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
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.
The Center for Native Health names Kristina Hyatt as one of the newest program officers
The Center for Native Health (CNH) has announced Kristina Hyatt as the program officer for Maternal & Child Health programming.
NAFOA announces Blankenship as new executive director
Following a rigorous search, NAFOA, founded as the Native American Finance Officers Association, has named Cory M. Blankenship, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as its new executive director. He will officially assume the role on Sept. 30.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: The Old, Old Story
“If the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in. If the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out.”-Charles Grandison Finney
LETTER: Statement from EBCI demands apology from Senator Tillis for offensive remarks
Last week, Senator Thom Tillis launched an emotional tirade on the Senate floor, targeting hundreds of tribal leaders and respected Native organizations with baseless accusations.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Thankful that He thinks of us
I am inspired and awestruck when I try to imagine the grandeur of our God. When I am down or lonely, depressed, or confused, I think about how God is there to lean on anytime, all the time. God is good, and these verses are meant to remind us.
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: 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.
OBITUARY: Agnes Irene Price Gerding
Agnes I. Gerding went peacefully to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at the age of 94.
HAPPENINGS
Cherokee Christmas Comic Con opens Thursday
On Thursday, Dec. 17, the doors will open on Cherokee’s first ever comic book convention. The inaugural Cherokee Christmas Comic Con, or C4, as fans are calling it, will kick off at two separate sites, The Cherokee Phoenix Theatres and the Acquoni Expo Center.
Upcoming Pow Wows
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 40th Annual Festival of Christmas Past Program
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the 40th annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 9:30am – 4pm at Sugarlands Visitor Center.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Davy Arch, others will share Cherokee heritage at Hayesville festival
Well-known storyteller and artist Davy Arch will tell Cherokee stories and will demonstrate flint knapping, carving, and mask making at the Cherokee Heritage Festival in Hayesville on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10am – 3pm.
Scotty McCreery to return to Harrah’s Cherokee
North Carolina native Scotty McCreery returns to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
MUSIC REVIEW: Birdtown Crossing hits mark on “Singing in the Sky”
Birdtown Crossing’s new release, entitled “Singing in the Sky”, hits the mark as a solid recording that will leave any listener only wanting more. The group, which is based in Cherokee, NC and has been traveling the pow wow circuit since 1998, sings songs in the Northern Plains style (well, mostly).
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Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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