The Choctaw nation is the third largest Native American tribe in the United States.http://www.choctawnation.com/history/ Originally a tribe of maize farmers located in the Mississippi region, they were recognized by early settlers as one of the 5 civilized tribes. The federal government relocated the tribe to Oklahoma in the “Trail of Tears” in the 1830s.http://www.choctawnation.com/history/ The tribe now consists of over 200,000 people (as of 2010) and has been headed by Chief Gary Pyle since 1997. The Choctaw nation is self supporting by the management of seven casinos and other businesses that employ over 7600 tribal and non-tribal people.http://www.choctawnation.com/tribal-economy/ They also have a manufacturing business, a management services company, 13 travel plazas, 12 smoke shops, a printing company and a document archiving company. http://www.choctawnation.com/tribal-economy/ The monies generated by these businesses, revenue that numbers in the hundreds of millions, is used in tribal programs such as health care, education, and senior care. The money is also used to support community programs and charities.

Many Choctaws served their nation in WWI where they served as code talkers. http://www.choctawnation.com/history/choctaw-nation-history/ These servicemen aided in the creation of a code based on their native language. The code talkers were key elements in the American Expeditionary Force that fought and won several important battles in France, and who were instrumental in turning the tide of the German advance. http://www.choctawnation.com/history/choctaw-nation-history/ An effort has been made in the past 30 years to restore the original Choctaw language to the people. Distance learning programs are available in over 40 high schools and two colleges, and classes are taught in elementary schools as well.http://www.choctawnation.com/culture-heritage/choctaw-language/

The Choctaw tribal government consists of three branches: the executive, the judicial, and the legislative. The executive branch consists of the chief and the assistant chief.http://www.choctawnation.com/government/executive-branch/ This has been Chief Gregory Pyle since 1997, and assistant chief Gary Batton. http://www.choctawnation.com/government/executive-branch/ The judicial branch consists of a tribal court with a single judge and a 3 member appellate court. http://www.choctawnation.com/government/tribal-court/ The four judges have staggered 4 year terms. http://www.choctawnation.com/government/tribal-court/ A decision by the appellate court can only be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. http://www.choctawnation.com/government/tribal-court/ The legislative branch of the tribal government is a 12 member tribal council who are elected from different geographical districts and work to resolve tribal disputes. http://www.choctawnation.com/government/