Melba Checote-Eads

MelbaMelba Ann Checote-Eads is a wife, mother to four grown children, and a grandmother. She is an affiliate of the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma coming from the tribal town of Big Spring Clan. She has been a nurse for 47 years and is a Certified Lay Preacher of the United Methodist Church. She has been involved in preserving her family history and telling the story of Muscogee Creek history from her family. In addition, she wrote the Historical Heritage Landmark criteria for New Town Church who’s people walked the Trail of Tears and became members of one of the first churches in Oklahoma Indian Territory. Today, the church is still an active congregation holding services.

Currently, Melba coordinates the Commemorative “Trail of Tears” Walks—held each year in Woodbury,  and Mt. Juliet, Tennessee—and is an an advocate for American Indian Issues. She has also had the honor to coordinate a Commemorative “Trail of Tears” Walk in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, speaks at churches, and has organized programs around the Trail of Tears, Creek Wars, in her community.

She is involved with the hope of reconciliation and acts of repentance and encourages the healing of our nations with good and prayer walks over our land.

Presentation Title: Working with Tribes and Engaging Native Americans to Sustain Our Trails
E-mail: melbaceads@dtccom.net