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Cherokee Trail of Tears

The Cherokee people and the trail of tears
The Cherokee people are a subordinate group who experienced colonialism, meaning the European colonial settlers dominated over the Native Americans taking what resources they could from them. This ultimately resulted in expulsion where the colonist forced the Cherokee along with other Native Americans from their native lands and put them on reservations. The most famous account of this was the Cherokee’s Trail of Tears that took place from 1838-1839 where according to the Cherokee Trail of Tears time line “July 1838 Over 13,000 Cherokees imprisoned in military stockades awaiting break in drought. Approximately 1500 die in confinement.” began the march. The remaining Cherokee were then forced to march from their native lands in the South East to reservations in the West. Below is a journal entry from one of the survivors of the Cherokee tribe from North Carolina while on the march to the west. The quotation at the beginning is a quote from an actual survivor. The rest is fictional but based in fact source noted below.

(Recollections of a survivor)"Long time we travel on way to new land. People feel bad when they leave Old Nation. Women cry and make sad wails, Children cry and many men cry...but they say nothing and just put heads down and keep on go towards West. Many days pass and people die very much." My father he get sick and die, then my mother she die and five brothers. All die, each day one die. There no game to hunt and feed people. Men, women go hungry. Give what food could find to children. Heavy rains and rivers full of ice make way hard to travel. Each morning we are told how far we must walk and which way to go. Each night we make camp and try to find what we can to eat. Hunters go out and bring back what they can. White man give us corn to make bread. Long last we arrive in new land my people once many now so few. Hard to go on when lost family. It will take long time to rebuild New Nation. New Chief of people made. Chief John Ross, he name land Oklahoma. This is where we will live now

References

The Cherokee Trail of Tears Time line 1838-1839, Rose Society Net Retrieved June, 7

2006 from www.rosecity.net/tears/trail/timeline.html

Recollections of a survivor, The Cherokee Trail of Tears, Rose Society Net Retrieved

June, 7 2006 from www.rosecity.net/tears/trail/timeline.html

This was an assignment I did for class and wanted to share it with you. I am also part cherokee on my mothers' side. Both of my maternal grandparents where half cherokee.

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1 - 9 of 9

  • Little Feather Greeters member
    June 22, 2006
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    I am part cherokee my grandmother and grandfather on my mothers side were both half cherokee. Thank you for reading my essay.

    God Bless
    Tammy

  • Man of Harlech silver member
    June 22, 2006
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    The important thing is how we relate to Native Americans now.
    Stereotypes continue to exist. We continue to use the expression "Chief" when addressing them. We do not seem to mind the "tomahawk chop" at football games. The silly logos of the Cleveland Indians still goes unchallenged. I dare say, the image chosen here of the woman with the feather is a fanciful depiction of a Native American in this day and age. If we care, me must dare to know Native Americans as they are and acquaint ourselves with the complex "trail of tears" many of them still must travel.

  • Lady Altheia silver member
    June 22, 2006
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    I have a friend who has Cherokee blood. My grandmother I believe has Sioux blood. I remember studying this in History class and it is heartwrenching. The sadder part is that it is true.

  • BattleOfBlood
    June 22, 2006
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    This is very sad and at the same time, you have captured a beauty in it. I hope that came out alright, because I mean it as a compliment. Good job.
    Blessed be,
    LeFay
  • FindingFate
    June 22, 2006
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    Indeed this is a sad story. I am holding back tears as this has touched my heart. I wish you the best and appreciate you sharing this tale. Thanks again, Trina
  • PhenollBarbidoll
    June 22, 2006
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    i fell that the Trail of Tears is a very sad story...we should have the left the land to the native americans...then this country would be a lot better off than it is right now

  • AgeofAquarius
    June 22, 2006
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    Verry kewel jewel...I live in Okrahoma now and having passed signs on the highway I was curious enough to hit the library as well as the internet.. The historic accounts definitely brought tears to my eyes...
    A great american holocaust hidden under the guise of imminent domain...

    God... "Im PROUD to be an OKIE from MUSKOGEE" ..LoL

    It is a very sad story, if you find you have an abundance of tears...read the accounts of Lincoln, the sooners and political self interest..

  • Pollycheck silver member
    June 22, 2006
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    Great Job

    And we call ourselves a cvilized people, It is a shame that your ancestors had to go through such an ordeal. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. We need to make sure that all children read history such as this, so that hopefully they can truely be a civilized generation.

  • Tainted Innocence
    June 19, 2006
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    Wow. What a sad tale. It makes my heart ache to read something like this and know none of it is fiction. Incredible what people will do to other people. Thank you for sharing. This was really eye-opening.
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