photo by Leslie Yancey
TUSCUMBIA-The 2014 Walk of Life was the most inspiring and emotional walks that has occurred. It was dedicated to Mr. Reed Kirkland, a descendant of George Colbert that Colbert County is named. Two hundred people and ten tribes were represented in the walk to the Oka Kapassa Festival. Choctaw Ralph Isaacs returned this year and sang an honor song in the Choctaw language in the opening ceremony. Ladies from the Chickasaw, Choctaw and Creek Tulsa (OK) Baptist Choir sang hymns in their native tongue which brought many to tears. Robert Thrower conducted a ceremony to remember the ancestors. The elders and tribal representatives tied feathers to trees to mark a sacred site and to remember that Removal must never happen again. The Chickasaws chose Robert Perry to tie the feather on their behalf and an offering of tobacco was left around the tree.
Because Tuscumbia was once Chickasaw Homeland, tradition dictates that the Chickasaws lead the walk. August 2014 was the bicentennial when the Muskogee Creeks signed the Treaty of Fort Jackson and seceded 23 million acres to form much of Alabama and Georgia. Because of this anniversary, the Creeks were asked to lead the group. Eddie Tullis, past Chairman of the Poarch Creek Band was given the honor. He did so in a grand style that made everyone proud. A hawk flew over and followed the group into 
Tuscumbia.
The 2.2 mile walk ended in the circle at the Tuscumbia Spring Park as visitors gathered to greet the return walkers. The Mississippi Choctaw drummers paid tribute by performing three honor songs.
The walk ended in Amazing Grace sang in 4 languages, first in Choctaw, then in Chickasaw, Muskogee Creek and ended with everyone singing in English. The closing ceremony ended as everyone left the sacred circle walking in a counter clockwise manner. The 2014 return was complete. www.Okakapassa.org.
