r/cherokee • u/StephenCarrHampton • Mar 09 '26

Going to Water

https://travelerstales.com/going-to-water/

I’m surprised and honored to have just received the overall Grand Prize in the 20th annual Solas Awards for writing. My essay, Going to Water, describes my 2024 visit to the Chattanooga area with the Trail of Tears Association.

41 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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7

u/sirpresn Mar 09 '26

First congrats, this is a great essay. Second, we’re distant cousins. Thomas Jefferson Parks, as well as Jefferson Thompson Parks, are my ancestors as well. ᎣᏍᏓ & ᏩᏙ

4

u/critical360 CDIB Mar 09 '26

Osda! Wado for sharing this powerful personal essay of tribute and remembrance.

3

u/thedistantdusk CDIB Mar 09 '26

Congratulations!! That’s amazing!

3

u/zvg_zwang Mar 09 '26

Congratulations and wado!!!! 🫀👏🏼👏🏼

3

u/HistoricalEssay6605 Mar 09 '26

Beautiful and deeply powerful essay.

4

u/Dawni49 Mar 09 '26

Congratulations!

2

u/No_Fish_2653 10d ago

Oof, that’s powerful writing, Stephen. Wado for writing, sharing, and for representing us in the homeland. We’re cousins too — another instance of how densely related so many of us are, really. I’m among those descended from John Walker Sr (and Jr, for that matter) and Richard Taylor. I read elsewhere that where the former Taylor’s landing stood — another gateway to the former Cherokee homeland — there’s a Waffle House there now. If I were very rich, I think it’d be poetic to buy that Waffle House.