NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Dinilawigi votes to suspend Qualla Enterprises board members, removes chairperson
On the afternoon of Thursday, April 2, the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) voted to suspend the members of the Qualla Enterprises, LLC. board and remove the chairperson.
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Hicks elected treasurer of the Indian Gaming Association
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks, of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was elected on Wednesday, April 1 as treasurer of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA).
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (March 31)
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.
2026 4th of July Powwow
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Littledave, Stephens receive Frell Owl Award
Sheyahshe Littledave and Ahli-sha Stephens, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, were named the recipients of the prestigious Frell Owl Award during a ceremony at Granny’s Kitchen in Cherokee, N.C. on the morning of Monday, Dec. 8.
Meet the EBCI’s 2026 Remember the Removal Riders
Following are the riders who will represent the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on the 2026 Remember the Removal (RTR) bicycle ride. The ride will retrace the northern route of the Trail of Tears from New Echota, Ga. to Tahlequah, Okla. Exact dates are not yet available for this year’s ride, but it will occur in June 2026.
Cherokee Preservation Foundation approves a $20,000 award for Planning Grant
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPF) has approved a $20,000 planning grant to the Southwestern Commission Regional Council of Governments (SWC) led by the Mountain West Partnership (MWP), a division of the SWC. The project will advance sustainable economic development through culturally aligned collaboration with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
January report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for January. I hope everyone has had a safe and productive start to the new year. As always, my report follows the standard format below.
THE GOOD STUFF: Beau Carroll is passionate about having a Cherokee voice in archaeology
Beau Carroll is a true educator who is passionate about his Cherokee culture and heritage. A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), Carroll is the lead archaeologist with the EBCI’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
COMMENTARY: The Standard
“A flag or emblem formally used to show the central or rallying point of an army in battle,”
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: It’s the celebrating that makes sports special
Sports provide a great time of celebration. It is that raw emotion that I love about sports, and it is 100 percent what I love about sports photography.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee hosts Smoky Mountain Conference championship
Cherokee High School (CHS) played host to the Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) track and field championship on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1.
Ward signs to play basketball, volleyball at Johnson & Wales
Loshi Ward, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), will be a two-sport athlete at the next level.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Una Lea “Teetsie” Sampson
Una Lea “Teetsie” Sampson, 62, went to her heavenly home where she was greeted by loved ones on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 at Mission Hospital.
OBITUARY: Thomas Eugene Pheasant Jr.
Thomas Eugene Pheasant Jr., 23, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: James Richard Walkingstick
James Richard Walkingstick, also known as Jamie, 45, of Cherokee, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., after an extended illness.
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
New Cherokee Language Choir finding their tune
Many Monday afternoons are unremarkable, but on this particular Monday Seli and Geyadi were moving a mile a minute.
CHA cancels spring run of “Alice”
“Alice in Wonderland” will not be returning to the Mountainside Theatre in 2023.
Friends leading Cherokee copper work revitalization
Up a winding mountain road by a beautiful stream, just past the campus of Western Carolina University, is a metalworking shop where three men are practicing an art that has been done by Cherokee people in these mountains for thousands of years.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm