Several members, including President Sue Abram, VP Carmaleta Monteith, and Directors Tom Hatley, Dawn Arneach, and Angelina Jumper, represented NCTOTA at the 14th Annual Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala on June 21.

The Chapter met the next day at the Cherokee County Indian Community Club in Marble, NC. Special guests included Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Cherokee County Historical Museum Director Terrisa Carringer and Board Secretary Silas Shields, and National TOTA Secretary Patsy Edgar.

Guest speakers included Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) CEO Casey Cooper, his son Jack Cooper, and Angelina Jumper, who have participated in previous RTR rides.

Everyone then adjourned to the nearby under-construction Cherokee Clinic. Brett Riggs, Casey Cooper, and EBCI Lead Archaeologist Beau Carroll explained where the Trail of Tears crosses the property’s future greenway.

Executive Director Troy Wayne Poteete sent words of appreciation to CIHA for making “it a priority to integrate the forced Removal story into the utilization of this space.”