NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (May 26)
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.
Officials give project updates at recent Planning Board meeting
The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Planning Board met at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 18 in the Tribal Council House.
“Gadugi”: Cherokee High School Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony
The Commencement Ceremony for the Cherokee High School (CHS) Class of 2026 was held on the morning of Saturday, May 23 in the Charles George Memorial Arena for 92 graduates.
Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
McMinn Living Heritage Museum updates Cherokee exhibit
In the quaint eastern Tennessee town of Athens is the McMinn Living Heritage Museum which tells the story of that area which includes a rich Cherokee history. That story has been updated recently with a new, fresh Cherokee exhibit.
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Roll 3rd 9wks. Grading Period
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Roll 3rd 9wks. Grading Period
Meet the Office of the Tribal Prosecutor
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Office of the Tribal Prosecutor is now fully staffed for the first time with a staff of five: Leo Phillips, lead tribal prosecutor; Randle Jones, senior tribal prosecutor; Hayden Duncan, tribal prosecutor; Amy Teesateskie, paralegal and victim/witness coordinator; and Hali Silvers, victim advocate. Teesateskie and Silvers are both enrolled members of the EBCI.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Brenda Toineeta Pipestem receives prestigious legal award
Justice Brenda Toineeta Pipestem, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, received a very prestigious legal award recently.
THE GOOD STUFF: Kituwah Celebration to mark 30-year anniversary and much more
For a sacred site with thousands of years of history, a mere 30 years doesn’t seem like much, but an upcoming anniversary is very important to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). This year’s annual Kituwah Celebration, set for Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will mark the 30th anniversary since Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee – came back under the control of the Cherokee people.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Fireworks, Part 2 of 2
The people who glorify the skies with fireworks displays, through their service and talent, exemplify humility for us.
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: Martha Walkingstick Sampson
Martha Walkingstick Sampson, 66 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
OBITUARY: Michael Glenn Murphy
Michael Glenn Murphy, 64, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 9:06 a.m. at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, S.C., following a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: Lloyd Knowles Arneach Sr.
Lloyd Knowles Arneach Sr., born Oct. 6, 1943, to Francis Newman Arneach and Roberta Mollie Gloyne, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026.
HAPPENINGS
Parker to provide annual public lecture in native health at WCU
Barbara “Sunshine” Parker, human services director for the Public Health and Human Services Division of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will provide the annual public lecture in native health at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Western Carolina University.
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.
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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(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm