NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Cherokee Preservation Foundation announces $3.3 million in 2025 Spring Grants
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation awarded 12 grants to partners in western North Carolina, totaling more than $3.3 million. The grants were awarded to projects advancing the Foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and neighboring communities.
Economic wellness discussed at the EBCI Town Hall Meeting
EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Taline Ugvwiyu (Vice Chief) Alan B. Ensley presided over a town hall meeting at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on the Cherokee Central Schools campus in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Tuesday, June 24.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 25, 2025)
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Qualla Boundary Public Library holds “Edutsi’s Garden” Book Release
On the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 16, Qualla Boundary Public Library held a book release for “Edutsi Uwisvnvi (Edutsi’s Garden)” by the late Cherokee fluent speaker JC Wachacha.
“Joy in chaos;” The giving heart of the Ice Cream Social
Jason Tremko, Army JROTC instructor at Cherokee Central Schools and owner of the Ice Cream Social, is using his food truck to provide relief efforts in Canton and Mitchell County following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.
Cherokee Paranormal Society: Spooks, haunts, and fun
Since 2017, the Cherokee Paranormal Society (CHPS) has been exploring the spookiest spots that us locals all know and love – or fear. Founders Sylvia Smoker, Kristy Maney Herron (Photographer/Videographer), and Tyra Maney (Moral Support), operate CHPS with good intentions, local knowledge, and lots of fun.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
EDITORIAL: Brown University’s land donation to “Pokanoket Indian Tribe” highlights issues with unrecognized groups
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Brown University officially transferred 255 acres of its Mount Hope property to a preservation trust established by the Pokanoket Indian Tribe. That sounds great, right? Well, the issue is that, officially, there is no Pokanoket Indian Tribe.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Take your pick
Consider Mary and Joseph’s story in the Bible. They intended to get married and live happily ever after. Then God, through His messengers, changed their lives in ways they could not have imagined. God has a way of getting His way through changing our ways. Maybe you have a story like that.
COMMENTARY: We want your input. The community needs you.
While the tribal government recognizes the need for free speech and a free press, they sometimes balk at the release of information that, by all measurements, belongs to the members of our tribe.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WRESTLING: Women’s West Regional held
One Feather Staff Report HENDERSONVILLE – The NCHSAA Women’s West Regional meet was held at North Henderson High School on Thursday, Jan. 26. Swain County tied for third place in the team event behind a regional championship by Tasia Neadeau, a member of the...
WRESTLING: Smoky Mountain Conference championship held
The 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference wrestling championship was held at Robbinsville High School on Saturday, Jan. 11. Robbinsville took the team championship with 260.5 points followed by Swain Co. with 168.
RUNNING: Amaya Hicks signs to run at Western Carolina University
Amaya Hicks, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will continue her running career at the next level at Western Carolina University (WCU). The six-time NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association) state champion signed a letter of intent during a ceremony held at Swain Co. High School on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 19.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Janice Gayle (Smith) Wilnoty
Janice Gayle (Smith) Wilnoty, age 53, of the Big Cove Community, passed away on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at Mission Hospital. She is the daughter of the late Vaughn Smith and Malinda Smith-Mahan
OBITUARY: Bertha Mathews Pilkington
Bertha Mathews Pilkington, 82, of the Towstring Community, went home to be with the Lord Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Seab and Floy Lambert Mathews and wife of the late Buddy Pilkington.
OBITUARY: Agnes Irene Price Gerding
Agnes I. Gerding went peacefully to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at the age of 94.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Dec. 22-31
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.
Park to host Holiday Homecoming at Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a Holiday Homecoming at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Dec. 8-10
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
Kris Kristofferson & The Strangers to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Kris Kristofferson & The Strangers are set to play the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center on Friday, Nov. 9 at 9pm.
Cherokee sculptor to be featured at WCU Fine Art Museum
The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center has announced an exhibition entitled Joshua Adams: Facing Culture, running through Aug. 24. The exhibition brings together a selection of masks and carvings of the human face by Eastern Band Cherokee artist Joshua Adams, who expresses a deep reverence for his culture through his artwork.
BOOK REVIEW: “The Spirit Quest of Little Fox” shares cultural teachings
“The Spirit Quest of Little Fox” by Lynn M. Mayberry manages to weave both Cherokee cultural teachings as well personal teachings.
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