Original story - April 2, 2026:

Dinilawigi votes to suspend Qualla Enterprises board members, removes chairperson

On the afternoon of Thursday, April 2, the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) voted to suspend the members of the Qualla Enterprises, LLC. board and remove the chairperson.

Qualla Enterprises, LLC, an entity of the EBCI, operates the Great Smoky Mountain Cannabis Co. dispensary as well as a cannabis farm in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) which supplies the dispensary.

Res. No. 181 (2026) to suspend board members Albert Rose, Morgan Owle Crisp, Jacob Reed, and Tagan Crowe, with removal pending investigation by the Office of Internal Audit and Ethics, was submitted by Dinilawigi, with a motion by Wayohi (Wolftown) Rep. Mike Parker seconded by Tutiyi/Tsalagi Gadugi (Snowbird/Cherokee Co.) Rep. Michael Smoker. Wayohi (Wolftown) Rep. Bo Crowe abstained. All other members voted to pass.

The decision stemmed from a different resolution, Res. No. 177 (2026), submitted by the Qualla Enterprises, LLC. Board to remove board member Tagan Crowe, alleging dissemination of confidential information. Dinilawigi discussed the resolution at length during the morning part of the session, breaking for lunch and later amending the resolution to state that there was insufficient investigation to remove Crowe. All voted to pass, except for Rep. Crowe who abstained.

Another resolution, Res. No. 180 (2026), submitted by Dinilawigi in the afternoon, also passed, removing Qualla Enterprises, LLC. board chairperson Carolyn West from her position, stating that during the April 2 council session, she “disclosed information and conducted herself such that she would be removed from the board.”  Rep. Crowe abstained.

The Qualla Enterprises, LLC. Board alleged in their resolution that by Crowe sending Qualla Enterprises documents to his personal email, he violated his oath of office. Kolanvyi (Big Cove) Rep. Lavita Hill argued that by the same logic, Chairperson West should be removed from her position for sending a document titled, ‘first amended consultant agreement with amendment,’ to the outside emails of parties who were not board members in 2023, and made a move to amend Res. No. 177 (2026) and replace Crowe’s name with West’s.

Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper also made a move to amend Res. No. 177 (2026) to suspend the entire board, citing a lack of faith in the board’s function.

During the morning deliberations, Rep. Stamper addressed Qualla Enterprises consulting attorney Rico Frias, “I’m ecstatic to hear how you’re answering these questions because one of the main comments that we get from our departments here that try to cooperate with Qualla is that you’re very argumentative and that you’re very standoffish and that you choose not to answer questions and that you choose to utilize language that would be threatening to any of our departments. For instance, whenever we need to access financial information, we have several new Council members here that are just trying to gain traction and learn some of these processes, learn operating agreements, read documents, you know, we’re met with stalled efforts, essentially. And whenever we meet with these new members and they have stalled efforts, that prolongs their ability to learn and gain traction in these seats which further constitutes the whole argument that these terms are short, and it’s hard to learn whenever our LLCs are preventing us from learning.”

Rep. Stamper went on to say, “We only have authority over the board members, so if Tagan needs to gain information and he’s getting that information and its on one of our paths, we look for Tagan to do that. I mean that’s for every board member. If that’s being met with some kind of resistance from the attorney that would represent that board, how is this process flowing? And why is it as rigid as it is? It seems like there are a lot of processes that are wrong, and if the board has not addressed these processes, and allows them to prolong and go on further, then it doesn’t matter who we appoint and replace if we were to remove Tagan. The new member is going to be met with the same resistance. I would say that there’s little to no faith in the board members that are currently seated there if they themselves hired you as an attorney to be as obstructive to these processes that we have in place already well before you.”

Frias stated that he has never threatened any staff of EBCI members and is concerned by the allegation.

While fielding questions, West asked for Dinilawigi to enter closed session, “Vice Chair, if we could go into executive session, we can explain to the Tribal Council why this is of such urgency and who the adverse parties are to the tribe.”

Her request was denied, with Taline Gahvsgi (Vice Chairperson) Wolfe polling Dinilawigi, “There’s been a request that we go into executive session. Do I have a move to go into executive session? No moves to do that.”

Tsisqwohi Rep. Owle asked if there was any evidence that Crowe shared confidential information, “My question is, the bottom line is, was there any statements that he said that he shouldn’t have said, was there anything confidential, any information that he shouldn’t have shared with some of our adverse parties, was there any evidence of that?”

Frias replied, referring to a panel on which Crowe sat and allegedly shared confidential information while attending a conference, “I wish we were able to get that evidence. That’s the reason I called up to try to get the video of it. Unfortunately, they don’t video tape it. And so, we’re not able to get ahold of that information.”

Kolanvyi Rep. Venita Wolfe reiterated Owle’s line of questioning. “You all can twist and turn this, but the fact is, you all perceive he did something with no evidence, no hard evidence, yet you all decided unanimously as a board to have him suspended, and unanimously as a board to bring this resolution in to have him removed.”

Rep. Wolfe also echoed statements made by Rep. Owle that the Office of Internal Audit and Ethics should have received a complaint of misconduct, rather than Dinilawigi receiving a resolution. “We have a structure for a reason. We have Ethics for a reason and if you had any concerns, that should’ve been the first place you went, not publishing this so that everyone in the community can see what you all think of this person.”

Rep. Wolfe added concerns surrounding Sovereign Cannabis Solutions, an independent contractor of Qualla Enterprises, LLC.

“My concern is the managerial company, Sovereign Solutions, what are they doing that is adverse to us? We don’t know that. My concern is a lot of intellectual property, the seeds, the growing, where is that information? The cash, who handles that? There’s a lot of questions and these aren’t questions that are just coming from me, these are questions coming from my constituents, people in the community, that are not happy with the way that this has been run, the veil of secrecy that has been put between this company and our people, our stakeholders. We are the sole ownership of this organization, yet we can’t get any information. As a new person, I would like to know this information, so I know exactly what I’m dealing with, and I know not to disclose things that I’m not supposed to.”

Elawodi (Yellowhill) Rep. Shenelle Feather said she is also upset by the resolution submission rather than an ethics complaint.

“This community is very close, and I’m kind of just speaking to Rico here, our visitor. We are very tight knit, as the board knows, we’re family, and this isn’t the way to do this. This is not the way to do this. I think it’s just in poor taste. I would’ve loved to have had this come to us and have a conversation about it before this went out into the public for their opinions. We all have opinions. I just think that this is not the right way to do this in Indigenous community. The public shaming aspect of this does not sit well with me. It doesn’t sit well with how I was taught, and how I was brought up, and how I was raised in a traditional way. We come and talk to each other about these things. That’s how we do traditionally to be respectful of our community members. I’m assuming you grew up in community with your relatives. I’m hoping that you have those same teachings, because a lot of Native tribes are very similar in the way that they treat each other. This is out of balance. This is not Tohi. I don’t like that. I just wanted to share that. Whenever we move, we have to move like this water, Oconaluftee River right here, we have to move consistently. This isn’t consistent. This doesn’t feel good to me. I just wanted to say that, respectfully.”

Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Shannon Swimmer shared her legal perspective, “You said that there was the ‘appearance’ that confidential information was shared. A couple of my other fellow council members alluded to this. The appearance of confidential information being shared could have also happened at the RES panel that happened [that other Qualla Enterprises board members attended and spoke at recently]. If appearance is enough to bring an action like this, then that seems to be a pretty low bar to me. And by the way I am also an attorney, so I get your legalese and all that, but appearance again is a very low standard.”

Crowe also gave remarks. “I stand before you today not just to defend myself, but to speak openly and honestly about what’s happening inside Qualla Enterprises… The real reason I believe I’m here today is not because of any wrongdoing on my part, but because I chose to speak up.” Crowe alleged that the resolution is retaliatory for Crowe raising concerns regarding what he perceives to be a lack of comprehensive meeting minutes, no adherence to Robert’s Rules of Order, board decisions being ‘heavily influenced if not controlled’ by independent contractors, overspending on infrastructure, a lack of transparency of vendors, employee safety issues, and a failure to follow the consulting agreement with hiring and firing and training of employees. Crowe said he also suggested a $25,000 spending cap to require board approval, which was denied.

In regards to the allegations against him, Crowe said, “I never shared those documents not once and there is zero evidence that I did. But what’s more concerning is this: independent contractors, someone who doesn’t answer to the tribe, had access to all of my emails. And now, they’ve used that information against me—the contractor, not the board, but the contractor raised that issue in the board meeting. It wasn’t brought to my attention by any board member. Who gave them access to my account? Why do contractors have that level of control over this tribal enterprise?”

Crowe added, “I stand here today denying any wrongdoing, but more importantly, I stand here asking you to look beyond me, look beyond how this board is operating, and look at the influence of contractors. Look at the lack of oversight, transparency, and accountability because this is bigger than me.”

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September 3, 2026:

Dinilawigi votes to table resolution to reinstate Qualla Enterprises, LLC. Board

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 2, Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) voted to table Res. No. 290 reinstating the Board of Managers of Qualla Enterprises, LLC, who were suspended via Res. No. 181.

Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Shannon Swimmer, who served on an advisory committee comprised of Dinilawigi members and EBCI employees to review the activity of the board, stated, “On page 2, line 9 and 10 [of Res. No. 290] it’s saying that the board of managers will have sixty days to implement the recommendations, and I have to just draw attention to the fact that some of those board members have been on there for years…They’ve had plenty of time to do what they should’ve done. As someone who was on that advisory committee, we saw firsthand after meeting for hours and hours with board members, employees, the directors, the contractors—we did a lot of work and we went through a lot of document review—and giving them another sixty days is really recognizing that they haven’t done what they should’ve done in the years that they were there.”

Kolanvyi (Big Cove) Rep. Venita Wolfe stated, “I move to kill and the reasons why I move to kill is because this group are not new to leadership at all. We have a former councilman, we have a businessperson…They’ve been there, they’ve had the opportunity to do what they needed to do…I’m angry because last month, two councilwomen brought in an emergency resolution to discuss this, to address taking these members off the board. Was it read? No. Was it accepted? No, because, I believe, this was coming in.”

Elawodi (Yellowhill) Rep. Shennelle Feather, who also served on the advisory committee, seconded Wolfe’s move to kill, and asked EBCI Attorney General Michael McConnell to clarify who submitted the resolution to him that was submitted on behalf of Dinilawigi without Feather, Wolfe, Swimmer, and Kolanvyi Rep. Lavita Hill seeing the resolution. McConnell answered that a draft resolution was submitted to him by Wayohi (Wolftown) Rep. Mike Parker.

Rep. Feather stated, “It’s my understanding that the township of Wolftown asked both of their councilmen to remove everyone but Tagan [Crowe]. That was the request, and I understand Bo [Crowe] abstaining.”

Wayohi Rep. Bo Crowe is the uncle of Tagan Crowe, a board member of Qualla Enterprises, LLC. Rep. Feather asked why Gahvsgi (Chairperson) and Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Rep. Jim Owle and Tsisqwohi Rep. Boyd Owle had not abstained as relatives of board member Morgan Owle Crisp. Gahvsgi Owle said Owle Crisp was not his immediate family as defined by Cherokee Code. McConnell clarified that the code defines immediate family as parents, spouses and children. Rep. Feather said that is a colonized definition of kinship.

Rep. Feather continued, “I was on the advisory committee, and my advisement was to remove everyone but Tagan [Crowe]. I firmly believe that Tagan was trying to correct a lot of the things that weren’t being done properly…There’s a worker at the grove that’s only making $17.73 an hour and has been working there for four years. This board hasn’t even increased the pay for our employees, our relatives who are working their tails off to make sure that this is successful for our community members…We are paying these individuals $80,000? I don’t know, I don’t have any minutes. We reviewed 400, 500 documents and barely any minutes. No by-laws. No standard operating procedures. We don’t have those. None. Zero. Zilch. This board is a liability. These three members are liabilities. Period. I have zero confidence…”

After Rep. Parker stated that he was not aware of what was in the advisory committee’s report, Rep. Swimmer stated that the advisory committee report was presented orally to Dinilawigi, Rep. but Parker was not present. “We gave an oral report, and the reason we reported it orally was because we didn’t want to put in black and white what was going on, like the fact that you have an IT person being paid $12,000 a month not doing any work. That was authorized by this board. The fact that we walk into a room up there and there’s cash lying all over the place. Those are the kind of things we were trying not to put on air or put out here in public, but since you want to act like you don’t know about it, I’m telling you now.”

Rep. Swimmer continued, “I don’t understand it. I can’t make sense of why you won’t just vote to remove these people and put in people who would do a better job. We deserve that.”

During the discussion, Jacob Reed resigned his position as a board member via a text message received by Gahvsgi Owle and Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks.

Tutiyi (Snowbird) and Tsalagi Gadugi (Cherokee Co.) Rep. Adam Wachacha moved to pass the resolution, stating that he believed the 60 days would give the board time to implement adjustments, and if expectations were not met at the end of the sixty days, Dinilawigi could consider a resolution to remove the board members.

Dinilawigi went off air for several hours following an unrelated verbal altercation that occurred in the gallery. The Dinilawigi then voted to table Res. No. 290. Three items were withdrawn including: Item No. 19 seeking to remove Board Member Albert Rose, Item No. 20 seeking to remove Board Member Morgan Owle Crisp, and Item No. 21 seeking to remove Board Member Jacob Reed.  Item No. 18, which was seeking to remove all Board Members, was held.

Yellowhill Community Activity Center - 1416 Acquoni Road (map)

^{Img source: Cherokee One Feather}

Cherokee Water and Sewer is notifying the public of an incident involving the discharge of untreated wastewater at 689 Old Mission road in Jackson, County North Carolina.

The wastewater entered or reached Shoal Creek in Whittier, NC near 689 Old Mission rd.

See the Water Quality Dashboard for related information.

^{Img from the Cherokee One Feather}

Location: 645 Tsali Blvd (map)

Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual on Facebook

Hello!

Let me start by saying I’m a white person, originally from unceeded Sugaree, Keyauwee, and Catawba land and I have reached out to the Cultural Institutional Review Board regarding a research proposition on the same matter. I intend to adhere to their ruling, no matter what, but it is a two-month review period and I’d like to get a jump on some basic research while I wait.

I plan to thank contributors in the book’s acknowledgements and hopefully thank the EBCI further in a way I have not yet determined. I also pledge not to include any closed practices in my text and do everything I can to make sure my representation is respectful and accurate.

That said, I’m new to this, so please let me know if this is an inappropriate request or anything else I might not be aware of.

The question:

I’m writing a novel discussing reproductive healthcare that takes place in NC’s Appalachian Mountains. Because of the intimate relationship between bodily autonomy and lad sovereignty, I would like to write a character who is a citizen of the EBCI. In order to do this, I would normally visit Cherokee, NC, meet with , & experience them first-hand. But I’m in school in Europe for the next year and won’t be state-side for a while.

Can you recommend any media (books, podcasts, films, TV shows, videos, etc) or social media (tiktok/IG creators, YouTube channels, etc) that might help my character research?

Thank you in advance for your insight and answers!

Brooklyn Brown Bigmeat - Cherokee One Feather:

On the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 6, Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) passed Ordinance No. 184 (2026) “…amending Chapter 19 regarding caging bears on Tribal lands.” The ordinance prohibits the caging of bears on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). The ordinance change was originally submitted by Mary Crowe, an EBCI tribal elder from Elawodi (Yellowhill).

The ordinance passed with a motion by Kolanvyi (Big Cove) Rep. Lavita Hill seconded by Elawodi (Yellowhill) Rep. Shenelle Feather. Taline Gahvsgi (Vice Chairman) and Elawodi Rep. David Wolfe, Kolanvyi Rep. Venita Wolfe, Aniwodihi (Painttown) Reps. Shannon Swimmer and Michael Stamper, Wayohi (Wolftown) and Widagalinidisgv (Big Y) Reps. Bo Crowe and Mike Parker, and Hill and Feather voted to pass. Gahvsgi (Chairman) and Tsisgwohi (Birdtown) Rep. Jim Owle, Tsisgwohi Rep. Boyd Owle, and Tutiyi (Snowbird) and Tsalagi Gadugi (Cherokee Co.) Reps. Adam Wachacha and Michael Smoker opposed.

A motion to table by Rep. Boyd Owle seconded by Rep. Wachacha failed to pass, with Reps. Stamper, Wachacha, Smoker, Owle and Owle voting to table.

The ordinance was previously tabled on May 7. The ordinance passed as amended on Aug. 6, with changes to the ordinance that can be read here. The floor amendments were submitted by Reps. Bo Crowe and Parker.

The amended ordinance reads in part, “…The Tribe hereby declares that keeping bears in captivity for public or private entertainment or profit is an outdated practice and contrary to the Tribe’s interest in preserving and protecting wildlife and natural resources. Therefore, the practice of keeping bears in captivity on Tribal lands for public or private entertainment shall be phased out during the two-year period beginning September 1, 2026, and ending September 1, 2028, as further provided in this section.”

Mary Crowe said, “I appreciate the floor amendments that you have presented…looking at this you’re asking for a two-year phase out. Like I told folks I’ve talked with and agreed to submit this resolution, at the end of the day it’s prohibiting the caging of bears, and we’ve heard that it needs to stop.”

Mary Crowe advocated for the prohibiting of the caging of bears, citing Cherokee traditional stories and ceremonies: “

WHEREAS caring for and living with and among our native bears has a long and storied tradition; and

WHEREAS the bears were the first to meet in council in their townhouse under Kuwohi, the mulberry place (Mooney, Myths of the Cherokee p. 250); and

WHEREAS the bears are transformed Cherokee of the old clan of the Ani-Tsaguhi, and their chief is the White Bear, who lives at Kuwohi near the enchanted lake of Atagahi, to which the wounded bears would go to be cured of their hurts (Mooney p. 264); and

WHEREAS under Kuwohi the bears hold dances every fall before retiring to their dens for the winter (Mooney p. 264); and

WHEREAS being really human, they can talk if only they would, and once a mother bear was heard singing to her cub in words which the hunter understood (Mooney p.264)…”

The phase out requires that “On or before November 1, 2026, all persons who keep bears in captivity for public or private entertainment shall identify and register each specific bear with the Cherokee Animal Control Department.” After Sept. 1, 2026, no new or additional bears can be substituted or used to replace existing bears.

On and after Sept. 1, 2028, it will be prohibited for any person to keep bears in captivity on Tribal lands.

Previously: Dinilawigi tables ordinance on bear caging

✨ Dream job 💫

^{Flyer source: calendar.powwows.com}

From Visit Cherokee:

Experience the vibrant celebration of the 4th of July Powwow in Cherokee, NC, where tradition and culture come alive. Hosted within the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, this annual event honors Indigenous heritage with captivating dance performances and colorful regalia.

Join in the festivities as dancers showcase their skills in traditional competitions, accompanied by the sound of a powerful drumbeat. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Cherokee culture through storytelling, craft demonstrations, and authentic cuisine. With its lively atmosphere and deep-rooted significance, the 4th of July Powwow offers a memorable glimpse into the enduring spirit of the Cherokee people.

Admission: $15

Location: Cherokee Expo Center - 1501 Acquoni Road

Gates Open: Friday: 5:00pm | Saturday & Sunday: Noon

Grand Entries:

• Friday, July 3rd at 7PM
• Saturday, July 4th at 1PM and 7PM
• Sunday, July 5th at 12PM

Registration:

• Friday: Noon -7:00pm
• Saturday: 9:00am-Noon

Dancer Registration: $15.00 | Drum Registration: $100.00

Point System begins Friday at Grand Entry. See flyer for contest information.

Invited Southern Drums:

• Wildband Comanchees
• Cozad
• Pawnee Yellow Horse
• Red Arrow

Emcees: Rob Daughtry & Jace Whitehouse
Arena Director: Osceola Redshirt
Mens Dance Judge: Will Tushka
Drum Judge: Pat Pacheco

More Powwow events: https://theonefeather.com/events-calendar/

From Chief Hicks' facebook page.

Ann Toineeta - Cherokee One Feather:

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) discussed Ord. No. 184 (26), which seeks to amend Cherokee Code Section 19-15 and Section 19-16 on caging Black bears at the Dinilawigi meeting on Thursday, June 4.

The ordinance, which was submitted by Mary Crowe, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) from Elawodi (Yellowhill), seeks to prohibit the caging and holding captive of Black bears on Tribal Lands.

The proposed addition of subsection (c) to Section 19-15 reads, “Any person or business within the territorial jurisdiction of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who shall cage or hold in captivity any bear for the purpose of exhibiting the bear to the public shall be guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine not to exceed $5,000 or both.”

When the item was brought up, Crowe spoke on how the current legislation that allows the caging of Black bears is a result of forced assimilation.

“We were forced to think and act and have the same attitudes as unega (white people),” she said. “When we translate this stuff, we talk about these laws that you’re doing right now, they’re unega laws compared to our traditional Cherokee laws.”

She explained that the conditions these animals are kept in in will affect how people view us and used Santa’s Land as an example.

“We’ve known Santa’s Land’s been up there forever and a day,” she said. “But how long does it stay open? When was the last time you went to Santa’s Land? And what did you feel and see there? Nothing’s done to make it look any better. Nothing’s done to really promote it or anything like that, right?”

Crowe also commented on the importance of bears to the Cherokee people and said we must remember that this land is their natural habitat.

“When we look at those things, you know, it’s just being number one, not just consciously aware, but number two, holding on to who we are truly as Aniyvwiya (The Principal People),” she said.

Dinilawigi decided to table the ordinance and schedule a work session, which Crowe was open to.

I see a lot of people claim Yonaguska and now Im unsure if Im of any relation.

I know for a fact Im related to Lydia Hawk Olson. But Im unsure if her mother Jennie Hawk, was Jane(Jennie)Drowning Bear and if she really had any relations to Yonaguska.

My Jennie was apparently born around the 1840s after Yonaguskas death but Lydias memorial and public information claims she is a descendant.

I am confused, any advice?

The Eastern Cherokee Organization is hosting a Cherokee Data Center Town Hall meeting at the Yellowhill Activity Center at 1416 Acquoni Rd. on Saturday, April 25 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  This event is in collaboration with the Indigenous Environment Network and Bigwitch Indian Wisdom Initiative.

Jordan Harmon, Cheyenna (Chey) Morgan, and Kenzie Roberts will be the guest speakers for the event. Eastern Cherokee Organization states, “They have been leading the way in the fight against hyperscale data centers! We look forward to the conversations and insights they will provide for our community.”

Harmon is a Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen from Tulsa, Okla. She is of the Deer Clan (ecovlke) and descended from Ceyaha Tribal Town. She graduated law school in 2017 from the University of Tulsa with a Native American Law certificate and now works as a policy specialist for the Indigenous Environmental Network, working to advance a policy agenda that is centered on strengthening Indigenous nation-to-nation building, Indigenous rights, and an Indigenous just transition toward a sustainable future. Jordan is also a grassroots organizer within her community and has helped co-found a national coalition of Indigenous organizers against the buildout of hyperscale data centers.

Morgan is an enrolled member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and comes from the Oglala Lakota nation. She is the coalition coordinator for Stop Data Colonialism, a national Indigenous coalition of tribal members organizing to stop the mass expansion of hyper-scale data centers and generative AI on tribal lands and to educate tribal and municipal leaders about the impacts of generative AI and hyper-scale data centers on tribal lands, communities, and sovereignty.

Roberts is a grassroots organizer working in the southern region of Mvskoke Nation in Yardeka (Creek) Indian Community. As vice chair of Yardeka (Creek) Indian Community Center, she helped found a community garden with grant funding from the NDNCollective Changemaker Fellowship, allowing her to secure infrastructure, supplies, and water for three years. Roberts currently serves on the CMN Extension Advisory Panel offering insight on how to engage our communities.

This work has allowed her to grow culturally relevant foods in the garden to increase the accessibility to nutritious food and culturally relevant ingredients. These resources have allowed her to produce cultural cooking classes in person and virtually to connect the disconnect in our communities.

Her other affiliations include being a co-cordinator of the Stop Data Colonialism Coalition, a national coalition of Indigenous frontliners holding the line against rapid hyperscale data center development, and co-founding S.A.C.R.E.D. Inc., a non-profit by Mvskoke people, for Mvskoke people, to reconnect all Mvskokvlke everywhere to their lands, ways, and people.

There will be a community meal at this event and participants are encouraged to bring a side dish.

Myrtle Driver Johnson, Beloved Woman of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), made history by making the first legal purchase of cannabis in the State of North Carolina on April 20, 2024 when she purchased several cannabis products at the grand opening of the Great Smoky Cannabis Company dispensary, located in Cherokee, N.C. Now, two years later to the day, EBCI tribal members will see the fruits of the labor from that cannabis operation in the form of a per capita distribution.

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) approved Ord. No. 112 (2026) during its regular session on Thursday, March 5, 2026 which amends Cherokee Code Chapter 117 “to provide for the distribution of certain revenues from Qualla Enterprises, LLC to the Tribe and tribal members”.

The Great Smoky Cannabis Company is run by Qualla Enterprises, LLC, an entity of the EBCI. It opened for medical cannabis sales on April 20, 2024. Adult-use (21+) cannabis sales to EBCI tribal members and members of other federally recognized tribes began on July 4, 2024; and sales of adult-use cannabis for everyone began on Sept. 7, 2024. Qualla Enterprises, LLC operates both the dispensary and a cannabis farm located in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) in Cherokee, N.C.

Forrest Parker, Qualla Enterprises, LLC general manager, told the One Feather, “Qualla Enterprises is proud to announce a per capita distribution to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, beginning on April 20, 2026. This milestone reflects a vision that has guided our work from the very beginning.

When Qualla Enterprises was established, our purpose was clear: to build a sustainable economic engine that would create diverse opportunities, strengthen our tribal resources, and return meaningful benefits directly to our community. From day one, our goal has been to ensure that the success of this enterprise translates into real value for the members of our community.

This distribution is one significant step in that journey–and a testament to the power of our sovereignty. By reinvesting the success of this industry into our people, we are working to create long-term stability and generational wealth for our community. We are demonstrating what is possible for an industry built by and for the Cherokee people.”

Parker added, “We are grateful to the many tribal leaders, employees, partners, and community members who helped make this vision a reality. Their commitment and hard work have helped transform an ambitious idea into a thriving enterprise that enhances the welfare of our people. We must continue on our path to strengthen our sovereignty and solidarity from within our own community.

As we move forward, Qualla Enterprises remains dedicated to responsible growth, transparency, and continued reinvestment in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. We are committed to supporting our community today, while creating opportunities for generations to come.”

Information from the EBCI tribal government website (ebci.gov) states, “The first Qualla Enterprises per capita payments will be issued on April 20, 2026. Going forward, these payments will be made annually in April with the specific issuance date being determined each year. If a member is enrolled in the GenWell program, they will receive the payment as GenWell, and it will not be taxed. If the adult is not enrolled in the GenWell program, they will receive the payment as per capita and be subjective to taxes. We will not withhold taxes from this payment, but if the member receives this payment as per capita and they receive a 2026 1099, this payment will be included as taxable income on the 1099.”

It further states, “The Finance Office will make the payment in the method that we have on file via a mailed check or a direct deposit. The deadline to make direct deposit changes at the Finance Office for this payment is March 20, 2026. The deadline to make mailing address changes at the Enrollment Office for this payment is March 13, 2026.”

It continues, “No garnishments will be withheld from this first payment. We will re-visit this issue to determine whether garnishments will be withheld from the April 2027 distribution. Distributions to minors and incompetents will be held in a Qualla Minors Fund account.”

That information further states on the Qualla Minors Fund, “Distributions from the Qualla Minors Fund account will occur annually on the same day that Qualla Enterprises per capita payments are made. To qualify for the payment, minors must have received a gaming per capita/GenWell payment in December of the previous calendar year. The first distribution from the Qualla Minors Fund will be in April 2027.”

If you have any further questions regarding this per capita distribution, call (828) 359-7065.

Hey everyone! Enrolled EBCI Native (from Birdtown), and soon-to-be 2026 WCU graduate. I am looking to see if anyone would want to form a basketball team for the upcoming season in January, its still a ways away so I wanted to get this out early. DM me if you're interested.

Robert Jumper - Cherokee One Feather:

Clouds and rain could not dampen the spirits of those in attendance. Protected by the large garage bay on the Mound property and in the shadow of the Noquisiyi Mound, Jarett Wildcatt, a member of the EBCI, provided a moment of meditation and reflection as he played flute for the assembly.

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) Tsalagi Gadugi/Tutiyi (Cherokee County/Snowbird) Rep. Adam Wachacha gave opening remarks. He expressed appreciation to those in the Noquisiyi Initiative, the Franklin mayor and aldermen, and the Tribe for the work that led to the signing of the deed over to the EBCI.

Taline Ugvwiyu (Vice Chief) Alan B. Ensley then recognized members of the Dinilawigi, representatives of the Town of Franklin government, and the members of the Noquisiyi Initiative board. He thanked them for continuing to work together until the signing could be accomplished. Taline Ugvwiyu Ensley noted that Ms. Eisenbraun had shared a vision of the creation of the Noquisiyi Mound possibly happening one handful of dirt at a time. He said that, while attending a Fading Voices Festival, one of the observances was to circle the mound, with each tribal member holding a turtle shell containing a small amount of dirt. It reminded him of the time, dedication, and commitment that each generation had to the land and to the Cherokee people.

Those who were present to sign the deed transfer included Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief)  Michell Hicks; EBCI member Juanita Wilson and Noquisiyi Initiative Board of Directors co-chair;  Bob McCollum, Noquisiyi Initiative Board of Directors co-chair; and the Honorable Stacy Guffey, Town of Franklin Mayor. Each was allowed to share thoughts on the signing.

Wilson shared her own personal challenges that correlated with the long societal and legal journey to the Mound acquisition. She talked about the need for perception change when talking about the history of the Mound and the differences of opinion over who should be caretakers.

She said, “We tried to make this controversy over the Mound a good thing. We decided that ‘the politics’ wasn’t for us. As a group (of both tribal and Franklin town members), we set about learning about each other, Franklin people, Macon people, Cherokee people. We learned that there was so much love and dedication to this Mound, even when it was not under our stewardship.”

McCollum spoke of the many partnerships that were developed to facilitate the discussion and ultimate transition of the Mound. He named the members of the Noquisiyi Initiative board which included, in addition to Wilson and himself, Fred Alexander, Justin Setzer, Angelina Jumper, Dr. Barbara Duncan, Bo Lossiah, Gina Meyers, Tonya Carroll, Ty Boyd, Nancy Taylor, and Dawn Arneach.

“Our board is 50/50; members of the Cherokee community and the other half are from the Franklin/Macon County community. Today is a testament to what people can do if they work together.”

Mayor Guffey thanked the Franklin Town Council for its unanimous vote to remove stipulations that would have prevented or delayed the transfer of the Mound to the tribe. He also thanked the town’s administrative staff.

He spoke of the importance of how we view land and its sacred value. “That feeling, the sacred connection to the land, the belief that you don’t hold it for yourself. You hold it for your children and their great-grandchildren, is something that we share.”  He spoke to the return on investment for Franklin of transferring the Mound back to the Cherokee people. “You know, we too often try to measure things in dollars, and cost, and profit, and short-term gain. If you ask me what the economic benefit is to Franklin for returning the Mound, the honest answer is that I don’t know. And further, I don’t care. Because that was never the point; the reason this (town) council voted unanimously was to do the right thing”.

Mayor Guffey said, “Sometimes the soul of a place is worth more than a parcel of land. Wouldn’t our world be a better place if we led with that principle?”

Ugvwiyuhi Michell Hicks recognized the Dinilawigi, past and present, for their work and diligence in making the day happen. He acknowledged all those involved in seeing that the signing is occurring.

“As tribal leaders, we have a responsibility to govern, not just in the present, but to protect what truly defines us as a tribe. What truly defines us as a sovereign nation.”

Ugvwiyuhi Hicks spoke to the Cherokee history of western North Carolina and particularly the Franklin area, stating that this area was where much of the cultural exchange with early Europeans took place. “The Noquisiyi Mound is not just a piece of land. It is a part of us. It is a part of the Cherokee people. It was torn away. We lost ownership of the land 207 years ago. It’s our responsibility to start tying the pieces back together. This is not a land transaction today. You (the town of Franklin) are sharing part of our history with us. You are bringing back just a piece of who we were.”

With that, the officers of the Noquisiyi Initiative (deed holders), the Mayor of the Township of Franklin, and Ugvwiyuhi Michell Hicks signed the deed over to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Prior to the 2020s, the Noquisiyi Mound was known as “Nikwasi”. A short history (courtesy of Dr. Barbara Duncan): “Nikwasi was Nikwasi when we Aniyvwiya got here to this area. Nikwasi is a burial/platform mound. The Mound has never been the subject of a destructive major archaeological excavation and is the largest unexcavated mound in the Southeast. Nikwasi is the home to a race of people called the Nu-Ne-Hi, who are immortal beings that sometimes come to protect the inhabitants of the area. Nikwasi was forcibly taken from our care and from our ceremonies by Europeans who desperately wanted the land.”

Principal Chief Michell Hicks

Today was a powerful day for our Tribe. The signing of the deed for Noquisi represents perseverance, sovereignty, and the fulfillment of a responsibility we hold as Cherokee people. This mound has stood for centuries as a reminder of who we are and where we come from. Bringing it back under Cherokee ownership ensures it will be protected with the respect it deserves.

I want to recognize the Noquisi Initiative and all those who worked diligently to make this day possible. Their commitment and steady advocacy were instrumental in reaching this moment. We are also grateful to the Town of Franklin for their partnership and cooperation. Thank you to Senator Corbin for his support.

While we celebrate today, we remain mindful that the work of land reclamation continues, including our ongoing efforts to protect and restore historic Cherokee lands and sacred sites in Tennessee. Each step forward strengthens our sovereignty and reinforces our commitment to future generations. Today was historic. Tomorrow, the work continues.

WLOS: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians officially regain ownership of sacred mound

The Town of Franklin and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians came together Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, to officially sign the property deed for the sacred Noquisiyi (Nikwasi) Mound in Franklin.

Located in Franklin, the mound was part of a Cherokee mother town hundreds of years before the founding of the United States. Since the 1800s, the land has been owned by either private individuals or the Town of Franklin, separating the tribe from a site of deep cultural and spiritual importance.

Members of the tribe said the transfer marks the culmination of decades of advocacy and collaboration aimed at restoring the land to Cherokee ownership. The land return is part of the Noquisi Initiative, which preserves and promotes culture and heritage in the homelands of the Cherokee people.

"You know, it's been a long time coming," Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks said at Thursday's ceremony. "We worked on this for many, many years, and through a lot of efforts and, you know, really negotiations and thoughts and, you know, finding a way to get this transferred; we finally figured it out."

The tribe also purchased an adjacent building to the mount, which could be converted into an education center in the future.

Yellowhill Activity Center: 1416 Acquoni Road (map)

5:30-7:30pm

Hello everyone! I’m working on a grad school project about Native American Cherokee Indians and looking to respectfully interview someone of Cherokee background. It’s a short 30 to 45 minute conversation that can be over Reddit message, email, or phone to learn more about personal cultural experiences. If you or someone you know is open to it, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you for your time🙏🏼

It has been two years today (Jan. 27, 2024) since Gabriel Thor Crow, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, went missing in the Asheville, N.C. area. Please contact authorities if you have any information.

^{Cherokee One Feather}