The Florence Arts and Museums Speaker Series is a monthly program meant to inspire conversations about the history and culture of north Alabama, with a focus on how the past shapes the present. This month, Anita Flanagan will deliver her presentation, “The Impact of the Trail of Tears on Tribal Identity for the Cherokee,” at 2pm on Sunday, November 28th, at the Florence Indian Mound Museum.

Born Anita Kay Smith, on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian in North Carolina commonly known as Cherokee NC, Anita’s family moved to Alabama when she was in elementary school. She spent her summers in Cherokee with her grandmother learning her heritage and culture. As an adult, she attended UNA and then opened a home-based business where she does sewing, alterations and creates Native American cultural clothing and dance regalia. For 16 years she was a participating artist with the Oka Kapassa Indian Festival, 6 of which she served as a Board Member and Co-Chair. She is currently a Board Member and Secretary for the Alabama Chapter of the Trail Of Tears Association.