"Trail of Tears Cherokee Legacy" produced by Rich-Heape Films, Inc. is a long format Director's Cut, written by Daniel Blake Smith, it chronicles the ethnic cleansing and the hardships endured by the Indians of Southeast America in the 1830s with particular emphasis on the Cherokee Trail of Tears removal. Approximate running time 2 hours. Format: DVD

THIS TWO HOUR DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES AMERICA'S DARKEST PERIOD: PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON'S INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF 1830 AND THE FORCED REMOVAL OF THE CHEROKEE NATION TO OKLAHOMA IN 1838... Thousands of Cherokees died during the Trail of Tears, nearly a quarter of the Nation. They suffered beyond imagination and when they finally arrived in Indian Territory, they arrived almost without any children and with very few elders, in a way they arrived with no past and no future.

Trail Of Tears Cherokee Legacy wins 2007 Silver WorldMedal
"Film & Video"New York Festival

Category: Education, Information And Entertainment

Sub-Category: History

James Earl Jones narrates Rich-Heape Films, Inc.'s "Trail of Tears Cherokee Legacy"

Noted actor James Earl Jones had previously provided his voice to Rich-Heape Films, Inc. award-winning documentary Black Indians: An American Story. Mr. Jones, who is of blended African and Cherokee heritage, narrates in his customary and convincing tones and will lead an already distinguished group of celebrity voices.

Wes Studi, the best known Cherokee actor, presents the documentary film, speaking on camera in his native tongue (with subtitles). Mr. Jones and Mr. Studi are supported by the celebrity voices of actor James Garner, singers Crystal Gayle and Rita Coolidge, actor John Buttram and former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder reading diary excerpts, and a host of historical experts from major universities. Approximate running time 2 hours.

Rich-Heape Films, Inc.
The company, founded in 1984, produces award-winning Native American videos, films and movies dedicated to informing, educating and encouraging the awareness of the history, cultures, languages, traditions and aspirations of Native Americans and other Native Peoples. The firm has been recognized as 1999 and 2003 American Indian Business of the Year by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Texas. The U.S. congress has commended Heape for his extraordinary efforts to document and preserve Native American culture (108th Congressional Record – Congress, Second Session)

In 2003 Steven Heape was one of five Native American filmmakers invited to participate in the strategic film and video content planning for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Color digital images of the principals, celebrities and film scenes may be captured here: Trail of Tears Press Release Kit

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:

Steven R. Heape, Executive Producer, Rich-Heape Films, Inc., Dallas, TX; 214-692-1200, heape@richheape.com

Preston F. Kirk, APR, Kirk Public Relations, Austin, TX; 830-693-4447, kirk@281.com