Oklahoma has a long history with many Native American tribes. Long before 1492, people lived in Oklahoma and they left behind many artifacts like the Cooper Skull, a very old painted bison bone at the Sam Noble Museum. Another sacred place is the Spiro Mounds Center, which tells us about an ancient culture that traded goods and had built a robust community.
Between 1492 and 1828, not many Europeans had ventured to Oklahoma. But in 1824, settlers built a compound called Fort Gibson. This fort helped keep peace between native people and Europeans. It also helped to ensure tribes got along and prevented outsiders from taking their land. But between 1828 and 1887, many tribes from the east were made to come to Oklahoma. This forced relocation was a sad era in American history and led to many conflicts between Native tribes and American soldiers.
From 1887, things further changed for Native Americans in Oklahoma and for the worse. A new law broke up their lands into smaller regions. Some of these dedicated areas were then freely given over to settlers. It wasn’t until 1968 that things began to get better when tribes got more power over their lands and the lives they lead.
Below we explore several of Oklahoma’s largest Native tribes today, including their origins, beliefs, and influence on the state.
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation, between 1794 and 1907, was kind of like its own government in North America. Folks usually just called it “The Nation.” But in 1907, just before Oklahoma was about to become a state, a lot of things changed for them. However, by the time the late 1900s rolled around, the Cherokee people got their government up and running again. In 2020, the big court in the U.S. said that the Cherokee Nation had never really been completely done away with. The Cherokee folks were made up of different groups. Some had been moved around in the 1830s, a sad time called the Trail of Tears. And after the Civil War, you also had people from other tribes and those called Cherokee Freedmen joining them.
Before 1794, Cherokee politics wasn’t all that organized. Sometimes they’d pick someone to chat with the Europeans. But after 1794, guys like Little Turkey started being known as big leaders. The U.S. tried to get the Cherokee to live more like European-Americans, like doing different farming and going to Christian schools. In the 1800s, some Cherokee leaders wanted their people to get more formal learning. They even wrote down their own rules in 1827 and set up a system like the U.S. government.
But the 1830s weren’t great. A lot of Cherokee were made to leave their homes, which people remember as the Trail of Tears. Then the Civil War came and made things messy, with Cherokee people picking sides. After the war, the U.S. made new deals with the Cherokee, and they lost even more land.
Getting closer to the 1900s, the U.S. wanted the Cherokee to become part of Oklahoma and stop running their own show. Some Cherokee tried to make their own state called Sequoyah, but that didn’t work out. In 1906, the Cherokee government was stopped, but they tried to bring it back in the 1930s with some help from the U.S. government.
Choctaw Nation
The Choctaw, with roots in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, were more than just another tribe. Warriors? Absolutely. Farmers? Among the best. Traders? You bet. Today, we recognize two main groups: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, who endured the heartbreaking Trail of Tears in the 1830s, and the Mississippi Band, who said, “No way, we’re staying put.”
Their fixed settlements made them agricultural pros, producing surplus crops that they traded far and wide. And when it came to sports, stickball wasn’t just a game; it was their way of life, often resolving disputes.
Then, in the 1700s, they started allying with Europeans like the French. Together, they faced off against tribes like the Natchez Indians. But here’s where things got tricky: American settlers began arriving. Their eyes set on the Choctaw land, and through a series of deals, much of it was taken.
1830 was a game-changer. Under President Andrew Jackson, the Indian Removal Act was passed. There was a lot of pushback, but it happened. The result? The Choctaw were pushed from Mississippi to Oklahoma. This sorrowful journey, known as the Trail of Tears, took the lives of over 3,000 of the 70,000 relocated.
Chickasaw Nation
The Chickasaws, originally hailing from places like Mississippi and Alabama, have a strong bond with nature. Historically seen as the “Spartans of the Lower Mississippi Valley,” their first touchpoint with Europeans was through Hernando de Soto in 1540. They led intricate societies with their own governance, rules, and spiritual beliefs. Known to trade, they lived primarily as farmers and didn’t shy away from conflicts. Their alliance with the English even leads some to say they influenced the dominance of the English language in the U.S.
Their journey, reminiscent of the “Trail of Tears,” saw them relocated among tribes like the Cherokee and Choctaw, often referred to as the “Five Civilized Tribes” due to their structured governance. The Chickasaw took a decisive step in 1856, distancing themselves from the Choctaws and setting their government in Tishomingo. They took sides with the Confederacy in the Civil War and managed to flourish afterward, being instrumental in shaping education and business landscapes in Indian Territory.
After Oklahoma became a state in 1907, the U.S. leadership had a hand in Chickasaw governance until 1970. Eventually, in 1983, they charted their path with a new constitution.
Creek Nation
Based in Oklahoma, the Muscogee Nation traces its roots back to the historic Muscogee Confederacy of the Southeastern Woodlands. They’re known for multiple official languages, with Muscogee being predominant. Ever heard of the Five Civilized Tribes? Yep, they’re part of it.
It’s fascinating: they’re the biggest of the federally acknowledged Muscogee tribes. And there’s this eclectic mix – groups like the Alabama, Koasati, Hitchiti, Natchez, and even Shawnee and Yuchi. Oh, and let’s not forget others like the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town and the Kialegee Tribal Town.
Their main hub? Okmulgee, Oklahoma. A pivotal moment for them came in 2020 when the US Supreme Court, in Sharp v. Murphy, confirmed their reservation status in Oklahoma. Their governance? Think of it as a three-pronged approach: executive, legislative, and judicial, all anchored in Okmulgee. By the way, David W. Hill heads the scene as the Principal Chief. They have this legislative unit, the National Council, and a judicial structure that was reshaped in 1979.
In terms of numbers, 2019 saw 87,344 Muscogee citizens, scattered mainly across Oklahoma, California, and Texas. Here’s a fun fact: to be called a citizen, one needs Creek lineage and a direct ancestor from the 1906 Dawes Roll.
Service-wise, they’re pretty all-encompassing. Think housing, health, law enforcement, even child support. They’ve got this cool initiative, the Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative, nudging tribe members to embrace traditional farming. Health, sustainability, you get the drill. Communication-wise, they’ve got the Mvskoke News and a TV show, Native News Today.
Seminole Nation
The Seminoles have their roots deep in Florida. The name “Seminole”? It’s kind of a lost-in-translation moment from the Europeans. They lumped together a bunch of tribes as one. Initially, the Spanish named them “cimarrones,” meaning “free people,” which kind of evolved into “Seminole” in English. Over the years, they mingled and incorporated other tribes, like the Oconee and Apalachicola. And they had this alliance going on with runaway slaves, known as the Black Seminoles. But then, after a few tussles with the U.S., many of them had to move to reservations. And post the Second Seminole War, many packed their bags for what’s now called Indian Territory.
After their move, getting their own land in Indian Territory wasn’t easy. Big names like Micanopy and the Jumpers were at the forefront. While they kept a distance from the Creek tribe politically, culture and marriages got them a bit closer. The Black Seminoles, remembering their alliance back in Florida, settled in Oklahoma, still tight with the Seminole. Fast-forward a bit after the Civil War, they had to part with some lands. And by 1900, most of the tribe had pure Seminole lineage. But in 1909, things changed – the Dawes Agreement ensured individual lands rather than shared spaces.
Right now, the Seminole Nation calls Seminole County, Oklahoma, home. They’re a significant chunk of the county – making up 22% of its folks. They’re a big family, about 17,000 strong. And as of Spring 2022? Lewis Johnson was leading the tribe as Chief.
Historically, the tribe had its fair share of challenges, especially with U.S. policies. But in the 1930s, things got a makeover. They even drafted a constitution in the 1950s, giving a nod to the Freedmen as tribe members. Their governance has these 14 groups, or itálwa. Each has its chief, and they meet monthly. But governance isn’t always smooth – like in 2000, there was this debate about blood lineage for membership. Their main hub? Wewoka. They’ve got a council house at the Mekusukey Mission Tribal Grounds, and there’s chatter about a new constitution in the works.
