Guides @ UF: Native American Oral History Interviews: Mississippi Choctaw Interviews

Welcome to the Mississippi Choctaw Oral History Collection!

The Native American Oral History Collection curated at the University of Florida comprises more than 1,000 oral history interviews digitized from over 2,000 audio tapes recorded between 1970-2000. Originally funded by Doris Duke, the recordings consist of oral history interviews with members of tribal communities east of the Mississippi including voices of the Catawba, Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Lumbee, and Seminole peoples. Recent funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation allowed for the revitalization of this collection. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is represented by thirty-five interviews from various members of the community, many of which are conducted by staff of the Nanih Waiya, discussing everything from tribal history and oral biographies, to education, art, and the Choctaw language.

Interview Inventory

This site serves as a landing page for the Mississippi Choctaw Oral History Interviews specifically for patrons to interact with the collection. Listed below is the full inventory of interviews available via University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC), alphabetized by the name of the interviewee. The title of each interview is followed by subject keywords detailing the themes of each interview, as well as a summary of the interview content. By clicking the title of the interview, readers will be linked to the UFDC record where they will find downloadable recordings and transcripts of each interview.

The rights of each interview are retained by interview participants. Interviews are made available to promote deeper understanding of the histories and cultures of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and should be used for noncommercial and educational purposes only. You are responsible for determining if your use of this item is permitted by copyright and related rights legislation, including exceptions such as fair use or fair dealing.

Interview with Claude Allen 1973-12-02
Discrimination (fast), Indigenous peoples--Health and Hygiene--North America (gvpl)
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Claude Allen talks about his schooling and dropping out at seventeen years old to enlist in the military. He speaks about growing up in the Pearl Water community and being raised by his mother. He ends by detailing his experiences growing up not knowing he was Indian and realizing after he was not let into a public swimming pool.
Interview with Lee R. Bacon XXXX-XX-XX
Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl), Boy Scout Meetings (local)
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Lee Bacon describes his time as a Boy Scout troop leader. He started as a troop leader in Chilocco, Oklahoma, before moving to Mississippi and leading Troop 61. He discusses the basics of the Boy Scout organization, structure, how to advance to Eagle Scout, and the trip to the National Jamboree his troop went on. He explains how the Tribe has been supportive of all he troops on the reservation, discusses what their weekly meetings looks like, and describes attending the National Indian Seminar on Scouting in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Interview with Robert Benn 1976-09-02
Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl), Communities (fast)
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Robert Benn, Superintendent of the Choctaw Tribe and full-blooded Choctaw, reflects on the current state of the school system today. Benn discusses the duties of the superintendent, his professional background, and his family relations. He also goes on to talk about his students, covering both the Choctaw and South Louisiana Chitimacha Tribes, and the various schools under his jurisdiction. He talks about the funding source of the education system, major programs, and potential areas of improvement. The interview wraps with Benn’s comments on the future of the Indian students improving with a better education system.
Interview with Kim Blalock 1973-07-20
Indigenous peoples--Hunting--North America (gvpl), Indigenous peoples--Material culture--North America (gvpl)
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Kim Blalock explained the methods Indians used for creating arrowheads. He describes various tactics, including percussion and pressure flaking, and the different tools used to chip away at flint until it became an arrowhead. He demonstrates how to attach the arrowhead to the shaft of the arrow. He also describes the kind of stones the Choctaw would use, as well as explaining what concordant fractures are and the differences between arrowheads and spearpoints.
Interview with Charlie Denson
Religion (fast), Indigenous peoples--Languages (gvpl)
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Charlie Denson describes his life as a sharecropper alongside the men in his family. Denson talks about the stories his grandfather told him about how customs changed during colonization. He also recalls his time serving in World War II in Europe as well as his experience during the Great Depression. Denson shares his religious beliefs as a Baptist and how he raises his children in the church. He explains his grandfather’s Choctaw name and the origin of his English last name. He ends with discussing politics both in his Tribal Council as well as on a national level.
Interview with Mary Lou Farmer 1973-12-03
Indigenous peoples--Agriculture (main), Oral biography (fast)
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Mary Lou Farmer speaks about her family and remembers living on a farm when she was a child. She shares how Christmas was celebrated when she was a child and what church she went to. She discusses funeral customs that older Choctaw would observe, her relationship with her grandmother, and the work that her and her family would do on the farm. Farmer shares what food her family would eat and how they made hominy. She ends the interview by describing her work as a nurse’s aide in the 1930s, the hardships the community faced during the Great Depression, and where she lives currently.
Interview with Calvin Gibson 1973-12-04
Indigenous peoples--Languages (gvpl), Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl)
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Calvin Gibson describes his work as a social worker for the Choctaw Indian Agency. He speaks about his education at Haskell Institute and his current social work courses. He discusses his childhoods speaking Choctaw and his struggles with English, and speaks about his vocation training as a baker. He describes why people leave and come back to the reservation, and then goes into greater detail about his duties as a social worker, helping families to get Social Security and other forms of assistance, and making home and school visits.
Interview with Delaura Henry 1974-01-31
Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl), Indigenous Arts (main)
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Delaura Henry describes her experiences going to college at Mississippi State University, comparing it to her time at Clark Memorial, a junior college. She describes her struggles academically, and how she was not prepared for the rigor of MSU. She then discusses her current work at the Arts and Crafts Association, where she sells traditional crafts made by community members. She discusses the artists who make the crafts they sell, including basket-makers and dress-makers, and how they price items. Finally, she discusses a role she had in the movie The Trial of Billy Jack, her knowledge of Choctaw dancing, and her aspirations to return to college.
Interview with Frank Henry 1974-04-08
Indigenous peoples--Health and hygiene--North America (gvpl), Communities (fast)
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Frank Henry describes the history and operation of the Choctaw Indian Hospital. He explains that there is little faith in the doctors at the hospital by the community, who prefer to see traditional Choctaw doctors and are not confident in the competence of the hospital staff. He discusses his own experiences attending the hospital and how it has improved since he was a child. He speaks about how it is difficult to pay doctors a competitive wage to stay at the hospital, and his belief that young Choctaw should go to medical school. Finally, he describes the organizational chart of the hospital.
Interview with Jasper Henry 1973-12-03
Military participation--Indigenous (main), Oral biography (fast)
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Jasper Henry discusses his and his children’s education, and his decision to send his son to a White school in Neshoba County. He recalls his training as a watchmaker and remembers his difficulty finding work. He lists what members of his family can speak English and/or Choctaw, and then describes his seven years of service in the army. He landed in Normandy on D-Day. Finally, he tries to recall elements of Choctaw history and religion.
Interview with Calvin Isaac 1975-09-15
Indigenous peoples--Politics and government (gvpl), Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl)
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Calvin Isaac, newly elected Chief of the Tribe, speaks about his goals for his term. His primary focus will be on education, followed by improving the employment rate of the Tribe. He discusses his goals to establish a community college on the reservation, speaks about the services provided by the new Choctaw Health Center, and other planned facilities and housing. He discusses the importance of reviving traditional arts and crafts, and discusses the impact of alcoholism in the community. Finally, he discusses public relations with the state of Mississippi.
Interview with Jimmy Jim 1979-09-26
Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl), Indigenous peoples--Sports--North America (gvpl)
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Jimmy Jim talks about his education, starting with Choctaw Central High School. He traveled to both New Mexico and New Jersey to study before studying industrial arts and teaching in Choctaw City. He explains his future plans and shares his thoughts about discipline and teaching at Choctaw Central. He then talks about sports in the community.
Interview with Frank Bell Joe XXXX-04-16
Communities (fast), Oral biographies (fast)
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Frank Joe describes his family members and his childhood as a sharecropper. He discusses his current employment as a supervisor in a boy’s dormitory. He discusses his education and his plans to adopt his two foster children. He recalls a few memories of his schooling, speaks about instances of prejudice his family has faced, and discusses Choctaw marriage and funeral practices. He speaks about house on the reservation he is paying off, employment opportunities in the community, and troubles with alcoholism. Finally, he describes community baseball games.
Interview with Bilbo John and Carrie Tubby 1973-11-01
Indigenous peoples--Food (gvpl)
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his interview takes place in two languages, with the first part conducted in the Choctaw language by Carrie Tubby. The second interviewee is Bilbo John, who describes the process of making hominy.
Interview with Edward John 1978-06-28
Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl), Indigenous photographers (gvpl)
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Edward John, a lifelong resident of the Pearl River community, describes his career as a photographer. He is mostly self-taught and never attended school for photography. He discusses the benefits and drawbacks of going to school and how he got started in the field. He discusses the equipment and darkroom he uses, how freelancing works, and his thoughts on starting his own business. He specializes in sports photography and also takes photos as weddings. Finally, he discusses his plans for the future and his advice to young people interested in photography.
Interview with Karen Lilly 1979-10-01
Indigenous women--Social life and customs (main), Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl)
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Karen Lilly, the 1979-1980 Choctaw Princess, speaks about her experience with the pageant. She explains that contestants must be sponsored by someone who provides them with materials such as dresses, shoes, and accessories to wear during the pageant. Contestants go through several stages of judgement and must write an essay on one of three major topics and present it orally -- Lilly's essay was about preserving Choctaw culture. She also describes her and her family's reactions to finding out about her win. Lilly has studied in public schools and in Choctaw Central on the reservation and she uses her experiences to discuss the differences between these educational institutions.
Interview with Mary Clay Lloyd 1975-11-12
Pushmataha (local), Tribal history (local), Oral biography (local) Gideon Lincecum (local)
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Mary Clay Lloyd describes how she became interested in Choctaw history because her grandmother grew up with Choctaw friends who would visit her often. She is a historian who studied her ancestor Gideon Lincecum, a naturalist who knew Pushmataha, who she also studies. She discusses how she wrote her master's thesis on Lincecum and tells several stories of Pushmataha. She discusses conflicts over land in Mississippi and Pushmataha's funeral.
Interview with Randolph Mantooth 1974-07-16
Indigenous motion picture actors and actresses (gvpl), Activism (fast)
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Actor Randolph Mantooth discusses his thoughts on the current state of Indian culture and heritage. Mantooth talks about the importance of preservation and providing education for young Indians. He then goes on to discuss Indian representation in movies, stating that he believes Indians should play Indians. He talks about hurdles Indian actors face, and his thoughts on the American Indian Movement. The interview wraps with a discussion of the role that Indian fairs and festivals have in breaking down the barrier between the Indian and non-Indian.
Interview with Phillip Martin 1974-01-21
Indigenous peoples--Politics and government (gvpl), Tribal history (local)
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Phillip Martin is the chairman for the Choctaw Tribal government, having served for almost ten years. He first became interested in working for the council in 1955 and was interested in working with the people of the community. He speaks about the Choctaw's self-determination, working to create a better future for themselves and free from the influence of the federal government. He helped to organize the United Southeastern Tribes in 1968 an has served as president of the organization for three years.
Interview with Sarah Jane Sampson McMillan
Communities (fast), Religion (fast)
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Sarah Jane Sampson McMillan moved to Mississippi from her family’s home state of Oklahoma, and she struggled with the changes in the new environment. She discusses the differences of religion, holidays, language, social interactions, and child-rearing that deeply impacted her emotions and ability to form community. She explains local Christmas traditions. She also discusses the complicated negotiation Mississippi Choctaw people have with White people in the community.
Interview with Carl Tubby 1974-02-01
Indigenous arts (main), Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl)
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Carl Tubby speaks about his artwork. He began drawing early in life, before studying art at Santa Fe. After graduating he took a break from painting, and then began again, inspired by Nez Perce parfleche designs. His painting is intended to express the shared hardships that Native Americans have faced, while using vivid colors to signify the colorful lives they had. He discusses selling and exhibiting his work, his painting process, and plans for his future work. He describes that much of his style is related to the Plains peoples and his intention is to show universal Indian themes.
Interview with John Glenn Wallace 1977-02-07
Religion (fast), Religious gatherings (fast)
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John Glenn Wallace, a Baptist minister at nineteen years old, describes how he was called to preach. He remembers hearing a voice urging him to follow this path until he stood up in church. He describes his parents' past work as sharecroppers, and how he travels locally to preach primarily to youth. He discusses how he connects his sermons to the youth, and the procedures for confession and baptism. He recalls details of his childhood education and a few Choctaw dances he remembers taking part in.
Interview with Irvin Williams, John Chapman, and Barcom King 1973-06-21
Indigenous peoples--Games (gvpl), Stickball (local)
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Members of Board of Editors of Nanih Waiya conduct interviews mostly in Choctaw with Irvin Williams, John Chapman, and Barcom King about stickball. The interview discusses the process of making sticks for stickball as well as the history and rules of stickball.
Interview with Russell James Willis 1973-11-04
Indigenous peoples--Health and hygiene--North America (gvpl), Oral biography (fast)
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Russell Willis describes his work in health education. He assists Choctaw individuals with little English in scheduling and attending medical appointments. He relates the history of this program and the training he attended in Tucson, Arizona. He speaks about his early life with his father, who was a sharecropper, and his decision to go to school to learn English. He discusses his opinions on Christianity and describes traditional Medicine Men who worked in the community. He tells a story his uncle told him about how before White men came to the land, there were plenty of wild animals to hunt that are now almost gone. He discusses how people must now purchase fishing licenses in order to fish. Finally, he recalls learning to drive.
Interview with Louise Willis 1973-12-04
Jasper Henry (local), Indigenous peoples--Languages (gvpl), Indigenous peoples--History (gvpl)
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Louise Willis describes moving as a child with her family, finally returning to the Bogue Chitto reservation at six years old. She discusses her current enrollment in a new careers program and her work as an administrative trainee. She then goes into detail about traditional Choctaw wedding traditions, and how women’s roles have changed over time. She discusses stories her grandfather has told her about Choctaw history and language. She discusses writing and reading Choctaw, and the history of how some Choctaw hid in a nearby cave to avoid being taken to Oklahoma.
Interview with Dean Jim Wilson 1973-12-04
Indigenous children--Education (main), Indigenous peoples--Education (gvpl)
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Dean Wilson speaks about the origins of his last name and his family history. He then details his work in family education, where he visits homes to teach parents how to provide an education for their children with common household items, and he goes on to explain the new Red Water school. Then, he talks about his own education and tending his family’s farm growing up. He says Choctaw is his first language, and comments that the younger generation knows more English than he did at their age. He discusses getting drafted into the Korean War. He ends by discussing the actions of his own son and the children he works with.
Interview with Walter Wilson 1978-10-11
Larry Robinson (local), Indigenous peoples--Sports--North America (gvpl), Residential schools (main)
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Walter Wilson is a coach at Choctaw Central in Mississippi. He is head coach of the basketball and baseball teams, the assistant coach for the football team, and a PE teacher for the junior high school. He states that he’s enjoyed his time at Choctaw Central and likes the people and environment that he works with. In his youth, Wilson was also very involved in sports, playing football in college for Southeastern State University, and winning the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference championship in his second year at Southeastern. The last 30 minutes of this interview are accidentally-recorded dead noise.
Interview with Baxter York 1973-07-05
Indigenous peoples--Politics and government (gvpl), Tribal history (local)
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Baxter York speaks about his time as a member of the Choctaw Tribal council. He tells about the first Tribal council and why it came it be. He also explains that anyone that is at least half-Choctaw by blood can be welcomed into the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, regardless of where they were born. He ends by answering questions about holding Tribal office.
Interview with Baxter York 1974-06-21 Part I
Indigenous peoples--Land tenure (gvpl), Tribal history (local), Chief Mushulatubbee (local)
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This interview is continued in MISS CHOC 024. Baxter York discusses how Choctaw lands were lost to White people and the federal government. He recalls the land provisions made for Choctaws who did not go to Oklahoma, of which only one family still owns their full acreage. He describes how White people cheated Choctaws out of their land and murdered several individuals in the leadup to a lawsuit. He discusses how Choctaw elders objected to the draft in World War II, which resulted in federal representatives inspecting the state of the Choctaw lands, ultimately putting land in reserve for them. York speaks about the importance of education and cautions against accepting an allotment system.
Interview with Baxter York 1974-06-21 Part II
Indigenous peoples--Languages (gvpl), Indigenous dance (main)
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This interview is continued from MISS CHOC 023. Baxter York discusses traditional Choctaw religious beliefs and describes learning the English and Choctaw alphabets in school. He describes how the Choctaw alphabet is a translation of English and discusses traditional food and drink. He speaks about how his friend was heckled during a baseball game, and discusses how he knew Jim Thorpe. He speaks about the importance of building a Choctaw village where Choctaw language is used, and then describes the origins of traditional dances and how they have changed. Finally, he discusses the Choctaw origins of Mississippi place names.
Interview with Baxter York 1974-08-22
Pushmataha (local), Tribal history (local), Indigenous peoples--Land tenure (gvpl)
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Baxter York describes the Tribal government and councils. He discusses how Choctaws can access benefits through the Tribal organization. He recounts the story of how the Choctaw got their name and describes how his ancestors farmed and lived. York then explains the historical relationship between the indigenous people and Whites in Mississippi, telling a story about Chief Pushmataha, who Choctaw ancestors believe was killed by Whites when he was in Washington, D.C. He describes how the Choctaw who did not relocate to Oklahoma were mistreated before sharing that he believes the Tribe’s population will increase in the future.

Native American Oral History Interviews

Project Team

Metadata Resources

Indigenous Subject Keyword Authorities

Welcome to the Mississippi Choctaw Oral History Collection!

Interview Inventory