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
“Unto These Hills” set to celebrate its diamond anniversary
“Unto These Hills”, the outdoor drama that tells the story of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is set to celebrate its diamond anniversary (75 years) this year.
Smokies Life selects Jim and Leslie Costa as 2025 Steve Kemp Writers in Residence
Smokies Life has announced Jim and Leslie Costa as the recipients of its 2025 Steve Kemp Writer’s Residency. During their residency, the North Carolina-based couple plans to continue work already underway to write and illustrate a forthcoming field guide to the Smokies insects to be published by Smokies Life.
CIHA names 2025 Hayes Award and Employee of the Year recipients
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) has announced the recipients of its highest employee honors for 2025: Jason Sain, winner of the Hayes Award for Quality and Safety, and Rhiannon Spicer, named Employee of the Year.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Things that make you go hmmm…
As we enter the last laps of the mid-term election process, it is a good idea sometimes to go grab a cup of coffee (or tea if that is your beverage of choice), get in a comfy, peaceful place, and ponder those things you hear or pick up during an average day on the Rez.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Better teachers (Part 1 of 2)
I hope to encourage church fellowship to follow God’s commission and commandments to make disciples who love one another.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: LGBTQ should have equal rights in EBCI
Nobody, not one LGBTQ person should be unable to get married on the Rez nor be unable to have their marriages recognized.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: Lady Braves continue winning ways at Swain-hosted meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves cross country team has won the team title at every meet they’ve competed in this season. They continued that streak at a meet hosted by Swain Co. High School at Kituwah on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 16.
JV FOOTBALL: Cherokee wins big on rainy Homecoming Night
Even with a lightning delay at the start and rain scattered throughout, the Cherokee JV Braves put on an offensive show for their Homecoming Night. Cherokee (4-1) topped Hayesville (1-3) by a score of 62-22 in a rainy game at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 14.
2023 Qualla Country Fish Tournament results
The Qualla Country Fish Tournament was held in Cherokee, N.C. on Aug. 26-27. A total of 72 anglers turned in tags winning money prizes including Billy Hunnicutt, of Clover, S.C., who turned in a green tag and won the grand prize of $5,000.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Nancy Chiltoskie
Nancy Chiltoskie, youngest daughter of Watty and Tennie Chiltoskie, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
OBITUARY: James Edwards Mills
Fisherman, husband, son, father, grandfather, friend, U.S. Public Health Service Captain, and founder of “Raven Fork Rods” James Edwards Mills, 84, of Whittier, N.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2025 after a brief and sharp bout with cancer.
OBITUARY: Hoyt Lunsford
Hoyt Lunsford, age 89, of Marble, left behind his physical body on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Aug. 24-26
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.
Inaugural Outdoor Economy Conference coming to WCU on Oct. 5
Western North Carolina’s flourishing outdoor industry will be the focus of a conference at Western Carolina University that will bring together area business owners, entrepreneurs, service providers and industry leadership to discuss topics such as product development, workforce development, marketing, financing and stewardship of natural resources.
Rooted in the Mountains Symposium to be held
The 9th Annual Rooted in the Mountains: Valuing Our Common Ground Symposium will be returning this fall at Western Carolina University. This year’s theme is “Heart Health – Women’s Health: Rooted in Culture”.
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