NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Tabled ordinance would change candidacy requirements
The EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Board of Elections has submitted an ordinance that would remove a section from the tribe’s election law regarding requirements for filing for candidacy. Ord. No. 21 (2025) was deemed read and tabled during the Annual Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) session on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
Hope, Strength, and Healing: EBCI acknowledges Purple Lotus Day
Hope, strength, and healing were the messages conveyed at the Purple Lotus Day event held at the Cherokee Welcome Center on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 22.
CCS School Board holds October meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, Oct. 20 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Doula Program up and running
In January, the One Feather reported that The Center for Native Health (CNH) had been selected to receive a $500,000 grant, provided by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and supported by the Spirit Aligned Leadership Program, to establish a doula program for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Hyatt returns to his roots as Mainspring’s new executive director
When Sylva resident Jeremy Hyatt looks across the landscape of western North Carolina, he doesn’t just see beautiful scenery — he sees his childhood.
Woodcarving Club starts up in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) member, carver and art collector Driver Blythe has started a biweekly woodcarving club at the Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Community Building with renowned Cherokee carvers Davy Arch and Dewey Owle.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: When a man really cares
Jordan Oocumma came to Noquisi Initiative in 2024 wanting to rekindle a broad respect for Noquisiyi.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Discipline
God made us; He knows us better than we know ourselves. The wisdom of God far outweighs the fantasies of those who think you can raise a child to respect their parents and ultimately the authority of God without the knowledge of punishment and the results of one’s actions.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Discipline
The scripture is tough but easy to understand. The formula is simple. If we expect heavenly rewards after we leave this old world, we need to expect discipline as a consequence of our actions while we are here.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
JV FOOTBALL: Cherokee Braves win double overtime thriller over Rosman
Sports fans got their money’s worth at the JV football game as Cherokee hosted Rosman on Thursday, Aug. 29. Ray Kinsland Stadium erupted as Cherokee’s Wakinyan Raines ran four yards for the go-ahead and eventual winning touchdown in double overtime to lift the Braves 26-20 over the Tigers.
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves win at TCEC Jaguar Jungle Run
The Cherokee Central Schools cross country teams traveled to Murphy, N.C. on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 28 to participate in the TCEC (Tri-County Early College) Jaguar Jungle Run.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Georgia Elaine Driver
Georgia Elaine Driver, 60, of Cherokee, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Dorothy West and Ralph Maney.
OBITUARY: Ralph Eugene Christie Sr.
Ralph Eugene Christie Sr., 89, of Salisbury, N.C., passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
OBITUARY: Charles “Charlie” William Bigwitch (Tsali)
Charles “Charlie” William Bigwitch (Tsali), 67, of Cherokee, N.C., went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Fred and Eva Bigwitch.
HAPPENINGS
Park to host Mountain Life Festival
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual Mountain Life Festival near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the Mountain Farm Museum on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience traditional fall harvest activities on the farm including hearth cooking, apple butter making, blacksmithing, lye soap making, and food preservation. All activities are free and open to the public.
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.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“This Land Calls Us Home”: EBCI artists included in exhibit at Atlanta airport
An art exhibit, featuring the work of Native American artists of various Southeastern tribes, is set to open next month. “This Land Calls Us Home” exhibit will be displayed at the T North Concourse at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport starting Nov. 6.
Journey to the Land of the Dead at “Coco Live-to-Film Concert” hosted at Bardo Arts Center
Bardo Arts Center is excited to sing with its audience “Un Poco Loco” at the upcoming show “Coco Live-to-Film Concert” on Oct. 23 and 24.
Museum receives grant for welcome signs to Cultural District
A grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation will provide for two artistic welcome signs to be installed designating the Cherokee Cultural District on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee, N.C.).
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm