Connected Communities

Indigenous Homecoming Celebration

Sprout

A

Ava Lowery

Planted this seed

The idea is to invite members of federally recognized Native American tribes with ancestral ties to Chattanooga for a multi-day event of heritage tours, outdoor recreation, an artist's market, music, and stickball.

Photos

Gardeners

Ava Lowery
Lavonna Pettit

Roots

Chattanooga Audubon Society(not committed yet)
Trail of Tears Association(not committed yet)
Friends of New Echota(not committed yet)
Western Carolina University(not committed yet)
Northeastern State University(not committed yet)
Georgia Cherokee Community Alliance(not committed yet)
Cherokee National Forest(not committed yet)
Red Clay State Historic Park(not committed yet)
Russell Cave National Monument(not committed yet)
Tennessee River Gorge Trust(not committed yet)
Cherokee Nation(not committed yet)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians(not committed yet)
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians(not committed yet)
Muscogee Nation(not committed yet)
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas(not committed yet)
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana(not committed yet)
Tennessee Valley Authority(not committed yet)
Outdoor Chattanooga(not committed yet)

ArtsBuild Chattanooga(not committed yet)

National Park City Foundation(not committed yet)

Chattanooga Public Art Commission(not committed yet)

Museum of the Cherokee People(not committed yet)

Manitou Cave of Alabama(not committed yet)

Guides

Dr Brett Riggs, Western Carolina University
Tom Belt, Western Carolina University
National Park Service Interpretive Guides
State Park Interpretive Guides
Ava Lowery, Chattanooga Audubon Society
Tribal Cultural Resource Specialists

Fertilizer

National Trail of Tears Historic Site at Audubon Acres
Pontoon boat
Chattanooga Indigenous Relationships Circle

Water

Land/water access to restricted archaeological sites
Kayaks, canoes, motorized boats for river tours
Tribal specialist collaboration
Accommodations for 3 days (camping, hotels, etc)
Grants for artists like Agalisiga Mackey, a Cherokee country artist, to travel and perform
Scholarship grants for travel and attendance
Volunteer guides and coordinators

Budget

$10,000

Obstacles

Since Removal happened, travel expenses have been the primary limitation in heritage tours for tribal communities. Our goal is to make this event as accessible, accommodating, and meaningful for as many people as possible. An event like this also requires time to build trusting and reciprocal relationships with tribal communities, making our prospective timeline aiming toward later in 2027.

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Sunlight (2 supporters)

Edward H.Ed H.

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