NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Qualla Nonprofit Alliance working for the people, collaboratively
A group of nonprofit organizations serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community has joined together recently to form the Qualla Nonprofit Alliance.
Rare rivercane patch in Yancey County to be preserved
An area in Yancey County that contains a rare rivercane patch is being preserved, and artisans of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will be able to harvest some for traditional weaving.
EBCI tribal legislative updates (Dec. 4)
The One Feather will now provide regular legislative updates on various pieces of legislation of the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee High School 1st quarter honor Roll (8th-12th grades)
Cherokee High School 1st quarter honor Roll (8th-12th grades)
Bark accepted into National Leadership Academy for Young Native Women
Raylen Bark, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and RKLI’s (Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute) grants and fundraising specialist, was recently accepted into the Native Action Network’s 2025 Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy.
113th Cherokee Indian Fair EBCI Cooperative Extension winners
113th Cherokee Indian Fair EBCI Cooperative Extension winners
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: I Miss Church, Part 3 of 3
Heb 10:24-25 “ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” NIV
COMMENTARY: A bittersweet time of life
I closed a chapter in my life this week (for a second time) – one that I had participated in for a couple of decades. I have always sought ways to serve my communities, including those in Haywood, Jackson, and the Qualla Boundary.
COMMENTARY: What should be the uses of the Kituwah pavilion?
What is proper use of the pavilion and Kituwah as a site? Where is the line drawn?
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
JV FOOTBALL: Braves win 28-18 at Hayesville
The Cherokee JV Braves traveled to Hayesville on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 19 and came away with a 28-18 victory over the JV Yellow Jackets.
ON THE SIDELINES: Check out the Cherokee Skate Jam
Aaron Ira Smart soared into the air, grabbed his board, and did a keen trick mid-air between rounds at an annual event that astounds me each year. Smart, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation with heritage from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) as well, did this at last year’s Cherokee Skate Jam.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Hattie Elizabeth Panther
Hattie Elizabeth Panther, age 82, passed away peacefully at Tsali Care Center on October 17, 2025.
OBITUARY: Mianna Louise Cucumber Luther
Mianna Louise Cucumber Luther, 80, of the Wolftown Community, Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at her residence after a brief illness.
OBITUARY: Melvin Anthony Driver
Melvin Anthony Driver, 27, of the Big Cove Community in Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., after a brief illness.
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
Kananesgi Fashion Show and Art Competition announces winners
Following yet another stunning display of Cherokee designs, the Kananesgi Fashion Show and Art Competition organizers announced the list of artists and makers earning top prizes.
“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.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm