Apukshunnubbee District facts for kids
The Apukshunnubbee District was a big area, like a region, in the old Choctaw Nation. It was one of three main parts of the nation, located in the southeastern part of what is now Oklahoma. People also called it the Second District.
This district was named after a brave Choctaw leader named Chief Apukshunnubbee. He was a warrior and an important leader. He used to be a chief of the "Okla Falaya" (meaning "Upper Towns") area in the Choctaw homeland in the Southeast. Because of this, many Choctaw people from that area called the Apukshunnubbee District the Okla Falaya District. The other two main districts were the Moshulatubbee District and the Pushmataha District.
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History of the Choctaw Districts
The Choctaw Nation created these districts when they moved to Indian Territory (which is now Oklahoma). This big move was part of the Trail of Tears. At first, these districts were meant to be home for different groups, or clans, of the Choctaw people.
Over time, the idea of clans became less important. The districts still played a role in the nation's government, but their power changed.
Changes in Leadership
At first, each of the three districts had its own chief. These district chiefs were very important. But slowly, the main chief of the entire Choctaw Nation, called the principal chief, gained more power.
Eventually, the principal chief became the single most important leader. The district chiefs lost much of their authority.
District Government Centers
Even though the district chiefs lost power, the district centers remained important. These places were where the district governments met. They were busy places, especially on court days.
The main government center for the Apukshunnubbee District was a town called Alikchi. It was located in Nashoba County within the Choctaw Nation. Today, you can find Alikchi's area east of Rattan, Oklahoma and north of Wright City, Oklahoma, in McCurtain County.
Counties of the District
The Apukshunnubbee District included several smaller areas, like counties. These were:
The End of the Districts
As Oklahoma was getting ready to become a state, the Apukshunnubbee District and its counties slowly stopped working as governments. The United States courts in Indian Territory began to take over their duties.
On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became a state. On that day, the Apukshunnubbee District and its counties officially ended.
Today, the land that was once the Apukshunnubbee District is mainly part of these Oklahoma counties:
