On Monday night, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) hosted our annual Remembrance Tree Ceremony in the Rotunda. This special event, hosted each year with our trusted partners at Four Seasons Hospice, is dedicated to honoring the lives and legacies of individuals who passed away while being cared for on the Inpatient Unit at CIHA.
The holidays can be a challenging time for families who have experienced loss, and this ceremony serves as a meaningful opportunity to celebrate their loved ones rather than focus on their absence.
We were honored to have EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks welcome family members and offer heartfelt words of comfort and peace. The evening was made even more special by the Cherokee Language Repertory Choir, whose beautiful music, created a deeply moving atmosphere. The Choir is sponsored by the WCU Cherokee Language Program and the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program and performs hymns and popular music in the Cherokee language.
Chastity Sellers, CIHA’s Inpatient Manager, opened the event in prayer, followed by Keaw’e Bone, Cultural Advisor at Analenisgi, who offered a prayer and song in the Cherokee language. Autumn Neesam, Regional Director of Nursing for Four Seasons Hospice shared that her organization was able to care for a large portion of those who passed away this year and was able to see first-hand how “coming home” to Cherokee made the final days of their journey easier for the patients as well as their families.
Brooke Brown then shared her personal journey of loss, providing a source of comfort and connection for attendees before reading the names of each honored individual. As part of the honor ceremony, families were invited to place ornaments featuring photos of their loved ones on the Christmas tree, which will remain on display in the Rotunda throughout December as a beautiful reminder of the lives we celebrate and cherish.
CIHA extends our deepest gratitude to all who participated in this event. Your presence and support make this annual tradition one of healing, reflection, and unity.
To the families who joined us: we hold you and your loved ones in our hearts this holiday season.
To view images from the 2024 Remembrance Tree Event, Visit CIHA’s Facebook page: