NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cochran hearing postponed, two more local sheriffs face removal
The pretrial hearing set for Feb. 17 in Cherokee Tribal Court for the sexual abuse case against former Swain Co. Sheriff Curtis Cochran was postponed to June 8. Graham Co. Sheriff Brad Hoxit faces removal due to alleged abuse of power for personal gain, and former Cherokee Co. Sheriff Dustin Smith resigned effective Feb. 6 due to allegations of willful and habitual negligence, both levied by District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Feb. 17)
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.
Noquisiyi Mound deed transfer to EBCI to happen next week
According to officials from the Noquisi Initiative, their organization will transfer the deed to the Noquisiyi (formerly known as Nikwasi) Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) early next week. The details are still being finalized.
2026 4th of July Powwow
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Inheriting the game: Tsisqwohi’s Elias Griffin
Elias Griffin, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is an Anetsovsgi (Ball player) for the Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Anetso (Stickball) team. Griffin said he comes from the Griffin and Ledford families, and he is a member of the Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) community.
Coming home: Wudeligv’s Donato Seabolt
Donato Seabolt is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation from Tahlequah, Okla., where he works as an armed security officer for Cherokee Nation Health Services. He is an Anetsovsgi (Ball player) for the Wudeligv (west) Anetso (Stickball) team out of Oklahoma.
“Talehvga!”: Walelu’s Daryl Martin
Daryl Martin, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is an Anetsovsgi (Ball player) for the Walelu (Hummingbirds) Anetso (Stickball) team. Martin is the supply manager for Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Marie Junaluska, a true servant to the community
Marie Junaluska has served her community in various capacities for decades and continues to this day – working tirelessly to help others learn the Cherokee language. An elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), Marie is a first language Cherokee speaker who can also read and write the language.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: I Miss Church, Part 1 of 3
Heb 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” NIV
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.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
BASKETBALL: Lady Braves bring home State Title
On the evening of Friday, March 15 in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, the Cherokee Lady Braves defeated the East Columbus Gators in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 1A State Championship, earning the state basketball title for the second time in school history since the first title in 1996.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee participates in meet at Montreat College
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team participated in the Swain County High School Invitational meet held at the Montreat College track in Black Mountain, N.C. on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14. A.C. Reynolds won both the men’s and women’s team events.
BASKETBALL: Lady Braves win Western Regionals, advance to State Championship
On the evening of Monday, March 11 in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C., the (#3) Lady Braves basketball team defeated (#1) Mountain Heritage, earning the title of North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 1A Western Regional Champions, with a final score of 64 -51.
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
Chief Dugan to speak at Savvy event at Harrah’s Cherokee
Former Principal Chief Joyce Dugan will be the keynote speaker at a Savvy event at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Wednesday, April 17.
Upcoming Pow Wows for April 19-21
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.
ZZ Top to play Harrah’s Cherokee
ZZ Top will play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center on Friday, Oct. 11. Tickets go on sale at ticketmaster.com on Friday, April 12.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Cherokee writer selected for prestigious poetry event
Indigenous Nations Poets (In-Na-Po) is set to hold its Inaugural Retreat event next month, and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will be one of the participating poets. Mary Leauna Christensen is one of 16 poets selected for the event scheduled for Washington, D.C. on April 25-29.
Annual Spring Literary Festival returns to WCU campus with live events
After two years being held as an online celebration, Western Carolina University’s Spring Literary Festival returns to campus March 14-17 for a series of live events.
Tribal member a finalist for Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
The Western North Carolina Historical Association announced the selection of five finalists for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award recently and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is included. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle was nominated for her book, “Even As We Breathe: A Novel”.
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