NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Police Commission holds August meeting; community members express concerns
The Cherokee Police Commission monthly meeting was held on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 12 p.m. in the Ginger Lynn Welch Poke Salad Room. Secretary Israel Rodriguez (At-Large) presided over the meeting in the absence of Gahvsgi (Chairperson) Anita Lossiah (Elawodi, Yellowhill) and Taline Gahvsgi (Vice Chairperson) Gene Tunney Crowe (Tsisqwohi, Birdtown).
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Aug. 10)
The One Feather provides 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.
Dinilawigi passes Ord. No. 184 prohibiting caging of bears
On the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 6, Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) passed Ordinance No. 184 (2026) “…amending Chapter 19 regarding caging bears on Tribal lands.” The ordinance prohibits the caging of bears on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). The ordinance change was originally submitted by Mary Crowe, an EBCI tribal elder from Elawodi (Yellowhill).
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy is SCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy is SCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
Cherokee Historical Association announces renovations and improvements
Laura Blythe, Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) program director, said there are several renovations and improvements completed and underway for the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills Mountainside Theater.
Cherokee Central Schools 8th Grade and High School Concert Band earns Excellent Rating
The Cherokee Central Schools 8th Grade and High School Concert Band earned an Excellent Rating at the Trills and Thrills Music Festival held at William Blount High School in Alcoa, Tenn. on Saturday, April 25.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Layaway Plan, Part 1 of 2
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
April report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for the month of April. Before I begin, I want to congratulate Anna Ferguson on becoming the first EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) member to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Just missed Him
A plethora of verses can be found that reveal how all of Israel, except for the disciples and followers of Jesus, discounted Him as Lord.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
JV FOOTBALL: Cherokee Braves win double overtime thriller over Rosman
Sports fans got their money’s worth at the JV football game as Cherokee hosted Rosman on Thursday, Aug. 29. Ray Kinsland Stadium erupted as Cherokee’s Wakinyan Raines ran four yards for the go-ahead and eventual winning touchdown in double overtime to lift the Braves 26-20 over the Tigers.
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves win at TCEC Jaguar Jungle Run
The Cherokee Central Schools cross country teams traveled to Murphy, N.C. on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 28 to participate in the TCEC (Tri-County Early College) Jaguar Jungle Run.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Velma Jean McMillan Hemphill
Velma Jean McMillan Hemphill, 82, of the 3200 Acre Tract, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026 after a long illness. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Ray and Edna Owle McMillan and wife of the late Henry Hayse Robertson and Charles Hemphill.
OBITUARY: Robyn Michelle Bigmeat
Robyn Michelle Bigmeat, age 54, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at her residence in Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: Sherry Daniels Pheasant
Sherry Daniels Pheasant, 64, of the Big Cove Community of Cherokee, N.C., passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026, after a long battle with cancer.
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
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.
Learning lessons from the clay; Gadugi Pottery Exhibit opens at Museum
The artistry and beauty of Cherokee pottery was on display at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian as the Gadugi Pottery Exhibit opened on the evening of Friday, April 14. The exhibit featured the works of students from a Community Learning Workshop, hosted by the Museum, which was taught by Tara McCoy, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and noted potter.
Gadugi Pottery Exhibit Reception planned
On April 14 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., join students from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI)’s Community Learning pottery class, led by Tara McCoy (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), for a reception celebrating “Gadugi Pottery Exhibit,” on view at MCI from April 14 to May 12.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm