Life in Indian Territory

Life in Indian Territory. . Chickasaws lived in their original homelands for many generations. The people lived among many other tribes and learned to deal as diplomats and trade partners with French, Spanish, British and American settlers., After removal to Indian Territory, the Chickasaw Nation began to rebuild. Beginning anew, the Chickasaw people established a new government with their own laws and court systems., In 1856, Chickasaws drafted and ratified a constitution in Tishomingo, the Chickasaw Nation's new capital. They also elected Cyrus Harris as the Chickasaw Nation's first governor. The newly formed democratic government consisted of executive, legislative and judicial departments that reflected their traditional commitment to self-governance., Chickasaw-owned businesses rapidly expanded as the tribe rose to meet the challenges of a changing world. Chickasaws demonstrated their enterprising spirit by building roads and bridges, operating ferries and establishing mill operations on the area's waterways. Chickasaws were involved in stock production and grazing cattle on the vast prairie grasslands. The tribe authorized mines for coal, asphalt and other minerals in various areas within its lands., Chickasaws established businesses near roads and trails that crossed Chickasaw Nation territory. Farms and ranches ranged from small operations that provided for families to large commercial operations producing corn, cotton, wheat, rye and oats.