NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cherokee Preservation Foundation announces Fall Grants for 2024 totaling more than $2.1 million
In fall 2024, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation awarded 10 grants to partners within Western North Carolina. Grants totaled more than $2.1 million and were awarded to projects advancing the Foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and neighboring communities.
MMIW: IWMF One-Year Grant in Review
From January 2024 to January 2025, with help from a year-long grant awarded by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T), the Cherokee One Feather has worked to cover as many of the 35+ documented Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cases as possible with articles and graphics. With the grant year complete, we have compiled an overview of the coverage and developments.
Cherokee Nation withdraws from Tri-Council
One of the three legs of the tripod that is Tri-Council has decided to withdraw from participation. The Legislative Branch of the Cherokee Nation (Okla.) passed Res. No. 24-114 on Monday, Dec. 16 withdrawing their tribe from the Tri-Council which is an annual meeting of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (N.C.), the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (Okla.).
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Faith Long-Presley selected for prestigious SWAIA Native Fashion Week
Faith Long-Presley, an accomplished artist, designer, and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been selected as a designer for the highly-anticipated SWAIA Native Fashion Week in May.
WCU’s Project Discovery celebrates, reflects on 40th anniversary
Heath Robertson sat at the back of the bus on a college tour trip when he was asked about his future plans. Robertson’s answer? He didn’t have any.
Thompson and CIHA Physical Therapy Department named 2024 Dr. Frell Owl Award recipient
Jennifer Thompson, DPT, CLT, physical therapy manager at the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), and the CIHA Physical Therapy Department were named the winner of the 2024 Dr. Frell Owl Award.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY – Tribal Sovereignty: When exceptions jeopardize the rule
The way we count ourselves as Cherokee on the Qualla Boundary is a path to extinction.
COMMENTARY: Staying healthy during flu season
As we find ourselves in the heart of flu season, Cherokee Indian Hospital is seeing an increase in patients testing positive for respiratory illnesses, including the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). This surge serves as an important reminder to all of us to remain vigilant about protecting our health and the health of our community.
COMMENTARY: We should consider elections for more leading positions in the Tribe
We have struggled for several years in attempts to create a constitution “by the people for the people”. The most recent failed attempt was six years in the making.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves win team title, CHS runners place at SMC Championship
As a chilly, foggy morning air misted over Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, Austin Fourkiller-Raby came around the final corner leading the Smoky Mountain Conference middle school girls championship race on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12.
FOOTBALL: Braves top Mt. Zion in scorefest
For sports fans who like scoring, the place to be was Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Friday, Sept. 20. The Cherokee Braves (3-2) topped the Mt. Zion Might Warriors (2-3) by a score of 54-40.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee runners win at Keith Payne Memorial Invitational meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves team won the Keith Payne Memorial Invitational meet held at Kituwah on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21. Led by Austin Fourkiller-Raby, who won the middle school girls race with a time of 12:08.43, the CMS Lady Braves won with a score of 33 followed by Smoky Mountain at 59.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Janice Carol Dugan Smith “Squeek”
Janice Carol Dugan Smith “Squeek”, age 73, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
OBITUARY: Mary Jo Rogers
Mary Jo Rogers, 92, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, after a long illness. She went to her forever home to be with the Lord.
OBITUARY: Janice Gayle (Smith) Wilnoty
Janice Gayle (Smith) Wilnoty, age 53, of the Big Cove Community, passed away on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at Mission Hospital. She is the daughter of the late Vaughn Smith and Malinda Smith-Mahan
HAPPENINGS
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.
SCC to offer webinar, “Preparing your business for the threat of Coronavirus”
Is your business prepared for the Coronavirus? Southwestern Community College will be hosting a webinar on that topic from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
EBCI tribal member takes top honor at Trail of Tears Art Show
The longest-running Native American juried art show and competition in Oklahoma announced its top honors during a special reception on April 5 at the gallery in Cherokee Springs Plaza.
Oconaluftee Indian Village prepares to open for 2024 season
The Oconaluftee Indian Village will open on Tuesday, April 16, for their 2024 season, which will last until Nov. 2.
EBCI members present on mask making at Western Carolina University
On the evening of Thursday, April 11, two Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) members, Davy Arch and Driver Blythe, gave a presentation on the history of Cherokee mask making at the Mountain Heritage Center at Tali Tsisgwayahi (Two Sparrows Place) on the campus of Western Carolina University (WCU).
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