Summary Of The Removal Of The Choctaw Nation

Arthur DeRosier provides a very detailed insight into the history of the Choctaw Indians and their removal from their native lands in his book, The Removal of the Choctaw Indians. Unfortunately, the end of his book describes the Choctaw Nation as having been died out. His book was published in 1970, a time before the rebirth of native American cultures. The last sentence of his book says that “in the years that followed would only increase the influx of white settlers onto Indian lands until, finally, the once mighty Choctaw Nation would be proud and powerful no more, except in their hearts” (167). The Choctaw Nation, like most Indian tribes, have experienced a dark time in their history, but there has been a resurgence of their culture and

There were attempts to destroy their culture, but they were able to preserve their history and embrace their culture in present-times. Before statehood, Native Americans were despised and were just as likely as African Americans to be victims of persecution and even lynching (Mish 106). Despite these hardships, white settlers were unable to drive the Indians out of their new homeland. Currently, the largest minority in the state of Oklahoma is Native American race. There are approximately 400,000 individuals with some reported degree of Native American blood which is approximately 12 percent of the Oklahoma population (Clark 17). One way the Choctaw Nation preserves its culture is through the annual labor day festival in Tushkahoma. With over 10,000 visitors every year, the festival celebrates Choctaw heritage with traditional foods, dances, and games (117). The less traditional entertainment includes carnival rides, athletic events, and concerts. Not only does it reflect on Choctaw culture, but it helps the economy in the Tushkahoma

Overall tribal employment in all economic sectors makes Indian tribes the fourth largest employer in Oklahoma (16). One of the ways they provide jobs is through the first tribal owned hospital which was constructed outside of Talihina sixteen years ago (117). Even though they have been settled in this area for over a century and a half, Indian tribes have been restricted to a point where they have only been able to make economic accomplishments for the past decade and a half. Some of the most obvious economic accomplishments in Durant, Oklahoma is the Choctaw Casino Resort. One section of this building is called the District. It is family oriented and attracts local consumers by providing an arcade, bowling alley, cinema, laser tag, and sports bar. The actual casino area attracts people from all around. There are numerous slot machines and card tables. There is also a hotel with a large pool area for hotel guests and conference area for business meetings. Even though it lacks the traditional cultural and historical aspects of the Choctaw Nation, it changes local life and entertainment in rural southeast Oklahoma. The casino is not the only way the Choctaw Nation helps the economy. They also offer other services that benefit both their members and non-members, including education and health