NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Aug. 31)
The One Feather provides 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.
North Carolina State Elections Early Voting Details
The North Carolina State Board of Elections early voting begins Oct. 15 for the November general election. Election Day is Nov. 3.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
A Day in the Makerspace: Bernice Bottchenbaugh’s chemise class at Qualla Boundary Public Library
On Thursday, Aug. 6, Bernice Bottchenbaugh, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) from Kolanvyi (Big Cove), taught a chemise class at the Qualla Boundary Public Library.
Cherokee Water reveals exclusive can for Red Clay State Historic Park’s 2026 Cherokee Cultural Celebration
Cherokee Water has revealed its exclusive water can for the 2026 Cherokee Cultural Celebration at Red Clay State Historic Park in Cleveland, Tenn. The event will take place from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. Admission is $5 cash only.
First Floor Highway releases powerful new single, “Bring the Ruin”
First Floor Highway releases powerful new single, “Bring the Ruin”
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: News media need to have an impartial voice.
For many years, your One Feather staff has been providing documentation of events in our community, in surrounding communities, in the state, region, and nation.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Translate that, Part 1 of 2
Proverbs 3:13 says, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding”. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. Reading God’s Word every day begets all of the above. I pray you can say the same. As Paul admits in Philippians 3,
COMMENTARY: I still haven’t found what I am looking for – Wayfinding signage on the Boundary
There is a place where if you want to know what the speed limit is, you must stop and clean the kudzu off the signs.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: A wrestler’s code for life
Wrestling is special. It’s ancient, it’s biblical, it’s unlike any other sport in the world, but it can help you be better in every other sport.
Shirley Reagan receives USA Judo National Referee certification
Shirley Reagan, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been doing Judo for years, and she recently hit a milestone in the sport she loves. She has received certification as a USA Judo National Referee and can officiate any national tournament in the United States.
WRESTLING: Cherokee H.S. competes at regional meets; two wrestlers qualify for state
The Cherokee High School (CHS) men’s and women’s wrestling teams competed in two separate regional events this past week, and two CHS wrestlers have qualified for the upcoming state meet scheduled for Feb. 19-21 at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mary Jane Craig Letts
Mary Jane Craig Letts, 89, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, N.C., after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Marcia Owle
Marcia Owle, 67, passed away unexpectedly following a tragic automobile accident. Her sudden passing leaves a deep sense of loss for her family, friends, church family, and all who knew her.
OBITUARY: Merlina Joshua Sneed
Merlina Joshua Sneed passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Cherokee, N.C., surrounded by her family. She was born on April 5, 1954, in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, to Yens and Melisda Lepot, being the ninth of eleven children.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for February 2020
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 January 2020
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 annual Festival of Christmas Past program
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Indigenous Poetry Anthology seeking EBCI writers
Work is currently being solicited for a new contemporary Indigenous poetry anthology from the Wesleyan University Press, and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are being encouraged to submit their work for consideration.
EBCI tribal member selected as Red Earth Artist
Margaret Littlejohn Wakefield, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been selected as an Official Red Earth Festival Artist for the 2026 event. She will display her paintings at the Festival set for Aug. 1-2 at the OKC Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oka.
Lindley Wyatt brings her culture to the runway
Lindley Wyatt, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a junior at Western Carolina University (WCU) double majoring in Marketing and Management. Wyatt is also a fashion model signed with a Sante Fe Indigenous modeling agency.
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