The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians are a vibrant and resilient community of Native Americans with deep roots in the Southeastern United States. As members of the Muskogean linguistic family, their history is interwoven with the rich tapestry of mound-building, maize-based societies that flourished in the Mississippi River Valley for over a millennium before the arrival of Europeans. Today, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians stands as a federally recognized tribe, preserving its cultural heritage and traditions while navigating the complexities of the modern world.
Historical Overview: From Ancient Roots to Louisiana Settlement
The story of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians begins long before recorded history, with their ancestors participating in the complex social and agricultural systems that characterized the Mississippian culture. These societies, known for their impressive earthen mounds and sophisticated agricultural practices, laid the foundation for the cultural identity of many Southeastern tribes, including the Choctaw.
The earliest documented encounters between the Choctaw and Europeans date back to the mid-16th century, around 1540, primarily in the region of southern Mississippi. By the early 18th century, Choctaw settlements were recorded near present-day Mobile, Alabama; Biloxi, Mississippi; and New Orleans, Louisiana. These locations highlight the tribe’s historical presence across a significant portion of the Southeast.
The political landscape shifted dramatically with the relinquishment of the Louisiana Colony by France. This event prompted many Choctaw people to move westward, across the Mississippi River, seeking to maintain their autonomy and way of life. The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, signed in September 1830, marked a turning point, as the main body of the Choctaw Nation ceded all its lands east of the Mississippi River to the United States.
Following this treaty, the Choctaw people dispersed, with one group establishing a substantial village near present-day Enterprise, Louisiana. Other groups migrated to the pine-covered hills of what was then Catahoula Parish in Louisiana. Over time, these settlements became the nucleus of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians.
Eventually, other Choctaw groups, residing between present-day Monroe and Natchitoches, Louisiana, joined their kin in Catahoula Parish. Principal settlements were established along Trout Creek in LaSalle Parish and Bear Creek in Grant Parish, solidifying the geographic heartland of the Jena Band.
Cultural Identity and Social Structure
The Choctaw, like other Muskogean tribes, traditionally adhered to a matriarchal and clan-based social structure. This system emphasized the importance of female lineage and clan affiliation in determining identity and social standing.
Two distinct Moieties, or social divisions, existed within the Choctaw society: the Imoklashas (elders) and the Inhulalatas (youth). Each moiety encompassed several clans, known as Iskas, with estimates suggesting around twelve Iskas in total. A Choctaw individual’s identity was primarily established by their Moiety and Iska affiliation, demonstrating the paramount importance of these social divisions.
Notable Choctaw clans included the Wind, Bear, Deer, Wolf, Panther, Holly Leaf, Bird, Raccoon, and Crawfish Clans. These clans likely played significant roles in social organization, resource management, and cultural transmission.
Language and Cultural Preservation
The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians speak a dialect of the Choctaw language, a member of the Western Muskogean language family. While the Jena dialect shares similarities with the dialects spoken in Oklahoma and Mississippi, it also possesses unique variations.
Unfortunately, the number of fluent Choctaw speakers within the Jena Band has dwindled over time. Recognizing the importance of language preservation, the tribe is actively engaged in efforts to revitalize the Choctaw language and pass it on to future generations.
Government and Tribal Membership
As a federally recognized tribe, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians possesses its own government and governing structures.
To become a member of the Jena Band, individuals must demonstrate lineal descent from an ancestor listed on the 1995 Tribal Roll. The enrollment process involves submitting an application, ancestry chart, and supporting documents, such as a certified birth certificate and social security card. DNA testing is also required as part of the enrollment process.
The enrollment process involves multiple stages of review and approval, including evaluation by an Enrollment Specialist, the Enrollment Committee, and ultimately, the Chief and Tribal Council.
Treaties and Historical Relationships
The Choctaw Nation as a whole engaged in treaty negotiations with the United States government, beginning with the Treaty of Hopewell in 1786. While these treaties initially aimed to establish peace and define boundaries, subsequent agreements resulted in the cession of vast amounts of Choctaw land.
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830 marked a particularly devastating loss, as the Choctaw were forced to cede all their lands east of the Mississippi River. This event led to the forced relocation of many Choctaw people to Indian Territory, west of the Mississippi River, an event remembered as the "Trail of Tears."
Challenges and Resilience
Throughout their history, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians have faced numerous challenges, including displacement, cultural assimilation, and economic hardship. Despite these obstacles, the tribe has demonstrated remarkable resilience in preserving its cultural heritage and asserting its sovereignty.
In the early 20th century, the population of Choctaw individuals residing in LaSalle and Catahoula Parishes dwindled to a mere 40 individuals. Today, tribal membership has grown to approximately 327, a testament to the tribe’s determination to survive and thrive.
Education and Community Development
Prior to World War II, Choctaw children faced significant barriers to education. Segregation policies prevented them from attending school with white children. In 1932, the Penick Indian School was established in Eden, Louisiana, providing education to a small number of Choctaw students. However, the school faced funding challenges and ultimately closed.
The Office of Indian Affairs proposed relocating the Choctaw to Federal Trust land in Mississippi, but these plans were disrupted by World War II. The Penick Indian School closed permanently, and Choctaw children did not attend school again until 1943.
Following World War II, Choctaw children were finally granted the right to attend public schools. Today, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians places a strong emphasis on education and community development, working to provide opportunities for its members to succeed.
The Jena Band Today
Today, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians continues to be a vital part of the Louisiana community, actively working to preserve their cultural heritage, promote economic development, and improve the well-being of their members.
Address: (See original article)
Phone: (318) 992-2717, 1-877-595-6239 or 1-877-970-0109
Official Website: http://www.jenachoctaw.org/
The tribe hosts an annual Powwow in the Pines, a celebration of Choctaw culture that welcomes visitors from across the region. Through these events and other initiatives, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians continues to share its rich history and traditions with the wider world.