NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Hope, Strength, and Healing: EBCI acknowledges Purple Lotus Day
Hope, strength, and healing were the messages conveyed at the Purple Lotus Day event held at the Cherokee Welcome Center on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 22.
CCS School Board holds October meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, Oct. 20 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) approves opinion referendum on constitution
Voters of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will be able to have their voices heard regarding the future of the Tribe’s effort towards a constitution in March 2026.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
“We are still here”: Annual Kituwah Celebration held
A light, constant breeze blew through the area as Cherokee songs were sung, anetso (stickball) was played, and Cherokee people came together to celebrate at Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee.
LETTER: Yellowhill Baptist Church cemetery is at capacity
Greetings from the Yellowhill Baptist Church, we are writing you this letter to inform you all of a decision that was discussed and agreed upon by the Pastor and the members of the Yellowhill Baptist Church.
THE GOOD STUFF: Ava Walkingstick receives One Feather Student of the Year Award
An outstanding young Cherokee woman has been named the inaugural winner of the Cherokee One Feather Student of the Year Award. The award was presented to Ava Walkingstick, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a rising junior at Cherokee High School (CHS), during the Reports to Council session on the morning of Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Change of address, Part 1 of 2
Men of the present age have two problems within our churches. Men often interpret the messages of meekness and humility as weakness, or they are already too weak to become effective church and family leaders. God inspires men to be men.
THE GOOD STUFF: The shadows are coming back
Nashoba Tushka jaunted into the end zone during a game at Ray Kinsland Memorial Stadium on Thursday evening. As I looked at the photo during a break and saw the silhouettes of people past the end zone – people covered in shadows, long shadows, I knew that autumn was on the way. The shadows are coming back.
COMMENTARY: How a pronoun may impact tribal elections
When we started discussing the possibility of having debates among the candidates, one of our stated goals was to turn down the volume of the rhetoric and have the candidates’ voices heard. I think we have done a fair job of doing that over the past decade and a half of tribal elections.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
GOLF: CHS Lady Braves win SMC Championship for first time in school history; Paytyn Barker named Player of the Year
The Cherokee High School (CHS) Lady Braves Golf Team won the Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) Championship on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 12 at their home course, Sequoyah National Golf Club, for the first time in school history.
CHS, CMS runners earn Runner of the Year titles and SMC championships
On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 14, Cherokee High School’s (CHS) Cecily “Dvdaya” Swimmer won the Smoky Mountain Conference Championship (SMC) with a time of 19:09. With this win, she earned SMC Runner of the Year.
VOLLEYBALL: Lady Braves win conference for the first time in school history; CMS Lady Braves repeat
The varsity Lady Braves volleyball team crushed their goal of winning the Smoky Mountain Conference championship for the first time in school history on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 12 in the Charles George Memorial Arena. The Lady Braves defeated the Robbinsville Lady Knights in three sets for the championship title.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Leona Mae Bradley
Leona Mae Bradley, 96, of Whittier, N.C., passed away peacefully on Wednesday. July 16, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Leona was known for her warmth, strength, her unwavering love for her family, friends, and her wonderful cooking and gardening ability. She loved watching her birds and looking at her flowers.
OBITUARY: Brittnee Mariah Arch
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brittnee Mariah Arch, who left us on July 13, 2025, at the age of 31.
OBITUARY: Charles Asa James
Charles Asa James, 53, passed away July 3, 2025. He was born July 24, 1971 in Andrews, N.C. He is the son of the late Kenneth Wayne James Sr. of Marble, N.C., and Stella Louise Carver James of Bryson City, N.C.
HAPPENINGS
Landscapes by Jenean Hornbuckle to be exhibited in Virginia
Art on 16 Contemporary Gallery, in Marion, Va., is celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November by exhibiting the landscape paintings of Jenean Hornbuckle, an EBCI tribal member.
Native American Heritage Month to be celebrated at WCU with series of special events
November is Native American Heritage Month, and a series of events and activities is planned by Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center in celebration of the designation.
Museum will offer stamped pottery workshop
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will offer a two-day workshop on making stamped pottery on Thursday, Nov. 1. Tammy Beane, of Collinsville, Ala., will teach how to make traditional Cherokee stamped pottery.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tribal member publishes first in series of children’s books
Flip and Flop, two lovable twin rabbits, are the creations of Leslie Pearson and will be featured in a series of 10 children’s books.
Cherokee Heritage Center announces winners of the 49th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale
Winners of the 49th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale were announced Friday, July 10 during a virtual awards reception hosted on the Cherokee Heritage Center’s Facebook page.
Late Cherokee artist to be featured at Gilcrease Museum
The innovative artistry and work of the late Shan Goshorn will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Okla.
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