Trail of Tears: Cherokee women to ride 950 miles to honor ancestors’ devastating displacement

For this story, I had the opportunity to learn about this important ride from one of the riders, the ride coordinator and trainer, and online research. It was incredibly powerful to speak with these individuals about the importance of the ride. The biker I spoke with, Emily Christie, illustrated the importance of this ride in honoring her ancestors and learning about the strength of the Cherokee people. Ride coordinator Will Chavez spoke with me about the leadership and family history gained from the ride. I also learned a lot about the intense training, both on and off the bike, that went into the journey. It was inspiring to hear Emily discuss the connections created between riders and with their ancestors, along with her hope for  creating a better life for the Cherokee people. It was a very impactful experience to hear about the long-lasting impact this ride has on its riders each year, and I found it was relevant and important to learn more about the Trail of Tears and the strong impact the Cherokee people have today.