Jena Band of Choctaw Indians
The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians are one of three federally recognized Choctaw groups in the United States. They are located in La Salle, Catahoula, and Grant parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The Jena Band received federal recognition in 1995 and has a reservation in Grant Parish, with their headquarters at Jena, Louisiana. Tribal membership totals 327.[1][2]
Eastern Choctaw | |
Total population | |
---|---|
327[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
United States ( Louisiana) | |
Languages | |
English, Choctaw | |
Religion | |
Christianity, traditional beliefs | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Other Choctaw tribes, Muscogee (Creek), Chickasaw, Seminole, Cherokee |
Government
The tribe is headquartered in Jena, Louisiana. Their current Principal Chief of the Jena Band is Cheryl Jackson Smith.[3]
Reservation
The Jena Band of Choctaw Reservation (31°26′16″N 92°29′56″W) is located in two separate parts in Grant Parish, in and near the village of Creola. The larger section is located northwest of the village, while the smaller section is located within the village.
Culture
Choctaw culture has greatly evolved over the centuries, absorbing mostly European-American influences. It was also shaped by and contributed to Spanish, French, and English colonial cultures. They were known for their rapid incorporation of modernity, developing a written language, transitioning to yeoman farming methods, and accepting European Americans and African Americans into their society by birth, adoption or marriage.
References
- Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Brief Historical Summary. Jena Band of Choctaw Indians. Retrieved on 2020-06-10.
- Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 55 / Thursday, March 22, 2007 / Notices (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- "Tribal Governments by Area: Southeast." Archived 2010-09-26 at the Wayback Machine National Congress of American Indians. (retrieved 7 Sept 2010)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Choctaw. |
- Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, official website