Even long before the Trail of Tears, a number of Cherokee had decided on moving out west in the early 19th century, settling down in places like Missouri or Arkansas. But another place was Texas, still in Spanish hands, in the region around Nacogdoches. The Spanish welcomed their prescence, hoping they would act as a buffer against American expansion. This trend continued when Mexico gained independence.
Despite so, the Cherokee would go on to have their requests of having land titles unsuccesful. First by the independence of Mexico from Spain, and then by the political turmoils that plagued the country. Even when Mexico was more willing, in face of the increased American immigration, those titles still went ungranted due in part for lack of funds and the like. When Texas declared their independence, the Cherokee chose neutrality on the conflict.
So now the question is, what if things had gone better for the Cherokee? A possible PoD could be
Richard Field's trip to Mexico City, when trying to secure a land grant. He already had Governor Trespalacios's support of living in East Texas in exchange of patrolling the Sabine River against American incursions and smuggling. He was unsuccesful in OTL, but perhaps things in Mexico are more stable and he succeeds. Or maybe he succeeds despite the problems in Mexico City? So now the Cherokee have official recognition of owning land in East Texas by the government, and also have to fulfill the conditions mentioned previously.
Could this lead to a higher Cherokee prescence in Texas? Would other Cherokee still in the US move to Mexico? How could it affect American immigration to the region? If Texas still revolts, do the Cherokee now actively join in supporting Mexico instead of remaining neutral? Would this actually make the revolution fail? What of future consequences, like facing Manifest Destiny America? Could other tribes be influenced on these events?
I think it's an interesting scenario, with many potential butterflies, and I would like to know what's the general opinion on this.