The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a state-recognized group, was the subject of a Presidential Memorandum on Jan. 23, 2025 regarding its bid for federal acknowledgement.  The memorandum directed the Department of Interior (DOI) to develop a plan, within 90 days, “to assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full federal recognition through legislation or other available mechanisms”. 

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.

The Cherokee One Feather issued four questions to candidates for Dinilawigi (Tribal Council). Over the next four weeks, candidate responses will be published.

The last living member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has been honored by the U.S. Congress. Cabe “Cody” Monroe Lambert, age 99, an EBCI tribal elder, was recognized in an event on Thursday, Aug. 14 with the reading of a Congressional Record in his honor. 

Mineral rights and timber harvesting are two important environmental aspects that are covered in the Cherokee Code of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).  Modern Cherokee law goes back almost 90 years on this issue.

The National Park Service urges visitors to not feed or approach black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park has seen an increase in incidents involving visitors feeding bears. Feeding wildlife is illegal and endangers you, other visitors and bears.

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.

The National Park Service (NPS) and Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) continue to work towards emergency repairs for US441/Newfound Gap Road following the Aug. 1 washout and landslide. The agencies plan to award a contract in August and expect that construction will be complete in early October.