NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
EBCI tribal legislative updates (Feb. 5)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Asst. Editor CHEROKEE, N.C. – The One Feather will now provide regular legislative updates on various pieces of legislation of the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). The focus will be on...
Sleight and Roland child abuse cases schedule update
In August 2024, Bevier Hasbrouck Sleight III, then 78, who was employed as Santa at Santa’s Land Fun Park & Zoo in Cherokee, was arrested by Cherokee Indian Police Department on 13 child abuse charges including two counts of aggravated sexual abuse; two counts of sexual abuse; two counts of abusive sexual contact; three counts of offensive touching; two counts of contributing to the delinquency, undiscipline, neglect, or abuse of minors; and two counts of child abuse in the first degree.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Feb. 3)
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.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
“Our objects are living”: Museum of the Cherokee Peoples’ Collections tell an important history
Evan Mathis puts on plastic gloves, opens an area, and begins examining several old Cherokee baskets. He is working diligently to not only protect the items contained in the Museum of the Cherokee Peoples’ Collections area; but, he is working to help others learn about these fascinating and culturally-important items.
SCC, TERO hosts tiny house project
In a continued partnership with the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) in Cherokee, Southwestern Community College has started a class that trains students how to build a tiny house.
Cherokee High School student advocates for mental health
Ava Walkingstick is a sophomore at Cherokee High School (CHS). After losing her best friend and cousin, Cynthia “Mouse” Saunooke, in November 2023, Walkingstick has turned her grief into advocacy.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
EDITORIAL: Eastern Band unity
Now more than any time in our history since the Removal, we need to be a people focused on purpose and committed to each other in action.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: A Close Call Part Four
A Close Call from Jesus. A solemn close call. Have you ever had a close call with Jesus to live? Are you listening?
COMMENTARY: Getting your affairs in order
We are all dying. One philosopher rightly said that from the moment you are born, really from the moment you are conceived, you begin to die. Each day is one day less in your life.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Braves lose season opener to Smoky Mountain
PHOTOS By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Staff Smoky Mtn. Mustangs 37 Cherokee Braves 0 Friday, Aug. 19; Ray Kinsland Stadium PHOTO ALBUM: Braves vs Smoky Mtn. SCORING SUMMARY 1st Quarter 3:20 – SMOKY MTN.: Jed West 53-yard pass to De’Mare Williams, Zeke...
JV FOOTBALL: Cherokee starts season with commanding win
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Staff (Reporter’s Note: Official statistics are not taken for junior varsity games. All times and yardages are compiled by One Feather staff to the best of our ability.) The Cherokee JV Braves started their 2022 season off with...
Record-breaking WSOP Circuit Event concludes at Harrah’s Cherokee
It was a record-breaking return to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort for the World Series of Poker’s (WSOP) 2022/23 Circuit season, its first of four stops, as a record-setting field of 1,558 entries were recorded through two starting flights and a $2,360,370 prize pool was generated.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Barbara J. Robie
Barbara J. Robie, 77, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 6, 2025. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Mary Queen Jackson.
OBITUARY: Ernest D. Panther
Ernest D. Panther better known as “Ernie”, age 90, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025 after an extended illness. He is the son of the late Sam Panther and Emmaline Sequoyah.
OBITUARY: Rex Allen Swayney
Rex Allen Swayney, 65, of Sylva, N.C., passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 24, 2025, at Vero Health and Rehab of Sylva, N.C., following an extended illness.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Heritage Center to host 16th Annual Cherokee Ancestry Conference
Discover your family history and Cherokee ancestry at the 16th Annual Cherokee Ancestry Conference hosted by the Cherokee (Nation) Heritage Center on June 9-10.
Upcoming Pow Wows for March 24-26
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 March 17-19
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
Chris Young to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Chris Young is scheduled to perform at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center on Saturday, May 7 at 7:30pm.
Gabriel Iglesias and Halestorm to perform at Harrah’s Cherokee
Halestorm is scheduled to play Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30pm, and Gabriel “The Fluffy Guy” Iglesias is set to perform on Friday, June 17 at 9pm.
Rascal Flats, Man in the Mirror to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Country group Rascal Flats and Man in the Mirror, a Tribute to the King of Pop, are set to play Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center this spring.
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