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Trail of Tears Commission
News Release and Public Service
Commission Announces 21st Annual Intertribal Pow Wow Sept. 6 & 7, 2008
The Trail of Tears Commission hosts Native American Inter-Tribal Pow Wow Saturday, Sept. 6th and Sunday, Sept. 7th Special Dance and Drumming Competitions, Native American Dancing, food and craft booths, plus many other Pow Wow events and activities to respond to the increasing popularity of this annual Native American celebration.
Hopkinsville, KY,
August 11, 2008: The Trail of Tears Commission is hosting the 21st Annual Pow Wow at the historic Trail of Tears Commemorative Park on US Highway 41 in Hopkinsville, KY., site of the actual trail and encampment used during the forced removal of the Cherokee people from 1838-39. September 6th and 7h, 2008 are the dates for this exciting Native American weekend. The gates open at 10am both days at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, US HWY 41 (Pembroke Road) to a pow wow filled with dance competitions, Native American arts and crafts, Cherokee storytelling, Tipi Displays, Indian foods, Tomahawk throwing, and authentic Native American Indian dance contests with contestants in full Native American regalia. Native Americans travel from all over the United States and Canada to participate in these dance competitions provided at the Trail of Tears Pow Wow, competing for over $20000 in prize money. Men’s dance competitions are traditional, grass, straight, golden age and the spectacular fancy dance. Women’s competitions are in buckskin, fancy shawl, jingle, cloth and golden age. Junior competitions for male and female dancers 11-16 years old and youth dance competitions for boys and girls ages 6-10, along with the ever-popular tiny-tot competitions for boys and girls 5 and under offer unequalled enjoyment. This year's Pow Wow will also have the largest number of Native American Vendors offering jewelry, art, leather and beadwork, clothing, books and a variety of Native American-made products, plus more food and beverage choices. The public is invited and urged to come join this once-in-a-lifetime Native American Pow Wow experience. Gates open at 10am both days.
History Trail of Tears 1838-39
Hopkinsville, located in Christian County, Kentucky, was a major stopping point for the thousands of American Indians, primarily Cherokee, who were moved overland on the infamous Trail of Tears.
Along the banks of Little River, the Indians camped and received provisions for their journey westward to Oklahoma. While several thousand died during this forced march, two of notable standing in the Cherokee nation, Whitepath and Fly Smith are buried in Hopkinsville.
The Cherokee Nation was known as one of the five civilized tribes, with their own schools, churches and villages, having fought with a young Republic during the American Revolution, the Cherokee’s patterned their form of government after that of the United States. These were homebuilders who wished to live in peace, on their lands east of the Mississippi.
The discovery of gold on Cherokee land in Georgia in 1828 signaled the beginning of the end of the Indian’s way of life in this region. Despite even appeals to the Supreme Court to remain on their lands, President Andrew Jackson was determined that the Indians yield to the whites. This in itself was ironic, as Andrew Jackson had fought with the Cherokees, in the War of 1812, and had personally decorated some of them for their participation, as well as having had his life saved by a Cherokee.
So, in 1838, the Indians were rounded up, divided into groups, and set out for the West and a sad chapter in this country’s history was written.
Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, located along US 41 in the City limits of Hopkinsville, is situated on a portion of the campground used by the Indians and includes the gravesides of Chiefs Whitepath and Fly Smith.
Larger than life sculptures of the chiefs are the focal point of the park, which includes an information wall, courtyard of flags representing the 9 states involved in the removal with a bronze plaque showing the route of the Trail. Ample parking, picnic areas, handicapped accessible walkways and a log cabin restored for a Heritage Center are park attractions. Admission to the interpretive center is by donation.
The Trail of Tears Commission, Inc., a non-profit corporation was formed to create, develop and promote the historical significance of the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears Commemorative Park was created to pay tribute to the Cherokees who suffered so much as a result of U.S. Government Policy and acknowledge the importance of Native American Indians to our history and culture.
The Commission’s work is funded through donations and proceeds from our annual September POW WOW.
Trail of Tears Commemorative Park
Trail of Tears Commission
Post Office Box 350
Hopkinsville, KY 42241
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