NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Firefighters respond to Fox Gap Fire in Twentymile Area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
On Wednesday (March 25) afternoon, Great Smoky Mountains National Park received a report of a wildfire in the Twentymile Area. Fire managers are currently working to estimate fire acreage. Additional firefighting resources have been ordered to support suppression efforts.
Firefighters continue to suppress the Rabbit Creek Fire in Park
Firefighters continue to suppress the Rabbit Creek Fire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fire is 47.5 acres and is 25 percent contained. Crews continue to establish and reinforce fire line around the perimeter.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI students co-chair powwow at UNC
Roxi Bark, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), valedictorian of Cherokee High School Class of 2024, and a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), co-chaired the annual Carolina Indian Circle Powwow at UNC on Saturday, March 7, in Woollen Gym, with co-chair and UNC sophomore Isabella Garcia, who is a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a descendant of the EBCI raised in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown). Garcia is a graduate of Swain Co. High School.
A passion for politics: Grayson Mathis’ extraordinary collection of political signatures
Grayson Mathis is a 13-year-old member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) attending North Carolina Cyber Academy. He has a passion for politics and history, and he has begun a massive project of collecting signatures from politicians, and some celebrities, amassing nearly a hundred in a little over a year.
Georgia’s Maxwell Guo wins gold in record-breaking World Series of Poker Main Event at Harrah’s Cherokee
The World Series of Poker (WSOP), the world’s most prestigious brand in poker, awarded $9.7 million during its most recent Circuit tour stop at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in western North Carolina, which ran Feb. 12-23. And the largest payday of all was secured by tournament rookie Maxwell Guo, took took down the Main Event for over $380,000.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Fireworks, Part 2 of 2
The people who glorify the skies with fireworks displays, through their service and talent, exemplify humility for us.
COMMENTARY: At what cost unity?
It doesn’t take a lot to create unity. Take a gullible group of people who want something and provide them with a person or organization that promises better outcomes and will fulfill that want, and you have yourself a unified group.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Fireworks, Part 1 of 2
Pastors, ministers, teachers, and musicians can get lost in their desire to serve the Lord and begin to serve themselves. Maybe you’ve met some. Perhaps you have fallen into Satan’s snare of pride. We are going to define how easy it is to happen and what is needed to escape the sin of hubris.
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: Kellie Ann Bridgeman
Kellie Ann Bridgeman, born on Sept. 7, 1976, in Haywood County, N.C., passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Kellie’s life was defined by her deep love for her family, friends, and the animals she cherished.
OBITUARY: Lola Owl Blankenship
Lola Owl Blankenship, age 65, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. She was born on June 5, 1960, in Toombs County, Ga., and spent most of her life in Cherokee, N.C., where she built a life centered on family, friendship, and laughter.
OBITUARY: Dr. Gwang Soo Han
Dr. Gwang Soo Han, a dedicated and leading physician, a tireless advocate for the community, and a devoted husband of 60 years, passed away peacefully on Jan. 16, 2026, at the age of 86 following a brief illness.
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
Tribal member writes first book in a series on Angelina the Adventure Cat
Maria E. Lyons, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians currently residing in Webster, N.C., has started a book series – the first of which is “Angelina the Adventure Cat and the Garden of Whiskerwinks”. The book is based on Angelina, a Maine Coon, who is a service cat alerting Lyons of upcoming migraines.
Tafoya receives prestigious art award
Rhiannon Skye Tafoya has been named one of 10 recipients of the LIFT – Early Career Support for Native Artist Award given by the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation (NACF). Tafoya, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians with Santa Clara Pueblo heritage, is a multi-medium visual artist who has a love of basketry.
Urgent, check out the upcoming Foreigner show at Harrah’s Cherokee
Next year, the legendary band Foreigner will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The group, 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees which has sold over 80 million records worldwide since forming in New York City in 1976, is set to play at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center in Cherokee, N.C. on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
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