NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cherokee Water ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎹ announces new distribution deal with no added cost
Thanks to a new distribution deal, Cherokee Water ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎹ will be available to thousands more people in the region. The water, a product of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will now be distributed by Pepsi Co. along with a new marketing strategy entitled “Yes Cherokee Can”.
Cherokee Nation establishes “Task Force to Examine the Impact of Slavery on Cherokee Nation’s 19th-Century Economy and Infrastructure”
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. on June 19 signed an Executive Order establishing the “Task Force to Examine the Impact of Slavery on Cherokee Nation’s 19th-Century Economy and Infrastructure.” The order underscores the tribe’s dedication to confronting its history and addressing historical inequalities.
Swain Co. Sheriff Cochran arrested
Agents with the State Bureau of Investigation and police officers with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians arrested Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran, 72, on Friday, June 27.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute to celebrate Alumni Week and announces International Conference Opportunity
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) is proud to share two exciting updates that reflect their continued commitment to culturally based leadership development for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Code Purple: A Community Response
Jeff Helpman, pastor of The Grove Church on Franklin Grove in Bryson City, heads a Code Purple warming center at his church with the help of his wife, Jodi Helpman, who is graduating this May from Western Carolina University’s Master of Social Work program.
CLMAP receives Impact Award from WCU
The Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program (CLMAP) 2025 cohort has worked closely with Western Carolina University (WCU) School of Art and Design assistant professor Tatiana Potts and her printmaking classes to create a series of children’s books for Cherokee language and cultural learning.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A Close Call – Part One
Before and since I met my wife, I was a motorcycle enthusiast for fifty-some years. Back then, that is what you would have called me unless you saw me riding on the street with my colors, and then you would probably call me a biker.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: I miss church
I know the arguments and understand the desire to attract those ‘in the world’ to attend church with entertainment. But have we become so much like the world that it is hard to tell the difference? Have we lost our salt? Is our light like every other street light shining without brightness?
COMMENTARY: Sovereignty between a rock and a hard place
Over my years with the tribe, I have been a witness to a lot of chest-thumping over Indian sovereignty. From top tribal leadership to the lowest common denominator, we take pride in our perceived freedom.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee hosts multi-school meet
Cherokee High School (CHS) hosted a multi-school meet on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 24.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK: Lady Braves win Smoky Mountain Conference championship
The Cherokee Lady Braves Middle School track team edged Hayesville Middle by 3.5 points to win the 2024 Smoky Mountain Middle School Track & Field Championship.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee participates in meet at Hayesville
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track team participated in a multi-school meet at Hayesville High School on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 17.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Rex Allen Swayney
Rex Allen Swayney, 65, of Sylva, N.C., passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2025, at Vero Health and Rehab of Sylva, N.C., following an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Blanche Emmaline Teesateskie
Blanche Emmaline Teesateskie, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. A native of Graham County and a lifelong member of the Snowbird Community, she was the daughter of the late Tom and Jeanette Sue Rattler Teesateskie.
OBITUARY: Ray Anthony McCoy
Ray Anthony McCoy, 56, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Carl Ray McCoy of Cherokee and the late Lucy Wildcatt.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Aug. 30 – Sept. 1
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 Comicon prepares for opening weekend
Starting Friday, Aug. 23, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will be hosting its first Cherokee Legends Comicon at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum to hold Cherokee Fall Festival
The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Tennessee’s only tribally-owned museum, will host its 28th annual Cherokee Fall Festival on Sept. 7-8 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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.
Beautiful statements: EBCI tribal member participates in Atlanta art show
Three Cherokee citizens are featured in a new art show at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. Luzene Hill, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, joins Cherokee Nation citizens Brenda Mallory and Kade Twist in the show entitled “Returns: Cherokee Diaspora and Art” which will run from Saturday, June 11 and runs until Sept. 4.
“Night of Gadugi” highlights Cultural Summer School
Cherokee culture and language were showcased during the “Night of Gadugi” at Cherokee Central Schools on the evening of Monday, June 13. The event featured art displays and performances by the students who completed the Cherokee Cultural Summer School program.
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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