NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
“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.
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Growing Readers Unite for Literacy program begins book garden initiative
During Reports to Council on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 3, Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) Superintendent Consuela Girty, Center for Native Health (CNH) Relational Health Program Director and Growing Reader Associate Kristina Hyatt, and Hope Center Director Michele Galloway, presented the Cherokee Growing Readers initiative through Unite for Literacy, which will include book gardens and a community writer’s workshop.
Zachary Fischer wins $324,135 in WSOP Poker Tournament at Harrah’s Cherokee
The world’s most prestigious brand in poker, the World Series of Poker (WSOP), awarded more than $7.5 million across 18 trophy events at its most recent Circuit stop at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina.
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.
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
FISHING: Nearly 600 anglers compete in Memorial Day Tournament
A total of 583 anglers registered for the 2023 Memorial Day Fishing Tournament in Cherokee, N.C. over Memorial Day weekend. In all, 63 anglers turned in 104 tags for a total cash payout of $4,650.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Amber Joy McNeilly
Amber Joy McNeilly, 42, of Lenoir, N.C., passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
OBITUARY: Sheridan Everett “Sonny” Smith
Sheridan Everett “Sonny” Smith, 76 of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
OBITUARY: Carly Elizabeth Johnson
Carly Elizabeth Johnson, 50, passed away suddenly and tragically on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Asheville, N.C. Her unexpected departure has left a deep emptiness in the hearts of those who knew and loved her most.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Feb. 16-18
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.
Cherokee Heritage Day at Museum of the Cherokee Indian to celebrate Hungry Moon
Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian on Saturday, Feb. 10 for a day of fun cultural activities celebrating the Cherokee month of Kagali, known as the “Hungry Moon.”
Upcoming Pow Wows for Feb. 9-11
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
BOOK REVIEW: “Sovereign Entrepreneurs” sets the groundwork for Native entrepreneurs
“Sovereign Entrepreneurs, Cherokee Small-Business Owners and the Making of Economic Sovereignty”, written by Courtney Lewis, is a must read for anyone that has a business or is looking to start one on tribal property.
Fariello receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Author and curator Anna Fariello received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Folk Art Center during the annual meeting of the Southern Highland Craft Guild recently.
Cherokee Bluegrass Festival set for June 6-8
Adams Bluegrass, LLC, has announced that the Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will be held at Happy Holiday RV Village and Campground at 1553 Wolfetown Road in Cherokee.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm