James Adair

A relationship with the Chickasaw people that lasted more than two decades

• Historic Figures

James Adair was an English trader who lived among the Chickasaw tribe and was especially fond of the Chickasaw for their loyalty to the English.

Te Ata

World-famous for using her dramatic talents to tell the story of the Chickasaw people

• Historic Figures

Mary Frances Thompson took on the stage name Te Ata, which means "bearer of the morning" in Chickasaw.

Governor Bill Anoatubby

A profound dedication to the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation

• Historic Figures

Bill Anoatubby is the current governor of the Chickasaw Nation and has served in this position since 1987.

Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville

Led the attack against the Chickasaws in the Battle of Ackia

• Historic Figures

Bienville was a French explorer of the New World in the 1700s and established himself in Louisiana Territory.

The British

Allies and partners in the years leading up to the American Revolution

• Historic Figures

The Chickasaws began trade with the early British settlers after the establishment of the Carolina colony in 1670.

Governor Benjamin Burney

Served in Shocoe's Chickasaw Battalion of Mounted Volunteers

• Historic Figures

Burney served the Chickasaw Nation and its government as national treasurer and governor.

Governor William Byrd

Conscientious and resilient in pushing for independent status for the Indians

• Historic Figures

Byrd attended the Chickasaw Academy before enlisting in the Civil War. He later become governor of the Chickasaw tribe and a successful business man.

Chiksa' and Chahta

Brothers who led their people to Chickasaw and Choctaw homelands

• Historic Figures

Before the tribes of Chickasaw and Choctaw were two different tribes, they were one entity under the rule of two brothers.

James Logan Colbert

Known for marrying into the Chickasaw tribe and being a friend to native people

• Historic Figures

James Colbert was a trader with the Chickasaw Nation who married into the tribe and was a compassionate friend to the Indians.

Levi Colbert

A prominent negotiators and interpreters who fought for the Chickasaw people

• Historic Figures

Colbert was an early leader of the Chickasaw people and was also a prominent negotiator and interpreter.

Governor Winchester Colbert

Worked tirelessly as a diplomat to establish the Chickasaw tribe's sovereignty

• Historic Figures

Colbert worked tirelessly as a diplomat to establish the Chickasaw tribe's sovereignty and separation from the Choctaw Nation.

The Choctaw Nation

Close tribal nations with a shared history and origin story

• Historic Figures

Known as one of America's Five Civilized Tribes, the Choctaws are a prominent Native American tribe.

Pierre D'Artaguiette

French army officer known for his valor during the Natchez War

• Historic Figures

A French army officer known for his valor during the Natchez War who later became the commander of the Province of Louisiana's Illinois District.

The French

A conflict with the Chickasaw people that would last for decades

• Historic Figures

The Chickasaws have a turbulent history with the French and experienced tension due to their own close relationship with the British.

Governor William Guy

Fought to allow mixed-blood Chickasaws to have the same rights as full-blooded Chickasaws

• Historic Figures

William Guy had a decorated military career in the Civil War and went on to serve as secretary of the Chickasaw senate and Chickasaw Nation governor.

Governor Cyrus Harris

Instrumental to the implementation of the first Chickasaw government and constitution

• Historic Figures

Harris was the first governor of the Chickasaw Nation and was at the core of implementing the first Chickasaw government and constitution.

Governor Robert M. Harris

Worked diligently to help the Chickasaw people as the 21st governor of the Chickasaw Nation

• Historic Figures

Harris was dedicated to serving the Chickasaw people and worked diligently to improve the education and overall progress of the Chickasaw Nation.

President Andrew Jackson

The architect of the Indian Removal Act

• Historic Figures

Andrew Jackson was our seventh president and a forceful proponent of Indian removal.

Governor Overton James

After first being appointed governor by John F. Kennedy, he was elected to the position four times

• Historic Figures

James served in the U.S. Navy before returning to Oklahoma and later being appointed by President John F. Kennedy as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.

Governor Douglas H. Johnston

The first Chickasaw governor to be appointed by the president of the United States

• Historic Figures

Johnston was the very first governor to be appointed by the president of the United States and served as the Chickasaw governor for over 30 years.

Governor E.B. Maytubby

A proud Chickasaw heritage and dedication to furthering the progress of the Chickasaw people

• Historic Figures

During the time Maytubby governed there was a huge push for the Chickasaw tribe to elect their own leaders and to demand more sovereignty.

Governor Floyd Maytubby

Appointed governor during the Great Depression and World War II

• Historic Figures

Floyd Maytubby served the Chickasaw Nation during difficult times resulting from the end of the Great Depression and the turmoil of World War II.

Governor Peter Maytubby

A member of the Dawes Commission who helped find fraudulent claims of Chickasaw citizenship

• Historic Figures

Maytubby was a full-blooded Chickasaw Indian and served as captain for the Confederate Army in the Civil War and was also a Chickasaw governor.

Governor Palmer S. Mosely

Considered one of the most notable and proficient interpreters in Chickasaw history

• Historic Figures

Mosely served as the 20th and 23rd Governor of the Chickasaw Nation and began his career as the interpreter for the Chickasaw legislature.

The Muscogee Creek Nation

The Creeks are a union of several tribes that developed into a confederacy of distinct tribal towns

• Historic Figures

These Native American people are also known as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and originated from the southeastern part of the United States.

The Natchez Nation

Native American tribe that originated from the Natchez Bluffs area in the Lower Mississippi Valley

• Historic Figures

The Natchez have origins dating back to the prehistoric era.

President Richard Nixon

The first president to truly push for Native American self-determination and independence

• Historic Figures

Nixon was the 37th president of the United States and it was during his term that important changes for Native American policy would take place.

Governor Benjamin Overton

A firm advocate for the Chickasaw people with a no-nonsense reputation

• Historic Figures

Overton had a lifelong interest in the tribal affairs of the Chickasaw Nation serving in the Chickasaw legislature and as a delegate in Washington.

Piominko

Helped pave the way for Chickasaw prosperity into the new American century of the 1800s

• Historic Figures

Chickasaw Leader, Piominko, was born around 1750 at Chokkilissa'- Old Town, Mississippi.

Robert de La Salle

Famed explorer of the New World who encountered the Chickasaw people

• Historic Figures

Robert de La Salle was born in 1643 in Rouen, France. He was an avid explorer and fascinated with science and nature.

Chief Alexander McGillivray

Historical leader of the Creek people in early America

• Historic Figures

McGillivray began an alliance with Spain in 1784, in an effort to cause trouble for Americans and their supporters.

Edmund Pickens

His extensive service helped lead the Chickasaw people towards progress and independence

• Historic Figures

Pickens was a leader among native people and his foresight helped create a strong Chickasaw Nation.

Hernando de Soto

Led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States

• Historic Figures

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in the 1500s and came in contact with several Native American tribes exploring North America.

Tishominko

This influential Chickasaw is remembered as one of the last hereditary minkos

• Historic Figures

Tishominko was admired for his integrity and wisdom, and he was a well-respected leader.

President George Washington

A friend and advocate of the Chickasaw Nation

• Historic Figures

George Washington served as the first president of the United States and declared that a just Indian Policy was one of his top priorities.

Governor Jonas Wolf

Known for being a man of rugged integrity

• Historic Figures

Jonas Wolf served as a governor of the Chickasaw Nation and in the tribal legislature in addition to being an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Wolf's Friend

Recognized as Piominko's biggest adversary throughout the late 1700s

• Historic Figures

Wolf's Friend, also referred to as "Ugulayacabe," was a powerful Chickasaw minko during the 1700s.