CCHHS presents screening of “We Shall Remain” (03/10/09)
03/10/09

Media Release

March 10, 2009

For More Information—Melissa Woody, 423-472-6587, or Faye Callaway, 423-336-5694

CCH Historical Society to host special guest and show film preview

The Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society will present a screening of the 30-minute preview of the upcoming PBS documentary “We Shall Remain” on Sunday, March 15, at Charleston School Auditorium at 3 p.m. A special presentation by Barbara Duncan, educational director for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, N.C., will follow the film preview. The public is invited to this free screening and discussion.

Barbara Duncan, Ph.D., has served as educational director and folklorist for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for the past 13 years, as well as adjunct professor of Anthropology at Western Carolina University for the past 10. She holds a doctorate in Folklore and Folklife from University of Pennsylvania. Duncan will speak about the importance of preserving the stories of the Cherokee people and of significant historic areas.

“We are so honored to host Ms. Duncan for our meeting and preview screening, and we are thrilled that she would take the time visit with our community,” Faye Callaway, president of the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society, said. “Hosting important programs at our meetings helps us further our historical society’s mission of heightening the awareness of our local Cherokee history, as well as other significant history in our community.”

“We Shall Remain,” a five-part documentary film series on the Native American Experience, is set to air on WTCI for five consecutive Mondays beginning April 13. This Sunday’s preview focuses on the “making of” the documentary series. Episode 3 titled “Trail of Tears,” which contains scenes shot at Red Clay State Park, will premier locally before it is shown nationwide on PBS. Details of this screening are described in the events listing below.

Other Cherokee events on the calendar surrounding the broadcast of the “We Shall Remain” series include

• April 7—Screening of “Trail of Tears.” The public is invited to a pre-broadcast screening of the 90-minute Episode 3 in the series of five films that make “We Shall Remain” accompanied by discussion with Russell Townsend, tribal historic preservation officer for the Eastern Band of the Cherokees. Scenes from “Trail of Tears” were filmed at Red Clay State Historic Park. The screening is free and will be held at the Museum Center at 5ive Points at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served.

• April 15—Cultural Fair 2009 at Cleveland State Community College, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This event will feature storytelling and other activity including a Cherokee dancer and Cherokee weaponry demonstration. The event will be held on the CSCC campus on Adkisson Drive.

• April 16, 17 and 18—Joint Council Reunion of the Cherokee People at Red Clay State Historic Park. The Cherokee Nation, headquartered in Oklahoma, and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee located in North Carolina will gather together at Red Clay for a Joint Council. This event commemorates the 25^th Anniversary of the 1984 Joint Council and lighting of the eternal flame of the Cherokee Nation that burns at Red Clay. Red Clay State Park is the last Eastern capital of the Cherokee Nation before their tragic removal on the Trail of Tears.

• April 17—Cleveland Bradley County Public Library Book Club Review. The group will focus on the Robert J. Conley book, Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears. The club will meet at noon at the Library’s History Branch.

• April 19—Special guest Jack Baker, Tribal Council member of the Cherokee Nation and president of the National Trail of Tears Association, will speak at Rattlesnake Springs. Baker will be visiting from Oklahoma and is hosted by the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 2 p.m. Rattlesnake Springs is located on the privately-owned Moore farm on Dry Valley Road. Limited parking is available. Lawn chairs and carpooling are recommended.

• April 23—Special Lecture “The Trail of Tears and Beyond” presented by Dr. Dudley Gardner, historian and archaeologist at Western Wyoming College. Lee University and Cleveland State Community College are hosting this event which will be held at 7 p.m. in the Johnson Lecture Hall in Lee University’s Humanities Building on Parker Street. The lecture is free and open to the public.