NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
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.
Modules set for new Kituwah, LLC. Office
On the morning of Tuesday, April 28, modules were set at the area across the road from McDonald’s in Cherokee, N.C. for the new office building for Kituwah, LLC.
EBCI Project Management project updates
Rebecca Bowe, manager of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Project Management department, provided the following project updates:
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
One Feather reporter attends Indigenous Media Conference
The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) held the 2025 Indigenous Media Conference (IMC) in Albuquerque, N.M. at the Isleta Pueblo Resort & Casino from Aug. 13-15
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
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.
THE GOOD STUFF: Wilbur Paul serves community with a dedicated spirit and a smile
Wilbur Paul is a staple at events in Cherokee and has worked for decades serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
TRACK & FIELD: Swimmer wins 800M state championship as SMC athletes rack up titles
Dvdaya Swimmer, a freshman member of the Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team, won the women’s 800M (2:19.71) at the NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association) 1A State Championship held at the N.C. A&T Irwin Belk Track in Greensboro, N.C. on Friday, May 19. She also took second place in the women’s 1600M with a time of 5:09.12.
SOCCER: Lady Braves make history with first playoff win
The Cherokee High School (CHS) women’s varsity soccer team (seeded #25) traveled to Queen’s Grant (seeded #8) for the first round of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs on Monday, May 15 and came away with an historic victory.
FOOTBALL: Otter signs to play at Mars Hill University
Xavier Otter, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), signed a letter of intent, during a ceremony at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the morning of Wednesday, May 10, to play football at Mars Hill University.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mystical Parker
Mystical Parker, 54, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away after a period of declining health on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, N.C.
OBITUARY: Patricia Goodson Ensley
Patricia Goodson Ensley, 69, of Cherokee, N.C., went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. A native of Haywood County and longtime resident of Cherokee N.C., she was the daughter of the late Charles Junior and Alice Irene Goodson. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Ricky Dean Goodson.
OBITUARY: Mary Lynn Johnson
Mary Lynn Johnson, 67, Whittier, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Cecil and Bernita Johnson.
HAPPENINGS
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park to host battle anniversary
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park will host the 204th Anniversary of the Battle of the Horseshoe on Saturday, March 24.
Upcoming Pow Wows for March 2-4
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Feb. 23-25
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
Joy Harjo named Nation’s 23rd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced on Wednesday, June 19 the appointment of Joy Harjo as the nation’s 23rd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2019-2020.
Los Moralitos Circus bringing a family tradition to Cherokee
To say that the circus is a family tradition for the Vazquez family would be an understatement.
Hill to receive Ucross Fellowship for Native American Visual Artists
The fall 2019 recipient of the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Visual Artists is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
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