NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Interior enters into Nation’s first-ever Tribal Energy Agreement
The Department of the Interior approved the nation’s first-ever tribal energy resource agreement, increasing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s sovereign authority to manage and develop energy resources on its lands while reducing federal bureaucracy.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (May 12)
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.
Grand opening held as Tribal ABC Store moves location
On the morning of Monday, May 11, a grand opening and ribbon cutting was held for the new location of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Store located on Cherokee Crossing Rd. The store, which opened in 2022, was located at Tsali Blvd.
Qualla Open Air Indian Art Market
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI tribal members try a week off social media
The One Feather sought several members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) who were willing to try a week off of social media and report back with their findings. Below are our respondents:
Sharing knowledge: EBCI attendees give presentation on New Zealand trip
Indigenous educators from throughout the world gathered in Auckland, New Zealand last fall for the 2025 WIPCE (World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education), and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) was well represented.
Cherokee Historical Association moves to co-directorship, names new executive leaders
Local nonprofit organization, Cherokee Historical Association, has moved to a co-director leadership structure. After the departure of the previous executive director in 2023, the Board of Directors installed an interim executive management team.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: The Dead Zone – Why Billie Eilish is right about “Stolen Land”
History is not a ghost. It is a neighbor. It lives in the 38 tribal nations headquartered here in Oklahoma and in the ancestral homelands of the 574 sovereign nations across Indian Country.
Ask a Therapist – How to use social media in a healthier way: Scrolling with intention
This is not an article that is going to tell you how social media is the downfall of humanity and the only escape is going off grid. Social media isn’t going anywhere.
THE GOOD STUFF: Ugvwiyuhi Dugan inspires with strength and compassion
Joyce Dugan, former Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a visionary leader who inspires with her strength and compassion.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee hosts meet
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team hosted a five-school meet on Wednesday, March 27.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Dawson Wilnoty
Dawson Wilnoty, age 27, from Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. He was born Oct. 25, 1998 to Michael and Savannah Wilnoty. He was the grandson of Cleo and Chief Jonathan Taylor and the late Harriet James Seqyouyah and Bernard Wilnoty.
OBITUARY: Rebecca Hillane Lambert
Rebecca Hillane Lambert, age 69, of Cherokee, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Born on May 26, 1956, to Hilliard and Thadress Green Sneed.
OBITUARY: James “Matt” Barnes
James “Matt” Barnes, 68, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for May 10-12
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for May 3-5
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for April 26-28
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
Kansas returns to Cherokee
After 10 years, prolific rock band Kansas is coming back to the mountains of North Carolina and will play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort this Saturday, June 25.
Beautiful statements: EBCI tribal member participates in Atlanta art show
Three Cherokee citizens are featured in a new art show at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. Luzene Hill, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, joins Cherokee Nation citizens Brenda Mallory and Kade Twist in the show entitled “Returns: Cherokee Diaspora and Art” which will run from Saturday, June 11 and runs until Sept. 4.
“Night of Gadugi” highlights Cultural Summer School
Cherokee culture and language were showcased during the “Night of Gadugi” at Cherokee Central Schools on the evening of Monday, June 13. The event featured art displays and performances by the students who completed the Cherokee Cultural Summer School program.
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(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm