NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
This Week in Native News
COMPILED By ANN TOINEETA One Feather Intern Indigenous people spotlighted at Mexico and Canada’s FIFA World Cup opening ceremony The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies in Mexico City, Mexico and Toronto, Canada showcased Indigenous peoples and their...
Qualla Enterprises issues clarification on financial reporting and oversight
Qualla Enterprises, LLC, a tribally-owned enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is issuing this statement to provide clarity and correct recent public misrepresentations regarding the Company’s financial reporting, audit history, and operational oversight.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 16)
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
Indigenous Poetry Anthology seeking EBCI writers
Work is currently being solicited for a new contemporary Indigenous poetry anthology from the Wesleyan University Press, and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are being encouraged to submit their work for consideration.
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Dallas Bennett is a great example of a future leader
In a One Feather “grad profile” in April 2020, Dallas Bennett said he plans to run for Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) one day.
EDITORIAL: Proposed Ordinance 107 (2026) will shield community information from the tribal members
The Attorney General submitted proposed legislation to withhold internal audit and ethics report findings from the community.
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.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Grant signs to play at Mars Hill University
Another member of the Cherokee Braves football team is headed to play at the next level. Mato Grant, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), signed a letter of intent on Friday, March 22, 2024 to play football this fall at Mars Hill University.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee team participates in meet at Murphy
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track team participated in a multi-school meet held at the Murphy High School track on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20.
BASKETBALL: Big Smoky Mountain All-Conference lists
BASKETBALL: Big Smoky Mountain All-Conference lists
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Dr. Gwang Soo Han
Dr. Gwang Soo Han, a dedicated and leading physician, a tireless advocate for the community, and a devoted husband of 60 years, passed away peacefully on Jan. 16, 2026, at the age of 86 following a brief illness.
OBITUARY: Donald A. “Duck” Brady
Donald Allen Brady, age 76, of Cherokee, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on March 10, 2026 at Tsali Care Center, Cherokee, N.C. surrounded by his loving sisters.
OBITUARY: Mrs. Bambi Lynn Sneed
Mrs. Bambi Lynn Sneed, a woman whose life was defined by love, culture, compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family and community, passed from this world leaving behind a legacy that will continue to shine for generations.
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
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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