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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.
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.
A short time after this photo was taken, 10-year-old Tucker Bailey suffered a traumatic eye injury and was airlifted to an East Tennessee hospital for immediate surgery. His family provided an inspiring update Tuesday to The Graham Star.

A short time after this photo was taken, 10-year-old Tucker Bailey suffered a traumatic eye injury and was airlifted to an East Tennessee hospital for immediate surgery. His family provided an inspiring update Tuesday to The Graham Star.

10-year-old recovering after eye injury

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 24, 2025
Snowbird – A 10-year-old reported being able to see Tuesday afternoon, after incurring an accidental eye injury outside his home. Tucker Bailey was hunting alongside his father John on Monday, when he killed a 246-pound bear.
Five new members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians graduated from the Cherokee Language learners program Sept. 25. From left are She-li "Seli" Lewis; April "Svgta" Johnson; Jack "Uwetsi" Cooper; Desiree "Kiyug" Turpin; and Kyla "Kali" Millsaps. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Five new members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians graduated from the Cherokee Language learners program Sept. 25. From left are She-li "Seli" Lewis; April "Svgta" Johnson; Jack "Uwetsi" Cooper; Desiree "Kiyug" Turpin; and Kyla "Kali" Millsaps. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Heritage preserved

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Snowbird resident Kyla "Kali" Millsaps was honored with the Speaker's Council Award at Sept. 25's Cherokee Language learners graduation exercise. Snowbird – The Cherokee culture is steeped in traditions of language, spirituality, food, storytelling, crafts and other forms of art.

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.
Johnny Harrison Holloway (seated, center) bravely served his country in the Vietnam War. On July 18, medals and honors lost throughout the years were re-issued during a ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church. Standing next to Holloway is his wife Kathy. Across the back are veterans Gerard Ball, Adam Wachacha, Warren Dupree and Josh Holloway.

Johnny Harrison Holloway (seated, center) bravely served his country in the Vietnam War. On July 18, medals and honors lost throughout the years were re-issued during a ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church. Standing next to Holloway is his wife Kathy. Across the back are veterans Gerard Ball, Adam Wachacha, Warren Dupree and Josh Holloway.

With honors

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Snowbird – Over 55 years after entering the service, Johnny Harrison Holloway was re-decorated with the honors and medals he received during the Vietnam War.

Soaring above the NEST

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Snowbird NEST Executive Director Erik Oswalt was recently announced as a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who Award. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star Tallulah – The Marquis Who’s Who Award has recognized Erik Oswalt as a recipient honoring his dedication to nonprofit and law enforcement.
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.
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.