NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
March Planning Board recap
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Planning Board met on the afternoon of March 16 in the Tribal Council House. Dallas Bennett, constituent services rep. for the Office of the Vice Chief led roll call.
Ordinance proposing an elk hunting season discussed in EBCI Timber Committee
An ordinance, submitted during the March session of Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) and seeking to establish an elk hunting season on lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), was discussed during the Monday, March 16 session of EBCI Timber Committee.
Police Commission February and March meeting recap
The Cherokee Police Commission met for their monthly meeting on Feb. 24 and March 17 in the Ginger Lynn Welch Building.
2026 4th of July Powwow
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
A Butterfly’s Heart: Melah Perkins’ fashion show debut
Kimmemelah Chontay Perkins, or Melah, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Sioux, is a beadwork and quillwork artist making her debut as a designer in the Kananesgi Fashion Show coming up Nov. 8.
Waleli Crow brings an artist’s eye to modeling
Waleli Crow is surrounded daily by art, and modeling offers her another artistic outlet. Crow, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. where she majors in dramatic writing with minors in film and television and graphic design.
“The web grows stronger”: The story behind Kananesgi
What began as a bold vision to bring Cherokee art to the world has become one of the region’s most celebrated showcases of Indigenous creativity. The Kananesgi events, including an art market, competition, and fashion show, were created to uplift artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and celebrate both tradition and innovation.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Christmas Story
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s (Mary’s cousin) pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
COMMENTARY: 2025
Looking back on this year’s newspaper, I am so proud of the amazing team that delivers Qualla Boundary news to you. While the headline might capture the focus of the week each week for our community, that is only the tip of what those editions brought to us in community news over the year.
COMMENTARY: Top men are on it
We, as a tribe, have been debating and searching for ways to communicate facts and truth to our people without sharing them with other people.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
BASKETBALL: Big Smoky Mountain All-Conference lists
BASKETBALL: Big Smoky Mountain All-Conference lists
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee Middle participates in Hayesville meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) track and field team participated in a multi-school meet at the Hayesville High School track in Hayesville, N.C. on the chilly afternoon of Monday, March 18.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Irvin Phillip Owle
Irvin Phillip Owle, 83, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehab in Maggie Valley, N.C., after a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: General Benjamin Grant
General Benjamin Grant, born Sept. 5, 1945, in White County, Tenn., to the late Rebecca Catolster Grant (Cherokee) and Ernest “Lone Wolf” Grant (Lakota Sioux), passed away on Dec. 3, 2025.
Chad “Mongo” Donavon Burton
Chad “Mongo” Donavon Burton, 50, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 19,2025.
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 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.
Winners announced at annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale, Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition
The longest-running Native American art show and competition in Oklahoma announced its top honors during a virtual reception on April 1, alongside winning work from the Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition.
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.
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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