The Trail Of Tears
 
In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal
policy, the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Tribes
was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi.
 
"Trail of Tears," the devastating effects killed thousands
of these tribe members because of this action. 
 
On this page I focus on the Choctaw Tribe because of my dear
friend Neale "Mack" McGee" ... who was Choctaw.
 
To find out more about Mack's story, follow the link below.
 
This one's for you Mack!
In Loving Memory
Neale S. "Mack" McGee
November 18, 1924 ~ August 8, 2005
 
The Trail of Tears, was painted by Robert Lindneux
in 1942. It commemorates the suffering of the Cherokee people
and all the other tibes that were under forced removal.
If any depictions of the "Trail of Tears"
were created at the time of the march, they have not survived.
 
 
The Cry of The Native American

We were here first
(i-gv-ya o-gi-lu-tsv a-ha-ni)
Maybe the Cherokee cry
But we wanted their land
So they had to die
 
How could their rights
Have been explained?
The bow and arrow -
Against the gun ordained?
 
We took their homes

(Do-ge-nv-sv do-ge-gi-gi-e-lv)
 
They were mostly dead
when the deeds were done
 
What was theirs is ours
Yes! we have won
 
They had to die
we had no choice
 
Their punishment for owning
our land first
 
The Indians had been the
custodians of the land.

(a-ni-yv-wi-ya o-s-da i-yu-nv-na-de-ga ga-do-hi)
 
But the cowboy turned
the pastures into sand
 
And buffalo herds
very soon were damned
 
Sustainability was
more the Indians way

a-ni-yv-wi-ya u-nv-sv a-na-li-s-de-li-s-gv.
 
But luxury to excess
was more our "cup of tea"
 
We brought the Indians
smallpox, pollution and T.B.
 
After two Hundred years
we now see our wrongs
 
And we begin to listen
to the Indian Songs

na-quu-no a-nv-da-di-s-do-di-quu i-ga
di-ga-ka-no-gi-s-do-di a-le i-ga-da
da-ni-na-s-da-tli tsu-na-ni-gi-da.
 
But sadly most of
their tribes are gone
 
Now in the souvenir
shops throughout the U.S.A
 
Indian proverbs are on display
Pictures of Geronimo,
Sitting Bull and Chief Joseph
 
Are sort by tourist looking
for proverbs and Indian motifs
 
Sayings of American Presidents
are not bought
 
But Chief Red Cloud of
the Sioux is eagerly sought
 
Why do we see the wisdom
yet our ancestors couldn't?
 
Or is it that they could
but wouldn't

The American Indians say
 
"There is one God
looking down on us all"

(sa-quu u-ne-la-nv-hi)
 
Has the Native American
salvation come at last
 
And will the "Great One"
now be just.
 
Albert Gazeley © 2003

     

     

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Song Of The Morning Star
R. Carlos Nakai
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NOTICE
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and I will promptly take care of it.
 
 

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