Remembering the Trail of Tears

[cavscout]

While not kilt related, I hope I'm not too far out of bounds for this to be relevant to our members.

I know we have several cyclist members and a few interested in Cherokee history so I thought this might be interesting to follow.

A selected group of Cherokee students will retrace the historic northern route of the Trail of Tears, riding from Rome, Georgia and the New Echota area and ending in Tahlequah, Oklahoma the capitol of the Cherokee Nation.

http://www.remembertheremoval.org/Remember/Home.html

[ghostlight]

Thank you for posting this.

[macwilkin]

Since John Ross was of Scottish heritage, and helped raised almost $200 for famine relief in Scotland, I think it's very appropriate. Not to mention Alexander Cuming's relationship to the Cherokee...

T.

[BEEDEE]

Aye, some of the things that were done to the Native Americans make the Highland Clearances pale in comparison.

Nice blog and easy to follow the riders on the map.

Brian

[JolyStNicholas]

Thank you for posting this. These are the things we need not forget!

[ForresterModern]

This is a noble and memorable activity for this bunch of young riders. Thanks for posting the link---interesting reading.

My grandmother's grandmother was full blooded Eastern Cherokee (making me 1/32nd) who was spared from the march by marrying my great great grandfather Warf, although most of the rest of her family was among those moved. She never saw them again. Oklahoma is far from the Smoky Mountains in more than just distance. Like all the other brave and proud native american tribes driven onto reservations by the government and civilian forces, their lives, lifestyles and culture were irreparably changed by the confinement, and not for the better. Too many great cultures lost or destroyed across this great land. Sad.

[KFCarter]

An appropriate and appreciated post. Thanks very much for pointing out this event and reminding us of this chapter of history.

:ootd:

[Bigkahuna]

While this is impressive, it is by no means unique. Every year many people, either singly or in groups walk the Trail of Tears in memory of the Cherokee who lost their land and their lives on the walk.(Including the Wife of John Ross. Who died on the Trail.) Wahdo to you for bringing this to peoples attention. John Walker 1/4 Cherokee

[Livingston]

Remember, it wasn't just the Cherokee but the Creeks that were on the Trail of Tears. My ex was 1/2 Creek so of course my children are both 1/4 and I heard about it often enough from her.

[dfmacliam]

Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, as well as the Cherokees..the Five Civilized Tribes, but then, they are just one chapter in forced removal from ancestrial lands..but the bottom line is... They are still here.. survivors.. not defeated People.. but survivors... its good to look back in history, and to pay hommage to those who got you here...