NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
CCS School Board holds July meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, July 21 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order at 3:58 p.m. by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.
EBCI Government Explained: Eminent Domain
The Legal Information Institute of Cornell Law School states, “Eminent domain refers to the power of the government to take private property and convert it into public use, referred to as a taking.”
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 29)
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Middle students advocate for Tenn. trust land bill
Cherokee students are making their voices heard on a House bill that would put land into trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in Tennessee. Students in David Pringle’s eighth grade social studies class at Cherokee Middle School recently completed a project on H.R. 226 (Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act).
10 Years of Cherokee Choices Stress & Healing Arts Retreat
Cherokee Choices just celebrated their 10th Anniversary of the Stress & Healing Arts Retreat (SHAR), a wellness retreat that ran from 2006 to 2011, and started back up in 2015 to now. This year’s two-day retreat, held on March 19 and 20, featured several workshops and sessions to promote healing and wellness for the Cherokee community.
Senior Spotlight: Nevayah Panther
Nevayah Panther is a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS) from Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) and Kolanvyi (Big Cove). She is the daughter of Jennifer Wildcatt and Deino Panther.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Back to work
For many years, I led groups of maintenance technicians in a public school system. I was fortunate that many on each team were Christians. Occasionally, people need counseling when they become discouraged.
THE GOOD STUFF: Always a hero
I was in the process of writing my weekly Good Stuff column on a Cherokee hero when I got an email from a funeral home. It was the obituary for a hero of mine and many others – PFC Reuben Taylor, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
COMMENTARY: Hard truths – hirings and appointments
We have heard our tribal governmental administration say on multiple occasions that they prioritize hiring tribal members for tribal government positions. This commitment benefits every enrolled member, at least on the surface.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CHS, CMS runners earn Runner of the Year titles and SMC championships
On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 14, Cherokee High School’s (CHS) Cecily “Dvdaya” Swimmer won the Smoky Mountain Conference Championship (SMC) with a time of 19:09. With this win, she earned SMC Runner of the Year.
VOLLEYBALL: Lady Braves win conference for the first time in school history; CMS Lady Braves repeat
The varsity Lady Braves volleyball team crushed their goal of winning the Smoky Mountain Conference championship for the first time in school history on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 12 in the Charles George Memorial Arena. The Lady Braves defeated the Robbinsville Lady Knights in three sets for the championship title.
Swain Co. Hall of Fame inducts Spencer McCoy
Spencer McCoy, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) was inducted into the Swain Co. Hall of Fame on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 12 at the Swain Arts Center. McCoy was a tri-sport athlete of wrestling, football, and track.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Verlon A. McCoy
Verlon A. McCoy, age 85, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025. He is the son of the late, Lola (McCoy) Queen and Herman Lambert.
OBITUARY: Jack “Ray” Blankenship
Jack “Ray” Blankenship, 86, of Cherokee went home Thursday, April 3, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Roy and Georgia Goforth Blankenship.
OBITUARY: Allen “Leonard” Tolley
Allen “Leonard” Tolley, born on Oct. 6, 1942, to the late William “Dink” and Olive Maney “Ollie” Tolley, of Cherokee, walked into his eternal reward, April 1, 2025, He was a dedicated individual and a proud veteran of the US Army.
HAPPENINGS
Hospital inviting community to Crisis Stabilization Unit groundbreaking
Cherokee Indian Hospital will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the Crisis Stabilization Unit on Wednesday, April 24 at 2 p.m. at the old hospital site.
Upcoming Pow Wows for March 29-31
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 March 22-24
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
UNC Asheville series to feature EBCI author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle
UNC Asheville will host three virtual author lectures throughout the spring semester.
Cherokee artist staying busy during pandemic
For Cherokee artist Luzene Hill, the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, but it certainly hasn’t stopped her from sharing her work with the world.
Late writer, Cherokee Studies leader at WCU, to be honored with marker
The late Robert J. Conley, author and former Sequoyah Distinguished Professor of Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University, will receive a historical marker in his hometown of Cushing, Oklahoma, commemorating his literary achievements.
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