In 2021, we launched the “ᏣᎳᎩ: Wherever We Are” virtual event series. I’ve enjoyed each of our seven discussions about young Cherokees, our COVID-19 pandemic response, the great outdoors, Cherokee women, our legislative priorities, the Cherokee language, and Cherokee spirituality. (Did you miss any of them? You can still catch these events on the Cherokee Nation YouTube channel.)
Our events have uplifted Cherokee voices on crucial issues and topics. Now, we will begin 2022 with an event providing the Cherokee perspective on one of the darkest parts of our history: the Removal, known to this day as the Trail of Tears. We’ll be discussing the human and cultural toll exacted, and our amazing resilience and recovery. I hope you’ll join us on Saturday, January 15 at noon CT for “ᏣᎳᎩ: Wherever We Are, Cherokee Removal Edition.”
As you know, the Cherokee People were forced from our homelands in parts of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, to Indian Territory. We faced unprecedented loss from the Removal as well as a U.S. government who disregarded their own Supreme Court ruling and was bent on our annihilation.
But you won’t find much of what we discuss at this event in a history book. The Cherokee perspective on Removal has largely been erased. But we remember—and our panel of special guests will discuss the culture, knowledge, medicine, and more that was lost, as well as our incredible perseverance and power as a People.
OsiyoTV Host and Executive Producer Jennifer Loren will host this event, which will also feature remarks from Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner, and special guests with important stories about this subject — including Krystan Moser, Senior Manager of Collections and Exhibits for Cherokee Nation, and Jack Baker, President of the National Trail of Tears Association.
Jack Baker will be reaching out soon with more details about our 1/15 event — keep an eye out for a message from him, and I hope to see you next Saturday.
Wado (Thank you),
Kevin Stretch, Director
Community & Cultural Outreach
Cherokee Nation
P.S. Do you have a question you’d like to ask Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. about the Cherokee Removal? Respond to this email and you may hear your question answered live during this event!
