NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
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.
Catawba Nation becomes North Carolina’s ninth state-recognized tribe
The Catawba Nation, a federally recognized tribe based in Rock Hill, S.C., has become the ninth state-recognized tribe in the State of North Carolina. The approval came from the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs on Friday, June 5.
This week in Native News
This week in Native News
2026 4th of July Powwow
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
“Kituwah is our home”: 30th Annual Kituwah Celebration held
Thirty years ago, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) purchased Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee – marking the return of the sacred site to the Tribe. The 30th Annual Kituwah Celebration, held in recognition of that important event in EBCI history, was held at the site on Saturday, June 6.
Swimmer named One Feather Student of the Year
Brooklyn Brown, Cherokee One Feather Editorial Board chairperson, presented the 2026 Cherokee One Feather Student of the Year Award to Dvdaya Swimmer during the Reports to Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) session on the morning of Wednesday, June 3, at the Cherokee Council House in Cherokee, N.C.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
Ask a Therapist: The Psychology of Pet Loss
There is a kind of grief that people often underestimate until they experience it themselves: losing a pet.
COMMENTARY: The answer to One Feather’s question is standing right in front of us
Our brothers and sisters at the Cherokee One Feather asked a question worth sitting with: what could unify the Cherokee people?
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Small Beginnings, Part 1 of 2
In my first book, I wrote a message about an old African proverb concerning a mosquito.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
WRESTLING: Cherokee H.S. competes at regional meets; two wrestlers qualify for state
The Cherokee High School (CHS) men’s and women’s wrestling teams competed in two separate regional events this past week, and two CHS wrestlers have qualified for the upcoming state meet scheduled for Feb. 19-21 at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Sara Jane Lambert
Sara Jane Lambert, 85, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away and went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, after a brief hospital stay at Cherokee Indian Hospital.
OBITUARY: Kaytlin Elizabeth Jones
Kaytlin Elizabeth Jones, 23, of Bryson City, N.C., went home to be with the Lord Sunday, June 14, 2026. A native of Swain County and enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, she was the daughter of Yancey and Amanda Dyer Jones of Bryson City.
OBITUARY: Nannie “Nan” Thompson Brown
Nannie “Nan” Thompson Brown, 86, of Graham County and the Snowbird Community, N.C., was reunited with her loving husband and welcomed into her heavenly home on Monday, June 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of her 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
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.
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 member selected as Red Earth Artist
Margaret Littlejohn Wakefield, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been selected as an Official Red Earth Festival Artist for the 2026 event. She will display her paintings at the Festival set for Aug. 1-2 at the OKC Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oka.
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