NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (April 7)
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.
EBCI tribal legislative updates (April 2)
The One Feather will now provide regular legislative updates on various pieces of legislation of the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Dinilawigi passes resolution that sessions begin with a prayer in Cherokee language
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) passed a resolution during its regular session on Thursday, April 2 stating that sessions should open with a prayer in the Cherokee language.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Yates named director of WCU Cherokee Center
Western Carolina University has appointed Shalana Yates as director of the Cherokee Center, bringing to the role a strong background in nonprofit operations, tribal government, and leadership.
Davy Arch selected as EBCI Beloved Man
Davy Arch, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), has been selected as a Beloved Man of the EBCI. Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) passed Res. No. 176 (2026), submitted by the Beloved Committee and which approved the designation, during its regular session on Thursday, April 2.
Language is medicine: 5K Walk/Run for Cherokee Language Revitalization held
With a nice breeze blowing over Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, the sound of the Cherokee language was in the air on the sunny spring morning of Saturday, March 28.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Dr. Hartwell Francis is positively dedicated to the Cherokee language
For more than two decades, Dr. Hartwell Francis has been dedicated to the preservation of the Cherokee language, and his dedication to the Cherokee people is immense. His smiles and positivity drive his energy in language preservation and learning.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: He Thinks of Us, Part 2 of 2
The Psalm begins with how God knows us (ALL of us) and our every move, regardless of how small or insignificant. He also knows our thoughts. He knows where you are going, when you will rest, and all your ways of doing things
SPEAKING OF FAITH: He Thinks of Us, Part 1 of 2
When we think of God, we often think He is there but unattached until we call upon Him. However, those who forget how close He is must be reminded that our God is mighty and powerful and always with us.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: Joscelyn Stamper breaking records, and she’s not done
Joscelyn Stamper has a calm, kind demeanor that probably surprises a lot of people when they find out just how competitive she is athletically
Three in a row: Lady Braves make history with third consecutive state basketball championship
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) are the 2025-2026 NCHSAA 2A State Champions. The Lady Braves dominated the state game, earning their third state title in a row with the largest winning margin in NCHSAA history for women’s basketball on the evening of Thursday, March 12 in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
EBCI wrestlers compete at State; Cherokee High School tallies two State placers
Pippa Welch (women’s 152, third place) and Levi Tramper (HWT, fourth place) from Cherokee High School, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), competed in the 2026 NCHSAA State Championship Tournament held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Greensboro Coliseum.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Michael Glenn Murphy
Michael Glenn Murphy, 64, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 9:06 a.m. at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, S.C., following a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: Lloyd Knowles Arneach Sr.
Lloyd Knowles Arneach Sr., born Oct. 6, 1943, to Francis Newman Arneach and Roberta Mollie Gloyne, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026.
OBITUARY: Clara Saunooke
Clara Saunooke, a dedicated sister, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished member of the Bird Town community, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 31, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service.
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
Indigenous Poetry Anthology seeking EBCI writers
Work is currently being solicited for a new contemporary Indigenous poetry anthology from the Wesleyan University Press, and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are being encouraged to submit their work for consideration.
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.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm