Submitted by Nikki Roth-Skiles 
 
 The Choctaw were one of the largest tribes in the SE United States.  
 They had a strong democratic government and were an agriculturally 
 based group. The last of Choctaw lands, over 10 million acres, was 
 given to the US as a result of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek 
 in 1830 - a treaty endorsed by a minority of the Choctaws.  Those 
 of the Choctaw Tribe who now live on the 21,000 acre reservation 
 in eastern central Mississippi are descendants of those who decided
 to remain on their tribal lands and not be relocated to Indian 
 reservations in the west.  The story of the deceit and treachery 
 used to gain Choctaw lands is a fascinating chapter in the history 
 of U.S. and Indian relationships and in the career of President 
 Andrew Jackson.  On a trip to Washington DC in 1824, Pushmataha, 
 a great Choctaw warrior, said in a speech to the U.S. Secretary of War:
 "I can boast and say, and tell the truth, that none of my fathers, 
 or grandfathers, nor any Choctaw, ever drew bows against the United 
 States.  They have always been friendly.  We have held the hands of 
 the United States so long that our nails are long like the talons of 
 a bird and there is no danger of their slipping out."  The Choctaw
 who left Mississippi in 1831 for the west were the first Indians on 
 the 'Trail of Tears'.
 
 I have the following information on tribal headquarters:
         Mississippi Band of Choctaw
         P.O. 6010
         Choctaw Branch
         Philadelphia MS  39350
         (601)656-1992
 
         Choctaw of Oklahoma
         P.O. Drawer 1210
         16th and Locust Streets
         Durant OK  74701
         (405) 924-1150
 
 Hope this information helps.
 ---Nikki

"They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never 
kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they took it."
Unidentified Old Lakota

         (601)656-1992
 
         Choctaw of Oklahoma
         P.O. Drawer 1210
         16th and Locust Streets