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Noteworthy Names: The Top 10 Choctaw People You Should Know

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The Choctaw people are a Native American tribe from the southeastern United States. They have a rich cultural history and have produced many notable individuals who have achieved fame in various fields. Here are 10 popular celebrities and notable people from Choctaw ethnicity:

  • 1. Will Sampson: Sampson was an actor and artist known for his roles in films like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” He was also an accomplished hoop dancer.
  • 2. Crystal Gayle: Gayle is a country music singer best known for her hit songs like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “Talking in Your Sleep.” She has won numerous awards for her music.
  • 3. Ben Revere: Revere is a professional baseball player who has played for teams like the Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies. He is known for his exceptional speed and defensive skills.
  • 4. Kevin Durant: Durant is a basketball player regarded as one of the best in the NBA. He has won multiple NBA championships and has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
  • 5. Lisa Charleyboy: Charleyboy is a writer, fashion blogger, and TV host. She co-founded “Urban Native Magazine” and has been recognized for her work in promoting Indigenous culture and issues.
  • 6. Jarvis Taylor: Taylor is a former American football player who played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was known for his versatility on the offensive line.
  • 7. Farron Salley: Salley is a television host and reporter. She has worked for stations like ESPN and NBC. Salley has also been an advocate for Native American representation in the media.
  • 8. Brandon Sampson: Sampson is a professional basketball player who has played overseas and in the NBA G League. He is known for his scoring ability and athleticism.
  • 9. Erika Trimble: Trimble is the first Native American woman to become a certified airplane mechanic. She has overcome numerous challenges and has paved the way for future Indigenous women in the field.
  • 10. Neal McLeod: McLeod is a poet, fiction writer, and professor. He has written several acclaimed books and has been recognized for his contributions to Indigenous literature.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (Choctaw: Chahta Okla) is a Native American territory covering about 6,952,960 acres (28,138 km2; 10,864 sq mi), occupying portions of southeastern Oklahoma in the United States. The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest federally recognized tribe in the United States and the second-largest Indian reservation in area after the Navajo. As of 2011, the tribe has 223,279 enrolled members, of whom 84,670 live within the state of Oklahoma and 41,616 live within the Choctaw Nation's jurisdiction. A total of 233,126 people live within these boundaries, with its tribal jurisdictional area comprising 10.5 counties in the state, with the seat of government being located in Durant, Oklahoma. It shares borders with the reservations of the Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Cherokee, as well as the U.S. states of Texas and Arkansas. By area, the Choctaw Nation is larger than eight U.S. states.The chief of the Choctaw Nation is Gary Batton, who took office on April 29, 2014, after the retirement of Gregory E. Pyle. The Choctaw Nation Headquarters, which houses the office of the Chief, is located in Durant. Durant is also the seat of the tribe's judicial department, housed in the Choctaw Nation Judicial Center, near the Headquarters. The tribal legislature meets at the Council House, across the street from the historic Choctaw Capitol Building, in Tuskahoma. The Capitol Building has been adapted for use as the Choctaw Nation Museum. The largest city in the nation had long been McAlester but was recently surpassed by Durant at the 2020 United States census.The Choctaw Nation is one of three federally recognized Choctaw tribes; the others are the sizable Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, with 10,000 members and territory in several communities, and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana, with a few hundred members. The latter two bands are descendants of Choctaw who resisted the forced relocation to Indian Territory. The Mississippi Choctaw preserved much of their culture in small communities and reorganized as a tribal government in 1945 under new laws after the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Those Choctaw who removed to the Indian Territory, a process that went on into the early 20th century, are federally recognized as the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The removals became known as the "Trail of Tears." The original territory has expanded and shrunk several times since the 19th century.

Most Famous Choctaw People

Choctaw’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances

The Choctaw community is an indigenous tribe native to the southeastern United States. With a rich history that dates back centuries, the Choctaw people have made significant contributions to the social, cultural, and political fabric of the region. Their heritage is characterized by a unique blend of traditions, customs, and beliefs that have been passed down through generations. Let’s explore three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Choctaw heritage.

1. Matriarchal Society

One of the defining features of the Choctaw community is its matriarchal society. In Choctaw culture, women held positions of power and authority, playing vital roles in decision-making processes. Women had the right to own property, inherit land, and choose their spouses. They also held important communal positions, such as clan leaders and chiefs. This respect and reverence for women in Choctaw society continue to influence and shape the community today.

2. Trail of Tears

The Choctaw people endured great hardships during the forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears. In the 1830s, the United States government implemented the Indian Removal Act, which aimed to relocate Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated areas west of the Mississippi River. Thousands of Choctaw people were forcibly removed from their homes and endured a treacherous journey to the Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. Despite the immense suffering and loss, the Choctaw community maintained its resilience, preserving its culture, language, and connection to the land throughout the diaspora.

3. Code Talkers

During World War I and World War II, Choctaw soldiers played a critical role in military operations as code talkers. The Choctaw language, with its complex grammar and unfamiliar vocabulary, served as an ideal code that enemy forces could not decipher. By using their native language to transmit sensitive information, Choctaw code talkers played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of military operations and safeguarding American troops. This contribution to the war efforts further solidified the legacy and importance of the Choctaw people in American history.

Key Historical Inheritances Associated with the Choctaw Heritage:

  • Matriarchal society with women holding positions of power and authority.
  • The Trail of Tears and the forced relocation of the Choctaw people.
  • Choctaw code talkers contributing to World War I and World War II.

These historical inheritances represent the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of the Choctaw community. While they have faced numerous challenges throughout history, the Choctaw people continue to celebrate and preserve their unique heritage, ensuring their legacy lives on for future generations.

Ethnic Factsheet: The Choctaw People

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Aspect Information
Ethnicity Choctaw
Region Southeastern United States
Population Approximately 200,000
Demographics – Mainly reside in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana
– Largest Native American group in Mississippi
– Historically agricultural society
– Language: Choctaw (belongs to Muskogean linguistic group)
The Choctaw (in the Choctaw language, Chahta) are a Native American people originally based in the Southeastern Woodlands, in what is now Alabama and Mississippi. Their Choctaw language is a Western Muskogean language. Today, Choctaw people are enrolled in three federally recognized tribes: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana.The Choctaw were first noted by Europeans in French written records of 1675. Their mother mound is Nanih Waiya, a great earthwork platform mound located in central-east Mississippi. Early Spanish explorers of the mid-16th century in the Southeast encountered ancestral Mississippian culture villages and chiefs.The Choctaw coalesced as a people in the 17th century and developed at least three distinct political and geographical divisions: eastern, western, and southern. These different groups sometimes created distinct, independent alliances with nearby European powers. These included the French, based on the Gulf Coast and in Louisiana; the English of the Southeast, and the Spanish of Florida and Louisiana during the colonial era. Most Choctaw allied with the Americans during American Revolution, War of 1812, and the Red Stick War, most notably at the Battle of New Orleans. European Americans considered the Choctaw to be one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" of the Southeast. The Choctaw and the United States agreed to a total of nine treaties. By the last three, the US gained vast land cessions in the Southeast. As part of Indian Removal, despite not having waged war against the United States, the majority of Choctaw were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory from 1831 to 1833. The Choctaw government in Indian Territory had three districts, each with its own chief, who together with the town chiefs sat on their National Council. Those Choctaw who chose to stay in the state of Mississippi were considered state and U.S. citizens; they were one of the first major non-European ethnic groups to be granted citizenship. Article 14 in the 1830 treaty with the Choctaw stated Choctaws may wish to become citizens of the United States under the 14th Article of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek on all of the combined lands which were consolidated under Article I from all previous treaties between the United States and the Choctaw.During the American Civil War, the Choctaw in both Indian Territory and Mississippi mostly sided with the Confederate States of America. Under the late 19th-century Dawes Act and Curtis Acts, the US federal government broke up tribal land holdings and dissolved tribal governments in Indian Territory in order to extinguish Indian land claims before admission of Oklahoma as a state in 1907. From that period, for several decades the US Bureau of Indian Affairs appointed chiefs of the Choctaw and other tribes in the former Indian Territory. During World War I, Choctaw soldiers served in the US military as some of the first Native American codetalkers, using the Choctaw language. Since the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the Choctaw people in three areas have reconstituted their governments and gained federal recognition. The largest are the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma. Since the 20th century, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians were federally recognized in 1945, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in 1971, and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in 1995.

The Ancient Heritage of Choctaw Ethnic Groups

References to the Choctaw Ethnic Group

To further explore and learn more about the Choctaw ethnic group, there are several references and resources available that can provide additional information. These sources offer insights into the history, culture, traditions, and modern-day issues related to the Choctaw people.

  • Books: Utilize books such as “Choctaw Nation: A Story of American Indian Resurgence” by Valerie Lambert, “Choctaw Genesis, 1500-1700” by Patricia Galloway, and “Choctaw Tales” by Eleanor Vance to delve into the rich history and culture of the Choctaw ethnic group.
  • Websites: Various websites provide valuable information about the Choctaw people. Visit the official website of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for news, events, and cultural resources. The Choctaw Nation Cultural Services website delves into traditional practices, language preservation, and historical facts. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians website offers insights into the history and ongoing activities of the tribe.
  • Academic Journals: Explore academic journals like the “Journal of Mississippi History” and “Ethnohistory” to access scholarly research and articles about the Choctaw ethnic group.
  • Museums and Cultural Centers: Visit museums and cultural centers dedicated to the Choctaw people. The Choctaw Nation Capitol Museum and Visitor Center in Oklahoma offers exhibits, artifacts, and educational resources. The Choctaw Indian Fair Museum in Mississippi showcases the tribe’s history and cultural heritage.
  • Documentaries and Films: Watch documentaries and films like “Choctaw Code Talkers” to learn about the important role played by Choctaw soldiers during World War I. “The Choctaw Goes to War” explores the tribe’s involvement in both World Wars.

By utilizing these resources and references, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the Choctaw ethnic group’s history, culture, and contributions to society. It is important to approach these resources with an open mind, respecting the integrity and authenticity of the Choctaw people’s voices and experiences.

Explore other famous people with Acholi, Ahiarmiut and Bilala roots, showcasing the diversity of ethnic backgrounds. Delving into the lives of notable figures from various ethnic backgrounds associated with these Choctaw roots reveals the intricate web of connections between global cultures and their significant contributions to the world.

That concludes the information we can provide about famous Choctaw individuals. Thank you for reading.

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