NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 29)
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.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Groundbreaking held for new additions to Big Cove Fire Station
Ground was broken on new additions to the Big Cove Fire Station in Kolanvyi (Big Cove) on the morning of Thursday, July 24. Tribal officials of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) joined staff from Cherokee Fire & Rescue for the event.
2025 Cherokee Indian Fair Countdown
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Smokies Life selects Jim and Leslie Costa as 2025 Steve Kemp Writers in Residence
Smokies Life has announced Jim and Leslie Costa as the recipients of its 2025 Steve Kemp Writer’s Residency. During their residency, the North Carolina-based couple plans to continue work already underway to write and illustrate a forthcoming field guide to the Smokies insects to be published by Smokies Life.
CIHA names 2025 Hayes Award and Employee of the Year recipients
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) has announced the recipients of its highest employee honors for 2025: Jason Sain, winner of the Hayes Award for Quality and Safety, and Rhiannon Spicer, named Employee of the Year.
“The past shaped us”: CHS Class of 2025 graduates most ever with 100
Cherokee High School (CHS) held the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24 at Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. The class had the most graduates in school history with 100 seniors graduating.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Hard Truths – Banishment
Banishment or exclusion is a statement that we will not tolerate the presence of people who come to harm us, and that should mean anyone of any race or citizenship, including our own.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A Soldier’s Perspective – Part 2
The World is the Front Lines. No doubt, this is the battlefield
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A Soldier’s Perspective – Part 1
The Whole Armor of God is a military reference to preparing for battle with evil. Ephesians 6: 10-20.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Memorial Day Fish Tournament draws 529 anglers to Cherokee
The 2024 Memorial Day Fish Tournament, hosted by the EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Natural Resources Dept., was held in Cherokee, N.C. on May 25-26.
CHS presents Specialty Athletic Awards
Cherokee High School Athletics presented its specialty awards during a ceremony at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the afternoon of Thursday, May 23.
TRACK & FIELD: Swain sweeps team state titles; Several CHS athletes place
Swain Co. High School won both the men’s and women’s team titles at the 1A State Track & Field Championship held at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. on Monday, May 20.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Billy Ray Jones
Billy Ray Jones, 89, of Sylva, North Carolina was called home on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Born in Sylva, N.C., on March 30, 1936, he was the son of the late Maudie Wykle and Aude Jones. He was the third oldest of nine brothers.
OBITUARY: Linda Sue Arch
Linda Sue Arch, 68, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
OBITUARY: Cameron Onnahili Chickaway
Cameron Onnahili Chickaway, born to Isaiah Chickaway and Jolie Locust-Pheasant on June 8, 2025, passed away on June 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 13-15
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.
Park to host Music of the Mountains event
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting the annual “Music of the Mountains” event on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Park to host stargazing event at Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a stargazing program in Cades Cove on Saturday, Sept. 7 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“Behind the Mask: Cherokee Mask Makers and their Legacy” exhibition on display through May
The exhibition “Behind the Mask: Cherokee Mask Makers and their Legacy” aims to reinforce the significance of Cherokee masks, their history and use, as well as their meaning and significance.
University of North Carolina Asheville to host “Activating Indigenous Beats: Hip Hop Nativo” Festival
The University of North Carolina Asheville is hosting the “Activating Indigenous Beats: Hip Hop Nativo” Festival and Residency on April 11-14.
Native America Calling receives National Humanities Medal
Native America Calling, a program of the Alaska-based Koahnic Broadcast Corporation, is a recipient of the National Humanities Medal from The National Endowment for the Humanities. The award was presented to Koahnic’s president and chief executive officer, Jaclyn Sallee, by U.S. President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, March 21.
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