NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Oct. 28)
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.
EBCI Government Explained: Referendums
Law governing referendums held for voters of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) can be found in the Tribe’s election law in Cherokee Code Section 161-9. That section was established with the passage of Ord. No. 409 on Aug. 7, 2008.
Tabled ordinance would change candidacy requirements
The EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Board of Elections has submitted an ordinance that would remove a section from the tribe’s election law regarding requirements for filing for candidacy. Ord. No. 21 (2025) was deemed read and tabled during the Annual Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) session on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
EBCI selects its 2025 Remember the Removal ride candidates
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has selected six tribal members to join riders from the Cherokee Nation in June 2025 on the annual Remember the Removal Ride (RTR). The ride will retrace the northern route of the Trail of Tears.
WCU alumna records 100,000th person into craftsman database
Isabel Driver knows how important the work she does is. As an intern with the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University, Driver etched 224 craftspeople into the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts’ craftsman database.
Tribal member working at NASA
Miranda Thompson Meyer, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), works for one of the most well-known federal agencies there is – the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She is one of only 28 members of federally recognized tribes employed there.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: A Cherokee Valentine’s Day
My favorite fruit is ani (strawberry), partly because I enjoy them and I grew up with Strawberry Shortcake (the cartoon and the dessert), but mainly because of the Cherokee Legend of the First Strawberry that I first heard in kindergarten in Mrs. Sammi Saunooke’s class.
THE GOOD STUFF: Roger Smoker provides hope to language revitalization
Roger Smoker, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the chairman of the Cherokee Speakers Council, is determined to see the language thrive – not just survive.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Just missed him
The Jews, Muslims, Christians, and the rest of the world may know about Jesus, but this message is dedicated to showing who He is to me and you. JESUS IS LORD!
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
BASKETBALL: McMillan signs to play at East Central C.C.
Leilaya McMillan, a senior member of the Cherokee Lady Braves basketball team, will continue her basketball career at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss. She signed a letter of intent during an event held in the Charles George Memorial Arena on the morning of Wednesday, March 30.
Over 1,500 participate in Opening Day Fish Tournament in Cherokee
A total of 1,573 anglers registered for the Opening Day Fish Tournament held in Cherokee on March 26-27 according to EBCI Fisheries & Wildlife Management. A total of 271 tagged fish were released with 112 of those being turned in. In all, 96 anglers turned in tags for a total cash payout of $4,025.
TRACK & FIELD: Cherokee participates in Robbinsville meet
The Cherokee High School (CHS) track and field team traveled to Robbinsville High School on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23 to participate in a four-school meet along with Swain Co. and Hayesville. Following are results, per nc.milesplit, of all of CHS’s participants:
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Fred Bruner Lunsford
Fred Bruner Lunsford, born March 7, 1925, to the late Inez Rogers and Pearlie M. Lunsford; passed to his Heavenly Home on March 1, 2025 (six days before his 100th birthday). He joined his beloved wife of 70 years, Gladys Greene Lunsford, who died on Aug. 14, 2014.
OBITUARY: Mrs. Sara Mae Reagan Waldroop
It is with a heavy heart, we share the passing of Mrs. Sara Mae Reagan Waldroop, 87, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
OBITUARY: James Daniel Arch (Hooch)
James Daniel Arch (Hooch), 59, of the Painttown Community, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Marie Rose Arch of Cherokee and Butch Long of Cherokee.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Nation calendar of events for March
The Cherokee Nation is hosting several events in March, including the tribe’s annual Public School Appreciation Day and the start of community language classes. See all Cherokee Nation calendar items below.
Park announces Solar Eclipse Event
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced event plans for the Great American Total Eclipse occurring on Monday, Aug. 21.
Upcoming Pow Wows for March 3-5
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
Joey Allcorn to co-headline Cherokee Indian Fair
Joey Allcorn is scheduled to be one of the co-headline performers at this year’s Cherokee Indian Fair.
BOOK REVIEW: Conley’s novella paints vivid picture of Wil Usdi
Through fact and fiction, the late Robert J. Conley, a renouned writer and historian of Cherokee history, recounts the life of Will Holland Thomas in this brief novella.
EBCI artists win at Santa Fe Indian Market
Two EBCI tribal members landed first place prizes at the 2015 Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market held Aug. 22-23.
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