Cleveland State Community College and the Tennessee Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will be hosting a free Trail of Tears educational symposium on Friday, April 13, in the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center, to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Trail of Tears and the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service National Historic Trails System.
The doors will open at 9 a.m. with the first presentation starting at 10 a.m. Numerous informational displays will be provided at the symposium, and guest speakers will include former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice, Troy Wayne Poteete, Brett Riggs, Sequoyah Distinguished Professor in Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University and Joe Guy, McMinn County, Tennessee Sheriff and Historian.
Debbie Moore, president of the Tennessee Trail of Tears said, “Our chapter is so excited to hold this symposium with Cleveland State Community College. The trail of tears is a dark chapter in America’s history, but through activities such as this, the removal will not be forgotten.
The Trail of Tears Educational Symposium is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The symposium will run from 10 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be on your own.
For more information, contact Ms. Moore at bradleyfolks@aol.com.