NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Jan. 5)
The One Feather will now provide weekly legislative updates on various pieces of federal legislation of interest to members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The bills are shown in the order in which they were introduced following the new bills for the week.
Man sentenced to 21 years in prison on drug and gun charges
Grey Alan Hester, 50, of Candler, N.C. was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, to 21 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release on drug and gun charges, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority celebrates opening of new Cherokee County Clinic
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), alongside Tribal leadership, community members, and project partners, celebrated the opening of the new Cherokee County Clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI tribal member selected as Red Earth Artist
Margaret Littlejohn Wakefield, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been selected as an Official Red Earth Festival Artist for the 2026 event. She will display her paintings at the Festival set for Aug. 1-2 at the OKC Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oka.
Cooper endows “Hand Up” Scholarship at SCC
As a lifelong educator and charity worker, Joyce Cooper has a history with Southwestern Community College that is rooted in philanthropy as she serves on the SCC Foundation Gala Planning Committee, as well as the Board of Trustees, and she previously endowed the “Pass It On” Scholarship for SCC Health Sciences students.
Lindley Wyatt brings her culture to the runway
Lindley Wyatt, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a junior at Western Carolina University (WCU) double majoring in Marketing and Management. Wyatt is also a fashion model signed with a Sante Fe Indigenous modeling agency.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Educate, don’t opinionate
Okay, this is probably one of my most unpopular topics, particularly to my colleagues. I really have an issue with media outlets that attempt to manipulate public opinion by injecting media bias, or that of their advertisers, into news stories.
Ask a Therapist: Sticking with your New Year’s Resolutions (without burning out)
Question: Every year, I am excited to set goals and want to do better for myself and my family. I start strong and then crash out quickly. Why does this happen and how can I keep my goals going?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Happy with Fitness class experience
I want to share my experience with our community in hopes that more of them will take advantage of what I feel is a great opportunity. There is a fitness class being offered at the Fitness Center through the Physical Therapy Department of the Cherokee Indian Hospital...
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WRESTLING: Cherokee takes second place at Enka Duals Boys meet
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) varsity wrestling team took second place in Pool D at the Enka Duals Girls meet in Candler, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3.
WRESTLING: Cherokee takes second place at Enka Duals Girls meet
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) varsity wrestling team took second place in Pool B at the Enka Duals Girls meet in Candler, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi play in Coaches vs Cancer event for Natalie Grant
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) played Daniel Boone High School (Tenn.) in the Coaches vs Cancer event held at TC Roberson High School on Saturday, Dec. 13. The team chose to play for (SUIT UP FOR) Natalie Grant. She recently battled cancer and beat it.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mary R. Smith
Mary R. Smith, 89, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, surrounded by her loving family.
OBITUARY: Josephine Yde Bradley (Jo)
Josephine Yde Bradley (Jo), beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 surrounded by her family at the age of 87.
OBITUARY: Una Lea “Teetsie” Sampson
Una Lea “Teetsie” Sampson, 62, went to her heavenly home where she was greeted by loved ones on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at Mission Hospital.
HAPPENINGS
32nd Annual Stories from the Pumpkin Patch
The thirty second Annual Stories from the Pumpkin Patch will be held Saturday, October 11th from 3pm till 8pm at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. The evening will feature several storytellers from the Jonesborough International Story Tellers Guild. These...
LampLight Theatre to present “The Advocate” in Cherokee
While many haunted attractions promise a night of terror, LampLight’s favored traveling production of “The Advocate” will besiege you long past your visit to see it. Have you ever wondered if God and Satan are real? Is there really a time we will all stand in God’s court of judgment?
12th Annual Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala set for July
The 12th Annual Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala, which will be held on Saturday, July 15 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, promises to be “A Star-Filled Summer Night,” to celebrate healthcare and community in a festive atmosphere under the stars.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
EBCI tribal member selected as Red Earth Artist
Margaret Littlejohn Wakefield, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been selected as an Official Red Earth Festival Artist for the 2026 event. She will display her paintings at the Festival set for Aug. 1-2 at the OKC Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oka.
Lindley Wyatt brings her culture to the runway
Lindley Wyatt, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a junior at Western Carolina University (WCU) double majoring in Marketing and Management. Wyatt is also a fashion model signed with a Sante Fe Indigenous modeling agency.
Two Cherokee women receive NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award
Two Cherokee women have received the In These Mountains NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award to better delve into the ancient art of making honeysuckle baskets
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