NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cherokee Fire & Rescue Dept. commended for high state rating
Following a recent inspection by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, the Cherokee Fire & Rescue Dept. (CFD) has received a rating that ranks them in the top percentages in both the state and the nation.
Swain Co. man sentenced to 49 years in prison on various drug offenses
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced the successful prosecution of a Swain County man on drug trafficking charges on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Cherokee Supreme Court releases order reversing Election Board decision on Lambert candidacy for Birdtown Council
On the morning of July 10 in Cherokee Tribal Court, the Cherokee Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Cherokee Board of Elections to disqualify Patrick Henry Lambert from candidacy in the 2025 Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) election.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
2024 Kananesgi Art Show winners
The 2024 Kananesgi Art Show was held on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center.
Bob Blankenship ’60 Named NC State College of Education Alumnus of the Year
Tribal Leader. Army helicopter pilot. Trout farmer. Antique car collector. Museum president. Since graduating from the NC State College of Education, it sometimes feels as if there is little Bob Blankenship ’60 has not accomplished over the course of his life and career.
CCS Musical Theatre, Choir preparing for upcoming performances
Beautiful singing voices resonated through The Gathering Place on the campus of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6 as the One Feather caught up with some talented students and a familiar teacher.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Layaway plan
Small business stores and department stores still use layaway plans.
THE GOOD STUFF: Onita Bush, always happy and sharing knowledge
Starting this week, I’m going to start a weekly column where I’ll highlight a person, group, or program that embodies the spirit of “The Good Stuff”, and I’m starting with Onita Bush who is always happy, always smiling, and always sharing knowledge.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: EBCI needs a constitution
Thank you for your excellent commentary about the Cherokee Constitution in last week’s One Feather. I moved to Cherokee in 1978 and, shortly thereafter, became involved with the writing of a constitution while working at Legal Services
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
INDOOR TRACK: Smoky Mountain All-Conference list
The following athletes have been named All-Conference in their respective events in the Smoky Mountain Conference for the 2022-23 Indoor Track season:
INDOOR TRACK: Swain County women repeat as East Burke men claim their first team title
NCHSAA Release (One Feather staff contributed to this report) WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Swain County women made it back-to-back state Indoor titles with a convincing 83.5-61 victory over second place Cummings at the 1A/2A Indoor Track & Field State...
Blankenship to be inducted into NCADA Hall of Fame
A longtime educator at Swain County High School is being named to the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association (NCADA) Hall of Fame. Neil Blankenship, a first descendant of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is being inducted into Hall of Fame at the Hotel Ballast in Wilmington, N.C. on March 27.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Solomon David Owl “Sonny Boy”
Solomon David Owl “Sonny Boy”, 82, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Cherokee, N.C. on Sept. 3, 1942 to the late Quincy Adam Owl and Winne Mae Junaluskie Owl.
OBITUARY: Mary Jane Bigwitch Ferguson
Mary Jane Bigwitch Ferguson, 74, passed away Dec. 20, 2024 at Cherokee Indian Hospital surrounded by family and friends after an extended battle with Multiple Myeloma.
OBITUARY: Henrietta L. Sampson
Henrietta L. Sampson, also known by many as “Aunt Zette”, Beloved Cherokee Matriarch, passed away in her home in the presence of her loving daughters on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 at the age of 70.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Feb. 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 Jan. 26-28
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 Jan. 12-14
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
“We’re Still Here”: Cherokee Chamber Singers to perform with N.C. Symphony
In a remarkable collaboration, the Cherokee Chamber Singers will perform seven shows with the North Carolina Symphony in October and will bring a very important message with them.
Cherokee-inspired sculpture unveiled
The Cherokee language and syllabary were the inspiration for a new iron sculpture unveiled the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 21 on the campus of Western Carolina University.
Messages from the Drum: Tribal member launches web radio show
Beverly Bushyhead, MA, MPA, is combating the notion that Native Americans and First Nations people are extinct.
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