NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Bill introduced into U.S. House to grant federal acknowledgement to Haliwa-Saponi
A bill has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives in the 119th Congress that would grant federal acknowledgment to the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe of North Carolina, a state-recognized group.
Planning Board approves plan to repurpose Cherokee Fitness Complex Pool
In an effort to save money on repairs, the Planning Board of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has approved a plan to repurpose the pool at the Cherokee Fitness Complex. EBCI Secretary of Education Sky Sampson presented the plan to the Board during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 22, and it was approved unanimously.
Honoring Our Values, Empowering Our People: RKLI receives support from Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI), a department of the Cherokee Boys Club, has been awarded a $336,872 grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to further its mission of creating a community of selfless leaders deeply rooted in Cherokee culture for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Sharing her culture: Scarlett ᎩᎦᎨ Guy to run for Miss Indian World
Scarlett ᎩᎦᎨ Guy will join 21 other Native American women in vying for the 2025-26 Miss Indian World (MIW) title later this week. Guy, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) who served as the 2023-24 Miss Cherokee, will compete at the pageant being held April 24-26, 2025 in conjunction with the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow (GON) in Albuquerque, N.M.
Cherokee Middle students advocate for Tenn. trust land bill
Cherokee students are making their voices heard on a House bill that would put land into trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in Tennessee. Students in David Pringle’s eighth grade social studies class at Cherokee Middle School recently completed a project on H.R. 226 (Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act).
10 Years of Cherokee Choices Stress & Healing Arts Retreat
Cherokee Choices just celebrated their 10th Anniversary of the Stress & Healing Arts Retreat (SHAR), a wellness retreat that ran from 2006 to 2011, and started back up in 2015 to now. This year’s two-day retreat, held on March 19 and 20, featured several workshops and sessions to promote healing and wellness for the Cherokee community.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Back to work
For many years, I led groups of maintenance technicians in a public school system. I was fortunate that many on each team were Christians. Occasionally, people need counseling when they become discouraged.
THE GOOD STUFF: Always a hero
I was in the process of writing my weekly Good Stuff column on a Cherokee hero when I got an email from a funeral home. It was the obituary for a hero of mine and many others – PFC Reuben Taylor, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
COMMENTARY: Hard truths – hirings and appointments
We have heard our tribal governmental administration say on multiple occasions that they prioritize hiring tribal members for tribal government positions. This commitment benefits every enrolled member, at least on the surface.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
The Tsalagi Cougars are going for gold
The Tsalagi Cougars are the regional cheer group competing in the North Carolina Senior Games. Beginning last year and earning a second-place medal, the team, representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has grown in numbers and excitement, gunning for first place at the 2024 Senior Games happening in Raleigh Sept. 16-22.
ON THE SIDELINES: The will to win
Covering Lady Braves Volleyball was one of my very first beats when I began as a reporter with the One Feather in October 2023.
CROSS COUNTRY: CHS, CMS Lady Braves win at home meet
Cherokee Central Schools hosted a cross country meet on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 4, and both the Cherokee High School (CHS) and Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves won their team contests.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: John Joseph Long
John Joseph Long, 71, passed away at Mission Hospital on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was the son of the late Posey Long and Bessie (Catolster) Long.
OBITUARY: Julie Anne Smith
Julie Anne Smith, born on Oct. 21, 1967, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, Julie was a lifelong resident of Cherokee.
OBITUARY: Johnny Wayne Browning
Johnny Wayne Browning, 68, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 16, 2025, after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 1, 1956, to the late John and Bida Silver Browning.
HAPPENINGS
Park to host National Bat Week Program for Junior Rangers
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a Junior Ranger in honor of National Bat Week on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the Oconaluftee Administration Building.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Oct. 25-27
Note: This list of pow wows was compiled by One Feather staff. The One Feather does not endorse any of these dances. It is simply a listing of ones occurring throughout the continent. Please call before traveling.
Indian Nations Conservation Alliance hosting conference
Indian Nations Conservation Alliance (INCA) will be hosting their annual National Tribal Conservation Districts Conference, Nov. 5-7, 2019, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Catoosa, Okla.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Film, concert event to put Cherokee language in the spotlight
On Aug. 4 and 5, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI) will present The Way We Speak with the World, a film and concert event celebrating the Cherokee language.
The Comedy Zone coming to Harrah’s Cherokee
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, will welcome The Comedy Zone to its roster of highly acclaimed entertainment venues. Slated to open this summer, The Comedy Zone will host top-notch comedians and some of the hottest stand-up performers on the stage.
Asheville Symphony to hold Educational Concert at Harrah’s Cherokee Center
On Friday, May 19, Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools’ fifth graders will have the opportunity to travel to hear world-renowned banjo player Béla Fleck play alongside members of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra at no cost. These two consecutive shows, dubbed the “Young People’s Concerts” are free for fifth graders from those two public school systems and are $5 for all other tickets. They will take place at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center’s Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm