NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Oct. 6)
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.
This Week in Native News
This Week in Native News
Ugvwiyuhi Social: September
Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks maintains a Facebook page to share public information. This report recaps the postings on his page. These are excerpts. We encourage you to visit the Chief’s page for full content and context.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Tribe hosts Cherokee Archaeological Symposium
The 12th Annual Cherokee Archaeological Symposium was held on Nvgine iga (Thursday) Duliisdi (Sept.) 17 at the Harrahs’ Cherokee Casino Resort in the Event Center in Cherokee, N.C.
Pam Straughan joins SCC’s Board of Trustees
Continuing a rich tradition of representation from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), Pam Straughan, an EBCI tribal member of Cherokee, was sworn in as the newest member of Southwestern Community College’s Board of Trustees.
Connecting to a sacred place: Kuwohi Connection Days held
A misty fog hung over Kuwohi (Mulberry Place) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the morning of Taline Iga (Tuesday), Duliisdi (Sept.) 15 as area students attended Kuwohi Connection Day.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A close call – Part 2 of 8
Heavens Saints is a 35+ year motorcycle ministry founded by a former Hells Angel, Barry Mason.
COMMENTARY: Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right in 2026.
In 1972, a band called Stealers Wheel released a song written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan titled “Stuck in the Middle with You”. It was a parody song, but not nonsensical, and it meant more to many of us than Rafferty and Egan intended.
COMMENTARY: Watch out for insurance fraud’s red flags
Receiving a payout from an insurance company based on a lie is insurance fraud.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee High School Athletic Awards 2025-26
Cherokee High School Athletic Awards 2025-26
ON THE SIDELINES: Joscelyn Stamper breaking records, and she’s not done
Joscelyn Stamper has a calm, kind demeanor that probably surprises a lot of people when they find out just how competitive she is athletically
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.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Janice Faye Foltz (née Ander)
Janice Faye Foltz (née Ander), 80, of Bryson City, N.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1946, she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
OBITUARY: Diamond John Rattler
Diamond John Rattler, age 89, of Fayetteville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. He was born to the late Woodie Cornsilk Rattler and John West Rattler on Jan. 20, 1937. He served in the Marines during the Korean War.
OBITUARY: Sarah N. Toineeta
Sarah N. Toineeta, 45, of the Big Y Community, went to her Heavenly Home unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for Dec. 13-15
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.
Cherokee artist to show at Rotunda Gallery in Sylva
A showing of new works and a series of prints by Jenean Hornbuckle, a landscape painter, will open at the Rotunda Gallery in the Sylva Library on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a reception sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council and Sequoyah Fund.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Dec. 6-8
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
Lindley Wyatt brings her culture to the runway
Lindley Wyatt, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a junior at Western Carolina University (WCU) double majoring in Marketing and Management. Wyatt is also a fashion model signed with a Sante Fe Indigenous modeling agency.
Two Cherokee women receive NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award
Two Cherokee women have received the In These Mountains NC Folklife Apprenticeship Award to better delve into the ancient art of making honeysuckle baskets
“In Light and Shadow”: New book highlights Indigenous photography
Three years in the making, a new book highlights the history of Indigenous photography. Co-authored by Brian Adams and Sarah Stacke, “In Light and Shadow: A Photographic History from Indigenous America” takes the reader on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of photography by Native Americans.
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