Samantha Nephew - The People and Culture of the Choctaw

Published in 2017 by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC

243 5th Avenue, Suite 136, New York, NY 10016

Copyright 2017 by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC

First Edition

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Nephew, Samantha, author. | Bial, Raymond, author.

Title: The people and culture of the Choctaw / Samantha Nephew and Raymond Bial.

Description: New York : Cavendish Square Publishing, [2017] | Series: First peoples of North America | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016029167 | ISBN 9781502622457 (library bound) | ISBN 9781502622464 (eBook)

Subjects: LCSH: Choctaw Indians--History--Juvenile literature. | Choctaw Indians--Social life and customs--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC E99.C8 N47 2017 | DDC 976.004/97387--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016029167

Editorial Director: David McNamara

Editor: Kristen Susienka

Copy Editor: Rebecca Rohan

Associate Art Director/Designer: Amy Greenan

Production Coordinator: Karol Szymczuk

Photo Research: J8 Media

The photographs in this book are used by permission and through the courtesy of: cover National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution; pp. 6, 65, 67 Buddy Mays/Getty Images; p. 8 Rodger Mallison/Fort Worth StarTelegram/MCT/Newscom; pp. 12-13, 18-19, 21, 26, 27, 38, 40, 43, 45, 49, 72 Raymond Bial; p. 16 Rob/Public Domain/File:Choctaw-Nation-Divided.png/Wikipedia; p. 22 George Catlin/File:Mosholatubbee.jpg/Wikimedia Commons; p. 24 Public Domain/Franois Bernard/File:Choctaw Village by Francois Bernard.jpg/Wikimedia Commons; p. 29 NativeStock.com; p. 30 National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (P28191), Photo by Mark Raymond Harrington; p. 33 Stock Montage/Archive Photos/Getty Images; p. 37 National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (BAE GN 01102F03 6228000), Photo by Smithsonian Museum Support Center; p. 46 National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (N02662), Photo by Mark Raymond Harrington; p. 47 National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (1/9089), Photo by NMAI Services; p. 51 George Catlin/ File:Kutteeotubbee.jpg/Wikimedia Commons; p. 53 Gary Warnimont/Alamy Stock Photo; p. 56 Turtle Storyteller figure by Randall Chitto/National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (26/4441), Photo by NMAI Services; p. 58 Balakleypb/Shutterstock.com; p. 62 Zelenskaya/Shutterstock.com; p. 74 Charles Phelps Cushing/ClassicStock/Getty Images; p. 77 MPI/Archive Photos/Getty Images; p. 81 File:Choctaw Dancing Rabbit Seating.png/Wikimedia Commons; p. 83 Al Moldvay/ The Denver Post via Getty Images; p. 85 Shelly Katz/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images; p. 90 ZUMA Press/ Alamy Stock Photo; p. 92 Nikater/File:Trails of Tears en.png/Wikimedia Commons; p. 94 Urbanative at English Wikipedia/File:Choctaw capitol museum.jpg/Wikimedia Commons; p. 96 The Meridian Star, Paula Merritt/AP; p. 98 The Clarion Ledger, Joe Ellis/AP Images; p. 102 RDA/Getty Images; p. 104 Public Domain/File:Greewood-Leflore.jpg/Wikimedia Commons; p. 105 Avannupo/File:Linda Lomahaftewa 2009/Wikimedia Commons; p. 108 George Catlin/File:Peter perkins pitchlynn.jpg/Wikimedia Commons; p. 110 Public Domain/Charles Bird King/ File:Pushmataha high resolution.jpg/Wikimedia Commons.

Printed in the United States of America

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

From Samantha Nephew: I acknowledge the lives and memories of Arthur and Zenna Nephew of Buffalo, New York. Art and Zenna showed me by example how to love and care for community, how to honor our heritage, and stand up for whats right. They continue to be a guiding light even today. I would also like to thank the Seneca Nation of IndiansIve been given many opportunities to thrive thanks to the care this Nation gives to its enrolled members. Cultural preservation is strong within the Nation and allows me the opportunity to learn about and keep our heritage alive despite its relatively small membership of about 8,000. To my husband, Mark James. For your years of support, love, and confidence in my abilitieseven when I wasnt so sure. I like you. My family, Shelby Nephew, Cassie Bradley, the entire Ledsome family, Aunt Sue, and Grandma Deanna. And to those whove helped and encourage me unconditionally: Natalie Rodriguez, Jennifer Castro, Johnnie Fenderson, Jennifer Mecozzi, Megan Connelly, and Jennifer Heisel.

From Raymond Bial: This book would not have been possible without the generous help of many individuals and organizations that have dedicated themselves to honoring the customs of the Choctaw. I would like to thank in particular Cavendish Square Publishing and all who contributed to finding photos and other materials for publication. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their constant support along this writing journey.

A young Choctaw woman performs a traditional dance.

AUTHORS NOTE

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Native Americans were thought to be a vanishing race. However, despite four hundred years of warfare, deprivation, and disease, Native people have not gone away. Countless millions have lost their lives, but over the course of this century the populations of Native tribes have grown tremendously. Even as Native people struggle to adapt to modern Western life, they have also kept the flame of their traditions alivethe language, religion, stories, and the everyday ways of life. An exhilarating renaissance in Native American culture is now sweeping the nation from coast to coast.

The First Peoples of North America books depict the social and cultural life of the major nations, from the early history of Native peoples in North America to their present-day struggles for survival, dignity, and to preserve their cultures. Historical and contemporary photographs of traditional subjects, as well as period illustrations, are blended throughout each book so that readers may gain a sense of family life in a tipi, a hogan, a longhouse, or in houses today.

No single book can comprehensively portray the intricate and varied lifeways of an entire tribe, or nation. We only hope that young people will come away with a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Native culture both then and nowand a keen desire to learn more about these first Americans.