Pea Ridge National Military Park, AR – Twelve Cherokee Nation cyclists will arrive at Pea Ridge National Military Park on June 19, at approximately 11 am, as part of the Remember the Removal Bike Ride. The ride honors the Cherokee people who were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s.
The riders will visit a well-preserved section of the Trail of Tears path located along Telegraph Road near Elkhorn Tavern. They will also stop at Ruddick’s Field, where some Cherokee removal contingents camped during the journey.
Remembering a Forced Exodus
The Trail of Tears refers to the forced removal of Native American tribes from their southeastern homelands in the 1830s. In 1830, the Indian Removal Act authorized the government to relocate tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River. The Cherokee were forced from their lands following the Treaty of New Echota, a controversial agreement signed by a minority faction of the tribe.
In 1838, the U.S. Army began removing Cherokees from their homes in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. Over 16,000 Cherokees were herded into camps before being sent on a harsh westward journey. Thousands died from disease, exposure, and starvation during the forced migration.
Modern Day Remembrance
The Remember the Removal Bike Ride, now in its 40th year, allows Cherokee youth to connect with their history. The 950-mile journey retraces the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears, starting in New Echota, Georgia, and ending in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
While at Pea Ridge National Military Park, the riders will also view the Cherokee Braves battle flag, on exhibit until July 7th. The flag was flown by the First Cherokee Mounted Rifles during the Civil War, just over two decades after the Trail of Tears.
The Cherokee Nation continues to honor the legacy of their ancestors through programs and educational initiatives.
Learn more about the ride at the Remember the Removal website. (photo from the Remember the Removal Bike Ride Facebook Page)
