deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

The Choctaw Braves. The Choctaw Indigenous people once inhabited parts of Alabama and Mississippi. They were known for their bravery in battle and their warriors were called ‘Choctaw Braves.’ They played a significant role in American History for their contributions to the “Code Talkers” during World War II. The Choctaw Nation basically ended up in Oklahoma after the Indian Removal.

In the nuanced and complex history of the Choctaw there is the fact that a number of the Tribe did fight alongside the Confederacy in the Civil War. It is important to understand the various factors that led to some of the Choctaws siding with the Confederates. Up to that point the Federal Government had broken all treaties made with the Choctaw Nation. Hundreds of Choctaws were relocated to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. Therefore, they did not trust the Federal Government.

After the signing of The Dancing Rabbit Creek treaty in 1830, the Mississippi Choctaws remained in the south. For the most part the people were destitute and became sharecroppers trying to eek out a living. This group continually petitioned their grievances with the US government. As with all other treaties signed by the US, they were not honoring their word and keeping the treaty.

‘The Great Father’, Abraham Lincoln, thought Indian affairs were a low priority. Lincoln and his party considered ‘The Indian’ a “dying race”. A Republican Senator stated: “It is dying through natural causes growing out of its contact with a superior race inhabiting the same country.” As soon as the Civil War began Lincoln and his party completely abandoned the Indians. By May 18 of 1861, U.S. military posts were abandoned leaving tribes with “no alternative but to join the South.” The Confederacy was in desperate need of fighters so they conscripted a number of Choctaws. It is consequential to recognize that the Confederates fought to preserve slavery, The Choctaws opposed Slavery. It is important to understand all sides of this story. These are the types of things not taught in school.

If you would like to study more about the issues raised here go to: https://www.hcn.org/articles/tribes-what-tribal-sovereignty-means-for-freedmen-citizenship