Enduring Cultures

Mississippi’s Native Nations created distinctive cultures and traditions. This rich heritage—like their people—remains strong and vibrant today. Fourteen federally recognized present-day Native American Nations have historical interests in Mississippi: the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas, Alabama Quassarte, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Muscogee Nation, Osage Nation, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.

Forced land cessions and federal policy resulted in the eviction of many native people to other places. Today, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only Tribe to live within the state. However, the Chickasaw Nation’s homeland in Northeast Mississippi is preserved through the Inkana Foundation, and all Tribes return to the state often to share and preserve their traditions.