NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
US441/Newfound Gap Road closed until further notice due to road damage
US441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed until further notice due to road damage.
Chief Report for June 2025
June was a month of continued progress, service, and reflection. From honoring our history and strengthening our government relationships to celebrating the hard work of our youth and public servants, we stayed focused on building up our Tribe together.
CCS School Board holds July meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, July 21 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order at 3:58 p.m. by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CIHA welcomes new administrator of Tsali Care Center
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is proud to announce Michelle Tenhengel-deVille as the facility’s new administrator. With an impressive background in nursing leadership and executive healthcare management, she brings a wealth of experience, vision, and compassion to this vital role in our community.
Local student excels in dental school
Although East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine student Madisyn French is far from her hometown of Cherokee, N.C., she is eager to establish her role in the clinical environment of Ross Hall.
Didanisisgi Gadagwatli: A Showcase of Pottery from the Mud Dauber Community Workshop to open at Museum
ᏗᏓᏂᏏᏍᎩ ᎦᏓᏆᏟ Didanisisgi Gadagwatli: A Showcase of Pottery from the Mud Dauber Community Workshop opens at the Museum of the Cherokee People on Thursday, May 29. On view through May 2026, the exhibition features works by students of Tara McCoy (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) handcrafted during an intensive three-month workshop.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Matthew Tooni is passionate about sharing music and language
At last year’s Kituwah Celebration, the gentle sounds of a flute could be heard wisping through the air at the ancient Mother Town of the Cherokee. The beautiful sounds were being performed by Matthew (Matt) Tooni, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), who always brings beautiful music and a passion for Cherokee language and culture wherever he goes.
EDITORIAL: “Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act” is unfair to the EBCI
If a new North Carolina state house bill passes, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) would be sharing a portion of its gaming revenues with various state-recognized groups and organizations including the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The basic premise is ludicrous, but read on.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A close call – Part Two
Everyone can identify and know what you are talking about with these statements. These examples are universal life experiences.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee participates in meet at Montreat College
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team participated in the Swain County High School Invitational meet held at the Montreat College track in Black Mountain, N.C. on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14. A.C. Reynolds won both the men’s and women’s team events.
BASKETBALL: Lady Braves win Western Regionals, advance to State Championship
On the evening of Monday, March 11 in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C., the (#3) Lady Braves basketball team defeated (#1) Mountain Heritage, earning the title of North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 1A Western Regional Champions, with a final score of 64 -51.
BASKETBALL: Lady Braves topple Bishop McGuinness in Fourth Round
The Cherokee High School Lady Braves ended the two-year reign of the Bishop McGuinness Lady Villains on the evening of Friday, March 8, at Southwest Guilford High School in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1A state basketball playoffs.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: John M. Curlee
John M. Curlee, or as we all knew him, “Mark”, passed peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Mark worked hard and played hard. He loved his family, his construction career and riding his Harley Davidson.
OBITUARY: Richard Dean Wahnetah
Richard Dean Wahnetah, age 66, of Hamilton, N.J., passed away at his residence on Friday, May 9, 2025, following a brief illness.
OBITUARY: Robert George Standingdeer
Robert George Standingdeer, age 63, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Mission Hospital, after an extended illness. He is the son of the late Joe and Beatrice Standingdeer and his foster Father, Ray Kinsland. He is also preceded by his brother, Bill.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 21-23
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.
National Park to host Women’s Work Festival
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual Women’s Work Festival at the Mountain Farm Museum on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 14-16
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 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.
Annual Spring Literary Festival returns to WCU campus with live events
After two years being held as an online celebration, Western Carolina University’s Spring Literary Festival returns to campus March 14-17 for a series of live events.
Tribal member a finalist for Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
The Western North Carolina Historical Association announced the selection of five finalists for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award recently and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is included. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle was nominated for her book, “Even As We Breathe: A Novel”.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm