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Mississippi, 1834
“Protect the book as you do our seed corn. We must have both to survive.”
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek changed everything. The Choctaw Nation could no longer remain in their ancient homelands.
Young Tushpa, his family, and their small band embark on a trail of life and death. More death than life lay ahead.
On their journey to a new homeland, the faith of his father and one book guide Tushpa as he learns what it means to become a man and a leader.
But before long, betrayal from within and without rip at the unity of the band. Can Tushpa help keep his tattered people together? Or will they all be lost to sickness of the mind, body, and spirit on the four hundred mile walk?
A continuation of the anthology Touch My Tales from the Trail of Tears, this story follows an original manuscript written by Tushpa’s son, James Culberson.
“As the great-granddaughter of Tushpa, a boy on the Trail of Tears, I grew up far away from Oklahoma with little knowledge of our history. It is through reading the moving stories collected by Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer that I have a better understanding of the struggles, endurance and bravery of our Choctaw ancestors.” Beverly Bringle, direct descendant
Continue the Journey in "Touch My Tales from the Trail of Tears”:
In 1830, a treaty was signed. In 1830, hearts broke. Tears fell on the long journey for twenty thousand. The Choctaw Nation was forced to leave their homelands to preserve their people. But they could not save them all.
For this collection of short stories, Choctaw authors from five U.S. states come together to present a part of their ancestors’ journey, a way to honor those who walked the trail for their future. These stories not only capture a history and a culture, but the spirit, faith, and resilience of the Choctaw people.
From a little girl who begins her journey in a wood box to a man willing to die for the sake of honor, these extraordinary tales of the Choctaw Removal from their homelands delve into raw emotions and come out with the glimmer of hope necessary for the human soul.
Tears of sadness. Tears of joy. Touch and experience each one.
“Protect the book as you do our seed corn. We must have both to survive.”
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek changed everything. The Choctaw Nation could no longer remain in their ancient homelands.
Young Tushpa, his family, and their small band embark on a trail of life and death. More death than life lay ahead.
On their journey to a new homeland, the faith of his father and one book guide Tushpa as he learns what it means to become a man and a leader.
But before long, betrayal from within and without rip at the unity of the band. Can Tushpa help keep his tattered people together? Or will they all be lost to sickness of the mind, body, and spirit on the four hundred mile walk?
A continuation of the anthology Touch My Tales from the Trail of Tears, this story follows an original manuscript written by Tushpa’s son, James Culberson.
“As the great-granddaughter of Tushpa, a boy on the Trail of Tears, I grew up far away from Oklahoma with little knowledge of our history. It is through reading the moving stories collected by Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer that I have a better understanding of the struggles, endurance and bravery of our Choctaw ancestors.” Beverly Bringle, direct descendant
Continue the Journey in "Touch My Tales from the Trail of Tears”:
In 1830, a treaty was signed. In 1830, hearts broke. Tears fell on the long journey for twenty thousand. The Choctaw Nation was forced to leave their homelands to preserve their people. But they could not save them all.
For this collection of short stories, Choctaw authors from five U.S. states come together to present a part of their ancestors’ journey, a way to honor those who walked the trail for their future. These stories not only capture a history and a culture, but the spirit, faith, and resilience of the Choctaw people.
From a little girl who begins her journey in a wood box to a man willing to die for the sake of honor, these extraordinary tales of the Choctaw Removal from their homelands delve into raw emotions and come out with the glimmer of hope necessary for the human soul.
Tears of sadness. Tears of joy. Touch and experience each one.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2016
33 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
24 books84 followersSARAH ELISABETH SAWYER is a story archaeologist. She digs up shards of past lives, hopes, and truths, and pieces them together for readers today. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian honored her as a literary artist through their Artist Leadership Program for her work in preserving Choctaw Trail of Tears stories. She is the creator of the Fiction Writing: American Indians digital course.
A tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, she writes historical fiction from her hometown in Texas, partnering with her mother, Lynda Kay Sawyer, in continued research for future works. Learn more at SarahElisabethWrites.com, ChoctawSpirit.com, and Facebook.com/SarahElisabethSawyer.
A tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, she writes historical fiction from her hometown in Texas, partnering with her mother, Lynda Kay Sawyer, in continued research for future works. Learn more at SarahElisabethWrites.com, ChoctawSpirit.com, and Facebook.com/SarahElisabethSawyer.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2020
Tushpa's Story Touched This Reader
Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer's books are an answer to many childhood questions and deepest longings to know my own family's story since Dad only answered a very few questions. This book and her others have filled that void. Aside from that, the writing is good and keeps the reader scrolling for more. The plot is compelling with relatable characters...even with cultural differences. The author's careful research shows in this story's historical accuracy, but this book is no wooden, stuffy history. Indeed, it breathes with Spirit infused life. All this makes Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer a new favorite author.
Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer's books are an answer to many childhood questions and deepest longings to know my own family's story since Dad only answered a very few questions. This book and her others have filled that void. Aside from that, the writing is good and keeps the reader scrolling for more. The plot is compelling with relatable characters...even with cultural differences. The author's careful research shows in this story's historical accuracy, but this book is no wooden, stuffy history. Indeed, it breathes with Spirit infused life. All this makes Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer a new favorite author.
November 30, 2021
Touching story
Although I live in North Texas and have been a history teacher, there were many things that I was not aware of. This story was inspirational and gave me a better understanding of what these people went through. I will train ore books by this author.
Although I live in North Texas and have been a history teacher, there were many things that I was not aware of. This story was inspirational and gave me a better understanding of what these people went through. I will train ore books by this author.
June 30, 2018
Love it
Engaging storytelling about one young man's coming of age. Written clearly, concisely for any age. Leaves you wanting more of his journey.
Engaging storytelling about one young man's coming of age. Written clearly, concisely for any age. Leaves you wanting more of his journey.
Read
February 10, 2017After writing about the Ponca tribe's trail of tears in Through Rushing Water, I was interested in Choctaw trail of tears. Tushpa's Story shows the death march through one young man's eyes. As with the Poncas, it's painful to read about the genocide inflicted by the US government on the native people - treaty violations, lies, broken promises. I'm in awe of the strength and faith of the Choctaw people.
May 13, 2016
I have read many books on The first People. I have read of much bravery and sadness. There is hardship in the stories of Trail of Tears, but the Choctaw in this story believed in the Great Spirit, the true God, Creator of heaven and earth. I enjoy books of real people who lived.
April 17, 2017
Written as a record of life on the trail, this presents on Indian's experiences as part of a group forced to leave the tribe's long-time home for reservation lands hundreds of miles away which none of them wanted. I can only imagine the shock, sorrow and determination it took to succeed in the face of unbelievable obstacles and never-ending broken promises. No wonder it's called the 'Trail of Tears.'
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews