NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Senate passes resolution recognizing National Native American Heritage Month
The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan Senate resolution on Wednesday, Nov. 19, led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), the vice chairman, recognizing November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month, honoring the enduring cultures, histories, and contributions of Native Americans to the United States.
Resolution seeks to halt constitution opinion referendum
During an Annual Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) session on Oct. 21, legislation was passed that approved a referendum regarding opinions on the future of the work being done on a constitution for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Mary Crowe, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Elawodi (Yellowhill), has now submitted a resolution asking that Dinilawigi rescind the legislation approving the referendum.
Ceremonial Grounds project about to start
The structures at the Ceremonial Grounds in Cherokee, N.C. were demolished several years ago, and the property has sat idle since. That is all about to change.
Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
SCC recognizes Ugvwiyuhi Hicks for Distinguished Alumni Award
Michell Hicks, Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been named the recipient of Southwestern Community College’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute to celebrate Alumni Week and announces International Conference Opportunity
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute (RKLI) is proud to share two exciting updates that reflect their continued commitment to culturally based leadership development for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Code Purple: A Community Response
Jeff Helpman, pastor of The Grove Church on Franklin Grove in Bryson City, heads a Code Purple warming center at his church with the help of his wife, Jodi Helpman, who is graduating this May from Western Carolina University’s Master of Social Work program.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Appointing your days
Psalms 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom.”
LETTER: Reflections on Memorial Day
I was privileged to attend our Memorial Day service on Monday, May 26. It was beautifully done and overwhelming in its significance.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: An old African Proverb
Many people decline to participate in the ministry because they feel they have nothing to offer. They are not speakers, teachers, leaders, or educators, and they do not think they are a vital part of the body of Christ.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WRESTLING: 1A State Championship held in Greensboro
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) concluded the 87th Annual Individual Wrestling State Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 18. Avery County won the 1A team title and Kage Williams, of Robbinsville, was named 1A Most Outstanding Wrestler. Below are the championship (first place matches) in each 1A weight class.
BASKETBALL: Lady Braves win SMC tournament title in barn-burner
Whitney Rogers, Cherokee sophomore, hit a free throw with 19.4 seconds left on the clock in overtime to seal the deal as the Lady Braves won the Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) tournament on Friday, Feb. 17. Cherokee defeated the Robbinsville Lady Black Knights 72-71 in a barn-burner at the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center at Andrews High School.
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:
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Linda Sue Arch
Linda Sue Arch, 68, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
OBITUARY: Cameron Onnahili Chickaway
Cameron Onnahili Chickaway, born to Isaiah Chickaway and Jolie Locust-Pheasant on June 8, 2025, passed away on June 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
OBITUARY: Rachel Morgan
Rachel Morgan, age 83, of Cherokee, passed away on Sunday afternoon, June 8, 2025, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, N.C., following a period of declining health.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Museum to host “Snow Moon”-themed Cherokee Heritage Day
Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian on Saturday, Dec. 9 for a day of fun activities celebrating the Cherokee month of Vsgiyi, known as the “Snow Moon.”
Park Invites the public to #OptOutside after Thanksgiving Day
Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites visitors to join a park ranger for a guided hike on Friday, Nov. 24 or a service opportunity on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Dec. 1-3
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
Cherokee Performing Arts to present “Braves on Broadway”
The Cherokee Performing Arts Program, formerly the Cherokee Musical Theatre, is presenting a night full of song, dance, acting, and more as “Braves on Broadway” will take the stage next month.
Concert Celebrating Manco Sneed and Cherokee Fiddle coming to Museum
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian will offer a free concert celebrating the fiddle tunes of Manco Sneed, an EBCI tribal member, at 2pm on Sunday, Oct. 7 in the Multipurpose Room of the Ken Blankenship Education wing.
“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.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm