NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
STAFF REPORT: 5th Annual News Summit and Law Reporting Fellowship Launch
On Friday, March 27, I attended the 5th Annual North Carolina News and Information Summit at McKimmon Conference and Training Center at North Carolina State University (NC State) and met with my mentor and cohort for the 2026 Law and Justice Reporting Fellowship I received officially on March 18.
Letter outlines EBCI tribal member’s rights to gather in Nantahala, Pisgah National Forests
A letter sent to Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks from a U.S. Forest Service official outlines the rights that members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) have in traditional gathering in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest.
Firefighters continue to suppress the Rabbit Creek and Fox Gap Wildfire
Firefighters continue to actively suppress the Rabbit Creek and Fox Gap wildfires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
McMinn Living Heritage Museum updates Cherokee exhibit
In the quaint eastern Tennessee town of Athens is the McMinn Living Heritage Museum which tells the story of that area which includes a rich Cherokee history. That story has been updated recently with a new, fresh Cherokee exhibit.
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Roll 3rd 9wks. Grading Period
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Roll 3rd 9wks. Grading Period
Meet the Office of the Tribal Prosecutor
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Office of the Tribal Prosecutor is now fully staffed for the first time with a staff of five: Leo Phillips, lead tribal prosecutor; Randle Jones, senior tribal prosecutor; Hayden Duncan, tribal prosecutor; Amy Teesateskie, paralegal and victim/witness coordinator; and Hali Silvers, victim advocate. Teesateskie and Silvers are both enrolled members of the EBCI.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), Part 2 of 2
Our plans are not God’s plans. Even Jesus did not win every person He met to believe in Him. We do what we can to plant the seeds of obedience and faith and then pray for the Spirit to do the rest.
March report from Aniwodihi (Painttown) Rep. Michael Stamper
This is my Council Report for the month of March.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), Part 1 of 2
Truly, there is a fear among this generation called FOMO. Rightfully so. FOMO comes in the sinful form of those who delay accepting and living for Christ because they want to have fun and live the experience of a sinful life promoted by our media and the current morals of this country.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Indoor Track & Field: Swimmer sets record as Cherokee participates in Swain County Polar meet
Cherokee High School’s (CHS) indoor track team participated in the Swain County Polar meet held at the Swain Co. High School Track on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
WRESTLING: Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) win SMC Championship
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) won the women’s Smoky Mountain Conference Wrestling Championship on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 22 at Cherokee High School which hosted both the men’s and women’s championship.
BASKETBALL: Hicks signs with Pfeiffer University
Marlee Hicks, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and a senior on the Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) varsity basketball team, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Pfeiffer University next season.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Braydon Thomas George
Braydon Thomas George, age 10, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, after an extended illness at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C.
OBITUARY: David Edward Catolster
David Edward Catolster, 78, of Cherokee, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at his residence.
OBITUARY: Tommie Sue Lossiah, TM2
Tommie Sue Lossiah, TM2, 59, a retired Navy officer, died peacefully, Thursday March 19. 2026 at Memorial Mission Hospital.
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
Alea Martens will make modeling debut at Kananesgi
The Kananesgi Fashion Show will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Alea Martens, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will make her modeling debut. She will model clothes by Mrs. Freida Saylor, an EBCI tribal member and designer.
Behind the designs: Alex Lane returns to the Kananesgi Fashion Show
Alexandria Lane is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the manager of visitor services for the Museum of the Cherokee People. Lane made her debut as a designer in the 2024 Kananesgi Fashion Show, and she will be returning this year with a new collection.
A Butterfly’s Heart: Melah Perkins’ fashion show debut
Kimmemelah Chontay Perkins, or Melah, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Sioux, is a beadwork and quillwork artist making her debut as a designer in the Kananesgi Fashion Show coming up Nov. 8.
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Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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