Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Dinner and Silent Auction
Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Dinner and silent auction raised $2000 for the Cherokee memorial monument to be built in Steelville Community Park. The Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee hosted an unforgettable afternoon of community, culture, and connection honoring Cherokee history and heritage.
Due to the cool weather, the final ‘Dinner on the Deck’ for 2025 was held indoors on Saturday November 1st at Steelville Presbyterian Church Roper Hall.
The Cherokee meal was described in detail by two women of native descent. Tiffany West, descendant from the Wolf clan of the Cherokee shared her grandmother’s recipes for three native soups- Tankamealo Stew, Succotash and Three Sisters Chili. The appetizer was a vibrant spread of fresh fruits with Kanuchi dip – a hickory nut delicacy honoring the sacred role of nuts and trees in Cherokee ceremonies. Salad of leafy greens with an array of fresh vegetables were served with a brown bean dip reflecting the Cherokee value of nourishment through humble, sustaining ingredients of beans which have been cultivated in Cherokee gardens for generations. West explains the purpose of the event, “The Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee is not just preserving history—they’re nourishing legacy. On November 1st, our Cherokee Meal fundraiser was more than a plate of food; it was a sacred token to the memory of those who walked the trail and a call to conscience. Every dish, every story, every step we retrace affirms that remembrance is resistance—and healing begins when truth is served. Their endurance fuels our commitment to justice, and their legacy teaches us how to walk forward with purpose.”
Teresa Snuck, descendant of Saponi Cherokee Nation and a multi-award winning fry-bread maker prepared an abundance of the wholesome treat for the Cherokee themed meal. Teresa, known simply as ‘Tee’ by her friends, discussed the origin of fry-bread with the Cherokee people, “Culturally we understand that fry-bread is not a traditional indigenous food; it was survival food. Today we make it using prayers and take pride in the bread doing the best we can.” Tee humbly reflects, “I was honored when asked to feed the people; it’s about giving and receiving.” Prior to serving the meal, Tee illustrated using specific symbols of the ‘Spirit Plate’ recognizing sacred connections to the land north, south, east and west. She continues, “We are never alone; the spirits of our ancestors are always invited to join us while we gather together in fellowship with the community.” The meal concluded with three delightful desserts- Cherokee molasses bars, freshly made blueberry honey cake, and walnut pecan balls. A huge bowl of homemade whipped cream offered a soft finish to a meal steeped in tradition and meaning.
The Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Steelville Presbyterian Church for allowing us the use of their kitchen and hall for this very special memorial dinner. The next fundraiser event will be held at Steelville Community Park on Saturday December 6th for the 3rd annual Remember the Removal walk/ride/bike along a five mile stretch of the Trail of Tears. Register by November 15th to receive a Trail of Tears T-shirt. A variety of soups and fry-bread will be waiting at the end of the trail for all participants. More information available at https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/Steelville/TrailofTearsRideWalk
For copies of all the recipes, please find Herbal Phoenix STL on Facebook or visit www.herbalphoenixstl.com for more information.