Members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee are on a bike ride with members of the Cherokee Nation from Oklahoma.
The 950-mile ride commemorates the Trail of Tears forced march in 1839. Michell Hicks is the Principle Chief of the Eastern Band based in North Carolina.
"We have riders from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee and we have riders coming home from Oklahoma with the Cherokee Nation that are going to be on about a three week journey."
Hicks says the Remember the Removal ride began this weekend with a ceremony in Swain County. It will end June 25th in Tahlequah, O.K.
He says riders will study leadership skills, the Cherokee language and tribal history as well as pay tribute to the thousands who died in the infamous march.