Principal Chief Michell Hicks

Today, with members of Tribal Council and the Vice Chief’s office, we spent time at Tsali Manor for another garden kit giveaway, alongside the EBCI Cooperative Extension. I always appreciate the time we get to spend with our elders. There’s a lot of knowledge and experience there, and we must continue to stay connected.

We made it in and joined our Special Olympics athletes for the opening ceremony over in Swain. There’s a lot of pride in seeing our athletes step out and represent. You can tell the work they’ve put in to get here, and it means something to be here alongside them. We’re wishing all of you the best as competition gets underway!

It was an honor to join our Special Olympics athletes this morning for the Qualla Boundary-Far West Send-Off Parade and spend some time with them before they head out. These athletes have worked hard for this moment, and they carry our full support with them. Wishing you safe travels and the very best in competition. You’ve already made us proud.

The EBCI Office of Budget & Finance is hosting three community meetings to explain the recent changes to the EBCI Minors Trust Fund, including GenWell payments and the new disbursement schedule. We will be giving the same presentation at each event and will take questions at the end of each event. EBCI members and non-enrolled members who are parents or legal guardians of EBCI enrolled members are invited to attend. The first two events will be in person, and the third event will be online only. You must pre-register for the online event so your enrollment can be verified. The virtual event will be recorded and posted on the EBCI Member Portal. The dates and locations for the three events are:

April 27th, 2026 · 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Peaches Squirrel Sports & Recreation Complex
1212 Bird Town Rd, Cherokee, NC

April 30th, 2026 · 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Jacob Cornsilk Complex
60 Snowbird School Road, Robbinsville, NC

May 7th, 2026 · 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Online Only
Must use the following link to pre-register for the event: http://bit.ly/4tC8FKD

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 828-359-6640 or 828-359-7065.

Today in Snowbird, I had the opportunity to join community members for a garden kit giveaway on Earth Day, alongside the EBCI Cooperative Extension. We may not have been planting today, but we were putting something just as important into motion, making sure families have the seeds and support they need to grow their own food. It’s a reminder that caring for the earth and caring for our people go hand in hand. When we invest in our communities this way, we’re helping create opportunities for self-sufficiency, healthier lifestyles, and stronger connections to the land.

Yesterday was a meaningful and historic day for our Tribe. We traveled to Raleigh to attend the first session of North Carolina House Representative Anna Ferguson, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Joining me were members of our Executive team, Tribal Council members Mike Stamper and Venita Wolfe, and Cherokee Royalty. It was important for us to be there in person, to show our support and to witness this moment firsthand.

This is a significant step for our people. For generations, our voices have not always been present in spaces where decisions are made that impact our communities. Seeing one of our own take a seat in the North Carolina General Assembly represents progress. It reflects the work of those who came before us and opens the door for those who will come next.

What stood out just as much was seeing students from Cherokee Central Schools and Robbinsville in attendance. Several of them served as House Pages and were recognized on the floor. They saw what representation looks like in real time, and I hope they left knowing that they belong in those rooms and can one day serve in this capacity. I want to thank Cherokee Central Schools and Robbinsville for making this happen, especially on such short notice. It was important for our students to be there, and we appreciate the effort it took to coordinate. I also want to recognize Cherokee Royalty for representing our community so well throughout the day. This moment reflects progress for our Tribe, and it's one our young people were able to see and experience for themselves.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Today, I want to recognize the two administrative professionals, Melah Perkins and Alisha Lossiah, who play such an important role in our day-to-day work. From keeping us all organized and handling the many moving pieces behind the scenes to managing a steady flow of calls and helping connect our people with the services they need, you both handle a wide range of responsibilities that are essential to this office.

You are often the first point of contact and a consistent, dependable presence for both our team and our community. The patience, professionalism, and care you bring to your work reflect directly on this office and the service we provide. I appreciate the pride you take in what you do and the way you show up each day. It does not go unnoticed.

The North Carolina House session will be livestreamed today from Raleigh. Tune in at 12:00 PM to watch new House Rep. Anna Ferguson be seated during session.

🔗 https://www.ncleg.gov/LegislativeCalendarEvent/134228

This is a historic moment for EBCI, join us in watching and showing your support!

House: Session Convenes - North Carolina General Assembly

‼️ Thank you to those who submitted interest in the community support bus to Raleigh for Anna Ferguson’s seated ceremony. Due to limited participation, the bus will not be scheduled. We appreciate your interest and support.‼️

Whitewater Landing is officially open, and it was well worth the wait. While we experienced unexpected damage to the property that delayed our opening, our teams stepped up in a big way to make the necessary repairs and ensure this space was completed correctly.

I want to thank our Commerce Division and Project Team for going above and beyond over the past several weeks, as well as our construction crews, who put in long hours to bring this vision to life. Because of their hard work, our community now has a beautiful new green space where our children can play, our families can gather, and memories can be made for years to come. We’re proud to invest in places that bring people together and strengthen our community.