NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
CCS School Board holds July meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, July 20 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson at 5:05 p.m.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 20)
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.
Tribal member fights for access to possessory land
Scott Welch is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) from Tsisqwohi (Birdtown). He is the possessory holder of tribal land on Cooper’s Creek Road that borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Qualla Boundary in Swain County.
Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Qualla Carving Club celebrates one-year anniversary
The Qualla Carving Club is celebrating one year since its inception. Driver Blythe, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and a founder of the club, is excited to share what the club has accomplished so far, and what they anticipate for the future.
Cherokee Youth Council explores Cherokee History and Leadership in Chattanooga
17 members of the Cherokee Youth Council recently traveled to Chattanooga, Tenn. recently for an overnight trip that gave them the opportunity to learn more about Cherokee history and culture while also practicing leadership and independence.
Bryce Teesateskie has a passion for visual storytelling and cultural preservation
Bryce Teesateskie is an up-and-coming documentary filmmaker with a passion for visual storytelling and vision for cultural preservation. A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Tutiyi (Snowbird), he graduated summa cum laude (with a 4.0 GPA), from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta campus in spring 2026.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Condemned if you do. Condemned if you don’t.
I have watched some of the confirmation hearings, and there is a bit of a troubling trend starting to appear…again.
THE GOOD STUFF: Life is a series of moments that will never occur again
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to cover the Annual Eastern Band of Cherokee Pow Wow which is one of my favorite events to photograph every year. It is important for us to remember that life is a series of moments that will never occur again.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Take your pick. Part 2 of 2
My instructor was a master chef, an older man who retired from the Navy as a chef on battleships and aircraft carriers. He served seamen of all ranks and became the Officer Quarters master chef.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI wrestlers compete at State; Cherokee High School tallies two State placers
Pippa Welch (women’s 152, third place) and Levi Tramper (HWT, fourth place) from Cherokee High School, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), competed in the 2026 NCHSAA State Championship Tournament held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Greensboro Coliseum.
ON THE SIDELINES: A wrestler’s code for life
Wrestling is special. It’s ancient, it’s biblical, it’s unlike any other sport in the world, but it can help you be better in every other sport.
Shirley Reagan receives USA Judo National Referee certification
Shirley Reagan, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been doing Judo for years, and she recently hit a milestone in the sport she loves. She has received certification as a USA Judo National Referee and can officiate any national tournament in the United States.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Jerry “Jinx” Francis Parker
Jerry “Jinx” Francis Parker, 74, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026. Born in Cherokee, N.C., on Aug. 8, 1951, Jerry lived a big life – and lived it on his own terms. He graduated from Cherokee High School, and from there went on to build a life that took him to wild places and brought him into contact with more people than most of us could ever hope to meet.
OBITUARY: James Wayne Maney
James Wayne Maney, 84, of Whittier, N.C., went home to his Heavenly Father Thursday, July 16, 2026. Born in Tulsa, Okla. to the late Ted and Louise Martin Maney, he had resided in the local area since 1972.
Brenda Crisp Reed
Brenda Crisp Reed, 82 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away after an extended illness on Sunday, July 12, 2026 surrounded by family.
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
Blythe-Lewis continuing father’s work as Vision Maker Media celebrates 50 years
For the past 50 years, Native American filmmakers have had their visions seen and voices heard through an organization now known as Vision Maker Media.
EBCI members to star in production of “Where the Summit Meets the Stars”
Ashlie Blaske and Steve Wood are both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) starring in a production of “Where the Summit Meets the Stars,” written by Tlingit actor Frank Henry Kaash Katasse, presented by Sky Bear Media and directed by Nez Perce actor Josephine Keefe, at Harlequin Productions in Olympia, Wash.
Tribal member releases new titles in “Angelina the Adventure Cat” book series
Maria E. Lyons, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is expanding on a book series based on her beloved Maine Coon cat, Angelina.
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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