NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Lumbee Tribe added to official list of Federally Recognized Tribes
The Department of the Interior today (Friday, Jan. 30) affirmed its commitment to tribal sovereignty by adding the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to the official list of federally recognized tribes, formalizing the tribe’s government-to-government relationship with the United States and carrying out federal recognition enacted into law in December 2025.
Un-redacted Consent Agenda from January School Board
On Jan. 12, the Cherokee Centrals Schools Board of Education voted to un-redact names from their consent agenda after a two-week period, long enough for employees to provide a two-week notice to their previous employers.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Jan. 27)
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
Cherokee Elementary students write and illustrate nature book
For the second school year in a row, fifth grade students at Cherokee Elementary School have written and published a book. This school year, students in Mrs. Shae Deck’s class produced “Important Cherokee Animals and Plants” dedicated to the “past, present, and future Cherokee people”.
Need More Outdoors gears up for another adventure-filled summer
Need More Outdoors (NMO) is a nonprofit organization offering youth outdoor adventures and environmental education in western North Carolina. Cherokee Choices collaborates with NMO during their youth summer camps, and Director Robin Callahan and Behavioral Change Specialist Yolanda Saunooke sit on the NMO board.
CHA awarded $698K grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation for expansion and upgrades
Cherokee Historical Association (CHA) has announced the receipt of a grant totaling $698,000 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. This substantial funding will empower CHA to significantly expand its programming, finalize a comprehensive master plan, and implement crucial upgrades to its historic venues.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
Ugvwiyuhi Hicks and Ugvwiyuhi Hoskin Jr. respond to Ann Coulter’s tweet
Following are responses from Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Ugvwiyuhi Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation, to a tweet (right) from Ann Coulter.
COMMENTARY: Reservation Dogs (and Cats)
I routinely travel over Soco Mountain on my commute to and from work. It is a pretty drive during most times of the year, and it is a great time to reflect on and sometimes detoxify from what can be a frustrating, confusing, and thought-provoking workday.
THE GOOD STUFF: John Henry Gloyne shares culture through art and tattoos
The late Irish poet Oscar Wilde once said, “Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.” That sentiment describes John Henry Gloyne who is an incredible artist who always brings a powerful message.
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: Charles Ray Elders
Charles Ray Elders, 82, of Whittier, N.C., went to his heavenly home on Friday, June 20, 2025.
OBITUARY: Florence Addie Reed
Florence Addie Reed, also known as “Babe,” beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Born on May 6, 1965, Babe lived a life filled with love, kindness, and pride in her Native American heritage.
OBITUARY: Idalee Inez Huskey
Idalee Inez Huskey, a faithful servant of the Lord, cherished mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, and beloved pillar of the Cherokee, N.C. community, went home to be with the Lord on June 26, 2025. She was 88 years old.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Nov. 10-12
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 Nov. 3-5
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 Oct. 27-29
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