Byline: Kaylea Berry/Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Over 50 Trail of Tears Memorial Association, Inc. motorcycle group members arrived at the College of Muscogee Nation on Sept. 19 to donate $2,500 for student scholarships. The group started their ride on Sept. 17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, riding along one of the Trail of Tears routes into Okmulgee.
According to their website, the Trail of Tears Remembrance Association, Inc. started in 1994 as the Trail of Tears Remembrance Association by Bill Cason. Since its inception, the association has helped recognize and mark Trail of Tears routes, educated people about the history, and donated funds for scholarships. Over the years, thousands of riders have participated in the ride from Tennessee to Oklahoma.
The name has since changed to Trail of Tears Memorial Association, Inc.
James Griffin, Trail of Tears Memorial Association Board Member, said that the number of riders decreased over the years but is now back on the rise.
The association donates money for scholarships to colleges on the Reservations in Oklahoma.
“The way we raise money is we sell t-shirts, and we have a raffle,” said Griffin. “One of our members, a guy that rides with us, makes the arrowheads and things like that by hand.”
The Trail of Tears (TOT) Memorial Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The group raises funds through sponsorships, donations, souvenir sales, and the annual ride kickoff event. Shirts and souvenirs are available for purchase on their website.
According to Griffin, the Trail of Tears Memorial Association has it in its hearts to give back.
“The whole reason is because the Trail of Tears, as far as we’re concerned, was the worst thing that’s happened in the United States.”
Once the schools receive the monetary donations, they can distribute the money to students through their process.
“We generally go by student grade point average, and sometimes it’s just the need,” said Norma Marshall, College of Muscogee Nation Native American studies advisor and instructor. “The ones that are pursuing that [four-year degree] are generally the ones that we like to mentor and keep them on that road.”
Marshall also said that CMN is in the process of building the Native American Studies associate degree into a four-year bachelor’s degree. “Our ancestors came on that Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, and so we honor our ancestors by educating our young ones so they can assume the leadership roles for our people.”
All riders are welcome to participate in the annual Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride but ride at their own risk. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page: Trail of Tears Memorial Motorcycle Ride.
