Walk of Life in Tuscumbia

Compelling Stories of the Southeast invites the public and First Americans of all nations to the 23rd Annual Walk of Life, Saturday, September 13, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Starting at Tuscumbia Landing in Sheffield, walkers of all ages will travel the two-mile route, east along the historic Trail of Tears, back into the Homelands at Tuscumbia. This is a free, family-friendly event, which takes place rain or shine. Transportation is provided for participants who need assistance, with lunch available at the destination for $15 per person, $10 for children. Pre-registration enters guests into a raffle to win a kayak rental.

The path of the event follows what the National Park Service refers to as the Retracement Trail, which marks the route of Creek and Cherokee forced removal during the 1830s. This annual walk, founded in 2003 and named the “Walk of Life” for its return along the historic trail, welcomes Indigenous Peoples to the Southeast, their homeland for 10,000 years, in a community gesture towards health and healing.

Starting at 8:00 a.m., Indian elders will lead a blessing ceremony along the banks of the Tennessee River. All walkers are invited to hang turkey feather flags of remembrance, to honor ancestors. First Nations participants are encouraged to wear their traditional regalia.

A water break along the return trail is provided by Scouting America, and Palace Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop, at Fifth and Main Street in downtown Tuscumbia’s Commercial Row, will offer walkers a $15 lunch special ($10 for kids 12 and under) that includes a scoop of their famous ice cream. In addition, walkers can register for a chance to win a free kayak rental from Singing River Kayaks in Florence, with more kayaks available to rent the day of the event, departing from Spring Park in downtown Tuscumbia directly after lunch, to make the Return Walk a full day of Southeastern exploration and connection.

The Walk of Life is sponsored by Compelling Stories of the Southeast, an Alabama 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Tuscumbia, with generous support from Wind Creek Hospitality, owned and operated by the Poarch Creek Indians, the only Federally recognized tribe in Alabama, and Magnum Roofing of Tulsa, OK.

For more information and to register, guests can visit www.facebook.com/returnwalktuscumbia and @returnwalktuscumbia on Instagram, or register at https://forms.gle/SZVqZAAspJjjDx318.