Friday, May 2: Plenary Session Speakers
Principal Chief Michell Hicks
Michell Hicks, CPA, was recently re-elected as Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians by an overwhelmingly majority. Hicks previously served 3 terms as Principal Chief and is a former Executive Director of Budget and Finance. Michell led the 15,000 member tribe through a period of remarkable economic development and cultural advancement. During his time in office, Michell has displayed significant foresight and resolve in the financial and strategic progress of the tribe. He has also established himself as a national leader in the Indian country. Michell is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In 2015, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of North Carolina - Asheville. Michell and his wife, Marsha, reside in Cherokee with their five children.
Jennifer Strong, RI Representative
Jennifer began her Lakeport Rotary career in early 1987 as a Senior at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport, California. She was selected by the Rotary Club of Lakeport to represent the high school at their weekly club meetings as their first female “Student Rotarian” during a time that women were not yet quite allowed in as members. Fast forward to 1998 when she returned to Lakeport to open a financial planning business. She promptly joined the Rotary Club of Lakeport as a full-fledged Rotarian. She is a two-time past president with her most recent service in 2015-16 during the Valley Fire in Lake County. She was the founding member of the Lake Area Rotary Fire Relief Fund with a simple, think outside of the box, idea. “Maybe just maybe we could raise $50,000 to help our community”. The newly created fund raised over $1M in 2015 for the residents in Lake County affected by the fire and was then expanded into the District 5130 Disaster Relief Fund during the wildfires in 2017. Her Rotary story is filled with service in many different areas including the District Grant Chair, a Youth Exchange Club Counselor and host parent, District 5130 Governor 2022-23 and is currently the District Foundation Chair. Jennifer is a Certified Financial Planner and owns and operates Strong Financial Network. She resides on her 6th generation farm in Lake County, CA and enjoys gardening, preserving food, scuba diving, travelling, and flying her plane “Rosie” as a private pilot in addition to countless hours spent on community service throughout Rotary, her industry and Lake county.
David LaMotte, Former Rotary Peace Fellow
David LaMotte is a speaker, author, songwriter and activist. David LaMotte's dense speaking and workshop calendar has included keynoting conferences across the United States, in India, Australia, Germany and at the Scottish Parliament, presenting at the PC(USA) Mission to the United Nations, speaking at dozens of colleges and universities, as well as offering baccalaureate and commencement speeches. David was a Rotary World Peace Fellow, which enabled him to study International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. As part of that study, he also spent time in rural Andhra Pradesh, India working with Gandhian development organization. David and his wife Deanna are founders of the nonprofit Senderos, which supports Guatemalan children through education, music and mentoring projects. He also created the Let's Be Neighbors campaigns to encourage community-building at the neighborhood level. David has authored four books and presented two Tedx talks. The most recent, based on his book, You Are Changing The World Whether You Like It Or Not, was recently featured as a TED Editor's Pick, enabling a larger audience to hear David's message on movement work and meaningful change.
Friday, May 2: Entertainment
Aerial Performance in the Event Center: 8:45pm - 9:30pm
Join us back in the Event Center for an incredible aerial performance by Pura Vida Studio from Cary! This after-dinner entertainment is free to you and your guests. Many thanks to Fidelity Bank for sponsoring this incredible entertainment program!
Enjoy a sneak peek of the performance!
Saturday, May 3: Plenary Session Speakers
Joyce Dugan, Keynote Speaker
Joyce Dugan is the first & only woman to serve as principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Born on the Cherokee reservation, Dugan was drawn in her early career to education as the gateway for advancement of the Cherokee people. She graduated cum laude from Western Carolina in 1975 with a degree in education. For the next decade, she was a special education teacher in the Bureau of Indian Affairs School in Cherokee, meanwhile earning her M.S. in education from Western Carolina in 1981. In 1995, she was elected principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. During her time, she worked for broad inclusion in the operation of government, sought to revitalize Cherokee culture, put the Cherokee on record with those who seek to promote protection of the environment, advocated responsible gaming laws, and promoted improved health standards for the Cherokee with special emphasis on diabetes.
Saturday, May 3: Entertainment
WNC Purple Thunder Drumline
Purple Thunder is the winter drumline of Western Carolina University's Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. They first debuted in the winter of 2009. You will find the NBA-style drumline is infectious, and it is all about entertainment.
The Warriors of AniKituhwa
The Warriors of AniKituhwa will join us during our Saturday Night District Awards Dinner. They'll bring to life the Cherokee War Dance which conveys the strength of the Cherokee nation. The Warriors also perform Cherokee social dances, including the Bear Dance, Beaver Hunting Dance, and the Friendship Dance- where spectators might be invited to join in!