Imagine that you are a member of one of the most advanced Native American
tribes in the U.S.:The Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee have traded and lived
peacefully with the European settlers for many years, and under their
influence the tribe advanced and developed a "civilized" system of
government.
When gold was discovered on Cherokee lands, the peaceful relationship that
once was shared with the Whites was now challenged. The Indian Removal Act
was passed and despite oppostitions ultimately the Cherokee were forced to
leave their lands.
In the grueling summer of 1838, your people are gathered and some are taken
by boat to Indian Territory, while others are forced to march 1,200 miles.
All around you Cherokee are dying of diseases and exposure as you travel
across Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas into rugged
Indian Territory. When looking back upon the trail it would be
called, “Nunna-dal-un-tsun-yi”, meaning the place where they cried.
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