On behalf of the Choctaw people, as the Tribal Miko, I would like to welcome you as you begin to explore our rich and vibrant culture and the many life-ways that identify us as Choctaw. Whether you are an old friend of ours or a new acquaintance whom we are just now having an opportunity to meet, we find pleasure in sharing cultural information about the Tribe, and we invite you to spend time with us to learn more about our Tribal history and present-day achievements.

Whenever I introduce Choctaw culture, I am reminded of our Tribal ancestors who still live in our collective memory. The stories of their lives, full of both triumph and tragedy, remind us of our strong Choctaw heritage, and they are the background against which our current renaissance of Choctaw cultural arts, educational achievements, and progressive economic developments are illuminated. What it means to be Choctaw is deeply rooted within each of us. Our identity, ultimately defined by our blood, continues from generation-to-generation. Our strong inner spirit that has sustained us throughout history manifests itself again and again in beautiful and creative ways outwardly towards others. These artful expressions of ourselves are, of course, the main subject of this composition that we are now sharing with you. The scope of this book does not attempt to include every facet of Choctaw culture. Our goal at this time is to provide an overview and introduction -- primarily of our material culture. We are happy in being able to establish this foundation, and we will look forward to expanding and further developing the book's contents in future publications that will stem from this first edition.


One cannot fully comprehend the significance of the Tribe's successful economic development efforts and our strong Tribal government without understanding the historical evolution that has brought us to where we are today. There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the Choctaw people faced severe economic hardship, dire health challenges, dependence upon the federal government for even their basic needs, and little hope for their future. Of course, beginning in 1945 and continuing now, through effective Tribal governmental leadership, good economic planning and diversification, and increasing self-reliance, the picture is much brighter for the Choctaw people. Because of the revitalization of our communities, made possible by the Tribe's creation of jobs, educational opportunities, improved housing and healthcare, and an overall elevation of the Choctaw standard of living, the renaissance of Choctaw cultural arts has been assured. Our native culture and mother language, once standing on the threshold of extinction, has not only been rescued from loss, but has been reinvigorated and energized through our own successful efforts that we hope will continue well into the future. Today we see Choctaw Self-Determination in its finest hour, and we are able to celebrate once again not just our perseverance, but our triumph.

As Choctaw people we have lived in present-day Mississippi and parts of Louisiana and Alabama since the times before history was even recorded. Today the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians remains the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the State of Mississippi . Tribal enrolled membership currently stands at more than 9,500 individuals, all of whom have at least a 50% quantum degree of Choctaw blood. Also, about 85% of Tribal members speak Choctaw as their first language, and English as a second language.

The Choctaw Indian Reservation contains some 35,000 acres of Tribal lands situated in ten different Mississippi counties. This land is held in trust for the benefit of the Choctaw Tribe by the federal government. The Tribe has eight officially recognized Choctaw Indian communities. The names of these sites are Pearl River , Red Water, Bogue Chitto, Crystal Ridge , Standing Pine, Tucker, Conehatta, and Bogue Homa. Pearl River , located in Neshoba County , is the largest Choctaw Indian community, and is the site of Tribal government headquarters, as well as Pearl River Resort.

The Tribal governmental structure has been in place since 1945. In that year, a Tribal constitution was ratified, and a representative, democratic form of government was established, with equal representation among all Choctaw communities. The government is headed by an elected Tribal Chief, who serves four-year terms. The Tribal government does not impose any term limits on service. The Tribe also elects a seventeen-member Tribal Council, with those officials serving four-year terms.

Activities that Mississippi Choctaw people enjoy are numerous, and include generations-old Choctaw cultural events, as well as modern activities of everyday life and work. Cultural art forms that Choctaws have been practicing for many generations include weaving baskets by hand from Mississippi swamp cane, hand making beadwork of many kinds, cultural dancing, playing stickball, sewing Choctaw clothing, and cooking traditional Choctaw foods. We introduce all of these to you in this publication.

Other activities include operating a stable and complex Tribal government, the largest unified Indian K-12 school system in the U.S., comprehensive Tribal health care programs, forestry, agricultural, and natural resource programs, Tribal gaming, entertainment, and resort operations, and the manufacture of wiring harness systems and audio speaker systems for Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Corporation, among others. The Tribe also hand-finishes greeting cards of all kinds for the American Greeting Corporation. High-tech industry located on the Reservation includes Choctaw Geo-Imaging Enterprise and joint projects with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These are just a few examples of the successful business enterprises in which the Tribe is involved.

Special occasions include the annual Choctaw Indian Fair that is held each July on the Choctaw Indian Reservation. Spring festivals are also held in each of the Choctaw communities. Thanksgiving brings the annual Choctaw Thanksgiving Feast. All of these events give Tribal members an opportunity to gather as a Choctaw community and celebrate the Tribe's way of life, including all Choctaw traditions as described above. Foods that Choctaws have enjoyed for many generations are fry bread, hominy, and banaha, among others.

I hope that you will enjoy reading this, our introductory publication focusing on some of the aspects of Choctaw culture. On behalf of the Tribe, I thank you for your interest in learning more about who we are. Perhaps you will have an opportunity to visit our community and get an even closer look firsthand; you are always welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Miko Beasley Denson