Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee Awarded Midwest Memory Grant

The Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee has been named one of the recipients of the inaugural Midwest Memory Grant from Forecast Public Art, an initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation. This grant program supports rural Midwest communities in creating and preserving monuments that honor untold local histories.

Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the Steelville project stands alongside seven other grantees committed to storytelling through public art. Each recipient receives $75,000 to bring their vision to life, along with $25,000 for capacity building, $10,000 for cultural advisors, and 80 hours of technical assistance from Forecast’s team.

The Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee is working to raise $200,000 for a permanent monument at a historic encampment site, commemorating the forced removal of the Cherokee people through Missouri. Acclaimed Cherokee and Pawnee artist Daniel HorseChief has designed a striking bronze sculpture titled “The Trail.” The piece features a falcon rising from tears and flames, evoking resilience and transformation, with figures symbolizing the diverse human experiences along the Trail of Tears.

“This monument will serve as a lasting tribute to the strength and survival of those who endured the Trail of Tears,” said Jennifer Whitson, a representative of the committee. “With this grant and the community’s support, we are one step closer to ensuring this history is remembered and honored.”

For more information, to contribute to the project, or to get involved, please visit https://trailoftears.steelvillehistoricalsociety.com/.