NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Wilnoty convicted of decade-long child sex abuse
On July 31 in Cherokee Court, with Judge Barbara Parker presiding, Bernard David Wilnoty plead guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact, one count of aggravated sexual abuse, with one count of assault on a child and solicitation dismissed with the plea.
Lumbee recognition included in House-approved FY26 NDAA bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3838 (National Defense Authorization Act FY26) last week which included a tack-on of the Lumbee Fairness Act which would grant full federal acknowledgement to the state-recognized group known as the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
“What a blessing”: Kuwohi Celebration marks one-year anniversary of name restoration
The sun peeked through the moving clouds and fog covered the mountain peaks at Kuwohi (Mulberry Place) on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 for a special event. Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and friends gathered at the site to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the restoration of the name of the area to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
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.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park team wins national award for Seeking Paths in Nature education program
A team of Great Smoky Mountains National Park employees was recently awarded the 2023 Excellence in Education Award at a National Park Service awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Many of the agency’s top awards were presented at the 2023 National Service Awards ceremony.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Stop highlighting Cherokee objects
I’ve recently read an article titled “Carving a Path: The Future of Cherokee Art Collection” in my local paper about Driver Blythe’s journey into the world of art collection. While the article attempted to bring attention to a Cherokee centric view of art appreciation/appraisal, I believe it misses the point of art, specifically our Cherokee art.
COMMENTARY: Do you know how to get to the casino?
Wayfinding. The word is self-explanatory. It is about finding your way to people, places, and things. In the tourism industry, it is communicating the path to your attraction, amenity, or accommodation. In the past, that was typically done with signage on or near the location of your desired destination.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Translate that
Christians worldwide read and rely exclusively on one translation of God’s Word, the revered KJV. That’s okay by me.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee hosts multi-school meet
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Staff Cherokee Central Schools hosted a multi-school cross country meet for both middle school and high school runners on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 8. Cherokee’s teams all placed including: Middle School Braves,...
FOOTBALL: Braves blank North Georgia Falcons to improve to 2-1
The Cherokee Braves (2-1) dominated a home game at Ray Kinsland Stadium against the North Georgia Falcons (1-2) on the evening of Friday, Sept. 3. Cherokee had 313 yards of total offense and held the Falcons to only 26 which included -26 rushing due to quarterback sacks.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee runners successful at Murphy meet
The Cherokee Middle School and High School cross country teams left Cherokee before daybreak to travel to Murphy for a meet on the early morning of Saturday, Aug. 28.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Bernard Kenneth Biddle Jr.
Bernard Kenneth Biddle Jr., age 73, also known as “Kenny”, passed away at Vero Health and Rehab on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Lloyd Leslie Ledford
Lloyd Leslie Ledford, age 66, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
OBITUARY: Tom Queen Jr.
Tom Queen Jr., 63, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Florida surrounded by his loving family.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 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.
Park to host Women’s Work Festival
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual Women’s Work Festival at the Mountain Farm Museum on Saturday, June 18.
Upcoming Pow Wows for June 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
Caleb Johnson to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Caleb Johnson is scheduled to play at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Events Center on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30pm.
WCU radio re-creation group to present ‘Robin Hood – The Legacy’ on Feb. 26
The award-winning creative team from Western Carolina University that has done everything from destroying the world with a production of “War of the Worlds” to capturing the spirit of broadcasts from the Cotton Club with their “golden age of radio” re-creations has announced its selection for 2015.
BOOK REVIEW: Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States sets the record straight
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz has penned a work designed to set the record straight with her concise account of the major points of aboriginal history in relation to the U.S. in “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States.”
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