Trail of Tears Memorial Walk at Mid-America Indian Center

On Saturday, October 3, the Mid-America All-Indian Center will host the Trail of Tears Memorial Walk and recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

The free event will begin at 10 a.m. on the museum’s back grounds with the playing of a ceremonial drum. Those attending will be invited to walk around the drum in remembrance of those who suffered during the Trail of Tears. You are also welcome to bring a chair to sit and watch the walk. 

The Trail of Tears Memorial Walk preserves the history and memories of the thousands of American Indians who died in 1831 during their forced relocation to Indian Territory. The path they took was named the Trail of Tears because so many succumbed to disease, starvation and exposure before reaching their destination.

You can enter the Indian Center through the front doors of the building to get to the grounds outside in the back of the museum. Masks and social distancing will be required. 

At the event, there will also be a reading of a proclamation signed by the Wichita mayor recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 12, 2020. Hunter Health Clinic will also be onsite offering flu shots. 

After the memorial, Indian tacos will be for sale (to-go orders only) at the Wichita Indian United Methodist Church, 1111 N. Meridian Ave. 

The event is hosted by the Native American Community Resource Coalition, which is comprised of a number of Native American organizations in Wichita. 

Trail of Tears Memorial and Indigenous Peoples’ Day event in Wichita: 

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2020
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Mid-America All-Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca and Wichita Indian United Methodist Church, 1111 N. Meridian Ave.
Cost: FREE

For more information about the Trail of Tears Memorial Walk, contact the Mid-America All-Indian Center at (316) 350-3340 or go to TheIndianCenter.org. You can also find the Indian Center on Facebook. (There is a Facebook event set up for the Trail of Tears Walk.)