NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Hope, Strength, and Healing: EBCI acknowledges Purple Lotus Day
Hope, strength, and healing were the messages conveyed at the Purple Lotus Day event held at the Cherokee Welcome Center on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 22.
CCS School Board holds October meeting
The School Board of Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) met on Monday, Oct. 20 in the Central Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jennifer Thompson.
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) approves opinion referendum on constitution
Voters of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will be able to have their voices heard regarding the future of the Tribe’s effort towards a constitution in March 2026.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Family Safety named EBCI PHHS Program of the Year
On Friday, Sept. 19, against the backdrop of the Mother Town of the Cherokee, EBCI (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) Public Health & Human Services Division honored employees who embody excellence, service, and cultural values.
EBCI bestows title of Beloved Man to Rev. Fred Lunsford
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has bestowed the exalted title of Beloved Man to the late Rev. Fred Bruner Lunsford. Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) approved Res. No. 435 unanimously during a clean-up session on Tuesday, Sept. 30 which made the designation.
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority recognizes National Recovery Month by announcing ‘Recovery Friendly NC Workplace’ Certification
During a catered lunch from Nikki’s Frybread on Wednesday, Sept. 24 to celebrate staff at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) who are in recovery, Tara Reed-Cooper, associate director of Career Development announced CIHA completed the certification process to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace through Recovery Friendly NC, a statewide initiative that helps employers and community partners create supportive spaces for individuals in or seeking recovery.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Family appreciative of events in Cherokee
Our family comes to visit several times a year – mostly centered around events you plan.
COMMENTARY: When a man really cares
Jordan Oocumma came to Noquisi Initiative in 2024 wanting to rekindle a broad respect for Noquisiyi.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Discipline
God made us; He knows us better than we know ourselves. The wisdom of God far outweighs the fantasies of those who think you can raise a child to respect their parents and ultimately the authority of God without the knowledge of punishment and the results of one’s actions.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CROSS COUNTRY: CMS Lady Braves win team title, CHS runners place at SMC Championship
As a chilly, foggy morning air misted over Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, Austin Fourkiller-Raby came around the final corner leading the Smoky Mountain Conference middle school girls championship race on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12.
FOOTBALL: Braves top Mt. Zion in scorefest
For sports fans who like scoring, the place to be was Ray Kinsland Stadium in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening of Friday, Sept. 20. The Cherokee Braves (3-2) topped the Mt. Zion Might Warriors (2-3) by a score of 54-40.
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee runners win at Keith Payne Memorial Invitational meet
The Cherokee Middle School (CMS) Lady Braves team won the Keith Payne Memorial Invitational meet held at Kituwah on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21. Led by Austin Fourkiller-Raby, who won the middle school girls race with a time of 12:08.43, the CMS Lady Braves won with a score of 33 followed by Smoky Mountain at 59.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Thomas Keith Parker
Thomas Keith Parker, “Tom” as he was better known, age 81, of the Wolftown Community in Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, after an extended illness.
OBITUARY: Roger “Poncho” Ballard Jr.
Roger “Poncho” Ballard Jr., 67, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, after a long illness. Surrounded by love, he was joyfully reunited with his precious grandson, Kobe Gavin, whom he loved and missed with all his heart.
OBITUARY: Jeremiah Taylor
Jeremiah Taylor, age 63, of the Big Cove Community, Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, at his residence after a period of declining health.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Christmas Parade 2019 participant information
Cherokee Christmas Parade application form EBCI Waiver - Christmas Parade 2019 Form W-9
Upcoming Pow Wows for Nov. 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.
Park to host Star Gazing event at Purchase Knob
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a stargazing event on Friday, Nov. 15 at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center in North Carolina.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Cherokee Historical Association and the Center for Cultural Preservation to host Cherokee cultural event and film screening
Cherokee Historical Association has partnered with the Center for Cultural Preservation to screen “Nature’s Wisdom Thru Native Eyes”, by award winning documentary filmmaker David Weintraub.
CCS Student Art Show Award recipients
Cherokee Middle School (CMS) and Cherokee High School (CHS) held their Student Art Show on the Night of the Arts at Cherokee Central Schools on Thursday, May 9.
Cherokee Central Schools Musical Theater presents “The Addams Family”
The Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) Musical Theater performed “The Addams Family: School Edition” on the evenings of May 9-11. The play was packed with the classic Addams Family characters, spooky ancestors, and Cherokee humor.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm