NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
EBCI Chestnut Project Update: USDA reopening public comment period for GMO chestnut tree.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reopened the public comment period recently on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and plant pest risk assessment (PPRA) drafted in response to the petition seeking deregulation of the genetically modified chestnut tree known as Darling 54 (formerly known as Darling 58).
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 12, 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.
Graham County man sentenced to 19 years in prison on drug, DV charges
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced that a Graham County jury found Keith Mark Tipton guilty of four criminal charges, resulting in a minimum active sentence of 231 months, or 19.25 years in prison.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee youth promote the importance of understanding, practicing, and advocating for Cherokee culture
On Aug. 29-30, the Cherokee Youth Council sponsored a series of workshops for the school system and other tribal organizations, the community, and youth and young adults by Dr. Pearl Yellowman that covered topics such as epigenetics, activating ancestral knowledge, and how your environment impacts brain development.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park team wins national award for Seeking Paths in Nature education program
A team of Great Smoky Mountains National Park employees was recently awarded the 2023 Excellence in Education Award at a National Park Service awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Many of the agency’s top awards were presented at the 2023 National Service Awards ceremony.
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority Pharmacy earns two prestigious Indian Health Service Awards
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) has announced that its Pharmacy Department has been honored with two prestigious Indian Health Service (IHS) Director’s Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of both the Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacy Teams.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Do you know how to get to the casino?
Wayfinding. The word is self-explanatory. It is about finding your way to people, places, and things. In the tourism industry, it is communicating the path to your attraction, amenity, or accommodation. In the past, that was typically done with signage on or near the location of your desired destination.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Translate that
Christians worldwide read and rely exclusively on one translation of God’s Word, the revered KJV. That’s okay by me.
COMMENTARY: The ancient origins of banishment
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) utilizes banishment to maintain law and order on the Qualla Boundary. Individuals convicted of crimes ranging from drug trafficking to assault can and have been banished from the Qualla Boundary.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee athletes run well in meet held at Kituwah
The early morning fog was rising above the fields at Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, as hundreds of cross country runners took to the course on Saturday, Sept. 17.
FOOTBALL: East Gaston defeats Braves 13-7
PHOTOS by SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Staff East Gaston Warriors 13 Cherokee Braves 7 Friday, Sept. 16; Ray Kinsland Stadium PHOTO ALBUM: Cherokee vs East Gaston SCORING SUMMARY 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 7:20 - CHEROKEE: Chase Calhoun 1-yard run,...
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Terri Jo Beck
Terri Jo Beck, 57, of Cherokee, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
OBITUARY: Russell Tooni Jr.
Russell Tooni Jr., 73, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Cherokee, N.C., on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
OBITUARY: Ethelyn “Sis” Roberts
Ethelyn “Sis” Roberts, a cherished member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at the age of 104. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
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


















