History does not happen in isolation.

What happens “there” affects what happens “here”.

That’s why it’s important to understand the Trail of Tears even though it did not, technically, occur in Texas.

As native American tribes were removed from land that white settlers wanted, they moved (or WERE moved) west.

Some came to Texas and became part of our history even though they were not native to Texas any more than the Spaniards, French, English, or Mexican immigrants were.

It makes for an interesting mix…but the Trail of Tears was definitely not America’s proudest moment.