TUSCUMBIA-Compelling Stories of the Southeast, a non-profit is honored to announce two Walk events for Sept. 14 –
the Walk of Life in the 22nd year and Year 2 for the Return Walk of Sept. 20-22 thanks to grants from the
Poarch Band of Creeks. Both events are Walks to the beat of a drum with American Indians in tribal
regalia for a celebration. Both events welcome the return of Natives to the Southeast, their former
homeland. The public is invited. Poarch Creek will get us started. Enhanced Dance – Huntsville brings the
music.
The Sept. 14 Walk begins at Sheffield’s Tuscumbia Landing parking lot and ends at the Palace
Drugstore in Tuscumbia. No fee for the walk but bring $10 for the Palace early lunch special: burger/dog,
chips, drink & ice cream cone. The two-mile walk follows the Historic Retracement Trail. A van will follow
for stragglers and return Walkers to the parking lot. Mark your calendar and be at the parking lot at 8am
– or early to talk with old friends. We walk in the rain. For Info: Annie Perry 256-415-0700.
The Sept. 20-22 Walk covers fifty miles through communities along the Historic Retracement Trail
between Leighton and Decatur, Alabama. Additional sponsors are Magnum Systems & Ancient
Oklahoma. For Info: Annie Perry 256-415-0700.
Friday 12 PM Sept. 20. We begin at Tuscumbia Landing to bless the site, Sheffield and the 3-day Walk.
The Dance Troupe in tribal regalia meets at Rick’s Farm Market in Muscle Shoals for photo ops with
customers. Bring your camera. 2 PM in Leighton. The Indians lead a parade of Main Street to the
Leighton Museum for Native stories and dances. This week is Leighton’s 200-year birthday.
Saturday 9am Sept. 21 in Courtland, the Walk begins at Jefferson and Clinton Street parking lot and ends
at the Downtown Park, about six blocks. A hay wagon will haul to the start and after the walk. This a
Celebration Day with a theme of Historic & Scenic Trails with speakers from Poarch Creek and Chickasaw
Inkana Foundation and about fifty Indians in regalia, drumming & singing & storytelling. Taste the
traditional Chickasaw “pa-sho-fa”. There will be food trucks, the day ends at 3 PM.
Sunday 9am Sept. 22, all Walkers gather at the Historic Decatur Union Depot Museum. The Walk is about
one mile to the Daikon Amphitheater for Native dances and a celebration. Those not walking can go to
the Daikon to welcome the Walkers. The Daikon has parking. The Natives will demo Stickball, which was
the precursor to Lacrosse without pads. The Choctaw players are world champions. There will be food
trucks. The day ends at 3PM. For Info: Annie Perry 256-415-0700.
Media Release/by Robert Perry/Compelling Stories of the Southeast
