EBCI

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.

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.
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.
A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Robbinsville High School senior Tylie Bridges spent last week as a Governor’s Page in Raleigh. The week gave Bridges a chance to meet Gov. Roy Cooper.

A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Robbinsville High School senior Tylie Bridges spent last week as a Governor’s Page in Raleigh. The week gave Bridges a chance to meet Gov. Roy Cooper.

Paging Miss Bridges

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Raleigh – Tylie Bridges made history last week by being the first member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to participate in the North Carolina Governor’s Page Program. This program gives high school students the opportunity to learn hands-on by participating in state government.
Cecilia Arrowwood (left) and Jenni Junaluska place the ceremonial wreath on Junaluska’s grave Friday. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Cecilia Arrowwood (left) and Jenni Junaluska place the ceremonial wreath on Junaluska’s grave Friday. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Very brave, not afraid’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 16, 2023
A new marker was unveiled at Friday’s annual Junaluksa Wreath Laying Ceremony in Robbinsville, recognizing the famed chief for his service in the United States military. Robbinsville – He is considered by many the unsung hero of the greatest Native American battle in United States history.
Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Snowbird – The first graduating class of the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Program embodied the meaning of the program’s name – “We are all going to speak” – as they spoke in Cherokee, thanking their community and accepted their certificates in a moving ceremony Tuesday.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member Bo Taylor leads a friendship dance around the mound at the Little Snowbird campground on Sept. 14. The “Earth Keepers” ceremony drew spectators from various countries across society. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member Bo Taylor leads a friendship dance around the mound at the Little Snowbird campground on Sept. 14. The “Earth Keepers” ceremony drew spectators from various countries across society. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Mound visit

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Eastern Band Elder Alfred Welch began Sept. 14’s “Earth Keepers” mound dance with a traditional Cherokee prayer. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star Snowbird – Imagine a world of beauty, nature and wellness – a world of peace.
Sharon and David Crowe (far left) gaze in amazement at their respective Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards, which were presented in a surprise ceremony May 3 at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center. Standing next to the couple is Order of the Long Leaf Pine Board Member; at the podium is N.C. Bureau of Indian Affairs Executive Director Greg Richardson. Photos courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Sharon and David Crowe (far left) gaze in amazement at their respective Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards, which were presented in a surprise ceremony May 3 at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center. Standing next to the couple is Order of the Long Leaf Pine Board Member; at the podium is N.C. Bureau of Indian Affairs Executive Director Greg Richardson. Photos courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

All are welcome in the Crowe’s Nest

News Staff
Monday, May 15, 2023
Snowbird – Their story reads almost like a fairy tale. They were high school sweethearts. He was the quarterback and she helped write the school’s alma mater. He went off to war. She waited … and waited … and waited. He spent two years on an aircraft carrier, while she wrote letters weekly.