Red Clay State Historic Park invites the public to a gathering of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes at the park for a Tri-Council meeting on Aug. 28.
Officials said, "This unprecedented event will mark the first time that all three tribes have gathered at Red Clay since the Removal, and Aug. 28 also marks the 177th anniversary of the first overland detachment that departed on the Trail of Tears. Please join us in this momentous occasion as the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band gather together as one People to hold council at Red Clay."
Program:
9 a.m.-Flag ceremony-raising of the three Nations’ flags
10 a.m.- Council Meeting beside the Council House
1 p.m.-Birds of Prey with David Haggard, Regional Interpreter, Tennessee State Parks
2 p.m.- Cherokee Herbals and Medicinal Plant hike led by Randy Hedgepath, Tennessee State Naturalist
3 p.m.-Birds of Prey with David Haggard, Regional Interpreter, Tennessee State Parks
3 p.m.-Cherokee Herbals and Medicinal Plant hike led by Randy Hedgepath, Tennessee State Naturalist
4 p.m.- Cherokee Herbals and Medicinal Plant hike led by Randy Hedgepath, State Naturalist
Throughout the day:
-1700’s Cherokee encampment-Diamond Brown, former E.B.C.I. Tribal Council member
-Samuel Worcester portrayal-Charlie Rhodarmer, director of Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
-1830’s living history at the farmhouse
Red Clay will host the following exhibit for an extended period of time in the interpretive center provided by the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery, curated by Dr. R. Michael Abram:
A Council of Three Fires, One Cherokee Principle People, Removal 1838-August 28-2015 Return.
On Aug. 29-30 there will be a Cherokee Heritage Festival sponsored by Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band. For both days, the festival will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. There is a $5 suggested donation per car for entry into the festival.
Visitors can expect to see traditional dancers, a traditional stickball game with the Wolftown Stickball players, storytelling, Cherokee arts and crafts demonstrations and vendors, and Cherokee music. There will also be Cherokee food vendors on site featuring traditional native foods as well as contemporary favorites.
"This historic event is a great way to experience Cherokee culture first hand and is the perfect way to spend a weekend," officials said.