NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Jurisdiction in Indian Country explained
The One Feather sat down with Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD) Attorney Cody White to discuss crime and case jurisdiction on the Qualla Boundary as part of an ongoing criminal justice reporting project supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T), and the 2026-27 Law & Justice Journalism Project (LJJP) Fellowship.
This week in Native News
This week in Native News
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
McMinn Living Heritage Museum updates Cherokee exhibit
In the quaint eastern Tennessee town of Athens is the McMinn Living Heritage Museum which tells the story of that area which includes a rich Cherokee history. That story has been updated recently with a new, fresh Cherokee exhibit.
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Roll 3rd 9wks. Grading Period
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Roll 3rd 9wks. Grading Period
Meet the Office of the Tribal Prosecutor
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Office of the Tribal Prosecutor is now fully staffed for the first time with a staff of five: Leo Phillips, lead tribal prosecutor; Randle Jones, senior tribal prosecutor; Hayden Duncan, tribal prosecutor; Amy Teesateskie, paralegal and victim/witness coordinator; and Hali Silvers, victim advocate. Teesateskie and Silvers are both enrolled members of the EBCI.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Brenda Toineeta Pipestem receives prestigious legal award
Justice Brenda Toineeta Pipestem, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, received a very prestigious legal award recently.
THE GOOD STUFF: Kituwah Celebration to mark 30-year anniversary and much more
For a sacred site with thousands of years of history, a mere 30 years doesn’t seem like much, but an upcoming anniversary is very important to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). This year’s annual Kituwah Celebration, set for Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will mark the 30th anniversary since Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee – came back under the control of the Cherokee people.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Fireworks, Part 2 of 2
The people who glorify the skies with fireworks displays, through their service and talent, exemplify humility for us.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Over 500 anglers compete in Qualla Country Fish Tournament
A total of 518 anglers registered for the Qualla Country Fish Tournament held in Cherokee, N.C. on Aug. 24-25. In all, 86 of those anglers redeemed a total of 155 tags for a total of $12,425 in cash prizes being distributed.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: David Obidiah Swimmer
David Obidiah Swimmer, 51, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
OBITUARY: Martha Walkingstick Sampson
Martha Walkingstick Sampson, 66 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
OBITUARY: Michael Glenn Murphy
Michael Glenn Murphy, 64, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 9:06 a.m. at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, S.C., following a period of declining health.
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
The Comedy Zone coming to Harrah’s Cherokee
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, will welcome The Comedy Zone to its roster of highly acclaimed entertainment venues. Slated to open this summer, The Comedy Zone will host top-notch comedians and some of the hottest stand-up performers on the stage.
Asheville Symphony to hold Educational Concert at Harrah’s Cherokee Center
On Friday, May 19, Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools’ fifth graders will have the opportunity to travel to hear world-renowned banjo player Béla Fleck play alongside members of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra at no cost. These two consecutive shows, dubbed the “Young People’s Concerts” are free for fifth graders from those two public school systems and are $5 for all other tickets. They will take place at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center’s Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
Cherokee Musical Theatre to present “Sister Act”
The comedic antics of Deloris Van Cartier will come to life this spring in the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center as the Cherokee Central Schools Musical Theatre program presents “Sister Act”. Performances are scheduled for Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. and Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm