The Optimist

 The Optimist

  You tend to always look on the bright side of life, no matter what obstacle is in your way! You are a constant ray of light to all in your life!

The The Optimist

You tend to always look on the bright side of life, no matter what obstacle is in your way! You are a constant ray of light to all in your life!

You tend to always look on the bright side of life, no matter what obstacle is in your way! You are a constant ray of light to all in your life!

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 

Photo: NPS. Image: the bridge at Cedartown Removal Camp in Cedartown, Georgia on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

Ulihelisdi Tsunadalvquodi Iga!

(This translates to “Happy Valentine’s Day” in the Cherokee language).

Today, we are showing love and compassion for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, our 2022 valentine. Have you visited any part of the 5,045-mile trail?

This beautiful historic trail commemorates the survival of the Cherokee people. From May 1838 to March 1839, they were forced to leave their indigenous homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma.

They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat. Many died during the journey, and many more struggled and died after settling in Oklahoma.

The Trail of Tears was part of the Indian removal, a series of forced displacements of approximately 60,000 Native Americans between 1830 and 1850 by the United States government. These native Americans came from the so-called Five Civilized Tribes – the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations.

Today the Cherokee Nation is a proud, independent tribe. Its members recognize that they are resilient despite the adversity they have endured.

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Office works closely with tribal representatives to ensure that the National Park Service tells the stories of the Trail of Tears respectfully and correctly.

A part of the NPS mission is to depict American history accurately. The survival of the Cherokee people is due to the love they had and still have for their own community.

Sure, this isn’t a fun and light valentine, but isn’t love truthful?

Feel free to share this vital piece of American history on your social pages and remember to show your love to all - today and every day.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (On Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/TrailofTearsNPS