NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 2, 2025)
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.
Cherokee Court releases Administrative Order adopting guide for attorney’s fees in criminal cases
On June 16, the Cherokee Court of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBC) released an Administrative Order, effective July 1, for “Reimbursement of Attorney’s Fees For Appointed Counsel in Criminal Cases,” signed by Bradley Letts, Chief Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court; Monty Beck, Chief Judge of Cherokee Court; and Barbara Parker, Associate Judge of Cherokee Court
Cherokee Water ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎹ announces new distribution deal with no added cost
Thanks to a new distribution deal, Cherokee Water ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎹ will be available to thousands more people in the region. The water, a product of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), will now be distributed by Pepsi Co. along with a new marketing strategy entitled “Yes Cherokee Can”.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Endowment for Cherokee Hospital Foundation established at North Carolina Community Foundation
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the well-being of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) by strengthening the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority and the clinics that comprise it, has a new endowment at the North Carolina Community Foundation that will provide ongoing support for hospital employees.
WCU Cherokee Language Certificate Program is in action
Jack “Tsegi” Cooper, who is in the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Immersion program, and Cherokee fluent speaker Gilliam Jackson, are teaching the Western Carolina University (WCU) Cherokee Language Certificate Program.
The Center for Native Health names Kristina Hyatt as one of the newest program officers
The Center for Native Health (CNH) has announced Kristina Hyatt as the program officer for Maternal & Child Health programming.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: The best present is your presence
Make a point of visiting a rest home or nursing home during the holidays. I know that sounds like an admonition, but it isn’t entirely. It should be a reminder and an incentive for compassion during this season of giving.
COMMENTARY: Ethics, exception, and extenuating circumstances
I think it is important for our community to read and understand a dialogue that accompanied a vote in Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) regarding legislation submitted by the Office of Internal Audit and Ethics.
EDITORIAL: Brown University’s land donation to “Pokanoket Indian Tribe” highlights issues with unrecognized groups
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Brown University officially transferred 255 acres of its Mount Hope property to a preservation trust established by the Pokanoket Indian Tribe. That sounds great, right? Well, the issue is that, officially, there is no Pokanoket Indian Tribe.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: CHS, CMS runners rack up awards at Conference Meet
Runners took to the course at Kituwah on the beautiful fall morning of Saturday, Oct. 15 for the Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) Championship meet, and Cherokee High School (CHS) and Cherokee Middle School (CMS) brought home a lot of hardware.
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves, CHS Braves win at Robbinsville meet
The Cherokee Middle (CMS) and High School (CHS) cross country teams traveled to Robbinsville to participate in the Robbinsville Currahee Classic on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 5.
CROSS COUNTRY: Crowe, Swimmer win at Bulldog XC Meet
The Cherokee High School (CHS) and Middle School (CMS) cross country teams traveled to Murphy for the Bulldog XC Meet on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 24. Ogana Swimmer, CMS Braves, won the middle school boy’s race with a time of 11:52.22, and Livia Crowe, CMS Lady Braves, won the middle school girl’s race with a time of 13:28.49.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Tom Sequoyah Driver Jr. (June Bug)
Tom Sequoyah Driver Jr. (June Bug), 60, of the Big Y Community, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
OBITUARY: Gary Randall Toineeta
Gary Randall Toineeta, 63, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
OBITUARY: Faye Pheasant
Faye Pheasant, 61, of the Big Cove Community, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Heritage Day at Cherokee Museum set for Sept. 9
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is hosting a day of free fun activities celebrating Cherokee traditions on Saturday, Sept. 9.
26th Annual Great Island Festival planned at Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Tennessee’s only tribally-owned museum, will host the Great Island Festival on Sept. 9-10 from 10am – 5pm each day.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 8-10
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
New exhibition features works by Cherokee artisan John Julius Wilnoty
View carvings created by Cherokee artisan John Julius Wilnoty during the exhibition Solitude & Mystery which opened Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the Objects Gallery at Hickory Museum of Art
Lee Brice to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Country music star Lee Brice is scheduled to play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center on Friday, May 12 at 9pm.
YES to play at Harrah’s Cherokee
Pioneers of progressive rock YES have achieved worldwide success with a history spanning 45 years and 21 studio albums
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm


















