In the summer of 2018 Ian will be following a new and important story, a walk and canoe of 1200 miles from the ancestral lands of the Cherokee in the Great Smokey Mountains via the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma. The Trail of Tears was a series of forced removals of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands. Following this river and mountain route Ian plans not only tell the story of the Trail of Tears with clarity and truth but plan to meet with members of the vibrant Cherokee culture today. This 3-month northern route of the TOT encompasses The Great Smokey Mountains, The Tennessee River, The Land Between the Lakes, Shawnee National Forest, Mark Twain National Park and the Ozark National Forest. The Trail of Tears is not only a story of loss and injustice, but a story of resistance, tenacity, and revival.
I would like to find a team mate (male or female) who is an experienced person of the outdoors or expeditions, preferably a photographer or filmmaker with an interest in telling this deep and important cultural story. The teammate would also be strong physically and mentally and be capable of spending two months hiking and canoeing through the heat of late summer in the US. This non commercial expedition will be self funded by both parties.
For more information, contact Ian at info@ianefinch.com