The territory of the Chickasaw Nation covered parts of what is now Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Southeast Missouri prior to the Indian Removal Act of 1930. The Chickasaw Tribal leaders showed distinctive political power, even amidst removal. The Chickasaw gained leverage to select the time of their exodus, and made agreements to live on Choctaw territory. Although the tribe still suffered terrible injustice, the Chickasaw did not let go of their right to determine the best for their own nation. After removal, the Chickasaw people established themselves in Oklahoma. To find out more about the Chickasaw tribe, past and present, visit the homepage of the Chickasaw Nation.
Information for research about the Chickasaw Tribe can be found at University of Missouri Ellis Library. Titles include Splendid Land, Splendid People: The Chickasaw Indians to Removal by James R. Atkinson and Remaining Chickasaw in Indian Territory: 1830’s -1907 by Wendy St. Jean.