NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Town of Murphy to transfer Fort Butler Park to EBCI
The Town of Murphy approved a resolution on Monday, July 6, 2026 to transfer the Fort Butler Park and Historical Site, aka Fort Butler Memorial Park, to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). This will occur at no cost to the EBCI.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 7)
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.
“It’s been a great ride.”: Lambert retiring after 29 years with Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos
What started as a visit to a job fair ended with an almost 30-year very illustrious career in the gaming industry of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Lumpy Lambert, an EBCI tribal member, is retiring from Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos with 29 years of service.
Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Beloved Man honored in Hayesville
Davy Arch, Beloved Man of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was honored during the Open House and Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, N.C. on Sunday, June 28. Darry Wood, who made a display for the Library entitled “The Young Cherokee Hunter”, presented Beloved Man Davy Arch with a blanket.
CNH Youth Conservation Clubs: Growing the next generation of Cherokee environmental stewards
The Center for Native Health (CNH), in partnership with New Kituwah Academy (NKA), Cherokee Central Schools (CCS), the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Natural Resources Department, and Smokies Life, is proud to support the creation and ongoing operation of the Youth Conservation Clubs (YCC).
The Qualla Boundary Public Library’s summer reading program is something to roar about
This summer, the Qualla Boundary Public Library has transformed into Jurassic Park for their 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, “Unearth a Story.” With snacks, crafts, prizes, and more, this year’s dinosaur themed program is holding events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library from now until July 27.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Enjoyable experience at Eastern Band Cherokee Pow Wow
I just wanted to thank you for allowing us to visit the Qualla Boundary and Cherokee this past weekend.
June report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for the month of June. I apologize for the delay in submitting this month’s report, and I will work to ensure timelier submissions and publications moving forward.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Take your pick. Part 1 of 2
God, through His Word and us, accomplishes what He intends. God’s sovereignty is manifested either by divine intervention or the leading of the Spirit. He creates and changes man’s destiny through man’s free will.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: Joscelyn Stamper breaking records, and she’s not done
Joscelyn Stamper has a calm, kind demeanor that probably surprises a lot of people when they find out just how competitive she is athletically
Three in a row: Lady Braves make history with third consecutive state basketball championship
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) are the 2025-2026 NCHSAA 2A State Champions. The Lady Braves dominated the state game, earning their third state title in a row with the largest winning margin in NCHSAA history for women’s basketball on the evening of Thursday, March 12 in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
EBCI wrestlers compete at State; Cherokee High School tallies two State placers
Pippa Welch (women’s 152, third place) and Levi Tramper (HWT, fourth place) from Cherokee High School, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), competed in the 2026 NCHSAA State Championship Tournament held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Greensboro Coliseum.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Jean Marie (Derry) Curren
Jean Marie (Derry) Curren was born July 1, 1932 to Albert and Irene Derry and raised in Newtown, Pa. After a long battle with illness, she fell asleep in death peacefully on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the age of 93, in Sylva, N.C.
OBITUARY: Lewis Hamilton Harding, Sr.
Commander Lewis Hamilton Harding, Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 25, 2026, in his beloved hometown of Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: Kent (Coach) Briggs
With strong roots and deep love for western North Carolina communities, coach leaves behind a legacy in resilience, strength, kindness and loyalty.
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
“Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama returns for 76th Anniversary Season
The beloved outdoor drama, “Unto These Hills”, is set to captivate audiences once again as it opens its 76th Anniversary Season on Saturday, May 30. For three-quarters of a century, this powerful production has brought the rich and complex history of the Cherokee to life under the stars at Mountainside Theatre.
Blythe-Lewis continuing father’s work as Vision Maker Media celebrates 50 years
For the past 50 years, Native American filmmakers have had their visions seen and voices heard through an organization now known as Vision Maker Media.
EBCI members to star in production of “Where the Summit Meets the Stars”
Ashlie Blaske and Steve Wood are both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) starring in a production of “Where the Summit Meets the Stars,” written by Tlingit actor Frank Henry Kaash Katasse, presented by Sky Bear Media and directed by Nez Perce actor Josephine Keefe, at Harlequin Productions in Olympia, Wash.
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