EasternBandofCherokeeIndians

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.
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.

Nunez pleads guilty for murder of 7-month-old

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Robbinsville – Over 3 ½ years after his arrest, a local man pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder and felony child abuse in Graham County Superior Court. Corbin Lee Nunez, 25, entered his pleas Sept.

Wachacha retains council seat; Smoker elected

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 11, 2025
A new face will represent Tutiyi/Tsalagi Gadugi (Snowbird/Cherokee County) on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal Council. Incumbent Adam Wachacha was the top vote-getter for the two local spots in Sept.

Tribal primary held

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Voters eyeing the 2025 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council race now have their finalists for the Sept. 4 general election.
Students in the Snowbird N.E.S.T. program perform Cherokee songs for visitors from Oklahoma on April 29. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Students in the Snowbird N.E.S.T. program perform Cherokee songs for visitors from Oklahoma on April 29. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Transcending generations

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Kathy Johnson displays one of the gift baskets afforded to tribal visitors from Oklahoma on April 29. Tallulah – Staff and students of the Snowbird N.E.S.T.
This newly-installed sign sits at the intersection of Black Knight Drive and U.S. 129 (Rodney Orr Bypass), directing travelers to the “new” entrance to both Robbinsville Middle and High schools. The intersection opened in November 2019 – and as the sign indicates, more expansion is in the works, as the intersection will become a busy hub in Robbinsville once the new elementary school is constructed. Photo courtesy of Robert Moody/Graham County Schools

This newly-installed sign sits at the intersection of Black Knight Drive and U.S. 129 (Rodney Orr Bypass), directing travelers to the “new” entrance to both Robbinsville Middle and High schools. The intersection opened in November 2019 – and as the sign indicates, more expansion is in the works, as the intersection will become a busy hub in Robbinsville once the new elementary school is constructed. Photo courtesy of Robert Moody/Graham County Schools

Architect picked for new elementary school

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robbinsville – Following the qualification process, the Graham County Board of Education selected the architect that will be responsible for designing the new Robbinsville Elementary School.
A ribbon cutting was held as part of Monday’s Snowbird NEST Open House. From left are Janell Rattler, Leslie Oswalt McEntire, Erik Oswalt and Jazlyn McEntire. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

A ribbon cutting was held as part of Monday’s Snowbird NEST Open House. From left are Janell Rattler, Leslie Oswalt McEntire, Erik Oswalt and Jazlyn McEntire. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

N.E.S.T. open for business

Latresa Phillips
Monday, December 16, 2024
Tallulah – Monday’s rain could not dampen the Open House at the new Snowbird NEST (Native Education Snowbird Traditions) learning facility.
Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Wrapped in tradition

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Vice Chief Alan B. Ensley delivers some remarks during Nov. 13’s Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony. Robbinsville – He was an unsung hero in one of the greatest Native American battles in the history of the United States.
Cherokee County/Snowbird Tribal Council Rep. Adam Wachacha (far left) and Roger Smoker (far right) gather around the six latest graduates of the Dadiwonisi Language Program, all of whom were recognized at a Monday ceremony. In-between Wachacha and Smoker (from left) are language instructor Cassidy Galaviz, Callie Bush, Malakai Littlejohn, Lauryn Rattler, Rachel Ballou, Lakoda Bird, Troy Jones and Mike Wachacha. Photo courtesy of April Johnson/Contributing Photographer

Cherokee County/Snowbird Tribal Council Rep. Adam Wachacha (far left) and Roger Smoker (far right) gather around the six latest graduates of the Dadiwonisi Language Program, all of whom were recognized at a Monday ceremony. In-between Wachacha and Smoker (from left) are language instructor Cassidy Galaviz, Callie Bush, Malakai Littlejohn, Lauryn Rattler, Rachel Ballou, Lakoda Bird, Troy Jones and Mike Wachacha. Photo courtesy of April Johnson/Contributing Photographer

'Be the voice’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Snowbird – In 1872, Graham County took action to create a school system for the Cherokee on the Snowbird Reservation. On Sept. 6, 1880, a school district was established and the Cherokee attended a one-teacher schoolhouse.