What Oklahoma City is known for

The Chickasaw Nation Region has multiple cities, religions, and people. One of these things is the Chickasaw Nation, which is located in the southeast part of the region. The Chickasaw Nation is home to the Chickasaw Tribe, which is a group of people indigenous to the Americas. The Chickasaw people were forced out of their homes during the "Great Removal," and were some of the displaced peoples of the infamous Trail of Tears. The Chickasaw people, along with other tribes, were given portions of land that they could live in. The Chickasaw Nation is located in the south end of Oklahoma in a forested area. The Chickasaw people believe in a supreme being that they call Aba' Binni'li', which translates to Sitting or Dwelling Above. Aba' Binni'li' is also called Inki Abu (Father Above) under Christian influence. In the Chickasaw people's religion, there are four "Beloved Things" above: the sun, the clouds, the clear sky, and "He that lives in the clear sky." It was believed that Aba' Binni'li' lived with an "unpolluted" people above the clouds on earth.[1] The Chickasaw continue to live in the Chickasaw Nation and have built a society that people can visit. Within this society is an assortment of things people can participate in, including the Chickasaw Cultural Center, McSwain Theatre, Boggy Deport Park, the Chickasaw Bank Museum, the Chickasaw National Capitol, the Chickasaw White House, the Kullihoma Grounds, Lazer Zone Family Fun Center, and the 777 Zip. At the Chickasaw Cultural Center, people can take a guided tour to explore the grounds, along with the exhibit center. Also during the tour is a Chickasha Inchokka' Traditional Village and the possibility to participate in traditional dancing and eating. Boggy Deport park has trails, grassy fields, and benches where people can rest. Animals and people alike are welcome in the park, and it can be a good place to explore. Construction of the Chickasaw National Capitol began in April 1989. The Victorian-gothic style house is more than 8,000 square feet. It was built of red granite from the Pennington Creek. Granite blocks that weigh 175 pounds make up the structure of the building. The Chickasaw National Capitol serves as a museum and as a reminder that the Chickasaw people fought for their independence and tribal identity.[3]

North of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma City, the largest city in the Chickasaw Nation Region and in the state of Oklahoma. The city has a population of 1.3 million and is the Horse Show Capital of the World[8]. Oklahoma City is home to a variety of activities and attractions, such as the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Bricktown, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a tribute to the survivors, victims, rescuers, and others affected by the events of April 19, 1995, which is when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed. The outdoor memorial is a common place for people to visit. The Oklahoma City Zoo houses over 500 species of animals, including gorillas, rhinos, tigers, and lions. There are also plants from around the world in the displays, and both adults and children can watch the sea lion shows, elephant demonstrations, participate in giraffe feedings, and stingray touch tanks. Also within the property are boat and train rides that go around the zoo and show different animals. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is home to glass and clay sculptures, photographs, and various other art pieces.[4]

Geography

The Chickasaw Nation Region is located in the southern part of Oklahoma and is mostly flat with trees, forests, deserts, lakes, and rivers. The south end of the border loosely follows the state line between Oklahoma and Texas, while the other parts of the region go around cities such as Medicine Park, Lawton, Hennessey, and Stillwater. The east side of the border curves to end just before the Seminole Nation and goes through the city of Shawnee. Cities within the region include Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Ardmore, Guthrie, Moore, Pauls Valley, Chickasha, and Anadarko. Also within the region is the Chickasaw Nation, which is home to the Chickasaw people, along with tourists. The weather in the region fluctuates, with an average high of around 85 degrees Fahrenheit in August and an average low of about 37 degrees in January. Rain falls throughout the year, with the highest chance of rainfall in May. Other months that get larger amounts of rain include April, June, July, and October. It snows in the district from November to March, with the highest amount of snow in December. December, which gets the most snow during the year, gets an average of around 3.6 inches of snow annually. Because of the weather, the best time to visit the region is from the middle of March to the beginning of June or from the middle of August to the middle of November.[5] 

Animals within the region reside in the Chickasaw Nation, along with the forests around the area. Some of these animals include the hermit thrush, flying squirrels, white-tailed deer, eastern meadowlarks, bull snakes, nine-banded armadillo, and other prairie species. There are also a variety of birds, falcons, and hawks in the area. Trees that grow well in the nation include oak, hickory, eastern red cedar, elm, and sycamore.[6] Plants that are native to Oklahoma include Korean spice viburnum, valley forge American elm, red chokeberries, giant coneflowers, Persian ironwood, diabolo ninebark, Bosnian pines, shantung maples, winter jasmines, bald cypresses, and Japanese painted ferns.[7]

History

The Chickasaw Nation, which is located in the Chickasaw Nation Region, was formed in Oklahoma after the people purchased land in the mid-1800s after previously migrating to what is now known as Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. The first contact with the Europeans was with Hernando de Soto in 1540. At the time, the Chickasaws were living in sophisticated town sites and possessed a highly developed ruling system that had laws and religion. The people had successful trade businesses with other tribes in the area, along with the French and English. They lived an agrarian lifestyle but did not hesitate to go to battle if it was necessary. The tribe allied with the English during the French and Indian War. During the "Great Removal" that went along the path called the Trail of Tears, the Chickasaw people moved to Indian Territory. Other Indian tribes were forced to relocate, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. These tribes were called the "Five Civilized Tribes" because of their highly developed ruling systems. The Chickasaw people were one of the last to move. Later, in 1837, the Treaty of Doaksvilled caused the resettlement of the Chickasaw people among the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. In 1856, the Chickasaw people separated themselves from the Choctaw tribe and formed their own government. They did this to restore direct authority over their governmental affairs. The tribal leaders established the capitol for the people at Tishomingo and adopted a constitution. They also organized executive, legislative, and judicial departments of government that were filled by people who were voted for. During the Civil War, the Chickasaw people sided with the South and formed an alliance. They raised troops to go and fight in the war with the Confederacy. The people fought some of the last battles of the Civil War, and even though they suffered when the Confederacy was defeated, they managed to regain prosperity. Many of the Chickasaw people became successful farmers and ranchers. Chickasaws were some of the first people to build schools, businesses, and banks in the Indian Territory. Principal officers were appointed for the Chickasaw Nation by the President of the United States in 1907. Congress enacted legislation that allowed the Five Civilized Tribes to elect their own principal officers in 1970, and a new Chickasaw constitution was adopted in 1983.[2]