NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
CCS School Board holds July meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, July 20 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson at 5:05 p.m.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 20)
The One Feather provides 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.
Tribal member fights for access to possessory land
Scott Welch is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) from Tsisqwohi (Birdtown). He is the possessory holder of tribal land on Cooper’s Creek Road that borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Qualla Boundary in Swain County.
Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI Tribal Option celebrates Five-Year Anniversary with Community Teddy Bear Clinic
EBCI Tribal Option will celebrate five years of caring for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) with a free, family-centered Teddy Bear Clinic on Friday, July 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Welch Top Conference Room at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. As of today, 5,459 members are enrolled and currently being served by EBCI Tribal Option.
Mariah Hill’s broad creativity extends from Fair themes to paintings
Mariah Hill is a talented artist with an eye for color and a mind rooted in traditional Cherokee teachings. For the past two years, her entry has been selected as the theme for the annual Cherokee Indian Fair hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
EBCI PHHS and WCU Cherokee Center partner for Culturally Based Native Health Certificate Program
The EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Public Health and Human Services (PHHS), in partnership with the Western Carolina University (WCU) Cherokee Center, has announced the Native Health Certificate Program.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The Old, Old Story. Part 2 of 2
I often sang this song in church during my youth.
THE GOOD STUFF: Mary Crowe advocates for her people with dedication and determination
Mary “Missy” Crowe has always been an advocate for her people and works daily and nightly to make sure that a Cherokee voice is always heard. It’s been an honor to know her for three decades now, and to have been to see her work and dedication is inspiring.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The Old, Old Story. Part 1 of 2
People who have been in ministry for years think they need to do something new, fresh, and fashionable.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Kayleigh Wolfe is driven to succeed in MMA
For Kayleigh Wolfe, it is train, eat, sleep, wake-up, repeat. She is driven to succeed in the sport of MMA (mixed martial arts) and has a major fight coming up next month.
ON THE SIDELINES: Coach Briggs’ legacy of compassion and dedication will be felt for years to come
Kent Briggs, Coach Briggs to many of us, will be remembered as a man dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential. He led. He mentored. He inspired. He dreamed.
FOOTBALL: Braves new head coach working to build a program and consistency
On a cooler-than-usual late spring morning, the sounds of football could be heard from Ray Kinsland Stadium. The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) were going through warm-ups and position drills – gearing up for the 2026 campaign under a new head coach, T.C. Guyer.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mark Steven Lambert
Mark passed peacefully on the evening of Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Tsali Care Center. He was affectionately called Uncle Fluff by his family and Cliffy by his many friends. He was someone that could make you laugh and enjoy the moment you were in. He was an avid Cherokee Braves, Duke Blue Devils and Raiders fan.
OBITUARY: Franklin George Hornbuckle
Franklin George Hornbuckle, 53, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
OBITUARY: Jerry “Jinx” Francis Parker
Jerry “Jinx” Francis Parker, 74, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026. Born in Cherokee, N.C., on Aug. 8, 1951, Jerry lived a big life – and lived it on his own terms. He graduated from Cherokee High School, and from there went on to build a life that took him to wild places and brought him into contact with more people than most of us could ever hope to meet.
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
Mariah Hill’s broad creativity extends from Fair themes to paintings
Mariah Hill is a talented artist with an eye for color and a mind rooted in traditional Cherokee teachings. For the past two years, her entry has been selected as the theme for the annual Cherokee Indian Fair hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Sculpture by Cherokee Nation citizen added to N.C. Arboretum’s collection
“Sacred Earth” by Cherokee Nation sculptor Karen Sixkiller features a larger-than-life water beetle perched on a large, faceted form and can now be seen along the walkways of the Stream Garden.
Culture in clay: Didanisisgi Gadagwatli (Mud Daubers) Pottery Exhibit opens
Beauty and incredible artistry were on display as this year’s Didanisisgi Gadagwatli (Mud Daubers) Pottery Exhibit opened at the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Friday, June 5.
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