NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Bill to place Tennessee lands into trust for EBCI introduced again
For the fifth Congress in a row, a bill that would place 76 acres of land, containing several Cherokee historic sites in eastern Tennessee, in trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cherokee Preservation Foundation supports Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPF) is proud to announce grants for ongoing disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. In response to the devastating impact of the storm, CPF has awarded funding to three organizations dedicated to providing critical assistance to affected communities across Western North Carolina.
Lumbee recognition efforts continuing in 2025
The Lumbee Fairness Act (H.R. 1101), which would have granted federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina – a state-recognized group, died in the 118th Congress. Now, two identical bills have been introduced into the 119th Congress, and President Donald J. Trump has entered the fray with a memorandum.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee people revisit homelands at Buck Creek
The Center for Native Health, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Natural Resources Division and the USDA Forest Service, recently coordinated a historic gathering at Buck Creek, marking the beginning of a series of gatherings aimed at strengthening dialogue and collaboration between the Forest Service and Cherokee people throughout their ancestral lands.
Carving a path: The future of Cherokee art collection
Driver Blythe, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a graduate student and student teacher in Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Studies program.
Tribal member selected to Knoxville Mayor’s Youth Council
The Mayor’s Youth Council of Knoxville, Tenn. is made up of 15 young people who have a voice in the decisions of the city. Jasmine Smith, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a student at Knoxville Montessori, has been selected to serve in the 2024-25 Council.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Staying healthy during flu season
As we find ourselves in the heart of flu season, Cherokee Indian Hospital is seeing an increase in patients testing positive for respiratory illnesses, including the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). This surge serves as an important reminder to all of us to remain vigilant about protecting our health and the health of our community.
COMMENTARY: We should consider elections for more leading positions in the Tribe
We have struggled for several years in attempts to create a constitution “by the people for the people”. The most recent failed attempt was six years in the making.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Small beginnings
God is big, and we often think of Him in His grandiose state more than we consider Him in small things like a mustard seed or a yud. What’s a yud, you ask? The yud is the tenth and smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It is a small mark that looks like the English version of an apostrophe. The difference in what it means in Hebrew is much more critical.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: CHS athletes place at regionals and qualify for state meet
Several members of the Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team qualified for the 1A state championship meet with their performances at the 1A West Regional meet at Montreat College in Black Mountain, N.C. on Saturday, May 11.
ON THE SIDELINES: It’s the celebrating that makes sports special
Sports provide a great time of celebration. It is that raw emotion that I love about sports, and it is 100 percent what I love about sports photography.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee hosts Smoky Mountain Conference championship
Cherokee High School (CHS) played host to the Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) track and field championship on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Otis Wayne Shaw
Otis Wayne Shaw, 54, of the Lauada community in Bryson City, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. He is the Son of the late Chris Jean and Otis Shaw.
OBITUARY: Edith H. McMillan Maney
Edith H. McMillan Maney, 82, of Cherokee, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. A longtime resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Ray and Edna Owle McMillan.
OBITUARY: Hugh Branner Hall Jr.
Hugh Branner Hall Jr. (Buddy), 92, of Waynesville, N.C., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Mr. Hall was born in Waynesville on July 5, 1932 to the late Edith McKay Hall and Hugh Branner Hall, Sr.
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
Dracula returns to Cherokee
“Last year we built it, and I feel like this year we’re crafting it,” said Bailey Frankenberg, who plays Lucy Westerna in “Dracula: The Failings of Men”.
“Disruption” shakes up Museum of the Cherokee Indian exhibit
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is switching gears on its permanent exhibit and taking funerary and ceremonial objects off display. Taking these items off display created holes in the exhibit which have been filled with contemporary Cherokee art pieces.
Kansas returns to Cherokee
After 10 years, prolific rock band Kansas is coming back to the mountains of North Carolina and will play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort this Saturday, June 25.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm