NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Sept. 16)
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.
“A caring space”: From Darkness Into Hope event held in Cherokee
The From Darkness Into Hope Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Event was held on the Oconaluftee Island Park in Cherokee, N.C. on the afternoon of Tsoine Iga (Wednesday), Duliisdi (Sept.) 10.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
A place of wellness and peace: Tohi Edasdi Recovery Community Center has successful first year
Just over a year ago, the Tohi Edasdi Recovery Community Center opened in Wayohi (Wolftown) and has hit the ground running providing services for the recovery community.
Making the right changes: Brian Marsh is trying to better Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort one step at a time
Brian Marsh has been in the gaming industry for 30 years, managing properties from Missouri to Tennessee and getting them on track to success. Now, he is the senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Unbelievable, Part 2 of 2
Recently, my wife and I took a brief vacation and drove to Kentucky to visit and tour The Ark Encounter and The Creation Museum. If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it.
COMMENTARY: Gag at a bear, swallow an elk; matters of faith and tradition
We hear a bunch about traditional values when it comes to, well, most everything. Many have different perspectives on what that means.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Unbelievable, Part 1 of 2
Not accepting God’s word as the truth and disobeying His commands were man’s original sins, which remain true today.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Three in a row: Lady Braves make history with third consecutive state basketball championship
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) are the 2025-2026 NCHSAA 2A State Champions. The Lady Braves dominated the state game, earning their third state title in a row with the largest winning margin in NCHSAA history for women’s basketball on the evening of Thursday, March 12 in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
EBCI wrestlers compete at State; Cherokee High School tallies two State placers
Pippa Welch (women’s 152, third place) and Levi Tramper (HWT, fourth place) from Cherokee High School, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), competed in the 2026 NCHSAA State Championship Tournament held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Greensboro Coliseum.
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Ruth Eldean Tooni Lossiah
Ruth Eldean Tooni Lossiah, 77, of the Big Cove Community, went home to be with the Lord after a short illness. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Geneva Cucumber Tooni.
OBITUARY: David Eugene Swayney
David Eugene Swayney, 77, of Cherokee, passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2026. He was the son of the late John Wesley Swayney and Nellie Mae Crowe.
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.
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
Tribal member releases new titles in “Angelina the Adventure Cat” book series
Maria E. Lyons, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is expanding on a book series based on her beloved Maine Coon cat, Angelina.
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.
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