NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Dinilawigi votes to suspend Qualla Enterprises board members, removes chairperson
On the afternoon of Thursday, April 2, the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) voted to suspend the members of the Qualla Enterprises, LLC. board and remove the chairperson.
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Hicks elected treasurer of the Indian Gaming Association
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks, of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was elected on Wednesday, April 1 as treasurer of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA).
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (March 31)
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
“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).
Cherokee Growing Readers Unite for Literacy program begins book garden initiative
During Reports to Council on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 3, Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) Superintendent Consuela Girty, Center for Native Health (CNH) Relational Health Program Director and Growing Reader Associate Kristina Hyatt, and Hope Center Director Michele Galloway, presented the Cherokee Growing Readers initiative through Unite for Literacy, which will include book gardens and a community writer’s workshop.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Division, Part 2 of 2
When we see division, we should immediately become peacemakers.
THE GOOD STUFF: Stuttering is ok and you’re allowed to take your time
You might be wondering why I’m writing one of my Good Stuff columns about a neurological disorder, and that’s a fair question. I’ve stuttered since early childhood, and it has been a lifetime of ups and downs regarding my speech.
COMMENTARY: Language Revitalization requires a winner’s mentality
There is a great urgency to our language revitalization efforts; we feel it every day. If we’re not careful, that urgency can feel like anxiety, dread, or even defeat. But urgency does not mean defeat; it means there’s an opportunity that we can seize.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
JV FOOTBALL: Braves win big at home over Andrews
The Cherokee JV Braves (3-1) had a big night as they won 46-14 over the visiting Andrews JV Wildcats (1-3) at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the late summer evening of Thursday, Sept. 7.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: James “Bopper” Marvin Johnson
James “Bopper” Marvin Johnson, 68, of the Piney Grove Community, is walking on the other side.
OBITUARY: Amber Joy McNeilly
Amber Joy McNeilly, 42, of Lenoir, N.C., passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
OBITUARY: Sheridan Everett “Sonny” Smith
Sheridan Everett “Sonny” Smith, 76 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
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
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.
WCU offering free virtual art experiences
Bardo Arts Center is excited to announce a new webpage dedicated to virtual opportunities, arts.wcu.edu/virtual. This page houses information regarding all the various online experiences and events being hosted by the WCU Bardo Arts Center and the Belcher...
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm