NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
A bright future: Solar project up and running at New Kituwah Academy
Participants in the conservation club at New Kituwah Academy, known as Judaculla’s Kids, recently made history. The students flipped a switch on a solar power system for the school that will provide nearly half of the power for the school and have positive ramifications for decades.
Police Commission holds January meeting
The Cherokee Police Commission held their monthly meeting in the Ginger Lynn Welch building on the afternoon of Jan. 13. Chairperson Anita Lossiah called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m.
CCS School Board holds January meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, Jan. 12 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson at 4:51 p.m.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
A commitment to culture: Kolanvyi’s Chris Hornbuckle
Chris Hornbuckle, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is an Anetsovsgi (Ball player) from the Kolanvyi (Big Cove) Anetso (Stickball) team. Hornbuckle works for Qualla Housing as a carpenter/crew leader.
Family Safety named EBCI PHHS Program of the Year
On Friday, Sept. 19, against the backdrop of the Mother Town of the Cherokee, EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Public Health & Human Services Division honored employees who embody excellence, service, and cultural values.
EBCI bestows title of Beloved Man to Rev. Fred Lunsford
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has bestowed the exalted title of Beloved Man to the late Rev. Fred Bruner Lunsford. Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) approved Res. No. 435 unanimously during a clean-up session on Tuesday, Sept. 30 which made the designation.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Marie Junaluska, a true servant to the community
Marie Junaluska has served her community in various capacities for decades and continues to this day – working tirelessly to help others learn the Cherokee language. An elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), Marie is a first language Cherokee speaker who can also read and write the language.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: I Miss Church, Part 1 of 3
Heb 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” NIV
COMMENTARY: I don’t know why we go to extremes
The federal government has struggled in its roles of negotiation and reparation for the damage done in previous generations through war and failed assimilation strategies.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK: CMS travels to meet at Swain
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) track team traveled to a multi-school meet held at Swain Co. High School on the afternoon of Monday, April 15.
SPORTS COMMENTARY: Lady Braves join the women’s basketball revolution
The University of South Carolina (USC) 87-75 victory over the University of Iowa in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s National Basketball Championship was the most watched basketball game – professional or collegiate, men’s or women’s – since the 2019 NCAA Men’s National Championship University of Virginia victory over Texas Tech University averaging 19.6 million viewers.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK: Cherokee Middle participates in meet at Murphy
The Cherokee Middle School track and field team participated in a three-school meet hosted by Murphy Middle School at the Murphy High School track on the afternoon of Monday, April 1.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: James “Bopper” Marvin Johnson
James “Bopper” Marvin Johnson, 68, of the Piney Grove Community, is walking on the other side.
OBITUARY: Amber Joy McNeilly
Amber Joy McNeilly, 42, of Lenoir, N.C., passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
OBITUARY: Sheridan Everett “Sonny” Smith
Sheridan Everett “Sonny” Smith, 76 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
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
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)
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm




















