NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Dinilawigi approves legislation giving green light to new Bingo operation
The old Cherokee Tribal Bingo closed in 2020 due to COVID-19, and it was never re-opened. A new Bingo operation is in the works, and Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) passed legislation during its regular session on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 that gives the green light for it to become reality.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) candidate questionnaire (Question #1)
The Cherokee One Feather issued four questions to candidates for Dinilawigi (Tribal Council). Over the next four weeks, candidate responses will be published.
Man from Cherokee among four indicted under Operation Take Back America
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced on Wednesday, Aug. 6 that a number of individuals are facing federal firearms and immigration charges under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crime, repel the invasion of illegal immigration and achieve total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).
Qualla Art Market
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WCU Board of Trustees elect Casey Cooper as its chair
Western Carolina University’s (WCU) Board of Trustees elected Casey Cooper as its chair during a special called meeting Wednesday, July 10, replacing former chair Kathy Greeley, who was recently appointed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
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.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Let’s all be positive and supportive like Mr. Taylor
It was a beautiful Tuesday (Sept. 10) morning as I was covering the Kuwohi Connection Days event at the top of Kuwohi (the mulberry place), but it wasn’t only the scenery that made it beautiful – it was the actions and attitude of a beautiful person
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The Devil made me do it (Part 2 of 2)
He’s right about Jesus never being addicted physically to addictive drugs or alcohol, but I know this: God created us, and He knows us much better than we do. Therefore, I NEVER EVER limit the power of our Holy God, creator of the universe! Never!
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.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: Student-athletes should be commended for handling of pandemic season
As this sports season, arguably one of the oddest in state history, winds down, we should turn to the remarkable ability of most of the student-athletes to just hunker down and do what they needed to do for the love of their sport.
WRESTLING: 1A West Regional held at Robbinsville; Taylor qualifies for state
Wrestlers from 24 schools throughout western North Carolina filled the gym at Robbinsville High School on the morning of Tuesday, June 15 as the school hosted the 1A West Regional tournament.
WRESTLING: Three Cherokee wrestlers take second at SMC championship
Three Cherokee High School varsity wrestlers made the finals at the 2021 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet held at Robbinsville High School on Thursday, June 10. Jaylynne Esqvuiel (113), Braden Taylor (160), and Ian Crowe (182) came in second place in the conference in their respective divisions.
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
WCU to hold spring commencement ceremonies May 6-7 for expected record class
Western Carolina University will hold a trio of commencement ceremonies over a two-day period – Friday and Saturday, May 6-7 – to recognize the academic achievements of what is expected to be the university’s fifth straight record spring graduating class.
Upcoming Pow Wows for April 29 – May 1
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 April 22-24
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
Civic Orchestra to perform Dec. 4 at WCU
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will give its fall semester performance Thursday, Dec. 4, at Western Carolina University.
Willie Nelson to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Willie Nelson is set to play Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 at 7:30pm.
Heart to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Heart is set to play Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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