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Welcome take my paw in hand I will be your guide and walk with you on a journey into the lives Customs, culture, heritage, spirituality, housing, healing,Myths , Legends, stories of the of Native American Indians. Of sacred animals Wolf ,Wolves, Buffalo , Hawk ,Eagle , Owl & Bear

Genealogical Research on the Internet. Trace your ancestors, census , school records , land records and more Click for Indian census-rolls-economical research material A great site.

Many will judge your Indianess by the color tone of your skin or hair, light- medium or dark. I say to determine your degree of Indianess first judge the color of the heart.

The first Indians encountered in Florida by the early Spanish explorers had the appearance of the Aztec of Yucatan. The DNA of living native Americans tested against extracted DNA from ancient burials resulted in the finding they are more closely related to South American Indians. Discounting the Asian crossing land bridge theory in relation to the ancestry of the southern United States Indian tribes.

The History of the Seminole Indians. Veronica Davidson

To love a person is to learn the song that is in their heart, and sing it to them when they have forgotten.

Welcome Nashoba Shilombish hilhai ( Spirit Dancer) to the Chata learning Path. Now enter the gates of your personal learning path.




If the concept of Christianity in combination with American Indian spirituality makes you uncomfortable or offends there are many other sites on the Internet promoting an opposite view of Native Indian religion which you may visit, we thank you for your visit and I pray your path is peaceful.
Our foundation belief is that the Southeast American Indian religion & spirituality was & is compatible if not one in the same with Christianity
Welcome to Red Wolf Country -- This is your Native American Indian genealogical and history page
A collection of American Native Indian literary and historical excerpts os the Cherokee, Choctaw and other tribes

A Kid friendly site. Return often -- make us your home page -- Native American Indian Info. added daily. May God bless and keep you.
Red Wolf - Nashoba Humma (Neshoba is the word for Wolf of the Choctaw , Pascagoula , Appalaches

TODAYS MUSIC - ENDLESS LOVE

DedicationThe native people of the Americans South � the Southeastern Indians developed and inherently maintained the richest culture of any native people north of Mexico; it was the richest by any standard.
When the Europeans arrived the southern Indians lived in an economy which combined farming with hunter / gathering. they organized themselves into complex political systems, they built large towns, with grand ceremonial centers. They had centuries old, rich impressive symbolism and art style preserved
Hardly any of this has left and impression on our historical memory. The modern American has limited knowledge of Powhattan Indians of Virginia and the role they played in early American history. The average modern American has a clear but stereotyped Internet concept of the Indians who lived on the Great Plains, they may know some of the Navajo or Pueblo of the southwest, but knows little or nothing in truth of the Southern Indians.
This page is dedicated to removing the virtual historic amnesia of the Southern Native Indian culture & Sacred Rites .

INDIAN REMOVAL:1830, w/ Choctaws; made the journey the winter of 1831 & 1832 Alexis De Tocqueville was visiting Memphis when the Choctaw arrived on their way west. He wrote: " The wounded, the sick, newborn babies, and the old men on the point of death...I saw them embark to cross the great river and the sight will never fade from my memory. Neither sob nor complaint rose from that silent assembly. Their afflictions were of long standing, and they felt them to be irremediable."

If you love something, set it free. If it returns, it's yours forever. If it doesn't, it wasn't yours to begin with.

People may scoff or ridicule, you those who see your Native Indian ancestor search as a futile path, people who never really have felt the love that�s in your heart. You will smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT 'YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Chaos & Disease

When Hernando de Soto�s expedition passed through what would later be known as Mississippi, he reported no Choctaws.
The Spanish expedition met a few decentralized native groups, as well as a more populous network of villages�organized, multilevel hierarchies which appeared quite powerful to the Europeans.
When more explorers entered the area one hundred twenty years later, they found chaos; disease had followed in de Soto�s wake, causing an enormous death toll. Whole cultures collapsed, with sometimes only a fraction of their members surviving. The leadership elite was gone; much of the peoples� previous cultural framework was abandoned or forgotten.
Throughout southeastern North America, survivors coalesced and formed new amalgamated social groups, negotiating new ways of carrying out the rituals of life �sometimes one constituent subgroup�s rituals would be adopted by the other subgroups, and sometimes whole new ways of doing things were found. This was the genesis of, not only the Choctaws, but the Chickasaws, Cherokees, Creeks, and others (the Seminoles, who would eventually be the fifth of the �Civilized Tribes�, would break away from the Creeks in the late eighteenth century.)

excerpt:Troy D. Smith Ref: Swanton John R, Mooney , Hudson & others.

Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity. Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Another reason your ancestor wished not to be listed on census as Indian SPECIAL INQUIRIES RELATING TO INDIANS on the 1910 U.S census. (Native American Schedules Only) Tribe of this Person.---- Tribe of Father of this Person.---- Tribe of Mother of this Person.---- Nationality of Indian and White Blood if "Indian".---- Nationality of Indian and White Blood if "White".---- Nationality of Indian and White Blood if "Black".---- Number of times married?---- If married is this Indian living in Polygamy?---- If living in polygamy, Number of wifes and sisters.---- Educated from what educational institution.---- Is this Indian Taxable?---- If taxable, year allotted land?---- Does Indian Own this land?---- Indian is citizen or Abor?----
I'm sure before answering these very personal Questions , most would have just said they were black or white.

In Indian culture there was no priesthood or organized system of temples or churches

some excerpt from http://sierratimes.com/04/01/13/ar_tn_blanton.htm

No one distinct Language If one only casually surfs the Internet, we might assume that each Native American tribe spoke one language: example the Cherokee were organized into four basic chiefdoms speaking the Elati , Kituhwa and Atali dialects. These dialectical differences were great enough that it was difficult for the speaker of one to understand the speaker of another. The chiefdoms of these regions remained independently of each other. When Cherokee chiefdoms did cooperate with each other it was it was because a crisis forced them to cooperate.
This same chiefdom and language principle applied to all Southern tribes. Therefore 30 different tribes could have had as many as 90 different language dialects.
As we know, most all languages have regional dialects, such as various regional Chinese divisions. North America is no exception, English language regional dialects are extensive, northeast, southeast, deep south, central, northwest, southwest, west, even differences in individual states, such as Louisiana with south Louisiana having a French mix dialect. People in, Massachusetts speak a different dialect than those raised in, Missouri and both different dialects than spoken by those raised in, California. This criteria applies then as now to the Southern Indian language.
Ref: Mooney , Hudson & others.

In Southern Native American Indian spirituality above all and with nothing of more importance was the sacred fire.

Southern Indians in 1776 They are ingenious, witty, cunning, and deceitful; very faithful indeed to their on tribe, but privately dishonest to the Europeans.
Their being honest and harmless to each other may be through fear of resentment and reprisal,.. which is unavoidable in case of injury. They are very close and retentive of the secrets never forget injuries, revengeful of blood to a degree of distraction. They are timorous and consequently cautious very jealous of encroachment of their Christian neighbors and likewise content with freedom, in every turn of fortune.
They are possessed of a strong comprehensive judgment, can form surprisingly crafty schemes and conduct them with equal caution, silence and address. They admit none but distinguished warriors and beloved men into their council. They are slow but very preserving in their undertaking, commonly temperate in eating but excessively immoderate in drinking.
They often transform themselves by liquor into the likeness of mad foaming bears.
The women in general are of a mild amiable, soft disposition; exceedingly modest in their behavior, and very seldom noisy, either in the single or married state.

James Adair � history of the American Indians � 1776 page 5

American Indians were confederations, tribes, subtribes, clans, and bands. The Caddoan-speaking tribes did not have clans but maintained bands as did much of the Choctaw. The Creek Confederacy consisted of many tribes . The Cherokee was a tribe of clans. The Illinois Confederacy tribes, the Santees (Mdewakantons and Wahpekutes), Arikaras, Mandans, Hidatsas, Pawnees, Iowas, Omahas, Poncas, Otos, Missouris, Kansas, Osages, Wichitas, Foxes (Mesquakis), Sauks, and Prairie Potawatomis appear to be the earliest identified prairie tribes

The cross in circle on staff was one of the most sacred symbols of our ancient Grandparents

Prayer Feather - carrier of individual spiritual messages

If we are caretakers of earth�s creatures, then we are caretakers of the earth.

Sin-e-cha�s Song Sin-e-cha was aboard the Monmouth, which sank in the Mississippi River. In 1937, Elsie Edwards related the following story of Sin-e-cha: �Somewhere upon the banks of the Grand River near Ft. Gibson lies an old grave of an old lady whose name was Sin-e-cha. I could lead you to that grave today. Sin-e-cha had come with her tribal town of Ke-cho-ba-da-gee during the removal to the new country. When the events, with never no more to live in the east, had taken place, she, too, remembered that she had left her home and with shattered happiness she carried a small bundle of her few belongings and reopening and retying her pitiful bundle she began a sad song which was later taken up by the others on board the ship at the time of the wreck and the words of her song was: "I have no more land. I am driven away from home, driven up the red waters, let us all go, let us all die together and somewhere upon the banks we will be there.�� Source: Interview with Elsie Edwards, September 17, 1937, Indian-Pioneer History (OHS), 23: 255.

DIARY OF A MISSIONARY TO THE CHOCTAWS 1860-1861

I remarked to Mrs. Jones one day that some of the girls who sat at a table with a missionary who is a brunette, were quite as fair as the teacher, although they were full Choctaws. She tells me that change of food and habits and absence of exposure does make a change in the color of the Indians sometimes. She has noticed the difference which even a few years will make.
I call 'my Indian princess' as I watched her at recess moving around through the yard, in a plain calico dress, and yet with the movements and air and regal grace of a queen.

Chronicles of Oklahoma Volume 17, No. 4 December, 1939

Of the cherokees discription [485] Of men I have seen their complexion brighter & somewhat of and olive cast especilly the adults and many of their young women are as fair skin and blooming as European women.

[Bartram 1774]

THE MOBILIAN TRADE LANGUAGE This language was in use by the Indians of the Mississippi valley long before the discovery of America. This includes the present states of E. Kansas , E.Oklahoma , E.Texas , S.Missouri , S. Illinois , S. Indiana , S. Ohio , The Virginias , The Carolinas , Tennessee , Arkansas , Mississippi , Alabama , Georgia , Florida , Louisiana and S. Maryland. Most "tribes" had its on language , but the Mobilian language was universally spoken and understood by the majority of all. ref.from our library collection:Bonnefoy - Byington - Gatschet - Margry - Mooney -Du Pratz and others

Choctaws and other tribes , Choctaw in point had always traveled periodically throughout the lower Mississippi River Valley, but by the 1770s they were forced to travel farther and father for annual deer hunts. Britain had become the major European power in the Gulf Coast region after the Seven Years War ended in 1763, hundreds of unscrupulous unlicensed fur traders poured into the south seeking to exchange rum and other European goods with the Southern Indians for deerskins. Choctaws and others killed more deer than ever before and quickly depleted the deer herds in their hunting territory east of the Mississippi. As a result, it became necessary for Choctaws to travel to new hunting lands west of the river. Other Indian groups, such as the Osages and Caddos, already lived in those western lands and they resented the Choctaws intruding into their hunting territories. Because Choctaws, and other young men, wanted access to the deer in the west and needed to participate in war in order to become men, sporadic warfare between Southern tribes like the Choctaws and groups like the Osages and Caddos continued throughout the late 1700s and early 1800s

Lewis & Clark � Zebulon pike � Freeman & Custis expeditions 1805-06

Most all school children are familiar with the over land explorations of Lewis & Clark. There have been many books written on this expedition.
What is little known history is two other expeditions sent out by president Thomas Jefferson after the newly acquired lands of Louisiana. Those two others were those of Zebulon pike to explore to the headwaters of the Mississippi and the Freeman � Custis expedition to explore the Red River of what is now Louisiana & Texas. The latter is a very rare book, which I am fortunate to have acquired a copy from which I will shortly post excerpts on this web site. This expedition details my peoples villages of the lower Red River in 1805.

Owls

About the only thing all American Indians seem to agree on is that owls are spiritually powerful creatures associated with the night or darkness. Few animals excite such contradictory feelings from American Indians, as do owls.

The ancient Mississippian culture from which all central and lower tribes descend had respect for Owls, as represented by the number of owls on a great number of objects, including pipes, bowls, beads ,and figurines excavated.. Negative aspects caused by fear of the unknown probably lead to superstitions of the owl.

Owls are active mainly at night, finding their prey in the darkness, flying noiselessly through the air, and communicating with other owls through their haunting hoots, unlike most other birds, which are active in the day. Many American Indians associated night with death and the underworld, therefore to them surly the owl was a part of this . Others seemed to have a special respect and admiration for the Owl. Creek warriors carried owl feathers so that they would have extraordinary night vision in battle (Swanton).
Of the Cherokee, scouts on a war expedition, who were assigned to locate the enemy, wore an owl skin and imitated the owl's cry. The Cherokee also closely watched owls while they were at war , because these owls were said to be able to predict victory or defeat in battle.
So we see that the Owl is one of the most controversial creatures, revered by some feared by others.

Did Indian warriors cry? In December 1721 he found the Quapaw village (mouth of Arkansas river with Mississippi)of Ouyapes in great desolation from a passing Frenchman infected with smallpox, the entire town immobilized by the disease. All night in his tent, the priest heard nothing but weeping, in which the men joined in as well as the women. The village was reduced by death to about twelve hundred souls.. Voix 1721.

The Mississippian culture Our ancient caring American Indian ancestors 7000 years agoSome excavation findings give revised ideas on the type of life Southern American Indian people lived seven to eight thousand years ago.They were more caring and less nomadic than is now generally taught. In one case, the skeleton of a woman who was more than 50 years old when she died, showed that she had suffered multiple bone fractures several years before her death. Her injuries would have kept her from functioning in a normal way for an extended period. During that time others would have had to care for her and assume the work she would normally have done. In another case, a boy, 13 to 15 years old, was the victim of spina bifida, a crippling condition caused by the failure of the vertebrae to grow together around the spinal cord. One foot was severely deformed, and bones of the other leg indicated that a terrible--and probably fatal--infection had caused the loss of the foot and part of the leg. Those two required a great deal of attention and loving care, the woman through a lengthy period of convalescence and the boy for all or most of his life. In a more savage, less developed society, those members of the clan and others such as the elderly, the very ill, or deformed children might have been deserted or even killed. Buried as if they were human Excavated sites have found the remains of domesticated dogs , these often appear at ancient Indian burial sites, they were buried as if they were human Ancient American Indian ancestor LoveAt this excavated site, some 7000 years ago when this 3-year-old died, her parents placed her favorite toys in her arms, wrapped her in fabric woven from fibers of native plants, and buried her body in the soft ground.Some 7,000 years later, when her tiny remains were uncovered, the toys--a wooden pestle-shaped object and the shell of a small turtle--were still cradled in her arms. Burials were so well preserved that it was possible to extract some DNA from them and compare it with that of living native Americans, with surprising results: the DNA of the people is more like that of some South American Indian populations. This reflects doubt in the manner of current DNA comparison and Asian ice bridge theory. The conclusion is that more people lived in the Americas in 1491 than in Europe. Mann

Mother Tribe

Of the Creek , Natchez , cherokee and other southern & gulf tribes . Many historians believe the Natchez as the mother tribe with others extending their settlements north & east until the dissolution of the natchez empire , then began to form a new confederacy under the name of muscogules. many bands to this day{1775] still speak the stincard language.

From our library archival holdings

In the year 1736 the Chickasaw had many Cherokee, Natchez & Shawnee living with them.
By the year 1754 great numbers of Cherokee, Natchez and Shawnee had married into the Chickasaw nation .

(Wells �p-156)

Tattooed serpent Great Natchez war Chief 1729 Are those befriended visitors among us of two hearts, a good one today and tomorrow a bad one? We should have but one heart and one word. From the beginning when asked for land, we generously told you to use any land they might need, there was enough for both people; it was good the same sun would shine on them together and they would walk the same path. Did not we give the French of all we had? Did we not assist them in building their houses and working in their fields? No matter the type war being waged, a man of two hearts and conflicting loyalties can never be at peace with himself. The French do not understand my people; our culture and their ignorance and mistreatment lead to disaster. You and the black robes with crosses teach from one heart of said good, then of another heart and to us another people, they allow our women to be in sexual servitude, our young men beaten and sometimes old killed , our hospitality, generosity and culture abused, this by you the French. Our backs are as of to an earthen wall with no escape or pititude; if our destruction is your only satisfaction then may our demise be with honor.

Man's mind has risen so little above human desires and indulgences or degraded that it takes little opposition or interference to drive him down to the barbaric state of mind where he desires to senselessly kill and where he entertains other destructive degrading thoughts.

Written communication between Southern Indians continued well into the 1700s by means of pictographs. Example :Of the NATCHEZ "The French do not abide by rules, as you attacked the apple village, True our major tactic of battle is surprise, but not when another nation did not know they were at war. We give our opponents a pictograph declaration of war in advance left at the enemy village. Our battles are nothing like the Europeans pitched battles or sieges, as with us counting coup or retreating is no dis-honor. Our desire when in battle is to seek revenge for a wrong done to a family or village member and to restore honor is our objective. After these requirements are fulfilled there is no need for war. You see our wars among Indians as no more than squabbles ,since our desire is not to conquer and subdue a people or to hold their land forever.

Cherokee Indians would not kill a wolf. They believed that the brothers of the slain wolf would avenge its death. They sang a song and walked in imitation of the wolf to protect their feet from frostbite

(kerwood)

American Indian spiritually as with culture is not one universal way across America. Many promoters of Indian spirituality prey on the minds of people who've already been screwed over in life and are looking for help.

Choctaw elder

Give us hearts that we hear about in this book (bible) help some of us do good to those we meet. Perhaps we will not bring shame upon the land. Kanchi , a Choctaw elder speaking to his people in 1834