NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Dinilawigi approves Principal Chief’s Day to be celebrated in conjunction with President’s Day
For the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the third Monday in February will be celebrated from now on as Principal Chief’s Day in conjunction with President’s Day. Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) approved Res. No. 486 unanimously during its regular session on Thursday, July 10, which made the designation.
EBCI Government Explained: Business Committee
The Business Committee of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has many varied functions as outlined throughout the Cherokee Code. Its duties and existence are covered in Cherokee Code Sec. 117-33.
Qualla Boundary Head Start & Early Head Start awarded Tribal Childcare Licensure for the fifth year in a row
EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Public Health & Human Services Division (EBCI PHHS) Regulatory & Compliance Department (RCD) has announced the Qualla Boundary Head Start & Early Head Start (QB HS & EHS) centers, Dora Reed Center, and Big Cove Children’s Center have been awarded their annual Tribal Childcare Licensure for the fifth year.
2025 Cherokee Indian Fair Countdown
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Wasdi Iga (Ramp Day) with the U.S. National Forest Service
On Thursday, March 27, the United States National Forest extended an exciting invitation to forage ramps at Standing Indian, located just beyond Franklin, N.C. The elders, eager to embrace this opportunity, quickly signed up.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about this critical issue that affects too many, especially within Native American communities.
Women’s History Month: The caring profession
This week’s article features Cherokee women from several programs within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Division.

OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Dog Bones
Each Wednesday morning, an eclectic group of men meets for prayer, devotion, breakfast, and fellowship. Our mix of devotees have been or currently are preachers, teachers, deacons, or church leaders.
THE GOOD STUFF: Beloved Woman is a fierce language warrior
I take a lot of photographs, but one of my favorites from the past few years shows an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) at the Annual Cherokee Speakers Walk.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Fireworks
I was born and raised in Montana in the fifties and sixties. The 4th of July was the biggest holiday of the year for me. Bigger than Christmas or my birthday or anything. Our family plans always included doing something special.
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: Reba Rattler
Reba Rattler, 78 of the Snowbird Community, gained her heavenly wings the morning of Monday, April 7, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.
OBITUARY: Joyce Elaine Bradley
Joyce Elaine Bradley passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital. A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Joyce leaves behind a legacy of care, kindness, and quiet strength.
OBITUARY: Mianna Shereece “Peaches” Squirrell
Mianna Shereece “Peaches” Squirrell was called home to be with the Lord, surrounded by love and carried by the legacy she built through a life of service, compassion, and unshakable faith. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in every heart she touched — and there are so many.
HAPPENINGS
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.
Lew Harding stands strong for those that have fallen
There are a lot of ways to describe Lew Harding. War hero and community leader are two that come to mind. The first way he would probably describe himself is as a proud grandfather.
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.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm