NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cherokee Preservation Foundation announces Fall Grants for 2024 totaling more than $2.1 million
In fall 2024, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation awarded 10 grants to partners within Western North Carolina. Grants totaled more than $2.1 million and were awarded to projects advancing the Foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and neighboring communities.
MMIW: IWMF One-Year Grant in Review
From January 2024 to January 2025, with help from a year-long grant awarded by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T), the Cherokee One Feather has worked to cover as many of the 35+ documented Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cases as possible with articles and graphics. With the grant year complete, we have compiled an overview of the coverage and developments.
Cherokee Nation withdraws from Tri-Council
One of the three legs of the tripod that is Tri-Council has decided to withdraw from participation. The Legislative Branch of the Cherokee Nation (Okla.) passed Res. No. 24-114 on Monday, Dec. 16 withdrawing their tribe from the Tri-Council which is an annual meeting of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (N.C.), the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (Okla.).
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WCU Fine Art Museum exhibition wins Bronze Award
Denise Drury Homewood, executive director of the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University, believed “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” exhibition was an award winner from the start.
Uktena Underground: Cherokee men in the 21st Century
Brothers Cory Junaluska and Kyzik Wachacha, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), have started a new podcast and clothing brand called Uktena Underground.
Those 3 NDN’s: Giggles and ghosts
Humor is one of the seven Cherokee core values. Friends Daltun “Falls a Lot” Watty, Justin “Running Snake” Lambert, and Gatlin “Squats to Pee” West have enveloped that core value fully with their YouTube channel, “Those 3 NDN’s”.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: The best present is your presence
Make a point of visiting a rest home or nursing home during the holidays. I know that sounds like an admonition, but it isn’t entirely. It should be a reminder and an incentive for compassion during this season of giving.
COMMENTARY: Ethics, exception, and extenuating circumstances
I think it is important for our community to read and understand a dialogue that accompanied a vote in Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) regarding legislation submitted by the Office of Internal Audit and Ethics.
EDITORIAL: Brown University’s land donation to “Pokanoket Indian Tribe” highlights issues with unrecognized groups
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Brown University officially transferred 255 acres of its Mount Hope property to a preservation trust established by the Pokanoket Indian Tribe. That sounds great, right? Well, the issue is that, officially, there is no Pokanoket Indian Tribe.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee hosts meet
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team hosted a five-school meet on Wednesday, March 27.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD: CMS Lady Braves edge Hayesville to win home meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves edged Hayesville Middle School by two points (99-97) to win a meet held at the Cherokee High School track on the windy afternoon of Monday, March 25.
FOOTBALL: Grant signs to play at Mars Hill University
Another member of the Cherokee Braves football team is headed to play at the next level. Mato Grant, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), signed a letter of intent on Friday, March 22, 2024 to play football this fall at Mars Hill University.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Janene Moyle Cooper
Janene Moyle Cooper, age 90, passed away in her home on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
OBITUARY: Janice Carol Dugan Smith “Squeek”
Janice Carol Dugan Smith “Squeek”, age 73, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
OBITUARY: Mary Jo Rogers
Mary Jo Rogers, 92, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, after a long illness. She went to her forever home to be with the Lord.
HAPPENINGS
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum to observe Sequoyah Remembrance Day
The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore will observe Sequoyah Remembrance Day Sunday, Aug. 4 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission to the Museum.
Park to host African American History Open House discussions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials invite the public to two open house events concerning the history of African Americans within and around the Park.
Upcoming Pow Wows for July 26-28
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.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Cherokee Syllabary Exhibit wins Award of Excellence; Museum acquires work by artist
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI) and Asheville Art Museum have been awarded the North Carolina Museums Council’s 2021 Award of Excellence for the collaborative exhibition A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary in Contemporary Art.
Winners announced at annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale, Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition
The longest-running Native American art show and competition in Oklahoma announced its top honors during a virtual reception on April 1, alongside winning work from the Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition.
Cherokee writer selected for prestigious poetry event
Indigenous Nations Poets (In-Na-Po) is set to hold its Inaugural Retreat event next month, and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will be one of the participating poets. Mary Leauna Christensen is one of 16 poets selected for the event scheduled for Washington, D.C. on April 25-29.
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