NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
May Editorial Board meeting held
The monthly Editorial Board meeting of the Cherokee One Feather was held on the morning of May 21 in the Ginger Lynn Welch Poke Salad Room. The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Editorial Board Chairperson Brooklyn Brown.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (May 19)
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.
Roads Commission meeting held; Police Commissioner Joseph “Buddy” Johnson raises concerns
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Roads Commission meeting was held on the morning of Monday, May 18. The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by Dinilawigi Taline Gahvsgi (Tribal Council Vice Chairman) David Wolfe.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Hear it, Learn it, Pass it on; Meona Feather shares what she knows
Meona Feather is a second language learner in the Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program (CLMAP). She has recently began sharing language content on social media and has received positive feedback from the Cherokee community.
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Rolls 2025-26 (first and second nine weeks)
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Rolls 2025-26 (first and second nine weeks)
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
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.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Cats vs. Dogs, Part 1of 2
Bias is natural and becomes part of our thought process without our consent or realizing it even occurs.
COMMENTARY: Takin’ care of business and the elderly
You hear it all the time in our community. We love and appreciate our elders. And it shows.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Dawn “Sissy” West
Dawn “Sissy” West, a diehard Duke fan, 50, of Cherokee, started her new life on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Paul “Buck” West and Mary Jackson West.
OBITUARY: Gary French
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our husband, father, brother, and friend, Gary French, who began his next journey on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
OBITUARY: Troy Wayne Poteete
Services in honor of Troy Wayne Poteete will be held Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Sequoyah High School Gym in Tahlequah, Okla.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for April 12-14
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.
Harrah’s Cherokee to host WSOP Circuit stop
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort will host its third World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit stop of the season starting on Wednesday, April 10.
Ken Jeong to perform at Harrah’s Cherokee
Actor, producer, and writer Ken Jeong will perform at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center on Friday, May 31.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Cherokee Musical Theatre students go tropical with “Once on This Island Jr.”
The Cherokee Central Schools Musical Theatre Program took their audience to the Caribbean with its performance of “Once on This Island Jr.”, a musical based on the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy. The musical opened at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on the evening of Thursday, May 12.
Tribal member shows art in Brooklyn
Isabella Saunooke, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a sophomore seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting with a minor in philosophy from the Pratt Institute, participated recently in the university’s art show entitled “XO”. (Photo courtesy of Saunooke family)
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...
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