U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced on Wednesday, Aug. 6 that a number of individuals are facing federal firearms and immigration charges under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crime, repel the invasion of illegal immigration and achieve total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).

Shawnenna Caroline Roland, 39, of Cherokee, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is facing federal charges for child abuse, child neglect, and assault in Indian country, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) tabled several ordinances during the Orders of the Day portion of its regular session on Thursday, Aug. 7.  Several of these were tabled for more discussion before being brought to the floor for a vote. 

The Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) approved five resolutions during its regular session on Thursday, Aug. 7 that seek to take multiple tracts of property into trust for the Tribe.

This Week in Native News

The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m. by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.

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.

US441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed until further notice due to road damage.