After the End of the Journey: The Evolution of the Cherokee Nation After the Trail of Tears

During the winter of 1838–1839, thousands of Cherokees were forcibly removed from their traditional homeland in the southern Appalachians to lands in Indian Territory in present-day northeastern Oklahoma. Thousands of Cherokees perished along the journey in what became known as the Trail of Tears, which has been memorialized by the U.S. government, state and local governments, and non-profit organizations. Today, nearly 400,000 persons are members of the Cherokee Nation, which is headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation has persisted despite ongoing problems associated with poverty and discrimination. Today, the Cherokee language and Cherokee culture are being revived with strong support from Cherokee Nation leaders.