The month of November celebrates the history and heritage of indigenous people in the United States. All national parks have an indigenous past, but some were created specifically to protect and interpret that history.
Many people may not be aware of this unique type of national park that preserves significant stories in the indigenous history of the United States.
What is a National Historic Trail?
In 1968, Congress passed the National Trail System Act. Their goal was protect nationally significant pathways to preserve scenic and cultural landscapes and provide recreational opportunities.
The National Trail System Act created four categories for national trail designations—scenic, historic, recreational, and connecting and side trails—and established the first two federally designated national scenic trails– the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
The first four national historic trails—the Lewis and Clark, Mormon, Oregon, and Iditarod Trails—were designated in 1978.
Today, there are 19 total national historic trails. Here are three worth visiting to engage and honor the indigenous history of the United States.
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
The Trail of Tears National Historic Trails commemorates the harrowing journey of five indigenous nations—the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminoles—that were removed from their homelands as a result of 1830 Indian Removal Act.
The national historic trail traces the path of the Cherokee as they were forcefully removed from their homelands. In 1835, an illegitimate treaty was made with a small group of Cherokee that did not represent the entire nation, exchanging their homelands in the Southeast for lands in present-day Oklahoma.
The official Cherokee leader, John Ross, hoped that this illegitimate treaty would never be enforced and chose to have his people remain their homeland.
In 1838, federal troops and state militias were dispatched to remove the Cherokee from their homes. They were given little time to gather their things. What was left behind was looted.
The resulting journey westward was a brutal forced march through the harsh winter. An estimated four thousand Cherokee, a third of their total population, died of disease or exposure.
The Trail of Tears crosses nine states along multiple routes. The National Park Service offers suggestions on how visitors can best engage in this unique and important national park.
Ala Kahakai National Historic Park
This 175 mile trail traverses the west coast of the island of Hawai’i and preserves a significant economic, social, and cultural route for its native people.
Hawai’i was colonized by Polynesians around 400-500 CE. By 900-1000 CE, what is known as the ala loa (road circumnavigating the island) began to develop. By the late 18th and early 19th century, its use and significance solidified as the islands of the Hawaiian archipelago were unified under Kamehameha I.
Today, the trail cross a variety of terrains, ranging from sandy beaches to lava rock to urban areas. It bisects several other national park units, each uniquely representative of the historic and cultural resources tied together by the Ala Kahakai NHT.
Near the northern terminus is the ancient temple of Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, the traditional fishponds of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, the military refuge of Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, and finally terminates in the east border of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Though one of the less accessible national historic trails, Ala Kahakai is absolutely worth trekking if you are on the island of Hawai’i.
Nez Perce (Nee-Mee-Poo) National Historic Park
Like the Trail of Tears, the Nez Perce Trail commemorates a dark moment in American history.
In 1877, a group of approximately 750 Nez Perce, led by Chief Joseph, fled their homeland in northeast Oregon, hoping to find refuge with their allies to the east, the Crow. They were resisting relocating to a reservation in Idaho, having refused to sign an 1863 treaty with the federal government.
The Nez Perce refugees took a circuitous route through the mountains of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, crossing through Yellowstone National Park, which was only five years old at the time. During their flight through Yellowstone they had several violent encounters with tourists, resulting in the capture of several and the death of two.
Finally, just 40 miles from the Canadian border, the majority of the Nez Perce surrendered after a battle at Bears Paw Mountain. The Nez Perce survivors were ultimately transported to a reservation in Oklahoma.
Though the Nez Perce Trail is officially administered by the US Forest Service, locations along its path are part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park. This unique park has 38 separate units, spread across three states. The NPS has suggestions for how tourists can best visit the different units.
While exploring any of these three trails, it is important to remember these words from Frank B. Andrews, a Nez Perce descendant:
“It is up to us to respectfully use the trail while remembering that it is part of our heritage. To the Nee-Me-Poo, the trail is part of their sacred land, land they still use. If we want those who come after us to have a sense of the trail history, it is up to us to preserve and protect it.”
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