NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Chief’s Report: Driving change – EBCI’s advocacy push in legislation
During the past week, I had the privilege to journey to Raleigh, N.C. alongside my staff, Tribal Council Chairman, and Tribal Council members. Our goal was to engage with North Carolina legislators, sharing insights and priorities of our new administration and outlining the future stance of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) on critical issues.
13 million visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2023
Last week, the National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4 percent over 2022.
MMIW: Ruby Sky Montelongo
Ruby Sky Montelongo, a 16-year-old member of the EBCI, was found beaten to death in April 2023. Her uncle, Gerald “Lij” Britton, discovered her body in a field in Mendocino County, Calif.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WNC Honors given to EBCI communities
The culmination of this year’s program occurred via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 2 with over 100 community leaders and volunteers from 13 western North Carolina Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Eight EBCI community centers were honored with cash awards and recognition, and seven won Best in Class awards.
‘A New Beginning’: Cherokee, USFW Service work together to preserve the land, relationship
The Cherokee, whose homeland once covered the Southern Appalachian mountains, consider Kituwah hallowed ground. Today, fittingly, it is also a conservation centerpiece for scientists with the tribe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), and other agencies.
Tsali Day celebration planned at Kituwah
Each year, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians recognizes the Friday after Thanksgiving as a tribal holiday known as Tsali Day. This year, a group of tribal members are organizing an event honoring Tsali Day and acknowledging the importance that the Tribe recently achieved federal trust land status for Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Why so many questions?
With this being the year of decision for our people and all, you will be seeing the One Feather asking you, in print and digital posts, some pretty repetitive questions like “what would you ask your candidates if you had the chance to ask?”
ON THE SIDELINES: Cooperation is needed to solve charter school situation
For years, schools in the 1A division of NCHSAA (N.C. High School Athletic Association) have had to play against non-traditional schools (charter schools, prep, etc.) who are able to garner players from all over, not just their geographic area like other schools.
COMMENTARY: The right stuff
What am I entitled to? As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I should get some stuff. How about you? Don’t you think we should be getting more?
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD: Panther qualifies for state meet
Hallah Panther, a junior at Cherokee High School, has qualified for the North Carolina 1A State Indoor Track and Field meet.
ON THE SIDELINES: NCHSAA addresses fans’ behavior towards referees
There’s not a single high school football or basketball game that I attend where there’s not at least one fan yelling at the referee over a call.
Tribal member joins Phoenix Honda Racing Team
Isaac Teasdale, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from the Snowbird Community, will be racing motocross for the Phoenix Honda Racing Team.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Oscar “Coss” Hicks Jr.
Oscar “Coss” Hicks Jr., age 73, of the Painttown Community, went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving Family on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Coss was the son of the late Oscar Hicks Sr. and Rachel Long Hicks.
OBITUARY: Kasia Jade Bird Ubvtsuhv
Kasia Jade Bird Ubvtsuhv, age 23, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away at Solace Care Partners Hospice in Asheville, N.C., on Friday, March 31, 2023 after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Jessica Myraah McCoy
Jessica Myraah McCoy, age 29, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 8, 2023. She is the daughter of Sam and Tonya Crowe.
HAPPENINGS
Hot Dog Dinner and Singing
Sept. 28 at 5pm at Shoal Creek Baptist Church. Dinner at 5pm, Singing at 6:30pm. They will serve hot dogs, slaw, baked beans, dessert and drink for a donation to the Building Fund. Chris Smith, the one-man quarter, is the guest for the singing. Everyone is...
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 26-28
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 26-28
WCU to host Silent No More Week on campus Sept. 22-26
Western Carolina University will host Silent No More Week to encourage community members to speak up against sexual violence and help individuals realize personal responsibilities to end sexual violence.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
2012 SCC Student Art Show featured in OICA Gallery
The gallery at the Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts is currently featuring the 2012 SCC Student Art Show for the month of April. The exhibition features 73 works of art by 42 students currently enrolled in programs at Southwestern Community College,...
Cherokee and mountain heritage celebrated in concert and art show
The Peacock Playhouse is delighted to present BYNA: Life Songs of a Southern Appalachian Woman of Cherokee Descent on Saturday, April 14 at 4:30pm with a pre-concert art show by Cherokee artist, Faren Sanders Crews, at 3:30 p.m. Inspired by their mountain...
CHA expanding offerings at Mountainside Theater
“A Cherokee Family Reunion” to be presented there this year in addition to “Unto These Hills” By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. ONE FEATHER STAFF The Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) is expanding its offerings and will be adding new plays each year that will run in...
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(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm







