Several NCTOTA members attended the 28th National Trail of Tears Association Conference & Symposium held September 29-October 1, 2025, in Springfield, MO. Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Dr. W. Dale Weeks presented the keynote addresses.

Attendees were given multiple field trip options, including visiting Cave Springs, tracing a portion of the Hildebrand Route, touring Springfield, and exploring historical galleries.

Several NCTOTA members participated in the Cave Springs trip led by Mark Spangler and Larry Hightower. Although there may have been some deviations, most northern routes of the trail of tears went through Cave Springs.

North Carolina participants included Robin Swayney, Ben Laseter, Anita Finger-Smith, Angelina Jumper, Zena Rattler, Dinah Welch, Gina Myers, Cree Yellowbird, and Cailon Garland.