NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
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.
Groundbreaking held for Cherokee Cultural Grounds
Leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) broke ground on the new Cherokee Cultural Grounds in Cherokee, N.C. on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 12.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority recognizes National Recovery Month by announcing ‘Recovery Friendly NC Workplace’ Certification
During a catered lunch from Nikki’s Frybread on Wednesday, Sept. 24 to celebrate staff at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) who are in recovery, Tara Reed-Cooper, associate director of Career Development announced CIHA completed the certification process to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace through Recovery Friendly NC, a statewide initiative that helps employers and community partners create supportive spaces for individuals in or seeking recovery.
Right Path Adult Leadership Program celebrates 2025 Graduates, welcomes 2026 Cohort
The Duyugodv’i Right Path Adult Leadership Program honored its 2025 graduates and introduced the 2026 cohort during a special ceremony held Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Kituwah Mound Pavilion.
Cherokee Doula Program up and running
In January, the One Feather reported that The Center for Native Health (CNH) had been selected to receive a $500,000 grant, provided by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and supported by the Spirit Aligned Leadership Program, to establish a doula program for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
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.
COMMENTARY: What would be fair?
Let me start by saying how much I appreciate the testimony of Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing concerning Senator Tillis’ bill S.107. You won’t see me doing that much. My personal ethics are that I keep my personal opinions out of the public area when it comes to our politicians, because I feel a moral obligation to be objective in my coverage of our leadership.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: WNC citizen concerned about encroachment on press freedom
I write as a concerned citizen of western North Carolina to draw attention to the growing encroachment on press freedom under the current administration, and the implications this has for our local democracy.
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
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)
Pottery students show their work at Museum
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Staff The art of Cherokee pottery is alive and well and is moving into the 21st century with renewed vigor. Students in a class entitled Traditional Pottery for Beginners, tau ght by Cherokee potter Tara McCoy and hosted...
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