NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Natural wonder: Ribbon-cutting held for Soco Falls Trailhead improvements project
Adjacent to one of the most beautiful vistas in the Great Smoky Mountains, Bessie Queen French, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) cut a ribbon to officially complete the Soco Falls Trailhead Improvement Project.
Climbingbear found not guilty on all charges
Travis Climbingbear, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), was found not guilty on all seven charges by a jury of his peers in Cherokee Tribal Court on the afternoon of July 22 with Chief Judge Monty Beck presiding.
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (July 22)
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.
2026 4th of July Powwow
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Tribal Cannery hard at work for a healthier community
On a drizzly afternoon in Aniwodihi (Painttown), two women are hard at work preserving food for the Cherokee community. The Tribal Cannery of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), which serves everyone, is located in the new Tribal Foods Distribution building at 2260 Old Mission Road in Cherokee, N.C.
Culture and language revitalization from Cherokee to Ecuador
Two members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and alumni of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), Colby Taylor and Juanita Paz-Chalacha, recently returned from a cultural exchange trip in Ecuador along with Kituwah Preservation Education Program Education Curriculum Developer Hartwell Francis.
74 years of “Unto These Hills”
The “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama is celebrating 74 years.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: A year of caring
Several times a year, we are enlisted, or solicited, to do volunteer work for our community. Community work is noble work indeed and should be done. But the way many of us do it and what we call volunteering is not noble at all.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The devil made me do it. (Part 1 of 2
The title is far from being original. Flip Wilson, a well-known comedian, made the phrase a tag title for jokes and commentaries and probably about a zillion sermons and devotions back in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
COMMENTARY: Don’t shorten the primary process
I think allowing the primary period to be shortened further distances the community from the process of electing tribal officials and discourages qualified but lesser-known candidates from attempting to seek office. Similarly, the Election Board is asking for the filing period to be reduced to five days.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
FOOTBALL: Braves drop season-opener at Smoky Mtn.
On an absolutely beautiful night for football, complete with an amazing sunset, Cherokee got its 2021 campaign started with a visit to Smoky Mountain. The Mustangs (1-0), behind a three touchdown night for Isaiah McNeely, took the win 41-13 over the Braves (0-1).
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee opens season at Swain-hosted meet at Kituwah
The Cherokee High School and Middle School cross country season got underway on the overcast morning of Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Kituwah site. A total of nine high school teams and seven middle school teams competed in the event hosted by Swain County High School athletics.
ON THE SIDELINES: Field of Dreams game comes at a great time
I’ve written many times about the ability of sports to provide nice distractions from a stressful world. Major League Baseball came up with one of the best ones I’ve ever seen.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Frances Fannie Cucumber
Frances Fannie Cucumber, 90, passed away at Tsali Care Center on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, after an extended illness. She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee, and the daughter of the late James Cucumber and Elizabeth (Reed) Cucumber.
OBITUARY: Magan Leigh Wachacha
Magan Leigh Wachacha, 45, of Cherokee, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Mission Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born on Feb. 10, 1979, in Andrews, to Berdina Wolfe Salazar and the late Herman Wachacha. Megan was an avid basket maker where she displayed her work in many craft shops around Cherokee and the Snowbird communities.
OBITUARY: Benjamin “Benji” Scott Martinez
Benjamin “Benji” Scott Martinez, age 48, of the Birdtown Community, Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, Nov. 13, 2024.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for July 14-17
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 July 7-10
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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for July 1-3
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
Award-winning bluegrass group to play Cherokee
It’s chilly outside, but an award-winning bluegrass group is coming to Cherokee and should get your feet stomping and your hands clapping.
WCU traditional music series continues with concert by Deitz Family
The 2014-15 First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Concert and Jam Series at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center will continue Thursday, Dec. 4, with a concert featuring the Deitz Family.
Styx to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Classic rock icons STYX returns to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on Friday, March 13 at 9pm.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm















