Good Tuesday Relatives!
We hope this message finds you well and that you are close to completing the last stages of preparation for traveling to join us and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at the Protecting Mother Earth Conference. The 18th PME will return for its second event on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee, NC) from August 1st through the 4th, 2024.
Everyone at IEN and the Cherokee Community has been planning and preparing for months. We’re finalizing all the logistics of gathering supplies, travel, and accommodations for our honored guests and speakers. Everything we’re doing is to ensure everyone’s days in the ancient and beautiful Smokey Mountains, known today as Western North Carolina, are productive and pleasant experiences.
We have been asked if there will be assistance for those with mobility issues to get around the PME grounds. The answer is yes! We will have golf carts for all who need to safely get from one place to another. You can email [email protected] to request this assistance.
There will be language translation services for speakers and attendees.
Meals will be provided that meet most special diet requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. If, however, you require more than we can plan for, please prepare and bring it with you or you can purchase it locally at the many specialized shops in the general area. You can click here to find local sources.
The conference agenda will soon be available on the PME information page(s). It will also be distributed to all attendees and prominently posted on the PME grounds. Please refer back to our website for updates!
Have you considered volunteering for a shift in the kitchen or at the registration desk? Click here to choose, and you will be contacted by one of our volunteer coordinators. You can also wait until you check in at the registration area upon arrival to notify our staff.
Our PME2024 webpage provides ample information on what to bring, what we provide, and forms for requesting assistance for travel and ground transportation from local airports to the PME. Please read all the information provided on our website to adequately prepare for this gathering.
 This is a spiritual gathering, and no drugs, weapons, or alcohol are permitted. Please read and familiarize yourself with the IEN’s Protecting Mother Earth Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures, which all attendees will be responsible for adhering to.
If you are planning on attending one or all four days of the PME but haven’t registered yet, please register here so we have a working number of people for meals and space needed for plenaries and workshops. We also need your contact information for announcements now and for follow-up and updates that will be published from the speaker's narratives and educational presentations.
Questions and comments can be sent to [email protected].
We thank you for your patience as we respond to all inquiries. Our staff and the Cherokee community have been hard at work to ensure a safe and successful event for all! We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones on the Qualla Boundary at our 18th Protecting Mother Earth Conference!
|
