NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Wilnoty convicted of decade-long child sex abuse
On July 31 in Cherokee Court, with Judge Barbara Parker presiding, Bernard David Wilnoty plead guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact, one count of aggravated sexual abuse, with one count of assault on a child and solicitation dismissed with the plea.
Lumbee recognition included in House-approved FY26 NDAA bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3838 (National Defense Authorization Act FY26) last week which included a tack-on of the Lumbee Fairness Act which would grant full federal acknowledgement to the state-recognized group known as the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
“What a blessing”: Kuwohi Celebration marks one-year anniversary of name restoration
The sun peeked through the moving clouds and fog covered the mountain peaks at Kuwohi (Mulberry Place) on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 for a special event. Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and friends gathered at the site to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the restoration of the name of the area to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee Growing Readers Unite for Literacy program begins book garden initiative
During Reports to Council on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 3, Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) Superintendent Consuela Girty, Center for Native Health (CNH) Relational Health Program Director and Growing Reader Associate Kristina Hyatt, and Hope Center Director Michele Galloway, presented the Cherokee Growing Readers initiative through Unite for Literacy, which will include book gardens and a community writer’s workshop.
Zachary Fischer wins $324,135 in WSOP Poker Tournament at Harrah’s Cherokee
The world’s most prestigious brand in poker, the World Series of Poker (WSOP), awarded more than $7.5 million across 18 trophy events at its most recent Circuit stop at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina.
Tribal member writes first book in a series on Angelina the Adventure Cat
Maria E. Lyons, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians currently residing in Webster, N.C., has started a book series – the first of which is “Angelina the Adventure Cat and the Garden of Whiskerwinks”. The book is based on Angelina, a Maine Coon, who is a service cat alerting Lyons of upcoming migraines.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Dinilawigi election is a deadly serious matter
The power of the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) goes well beyond any town, county, or state government. The authority given to the Dinilawigi by the Charter and Governing Document of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is far-reaching. Its power is not limited to legislating.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Change of address, Part 1 of 2
Men of the present age have two problems within our churches. Men often interpret the messages of meekness and humility as weakness, or they are already too weak to become effective church and family leaders. God inspires men to be men.
THE GOOD STUFF: The shadows are coming back
Nashoba Tushka jaunted into the end zone during a game at Ray Kinsland Memorial Stadium on Thursday evening. As I looked at the photo during a break and saw the silhouettes of people past the end zone – people covered in shadows, long shadows, I knew that autumn was on the way. The shadows are coming back.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Qualla Boundary Special Olympics team members place at Fall Tournament
Members of the Qualla Boundary Special Olympics team placed at the 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Fall Tournament held recently in Charlotte, N.C.
Cherokee Recreation Youth Wrestling Program will begin in March
Starting in March, Cherokee Recreation will launch a new youth wrestling program. Casey Reagan, from Smokey Mountain Judo, will be heading up the program with help from his family, including his sister, Erin Reagan Kirkland, from Cherokee Central Schools.
Lady Braves golfer Paytyn Barker makes history
Paytyn Barker, a senior at Cherokee High School (CHS), began playing golf in her sophomore year.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mary Arlene Walker Reagan “Arlene”
Mary Arlene Walker Reagan “Arlene”, 75, of Whittier, passed away on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Cherokee, N.C. She was born on April 22, 1950, in Stilwell, Okla., to the late Owen and Cornelia Proctor Walker. Arlene’s life was rooted in devotion to her family and the simple joys that brought her fulfillment.
OBITUARY: William “Pat” Calhoun
William “Pat” Calhoun, 77, of the Painttown Community, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Hewitt and Evelyn Hornbuckle Calhoun.
OBITUARY: Linda Kay Rose-Carter
Linda Kay Rose-Carter, age 81, of Cherokee, N.C., went to be with her heavenly Father on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.
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
WCU Fine Art Museum exhibition wins Bronze Award
Denise Drury Homewood, executive director of the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University, believed “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” exhibition was an award winner from the start.
“The Way We Connect with the World:” A Night for Indigenous Filmmaking
The Museum of the Cherokee People hosted their annual Indigenous film screening, “The Way We Connect with the World,” on the evening of Friday, Aug. 2 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
Cherokee Historical Association and the Center for Cultural Preservation to host Cherokee cultural event and film screening
Cherokee Historical Association has partnered with the Center for Cultural Preservation to screen “Nature’s Wisdom Thru Native Eyes”, by award winning documentary filmmaker David Weintraub.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm