How The Trail of Tears Impacted the Ancestors of Wes Studi | Finding Your Roots | PBS
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- Опубліковано 15 лют 2024
- Official website: to.pbs.org/fyr10 | #FindingYourRoots
Wes Studi learns about the impact of The Trail of Tears on his mother's side of the family, a tragic forced displacement that affected thousands of Native families. Research reveals a claim written in the 1840s of what Studi's family lost when they were displaced by American settlers.
From small-town Oklahoma native to internationally acclaimed actor and musician, Wes Studi credits his passion and multi-faceted background for his powerful character portrayals that forever changed a Hollywood stereotype. Wes moved audiences with unforgettable performances in “Dances with Wolves,” “The Last of the Mohicans,” “Geronimo: An American Legend,” and “Heat.” In 2019, Wes received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Award, an honorary Oscar statuette, given to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement.
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#WesStudi #PBS #HenryLouisGates #NativeAmerican
Finding Your Roots
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides influential guests into their roots, uncovering deep secrets, hidden identities and lost ancestors. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides influential guests deep into the branches of their family trees, revealing surprising stories of forgotten ancestors that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity. - Розваги
Our ancestors could not talk about these things because they were trying to survive. They are the reason we are still here. Now we return the favor by sharing their story and remembering them.
I consider myself unclaimed freight. My DNA says I'm native, but no government ID. I'm a member of a lost heritage.
What Nation?@@HvacGuy76
Brilliantly said!
@@HvacGuy76. If the Spirit knows then that is what is the only important thing
@@HvacGuy76. I don't need any government I.D. in order to be looked at as family by my actual relatives..that I.D. is of a unique agreement between them and the government for the government's designations and categories as well as the tribe. My Miccosukee relatives wouldn't except me as a card carrier ..which I agree with..only they would accept ne as a family member outside and with no connection to any government because well..family is family regardless of any special agreement with an entity that oversees who is family of a family..I never want benefits or a card to show anyone..others should ..for certain reasons..but I'm not having it in my wants..my wants include family recognition more than some recognition with a big foreign nose that comes with the recognition. I would be ineligible because only being half is required..my Dad could if he wanted to I suppose. Another thing..people on the rez need that card ..I'm from a city..i was born in a city of this country and i don't need any benefits like people on any reservation needs them..especially any way out in the middle of nowhere like the plains..or some places in desert areas with no water, heat..food
Please do more of these for the First Nations People.
I hope they might think about researching Green Beret and Medal of Honor Recipient, MSGT Roy Benavides. He was was Latino and Native DNA. Also, many finding the descendants of Geronimo, or Cochise, that would be wonderful.
Yes!!!!
He did Louise Erdrich for a previous show, Faces of America. She was the only person to refuse a DNA test because she felt the actual paper connections and family stories told her of her family so DNA wasn't needed. Eva Longoria was also interesting because she has a lot of Indigenous Mexican family (and is also a DNA cousin to Yo Yo Ma who is 100% Chinese)
Most Definitely. Native/Indigenous stories are important to be told.
no fkn thank you. These guys still want to tell us we walked over a LAND BRIDGE lolol.. and you think they're going to tell us anything we don't already know or have within our stored bank of memory!?! psh.
I purchased a piece of land in the last known native town in Hiawassee, Tennessee, my parce isl in the area called Chestue, which means Rabbit town in Cherokee. I knew my family had been removed during the trail of tears because my father told me the oral history of the Cherokee.
One day, while looking through old land deeds, I found my ancestors' names on the list to be removed. They actually lived on the very land that I purchased.
I BOUGHT OUR LAND BACK !!!
I had no clue.
I told my family to bury me at Chestue. Then, no one could ever take it away from us again.
I miss you, Daddy
Make a forever home and garden on that land!
It was meant to be❣️
👋🇨🇦
Amen🙏
Incredible
That's wild, but then again, I totally believe it! Your ancestors led you back there! I lived a long time in Georgia not knowing I was close to where my Cherokee ancestors removed from, but it always DEEPLY felt like home-like I had a soul connection there. Now I know where they came from and it makes sense.
One of the most underrated actors in the US. If he was of the same ethnicity as Daniel Day Lewis in 'The Last Mohicans', he might have won the Oscar for Male Supporting Role.
Then he wouldn’t have been able to *play* the role of Magua.
Lest we forget, most of the Indigenous roles played in Hollywood historically were by white people.
He really was great in that role… he crushed the role
He's one if the few actors on my "I'll watch anything they're in" list.
I only figured out who Daniel Day Lewis was today, but Wes I knew he was the reason I clicked on this, and I am from New Zealand. My mother was Maori when she was alive and I didn't understand as a child why I was the one that had to go with her to view houses to buy, but as a white-passing Maori with red hair I understand today, she was playing them using me as a child of privilege to help her get a home to keep a roof over our heads. Eventually, it worked so when she got sick I told her the biggest thank you for doing everything she could too keep a roof over our heads, to keep us fed and for all the love she gave me and my brother. One day I wanna find our Maori ancestors. I got so far back on my dad's side but both my mother's parents were adopted so I can only trace that line of Scots and not the Maori side, but I know my people are with me. So one day.
The donation of $150 made by the Choctaw nation to Famine relief in the 1840's in Ireland while the tribe were forced to complete the trail of tears is an amazing story. The Choctaw's generosity during their tribulations has never been forgotten in Ireland. Today a scholarship is run in UCC for Choctaw students and also a most beautiful sculpture named Kindred Spirit which consists of a circle of steel Eagle feathers was erected in the town of Midleton County Cork a number of years ago as a thank you to the tribe for what they did all those years ago.
I read of this years ago, what a thing .... people who don't have are usually the ones willing to give the most
I'm glad that you know this! The flag of the Choctaw Nation is in the Dail
Incredible share!
The Choctaw brought their black slaves on the trail of tears. They probably sold 1 to pay for that. Nobody wants to hear that history though.
Mr. Wes Studi is one of my favorite actors of all times. I am so happy to see him on here. An underrated and phenomenal actor and such a kind gentleman . This is so emotional❤🥺
joe leaphorn lives!
I agree
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
@@cherylharewood6125 reparations are even less likely than "jesus return" its about class not race in the end.
Studi in my view is the greatest Native American actor in US History. Last of the Mohicans, Dances with Wolves, Heat, Geronimo, and Hostiles to name a few.
I also never knew until recently he served in the US Army during the Vietnam War as a Rifleman and saw combat.
He’s an American hero and a great testament to how important a legacy and role Indians have played in our country.
@5:32 when he says "we've lived with that pain for a long time, huh" he's including the host in that response too
💙
✊🏽
Because in truth..it's pain that all have to share on one level..if you're not lying to yourself then you know humans have to know they can never not be apart of one another..at least for sure on some ways..most ways in fact
On my opinion
The human condition.
"We've lived with that pain for a long time." He says so much right there. Then he goes on to say, "So, it's not something that stabs at the heart right now, you know?"
Thanks for doing this episode and thank you to Wes Studi for being willing to appear on the show. It helps fellow Natives on our own healing journeys.
Other Tribe had the same thing done to them (The Long Walk. To Fort Sumer) and other among other tribes. I am glad that Wes Studi is shedding lights on those. Maria
inter-generational trauma.
“Might be worth a trip.” Bless his heart for real, have always loved his acting but this right here, just wow …
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
The elders didn’t talk about this because of the pain…..and just the need to survive.
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
Yes, it just conjures up a bad place for the mind to settle. Though grandma did like to make light of the Great Depression years. “They had a depression and we didn’t know because nothing changed out here on the reservation”. She was the pillar of our family.
I understood when I'd heard some of my grandmother's and great-grandmother's experiences from wartime. The pain. 😢
The footprints of our Ancestors are still there...they survived ...so we can be HERE! LET US CELEBRATE THAT EVERDAY... their strength, strong mind set... I do, I don't put too much on ...lack of strength. I CELEBRATE life...moving forward,
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
This leaves such a weight on my chest and hurts my heart. As a descendant of John Mason, I know that my ancestors were involved in the colonization of the eastern US and the deaths of Indigenous people, specifically the Pequot people. That shame that Wes says he feels, saying, "How could we let this happen?" I feel like the shame should be on the colonizers. I'm sure his people did the best that they could. It should be people like my ancestors saying, "How could we let this happen?" Just a true stain on this country's history. I think we don't talk enough about Indigenous people's stories. I'm glad we had a chance to hear his.
My great grandmother made a similar trip in 1876 across Canada after Canada took Métis land. I didn’t learn about it until I was in high school too. My mother has few details too. In my family’s case I think after being forced from home like that, the elders went silent. They tried to hide their identity for safety.
Hey cousin.
Is your family Metis? I ask because we here in Hong Kong owe Canadians especially Metis a lot due to their fighting for us in WW2
Yes, we're Metis. My uncles fought in WW2 though I think they both fought in Europe. I didn't know the Metis had a connection to Hong Kong I will have to look into this@@clarissagafoor5222
Wood Mountain.
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
I wonder how they both feel sitting across from each other thinking about there family’s past histories… I’m sure they both can relate.
While doing research on my own family tree, I discovered that my ancestors actually got land from the land lottery in Georgia. Really upset me to know but very eye opening at the same time. Led me to do a lot of research and to a lot of reflection on how my ancestors benefitted from the suffering and displacement of others. :(
How your ancestors benefited is less important then how you currently benefit from our ongoing suffering and displacement.
@@KILLCOLONIALISM. Hopefully we all can have better things together in time
We're all benefitting from land stolen from Natives. Whether a tribe was forced to move or outright killed off, the outcome remains the same.
You can't change the past and shouldn't feel guilty about something you, personally, had nothing to do with. I found out that some of my ancestors were rich landowners on Long Island in the 1600's and 1700's and were slaveowners (no southern ancestors so figured I dodged that). All we can do is make sure the truth about how this country treated indigenous and African people does not get buried and do better than our ancestors in how we treat people. Tell your story even if it makes you uncomfortable. Some in this country are trying to hide the bad things done to others and it is up to all of us to not let them.
Well said. We have to own it AND do something about it
I can fully understand why Native Americans have such distrust of the American government after going through such tragedies. There's still a lot of animosity to this day. I've spoken with Natives Americans in South Dakota and there is a lot pain and anger that still lingers.
He has great screen presence.
He was great in "Heat" and "Last of the Mohegans."
Mohicans.
You're right.
Mohegan and Mohican are two different tribes.
I was given the wrong spelling when I sent the text, and I didn't check it.
Mohican is the one from the movie and the novel.
very compelling in geronimo too
joe leaphorn lives!
I also liked his performance in Mystery Men, Streets of Laredo, and Hostiles.
Wes Studi is leaving a helluva legacy..., total respect;
“That’s gotta be painful.” Dr. Gates keeps digging for the emotional payoff, but Mr. Studi’s response is admirable, and true. First Nations people have lived with this pain for generations, as well as the “ultimate urge” just to survive. I’m glad the show provided Wes with more details to add to the trove of precious information his family is gathering about his ancestors. And I’m sure that as a Black American Dr. Gates can relate to the ongoing effects of hundreds of years of injustice and the struggle to carry on.
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
I noticed this too. His response respected the importance of the new information, but was essentially like, sorry bro, we're all out of tears on this one. This was a crime against humanity and one of the original sins of the United States. There's nothing redeeming about it, no cathartic weeping. A powerful expression of dignity from a leading figure in the Native community.
As a fellow citizen of the Cherokee Nation and apparently a distant cousin of Wes Studi, and whose family traveled in the same detachment on the Trail of Tears as his family, I was proud of Wes for not taking the emotional bait ... and for remaining stoic with dignity and thoughtfulness.
As well as appreciating his dignity, I appreciate that he values this new information as something to bring to his people as a whole, not just for himself as an individual.
The Trail Of Tears is a very sad part of our country's history in how it adversely affected the Native American people like Wes's family and ancestors. When he said "how did we allow this to even happen?" That was exactly the point; it never should have happened. Wes is an incredible actor, and he always embodies his characters so well, like in Road To Paloma as Jason Mamoa's father Numé. I commend his honesty and respect his courage for doing this PBS show.
My deepest respect for this amazing actor
He’s a wonderful actor and highly underrated. He’s so versatile too. I got a real kick out of him in Mystery Men. 😊
This beautiful man.
Thank you @PBS for telling a variety of stories. Hearing about individuals who lived these histories makes them more real. Thank you!
I love how down to earth this bloke is, in spite of the "how does that make you feel?" mantras being lobbed at him. He's smart, reflected, and entirely doesn't rise to the bait. I love him.
I felt quite emotional watching this one in a way I haven't felt for others, even if their stories were also very sad. So much of the suffering that has been experienced by Indigenous peoples all around the world has never really been properly acknowledged and honoured. You can see in how Wes responds that he is accustomed to having to endure that pain quietly. And we are still a very, very long ways away from truth and reconciliation.
Strange I had a dream about this actor last night and wake up to this in UA-cam today. Wonderful people in Oklahoma. I hope to make a trip back there. Outstanding actor. I am so happy he had this opportunity to explore his personal history.
Magua captured me and never let go. The kind of performance that means something beyond a movie
Beautiful, strong and courageous people. Wes Studi is a remarkable actor
AMERICA owes more to these Honorable people!
America owes nothing.
Who the Cherokee? The people who still owned people of certain color even AFTER the Civil War? 😆
So what you saying?!
And black Americans as well
His magnificent face. He’s an amazing actor. Love him!
Wes, what a class act.
This definitely sheds light on the strength of Native American Women and courage it took to survive the atrocities that they had to endure...
One of my ancestors was a survivor of the Trail of Tears. She never spoke of her experience. I do wish she would have written it down though. 💔
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
We all need to know these stories.
An amazing man. So much love for him, his family and ancestors….
Part of my family aswell..the trail cutting thru upper louisians heading to Oklahoma..they broke off and hid in No mans land..some kept to themselves others mixed in with creole society and other ethic groups..they were Choctaw coming from Mississippi..today we are State recognized,pushing for federal recognition..1 luv everyone🎭🎭🎊🎉
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
Saw Wes Studi in a play in Minneapolis, Minnesota last fall, and he did not disappoint. Great actor and great representative of the Cherokee Nation, Wado Sir!
I love this show and I agree they need to show more of the first people. It was heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time.
Mad respect to Wes Studi. Especially for his avoidance of any maudlin emotional display in this clip, which Gates, Jr. was clearly digging at. But also for emphasizing that the awful history of his people - for all of us everywhere, tbh - is what's lead to our current presence and our potential. In other words, tragedy is what you make of it.
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
@@cherylharewood6125 Reparations reward victimhood. They mess up healthy social achievement and enhance the resentment and the divides between entire classes of citizens.
There isn't a culture on earth that hasn't at some time enslaved, exploited, denigrated or refused full rights to some part of their population. And there is no amount of reparation that can make up for the suffering it caused.
There are ways to fix current inequalities and right past wrongs. But they require effort and a long, consistent set of actions. It's always harder to put effort towards real and substantive action than fantasy.
I think Wes is just a stoic guy and he isn't shocked. He is a Cherokee so he knew his ancestors went through it. He isn't surprised nor should he be.
As a fellow Cherokee Nation citizen whose family was in that last detachment on the Trail of Tears with Wes Studi's family, I agree with what you said, completely. He didn't take the bait but stayed true and honorable.
Him and Russell Means were amazing in 'Last of the Mohicans'
I’ve been working on my family roots for many years. It’s a mixed bag - sadness for why people had to emigrate and deep pride in how far we’ve come. I’m Irish. My great-great grandparents were poor and illiterate. My immigrant great-grandparents had barely any education and minimal skills. They toiled as domestics, laundresses, hostlers and laborers. But they built a life and instilled values that have been passed down through the generations. I can only hope they would be proud of their descendants today- all of whom - men and women- are college graduates and succeeding in fields that would have been beyond their wildest dreams. For them and, I hope, for all Americans, this is truly a land of endless opportunity.
Thank you PBS for always making and presenting wonderful publications for we the people
Hoping to hear more stories of Indigenous people on this program. This was remarkable. Wes Studi is an incredible actor, and clearly an even better man.
I love his movies. He is a great actor.
He is so calm and controls his emotions, not the typical criers we see on this show
Wow , please do more
Wes Studi a GREAT actor
I’m loving how I am seeing more representation and voices from and by First Nations peoples ❤
One of my fav actors. 71 here.
Much respect, Mr. Studi. Godspeed.
I had family on the Trail, including 2 who died, & one who walked back from Oklahoma to Alabama. Barefoot. Alone. At 17yrs old.
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
hope you are very very proud of your family have always thought native americans a fascinating people we scots were also treated very badly lands taken language banned also national dress and playing traditional music was banned from linda in scotland
Unbelievable ❤
We still have a few Cherokee in Jackson County. Most signed the Treaty of Turkeytown and went west.
Can you imagine…
He's a living legend. I know a lot of people will be shocked by what I am about to say, but I think his performance in Mystery Men underscores his talent. I have heard it said that comedy is more difficult than drama and his comedic performance in Mystery Men was wonderful. He made me laugh.
Bless his heart. It was an absolute shame. What we did to all Native Americans was just awful.
History was just mean.
Better things are always possible with the coming around again on the circle that grows ever onward into the future. I was told were all here to learn how to treat each other good..I think it's a truth
I’m a huge fan of Wes Studi..I’m so glad he was able to find this piece of his families puzzle…
Wes Studi an Indigenous man of wisdom and great honor
A'ho!
He is an amazing actor.
I hope Mr. Studi visits his ancestral home and visits the people who took the land away from his family.
I had instant love for Wes in a movie when I was young, a feeling of connect, in my house we had similar traditions, turns out I'm 49% Native American, very proud of that!❤ Thanks Wes for always being someone for us to be very proud of, also a beautiful man, so have a crush on you!❤
To think that there are those who refuse to recognize this part of our history or allow it to be taught in schools, it's shameful.
Hard to tell the story when you’re still feeling the trauma🙏🏽
Wes could of been a 2 hr program. I am part Cherokee. Loved this man in all his old westerns since I was a child. ❤
He played such a formidable character, I am impressed by his response of strength not weakness in a real life situation of learning about his ancestors' devastating journey. He plays close to the vest with his emotions. Impressive man!
Hes one of the most talened actors in Hollywood.
I love Wes!!! His characters in Last of the Mohicans and Dances with wolves were badass!
I'm so grateful to see the Cherokee Nation represented on a genealogy show! What we remember lives, and our ancestors guide us in all we do. More Indigenous folks please!
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
Wes Studi is one of my favorite actor. He has portrayed his Heritage very well in my opinion.
My Grandparents were divorced and my Grandfather didn’t share about his family until much later in life, but we have always known our Creek Indian heritage. He was a Marine in WWII and came home to live life. My Mother began to share memories that lead us to research our roots. There’s a lot of history in eastern Oklahoma and we are planning to travel to Georgia.
To know this man is such an honor!!
She went through my town in missouri, cant imagine having to walk that far in winter for real
y'all are doing the Lord's work ❤🙏🏾
He is grateful for his past because that is why he is here today, while understanding that he did not have any control over what his ancestors did or what happened to them. That is something that many of us need to understand about life. Now that you are here try to make the best of it no matter hard hard it may seem to be. We each only have one chance at it.
Awakening the stories put to sleep helps to excavate deep wounds for Healing ~ Resilience will sustain us 🙏🏾💜🌎
Such an iconic actor. Always a joy to watch him work.
Why is there no First Nations People month? It is a disgrace what happened and should never be forgotten.
November is Native American Heritage month. We celebrate it here in the Cherokee Nation, but the rest of the country seems to give it little notice.
There is a Native American Month. In the military it is definitely celebrated to include others.
Crazy to find a video about the Trail of Tears, because I just visited there last week.
My family and I live less than an hour away in Cape Girardeau.
I'm quite spiritual and feel sensitive to certain things.
While at the Trail of Tears, I experienced a sense of calm mixed with unease.
It felt like I was being watched, but not in a threatening way.
It was as if there was a presence ensuring we were respectful of the place.
I learned about the Trail of Tears in 2016 during unspeakable events…💕🌎😇
I am part Cherokee and my family ended up in Oklahoma. This is amazing information
My family walked this walk. I’m just as confused and it makes me sad.
Yea right!!!
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
This is so interesting for me to see on a personal level. I am related to Wes maternally and you can see my family’s name “Nofire” on the document.
Wes Studi is awesome. So glad he was on the show
Reading “Bury my Heart at wounded knee” opens eyes.
My family wound up there in Ok. I traced it back after finding my paternal family. My grandma was registered with the Eastern Band. I have her paperwork. I was very fortunate, years ago, to meet up the Commemorative Trail of Tears wagon train near Nashville. I met a storyteller and she told us a lot. Many died in the march near the Smyrna, Tn airport, sick and exhausted and freezing, and were buried there.
He is a brave, honorable gentleman.
What a lovely man.
Thank you sir for being an amazing actor most of my life.
Wonderful Actor! I’am proud to now know that we share Nanyehi ( Nancy Ward), Beloved Woman of The Cherokee as our grandmother. Mr. Studi seems to be a 7th cousin!
One if the most interesting reactions to the ancestors' stories.
A tremendous actor. I've all the movies he's been in. I hope you find out all of your heritage.
I’m the oldest of my family’s California cousins and I’m 77 years old. I was told as a young child that we had Cherokee ancestors. I actually recounted it in a school report back in the 1950s. My mother’s family came from Texas and my maternal grandmother (and it turns out, my grandfather too) came from Bosque County, Texas. A couple of years ago, I was playing around on the internet and looking for information about Bosque County. I found excerpts from a book “Bosque County Land & People”. It mentioned my grandmother, born 1880, by name and it also mentioned my grandfather, born 1875, by name. I had idea that he had come from Bosque County. It also had a picture of my grandfather standing with all his brothers in front of a barn. It told a little family history on each of them and mentioned a Cherokee connection-at least proving that the story of a Cherokee connection went back to the 19th century!
I was watching another program on PBS that was about WW2 American solders recounting the march to Batan, after surrendering to Japanese forces, at the beginning of hostilities. Their details of what happened and how the suffered reminded me of the stories from the Trail of Tears exacting. What goes around comes around, like it was our turn to feel what the peoples went through by our own people. I was a very thoughtful evening of watching. Everyone takes a turn depending how one party treated another will be, in turn, treated as well.
I'm the one who carries shame...how could my People (Europeans from the Mayflower) have bred such cruelties...and there's no way to deny it, since the King Phillip's War, when the Indigenous People's around Plymouth, Ma were enslaved and shipped to the Caribbean.
My apologies are inadequate, but very heartfelt. It was a horrible period in History.
I lived in the area where the Trail of Tears ended...Jay Oklahoma. I ask many blessings upon ALL Indigenous People's affected by European Colonization. ❤
Your ancestors were warriors and conquerors. The reason you exist is because of their courage and strength. Too bad you have no pride in that.
I too am of Mayflower stock and I find it hard to judge people in which I could not have possibly understood their culture, politics, and other norms in their time. Lots of atrocities were committed in King Philip's War by both sides. Maybe 200 years from now history will judge you for taking they know then to be the "wrong" position.
@@user-px9wu6yu7m I can be proud of their accomplishments, while having the decency to admit wrong done and the Spiritual wherewithall to seek forgiveness on their behalf.
@@Leo0991 I doubt that, as I will leave written materials so descendants have a clear idea who I was. There's nothing wrong with how I feel. You do seem a tad judgey. Be blessed.
Do you realize it was the government doing all that? Sure there were bad settlers but there are some nice stories of friendships as well.
To this day , the movie Last of the Mohicans is one of my all time favorite movies. This man was in that movie and was a wonderful actor in it! Need more movies like it😉
As a white man, I am ashamed of what my race did to the native Americans back then. It is a complete disgrace that we stole their lands, their homes, and their honor. I wish I could offer an apology to Wes Studi face-to-face for the crimes that the white race committed to the native Americans. - - I have seen 'Last of the Mohicans' many times. Wes Studi portrayed the role of Magua brilliantly. Another native American whom I respect (who was also in the movie) is Russell Means. He penned a book called 'Where White Men Fear To Tread'. I have read the book many times and it is a great book which I highly recommend.
Sounds awesome but what would he do with an apology?
He’d know that this white man cares enough about him to say sorry for what happened to his ancestors that affect his tribal people today. This man then becomes his ally.
And America is currently supporting a genocide--an ethnic cleansing--in Palestine.
Thanks for the recommendation of the book.
Pay little or no attention to the skeptics. Knowing about and feeling these historical crimes against humanity is valuable, too.
We do whatever we can.
America is currently participating in a genocide in Palestine, supporting it with weapons and money while pretending to try to restrain the Israelis now that it's just about too late.
It isn't difficult to see this as an extension of destructive racial policies in the past.
Wow, 60,000 people is a huge amount of people!
I understand it to be one of the, if not THE largest genocide to have ever taken place on U.S. soil 😭
@@westendlawn I'm not surprised.
@@jeannemoore6610The Cherokee are one of the largest tribes in the U.S. the second largest in population..the first is Navajo..the third largest is Sioux.
My maternal 4th great grandmother walked the trail of tears according to stories passed down through my great and 2nd great grandmother. When she arrived in Oklahoma, she couldn't take the oppression. She had no living family with her. She married a white man, never registered to receive her native number and all we have to go on is her first daughters name and her father's name. We are still trying to research.
We are more powerful than we are made to believe 🙏 ✨️ ❤️ 🙌. Knowledge is POWER. Until we people of every Ethnicity are repaid, we MUST NEVER, EVER STOP FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS EVEN TO THE COMING AGAIN OF JESUS CHRIST ❤ 🙏 🤲!
Sne kalyegh 🤲 for this--) many of Indigenous people have endured such atrocity.
Both Canadian and American needs to compensate our Indigenous communities.
It hurts to hear the Trail of Tears.
😔🌱
Let the healing begin.
Hey wes your the one of the best people ever in the business far better than the ones that are giving out awards
Please know, Wes, you are loved!!!!
It's not unlike the Long March during the Holocaust. I can't help but notice the similarities.
The Nazis studied the USA and Canada and their laws in order to make their Holocaust legal and efficient in Europe.
Thank you ❤🙏❤️