Sixth Annual Trail of Tears Virtual Journey Kicks Off

DURANT, Okla. – The Sixth Annual Trail of Tears Virtual Journey starts Nov. 1, 2025 and concludes on Jan. 31, 2026. This year’s virtual/online route will take participants from Nanih Waiya Mound in Mississippi to Nanih Waiya in Oklahoma through cities such as Memphis, Little Rock, and Fort Smith. Participants complete the journey via an app.

The app, called Be Well, uses any step-counter to track and log steps. Participants have a three-month span to complete the journey. The app will display the route, where your team is along the journey and where others’ team members are on their journey. Participants have until Oct. 31, 2025 to sign up for the challenge.

The Trail of Tears Virtual Journey started in 2021 when the Choctaw Nation Healthy Lifestyles Team brainstormed how to get all Choctaw tribal members outside and moving amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “Giving them the virtual challenge gave a purpose to many of our members,” says Doris Winlock, Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator. “They were excited to learn about the journey our ancestors took.”

Over 1,200 people joined the challenge last year. “We wanted to make it reasonable for all levels of activity, so the participants were allowed to have teams of three if they wanted,” explains Winlock. “Throughout the previous five years, participation has spanned the United States and to several other countries. We were especially excited to see people from Ireland joining!”

To join the challenge, participants can visit Be Well registration page. Everyone is invited to participate and upon finishing will receive a medal through the mail.