NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (Sept. 8)
The One Feather provides 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.
Dinilawigi votes to table resolution to reinstate Qualla Enterprises, LLC. Board
On the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 2, Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) voted to table Res. No. 290 reinstating the Board of Managers of Qualla Enterprises, LLC, who were suspended via Res. No. 181.
Dinilawigi authorizes tribal programs to apply for six grants totaling $3.8 million
Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) has authorized several tribal programs of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to apply for a total of six grants that would benefit the EBCI community.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Cherokee values show us the way in Schon Duncan’s “Ahyoka”
Schon Duncan, a member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, reminds us of Cherokee values and the true meaning of community with their new short film “Ahyoka” (ᎠᏲᎧ), a portrait of Ahyoka Youngdeer. Through telling Ahyoka’s story, Duncan emphasizes the importance of inclusivity while also honoring a good friend.
Shea Vassar’s “Julie Takes A Walk” highlights the humor in everyday Native life
Shea Vassar, a Cherokee Nation citizen from Norman, Okla., is bringing a new perspective to comedy with “Julie Takes A Walk,” a short romantic comedy that she co-directed, wrote, and helped produce. This film displays the humor of everyday life and brings attention to modern Native life and queer Native people in small towns.
EBCI WIC Program recognized as a WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence PREMIERE Recipient
The EBCI Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a 2026 WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence: Premiere recipient, honoring the program’s outstanding efforts to support breastfeeding families across the community.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: News media need to have an impartial voice.
For many years, your One Feather staff has been providing documentation of events in our community, in surrounding communities, in the state, region, and nation.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Translate that, Part 1 of 2
Proverbs 3:13 says, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding”. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. Reading God’s Word every day begets all of the above. I pray you can say the same. As Paul admits in Philippians 3,
COMMENTARY: I still haven’t found what I am looking for – Wayfinding signage on the Boundary
There is a place where if you want to know what the speed limit is, you must stop and clean the kudzu off the signs.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
WRESTLING: Cherokee takes second place at Enka Duals Girls meet
The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) varsity wrestling team took second place in Pool B at the Enka Duals Girls meet in Candler, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi play in Coaches vs Cancer event for Natalie Grant
The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) played Daniel Boone High School (Tenn.) in the Coaches vs Cancer event held at TC Roberson High School on Saturday, Dec. 13. The team chose to play for (SUIT UP FOR) Natalie Grant. She recently battled cancer and beat it.
Indoor Track & Field: Cherokee participates in Polar Panther Invitational
Cherokee High School’s (CHS) indoor track team participated in the Polar Panther Invitational hosted by Franklin High School at the Macon Middle School Track in Franklin, N.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Darrell Wayne Pyle
It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Darrell Wayne Pyle, age 66.
OBITUARY: Henry M. Dover
Henry M. Dover, 77, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late David Miller and Lula Bell Murphy Dover.
OBITUARY: Zander Bull Moses Escobar-Oocumma
Zander Bull Moses Escobar-Oocumma, infant son of James Escobar and Makailah Oocumma, went home to be with the Lord Monday, Aug. 3, 2026.
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
Waleli Crow brings an artist’s eye to modeling
Waleli Crow is surrounded daily by art, and modeling offers her another artistic outlet. Crow, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. where she majors in dramatic writing with minors in film and television and graphic design.
“The web grows stronger”: The story behind Kananesgi
What began as a bold vision to bring Cherokee art to the world has become one of the region’s most celebrated showcases of Indigenous creativity. The Kananesgi events, including an art market, competition, and fashion show, were created to uplift artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and celebrate both tradition and innovation.
Woodcarving Club starts up in Tsisqwohi (Birdtown)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) member, carver and art collector Driver Blythe has started a biweekly woodcarving club at the Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) Community Building with renowned Cherokee carvers Davy Arch and Dewey Owle.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm