Intention

I believe that Spirit gave me the name Wyetta in order to honor the woman that saved my grandmother’s life. By bicycling the Trail of Tears, I intend to learn more about the heritage, culture, music and traditions of what I suspect are her ancestors.

The name Wyetta is phonetically between Huallata (Wai ata) of South American origin and Wayita of North American origin. Some indigenous mythoi prophesize that the Earth will awaken and the light will return when the eagle of the north and the condor of the south fly together again. By riding the removal route, I offer my energy to help the eagle and the condor find their way.

Many spiritual, cultural, legal, and political heritages place a large amount of value on the principle of justice. I find that the principle of atonement resonates more with me than justice. Healing happens when perpetrators become aware of their actions and atone for their trespasses. White ancestors stole from, tortured, injured, and were directly and indirectly responsible for the death of many Cherokee people. By bicycling the Trail of Tears, I intend to carry a prayer of atonement for some of their actions.

Journey with me

I invite you to become aware or to remember what happened when the US government forcibly removed the people of the Cherokee nation from their homelands and forced them to walk to the reservation in Oklahoma.

I invite you to grieve for those that suffered and died along the removal route and to honor those that survived.

If you have white ancestors, I invite you to add your energy to the atonement process for the trespasses of those that removed them.

I invite you to be creative in how you wish to make your prayer. You can make it verbally, in writing, in music, over the internet, in any way that feels inspiring to you.

I will carry your prayers. I only request that you remember that I will be carrying these prayers by bike, so size and weight matter!

Latest from the Blog

• How can I support the Atonement of the Removal of the Cherokee from their Native Lands?July 15, 2021
  As mentioned elsewhere in this site, each year, the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians sponsor and facilitate a bicycle ride of the removal route called Remember the Removal. For the Cherokee Nation, this program is specifically targeted to young adults. On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with one of the Cherokee Nation organizers of the Remember the Removal ride. After we chatted at length about the ride itself, I asked him if it would be possible to start a fundraiser or scholarship program to support the program. He indicated that leadership within the RememberContinue reading “How can I support the Atonement of the Removal of the Cherokee from their Native Lands?”
• ForgivenessJuly 13, 2021
  In Tahlequah, at the entrance to Northeastern State University, resides a sculpture that really moved me. “Transformation Through Forgiveness” was sculpted by Dutch born artist Francis Jansen and donated in 2016. There were some other quotes on it that moved me. I’d like to share one here. “May the creator bless us each and every one, until we come together again in reparation in healing” Konaway Nika Tillicum (All our Relations) Believe it or not this is signed from Southern Oregon University