Apukshunnubbee District
Encyclopedia
Apukshunnubbee District was one of three administrative super-regions comprising the former Choctaw Nation
in the Indian Territory
. Also called the Second District, it encompassed the southeastern one-third of the nation.
The Apukshunnubbee District was named in honor of Chief Apukshunnubbee (also Apuckshunubbee
), a Choctaw Indian warrior and statesman. He was district chief of the Okla Falaya ("Upper Towns") District in the original Choctaw Nation, and many Choctaws who remembered those times referred to the Apukshunnubbee District as the Okla Falaya District. The other two districts were the Moshulatubbee District
and Pushmataha District
.
The districts were established when the Choctaw Nation relocated via the Trail of Tears
to the Indian Territory—present-day Oklahoma
—and were originally intended to be homelands for settlers from the three major clans or divisions of Choctaw Indians comprising the nation. In practice, the clan affiliations and allegiances rapidly became less important after the Choctaws’ arrival in the Indian Territory. The districts’ importance in the political life of the nation, which earlier had reflected geographic settlement and development, waned over time, and the three district chiefs lost power and authority to the principal chief of the nation. Eventually the principal chief became, simply, the chief
. No longer a “first among equals”, he became the sole political leader.
In judicial affairs, the three districts and their seats of government retained their historic influence. Crimes and criminals not tried at the county level were bucked to the district level automatically. Court days were the busiest days of the year in the district seats of government.
Apukshunnubbee District’s administrative seat of government was Alikchi, in Nashoba County, Choctaw Nation. Alikchi is located east of present-day Rattan, Oklahoma
and north of Wright City, Oklahoma
, in McCurtain County
.
Included in the Apukshunnubbee District were the Choctaw Nation counties of Bok Tuklo, Cedar
, Eagle, Nashoba
, Red River, Towson and Wade
.
As Oklahoma’s statehood loomed, the Apukshunnubbee District, and its constituent counties, slowly wound down their governmental functions. The United States courts in the Indian Territory usurped their powers. On November 16, 1907—Oklahoma’s Statehood Day—the district and its counties disappeared forever.
The territory of the former Apukshunnubbee District is incorporated principally into the present-day Oklahoma counties of Choctaw
, McCurtain
, and Pushmataha
.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland comprising twelve tribal districts. The Choctaw Nation maintains a special relationship with both the United States and Oklahoma governments...
in the Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
. Also called the Second District, it encompassed the southeastern one-third of the nation.
The Apukshunnubbee District was named in honor of Chief Apukshunnubbee (also Apuckshunubbee
Apuckshunubbee
Apuckshunubbee was one of three principal chiefs of the Choctaw Native American tribe in the early nineteenth century, from before 1800. He led the western or Okla Falaya District in present-day Mississippi...
), a Choctaw Indian warrior and statesman. He was district chief of the Okla Falaya ("Upper Towns") District in the original Choctaw Nation, and many Choctaws who remembered those times referred to the Apukshunnubbee District as the Okla Falaya District. The other two districts were the Moshulatubbee District
Moshulatubbee District
Moshulatubbee District was one of three administrative super-regions comprising the former Choctaw Nation in the Indian Territory. Also called the First District, it encompassed the northern one-third of the nation....
and Pushmataha District
Pushmataha District
Pushmataha District was one of three administrative super-regions comprising the former Choctaw Nation in the Indian Territory. Also called the Third District, it encompassed the southwestern one-third of the nation....
.
The districts were established when the Choctaw Nation relocated via the Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...
to the Indian Territory—present-day Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
—and were originally intended to be homelands for settlers from the three major clans or divisions of Choctaw Indians comprising the nation. In practice, the clan affiliations and allegiances rapidly became less important after the Choctaws’ arrival in the Indian Territory. The districts’ importance in the political life of the nation, which earlier had reflected geographic settlement and development, waned over time, and the three district chiefs lost power and authority to the principal chief of the nation. Eventually the principal chief became, simply, the chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
. No longer a “first among equals”, he became the sole political leader.
In judicial affairs, the three districts and their seats of government retained their historic influence. Crimes and criminals not tried at the county level were bucked to the district level automatically. Court days were the busiest days of the year in the district seats of government.
Apukshunnubbee District’s administrative seat of government was Alikchi, in Nashoba County, Choctaw Nation. Alikchi is located east of present-day Rattan, Oklahoma
Rattan, Oklahoma
Rattan is a town in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 241 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rattan is located at...
and north of Wright City, Oklahoma
Wright City, Oklahoma
Wright City is a town in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States, along the Little River. The population was 848 at the 2000 census.Wright City was once home to a Weyerhaeuser plant; it closed permanently in mid March 2009 due to the slowed lumber industry...
, in McCurtain County
McCurtain County, Oklahoma
McCurtain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 33,151. Its county seat is Idabel.-Geography:...
.
Included in the Apukshunnubbee District were the Choctaw Nation counties of Bok Tuklo, Cedar
Cedar County, Choctaw Nation
Cedar County was a political subdivision of the Choctaw Nation in the Indian Territory. The county formed part of the nation’s Apukshunnubbee District, or Second District, one of three administrative super-regions....
, Eagle, Nashoba
Nashoba County, Indian Territory
Nashoba County was a political subdivision of the Choctaw Nation in the Indian Territory. The county formed part of the nation’s Apukshunnubbee District, or Second District, one of three administrative super-regions....
, Red River, Towson and Wade
Wade County, Choctaw Nation
Wade County was a political subdivision of the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory. The county formed part of the nation’s Apukshunnubbee District, or First District, one of three administrative super-regions....
.
As Oklahoma’s statehood loomed, the Apukshunnubbee District, and its constituent counties, slowly wound down their governmental functions. The United States courts in the Indian Territory usurped their powers. On November 16, 1907—Oklahoma’s Statehood Day—the district and its counties disappeared forever.
The territory of the former Apukshunnubbee District is incorporated principally into the present-day Oklahoma counties of Choctaw
Choctaw County, Oklahoma
Choctaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 15,342. Its county seat is Hugo.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
, McCurtain
McCurtain County, Oklahoma
McCurtain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 33,151. Its county seat is Idabel.-Geography:...
, and Pushmataha
Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
-Administrative History:* Ca. 1000-1500: Caddoan Mississippian civilization at Spiro Mounds* 1492-1718: Spain* 1718-1763: France* 1763-1800: Spain* 1800-1803: France* 1803–present: United States...
.