NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (May 5)
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.
“We all feel loss”: 7th Annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Walk held
Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) wore red to remember relatives taken too soon and bring awareness for those currently missing. The 7th Annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Walk, hosted by the Qualla Boundary MMIW (QBMMIW) Organization, was held at the Oconaluftee Island Park on the afternoon of Saturday, May 2.
Qualla Boundary Public Library awarded $88,800 from Cherokee Preservation Foundation to expand makerspace and workforce development programs
The Qualla Boundary Public Library has been awarded $88,800 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation to support the continued development of the library makerspace and workforce development initiatives serving the Qualla Boundary community.
2026 4th of July Powwow
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Domestic Violence Program invites community to join “Denim Day”
EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program invites the community to join in “Denim Day”, an annual day of recognition for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Participate by wearing your finest denim in support of victims on Wednesday, April 29.
Tribal member releases new titles in “Angelina the Adventure Cat” book series
Maria E. Lyons, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is expanding on a book series based on her beloved Maine Coon cat, Angelina.
Cherokee Growing Readers Initiative launches new book: “Brush, Book, Bed”
Kristina Hyatt, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the relational health program director for the Center for Native Health, recently authored a book for the Cherokee Growing Readers Initiative through Unite for Literacy.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Where arrogance and ignorance meet – the Crosswalks on the Boundary
It is only by God’s infinite grace that more people are not injured or killed crossing streets in Cherokee, particularly at the eight crosswalks that exist in the downtown area and the ones scattered throughout Acquoni Road and Tsali Blvd.
COMMENTARY: A lesson in transparency from a funeral home
Transparency is a byword in our society. We all seem to understand its importance, but we don’t seem to know what it is. And that is surprising.
THE GOOD STUFF: Dr. Hartwell Francis is positively dedicated to the Cherokee language
For more than two decades, Dr. Hartwell Francis has been dedicated to the preservation of the Cherokee language, and his dedication to the Cherokee people is immense. His smiles and positivity drive his energy in language preservation and learning.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Indoor Track & Field: Cherokee participates in Polar Panther Invitational
Cherokee High School’s (CHS) indoor track team participated in the Polar Panther Invitational hosted by Franklin High School at the Macon Middle School Track in Franklin, N.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Indoor Track & Field: Cherokee hosts meet
Cherokee High School (CHS) hosted a polar bear meet on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 9 with three other schools including Andrews, Rosman, and Swain Co.
RUNNING: Swimmer commits to D1 program for cross country, track and field
Dvdaya Swimmer, a member of the Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) cross country and track and field teams, is about to take her running career to the Aloha State.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: David Obidiah Swimmer
David Obidiah Swimmer, 51, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
OBITUARY: Martha Walkingstick Sampson
Martha Walkingstick Sampson, 66 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
OBITUARY: Michael Glenn Murphy
Michael Glenn Murphy, 64, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 9:06 a.m. at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, S.C., following a period of declining health.
HAPPENINGS
SCC to offer webinar, “Preparing your business for the threat of Coronavirus”
Is your business prepared for the Coronavirus? Southwestern Community College will be hosting a webinar on that topic from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
Upcoming events in Cherokee
Following is a listing of events scheduled for Cherokee in the next three months per the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds staff:
Upcoming Pow Wows for March 2020
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
A Butterfly’s Heart: Melah Perkins’ fashion show debut
Kimmemelah Chontay Perkins, or Melah, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Sioux, is a beadwork and quillwork artist making her debut as a designer in the Kananesgi Fashion Show coming up Nov. 8.
Waleli Crow brings an artist’s eye to modeling
Waleli Crow is surrounded daily by art, and modeling offers her another artistic outlet. Crow, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. where she majors in dramatic writing with minors in film and television and graphic design.
“The web grows stronger”: The story behind Kananesgi
What began as a bold vision to bring Cherokee art to the world has become one of the region’s most celebrated showcases of Indigenous creativity. The Kananesgi events, including an art market, competition, and fashion show, were created to uplift artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and celebrate both tradition and innovation.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm





















