NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
CCS School Board holds April meetings
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, Apr. 7, and Monday, Apr. 20, in the Central Office Board Room. The Apr. 20 meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson at 5:33 p.m.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (April 21)
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.
Ribbon cutting held for newly refurbished and renamed Agelink Center
A vision was brought to life with the opening of the newly refurbished and renamed Cherokee Boys Club (CBC) Children Development John H. Gloyne Agelink Center in Cherokee, N.C. on Friday, April 17.
Qualla Open Air Indian Art Market
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute awarded grants from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI), a department of the Cherokee Boys Club, has announced that it has received two grant awards from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation (CPF) to support its culturally based leadership programs for youth and adults.
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: 2025
Looking back on this year’s newspaper, I am so proud of the amazing team that delivers Qualla Boundary news to you. While the headline might capture the focus of the week each week for our community, that is only the tip of what those editions brought to us in community news over the year.
COMMENTARY: Top men are on it
We, as a tribe, have been debating and searching for ways to communicate facts and truth to our people without sharing them with other people.
THE GOOD STUFF: Yona Wade serves, represents with style
Yona Wade is a true servant to his people and one who is dedicated to making sure the world knows of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
4 The Future Foundation practices with inaugural CHS club lacrosse team
On the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 8, Jeremy Thompson of the Thompson Brothers’ 4 The Future Foundation (4TFF) and Stacy Smith Ledford, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and executive director of 4TFF, stepped onto the field at Ray Kinsland Stadium for practice with the inaugural Cherokee High School (CHS) club lacrosse team.
TRACK & FIELD: Tribal member to throw shot for Mars Hill
The Mars Hill University track and field team is gearing up for its 2023-24 season and includes a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Antonio Lorenzo, an EBCI tribal member and a May graduate of Smoky Mountain High School, will throw the shot put for the Lions this season.
ON THE SIDELINES: Let’s establish the Will Poolaw Fan of the Year Award
The first On the Sidelines column I wrote many years ago was on the biggest Cherokee Braves fan I have ever met – Mr. Will Poolaw. Will is a staple at Cherokee sporting events, and his ever-present smile and can-do attitude bring life into the sidelines at every one of them.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Terri Lehua Harrison
Terri Lehua Harrison, 61, of Cherokee, N.C., completed her earthly mission early evening on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.
OBITUARY: Noahndria Larayne Walker
Noahndria Larayne Walker, 30, of Cherokee, passed away after an extended illness on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C.
OBITUARY: Edna Vera Saunooke Goshorn
Edna Vera Saunooke Goshorn, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Cherokee, N.C. She was born in Cherokee, N.C., on July 18, 1929, to the late Stacey Powell Saunooke and the late Anderson Saunooke.
HAPPENINGS
Aaron Lewis set to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Aaron Lewis has always had a strong connection with his fans, and today, he keeps the tradition alive revealing new music and touring.
Cherokee Nation artist featured in WCU art exhibit
The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center is holding an exhibition exploring Cherokee language and culture, entitled “Outspoken: Paintings by America Meredith”, now through May 3.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Nov. 9-11
Note: This list of pow wows was compiled by One Feather staff. The One Feather does not endorse any of these dances. It is simply a listing of ones occurring throughout the continent. Please call before traveling.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“Dracula” to sink his teeth into Mountainside Theatre
On Friday, Oct. 1, Mountainside Theatre will host the world premiere of “Dracula: The Failings of Men,” written by debut playwright Benedetto Robinson. The production is an original work by Havoc Movement Company that will be joining the Cherokee Historical Association for the fall season.
EBCI photographers featured in The 400 Years Project
The 400 Years Project is a new photography collective designed to showcase Native American life through the lens of Native photographers. Created in 2020 ahead of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival from England, this project seeks to create a groundbreaking pictorial collection of photography from the mid-1800’s to the present.
“A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art” exhibit set to open
“A Living Language: Cherokee Syllabary and Contemporary Art” features over 50 works of art in a variety of media by 30+ Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Cherokee Nation artists.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm