NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 2025)
Every few weeks, the One Feather will provide 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.
Remember the Removal Riders begin their journey
The 2025 Remember the Removal (RTR) riders received a send-off from Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, on the evening of Friday, May 30. Riders will embark on the journey from New Echota, Ga., former capital of the Cherokee Nation, on Monday, June 2 and will arrive in Tahlequah, Okla. on Saturday, June 21.
New pavilion opens officially at Kituwah
An American bald eagle was perched in a nearby tree checking out the festivities as members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) gathered at Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, to open the new pavilion on site.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI Community Clubs win WNC Honors
Several Community Clubs of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians won in categories at the recent WNC Honors Awards, a program of WNC Communities. The Wolftown Community Club won the Impact Award.
Women’s History Month: Maker of War
Lambert encourages women of all ages and skill levels to participate and gears the workout toward their specific needs—whether that be to match their skill level or nurse certain injuries. Lambert hopes that the women who attend her class leave feeling empowered and strong.
Sneed’s art shown in exhibit at Hickory Museum of Art
Lenoir-Rhyne University students participated in an exhibit at the Hickory Museum of Art recently entitled “The Art of Profession” which featured students in the Advanced Studio Practices, and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) was one of those featured. Tishara Sneed, an EBCI tribal member who also has Dine’ (Navajo) heritage, displayed three ceramic masks for the exhibit.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
EDITORIAL: Lumbee Tribal Chairman attacks media coverage of Lumbee federal recognition
On the afternoon of Feb. 10, John L. Lowery, tribal chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, released a public memo making accusations of “propaganda articles” and “fake news reports” from the “smear campaign” of the “multi-million-dollar propaganda machine of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”
COMMENTARY: A Cherokee Valentine’s Day
My favorite fruit is ani (strawberry), partly because I enjoy them and I grew up with Strawberry Shortcake (the cartoon and the dessert), but mainly because of the Cherokee Legend of the First Strawberry that I first heard in kindergarten in Mrs. Sammi Saunooke’s class.
THE GOOD STUFF: Roger Smoker provides hope to language revitalization
Roger Smoker, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the chairman of the Cherokee Speakers Council, is determined to see the language thrive – not just survive.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
BASKETBALL: Black uniforms not acceptable for a community elder
On the evening of Jan. 17, in the Central Office Board Room, the School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) unanimously agreed to honor the request of the Lady Braves basketball team to purchase black, maroon and gold uniforms.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Johnny Wayne Browning
Johnny Wayne Browning, 68, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 16, 2025, after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 1, 1956, to the late John and Bida Silver Browning.
OBITUARY: Timothy Isaiah McKinnell
Timothy Isaiah McKinnell, 18, of the Painttown Community in Cherokee, N.C., joined Heaven’s Orchestra on Monday, March 10, 2025. Timothy was born June 16, 2006, to Kansas “Kandee” Parker of Cherokee, N.C. and Robert McKinnell.
OBITUARY: Reuben Edward Taylor
Reuben Edward Taylor, 99, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord and loving wife, Mary Jane, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Timpson and Cinda Reed Taylor.
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
“Searching for Sequoyah” documentary to explore his life
“Searching for Sequoyah”, produced by James M. Fortier and LeAnne Howe, will air on PBS stations nationwide starting in November and examines not only that major accomplishment but also the man’s intriguing life.
Wildcatt places at 26th annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Winners of the 26th annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show & Sale were announced Friday, Aug. 27 during a virtual awards presentation, and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians won two awards.
Qualla Arts & Crafts celebrates 75 years of craft excellence
Seventy-five years to the day, officials at Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, Inc. (Qualla) celebrated the start of one of the most successful Native American craft co-ops in the country.
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