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Choctaw Tribe
Introduction
The Choctaw, or Chahta in native language, are the third largest Native American tribe and Indian nation in the United States, with over 200,000 tribal members. Originally from the Southeastern Woodlands, which constitutes Alabama and Mississippi today, the Choctaw community presently comprises three tribes, namely the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana. Prior to the advent of European settlers in the U.S., the Choctaw survived on both agriculture and hunter gathering. Their language is part of a six Muskogean language family that is still spoken - Alabama, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek-Seminole, Koasati, and Mikasuki. Similar to other Native American tribes, the Choctaw were a matrilineal society in which women significantly contributed toward all aspects of community life. However, the participation in religious and political realms declined materially in the early eighteenth century after integraton with the European settlers. Traditionally, Choctaw society was divided into Imoklashas (elders) and Inhulalatas (youth), with each having several Iksas or clans. Storytelling has been an important medium in Choctaw society, with many stories used to communicate core values and morals. The Green Corn Ceremony is one of the most important social and spiritual events, during which the Choctaw engage in community building, renewing friendship, cleansing, recentering, initiating new beginnings, and paying gratitude to their Creator. Choctaw tradition is a way of life, which needs to be experienced to be fully understood. Social activities are a central path through which generations intersect and wisdom is passed on from elders to the youth.
The Origin
The Chahta believe that in the beginning of time, there was a great mound called Nanih Waiya. The original people were created from this mound by the Creator and traversed a long, dark cave to emerge on the other side as the first Chahta. The Chahta inhabited these original lands until a great flood displaced them to an island, where they settled and flourished, though temporarily. After several migrations through hundreds of years, over both land and water, the Chahta people traversed the Yucatan and finally settled on the land of giants, where it is believed that they rebuilt their sacred Nanih Waiya.
Women in Society
Historically, women have held a special place in Choctaw culture and were treated with sanctity as “life givers”. Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound in the tribe’s origin stories, is also considered by many as the “mother mound” of the Choctaw. The position of women draws parallels to the tribe’s relationship with the earth, which provides sustenance to human life. The Choctaw tribe has traditionally been a matrilineal culture, where lineage is passed on from the mother’s side and children inherit their Iksa or clan from them. As an agrarian society, the Choctaw have had a sacred relationship with the land. Women played a pivotal role as custodians or caretakers of land and family, two critical foundations of Choctaw society. In addition to leading farming and family responsibilities, women were responsible for manufacturing clothing and often took on the role of healers and medicine women. They also occasionally served as warriors when it was called upon them to protect their clans. Though the role of women changed significantly after the advent of European settlers, a few of the matrilineal constructs can still be found in many communities that have preserved their heritage.
Christina Sigala (Upcoming Featured Speaker)
Christina Sigala is an affiliate professor in the Department of Chicana/o Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has been a part-time Social Worker at Annunciation Catholic School in Five Points in Denver, CO, an institution that is over 120 years old. She has been a chair of the Mother Xavier Peace Day event at Annunciation. Her academic history began on the Auraria campus at the Community College of Denver in 1992. She later transferred to MSU Denver to complete a degree in Human Services in 1996. From 1996 to 2002, Sigala completed a joint-Master’s Degree with the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, and the Iliff School of Theology (Concentration and Justice and Peace Studies). She is currently pursuing her post doctorate at CU Denver.