NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Dec. 9)
The One Feather will now provide weekly 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 following the new bills for the week.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) rescinds resolution approving constitution opinion referendum
A referendum that was approved in October regarding opinions on the future of the work being done on a constitution for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will not occur.
Qualla Nonprofit Alliance working for the people, collaboratively
A group of nonprofit organizations serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community has joined together recently to form the Qualla Nonprofit Alliance.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Woodcarving Club starts up in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) member, carver and art collector Driver Blythe has started a biweekly woodcarving club at the Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Community Building with renowned Cherokee carvers Davy Arch and Dewey Owle.
“A sacred space”: Kuwohi Connection Day held to educate students
The low-hanging clouds, mostly blue skies, and brisk temperature made for a magical morning as area students attended Kuwohi Connection Day at Kuwohi (Mulberry Place) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 9.
WCU–CIHA partnership grows Cherokee’s next generation of healers
In the midst of ongoing staffing challenges across the healthcare industry, the innovative partnership between Western Carolina University (WCU) and the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is doing exactly what a great pipeline should do – it matches local talent with meaningful careers close to home, expands continuing education opportunities, and opens career-ladder pathways for enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: To Senator Mullin
During the Legislative Hearing on the Lumbee Fairness Act on the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 5, United States Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, made some remarks that are damaging to the Cherokee people – Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – and the rest of Indian Country.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Easy Peasy, Part 2 of 2
Scripture References: Proverbs 14:12, Romans 1:28, Hebrews 5:14, 1Kings 3:9
Report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
My name is Michael Stamper, and I have the honor of serving as the Council Representative for the Painttown Community. If you’re unfamiliar with me, I began my role in January 2023, filling the remaining months of the term vacated by the late and great Miss Tommye Saunooke. Since then, I’ve had the great privilege of being re-elected twice to continue serving the Painttown Community.
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: Mystical Parker
Mystical Parker, 54, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away after a period of declining health on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: Patricia Goodson Ensley
Patricia Goodson Ensley, 69, of Cherokee, N.C., went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. A native of Haywood County and longtime resident of Cherokee N.C., she was the daughter of the late Charles Junior and Alice Irene Goodson. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Ricky Dean Goodson.
OBITUARY: Mary Lynn Johnson
Mary Lynn Johnson, 67, Whittier, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Cecil and Bernita Johnson.
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
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...
EBCI-driven short film aims for proper representation
A new short film entitled “Stripper” was written, directed, and produced by Anthony Sneed, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In fact, the movie was shot in Cherokee, and all but one of the speaking parts went to EBCI tribal members.
Cherokee Syllabary Exhibit wins Award of Excellence; Museum acquires work by artist
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI) and Asheville Art Museum have been awarded the North Carolina Museums Council’s 2021 Award of Excellence for the collaborative exhibition A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary in Contemporary Art.
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