NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
EBCI Government Explained: Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) meetings
The Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is established in the EBCI Charter and Governing Document. Laws regarding its meetings can be found throughout the Charter and Governing Document as well as Cherokee Code.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) tables resolution regarding weighted vote
The weighted vote used by the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has been in place since 2001. Dinilawigi tabled a resolution during an Annual Council session on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 that seeks to evaluate the numbers based on a 2023 tribal census.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
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
COMMENTARY: Ethically speaking
We now have our slate of candidates for the general election of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Out of 24 who will be on the ballot in September for Dinilawigi (Tribal Council), 41.7 percent or 11 candidates are attempting to retain their seats.
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.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Smoky Mountain Youth Football results – Saturday, Aug. 26
Smoky Mountain Youth Football results – Saturday, Aug. 26
FOOTBALL: Braves dominate both sides of the ball at Cosby
The Cherokee Braves (1-1) dominated the stat line as they traveled to the Cosby (Tenn.) Eagles (1-1) on the incredibly warm, muggy evening of Friday, Aug. 25. Cherokee put up 302 yards of offense while holding the Eagles to 53 as they got their first win of the young season 47-6.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee competes in Hayesville High Meet
Following are results, per nc.milesplit, of a meet hosted by Hayesville High School in Hayesville, N.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
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.
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.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for July 19-22
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 July 4-8
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. 146th Annual Quapaw Pow Wow. July 4-7...
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 28 – July 4
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
Cherokee students to revisit “Lion King Jr.” in upcoming performances
Several years ago, Cherokee students took to the stage and presented “Lion King Jr.” which was the first musical production in the history of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS). Now, many of those same students – a lot of them now seniors at Cherokee High School, are revisiting the play for a set of upcoming performances.
Cherokee artist to show at Rotunda Gallery in Sylva
A showing of new works and a series of prints by Jenean Hornbuckle, a landscape painter, will open at the Rotunda Gallery in the Sylva Library on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a reception sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council and Sequoyah Fund.
“Sleepy Hollow” hits the mark for year one
“The Sleepy Hollow Experience” capped off a successful debut year in Cherokee on Sunday, Nov. 3 after running 24 shows.
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