The Chickasaw Nation is a Native American tribe recognized by the US government, formed after their removal from their original homes in the 1830s. They were historically located in the Deep South and are closely related to the Choctaw tribe. After being subject to assimilation attempts, they were relocated to Indian Territory and formed the Chickasaw Nation. They allied with the Confederacy during the Civil War and were forced to agree to a new treaty after the war. They dissolved after becoming American citizens but were able to have quasi-autonomous governments and own casinos.
The Chickasaw Nation is a sovereign tribe of Native American peoples recognized by the United States government. It was created following the removal of the Chickasaw people from their original homes, in areas from the American Deep South to Oklahoma, in the 1830s. As of 2010, the Chickasaw Nation had fewer than 50,000 people.
The original Chickasaw tribe was historically located in the states of Mississippi and Alabama, and north in Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina. The tribe is closely related to the Choctaw tribe, and their members likely originated in and migrated to north from what is now Mexico. The Chickasaw were first encountered by Europeans in the 16th century and experienced mixed relationships with successions of Spanish, French and English settlers.
After the founding of the United States in 1770, the Chickasaw were subject to overt attempts to assimilate into American society, both legally and culturally. Through a series of treaties and financial agreements, the historic Chickasaw lands were gradually annexed by the United States government. Many of the tribe traveled west in the 1830s as part of what is known as the Trail of Tears, the deportation of many Native American tribes from their eastern homes to a part of modern Oklahoma, which was designated Indian Territory at the time .
The Chickasaw and Choctaw who were relocated to Indian Territory combined to form the Chickasaw-Choctaw Nation. In 1856, the combined group split and the Chickasaw Nation was established, as it remains largely organized into the 21st century. Those Chickasaws who remained east, mostly in South Carolina, eventually formed a separate nation and are not considered part of the Oklahoma tribe.
The Chickasaw Nation allied with the Confederacy during the American Civil War. After the conclusion of the war, the restored United States forced the nation to agree to a new treaty, which notably included the liberation of its slave population. As part of the new treaty, the US government also took over about half of the land the Chickasaw had amassed in Oklahoma.
After Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state in 1907, the Chickasaw Nation was dissolved when its people became American citizens. The nation’s officers were appointed by the president of the United States until the passage of the Indian Self-Determination Act in 1975. With this legislation, the Chickasaw joined other Native American tribes in being able to have quasi-autonomous governments, as well as delegates to the United States House of Representatives.
Like other Native American tribes, the Chickasaw may own and operate casinos. They took advantage of this right and their company owns 17 casinos and numerous other gaming venues. The Chickasaw Corporation also owns other assets, including radio stations around their headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma.
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