of Andrews was traveling north on U.S. 129, near the intersection of Lower Mill Creek Road.
Robbinsville native Haylee Van Deusen (seated, center) is shown surrounded by friends and loved ones prior to receiving the NCWorks Governor's Young Adult Award for Distinction at a ceremony in Greensboro last month.

Robbinsville native Haylee Van Deusen (seated, center) is shown surrounded by friends and loved ones prior to receiving the NCWorks Governor's Young Adult Award for Distinction at a ceremony in Greensboro last month.

Resilient character

Latresa Phillips
Friday, November 21, 2025
Greensboro – On Oct. 17, 2025, Josh Stein announced this year's winners of the Governor's NC Works Awards of Distinction.
The 115th Annual Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony was held in Robbinsville on Nov. 5. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The 115th Annual Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony was held in Robbinsville on Nov. 5. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘The mountains are calling’

Latresa Phillips
Friday, November 14, 2025
Robbinsville – It was on a Saturday – Nov. 5, 1910 – that the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a memorial for Chief Junaluska in Robbinsville.  Pastor Armstrong Cornsilk – a friend of the great chief – spoke kind words, hoping that “All could be happy together.
Snowbird's Tayen Bridges competed for the title of "Miss Cherokee" during this year's competition. Photo courtesy of Cherokee One Feather

Snowbird's Tayen Bridges competed for the title of "Miss Cherokee" during this year's competition. Photo courtesy of Cherokee One Feather

An honored tradition

Latresa Phillips
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Cherokee – Each year, the Cherokee community hosts a pageant to crown a representative for the Cherokee Tribal Nation.  Miss Cherokee serves as a cultural ambassador, promoting government, language, history and culture.
Swain County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe this is the Jeep Cherokee used in the Sept. 6 shooting incident at the Paddle Inn Rafting Co. The owner of the vehicle was arrested Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Swain County Sheriff's Office

Swain County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe this is the Jeep Cherokee used in the Sept. 6 shooting incident at the Paddle Inn Rafting Co. The owner of the vehicle was arrested Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Swain County Sheriff's Office

Atlanta man arrested in Nantahala shooting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Nantahala – Exactly 3 ½ weeks after a sign supporting President Donald Trump was torn down and a gun was fired in the direction of a business owner, authorities with the Swain County Sheriff's Office apprehended a suspect in the incident.