Native American - Choctaw Nation

  

The Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation consists of an unstrung bow encompassing three Arrows and a smoking pipe-hatchet. These items are symbolic of the history and tradition of the Choctaw People.

The unstrung bow symbolized that, although peaceable by nature, they could quickly string the bow and defend themselves if provoked.

The pipe-hatchet was used while seated in solemn deliberation around the council fire.

The three arrows symbolize the three great Choctaw Chiefs - Apuckshunnubee, Pushmataha and Mosholatubbee.

Pushmataha was known as the embodiment of the nature of the Choctaw Nation. He was hailed among the People as a trial hero and statesman. He died in Washington D.C. of "a broken heart" (pneumonia) while trying to stop the passage of the Indian Removal Act. He is buried in the Congressional Cemetery.

Permission to use the Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation was kindly granted by Gregory E. Pyle, Chief of the Choctaw Nation.

The StoryTeller is a very important person in tribal custom. It is her responsibility to pass down the legends and histories of the tribe.

It takes a long time to be recognized as the Story Teller. Young girls are chosen based on their knowledge and memory. They must stay with the Story Teller and learn all of legends and histories of the tribe verbatim! Never must a word or inflection be changed.

Pictured here is a representation of "The Boy Who Almost Lost His Name". A cautionary tale of losing respect of the peoples - thereby "Losing Your Name".

This embroidery is based on a scene from "The Long Walk". The Long Walk was the journey from the Tribal Homelands in Mississippi to their new home in Indian Territory (now the State of Oklahoma).

The "Long Walk" was the Choctaw term for what is commonly called "The Trail of Tears". "Trail of Tears" was the name given by the Cherokee for the Indian Removal Act. A partial recreation of the Long Walk is held every year by the Choctaw Nation.

At stopping points along the way, game or commodities from the U S Army were cooked in iron kettles to feed the thousands of people.

The woman is holding in her hand a skin bag. This bag probably contained spices and herbs for strength on the journey.

She is wearing clothing common to the Choctaw during that time in their history.

The legend of the White Buffalo Woman varies only in detail from Nation to Nation and Tribe to Tribe throughout the United States.

A woman dressed in shining white clothing appears to a young man seeking a Vision Quest for Peace. The woman comforts the young man and tells him that Peace will come when she reappears back in the world as a White Buffalo.

She then changes into a White Buffalo and walks away. The young man closes his eyes for a moment and when he opens them again, there is no woman and no white buffalo. Careful watch has been made since for the return of the White Buffalo Woman.

Stickball was (and still is) a hugely popular game among the Choctaw and other Southeastern America tribes.

The sticks themselves have changed little over the centuries. The handles of the stickball sticks are, on average, 1 to 1 1/2 inches square sometimes with the corners rounded off in a carved design. Designs important to the owner are frequently carved into each side. The top part of the stick is carved or bent into an open oval and rawhide thongs interlace forming a woven cup. Each player is equiped with two sticks and the sticks are used together to catch the ball between the two cups.

A very long time ago, the ball was actually a river stone, then developed into a leather covered horsehair ball and is currently a leather covered hard rubber ball. No matter what it is made of, it still hurts when it hits you!

The game itself has few rules. Any number of boys and men can play and the object is to get your team ball over the goal the most times. This popular game is still played at gatherings and Pow Wows.

This game is the origination of the modern and less painful game of LaCrosse.

Boys Playing Stickball BFC183-15 $7
4.9" x 6.8"(125X173mm)

North of the Kiamichi Mountains hidden in the verdant green are red rock canyons. The ponies seen here are small (usually less that 16 hands high) but sturdy and can run well for several miles without tiring.

The ponies are probably descendants of the Spanish horses that were left behind during the Spanish explorations. They are mostly Pinto (or Painted) ponies and well loved and respected by the Indian Nations.

Pony Herd BFC183-18 $7
5.9 " x 7"(149X178mm)

A Princess of the Choctaw Nation is chosen, not by beauty - (Although most of them are very beautiful) but by scholastic achievement and community service.

Shown here, she is signing The Lord's Prayer to open the ceremonies held each Veteran's Day in appreciation for the Men and Women who have volunteered to serve our country.

Across the yoke and sleeve cuff of her dress are embroiderd traditional Choctaw symbols. She is wearing a net necklace and the white kerchief around her neck.