NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
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.
EBCI tribal legislative updates (Dec. 10)
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).
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Cherokee Cablevision provides update on Tribal Fiber Project
As Cherokee Cablevision, wholly owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and operated by BalsamWest, continues to make progress on the fiber build across tribal lands, they want to keep residents informed about what’s happening in their communities. This update provides important details about the work underway, and what to expect during construction.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Museum executive director reflects, looks to the future
In 2021 I was blessed to be selected as the new director of our Museum, and reflecting now, I am so proud of the work the Museum has accomplished. The foundation had been set before my arrival, though, to allow the Museum to begin to focus on our community more fully, and to tell more stories about who we are as Cherokee people today.
December report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for the month of December. November was a very busy month, and I hope each of you enjoyed a restful holiday season with family and friends. As always, my report follows the standard format below.
THE GOOD STUFF: Janell Rattler always puts Cherokee elders first
If elders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are involved, Janell Rattler will not be far behind – assisting wherever and however she can. She is the Senior Games coordinator in the Cherokee Recreation Program and has made it her life’s work to make sure that Cherokee elders have the opportunity to be active and healthy.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Indoor Track & Field: Cherokee participates in Polar Panther Invitational
Cherokee High School’s (CHS) indoor track team participated in the Polar Panther Invitational hosted by Franklin High School at the Macon Middle School Track in Franklin, N.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Indoor Track & Field: Cherokee hosts meet
Cherokee High School (CHS) hosted a polar bear meet on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 9 with three other schools including Andrews, Rosman, and Swain Co.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Steven Kyle Sutton Sr.
Steven Kyle Sutton Sr., a cherished husband, father, and friend, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia. He was born on Sept. 27, 1960, in Cherokee, N.C. to Janice Moles Sutton and the late Billy Sutton.
OBITUARY: Irvin Phillip Owle
Irvin Phillip Owle, 83, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehab in Maggie Valley, N.C., after a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: General Benjamin Grant
General Benjamin Grant, born Sept. 5, 1945, in White County, Tenn., to the late Rebecca Catolster Grant (Cherokee) and Ernest “Lone Wolf” Grant (Lakota Sioux), passed away on Dec. 3, 2025.
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
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
“In Light and Shadow”: New book highlights Indigenous photography
Three years in the making, a new book highlights the history of Indigenous photography. Co-authored by Brian Adams and Sarah Stacke, “In Light and Shadow: A Photographic History from Indigenous America” takes the reader on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of photography by Native Americans.
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