Cherokee Afternoon

Molly McNair is a high school senior in the Cherokee Nation preparing for the Remember the Removal Ride, an annual event that showcases cyclists retracing the historic Trail of Tears. Her older sister, Emmy, is a professional mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fight Championship (UFC) and a graduate student who must deal with her past demons both in and out of the ring.

In another time and place, their ancestor, Mary, and her family are forced to travel the Trail of Tears during one of the worst winters in memory. The graphic realities of the Indian removal are brought to the forefront as the Bell Detachment of Cherokees navigates the landscape to the Indian Territory. With each step, the question of who will live and who will die unfolds.

Through these parallel journeys, Molly finds herself in a time continuum relationship with Mary as her problems mount, and she comes to rely on Mary's guidance more as her life becomes increasingly complex. Molly and Emmy also discover that the strength of Cherokee women is timeless, guiding them to face their struggles head-on.

Bound by sisterhood and spirit, these women prove that their courage can overcome anything, from personal demons to the weight of colonial history.