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
One Feather wins 10 N.C. Press Association awards
The Cherokee One Feather won a total of 10 awards in the 2024 North Carolina Press Association Editorial and Advertising Awards announced on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 19 at the annual convention in Raleigh, N.C.
Endowment for Cherokee Hospital Foundation established at North Carolina Community Foundation
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the well-being of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) by strengthening the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority and the clinics that comprise it, has a new endowment at the North Carolina Community Foundation that will provide ongoing support for hospital employees.
WCU Cherokee Language Certificate Program is in action
Jack “Tsegi” Cooper, who is in the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Immersion program, and Cherokee fluent speaker Gilliam Jackson, are teaching the Western Carolina University (WCU) Cherokee Language Certificate Program.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
EDITORIAL: Brown University’s land donation to “Pokanoket Indian Tribe” highlights issues with unrecognized groups
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Brown University officially transferred 255 acres of its Mount Hope property to a preservation trust established by the Pokanoket Indian Tribe. That sounds great, right? Well, the issue is that, officially, there is no Pokanoket Indian Tribe.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Take your pick
Consider Mary and Joseph’s story in the Bible. They intended to get married and live happily ever after. Then God, through His messengers, changed their lives in ways they could not have imagined. God has a way of getting His way through changing our ways. Maybe you have a story like that.
COMMENTARY: We want your input. The community needs you.
While the tribal government recognizes the need for free speech and a free press, they sometimes balk at the release of information that, by all measurements, belongs to the members of our tribe.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
ON THE SIDELINES: Community shows support for Braves Kickoff Classic
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P. One Feather Staff Mist was rising off the greens at the Sequoyah National Golf Club when over 80 participants took to the course to raise funds for Cherokee football players on the morning of Friday, July 23. The annual Braves Kickoff...
Cherokee High School Athletic Awards for 2020-21
Student-athletes at Cherokee High School were honored during the school’s annual Athletic Awards event at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the evening of Thursday, July 15.
Gadusi Bike Community opens doors to mountain biking
The Gadusi Bike Community was founded by Jones-Bowman Fellow Levi West in 2019. Each Jones-Bowman LAP fellow must complete a leadership goal as well as a cultural goal and have $4000 to accomplish these goals. As a leadership goal, West had a desire to share his love of mountain biking with the community for good reason.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Mary Jo Rogers
Mary Jo Rogers, 92, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, after a long illness. She went to her forever home to be with the Lord.
OBITUARY: Janice Gayle (Smith) Wilnoty
Janice Gayle (Smith) Wilnoty, age 53, of the Big Cove Community, passed away on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at Mission Hospital. She is the daughter of the late Vaughn Smith and Malinda Smith-Mahan
OBITUARY: Bertha Mathews Pilkington
Bertha Mathews Pilkington, 82, of the Towstring Community, went home to be with the Lord Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Seab and Floy Lambert Mathews and wife of the late Buddy Pilkington.
HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Pow Wows for April 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.
Upcoming Pow Wows for March 25-27
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 18-20
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
Gregg Allman to play Harrah’s Cherokee
Gregg Allman, founding member of the Allman Brothers Band and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is heading to Cherokee.
WCU Wind Ensemble to present concert Oct. 28
The Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble will present its first concert of the fall semester at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the university’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.
Reel Big Fish, Ace Hood to present Homecoming concert at WCU
A concert featuring the ska-punk band Reel Big Fish and rapper Ace Hood will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center as part of festivities associated with WCU’s Homecoming weekend.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm