Trama

DIGADOHI means lands in Cherokee and the story of their removal is recorded in the archaeology at places like the Snelson-Brinker farm in Missouri, and in the traditions and family histories of the Cherokee today. July 4th, 2017 the historic Snelson-Brinker cabin was burnt to the ground. A criminal investigation was launched. Using cutting edge archaeological methods, STEM, and archival research a group of community activists and Cherokee leaders work to rescue a historic property from the arsonist's flames and identify the graves of the Cherokee who died there on the Trail of Tears. Filming for DIGADOHI began in November of 2017 at archaeological and historic sites along the route from Cherokee homelands in the East, to Oklahoma. The film chronicles a year of those investigations and weaves the family stories - European, African, and Native - that were unearthed there into the national story of America. Ultimately The Cherokee story is one of survival and passing on a living culture and tradition to their children. Dobson states "One of the main points that all the Cherokee we worked with made was: 'Yes, our Ancestors were victimized, but they did not allow themselves to be victims. They persevered and we are thriving today because of them.'" Interviewing Elders, researchers, Cherokee Nation officials, and the descendants of Levi Snelson who built the farm, DIGADOHI explores this dark chapter of America's history from the perspective of the families whose stories intertwine along the Trail of Tears.—Monty Dobson