NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
EBCI tribal legislative updates (Feb. 5)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Asst. Editor CHEROKEE, N.C. – The One Feather will now provide regular legislative updates on various pieces of legislation of the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). The focus will be on...
Sleight and Roland child abuse cases schedule update
In August 2024, Bevier Hasbrouck Sleight III, then 78, who was employed as Santa at Santa’s Land Fun Park & Zoo in Cherokee, was arrested by Cherokee Indian Police Department on 13 child abuse charges including two counts of aggravated sexual abuse; two counts of sexual abuse; two counts of abusive sexual contact; three counts of offensive touching; two counts of contributing to the delinquency, undiscipline, neglect, or abuse of minors; and two counts of child abuse in the first degree.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Feb. 3)
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Indigenous Poetry Anthology seeking EBCI writers
Work is currently being solicited for a new contemporary Indigenous poetry anthology from the Wesleyan University Press, and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are being encouraged to submit their work for consideration.
EBCI tribal members try a week off social media
The One Feather sought several members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) who were willing to try a week off of social media and report back with their findings. Below are our respondents:
Sharing knowledge: EBCI attendees give presentation on New Zealand trip
Indigenous educators from throughout the world gathered in Auckland, New Zealand last fall for the 2025 WIPCE (World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education), and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) was well represented.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: The Dead Zone – Why Billie Eilish is right about “Stolen Land”
History is not a ghost. It is a neighbor. It lives in the 38 tribal nations headquartered here in Oklahoma and in the ancestral homelands of the 574 sovereign nations across Indian Country.
Ask a Therapist – How to use social media in a healthier way: Scrolling with intention
This is not an article that is going to tell you how social media is the downfall of humanity and the only escape is going off grid. Social media isn’t going anywhere.
THE GOOD STUFF: Ugvwiyuhi Dugan inspires with strength and compassion
Joyce Dugan, former Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a visionary leader who inspires with her strength and compassion.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WRESTLING: Cherokee takes second place at Enka Duals Boys meet
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) varsity wrestling team took second place in Pool D at the Enka Duals Girls meet in Candler, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3.
WRESTLING: Cherokee takes second place at Enka Duals Girls meet
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) varsity wrestling team took second place in Pool B at the Enka Duals Girls meet in Candler, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi play in Coaches vs Cancer event for Natalie Grant
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) played Daniel Boone High School (Tenn.) in the Coaches vs Cancer event held at TC Roberson High School on Saturday, Dec. 13. The team chose to play for (SUIT UP FOR) Natalie Grant. She recently battled cancer and beat it.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Jack Allen Lambert
Jack Allen Lambert, 67 of the Birdtown Community, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
OBITUARY: Richard Joseph Meuse Jr.
Richard Joseph Meuse Jr., 37, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at his residence.
OBITUARY: Amanda Sue Lambert
Amanda Sue Lambert, 62, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, N.C., after an extended illness.
HAPPENINGS
Museum of the Cherokee Indian to host Community Writers’ Workshop Series
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI) has announced the Confluence: An Indigenous Writers’ Workshop, an opportunity offered to citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians throughout 2023.
“Behind the Mask: Cherokee Mask Makers and their Legacy” exhibition on display through May
The exhibition “Behind the Mask: Cherokee Mask Makers and their Legacy” aims to reinforce the significance of Cherokee masks, their history and use, as well as their meaning and significance.
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.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Two Cherokee women receive NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award
Two Cherokee women have received the In These Mountains NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award to better delve into the ancient art of making honeysuckle baskets
“In Light and Shadow”: New book highlights Indigenous photography
Three years in the making, a new book highlights the history of Indigenous photography. Co-authored by Brian Adams and Sarah Stacke, “In Light and Shadow: A Photographic History from Indigenous America” takes the reader on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of photography by Native Americans.
Alea Martens will make modeling debut at Kananesgi
The Kananesgi Fashion Show will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Alea Martens, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will make her modeling debut. She will model clothes by Mrs. Freida Saylor, an EBCI tribal member and designer.
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