NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 25, 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.
Connecting to the ancestors: Remember the Removal riders finish their journey
The 2025 Remember the Removal riders finished their journey as they arrived in Tahlequah, Okla. for a homecoming celebration on Friday, June 20 where they each received a medal. Following a send-off event at Kituwah on Friday, May 30, the riders began their trip on Monday, June 2 in New Echota, Ga., the former capital of the Cherokee Nation.
Interior, USDA Forest Service expand mental health support for federal wildland firefighters and dispatchers
The Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service announced on Friday, June 20 that federal wildland firefighters and dispatchers now have access to expanded mental health support through a network of licensed providers.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
NAFOA announces Blankenship as new executive director
Following a rigorous search, NAFOA, founded as the Native American Finance Officers Association, has named Cory M. Blankenship, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as its new executive director. He will officially assume the role on Sept. 30.
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute holds Right Path completion ceremonies and inductions
The Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute held the completion ceremony on Aug. 22 for the Dinedi Eginelv (To Give What Was Given to Us), and the Anigiduwagi Iyunadvnedi (Kituwah Ways), Adult Leadership Programs at the Yellowhill Activity Center. Both programs are advanced levels of the Duyugodv’i Right Path Adult Leadership Program. The most advanced level is Dinedi Eginelv.
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The Old, Old Story
“If the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in. If the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out.”-Charles Grandison Finney
LETTER: Statement from EBCI demands apology from Senator Tillis for offensive remarks
Last week, Senator Thom Tillis launched an emotional tirade on the Senate floor, targeting hundreds of tribal leaders and respected Native organizations with baseless accusations.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Thankful that He thinks of us
I am inspired and awestruck when I try to imagine the grandeur of our God. When I am down or lonely, depressed, or confused, I think about how God is there to lean on anytime, all the time. God is good, and these verses are meant to remind us.
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: Faye Pheasant
Faye Pheasant, 61, of the Big Cove Community, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
OBITUARY: Francisco Esparza Jr.
Francisco Esparza Jr., age 50, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Mission Hospital after a brief illness.
OBITUARY: Amanda Lee Beck Bevis
Amanda Lee Beck Bevis, 82, of the Qualla Community, passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at her residence.
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