The name “Chickasaw” is believed to have derived from the name of a location. However, some also believe it came from the legendary Chickasaw leader, Chickasha.
The Chickasaw were closely connected linguistically with the Choctaw and were one of the principal tribes of the Muskhogean group. However, the Chickasaw were more geographically dispersed than the Choctaw. The Chickasaw were historically located primarily in northern Mississippi with their villages centered between the headwaters of the Yazoo and Tombigbee rivers but could also be found in parts of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
The first Europeans to encounter and engage the Chickasaw were the Spaniards under Hernando De Soto. The French later encountered the Chickasaw in the same area as De Soto and discovered they were just as aggressive, and war driven as De Soto had described them.
In 1729, the Chickasaw supported the Natchez when they revolted, and in 1736, when French expeditions from the north and south attacked them simultaneously, the Chickasaw fiercely defended themselves, suffering great losses. In 1740, a massive attempt was made to conquer the tribe but proved unsuccessful.
Many more invasions and battles ensued in the following years, even beyond the final victory of the English over the French in 1763 and the American Revolution. The Chickasaw tried to remain neutral to avoid being invaded. But in May of 1779, the tribe received a written threat from the new state of Virginia warning them to maintain neutrality or risk devastating consequences. Chickasaw chiefs responded, showing their unwillingness to cower to any entity.
However, the Chickasaw were eventually able to cultivate a friendship with the American government after its establishment. Their eventual migration to new land in what is now Oklahoma began in 1837 and went through 1847. In 1856, the Chickasaw people drafted their own constitution. It wasn’t until 1971, with policies enacted under the administration of President Richard Nixon that the Chickasaws were allowed to hold official tribal elections. In 1979, a new constitution was drafted based on the 1856 version, and in the following 4 years, tribal leaders worked to ensure that the new constitution would fit the needs of their society. Once again, the Chickasaws were able to cherish their tribal sovereignty with the ratification of the 1983 Chickasaw Nation Constitution.
Today, the Chickasaw Nation remains culturally vibrant and economically strong. Headquartered in Ada, Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation encompasses over 7,600 square miles covering 13 counties in south-central Oklahoma but also has additional operations in New Mexico, Georgia, and Texas.
The Chickasaw people still uphold many of their traditions and customs and are important to the overall economic health of Oklahoma. As evidenced, the Chickasaw Nation is a significant economic presence and still a vital part of our nation.
