NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Tribal jurisdiction in Prosecutorial District 43
The One Feather interviewed District Attorney Ashley Hornsby for Prosecutorial District 43 (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Co.) as part of an ongoing criminal justice reporting project
Timber Committee discusses bear hunting, air and water quality monitoring, and more
The Timber Committee of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians met on Monday, Sept. 21 and discussed a variety of topics from bear hunting to air and water quality monitoring.
Work is progressing nicely at Cherokee Cultural Grounds
Leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) broke ground on the new Cherokee Cultural Grounds in Cherokee, N.C. eight months ago, and work at the site is progressing nicely.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee values show us the way in Schon Duncan’s “Ahyoka”
Schon Duncan, a member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, reminds us of Cherokee values and the true meaning of community with their new short film “Ahyoka” (ᎠᏲᎧ), a portrait of Ahyoka Youngdeer. Through telling Ahyoka’s story, Duncan emphasizes the importance of inclusivity while also honoring a good friend.
Shea Vassar’s “Julie Takes A Walk” highlights the humor in everyday Native life
Shea Vassar, a Cherokee Nation citizen from Norman, Okla., is bringing a new perspective to comedy with “Julie Takes A Walk,” a short romantic comedy that she co-directed, wrote, and helped produce. This film displays the humor of everyday life and brings attention to modern Native life and queer Native people in small towns.
EBCI WIC Program recognized as a WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence PREMIERE Recipient
The EBCI Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a 2026 WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence: Premiere recipient, honoring the program’s outstanding efforts to support breastfeeding families across the community.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: I still haven’t found what I am looking for – Wayfinding signage on the Boundary
There is a place where if you want to know what the speed limit is, you must stop and clean the kudzu off the signs.
July report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for the month of July. As summer comes to a close, I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and memorable season.
Ask a Therapist: Arguing in front of children: Is it okay?
Question: My husband and I argue in front of our kids sometimes. We end up yelling at each other before we even realize what’s happening. I feel horrible about it afterwards and I worry we’re messing them up. What should I do?
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Atlanta Braves to host Fourth Annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase
The Atlanta Braves will host the fourth annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase at Truist Park, June 21-22. The top high school baseball players of Native American descent from around North America will participate in a showcase experience at Truist Park from Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, June 22.
WRESTLING: Cooper signs with Frostburg State University
Anasette Cooper, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a senior at Swain County High School (SCHS), signed a letter of intent to wrestle collegiately for the Frostburg State University Bobcats during an event held at SCHS on the morning of Friday, March 28.
SOFTBALL: Lossie signs with Montreat College
Amila Lossie, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a senior member of the Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) varsity softball team, signed a letter to intent to play collegiately for Montreat College during an event held at the Charles George Memorial Arena in Cherokee, N.C. on the morning of Monday, March 24.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mary Jane Craig Letts
Mary Jane Craig Letts, 89, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, N.C., after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Marcia Owle
Marcia Owle, 67, passed away unexpectedly following a tragic automobile accident. Her sudden passing leaves a deep sense of loss for her family, friends, church family, and all who knew her.
OBITUARY: Merlina Joshua Sneed
Merlina Joshua Sneed passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Cherokee, N.C., surrounded by her family. She was born on April 5, 1954, in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, to Yens and Melisda Lepot, being the ninth of eleven children.
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
2024 Kananesgi Art Show winners
The 2024 Kananesgi Art Show was held on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center.
Hill exhibits work in “Future Imaginaries” show
A Cherokee artist is pushing her artwork into the future. Luzene Hill, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has a piece included in the “Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology” show running now at the Samuel & Minna Grodin Gallery at The Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, Calif.
WCU Fine Art Museum exhibition wins Bronze Award
Denise Drury Homewood, executive director of the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University, believed “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” exhibition was an award winner from the start.
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