How The Trail of Tears Impacted the Ancestors of Wes Studi | Finding Your Roots | PBS

Ойын-сауық

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.
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station: www.pbs.org/donate
Subscribe to the PBS channel for more clips: / pbs
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App: to.pbs.org/2QbtzhR
FOLLOW US:
Facebook: / pbs
X: / pbs
Instagram: / pbs
TikTok: / pbs
Shop: shop.pbs.org/
#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.

Пікірлер: 543

  • @AbraAlahouzos
    @AbraAlahouzos3 ай бұрын

    Please do more of these for the First Nations People.

  • @einroselweiss120

    @einroselweiss120

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @lindafrazier8092

    @lindafrazier8092

    3 ай бұрын

    Yes!!!!

  • @hectorsmommy1717

    @hectorsmommy1717

    3 ай бұрын

    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)

  • @johnwebb2442

    @johnwebb2442

    3 ай бұрын

    Most Definitely. Native/Indigenous stories are important to be told.

  • @keetahbrough

    @keetahbrough

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @Shamunt
    @Shamunt3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @HvacGuy76

    @HvacGuy76

    3 ай бұрын

    I consider myself unclaimed freight. My DNA says I'm native, but no government ID. I'm a member of a lost heritage.

  • @KILLCOLONIALISM

    @KILLCOLONIALISM

    3 ай бұрын

    What Nation?@@HvacGuy76

  • @srezzy1326

    @srezzy1326

    3 ай бұрын

    Brilliantly said!

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@HvacGuy76. If the Spirit knows then that is what is the only important thing

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@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

  • @deedeewinfrey3181
    @deedeewinfrey31813 ай бұрын

    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

  • @gretafields4706

    @gretafields4706

    3 ай бұрын

    Make a forever home and garden on that land!

  • @Mrstigger747

    @Mrstigger747

    3 ай бұрын

    It was meant to be❣️ 👋🇨🇦

  • @brendabrownen6684

    @brendabrownen6684

    3 ай бұрын

    Amen🙏

  • @dawnbrown5331

    @dawnbrown5331

    3 ай бұрын

    Incredible

  • @isarose3136

    @isarose3136

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @laman8914
    @laman89143 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @michaeldukes4108

    @michaeldukes4108

    3 ай бұрын

    Then he wouldn’t have been able to *play* the role of Magua.

  • @evelinaanville

    @evelinaanville

    3 ай бұрын

    Lest we forget, most of the Indigenous roles played in Hollywood historically were by white people.

  • @joseywales148

    @joseywales148

    3 ай бұрын

    He really was great in that role… he crushed the role

  • @m.l.b.2908

    @m.l.b.2908

    3 ай бұрын

    He's one if the few actors on my "I'll watch anything they're in" list.

  • @JdeeGeekyGao

    @JdeeGeekyGao

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @oyinade84
    @oyinade843 ай бұрын

    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❤🥺

  • @RobertSlover

    @RobertSlover

    3 ай бұрын

    joe leaphorn lives!

  • @lindafrazier8092

    @lindafrazier8092

    3 ай бұрын

    I agree

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @RobertSlover

    @RobertSlover

    3 ай бұрын

    @@cherylharewood6125 reparations are even less likely than "jesus return" its about class not race in the end.

  • @jpoh4398
    @jpoh43982 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @AtheneHolder

    @AtheneHolder

    Ай бұрын

    I read of this years ago, what a thing .... people who don't have are usually the ones willing to give the most

  • @joewelsh8979

    @joewelsh8979

    Ай бұрын

    I'm glad that you know this! The flag of the Choctaw Nation is in the Dail

  • @boomfyer89
    @boomfyer893 ай бұрын

    @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

  • @jamiegallier2106

    @jamiegallier2106

    3 ай бұрын

    💙

  • @pumamanta1771

    @pumamanta1771

    3 ай бұрын

    ✊🏽

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    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

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    On my opinion

  • @chadparsons50

    @chadparsons50

    3 ай бұрын

    The human condition.

  • @BeefCake1012
    @BeefCake10123 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @lhpeterson51
    @lhpeterson513 ай бұрын

    “Might be worth a trip.” Bless his heart for real, have always loved his acting but this right here, just wow …

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @lavernemoreno7168
    @lavernemoreno71683 ай бұрын

    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,

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @ishetrying
    @ishetrying3 ай бұрын

    "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.

  • @heleenemerson7931

    @heleenemerson7931

    3 ай бұрын

    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

  • @av1421

    @av1421

    3 ай бұрын

    inter-generational trauma.

  • @maggiep3129
    @maggiep31293 ай бұрын

    The elders didn’t talk about this because of the pain…..and just the need to survive.

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @skeezix8156

    @skeezix8156

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @nesianhoney94

    @nesianhoney94

    2 ай бұрын

    I understood when I'd heard some of my grandmother's and great-grandmother's experiences from wartime. The pain. 😢

  • @rsutton06
    @rsutton063 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @KILLCOLONIALISM

    @KILLCOLONIALISM

    3 ай бұрын

    Hey cousin.

  • @clarissagafoor5222

    @clarissagafoor5222

    3 ай бұрын

    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

  • @rsutton06

    @rsutton06

    3 ай бұрын

    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

  • @einroselweiss120

    @einroselweiss120

    3 ай бұрын

    Wood Mountain.

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @kellydiaz
    @kellydiaz3 ай бұрын

    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. :(

  • @KILLCOLONIALISM

    @KILLCOLONIALISM

    3 ай бұрын

    How your ancestors benefited is less important then how you currently benefit from our ongoing suffering and displacement.

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@KILLCOLONIALISM. Hopefully we all can have better things together in time

  • @stevenbaker7025

    @stevenbaker7025

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @hectorsmommy1717

    @hectorsmommy1717

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @dawnbrown5331

    @dawnbrown5331

    3 ай бұрын

    Well said. We have to own it AND do something about it

  • @jordanperry8487
    @jordanperry84873 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @BlueHooloovoo
    @BlueHooloovoo3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @patkelley5147
    @patkelley51473 ай бұрын

    Wes Studi is leaving a helluva legacy..., total respect;

  • @lesleyobrien1804
    @lesleyobrien18042 ай бұрын

    Why is there no First Nations People month? It is a disgrace what happened and should never be forgotten.

  • @TrulyJefferson

    @TrulyJefferson

    Ай бұрын

    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.

  • @imaginelovepeaceandhappine3281

    @imaginelovepeaceandhappine3281

    23 күн бұрын

    There is a Native American Month. In the military it is definitely celebrated to include others.

  • @IlGattonero13
    @IlGattonero133 ай бұрын

    “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.

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @SuperRobertoClemente

    @SuperRobertoClemente

    2 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @TrulyJefferson

    @TrulyJefferson

    Ай бұрын

    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.

  • @Scapegrace74
    @Scapegrace743 ай бұрын

    He has great screen presence. He was great in "Heat" and "Last of the Mohegans."

  • @stephanieyee9784

    @stephanieyee9784

    3 ай бұрын

    Mohicans.

  • @Scapegrace74

    @Scapegrace74

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @gmonorail

    @gmonorail

    3 ай бұрын

    very compelling in geronimo too

  • @RobertSlover

    @RobertSlover

    3 ай бұрын

    joe leaphorn lives!

  • @This.Handle.Is.Taken.Already

    @This.Handle.Is.Taken.Already

    3 ай бұрын

    I also liked his performance in Mystery Men, Streets of Laredo, and Hostiles.

  • @Dano.book-em24
    @Dano.book-em243 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @torijohnston8540
    @torijohnston85403 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @keithparker7031
    @keithparker70313 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @jddII

    @jddII

    3 ай бұрын

    Sounds awesome but what would he do with an apology?

  • @devonways1657

    @devonways1657

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @Scapegrace74

    @Scapegrace74

    3 ай бұрын

    And America is currently supporting a genocide--an ethnic cleansing--in Palestine.

  • @Scapegrace74

    @Scapegrace74

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @Scapegrace74

    @Scapegrace74

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @sarahsosa729
    @sarahsosa729Ай бұрын

    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. ❤

  • @medinadan
    @medinadan2 ай бұрын

    This definitely sheds light on the strength of Native American Women and courage it took to survive the atrocities that they had to endure...

  • @auntkami
    @auntkami3 ай бұрын

    Thank you @PBS for telling a variety of stories. Hearing about individuals who lived these histories makes them more real. Thank you!

  • @danielle38134
    @danielle381343 ай бұрын

    He’s a wonderful actor and highly underrated. He’s so versatile too. I got a real kick out of him in Mystery Men. 😊

  • @tinjadog
    @tinjadog3 ай бұрын

    This beautiful man.

  • @user-kk5jt2po5o
    @user-kk5jt2po5o3 ай бұрын

    My deepest respect for this amazing actor

  • @meganh7526
    @meganh75262 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @kathyhansen4849
    @kathyhansen48493 ай бұрын

    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. 💔

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @user-tu4rn8ui9u

    @user-tu4rn8ui9u

    2 ай бұрын

    We all need to know these stories.

  • @loreedavis5988
    @loreedavis5988Ай бұрын

    His magnificent face. He’s an amazing actor. Love him!

  • @joemanly9519
    @joemanly95192 ай бұрын

    Strange I had a dream about this actor last night and wake up to this in KZread 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.

  • @abdulrahmanraheem423
    @abdulrahmanraheem4233 ай бұрын

    AMERICA owes more to these Honorable people!

  • @Ter9393

    @Ter9393

    3 ай бұрын

    America owes nothing.

  • @Jahn_Pah_Jonz

    @Jahn_Pah_Jonz

    2 ай бұрын

    Who the Cherokee? The people who still owned people of certain color even AFTER the Civil War? 😆

  • @Dana_inc

    @Dana_inc

    2 ай бұрын

    So what you saying?!

  • @user-kd2hz4mc3f

    @user-kd2hz4mc3f

    23 күн бұрын

    And black Americans as well

  • @ulba98
    @ulba9825 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @jericox2980
    @jericox2980Ай бұрын

    Beautiful, strong and courageous people. Wes Studi is a remarkable actor

  • @bens9275
    @bens92753 ай бұрын

    Magua captured me and never let go. The kind of performance that means something beyond a movie

  • @OloRishaCreole504
    @OloRishaCreole5043 ай бұрын

    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🎭🎭🎊🎉

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @mikesanborn4541
    @mikesanborn45413 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @patriciajrs46
    @patriciajrs463 ай бұрын

    Bless his heart. It was an absolute shame. What we did to all Native Americans was just awful. History was just mean.

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    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

  • @mrpatrickdelgado
    @mrpatrickdelgado3 ай бұрын

    Hard to tell the story when you’re still feeling the trauma🙏🏽

  • @vonrock6862
    @vonrock6862Ай бұрын

    Reading “Bury my Heart at wounded knee” opens eyes.

  • @hughjaass3787
    @hughjaass37873 ай бұрын

    I had family on the Trail, including 2 who died, & one who walked back from Oklahoma to Alabama. Barefoot. Alone. At 17yrs old.

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @lwilson123

    @lwilson123

    2 ай бұрын

    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

  • @user-tu4rn8ui9u

    @user-tu4rn8ui9u

    2 ай бұрын

    Unbelievable ❤

  • @anthonyfuqua6988

    @anthonyfuqua6988

    Ай бұрын

    We still have a few Cherokee in Jackson County. Most signed the Treaty of Turkeytown and went west.

  • @FloatingThroughTheRealm

    @FloatingThroughTheRealm

    Ай бұрын

    Can you imagine…

  • @isarose3136
    @isarose31363 ай бұрын

    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!

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @keithridge197
    @keithridge1972 ай бұрын

    Thank you PBS for always making and presenting wonderful publications for we the people

  • @bahiras
    @bahiras3 ай бұрын

    I hope Mr. Studi visits his ancestral home and visits the people who took the land away from his family.

  • @theodorafyn
    @theodorafyn3 ай бұрын

    I’m loving how I am seeing more representation and voices from and by First Nations peoples ❤

  • @user-tu4rn8ui9u
    @user-tu4rn8ui9u2 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @brushwolf
    @brushwolf2 ай бұрын

    Wes, what a class act.

  • @richardmorrison2686
    @richardmorrison2686Ай бұрын

    Wow , please do more Wes Studi a GREAT actor

  • @philippbobkaufmann4004
    @philippbobkaufmann40043 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @jolynnhill8502
    @jolynnhill85023 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @mjinba07
    @mjinba073 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @mjinba07

    @mjinba07

    3 ай бұрын

    @@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.

  • @marklittle8805

    @marklittle8805

    2 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @TrulyJefferson

    @TrulyJefferson

    Ай бұрын

    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.

  • @shesemerald2011
    @shesemerald20113 ай бұрын

    Him and Russell Means were amazing in 'Last of the Mohicans'

  • @missourimongoose8858
    @missourimongoose885829 күн бұрын

    She went through my town in missouri, cant imagine having to walk that far in winter for real

  • @hokacorndancerhawkeyes2019
    @hokacorndancerhawkeyes20193 ай бұрын

    Wes Studi an Indigenous man of wisdom and great honor A'ho!

  • @hamacaboy
    @hamacaboyАй бұрын

    He is so calm and controls his emotions, not the typical criers we see on this show

  • @goeshen4359
    @goeshen43593 ай бұрын

    An amazing man. So much love for him, his family and ancestors….

  • @billrivenbark8983
    @billrivenbark89833 ай бұрын

    I love his movies. He is a great actor.

  • @NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111
    @NanaAmySpectreSeeker11113 ай бұрын

    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. ❤

  • @user-px9wu6yu7m

    @user-px9wu6yu7m

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @Leo0991

    @Leo0991

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111

    @NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111

    3 ай бұрын

    @@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.

  • @NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111

    @NanaAmySpectreSeeker1111

    3 ай бұрын

    @@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.

  • @wheredidthetimego8087

    @wheredidthetimego8087

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @audreylentz-qx2bo
    @audreylentz-qx2boАй бұрын

    My grandpa was born on The Trail of Tears,his momma walked till she found a tree and stopped too give birth,then caught back up with them,his mother was Nerve Nation Keener,his father was William Bill Keener. Miss Audrey

  • @mariannebonner2280
    @mariannebonner22803 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @leoscheibelhut940
    @leoscheibelhut9403 ай бұрын

    Part of the genius of this show was selecting an African-American to be the host. My family came from Germany and Eastern Europe, escaping varied troubles for a better life in America. Despite my forefathers' challenges and a few were life threatening, I'd be hard pressed to discuss issues like the Trail of Tears with a Native American without my privilege showing. I just don't have the depth of oppression and suffering to discuss these topics on an "equal" footing as Native Americans, African-Americans, or Jews immigrating during the time of the Nazis.

  • @user-rn5jz7om1s
    @user-rn5jz7om1s2 ай бұрын

    Hes one of the most talened actors in Hollywood.

  • @SeanRCope
    @SeanRCope11 күн бұрын

    Such an iconic actor. Always a joy to watch him work.

  • @btcrazee1
    @btcrazee12 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @michaelvincent4280
    @michaelvincent4280Ай бұрын

    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.

  • @anitasnyder2396
    @anitasnyder23963 ай бұрын

    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!❤

  • @Wyrmwould
    @Wyrmwould3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @robertmcamis389
    @robertmcamis3893 ай бұрын

    Much respect, Mr. Studi. Godspeed.

  • @Gila-kasla777
    @Gila-kasla777Ай бұрын

    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.

  • @tennyceb
    @tennyceb3 ай бұрын

    My family walked this walk. I’m just as confused and it makes me sad.

  • @helenbradford2569

    @helenbradford2569

    3 ай бұрын

    Yea right!!!

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @Esther-kn2zs
    @Esther-kn2zs3 ай бұрын

    I learned about the Trail of Tears in 2016 during unspeakable events…💕🌎😇

  • @melindadurchholz3738
    @melindadurchholz37383 ай бұрын

    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!

  • @jeannemoore6610
    @jeannemoore66103 ай бұрын

    Wow, 60,000 people is a huge amount of people!

  • @westendlawn

    @westendlawn

    3 ай бұрын

    I understand it to be one of the, if not THE largest genocide to have ever taken place on U.S. soil 😭

  • @jeannemoore6610

    @jeannemoore6610

    3 ай бұрын

    @@westendlawn I'm not surprised.

  • @creaturecaldwell9858

    @creaturecaldwell9858

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@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.

  • @foreverhopeful8497
    @foreverhopeful84972 ай бұрын

    I knew my blood even before my family finally shared its story ......

  • @tula_tracey
    @tula_tracey3 ай бұрын

    He is an amazing actor.

  • @justaguy2365
    @justaguy23652 ай бұрын

    I love Wes!!! His characters in Last of the Mohicans and Dances with wolves were badass!

  • @ajdarko8531
    @ajdarko85313 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @cherylharewood6125

    @cherylharewood6125

    3 ай бұрын

    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 ❤ 🙏 🤲!

  • @audielowe2700
    @audielowe270022 күн бұрын

    I’m a huge fan of Wes Studi..I’m so glad he was able to find this piece of his families puzzle…

  • @latto333
    @latto3333 ай бұрын

    To know this man is such an honor!!

  • @PhasDaddyTV
    @PhasDaddyTV2 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @brendabrownen6684
    @brendabrownen66843 ай бұрын

    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!

  • @user-ml6dk8sk4e
    @user-ml6dk8sk4eАй бұрын

    Mr WES STUDI IS ONE of my ❤favorite actors along ❤with chief GEROGE ,REST IN PEACE DEAR ONE ! ❤

  • @Fiawordweaver
    @Fiawordweaver3 ай бұрын

    One of my fav actors. 71 here.

  • @QueenBDreamwalker
    @QueenBDreamwalker3 ай бұрын

    Awakening the stories put to sleep helps to excavate deep wounds for Healing ~ Resilience will sustain us 🙏🏾💜🌎

  • @wendysargent3855
    @wendysargent3855Ай бұрын

    I am part Cherokee and my family ended up in Oklahoma. This is amazing information

  • @BansheeMilk
    @BansheeMilk2 ай бұрын

    Wes Studi is awesome. So glad he was on the show

  • @bradduffield9603
    @bradduffield9603Ай бұрын

    A tremendous actor. I've all the movies he's been in. I hope you find out all of your heritage.

  • @lynngatlin4469
    @lynngatlin44692 ай бұрын

    I have always really admired this man an his career. This story can be told over an over a thousand times an each time it would be a similar story. If they stood true to their heritage. In my family our story is a little different. Back than when this all took place the only way possible for a native to stay in this part of the country was to be married to a white person who was eligible to own land especially here in west Tennessee. You the Cherokee an Chickasaw was in west Tennessee an when Tennessee became a state in 1796 Tennessee actually purchased west Tennessee for 300 k dollars. But the natives had to leave an go to Oklahoma. They wasn't even told that there was still some natives in east Tennessee an western north Carolina an north Georgia all was not extracted. An that's why today there is a eastern band of Cherokee that's still here. An most blended in with the change an culture of the colonization. An that's why that side of my family ended up here in west Tennessee. An the Mississippian mound builders is evident all over west Tennessee. An there is several bands of Cherokee an Chickasaw still here today.

  • @Icehippieviking1001
    @Icehippieviking10013 ай бұрын

    It's not unlike the Long March during the Holocaust. I can't help but notice the similarities.

  • @KILLCOLONIALISM

    @KILLCOLONIALISM

    3 ай бұрын

    The Nazis studied the USA and Canada and their laws in order to make their Holocaust legal and efficient in Europe.

  • @NancyDunton-hb9ir
    @NancyDunton-hb9irАй бұрын

    My Great great grandfather was a young teen (I just recently found out his age) on the Trail of Tears. His son (great grandfather) returned to North Carolina. Buried in Bryson City, NC.His son moved to Murray County, Ga, where the capital of the nation was in Echota. My grandmother was from Gilmer County, GA.. I was intrigued by your story

  • @rangerranger5222
    @rangerranger52222 ай бұрын

    Wes Studi is one of my favorite actor. He has portrayed his Heritage very well in my opinion.

  • @JohnDPagan
    @JohnDPagan3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @valariecampbell535
    @valariecampbell5352 ай бұрын

    You all need to watch the full episode.... then watch Wes eyeglasses this is the second half. The Person talking asks. How it makes Wes and LaVar Burton the same. My sister and i thought how unconsiderate a questions. I love Wes Studi now more than ever.

  • @alvarovaldovinos6836
    @alvarovaldovinos683624 күн бұрын

    His disconnection is testimony to his pain.😢

  • @marlenemanion9776
    @marlenemanion97762 ай бұрын

    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😉

  • @janellevans878
    @janellevans8783 ай бұрын

    He is a brave, honorable gentleman.

  • @EllaBee90
    @EllaBee903 ай бұрын

    Just like the Great Upheaval of the Acadians where families lost their land, their home and their lives. We were living in peace with the First People of the territory for generations, being allies, friends and spouses. It still hurts.

  • @donelmore2540
    @donelmore25403 ай бұрын

    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!

Келесі