Walking the Trail in reverse

Oklahoma author retraces Cherokee ancestors’ tearful steps

‘Walking the Trail’

By David Zizzo Jerry Ellis was 41, frustrated and "feeling like I had not accomplished anything of worth.” So he went for a walk that changed his life.

It was 20 years ago when Ellis stepped off a bus in Tahlequah and headed east. On foot, he would cover 900 miles across eight states. In his mind, he would reconnect with the spirits of his ancestors, Cherokee Indians, and "basically redeem my soul.”

Ellis’ account of the walk, which traced in reverse the infamous Trail of Tears relocation of 17,000 Cherokees, during which 4,000 died, became a successful book that is still in print, "Walking the Trail.”Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Books.