NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cherokee Historical Association awarded $520,000 Grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) has announced it has been awarded $520,000 in grant funding from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. This investment will support vital enhancements and CHA’s historic venues – Mountainside Theatre and Oconaluftee Indian Village.
Interior enters into Nation’s first-ever Tribal Energy Agreement
The Department of the Interior approved the nation’s first-ever tribal energy resource agreement, increasing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s sovereign authority to manage and develop energy resources on its lands while reducing federal bureaucracy.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (May 12)
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
THE GOOD STUFF: Janell Rattler always puts Cherokee elders first
If elders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are involved, Janell Rattler will not be far behind – assisting wherever and however she can. She is the Senior Games coordinator in the Cherokee Recreation Program and has made it her life’s work to make sure that Cherokee elders have the opportunity to be active and healthy.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Christmas Story
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s (Mary’s cousin) pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
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.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
SOFTBALL: Zoie Shuler signs on with UT
Zoie Shuler, a senior at Robbinsville High School and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, signed on to play softball for the University of Tennessee (UT) on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the Robbinsville High School gymnasium.
CROSS COUNTRY: Swimmer repeats as 1A West Regional champion; five CHS runners qualify for state
On the foggy morning of Saturday, Oct. 28, Dvdaya Swimmer, Cherokee High School (CHS) sophomore, repeated as 1A West Regional girls cross country champion.
ON THE SIDELINES: Lady Braves’ season was one for the books
As the last ball hit the floor ending the Cherokee Lady Braves 2023 volleyball season at Polk Co. High School on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 28, I hope everyone in attendance was aware of the magnitude of what their season meant.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Eugenia Thompson Guess
Eugenia Thompson Guess, born July 21, 1966, went home peacefully after an extended illness surrounded by family on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. She loved the Lord, and he was her anchor through her days spent in the hospitals.
OBITUARY: Thomas Joseph “Tom” Haigler
Thomas Joseph “Tom” Haigler, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at home in Bryson City, N.C., with his daughter by his side.
OBITUARY: Leonard E. Lossiah (Butch)
Leonard E. Lossiah (Butch), 77, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 14-16
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 7-9
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Aug. 30 – Sept. 2
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
BOOK REVIEW: “Mysterious Tales of Western North Carolina” is a fun read about supernatural
My friends on social media have been using the phrase consistently lately. We are in the “month of Halloween.”
Season 6 of “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” debuts Oct. 1
The newest season of “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” debuts this week, showcasing the rich tradition and compelling modern advancements of the Cherokee people told through a documentary lens.
Children’s book honoring EBCI Beloved People available for free download
A new children’s book will allow kids to learn about the Beloved Men and Women of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm