NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Tribal Bingo Project back on after construction halt
The Tribal Bingo Project is back on following a halt in construction that lasted a few weeks due to a right-of-way and easement dispute.
Tribal Bingo Project on hold indefinitely
Less than two months after ground was broken on the new bingo operation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the project has been halted indefinitely.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (April 7)
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
“A sacred space”: Kuwohi Connection Day held to educate students
The low-hanging clouds, mostly blue skies, and brisk temperature made for a magical morning as area students attended Kuwohi Connection Day at Kuwohi (Mulberry Place) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 9.
WCU–CIHA partnership grows Cherokee’s next generation of healers
In the midst of ongoing staffing challenges across the healthcare industry, the innovative partnership between Western Carolina University (WCU) and the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is doing exactly what a great pipeline should do – it matches local talent with meaningful careers close to home, expands continuing education opportunities, and opens career-ladder pathways for enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COLUMN (Living the Arte Suave): Between a chair and a hard place
When pursuing healthy living habits people often find themselves between a rock and a hard place. Many of the prescriptions and suggested cures come with lengthy laundry lists of warnings and possible contradictions. Every pharmaceutical TV advertisement ends with a rushed litany of reported side effects. Sometimes the possible cures or prescriptives seem worse than the ailments!
COMMENTARY: Why are we having to ask “Show me the Money”?
Are we too stupid to know? A former tribal official stated in a leadership meeting that we would just be too confused by getting information on our projects and finances, so it is better to let the government handle it without community involvement.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Division, Part 2 of 2
When we see division, we should immediately become peacemakers.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
FOOTBALL: Braves quintuple offensive output of Rosman in big home win
The Cherokee Braves (3-1) had more than five times the offensive output of Rosman (487 yards to 97) as they went on to a big win in their Smoky Mountain Conference opener. Cherokee won 43-6 over the Tigers in the game played on the evening of Friday, Sept. 8 at Ray Kinsland Stadium.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Raymond Lee Farmer
Raymond Lee Farmer, 66, of Sylva, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Raymond was born on Sept. 26, 1959 to the late James W. Farmer and Mary H. Farmer.
OBITUARY: Robert Stanley Taylor
Robert Stanley Taylor, 64 of Cherokee passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Dolly Taylor of Cherokee.
OBITUARY: James “Bopper” Marvin Johnson
James “Bopper” Marvin Johnson, 68, of the Piney Grove Community, is walking on the other side.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 21-24
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.
Park to host Women’s Work event
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual Women’s Work Event at the Mountain Farm Museum on Saturday, June 16 from 10am – 4pm.
Trooper Shawn Blanton Remembrance Ride set for June 16
This year’s Trooper Shawn Blanton Remembrance Ride, a motorcycle ride to honor Trooper Blanton and remember his ultimate sacrifice made 10 years ago, is set for Saturday, June 16.
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


















