During the harsh winter of 1838-1839, over 15,000 Cherokee Indians passed through southern Illinois on their Trail of Tears. Many hundreds perished from cold and hunger on this long and tortuous trek from their homeland in the
During the harsh winter of 1838-1839, over 15,000 Cherokee Indians passed through southern Illinois on their Trail of Tears. Many hundreds perished from cold and hunger on this long and tortuous trek from their homeland in the shadows of the Smoky Mountains to their new government-designated lands in eastern Oklahoma. It took 11 weeks or more to travel the 60 wet, cold, and snowy miles across the southern end of the state on their journey to their newly "assigned" home. We would like to commemorate not only this tragic and sorrowful episode, but also the courage and tenacity of the survivors as they unwillingly made their way toward Oklahoma. We will spend some time learning about the Trail of Tears and retracing the pathways of the Cherokee as they traveled, then we will take our thoughts and feelings and capture them in fabric. Please bring your scissors, needle and thread (and sewing 