NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (March 24)
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.
March Planning Board recap
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Planning Board met on the afternoon of March 16 in the Tribal Council House. Dallas Bennett, constituent services rep. for the Office of the Vice Chief led roll call.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Cablevision provides update on Tribal Fiber Project
As Cherokee Cablevision, wholly owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and operated by BalsamWest, continues to make progress on the fiber build across tribal lands, they want to keep residents informed about what’s happening in their communities. This update provides important details about the work underway, and what to expect during construction.
Cherokee Historical Association hires two new staff members to lead new programming initiatives
Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) has expanded its full-time administrative staff with the creation of two new roles: Cultural Outreach & Event Specialists. These positions, funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, will be responsible for leading new programming initiatives set to launch in 2026.
Atlanta Braves Cultural Committee and Atlanta Braves hold Career Expo
On the morning of Thursday, Dec. 11, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Atlanta Braves Cultural Committee and the Atlanta Braves held the Beyond the Diamond Career Expo at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center for EBCI high school and college students to explore careers in professional sports.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Cats vs. Dogs, Part 1of 2
Bias is natural and becomes part of our thought process without our consent or realizing it even occurs.
COMMENTARY: Takin’ care of business and the elderly
You hear it all the time in our community. We love and appreciate our elders. And it shows.
THE GOOD STUFF: Elvia Walkingstick brings a fire to Cherokee language and culture
Elvia Walkingstick, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Elawodi (Yellowhill), is a passionate Cherokee language learner, community member, and artist. She approaches everything she does with a zeal and strength to make sure a Cherokee voice is included.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves win team title, CHS runners place at SMC Championship
As a chilly, foggy morning air misted over Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, Austin Fourkiller-Raby came around the final corner leading the Smoky Mountain Conference middle school girls championship race on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12.
FOOTBALL: Braves top Mt. Zion in scorefest
For sports fans who like scoring, the place to be was Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Friday, Sept. 20. The Cherokee Braves (3-2) topped the Mt. Zion Might Warriors (2-3) by a score of 54-40.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee runners win at Keith Payne Memorial Invitational meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves team won the Keith Payne Memorial Invitational meet held at Kituwah on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21. Led by Austin Fourkiller-Raby, who won the middle school girls race with a time of 12:08.43, the CMS Lady Braves won with a score of 33 followed by Smoky Mountain at 59.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Donald Lee “Kanogsdaya” Swimmer
Donald Lee “Kanogsdaya” Swimmer, 70, of Cherokee, N.C., took his heavenly flight on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 to reunite with his parents, Luke and Amanda Sequoyah Swimmer; and his siblings, Mary Ellen Wolfe, Johnny, Ronald, Herbert, and McKinley Swimmer.
OBITUARY: Byron Jase Locust
Byron Jase Locust, 26, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of James William Locust Jr. and Elisha Wildcatt Locust of Cherokee.
OBITUARY: Mary R. Smith
Mary R. Smith, 89, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, surrounded by her loving family.
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
Braves showcase Broadway in fifth annual show
Songs and dances from Broadway filled the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on the evening of Friday, Dec. 8. Students in the Cherokee Central Schools Dance and Musical Theatre Program put on the 5th Annual Braves on Broadway show.
EBCI ARTIST PROFILE: Jody Bradley Lipscomb
For Jody Bradley Lipscomb, her art is a way to connect with and educate others about her heritage. A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), she has shown her paintings in numerous exhibits and shows and currently has several pieces in the “This Land Calls Us Home” at the Atlanta Airport.
Mother and daughter’s unique passion and flare for fashion
On the evening of Saturday, Nov. 4, Ayosta Lossie, a junior at Cherokee High School, presented her first collection in the 2023 Kananesgi Fashion Show, becoming the youngest designer to enter the show.
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