This project was designed to meet the requirements for the Masters of Fine Arts in painting. I have completed a minimum of 7 paintings ranging in size from 26” by 36” to 40” by 96”. These paintings represent some of the activities I have learned about the history and culture of my tribe in this short time; specifically, “the trail of tears” removal from Mississippi to Oklahoma. This event looms large in the minds of all Choctaw with whom I have talked; and is a pivotal point historically for us. The Trail of Tears is commemorated each year with a rewalking of part of the trail. I marvelled as young person at my own grandmother’s energy for dancing. Now I know the basis for this; all night stomp dances. These dances were put on for the socialization of the youth under the watchful eye of the tribal elders. Many such activities where integrated into the social structure of life. One didn’t just play Ishaboli (stickball), or weave baskets, you passed on history, you trained, and you developed relationships. The Native American of Oklahoma lives in many ways like other Americans, yet at the same time they celebrate their cultural heritage as a distinct group of people. So, I have painted these paintings to show “these my people” educating and building relationships, doing activities that were done in the past. It is my desire to represent the two cultures integrating their lives to show what it means to be Choctaw in the twenty-first century. These paintings represent my education about my Native American tribe, the Choctaw. Like me, my tribe is endeavoring to educate its youth about its history and culture. Since the 70’s there has been greater interest in America’s native people including my interest in knowing from where I came. This project has helped to push me to learn what my grandmother was afraid to teach. My Grandmother and her brothers and sisters talked about being Choctaw, but when I asked questions they would always hesitate and said “It is all lost.” There was one single story that was mentioned through my growing up years and that was “the Trail of Tears”. Each of the five tribes that were moved had their own trail leading to their part of Oklahoma. As an adult I have found that all is not completely lost. Since my Grandmother and her siblings were not born U.S. citizens, I have come to the conclusion that because it was not popular being Native American thus they refused to pass on their heritage. Unlike my grandmother I want to pass on a heritage that is a part of me. This part gains clarity as I learn more about the Choctaw.