In 1836 , Opothleyahola , commissioned as a colonel by the U.S. government , led 1,500 of his warriors against the rebellious Lower Creek who had allied with Seminole in fighting the white occupation . Soon after , the US Army rounded up the remaining Southeast Indian peoples and forced their emigration to Indian Territory , on what was known as the " Trail of Tears . " In 1837 , Opothleyahola led 8,000 of his people from Alabama to lands north of the Canadian River in the Indian Territory , now Oklahoma . Over time , they began to specialize in stock raising and grain production there
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
Opothleyahola