National Park Partners Host Trail of Tears Conference & Celebrate 20 Years of the Moccasin Bend Archeological District

By
Adrian Edwards
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Tricia Mims, Executive Director of National Park Partners (NNP), speaks from podium with the beautiful backdrop of the Tennessee River near Moccasin Bend. The joint celebrations held October 13-16 included the National Trail of Tears Association bringing its 27th annual National Trail of Tears Conference to Chattanooga this year, sponsored by NPP and CCNMP; and the October 14th celebration for the 20th anniversary of Moccasin Bend National Archeological District becoming part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

Moccasin Bend Historical Overview

The late Shelley Andrews,
Executive Director of Friends of Moccasin Bend

By Linda Moss Mines
Monday’s (October 14) celebration was spectacular- – Moccasin Bend has been SAVED AGAIN!
The history of our people, our lands and our nation must be preserved, and the Cherokee Nation and the Chattanooga community have prevailed!

So many outstanding leaders stood in the fire over the last four decades, leading from the front and cheering from the rear guard – – alongside the Cherokee Nation’s strong and undaunted leaders, including former Principal Chief Jack Baker and current Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin. Our city’s founder and the longest-serving Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation John Ross must be so proud.
Tricia Mims, former Congressman Zach Wamp, former Mayor Ron Littlefield, Hamilton County’s Jeannine Alday, current Mayors Weston Wamp and Tim Kelly; Superintendent Brad Bennett, and the National Parks staff, Mickey Robbins and the Friends Board and so many others have fought this fight for decades and decades.

October 14th – Hundreds gather at the Aquarium Complex for Trail of Tears Conference hosted by NNP, as well as to Celebrate….the “SAVING of The BEND!” (Photos CNC Faye Stoudemire)

THANK YOU! Shelley Andrews, your devotion was recognized, and we honored you with an outpouring of love.
This Chattanooga and Hamilton County Historian celebrates your dedication and your disciplined devotion to preserving our past and looking forward to our future. Working together works. This historic ground is marked by the footsteps of our ancestors, and I am in tears knowing my grandchildren will walk on that sacred land. (Historian: Linda Moss Mines)