NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Wilnoty convicted of decade-long child sex abuse
On July 31 in Cherokee Court, with Judge Barbara Parker presiding, Bernard David Wilnoty plead guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact, one count of aggravated sexual abuse, with one count of assault on a child and solicitation dismissed with the plea.
Lumbee recognition included in House-approved FY26 NDAA bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3838 (National Defense Authorization Act FY26) last week which included a tack-on of the Lumbee Fairness Act which would grant full federal acknowledgement to the state-recognized group known as the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
“What a blessing”: Kuwohi Celebration marks one-year anniversary of name restoration
The sun peeked through the moving clouds and fog covered the mountain peaks at Kuwohi (Mulberry Place) on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 for a special event. Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and friends gathered at the site to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the restoration of the name of the area to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
An amazing journey: Keredith “Tooter” Owens has traveled the world dancing, sharing culture
Sitting at a table in the Qualla Boundary Public Library, Keredith “Tooter” Owens looks over a pile of her photographs documenting her career as a fancy shawl dancer at pow wows.
Graceful beauty: Nakoa Chiltoskie enjoys dancing and the camaraderie of pow wows
Nakoa Chiltoskie, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, loves the graceful movements of dancing and the camaraderie that pow wows bring. She started dancing at age 7.
“A dream come true:” Hollie Stover dances for her daughter
Hollie Stover, or Usdasdi, is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the office administrator for New Kituwah Academy (NKA) in Cherokee, N.C.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Katelynn Ledford-McCoy keeps running and inspiring
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy is a light and source of inspiration in the Cherokee community. She was recently chosen to be on the Native Women Run (NWR) team for the Chicago Marathon set for Sunday, Oct. 12.
COMMENTARY: Ethically speaking
We now have our slate of candidates for the general election of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Out of 24 who will be on the ballot in September for Dinilawigi (Tribal Council), 41.7 percent or 11 candidates are attempting to retain their seats.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Be the light (Part 2 of 2)
Friends… Isn’t it great when you know you have a faithful friend?
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee team participates in meet at Murphy
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track team participated in a multi-school meet held at the Murphy High School track on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20.
BASKETBALL: Big Smoky Mountain All-Conference lists
BASKETBALL: Big Smoky Mountain All-Conference lists
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee Middle participates in Hayesville meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) track and field team participated in a multi-school meet at the Hayesville High School track in Hayesville, N.C. on the chilly afternoon of Monday, March 18.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Nancy Chiltoskie
Nancy Chiltoskie, youngest daughter of Watty and Tennie Chiltoskie, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
OBITUARY: James Edwards Mills
Fisherman, husband, son, father, grandfather, friend, U.S. Public Health Service Captain, and founder of “Raven Fork Rods” James Edwards Mills, 84, of Whittier, N.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2025 after a brief and sharp bout with cancer.
OBITUARY: Hoyt Lunsford
Hoyt Lunsford, age 89, of Marble, left behind his physical body on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
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
These walls can talk: Jared Wheatley provides a canvas
They stand amongst the tallest in western North Carolina and help form the many businesses of a seemingly ever-growing city. Asheville has also had quite a few social walls that have become more visible each year.
Cherokee Musical Theatre students go tropical with “Once on This Island Jr.”
The Cherokee Central Schools Musical Theatre Program took their audience to the Caribbean with its performance of “Once on This Island Jr.”, a musical based on the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy. The musical opened at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on the evening of Thursday, May 12.
Tribal member shows art in Brooklyn
Isabella Saunooke, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a sophomore seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting with a minor in philosophy from the Pratt Institute, participated recently in the university’s art show entitled “XO”. (Photo courtesy of Saunooke family)
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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