NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Qualla Boundary Public Library successfully completes makerspace planning grant through Cherokee Preservation Foundation support
The Qualla Boundary Public Library has announced the successful completion of a $15,000 planning grant provided by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation in support of the development of a community-centered makerspace at the library.
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute awarded grants from Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) has announced it has been awarded a grant of $268,160 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to support administrative costs associated with managing and overseeing its culturally based leadership programs.
COMMENTARY: Is there a passion for a tribal constitution?
For decades, the tribe has given lip service to the idea of a constitution for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Members of the community have advocated. They have assembled. They have planned.
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
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Easy Peasy, Part 1 of 2
We live in a world where Satan has such a great hold on our society that we are forced to abide by the perversion of law and social acceptance of sin. How do we combat the constant influence of sin in our lives, education, media, and entertainment?
COMMENTARY: Don’t let the media become your Pied Piper
Conveying the news is a sacred trust. That is why, over the course of over a decade as editor of the Cherokee One Feather, I have focused my journalistic role to be one of gatekeeping.
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!
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Three-score second half lifts Mustangs over Braves
A big second half lifted the Smoky Mountain Mustangs (1-0) over Cherokee (0-1) in the season opener for the Braves at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the evening of Friday, Aug. 18.
JV FOOTBALL: Braves top Avery Co. on opening night
The Cherokee JV Braves (1-0) started their 2023 campaign out on a high note with a 26-8 victory over the visiting Avery Co. Vikings (0-1) at Ray Kinsland Stadium on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 17.
Last runner standing: Cherokee couple tackles ultra running race
For one Cherokee couple, challenging themselves in their running is not only a passion, it’s a way of life. Kallup McCoy II and Katelynn Ledford-McCoy, husband and wife and both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, competed recently in the Bob’s Big Timber Backyard Ultra Last Runner Standing event in Glenmont, Ohio.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mianna Louise Cucumber Luther
Mianna Louise Cucumber Luther, 80, of the Wolftown Community, Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at her residence after a brief illness.
OBITUARY: Melvin Anthony Driver
Melvin Anthony Driver, 27, of the Big Cove Community in Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., after a brief illness.
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.
HAPPENINGS
2nd Annual Joey Parker Memorial Ride
Just two short years ago, Joey Parker, an EBCI tribal member, left a multitude of friends in Cherokee and throughout the Southeast on his final journey.
Museum to offer Stamped Pottery Workshop
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will offer a two-day workshop on making stamped pottery on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21.
Upcoming Branch Out events scheduled in Park
Those interested in learning more about the country’s most visited national park are encouraged to join any of these programs set within Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REVIEW: Sleepy Hollow Experience is ‘immersive and entertaining’
By PHILENIA WALKINGSTICK ONE FEATHER STAFF When the leaves change color so does the atmosphere of the Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee. This year, the Cherokee Historical Association is working with director and producer Brian Clowdus to bring the Sleepy...
Spirit Animal looks to bring new flavor to Cherokee music scene
Spirit Animal, an indie-pop band from Brooklyn, New York will be playing in Cherokee on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center.
Brian Clowdus looks to bring a new Halloween tradition with Sleepy Hollow
The Sleepy Hollow Experience is coming to Cherokee starting this Thursday, Oct. 17.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm