When the Civil War erupted, the Chickasaw Nation was the first of the Five Civilized Tribes to become allies of the Confederate States of America, passing a resolution in May, 1861. Part of their reason for siding with the south was the United States having abandoned Fort Washita, leaving the Chickasaw Nation defenseless against the Plains tribes. The other reason, was that they were slave-holders. They soon raised troops to fight with the Confederacy and were the last Confederate community to surrender to the United States in 1866.

The peace treaty with the government included the provision that the tribe emancipate their slaves and provide them with full citizenship in the nation. These people became known as Chickasaw Freedmen. However, the Chickasaw Nation refused to automatically make their Freedmen citizens, instead requiring the them to go through the same process as anyone else to gain citizenship. These requirements provided that citizens be born of a Chickasaw parent or to petition for citizenship if they were not a known blood Chickasaw. Due to their refusal to automatically make the former slaves citizens of their nation, the U.S. Government penalized the tribe by taking over half of their lands without compensation.

Although suffering hardships after the defeat of the Confederacy, the tribe regained prosperity, many of their members becoming successful farmers and ranchers. The tribe also built some of the first schools, banks, and businesses in Indian Territory.

After Oklahoma became a state in 1907, the government began to appointed the principal officers of the Chickasaw Nation. This finally chanced in 1970, when Congress enacted legislation allowing the Five Civilized Tribes to elect their own principal officers. In 1983, a new Chickasaw constitution was adopted.

Early estimates of population vary widely, those of the 18th century ranging from 2,000 to nearly 6,000. However, according to James Adair, who had befriended the Chickasaw for two decades, he estimated their population more closely in 1744 at between 3,000 and 4,000. In 1865 the estimated population was 4,500 and in 1904 the official number was given as 4,820, including mixed bloods.

Today, the Chickasaw Nation numbers approximately 38,000 members, making it the eighth largest Indian nation in the United States. Though they live throughout the United States, the biggest majority still reside in Oklahoma. With its headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma, the Chickasaw successfully commingle, both culturally and economically with the non-Indian society, while still retaining their language and traditions. T

Veteran's Lake at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, courtesy

 National Park Service.

he tribe is currently involved in economic development and other ventures with city, county and state levels of government, as well as with private enterprise.

The tribal government headquarters, located in Ada, includes a cultural center library and extensive American Indian art collection.

The Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, Oklahoma is one of the state's two national parks, named by Indian tribes as the "Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters," where inter-tribal disputes and warfare were forbidden. Adjacent to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is the new Chickasaw Cultural Center. Located on 109 acres, the center will use live performances, high-technology multimedia exhibits and galleries, as well as natural outdoor spaces to share the story of the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation.