“Five Civilized Tribes”

The Five Civilized Tribes, comprising the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Seminole nations, were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. This forced relocation, driven by westward expansion and the desire for Native American lands, resulted in immense suffering, loss of life, and cultural disruption for these tribes. Despite the hardships they faced, the Five Civilized Tribes rebuilt their communities and governments in Indian Territory, establishing schools, businesses, and institutions.

The term "Five Civilized Tribes" is controversial because it was based on the Eurocentric view that these tribes were "civilized" due to their adoption of certain aspects of European culture, such as Christianity, agriculture, and literacy.

Today, they remain vital and influential sovereign nations within Oklahoma, contributing to the state's rich cultural diversity and advocating for their treaty rights and self-determination.