NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Un-redacted Consent Agenda from January School Board
On Jan. 12, the Cherokee Centrals Schools Board of Education voted to un-redact names from their consent agenda after a two-week period, long enough for employees to provide a two-week notice to their previous employers.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Jan. 27)
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.
CCS aligned with BIE strategic direction
On Jan. 20, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) shared the 2024-2030 strategic direction of the BIE. The full strategic direction focuses on strengthening student success through cultural instruction, which Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) superintendent Consuela Girty says is already in motion for the school system.
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
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
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee hosts meet
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team hosted a five-school meet on Wednesday, March 27.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD: CMS Lady Braves edge Hayesville to win home meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves edged Hayesville Middle School by two points (99-97) to win a meet held at the Cherokee High School track on the windy afternoon of Monday, March 25.
FOOTBALL: Grant signs to play at Mars Hill University
Another member of the Cherokee Braves football team is headed to play at the next level. Mato Grant, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), signed a letter of intent on Friday, March 22, 2024 to play football this fall at Mars Hill University.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Melvin Anthony Driver
Melvin Anthony Driver, 27, of the Big Cove Community in Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., after a brief illness.
OBITUARY: Raymond Lee Farmer
Raymond Lee Farmer, 66, of Sylva, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Raymond was born on Sept. 26, 1959 to the late James W. Farmer and Mary H. Farmer.
OBITUARY: Robert Stanley Taylor
Robert Stanley Taylor, 64 of Cherokee passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Dolly Taylor of Cherokee.
HAPPENINGS
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.
Michigan metal band coming back to Cherokee for show
Michigan-based heavy metal band Heartsick will return to Cherokee to headline a five-band show next month.
Upcoming Pow Wows for May 17-19
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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