NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) recognizes 150th anniversary of amendments to Lloyd Welch Constitution
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) has passed legislation recognizing the 150th anniversary of amendments being adopted for the Lloyd Welch Constitution.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Oct. 7)
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.
Marking a new chapter: EBCI holds Inauguration for Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) and School Board
Working together and unity were two of the themes as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) held an inauguration for the 2025-27 Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) and two members of the Cherokee School Board. The event was held at the Charles George Memorial Arena in Cherokee, N.C. on the morning of Monday, Oct. 6.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
“The past shaped us”: CHS Class of 2025 graduates most ever with 100
Cherokee High School (CHS) held the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24 at Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. The class had the most graduates in school history with 100 seniors graduating.
Cherokee Elementary students write and illustrate nature book
For the second school year in a row, fifth grade students at Cherokee Elementary School have written and published a book. This school year, students in Mrs. Shae Deck’s class produced “Important Cherokee Animals and Plants” dedicated to the “past, present, and future Cherokee people”.
Need More Outdoors gears up for another adventure-filled summer
Need More Outdoors (NMO) is a nonprofit organization offering youth outdoor adventures and environmental education in western North Carolina. Cherokee Choices collaborates with NMO during their youth summer camps, and Director Robin Callahan and Behavioral Change Specialist Yolanda Saunooke sit on the NMO board.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Be the light (Part 2 of 2)
Friends… Isn’t it great when you know you have a faithful friend?
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Be the Light, Part 1 of 2
Many people do not have the vision to see the power of God in themselves. They lack confidence in themselves, which is a lack of faith in God who lives within them.
THE GOOD STUFF: Talking Trees Trout Derby is a great catch for families
Every year, over a thousand children, with parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles in tow, fill the Oconaluftee Island Park on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee, N.C.) for the annual Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby sponsored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: Middle School Lady Braves remain unbeaten on season
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves took first place at the Bulldog XC Meet, hosted by Murphy High School, on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 23, and remained unbeaten on the season.
JV FOOTBALL: Braves defeat previously unbeaten Swain Co.
On a night dialed up for football, the Cherokee JV Braves (5-1) handed rival Swain Co. (5-1) its first loss of the season. The Braves took advantage of several Maroon Devil turnovers en route to a 26-14 victory at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the cool, crisp evening of Thursday, Sept. 21.
ON THE SIDELINES: Family support is crucial for youth sports
During a cross country meet, hosted by Swain Co. High School, at Kituwah on a recent misty morning, I witnessed something I see time and time again at sporting events – family support.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Hoyt Lunsford
Hoyt Lunsford, age 89, of Marble, left behind his physical body on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
OBITUARY: Lucy Taylor Bigmeat
Lucy Taylor Bigmeat, 94, of the Painttown Community in Cherokee, N.C., went home to Paradise on June 20, 2025, surrounded by her family members. Born to William Taylor and Cecelia Standingdeer, she lived there until she met the love of her life, Mark Welch Bigmeat, and they made their home in Flint, Michigan, until 1972 before returning to Cherokee.
OBITUARY: Robert Cooper
Robert Cooper, 86, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, at his home while working in his yard.
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
An abbreviated WCU Spring Literary Festival moves online
Western Carolina University’s annual Spring Literary Festival has gone electric.
Peone named SWAIA’s executive director, first Native woman in history to hold position
After a nationwide search, SWAIA’s (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts) Board of Directors has announced the selection of Kim Peone as its new executive director.
99th Santa Fe Indian Market postponed until 2021
The 99th Santa Fe Indian Market, originally scheduled for Aug. 15-16, will be postponed until 2021, and the Centennial Celebration will be moved to 2022.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm