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The plant grew along the famous "Trail of Tears" where
the Cherokees were lead at gun point by the U. S. Army
in 1838 and 1839, forcing them to leave their homeland
where they had lived for thousands of years. President
Andrew Jackson ordered their removal under the Indian
Removal Act of 1830 in order to allow the mining of gold
that had been discovered on their land. The corn seeds
are tear drop shaped and corn seeds as each tribal
member (over 4000), died along the way. Everywhere a
tear dropped a corn tears plant began to grow, sprouting
teardrop shaped seeds near the top of each stalk (photo
at top). The Cherokees began using these seeds to make
necklaces to symbolize their tragic removal.
Cherokee Indian "Trail of Tears" Corn Tears Necklaces p.1
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All of Our Artisans Are
Descendants From Native
American Apache,
Cherokee, Pueblo, and
Mohawk Indians. Most Are
on Tribal Roles.
All Jewelry.
All Jewelry is
Handcrafted
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Corn Tears necklaces are made
from the seeds of a corn plant
relative called "Job's tears" (coix
lacryma jobi).
Above: Cherokee Elizabeth Brown Stephens was one of
the few Cherokee to survive the long treacherous walk.