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

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.

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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.

[AbraAlahouzos]

Please do more of these for the First Nations People.

[Shamunt]

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.

[deedeewinfrey]

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

[laman]

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.

[jpoh]

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.

[oyinade]

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❤🥺

[boomfyer]

@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

[ishetrying]

"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.

[lhpeterson]

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

[lavernemoreno]

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,

[BlueHooloovoo]

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.

[jordanperry]

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.

[kellydiaz]

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. :(

[rsutton]

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.

[patkelley]

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

[maggiep]

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

[JCPJCPJCP]

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

[Dano.book-em]

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.

[torijohnston]

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.

[philippbobkaufmann]

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.