NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Kituwah, LLC. provides community impact update at Reports to Council session
On the morning of Wednesday, May 6, Luke Swimmer, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and vice president of marketing and communications for Kituwah, LLC. provided a community impact update at the Reports to Council session for Dinilawigi (Tribal Council).
Sequoyah Fund receives $528K grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation
Sequoyah Fund has been awarded $528,190 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to support small business lending, small business support programming, and administrative expenses that strengthen Sequoyah Fund’s ability to serve entrepreneurs in Cherokee and the surrounding region.
Kananesgi Committee receives $40K grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Kananesgi Committee, supported by Sequoyah Fund, has been awarded $40,000 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to support the annual Kananesgi Art Market and Fashion Show.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Waleli Crow brings an artist’s eye to modeling
Waleli Crow is surrounded daily by art, and modeling offers her another artistic outlet. Crow, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. where she majors in dramatic writing with minors in film and television and graphic design.
“The web grows stronger”: The story behind Kananesgi
What began as a bold vision to bring Cherokee art to the world has become one of the region’s most celebrated showcases of Indigenous creativity. The Kananesgi events, including an art market, competition, and fashion show, were created to uplift artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and celebrate both tradition and innovation.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: I Miss Church, Part 3 of 3
Heb 10:24-25 “ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” NIV
COMMENTARY: A bittersweet time of life
I closed a chapter in my life this week (for a second time) – one that I had participated in for a couple of decades. I have always sought ways to serve my communities, including those in Haywood, Jackson, and the Qualla Boundary.
COMMENTARY: What should be the uses of the Kituwah pavilion?
What is proper use of the pavilion and Kituwah as a site? Where is the line drawn?
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Lady Braves bring home SMC Championship Trophy; JV Lady Braves Runners-Up
The varsity Cherokee Lady Braves volleyball team has made history once again.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
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.
OBITUARY: Brent Powers
Brent Powers, 44, of Whittier and the Snowbird Community passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 at his residence. He was the son of the late Joyce Gregory.
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
EBCI artist’s work selected for “Bead Your State” project
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is represented in a beadwork project covering all states and provinces of the United States and Canada.
Tribal member’s work featured in “Powerful Women” exhibit at Eiteljorg
A new exhibit at the world-renowned Eiteljorg Museum will feature the work of a Cherokee artist.
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle discusses her debut novel
I sat down with Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle a week before the official publication date of her new novel “Even As We Breathe”.
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