The Choctaw are one of the Muskogean tribes that were originally from the Mississippi Valley area, and are generally assumed to have descended from the "Mound Builder" culture. Legends tell that the Choctaw People originated from "Ninah Waya", a sacred hill near Nozapter, Mississippi. The name "Ninah Waya" means "Productive Mountain" and is often referred to as "The Mother Mound". The "emergence myth" is a part of Choctaw history. In 1830, as a result of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, the Choctaw were forcibly relocated from their homelands in the Mississippi Valley to what later became known as Oklahoma. Twenty thousand Choctaw began the journey. Approximately seven thousand survived. This was the infamous "Trail of Tears" (Tingle, 2002, pg 21).
Culturally, the Choctaws have always honored their women as the head of every family household. They were, and still are today, considered the care-takers of our children, our elders, and the home. Decent is counted through the female line. My Grandmother was Choctaw and my Grandfather was Osage, therefore my Mother and I are Choctaw (Howe, 2001, pg 54).
The Choctaw had their own government, which they maintain until 1907, when the state of Oklahoma had it dissolved and Choctaw were declared general citizens of Oklahoma. In 1977, a group of Choctaws petitioned the Federal court, asking that the 1860 Choctaw Constitution be legally declared the valid Constitution of the Choctaw Nation. the Choctaw people voted in 1979 for and adopted the document which would serve as a guide for the government and proposed constitution. In 1981 the Federal Courts did declare that the 1860 Choctaw Constitution was valid. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma operates under a written Constitutional form of Government ratified by the Choctaw people on July 9, 1983.
This essay has the followings:
Total words: 1117
Total reference: 4
Total price: £ 19.95
Click here to Order this essay!
Get Professionally written Essays that are:
• Written According to your Exact Requirements
• 100% Original and Non-Plagiarized
• Written by Expert
UK Writers
• Delivered to you before your deadline
Amazingly Low Prices - £9.95/page
