NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Dec. 9)
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.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) rescinds resolution approving constitution opinion referendum
A referendum that was approved in October regarding opinions on the future of the work being done on a constitution for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will not occur.
Qualla Nonprofit Alliance working for the people, collaboratively
A group of nonprofit organizations serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community has joined together recently to form the Qualla Nonprofit Alliance.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Waleli Crow brings an artist’s eye to modeling
Waleli Crow is surrounded daily by art, and modeling offers her another artistic outlet. Crow, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. where she majors in dramatic writing with minors in film and television and graphic design.
“The web grows stronger”: The story behind Kananesgi
What began as a bold vision to bring Cherokee art to the world has become one of the region’s most celebrated showcases of Indigenous creativity. The Kananesgi events, including an art market, competition, and fashion show, were created to uplift artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and celebrate both tradition and innovation.
CCS increases E-STEAM learning thanks to CPF grant
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation approved a grant for $257,125 to Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) during its Fall Board meeting.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: 2025
Looking back on this year’s newspaper, I am so proud of the amazing team that delivers Qualla Boundary news to you. While the headline might capture the focus of the week each week for our community, that is only the tip of what those editions brought to us in community news over the year.
COMMENTARY: Top men are on it
We, as a tribe, have been debating and searching for ways to communicate facts and truth to our people without sharing them with other people.
THE GOOD STUFF: Yona Wade serves, represents with style
Yona Wade is a true servant to his people and one who is dedicated to making sure the world knows of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
VOLLEYBALL: Lady Braves advance to 1A West Regional Championship
For the first time in school history, the Cherokee Lady Braves volleyball team will be competing for the title of NCHSAA 1A West Regional Champions. The (#1) Lady Braves defeated (#5) Cornerstone Charter Academy on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the Charles George Memorial Arena in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1A State volleyball playoffs, propelling them to the west regional championship in historic fashion.
CROSS COUNTRY: Three CHS runners qualify for state meet
Three Cherokee High School (CHS) runners placed at the 1A West Regional Cross Country championship held at Kituwah on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 26 and have qualified for the 1A State Championship meet. Ogana Swimmer, Dvdaya Swimmer, and Livia Crowe all qualified for the state meet set for Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C.
FOOTBALL: Braves move up in SMC with second consecutive shutout
The Cherokee Braves (5-2) have moved into second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference following their second consecutive shutout in a row. The Braves defeated the Hayesville Yellow Jackets 22-0 at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the evening of Friday, Oct. 18 and sit in second place in the SMC behind Murphy (7-1).
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Michael Farriday Lambert Sr.
Michael Farriday Lambert Sr., 90, of the Yellowhill Community, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.
OBITUARY: Brina “Bri-Bri” L. Blauvelt
Brina “Bri-Bri” L. Blauvelt, 24, passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. Born in Robbinsville, N.C., she had lived in McIntosh County for the past 20 years.
OBITUARY: Maria “Ada” Arch
Maria “Ada” Arch, 61, of the Painttown Community, peacefully gained her wings surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
HAPPENINGS
Robert Mirabal to perform at WCU Bardo Arts Center
The Western Carolina University Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present, The River, on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. This piece is a dynamic collaboration between ETHEL, acclaimed adventurous string quartet and Robert Mirabal, Native American musician, instrument builder, and three-time GRAMMY® Award winner.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Oct. 11-13
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.
107th Cherokee Indian Fair Schedule (Oct. 8-12)
107th Cherokee Indian Fair Schedule (Oct. 8-12)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“Stellar Picks: A Community Choice Exhibition” to open at WCU
The WCU Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center has tallied the votes, and the results are in on which objects will be included in its newest exhibition Stellar Picks: A Community Choice Exhibition.
EBCI models walk in Native Fashion in the City Fashion Show
Eight Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) models walked in the 10-year anniversary fashion show of Native Fashion in the City (NFITC) in Denver, Colo. on March 14 and 15. NFITC a modeling and fashion organization for Native American First Nations designers and models.
Cherokee musicians featured in new album with N.C. artists
Blue Ridge Music Trails released an album in November of 2023 titled, “Fine Tuned: Volume One” featuring artists from western North Carolina to highlight the musical traditions of the region. Keaw’e Bone and Jarrett Wildcatt, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), collaborated on a song on the album titled, “Three Demons.”
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(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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