NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Jan. 20)
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.
A bright future: Solar project up and running at New Kituwah Academy
Participants in the conservation club at New Kituwah Academy, known as Judaculla’s Kids, recently made history. The students flipped a switch on a solar power system for the school that will provide nearly half of the power for the school and have positive ramifications for decades.
Police Commission holds January meeting
The Cherokee Police Commission held their monthly meeting in the Ginger Lynn Welch building on the afternoon of Jan. 13. Chairperson Anita Lossiah called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WCU Cherokee Center to hold 50th anniversary celebration Nov. 4
Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center will celebrate five decades of outreach and partnership with the Cherokee community on Tuesday, Nov. 4 with an open house beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a reception and panel discussion at the Cherokee Youth Activity Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cherokee High School 1st quarter honor Roll (8th-12th grades)
Cherokee High School 1st quarter honor Roll (8th-12th grades)
Bark accepted into National Leadership Academy for Young Native Women
Raylen Bark, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and RKLI’s (Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute) grants and fundraising specialist, was recently accepted into the Native Action Network’s 2025 Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Christmas Story
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s (Mary’s cousin) pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
COMMENTARY: 2025
Looking back on this year’s newspaper, I am so proud of the amazing team that delivers Qualla Boundary news to you. While the headline might capture the focus of the week each week for our community, that is only the tip of what those editions brought to us in community news over the year.
COMMENTARY: Top men are on it
We, as a tribe, have been debating and searching for ways to communicate facts and truth to our people without sharing them with other people.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: Sports teaches teamwork and unity
Prior to the kickoff of the season opener for the Cherokee Braves, seniors Brandon Santiago and Luke Smith, walked, arms locked, to the center of the field for the coin toss.
ON THE SIDELINES: Let’s all be more like Will this year
The very first On the Sidelines sports column I wrote many years ago was about Will Poolaw and his dedication to Cherokee Central Schools. As I was selecting a photograph for this week’s Braves Gameday graphic (Cherokee at Smoky Mtn.), I came across a shot I took of Will last season.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee opens season at Hayesville; CHS and CMS Lady Braves win
The Cherokee Central Schools cross country teams started off their 2024 season at Hayesville High School on the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 21, and both the Cherokee High School (CHS) and Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves won the team event in their division.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Alexander Joseph Estep
Alexander Joseph Estep, 30, of Troy, Ill., went to be with the Lord on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. He died unexpectedly at his home in Whittier, N.C.
OBITUARY: Harland “Buck” Squirrell
Harland “Buck” Squirrell, 61, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, N.C., after a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: Jackson G. Beck
Jackson G. Beck, 92, of Easley, S.C., and Towstring, N.C., went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Aug. 8-11
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. 105th Annual Meskwaki Pow Wow. Aug. 8-11...
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.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
University of North Carolina Asheville to host “Activating Indigenous Beats: Hip Hop Nativo” Festival
The University of North Carolina Asheville is hosting the “Activating Indigenous Beats: Hip Hop Nativo” Festival and Residency on April 11-14.
Native America Calling receives National Humanities Medal
Native America Calling, a program of the Alaska-based Koahnic Broadcast Corporation, is a recipient of the National Humanities Medal from The National Endowment for the Humanities. The award was presented to Koahnic’s president and chief executive officer, Jaclyn Sallee, by U.S. President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, March 21.
New Cherokee Language Choir finding their tune
Many Monday afternoons are unremarkable, but on this particular Monday Seli and Geyadi were moving a mile a minute.
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