NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Groups seeking federal acknowledgement as an Indian Tribe
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.
Cannabis adult-use sales are two years in and continuing to thrive
The two-year anniversary of legal adult-use cannabis sales on the lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is approaching.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Aug. 25)
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
A place of wellness and peace: Tohi Edasdi Recovery Community Center has successful first year
Just over a year ago, the Tohi Edasdi Recovery Community Center opened in Wayohi (Wolftown) and has hit the ground running providing services for the recovery community.
Making the right changes: Brian Marsh is trying to better Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort one step at a time
Brian Marsh has been in the gaming industry for 30 years, managing properties from Missouri to Tennessee and getting them on track to success. Now, he is the senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
A Day in the Makerspace: Bernice Bottchenbaugh’s chemise class at Qualla Boundary Public Library
On Thursday, Aug. 6, Bernice Bottchenbaugh, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) from Kolanvyi (Big Cove), taught a chemise class at the Qualla Boundary Public Library.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Unbelievable, Part 1 of 2
Not accepting God’s word as the truth and disobeying His commands were man’s original sins, which remain true today.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Translate That, Part 2 of 2
Often, when I read a different translation, a concept becomes more apparent to me. Not to brag but to make my point, I have read the Bible from the Table of Contents to Maps several times.
COMMENTARY: Should AI be used with the Cherokee language?
Generative AI is changing the way languages are learned and taught. New tools promise instant translation, personalized practice, and automated lesson creation, while platforms such as Duolingo now offer instruction in Hawaiian and Navajo.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Kayleigh Wolfe is driven to succeed in MMA
For Kayleigh Wolfe, it is train, eat, sleep, wake-up, repeat. She is driven to succeed in the sport of MMA (mixed martial arts) and has a major fight coming up next month.
ON THE SIDELINES: Coach Briggs’ legacy of compassion and dedication will be felt for years to come
Kent Briggs, Coach Briggs to many of us, will be remembered as a man dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential. He led. He mentored. He inspired. He dreamed.
FOOTBALL: Braves new head coach working to build a program and consistency
On a cooler-than-usual late spring morning, the sounds of football could be heard from Ray Kinsland Stadium. The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) were going through warm-ups and position drills – gearing up for the 2026 campaign under a new head coach, T.C. Guyer.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: David Eugene Swayney
David Eugene Swayney, 77, of Cherokee, passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2026. He was the son of the late John Wesley Swayney and Nellie Mae Crowe.
OBITUARY: Mary Jane Craig Letts
Mary Jane Craig Letts, 89, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, N.C., after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Marcia Owle
Marcia Owle, 67, passed away unexpectedly following a tragic automobile accident. Her sudden passing leaves a deep sense of loss for her family, friends, church family, and all who knew her.
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
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).
Sculpture by Cherokee Nation citizen added to N.C. Arboretum’s collection
“Sacred Earth” by Cherokee Nation sculptor Karen Sixkiller features a larger-than-life water beetle perched on a large, faceted form and can now be seen along the walkways of the Stream Garden.
Culture in clay: Didanisisgi Gadagwatli (Mud Daubers) Pottery Exhibit opens
Beauty and incredible artistry were on display as this year’s Didanisisgi Gadagwatli (Mud Daubers) Pottery Exhibit opened at the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Friday, June 5.
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