When thinking of brave native Americans struggling for survival on the Great Plains of North America, most Americans think of individuals like Sitting Bull, a Hunkpapa Lakota chief and holy man, because he once danced at a Little Big Horn Sun Dance ceremony for 36 hours straight without water and later embarrassed the American government by defeating the famous General George Armstrong Custer in battle. However, as a tribe, the Chickasaw can perhaps be called some of the bravest warriors in North America. At an early age, boys were trained in combat skills and learned to cope with pain and deprivation without complaining. Raised on an ethos of courage, these warriors were so formidable that they never lost a major military war until the American Civil War. Originally, the Chickasaw tribe lived in the southeast in places like Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri, but they were forced to move to Oklahoma, where their descendants still live today. Considered the Spartans of Mississippi, the Chickasaws lived in town sites with its own sophisticated ruling system, religions and legal traditions. They traded with other tribes, as well as with the English and French. Although engaged in an agrarian life, they were willing to go to battle if the need arose. During the French and Indian War, they became allies of the English. Without their help, the United States might have become a French-speaking nation. During what the Chickasaw referred to as the "Trail of Tears," but that the American government called the "Great Removal," the tribe was forced to relocate to Indian Territory, along with other tribes, referred to as the “Five Civilized Tribes” like the Choctaw, Creek, Cherokee and Seminole. In 1837, the Chickasaws were forced by the Treaty of Doaksville to resettle with the Choctaws in Indian Territory, but were able to restore their own form government 19 years later when they broke away from the Choctaw tribe. At Tishomingo, tribal leaders framed a constitution and created a government with executive, legislative, and judicial functions. People were elected for office through a popular vote. The only time the Chickasaws lost a major military engagement was during the Civil War when the tribe allied with the South, raised a native army, and fought against the Confederacy, waging war all the way up to the last battles of that conflict. Humiliated by this colossal defeat, the Chickasaws overcame conditions of extreme poverty and hardship by becoming ranchers and farmers. Later, they began building businesses, banks, and schools in Indian Territory. Slowly, the tribe prospered again. In 1907, the Chickasaw Nation’s principal officers were appointed by the President of the United States. In 1970, Congress legislated permission for the Five Civilized Tribes to elect their own principal officers. In 1983, the Chickasaws adopted a new constitution. Recapturing History It’s possible to get a taste of the story of the Chickasaw tribe by visiting Chickasaw Country in Oklahoma. At an autumn campfire, you can listen to tales that date back centuries. If the sun hasn't set, you might catch a glimpse of a pellucid lake set against an azure sky. You can explore ancient hills and beautiful lakes in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, water ski on Lake Texoma, and watch live performances at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. All these experiences will recapture a sense of a world that has faded into antiquity. You’ll get a feel for their tradition and their ancient culture.

After the French lost their claimed possessions upon the North American continent and were driven there from, the Chickasaws, from that time to the present,

UPDATED: September 8, 2016. There were a few grammar mistakes that I fixed. If you have already purchased this, please re-download! Thanks! Do you have a hard time finding resources for the NEW Tennessee Social Studies Standards? This product aligns with the New TN State Standards for Social Studies. Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek Indians (Standard 4.2) There are three nonfiction booklets for your students to read independently, with partner/groups, or whole group. Each nonfiction booklet will be printed front/back and then folded in half. The passages were written in kid friendly terms, but with academic vocabulary to stretch their thinking and knowledge. There is a small vocabulary section on the back of each booklet. After we read and discuss that particular Indian group, we complete the Close Read Checklist activity. My class works in groups to complete this. I want them to read things more than once to fully grasp the concept and the culture of the Indian groups. My kids love this! There is a Triple Venn Diagram activity. You can do this as whole group, ,partners, groups, or independently. That's the beauty of this product. You can take the materials and make it fit the needs of your classroom. There is also an Interactive Notebook Activity for this skill. If you don't do Interactive Notebooks, NO WORRIES! This activity would be a great assessment at the end of the unit. There are four pages that create a packet. Each page has a tab to identify the types of Indians. Each page has short answer questions for the students to complete to assess their comprehension. I hope you find this product helpful and you are able to have a fun time learning about the Indians in Tennessee with your students while hitting the rigor of the new TN Standards! If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. Other TN Social Studies Products: 4.1 Prehistoric Indians (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian)4.1 Prehistoric Indians Study Guide and Assessment)4.2 Indians In Tennessee (Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek)4.2 Indians In Tennessee (Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek) Study Guide and Assessment 4.2 Indians In Tennessee (Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek) Jeopardy Game4.4 European Explorers Jeopardy Game4.4 Famous Explorations and Explorers4.13 and 4.18 The 13 Original Colonies4.23 and 4.24 The Causes of the American Revolution

Part 1: 1830 — Noonish on April 22, 1889 Oklahoma County forms a rectangle 30 miles wide by 24 miles high, almost exactly 720 square mile...

There are some amazing things to do in Chickasaw National Recreation Area including hiking, boating and mineral springs plus a herd of bison!

an 8 x 10 photo on Fuji Film Stock

Curse of the white deer: in Chickasaw Indian legend Seeing a white stag is a special sign. It could be a sign of something amazing or scary.

There are hundreds of Native American tribes in the US and Canada, each with its history, culture, and flags. Here’s some key information.