NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Brew Brothers joins expansion lineup at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has been in constant growth since breaking ground on its $275 million expansion project in October 2022. As the project nears completion, the property is excited to announce the addition of Brew Brothers, a renowned brewpub founded by the Carano family in 1995, to its roster of amenities.
EBCI Government Explained: Cherokee Police Commission
The Cherokee Police Commission’s duties and responsibilities are outlined in Chapter 120 of the Cherokee Code. Sec. 120-1 states, “The Cherokee Police Commission is hereby established as a law enforcement oversight component of the Tribe appointed according to C.C. Section 120-4.”
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 18, 2025)
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
WCU Fine Art Museum exhibition wins Bronze Award
Denise Drury Homewood, executive director of the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University, believed “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” exhibition was an award winner from the start.
Uktena Underground: Cherokee men in the 21st Century
Brothers Cory Junaluska and Kyzik Wachacha, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), have started a new podcast and clothing brand called Uktena Underground.
Those 3 NDN’s: Giggles and ghosts
Humor is one of the seven Cherokee core values. Friends Daltun “Falls a Lot” Watty, Justin “Running Snake” Lambert, and Gatlin “Squats to Pee” West have enveloped that core value fully with their YouTube channel, “Those 3 NDN’s”.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Take your pick
Consider Mary and Joseph’s story in the Bible. They intended to get married and live happily ever after. Then God, through His messengers, changed their lives in ways they could not have imagined. God has a way of getting His way through changing our ways. Maybe you have a story like that.
COMMENTARY: We want your input. The community needs you.
While the tribal government recognizes the need for free speech and a free press, they sometimes balk at the release of information that, by all measurements, belongs to the members of our tribe.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The Old, Old Story
“If the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in. If the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out.”-Charles Grandison Finney
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
For Cherokee mom and daughter, sports are a family affair
For Tara Saunooke Alexander and her daughter, Katie Alexander, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, sports are a family affair. Tara, a standout basketball player at AC Reynolds and Clemson University, was recently inducted into the WNC Athletic Hall of Fame. Katie just finished four stellar years playing volleyball at Asheville Christian and received a national award.
ON THE SIDELINES: Cooperation is needed to solve charter school situation
For years, schools in the 1A division of NCHSAA (N.C. High School Athletic Association) have had to play against non-traditional schools (charter schools, prep, etc.) who are able to garner players from all over, not just their geographic area like other schools.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK: Cherokee hosts first meet of season
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) track team hosted the first meet of the 2023 season on the afternoon of Monday, March 6.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Bernard Kenneth Biddle Jr.
Bernard Kenneth Biddle Jr., age 73, also known as “Kenny”, passed away at Vero Health and Rehab on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Lloyd Leslie Ledford
Lloyd Leslie Ledford, age 66, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
OBITUARY: Tom Queen Jr.
Tom Queen Jr., 63, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Florida surrounded by his loving family.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Days schedule – April 13-15
Following are the day-by-day schedules for the Cherokee Days event on April 13-15 at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.
Upcoming Pow Wows for April 20-22
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.
Youth Talent Contest to be held at Greening Up the Mountains
The Mountain Youth Talent Contest returns to the Main Street Stage on Saturday, April 28 at 9:30am.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Cherokee Performing Arts taking risks with “Into the Woods”
With several musicals under their belts, the students in the Cherokee Performing Arts program at Cherokee Central Schools are taking some risks with their latest production, “Into the Woods”.
Foerst admitted to prestigious WCU musical theater program
Brennen Foerst, a 2018 graduate of Cherokee High School, has been admitted to the prestigious Western Carolina University (WCU) musical theater program for the fall semester.
ZZ Top to play Harrah’s Cherokee
ZZ Top will play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center on Friday, Oct. 11. Tickets go on sale at ticketmaster.com on Friday, April 12.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm