NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Federal legislative updates of interest to EBCI citizens (June 2025)
Every few weeks, the One Feather will provide 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.
Remember the Removal Riders begin their journey
The 2025 Remember the Removal (RTR) riders received a send-off from Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, on the evening of Friday, May 30. Riders will embark on the journey from New Echota, Ga., former capital of the Cherokee Nation, on Monday, June 2 and will arrive in Tahlequah, Okla. on Saturday, June 21.
New pavilion opens officially at Kituwah
An American bald eagle was perched in a nearby tree checking out the festivities as members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) gathered at Kituwah, the Mother Town of the Cherokee, to open the new pavilion on site.
2026 4th of July Powwow
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ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
A Day in the Life: Cherokee Youth Center
Lucina Lira is a youth development professional for the Cherokee Youth Center, an afterschool and summer youth program. Lira, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), attended the Youth Center as a child, and she now enjoys providing a fun and educational space for new generations.
Longtime partner to GSMNP rebrands as ‘Smokies Life’
Great Smoky Mountains Association has announced that, as of Feb. 1, the organization will operate under a new name and brand identity: Smokies Life.
Cherokee musicians featured in new album with N.C. artists
Blue Ridge Music Trails released an album in November of 2023 titled, “Fine Tuned: Volume One” featuring artists from western North Carolina to highlight the musical traditions of the region. Keaw’e Bone and Jarrett Wildcatt, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), collaborated on a song on the album titled, “Three Demons.”
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Friends, isn’t it great when you know you have a faithful friend? Part 1 of 3
I remember a song I often sang in church as a kid. It was, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Does anyone remember that one? It seems so long ago. I believe that was a different time and attitude of the church and Christian devotion.
COMMENTARY: Revelations from Selu
In 2001, Jenean Hornbuckle, an Eastern Band of Cherokee artist, and I were hired to produce a statue of Selu. Selu was the Cherokee mother of corn. My first step into the project was to read the Selu story.
COMMENTARY: Showcasing Cherokee
Family tourism became of primary interest to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a source of income in the 1950’s.
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
CCS Athletics: “Why are we participating in athletics when we’re not attending school?”
One question that keeps circulating is “why are we participating in athletics when we’re not attending school?”
CROSS COUNTRY: Cherokee runners place at SMC middle school championship
Dvdaya Swimmer and Tyce Hogner both placed at the Smoky Mountain Conference middle school championship held at Kituwah on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 13.
CROSS COUNTRY: Esquivel takes second as Smoky Mountain Conference holds championships
Jaylynne Esquivel, a member of the Cherokee High School cross country team, took second place in the girls race at the Smoky Mountain Conference championships held at Kituwah just outside of Cherokee on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 6.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Diane McElreath Brown
Diane McElreath Brown, 78, entered heaven under the noonday sun, covered by the prayer of her #5 son, Daniel “Nunu” Brown, and her #3 son, Buzzy Brown, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Tsisgwohi (Birdtown).
OBITUARY: Belinda Lee Deck Taylor
Belinda Lee Deck Taylor, age 73, passed away Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at Vanderbilt University Hospital.
OBITUARY: Charles Kalonaheskie (Charlie)
Charles Kalonaheskie (Charlie), 75, of the Wolftown Community, went home to be with the Lord Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
HAPPENINGS
‘Rooted in the Mountains’ symposium coming up Sept. 24-25 at WCU
“Plants for Food and Medicine” is the theme for Western Carolina University’s sixth annual symposium, Rooted in the Mountains: Valuing our Common Ground, coming up Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25.
Upcoming Pow Wows for Sept. 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.
Roller Derby action in Bryson this Saturday
The Smoky Mountain Rollergirls are set to take on the Middle Georgia Derby Demons in flat track roller derby action on Saturday, Sept. 19. The double-header will start with the SMRG junior team, the Lil’ Nemesisters bouting the Atomic City Fallouts from Oak Ridge, Tenn.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jake Owen to play Harrah’s Cherokee
His roots are fairly easy to describe. Jake Owen was raised in the coastal town of Vero Beach, FL. He and his fraternal twin Jarrod grew up in the sand and surf. Both boys attended Florida State. That's where music became Jake Owen's true focus. He suffered a severe...
Harrah’s Cherokee to host Ultimate Elvis Tribute contest
Elvis is once again in the building, as Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort hosts the annual Tribute Artist contest. The winner of the Cherokee Finale will go on to compete against 20-30 other hopefuls from around the world at the 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist...
Controlled Chaos Film Festival to be held May 2 at WCU
Films created by Western Carolina University students will be screened at the sixth annual Controlled Chaos Film Festival in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 2.
Call
(828) 359-6262
Address
801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
Hours
Mon – Fri • 7:45am – 4:30pm