Intergenerational Cultural Trauma in Indigenous Americans Depicted Through Testimonies and Artwork Related to the Trail of Tears

Abstract

This dissertation aims to contribute to understanding the impact of intergenerational cultural trauma in Indigenous Americans, particularly through the impact of the Trail of Tears. The study consists of content analyzing testimonies of survivors’ descendants, as well as artwork, including songs, poems and visual images, either written or created during the Trail of Tears or around that time period. Themes to be explored during the analysis are: 1) Forced removal of Natives from their homeland to a new land. 2) Tragedies Natives experienced en route, such as illness and death. 3) Life after arrival on new land. 4) Flourishing despite trauma/post-traumatic growth. The results show how Native Americans currently experience intergenerational trauma due to the aforementioned themes endured by their ancestors during the Trail of Tears.