The Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation is excited to announce that the guest speaker for the 13th annual Gala will be Marvel Universes’ first Indigenous superhero, Alaqua Cox. The sold-out gala, a key annual event in supporting the mission of Cherokee Indian Hospital, will be held June 15 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort.
Alaqua Cox, a trailblazing figure from the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, has gained international acclaim for her role as Maya Lopez/Echo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series “Hawkeye.” As the first Indigenous superhero and the first deaf superhero, Cox has broken significant barriers in the entertainment industry. She has also performed all her own stunts as an amputee, showcasing her remarkable resilience and dedication.
“We are honored to welcome Alaqua Cox to our community and to have her share her empowering story with us,” said Casey Cooper, CEO of Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. “Alaqua’s journey of facing adversity head-on resonates with the Foundation’s commitment to mental health advocacy, as proceeds from this year’s Gala will benefit programs and services geared toward providing youth mental health resources. Her presence at the Gala highlights the importance of representation and inclusivity in every sphere, including healthcare.”
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala serves as a critical fundraising event to enhance healthcare services and support vital community health initiatives. The inclusion of Alaqua Cox as the guest speaker underscores the Gala’s theme of resilience and empowerment, reflecting the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive health services.
In addition to serving as the guest speaker for this year’s sold-out event, Alaqua will be meeting with enrolled youth of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians for a special event prior to the Gala.
“We are so proud to be able to offer our young people the opportunity to meet with a Superhero they can watch on their television screens,” said EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks. “Alaqua serves as a tremendous example for Indigenous children and we are so excited to welcome the first Indigenous actress to break barriers in Hollywood to the Qualla Boundary.”