NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Feb. 3)
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.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Lumbee Tribe added to official list of Federally Recognized Tribes
The Department of the Interior today (Friday, Jan. 30) affirmed its commitment to tribal sovereignty by adding the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to the official list of federally recognized tribes, formalizing the tribe’s government-to-government relationship with the United States and carrying out federal recognition enacted into law in December 2025.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Alea Martens will make modeling debut at Kananesgi
The Kananesgi Fashion Show will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Alea Martens, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will make her modeling debut. She will model clothes by Mrs. Freida Saylor, an EBCI tribal member and designer.
Behind the designs: Alex Lane returns to the Kananesgi Fashion Show
Alexandria Lane is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the manager of visitor services for the Museum of the Cherokee People. Lane made her debut as a designer in the 2024 Kananesgi Fashion Show, and she will be returning this year with a new collection.
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute awarded grants from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI), a department of the Cherokee Boys Club, has announced that it has received two grant awards from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPF) to support its culturally based leadership programs for youth and adults.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Educate, don’t opinionate
Okay, this is probably one of my most unpopular topics, particularly to my colleagues. I really have an issue with media outlets that attempt to manipulate public opinion by injecting media bias, or that of their advertisers, into news stories.
Ask a Therapist: Sticking with your New Year’s Resolutions (without burning out)
Question: Every year, I am excited to set goals and want to do better for myself and my family. I start strong and then crash out quickly. Why does this happen and how can I keep my goals going?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Happy with Fitness class experience
I want to share my experience with our community in hopes that more of them will take advantage of what I feel is a great opportunity. There is a fitness class being offered at the Fitness Center through the Physical Therapy Department of the Cherokee Indian Hospital...
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves keep rolling with win at Murphy
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves continued their winning ways with a team victory at a meet in Murphy, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 14. The team won with a score of 30 followed by Murphy with 62.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Edna Vera Saunooke Goshorn
Edna Vera Saunooke Goshorn, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Cherokee, N.C. She was born in Cherokee, N.C., on July 18, 1929, to the late Stacey Powell Saunooke and the late Anderson Saunooke.
OBITUARY: Brent Powers
Brent Powers, 44, of Whittier and the Snowbird Community passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 at his residence. He was the son of the late Joyce Gregory.
OBITUARY: Gregory Dean Bradley Jr.,
Gregory Dean Bradley Jr., 28, went to his eternal home on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, surrounded by his family.
HAPPENINGS
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 6-8
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.
Cherokee Heritage Center hosting cultural activities during 67th Cherokee National Holiday
Immerse yourself in Cherokee culture at the Cherokee Heritage Center during the 67th annual Cherokee National Holiday this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30 – Sept. 1.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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.).
WCU to open exhibition “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson”
This August, the WCU (Western Carolina University) Fine Art Museum opens the exhibition “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson”, featuring over 140 works of contemporary Native American art from the collection of one of western North Carolina’s most notable art enthusiasts.
Film, concert event to put Cherokee language in the spotlight
On Aug. 4 and 5, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI) will present The Way We Speak with the World, a film and concert event celebrating the Cherokee language.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm