NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Groundbreaking held for The Boundary Bingo & Slots
The bingo operation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) closed in 2020 due to COVID-19, and it never reopened. Now, a new facility is being constructed on Tsali Blvd. on a piece of property that has previously been a movie theater and was most recently a home furnishing store.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Feb. 24)
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.
Anna Ferguson wants to bring a Cherokee voice to Raleigh
Anna Ferguson wants to bring a Cherokee voice to Raleigh. She is seeking the District 119 seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Cherokee Historical Association hires two new staff members to lead new programming initiatives
Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) has expanded its full-time administrative staff with the creation of two new roles: Cultural Outreach & Event Specialists. These positions, funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, will be responsible for leading new programming initiatives set to launch in 2026.
Atlanta Braves Cultural Committee and Atlanta Braves hold Career Expo
On the morning of Thursday, Dec. 11, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Atlanta Braves Cultural Committee and the Atlanta Braves held the Beyond the Diamond Career Expo at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center for EBCI high school and college students to explore careers in professional sports.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Ugvwiyuhi Dugan inspires with strength and compassion
Joyce Dugan, former Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a visionary leader who inspires with her strength and compassion.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Cats vs. Dogs, Part 1of 2
Bias is natural and becomes part of our thought process without our consent or realizing it even occurs.
COMMENTARY: Takin’ care of business and the elderly
You hear it all the time in our community. We love and appreciate our elders. And it shows.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Tribal member to be inducted into North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame
Rebecca Wolfe Damas, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a member of the Class of 2025 inductees into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF). She will be officially inducted during a ceremony on June 7 in Green Bay, Wisc. at the Onedia Conference Center.
Qualla Boundary Special Olympics team members place at Fall Tournament
Members of the Qualla Boundary Special Olympics team placed at the 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Fall Tournament held recently in Charlotte, N.C.
Cherokee Recreation Youth Wrestling Program will begin in March
Starting in March, Cherokee Recreation will launch a new youth wrestling program. Casey Reagan, from Smokey Mountain Judo, will be heading up the program with help from his family, including his sister, Erin Reagan Kirkland, from Cherokee Central Schools.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Donald Lee “Kanogsdaya” Swimmer
Donald Lee “Kanogsdaya” Swimmer, 70, of Cherokee, N.C., took his heavenly flight on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 to reunite with his parents, Luke and Amanda Sequoyah Swimmer; and his siblings, Mary Ellen Wolfe, Johnny, Ronald, Herbert, and McKinley Swimmer.
OBITUARY: Byron Jase Locust
Byron Jase Locust, 26, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of James William Locust Jr. and Elisha Wildcatt Locust of Cherokee.
OBITUARY: Mary R. Smith
Mary R. Smith, 89, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, surrounded by her loving family.
HAPPENINGS
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Oct. 18-20
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.
Homecoming 2019 to be celebrated at WCU with theme ‘Forever a Catamount’
“Forever a Catamount” will be the theme for Homecoming 2019 at Western Carolina University, with a schedule of public events that includes a concert by country music star Lee Brice, a parade down Main Street in Sylva, award presentations to exemplary alumni, and the traditional football game.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
EBCI tribal member takes top honor at Trail of Tears Art Show
The longest-running Native American juried art show and competition in Oklahoma announced its top honors during a special reception on April 5 at the gallery in Cherokee Springs Plaza.
Oconaluftee Indian Village prepares to open for 2024 season
The Oconaluftee Indian Village will open on Tuesday, April 16, for their 2024 season, which will last until Nov. 2.
EBCI members present on mask making at Western Carolina University
On the evening of Thursday, April 11, two Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) members, Davy Arch and Driver Blythe, gave a presentation on the history of Cherokee mask making at the Mountain Heritage Center at Tali Tsisgwayahi (Two Sparrows Place) on the campus of Western Carolina University (WCU).
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm