NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Groundbreaking held for new additions to Big Cove Fire Station
Ground was broken on new additions to the Big Cove Fire Station in Kolanvyi (Big Cove) on the morning of Thursday, July 24. Tribal officials of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) joined staff from Cherokee Fire & Rescue for the event.
EBCI Government Explained: Absentee voting
Registered voters of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) may cast an absentee ballot for tribal elections providing they meet certain criteria and deadlines. Absentee voting is covered in Cherokee Code Sec. 161-15.
Natural wonder: Ribbon-cutting held for Soco Falls Trailhead improvements project
Adjacent to one of the most beautiful vistas in the Great Smoky Mountains, Bessie Queen French, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) cut a ribbon to officially complete the Soco Falls Trailhead Improvement Project.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute to celebrate Alumni Week and announces International Conference Opportunity
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) is proud to share two exciting updates that reflect their continued commitment to culturally based leadership development for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Code Purple: A Community Response
Jeff Helpman, pastor of The Grove Church on Franklin Grove in Bryson City, heads a Code Purple warming center at his church with the help of his wife, Jodi Helpman, who is graduating this May from Western Carolina University’s Master of Social Work program.
CLMAP receives Impact Award from WCU
The Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program (CLMAP) 2025 cohort has worked closely with Western Carolina University (WCU) School of Art and Design assistant professor Tatiana Potts and her printmaking classes to create a series of children’s books for Cherokee language and cultural learning.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Sovereignty between a rock and a hard place
Over my years with the tribe, I have been a witness to a lot of chest-thumping over Indian sovereignty. From top tribal leadership to the lowest common denominator, we take pride in our perceived freedom.
THE GOOD STUFF: Hugh Lambert serves with a smile and soulful spirit
The ever-present smile and positive attitude of Hugh Lambert is endearing to all who meet him. He is quick with a joke and a funny story but also very focused on serving his people and community of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
COMMENTARY: Community awareness needs governmental action
Some of the biggest problems we should give awareness and action to on the Qualla Boundary, especially as it pertains to MMIP, are domestic violence and sexual assault and human trafficking – particularly child sex trafficking.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Climbingbear signs to play at Keiser University
Luke Climbingbear, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), signed a letter of intent on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 21 to play football this fall at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Fla.
ON THE SIDELINES: Sportsmanship can be contagious
I’ve covered a good many Cherokee vs. Swain Co. athletic contests over the years, and it’s always an interesting time between the two rivals. The Lady Braves hosted the Lady Maroon Devils at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 6, and I witnessed a small, but very important, display of sportsmanship that I hope is contagious.
BASKETBALL: Braves and Lady Braves carry on a legacy
Cherokee High School (CHS) basketball held an Alumni Night on the evening of Friday, Feb. 2 in Charles George Memorial Arena. Braves and Lady Braves basketball players from previous years were honored at halftime.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Ernest D. Panther
Ernest D. Panther better known as “Ernie”, age 90, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025 after an extended illness. He is the son of the late Sam Panther and Emmaline Sequoyah.
OBITUARY: Rex Allen Swayney
Rex Allen Swayney, 65, of Sylva, N.C., passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2025, at Vero Health and Rehab of Sylva, N.C., following an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Blanche Emmaline Teesateskie
Blanche Emmaline Teesateskie, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. A native of Graham County and a lifelong member of the Snowbird Community, she was the daughter of the late Tom and Jeanette Sue Rattler Teesateskie.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for May 31 – June 2
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.
EBCI Housing Division hosting 12th Annual Cherokee Housing Fair
The EBCI Housing Division will host the 12th Annual Cherokee Housing Fair at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds on Friday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Upcoming Pow Wows for May 24-26
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
Dracula looks to bring a spectacle to Cherokee
An immersive experience, high-level action, and a lot of blood. This is what is being promised from the producers of Dracula: The Failings of Men, a show coming to the Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee this weekend.
Tribal member acts in “Reservation Dogs” and runs a business
The television series “Reservation Dogs”, being shown on Hulu, has taken the world by storm and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is among the cast.
Cherokee Art Market shifting to virtual platform in 2021
As a result of the ongoing surge of the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant, Cherokee Nation is shifting to a virtual platform for the 16th annual Cherokee Art Market. The virtual market will run Dec. 6-17 and will feature premier Native American art from various tribal nations.
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(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm