NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Officials give project updates at recent Planning Board meeting
The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Planning Board met at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 18 in the Tribal Council House.
“Gadugi”: Cherokee High School Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony
The Commencement Ceremony for the Cherokee High School (CHS) Class of 2026 was held on the morning of Saturday, May 23 in the Charles George Memorial Arena for 92 graduates.
May Editorial Board meeting held
The monthly Editorial Board meeting of the Cherokee One Feather was held on the morning of May 21 in the Ginger Lynn Welch Poke Salad Room. The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Editorial Board Chairperson Brooklyn Brown.
Qualla Open Air Indian Art Market
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Georgia’s Maxwell Guo wins gold in record-breaking World Series of Poker Main Event at Harrah’s Cherokee
The World Series of Poker (WSOP), the world’s most prestigious brand in poker, awarded $9.7 million during its most recent Circuit tour stop at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in western North Carolina, which ran Feb. 12-23. And the largest payday of all was secured by tournament rookie Maxwell Guo, took took down the Main Event for over $380,000.
Junaluska Museum’s online collection is telling story of Tutiyi (Snowbird)
The Junaluska Museum has been working recently on a project to bring its collection online and the story of the people of Tutiyi (Snowbird) alive. As of this printing, there are 129 records divided into three categories (Snowbird Day School Collections, Tutiyi (Snowbird) Community Collections, and Fading Voices Collection).
“Unrelenting”: New exhibit at Museum to tell Cherokee perspective of ‘250’
The United States of America is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, and the Museum of the Cherokee People is dedicated to making sure that a Cherokee voice is included. The Museum is set to open a new exhibit on Tuesday, March 17 entitled “Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution”.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Actions should be louder than words, or genealogy
When we started researching the banishment list over a decade ago, the exclusion power outlined in the Code (the Cherokee Code) was being used, but a couple of the directives in it were not being followed.
February report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for the month of February. I want to begin by publicly expressing my appreciation for the collective effort shown by our Tribal programs in both the preparation for and response to the recent snowstorm on the Boundary. As always, my report follows the standard format below.
THE GOOD STUFF: Nancy Pheasant blends artistry with history
Pheasant is a true educator and represents the EBCI very well wherever she goes. She has a way of painting a picture in your mind as she speaks.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: CHS athletes place at regionals and qualify for state meet
Several members of the Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team qualified for the 1A state championship meet with their performances at the 1A West Regional meet at Montreat College in Black Mountain, N.C. on Saturday, May 11.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Kellie Ann Bridgeman
Kellie Ann Bridgeman, born on Sept. 7, 1976, in Haywood County, N.C., passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Kellie’s life was defined by her deep love for her family, friends, and the animals she cherished.
OBITUARY: Lola Owl Blankenship
Lola Owl Blankenship, age 65, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. She was born on June 5, 1960, in Toombs County, Ga., and spent most of her life in Cherokee, N.C., where she built a life centered on family, friendship, and laughter.
OBITUARY: Dr. Gwang Soo Han
Dr. Gwang Soo Han, a dedicated and leading physician, a tireless advocate for the community, and a devoted husband of 60 years, passed away peacefully on Jan. 16, 2026, at the age of 86 following a brief illness.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Summer Carnival returns June 9-15
After being absent in 2018, the Cherokee Summer Carnival returns to the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds on June 9-15.
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 7-9
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.
Cherokee Bluegrass Festival set for June 6-8
Adams Bluegrass, LLC, has announced that the Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will be held at Happy Holiday RV Village and Campground at 1553 Wolfetown Road in Cherokee.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“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.
Native America Calling receives National Humanities Medal
Native America Calling, a program of the Alaska-based Koahnic Broadcast Corporation, is a recipient of the National Humanities Medal from The National Endowment for the Humanities. The award was presented to Koahnic’s president and chief executive officer, Jaclyn Sallee, by U.S. President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, March 21.
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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