Cherokee One Feather

09/06/2025

EBCI Tribal members at the 34th Annual Cherokee Fall Festival, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
(Dawn Arneach/ One Feather Photos)

09/06/2025

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum Director Charlie Rhodarmer

09/05/2025

For centuries, the Cherokee people were united not by a single central government but by kinship, clans, and shared values. Our ancestors built their lives on responsibility to one another, not bureaucracy. Towns governed themselves. What held us together was culture, language, and family bonds. Gov...

09/05/2025

The August meeting of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) Governing Board highlighted progress in addressing workforce shortages at both CIHA and at Tsali Care Center while brainstorming interventions to improve ongoing challenges.

09/05/2025

Editor's Note: Congratulations to all who won seats in our tribal elections, and a huge thank you to all candidates who stepped up to serve the community. Some of the unofficial vote counts were very close in some races. Cherokee Code Section 161-6 outlines the requirements and procedures for tribal election recounts. The law is as follows:

Sec. 161-6. - Recounts.
(a)If the vote count in any Tribal election results in a tie, the Board of Elections shall conduct a recount of all ballots cast for that particular office or seat. Such recount shall be conducted by the Board of Elections within two business days after the closing of the polls for that election. The recount shall be performed by the members of the Board of Elections. A "tie" is defined as two or more candidates for the same seat receiving the same number of votes.(b)If any unsuccessful candidate in any Tribal election is defeated by no more than two percent of the total number of votes cast between the unsuccessful candidate and the immediately closest successful candidate, such candidate may request a recount by filing a written request with the Board of Elections within two business days after the closing of the polls for that election. The recount shall be conducted by the Board of Elections within three business days of filing of the request by the unsuccessful candidate.(c)The two percent threshold necessary for a recount shall be measured by answering the following question: is the difference between the number of votes received by the unsuccessful candidate who is seeking the recount, and the immediately closest successful candidate, within two percent of all the votes cast for those two candidates? If the difference is within two percent, the Board of Elections shall conduct a recount if a request for a recount is filed pursuant to this section. Any fraction of a percent over two percent shall be considered outside the two percent threshold requiring a recount.(d)At the conclusion of any such recount, the Board of Elections shall announce the unofficial results of the recount for all candidates for that office pending official certification of the results of the election to the Tribal Council pursuant to Section 161-16.1 of this chapter.(e)Any candidate on a ballot subject to a recount by the Board of Elections may personally observe the recount which will be broadcast and recorded and in a controlled environment. Should the candidate choose to not attend, they may designate one representative to observe the recount. Such representation must be designated in writing, with such written appointment delivered to the Board of Elections prior to the commencement of the recount. Such observers shall not participate in or interfere with the recount activities of the Board of Elections and may be ejected by the chairman if they interfere with or disrupt the recount process.(f)Regardless of any other expression in this section, nothing in this section shall prohibit the Board of Elections from recounting ballots upon its own initiative as part of an investigation or for quality control purposes.

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09/05/2025

Over 45 percent of the registered voters of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians cast a ballot in the General Election held Thursday, Sept. 4. According to information from the EBCI Board of Elections, 3,031 of the 6,702 registered voters cast a ballot for a voter participation of 45.23 percent.

09/05/2025

This Week in Native News

09/05/2025

Following the Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) primary, I wrote a commentary about the women candidates showing up, showing out, and providing a new hope for the general election.

09/05/2025

One Feather Question of the Week:
As the EBCI Constitutional Committee begins its work, which approach do you believe they should take? Please expand on your answer.
(1) Revise the current EBCI Charter and Governing Document
(2) Start fresh with a blank document
(3) Use the most recent draft Constitution as the starting point
(4) None of the above

09/05/2025

We are called to be courageous Christians. Yes, meek and humble are traits we should aspire to, but forthright, faithful, righteous, and brave as soldiers for Christ are also what Christians should be in the face of evil.

09/05/2025

EBCI General Election Unofficial Results

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council)
Kolanvyi (Big Cove)
Lavita Hill 214
Venita K. Wolfe 188
Perry Shell 132
Richard French 120

Tsisqwohi (Birdtown)
Jim Owle 471
Boyd Owle 425
Patrick Lambert 417
Joi Owle 183

Aniwodihi (Painttown)
Sean Michael Stamper 273
Shannon Swimmer 166
Jeff Thompson 163
Bill Taylor 109

Tutiyi/Tsalagi Gadugi (Snowbird/Cherokee County)
Adam Wachacha 213
Michael Smoker 185
Bucky Brown 174
Janell Rattler 173

Wayohi (Wolftown)
Bo Crowe 505
Mike Parker 328
Joey Owle 320
Glenn Bradley 142

Elawodi (Yellowhill)
David Wolfe 204
Shennelle Feather 185
Tom Wahnetah 170
Chris Reed 123

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Wayohi/Widagalinidisgv (Wolftown/Big Y) School Board
Berdie Toineeta 319
Timmy Ray Smith 206

Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) School Board
Melanie Lambert 416
Gloria “Punkin” Griffin 355

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09/04/2025

The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) varsity football team did a walk-through on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Legion Field at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Ala. The team is on their way to the Battle of the Nations game in Mississippi. (Photo courtesy of Coach Matt Maney)