Chickasaw Nation

Chickasaw Nation

Seal of the Chickasaw nation
Total population
47,298[1]
Regions with significant populations
United States ( Oklahoma)
Languages
English, Chickasaw language
Religion
Traditional tribal religion, Protestantism (Baptist, Methodist)[2]
Related ethnic groups
Choctaw

The Chickasaw Nation is a federally recognized Native American nation, located in Oklahoma. They are one of the members of the Five Civilized Tribes. The Five Civilized Tribes were differentiated from other Indian reservations in that they had semi-autonomous constitutional governments and delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Chickasaw Nation was created after the Chickasaws were removed to Indian Territory in the 1830s.

Government

The Chickasaw Nation is headquartered in Ada, Oklahoma. Their tribal jurisdictional area is in Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Grady, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, McClain, Marshall, Murray, Pontotoc, and Stephens Counties in Oklahoma. Their tribal governor is Bill Anoatubby.^[1]

Economic development

The tribe owns three off-track wagering facilities, 17 casinos including Riverwind casino in Norman, Oklahoma, Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, LoneStar Race Track in Forth Worth, Texas, Remington Park Race Track and Casino in Oklahoma City, two bingo halls, 17 tribal smoke shops, seven motor fuel outlets, and a truck stop. They also own and operate Bedré Chocolates Factory in Pauls Valley, Lazer Zone Family Fun Center in Ada; WinStar Inn and Suites and Golf Course in Thackerville; Solara Healthcare in Westlake, Texas; Global Gaming Solutions, LLC; KADA (AM), KADA-FM, KCNP, KTLS, KXFC, and KYKC radio stations in Ada; and Treasure Valley Inn and Suites in Davis. Their estimated annual tribal economic impact is over $12 billion dollars.^[1]

Post-removal history

Map of Chickasaw Nation, 1891

The Chickasaws were first combined with the Choctaw Nation and their area in the western area of the nation was called the Chickasaw District. It consisted of Panola, Wichita, Caddo, and Perry counties. Although originally the western boundary of the Choctaw Nation extended to the 100th meridian, virtually no Chickasaws lived west of the Cross Timbers due to continual raiding by the Indians on the Southern Plains. The United States eventually leased the area between the 100th and 98th meridians for the use of the Plains tribes. The area was referred to as the "Leased District".

The division of the Choctaw Nation was ratified by the Choctaw–Chickasaw Treaty of 1854. The Chickasaw constitution establishing the nation as separate from the Choctaws, was signed August 30, 1856, in the new capitol of Tishomingo (now Tishomingo, Oklahoma). The first governor was Cyrus Harris. The nation consisted of five divisions; Tishomingo County, Pontotoc County, Pickens County, and Ponola County. Law enforcement was by the Chickasaw Lighthorsemen, although non-Indians fell under the jusidictions of the Federal court at Fort Smith.

Following the Civil War—although the Five Civilized Tribes did not suffer the Reconstruction of other Confederacy supporters—for their abrogation of their treaties, the United States forced them into new treaties. Under the new treaty, the Chickasaws (and Choctaws) ceded the "Leased District" to the United States. In 1868, Chickasaw Montford T. Johnson, with Jesse Chisholm's help, secured an agreement with the Plains tribes to establish a ranch on the new western edge of the Nation. His ranch was never raided, although often threatened. He and his family remained the only permanent residents of the area until the settlement of Oklahoma.

The nation was dissolved before statehood by agreement negotionated with the Dawes Commission. Following the breakup of the nation the Chickasaws became citizens of the United States and their non-allotted lands opened for settlement by non-Indians.

The Chickasaws adopted a new constitution on August 27, 1983 to manage their business affairs.

Notable Chickasaw Nation tribal members

• Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987
• Jack Brisco and Gerry Brisco, pro-wrestling tag team
• Travis Childers, U.S. Congressman from Mississippi
• Tom Cole, Republican US Congressman from Oklahoma
• Hiawatha Estes, architect
• John Herrington, Astronaut; first Native American enrolled to a tribe in space
• Linda Hogan, Writer-in-Residence of the Chickasaw Nation
• Neal McCaleb, civil engineer and politician, b. 1935
• Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, composer and pianist

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Pocket Pictorial." Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission. 2010: 8. (retrieved 10 June 2010)
2. ^ Pritzker, 373

References

• Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0195138771.

Further reading

• Johnson, Neil R.; C. Neil Kingsley (editor). The Chickasaw Rancher. Boulder: University Press of Colorado, 2001 [1] (Revision of 1960 edition). ISBN 978-0-87081-635-2
• Kappler, Charles (ed.). "TREATY WITH THE CHOCTAW AND CHICKASAW, 1854". Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1904. 2:652-653 (accessed December 25, 2006).
• Kappler, Charles (ed.). "TREATY WITH THE CHOCTAW AND CHICKASAW, 1866". Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1904. 2:918-931. (accessed December 27, 2006).
• Wright, Muriel H. "Organization of the Counties in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations". Chronicles of Oklahoma 8:3 (September 1930) 315-334. (accessed December 26, 2006).

External links

• Chickasaw Nation, official website