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TRIBES · CHEROKEE, NORTH CAROLINACHEROKEE, NC

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Every Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians program in Okla’s catalog, in one place. 18 serve the EBCI Qualla Boundary (4 Counties, Western North Carolina). 1 is open to citizens of other tribes too.

25 programs across 9 categories.

Find my programs Call main line

Housing

7 PROGRAMS
Cherokee Indian Housing Division — Rental Housing 173 rental units across Birdtown, Wolftown, Snowbird, Painttown communities and Tsali Manor Apartments (29 units). Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation EBCI Down Payment and Mortgage Assistance Program Down payment assistance and mortgage interest rate buy-down funds to help enrolled EBCI members purchase homes. Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation EBCI Home Rehabilitation Loan Program Low-interest rehabilitation loans up to $30,000 for enrolled EBCI members to repair or improve existing homes on the Qualla Boundary. Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation HOME Program Housing — Bertha Saunooke Heights 23-unit federally funded HOME program housing development (Bertha Saunooke Heights) on the Qualla Boundary. Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation Mutual Help Homeownership Program 155-unit NAHASDA-funded homeownership program where homes are conveyed to occupants over time. Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation Snowbird Transitional Housing Program Transitional housing assistance for enrolled EBCI members in the Snowbird community (Robbinsville/Graham County) who are transitioning out of… Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation TSALAGI Homes New Construction Program New construction homes for enrolled EBCI members on the Qualla Boundary. Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation

Medical

4 PROGRAMS
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) Primary and Specialty Care Comprehensive outpatient primary care through two integrated care teams (Eagle Clinic and Seven Clans Clinic). IHS-eligibleOn reservation IHS-eligible · On reservation Cherokee Indian Hospital Eye Care and Optical Shop Comprehensive eye exams, diabetic eye exams, contact lens fittings, ocular disease treatment, and an on-site optical shop for glasses and contacts. IHS-eligibleOn reservation IHS-eligible · On reservation CIHA Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) Pays for specialist and hospital care obtained outside the CIHA system when services are not locally available. IHS-eligibleService area IHS-eligible · Service area EBCI Tribal Option (NC Medicaid Managed Care for Tribal Members) An Indian Managed Care Entity operating as a NC Medicaid health plan for federally recognized tribal members who qualify for NC Medicaid. IHS-eligibleIncome based IHS-eligible · Income based

Financial Assistance

4 PROGRAMS
Christmas Check Program (Disabled/Handicapped) Annual holiday cash payment for enrolled EBCI members who are disabled or handicapped and under age 59.5. Citizens onlyNationwide Citizens only · Nationwide EBCI Minors Trust Fund Financial trust accounts established for enrolled EBCI members from birth. Citizens onlyNationwide Citizens only · Nationwide EBCI Per Capita Payments Twice-annual direct cash distributions to all enrolled EBCI members age 18 and older, funded through tribal enterprise revenues (primarily Harrah's… Citizens onlyNationwide Citizens only · Nationwide GenWell — EBCI General Welfare Exclusion Program Annual general welfare payments to enrolled EBCI members under the federal Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014. Citizens onlyNationwide Citizens only · Nationwide

Elder Care

3 PROGRAMS
EBCI Senior Citizens Program Dignity and independence services for elderly and disabled enrolled EBCI members. Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation HELP Program (Handicapped and Elderly Living Program) Home maintenance and repair assistance for enrolled EBCI members who are elderly or have documented disabilities: standard home repairs, emergency… Citizens onlyOn reservation Citizens only · On reservation Tsali Care Center (Skilled Nursing Facility) 120-room skilled nursing facility on the Qualla Boundary offering 24-hour skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech… Open to allOn reservation Open to all · On reservation

Education

2 PROGRAMS
Chief John Alfred Tahquette Scholarship Scholarship for enrolled EBCI members attending accredited institutions located 250 or more miles from Cherokee, NC. Citizens onlyNationwide Citizens only · Nationwide EBCI Higher Education Financial Assistance Financial assistance for enrolled EBCI members in accredited post-secondary programs (associate, bachelor's, graduate, or technical/vocational). Citizens onlyNationwide Citizens only · Nationwide

Mental Health

2 PROGRAMS
Analenisgi Inpatient Psychiatric, Detoxification, and Opioid Treatment 18-bed inpatient acute mental health unit and certified opioid treatment program (methadone). IHS-eligibleOn reservation IHS-eligible · On reservation Analenisgi Outpatient Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services Outpatient behavioral health services on the CIHA campus: individual, group, and family therapy (trauma, grief, anxiety, EMDR); psychiatric… IHS-eligibleOn reservation IHS-eligible · On reservation

Dental

1 PROGRAM
Cherokee Indian Hospital Dental Clinic Comprehensive dental care including cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, and oral surgery. IHS-eligibleOn reservation IHS-eligible · On reservation

Substance Abuse

1 PROGRAM
Analenisgi Substance Use Residential Treatment (Kanvwotiyi) Residential substance use treatment for men, women, and families. IHS-eligibleOn reservation IHS-eligible · On reservation

02 / ABOUT THE TRIBE

About the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Federal recognition
Federally recognized as “Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians” in the Bureau of Indian Affairs list (91 FR 4102, January 2026).
Headquarters
Cherokee, North Carolina
Service area
EBCI Qualla Boundary (4 Counties, Western North Carolina): Jackson, Swain, Graham and Cherokee counties, North Carolina.
Official website
ebci.gov ↗

03 / COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions

Do I have to be a Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians citizen to use these programs?

Not always. Of the 25 programs Okla lists, 16 are for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians citizens only; 8 are open to anyone eligible for Indian Health Service care; and 1 is open to everyone. Each program page spells out who qualifies.

Do I have to live on the reservation or in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians service area?

18 programs are limited to the EBCI Qualla Boundary (4 Counties, Western North Carolina) (Jackson, Swain, Graham and Cherokee counties, North Carolina). 6 programs are available to eligible people anywhere in the United States. The rest have their own service areas, listed on each program page. Use “Find my programs” at the top of this page to check against where you live.

How do I become a Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians citizen?

Citizenship (enrollment) is decided by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, not by Okla. The tribe’s enrollment page explains the requirements and how to apply. Main line: 828-497-7000.

How do I apply for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians programs?

Each program has its own application. Open a program above to see who qualifies, how to apply and the official link. Okla is an independent directory, not part of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or any government agency, so always confirm details with the program before you apply.