NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Chiricahua National Monument becomes America’s Newest National Park
Chiricahua National Monument is now Chiricahua National Park, following President Donald J. Trump’s signing of the Chiricahua National Park Act into law on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Groups seeking federal acknowledgement as an Indian Tribe (October 2026 update)
Each month, the One Feather will give an update on the various groups seeking federal acknowledgment as an Indian Tribe either through Congressional means or by going through the OFA (Office of Federal Acknowledgment) process.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Oct. 21)
The One Feather provides 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
Ball receives Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award
A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has been recognized with an esteemed honor recognizing his service to veterans. Samuel Gerard Ball was presented the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award during a session of Annual Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) on the morning of Monday, Oct. 12.
2026-27 EBCI Royalty crowned at Cherokee Indian Fair
The newly crowned royalty of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) received their titles during the 114th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair, including Miss Cherokee Caedance Smith, Teen Miss Cherokee Nevayah Panther, Junior Miss Cherokee Khloe Sequoyah, Little Miss Cherokee Mattie Awee Moore, and Sr. Miss Cherokee Pearl Wolfe.
EBCI Public Health and Human Services honors employees at Annual Division Gathering
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) held the PHHS Division Gathering at the historic Kituwah Mound on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
EDITORIAL: The One Feather stance on the use of AI
On June 18, the Cherokee One Feather Editorial Board adopted the policy of not using artificial intelligence in any of our work products. That means that, as a media outlet, we are choosing not to incorporate writing, photos, videos, or graphics that have been altered in any way by “thinking” computer programs
THE GOOD STUFF: The race seen around the world
Those of us who were lucky enough to attend the 114th Cherokee Indian Fair Baby Crawling contest on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 6 witnessed an epic race.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A Close Call: Part 5 of 8
I heard a quote the other day that rings true. “What was once shunned and hidden in the dark alleys is now openly displayed in our living rooms and broad daylight on Main Street.”
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Cherokee wins Battle of the Nations
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves), representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, defeated the Choctaw Central Warriors, representing the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, in overtime 28-27 to win the Annual Battle of the Nations trophy. The game was held at Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Friday, Sept. 4.
Ring Ceremony held for 1A/2A Indoor Track State Champion Joscelyn Stamper
A ring ceremony was held for Cherokee High School Senior Joscelyn Stamper, who won first place in shot put at the NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor Track State Championship with a throw of 36’7”.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee teams place at TCEC Jaguar Jungle Run
The Cherokee High School (CHS) and Middle School (CMS) cross country teams participated in the Tri-County Early College (TCEC) Jaguar Jungle Run on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Phyllis Elaine Jumper
Phyllis Elaine Jumper, 59, of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, N.C. after a period of declining health.
OBITUARY: Harold Kenneth Herron Jr.
Harold Kenneth Herron Jr., of Las Vegas, Nev., passed away at 57 surrounded by family on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
OBITUARY: Richard (Uwena) Bradley
Richard (Uwena) Bradley joined his dad, Morgan, in heaven on Monday, Oct. 5, surrounded by his close family and friends, after an extended illness.
HAPPENINGS
Food truck rodeo coming to Harrah’s Cherokee
Three Cherokee-owned food trucks will be setting up at The Cherokee Convention Center this Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5 to serve any and all who want an Indian dinner or Cherokee fare.
May classes at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, has released the May class schedule. The workshops will be hosted outside and led by Wildlife Commission staff. The Center’s COVID-19 policies are stated on their...
Mountain Heritage Day planning for return to WCU campus this fall
Mountain Heritage Day, the festival of cultural traditions presented by Western Carolina University, is again being planned as a live, in-person event on Saturday, Sept. 25.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Shea Vassar’s “Julie Takes A Walk” highlights the humor in everyday Native life
Shea Vassar, a Cherokee Nation citizen from Norman, Okla., is bringing a new perspective to comedy with “Julie Takes A Walk,” a short romantic comedy that she co-directed, wrote, and helped produce. This film displays the humor of everyday life and brings attention to modern Native life and queer Native people in small towns.
The Way We See The World returns for its fifth year
The Way We See The World, presented by the Museum of the Cherokee People, is back for its fifth year and will be held on Friday, Aug. 7 in the Council Fire Ballroom at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mariah Hill’s broad creativity extends from Fair themes to paintings
Mariah Hill is a talented artist with an eye for color and a mind rooted in traditional Cherokee teachings. For the past two years, her entry has been selected as the theme for the annual Cherokee Indian Fair hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
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