Halito...Chi Chukmah

Who were the Indians of the past?  Who were those proud warriors of the old west?  Their tribal names are familiar:  Comanche, Cheyenne, Sioux, Kiowa, and others.  Mention their names and we think of fierce valor, painted horsemen with lances and bows.  When the uninformed think of Native Americans of the past, they think of men trained from birth to hunt and fight; measuring manhood by their boldness in battle.  They think of the women raised to sustain the warriors, sharing in celebrations of victory, or slashing their bodies in moments of grief.

For some tribes these images were true, but only partly true.  From the Mississippi to the Great Basin on the far side of the Rockies lived more than 30 distinct tribes, each with its own language and way of life.  Some were nomadic hunters who followed the buffalo.  Some were primarily farmers who tended peach orchards or raised corn and melons in the fertile river valleys.  Some were pirates of the plains, who raided other tribes for horses, corn, and tobacco.

All of these Native Americans, whether they were warriors or farmers, shared a common destiny - to be forced aside by the white man.  By the middle of the 19th century, they were being pushed from their lands by white farmers, miners, cattlemen, and the US Cavalry.

The outcome of the confrontation with the whites was never really in doubt.  Although they won some key battles, including one as late as 1876, the Native Americans were too few, too fragmented, and poorly armed to fend off the waves of intruders.  But even though their battle was hopeless, pride and defiance shone in their faces and rang in their words.  As the Kiowa Chief White Bear said in 1867, "I do not want to settle down in the houses you would build for us.  I love to roam over the wild prairie.  There I am free and happy."  Nine years later, White Bear committed suicide in a prison hospital.

Like many others, I am of Native American descent.  My ancestors were Chickasaw.  What I would like to do is discuss our heritage.  Not just Chickasaw, but as many tribes as I can research.  I do this to enlighten those who do not understand our proud history.  But most of all, I do it to honor my ancestors.  Their tales must be told to our children so they will not be forgotten.

All the graphics used in this site come from Sam Silverhawk,a truly gifted artist.  His logo will appear on all pages.  Click on it to visit his site.  It will be well worth your time.

If your ready, let's start our journey.  Click on the thunderbird to follow the trail of our Fathers.

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