CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Cherokee Nation is contributing $10,000 each to nine Trail of Tears Association state chapters as well as $25,000 to the National Trail of Tears Association, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced during the 27th annual National Trail of Tears Association Conference & Symposium held in Chattanooga Oct. 14-16. The conference provides members of the national association and state chapters an opportunity to gather and discuss ongoing efforts to support the continued creation, development and interpretation of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. TOTA also promotes awareness of the trail’s legacy including the removal stories of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole, consistent with the National Park Service’s trail plan.