NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Feb. 3)
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.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Lumbee Tribe added to official list of Federally Recognized Tribes
The Department of the Interior today (Friday, Jan. 30) affirmed its commitment to tribal sovereignty by adding the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to the official list of federally recognized tribes, formalizing the tribe’s government-to-government relationship with the United States and carrying out federal recognition enacted into law in December 2025.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Rolls 2025-26 (first and second nine weeks)
Cherokee Elementary School Honor Rolls 2025-26 (first and second nine weeks)
Cherokee High School 2nd quarter Honor Roll
Cherokee High School 2nd quarter Honor Roll
EBCI tribal member selected as Red Earth Artist
Margaret Littlejohn Wakefield, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been selected as an Official Red Earth Festival Artist for the 2026 event. She will display her paintings at the Festival set for Aug. 1-2 at the OKC Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oka.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Cats vs. Dogs, Part 1of 2
Bias is natural and becomes part of our thought process without our consent or realizing it even occurs.
COMMENTARY: Takin’ care of business and the elderly
You hear it all the time in our community. We love and appreciate our elders. And it shows.
THE GOOD STUFF: Elvia Walkingstick brings a fire to Cherokee language and culture
Elvia Walkingstick, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Elawodi (Yellowhill), is a passionate Cherokee language learner, community member, and artist. She approaches everything she does with a zeal and strength to make sure a Cherokee voice is included.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
RUNNING: Swimmer commits to D1 program for cross country, track and field
Dvdaya Swimmer, a member of the Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) cross country and track and field teams, is about to take her running career to the Aloha State.
Building from Legacy: Cherokee Wrestling begins again
Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi nole Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves and Cherokee Lady Braves) wrestling kicked off the 2025-26 season with the Maroon and Gold intrasquad scrimmage on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 6 in the Charles George Memorial Arena.
CROSS COUNTRY: Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) High School, Middle School teams win at Hayesville
The Cherokee High School (CHS) and Middle School (CMS) cross country teams participated in a meet, hosted by Hayesville High Schools, at the Clay County Rec. Center in Hayesville, N.C. on the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 27.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Byron Jase Locust
Byron Jase Locust, 26, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of James William Locust Jr. and Elisha Wildcatt Locust of Cherokee.
OBITUARY: Mary R. Smith
Mary R. Smith, 89, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, surrounded by her loving family.
OBITUARY: Josephine Yde Bradley (Jo)
Josephine Yde Bradley (Jo), beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 surrounded by her family at the age of 87.
HAPPENINGS
Most events at Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds cancelled for June
ONE FEATHER STAFF REPORT With the landscape constantly changing regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has cancelled or rescheduled most of the events at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds for the month of June. As of press...
Most events at Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds cancelled for May
With the landscape constantly changing regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has cancelled or rescheduled most of the events at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds for the month of May.
Folkmoot International Festival cancelled due to COVID-19
The 37th annual Folkmoot International Festival, scheduled for July 18-26, has been cancelled, due to uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“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.
Woodcarving Club starts up in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) member, carver and art collector Driver Blythe has started a biweekly woodcarving club at the Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Community Building with renowned Cherokee carvers Davy Arch and Dewey Owle.
Carly Pearce to headline 113th Cherokee Indian Fair
Carly Pearce to headline 113th Cherokee Indian Fair
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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