NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Making a difference: Casino donates $1 million to EBCI for IDD/Autism Enrichment Resource Center
Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos and Caesars Entertainment presented a $1 million donation check to leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in a ceremony held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, N.C. on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29. The money will be used for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)/Autism Enrichment Resource Center Project.
EBCI Natural Resources receives grant for greenhouse to propagate river cane
River cane is used by traditional basket makers of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). For years, it has been in short supply, but a new grant could help with that situation.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 27)
The One Feather provides 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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Faith Long-Presley becomes first to graduate from all four Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute Programs
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) is proud to recognize Faith Long-Presley, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), as the first individual to complete all four leadership programs offered through the Institute’s culturally based leadership learning continuum.
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy is SCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy is SCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
Cherokee Historical Association announces renovations and improvements
Laura Blythe, Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) program director, said there are several renovations and improvements completed and underway for the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills Mountainside Theater.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: An honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work
I have been in the workforce since 1976, so for about half a century.
Ask a Therapist: “Who’s your People” – Everyone knows me. So, why am I still lonely?
I grew up here. People know me or my family. Everyone is friendly, but no one is actually inviting me to things. I feel lonely, which makes no sense because I’m not new here. What do I do? How do you make friends as an adult, it feels pathetic even asking this?
THE GOOD STUFF: Check out the Cherokee Spring Rod Run
The late, great Elvis Presley once said, “Life is too short to drive boring cars.” The King was a true car lover and amassed an incredible collection of over 200 vehicles.
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: Robyn Michelle Bigmeat
Robyn Michelle Bigmeat, age 54, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at her residence in Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: Sherry Daniels Pheasant
Sherry Daniels Pheasant, 64, of the Big Cove Community of Cherokee, N.C., passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026, after a long battle with cancer.
OBITUARY: Dustin Thomas Smith
Dustin Thomas Smith, age 21, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
HAPPENINGS
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.
Upcoming Pow Wow for July 18-21
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for July 12-14
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
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.
Kananesgi Fashion Show and Art Competition announces winners
Following yet another stunning display of Cherokee designs, the Kananesgi Fashion Show and Art Competition organizers announced the list of artists and makers earning top prizes.
“This Land Calls Us Home”: EBCI artists included in exhibit at Atlanta airport
An art exhibit, featuring the work of Native American artists of various Southeastern tribes, is set to open next month. “This Land Calls Us Home” exhibit will be displayed at the T North Concourse at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport starting Nov. 6.
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