There was not much contact with Europeans until late 1540 when Hernandez De Soto came through Choctaw territory of Mississippi. This encounter was a disastrous one for the tribe. It was about 150 years later before there was any sustained contact with Europeans. This area was considered Spanish land at that time. The French were the dominate force in the area of the lower Mississippi valley by the late 17th century. In the 18th century there was conflict among the English, Spanish and French settlers. These powers encouraged the Indians to pick a side and fight. The Choctaw lived between the French on the west and the English on the east. There was strong preference for the French as is evidenced for the traditional dress to Brittany style clothing. Choctaw rivals, the Chickasaw, to the north favoured the English. Before all this we were non-aggressive, but for a century we were in conflict. The US government made many treaties with the Choctaw, but it was not until the 1830 Dancing Rabbit Creek Treaty that removal was finally in place. Since being Choctaw is a part of my heritage I want to connect with it more. I was taught to be very proud of my Indian blood, but yet culturally and socially I'm ignorant of many traditions. My Grandmother, born in 1907, grew up in Oklahoma and attended Indian schools. After high school she moved to California where she married and raised her family. My father is the elder of two sons. Family stories where shared as we were growing up, but my grandmother refused to use her native language or talk about cultural events except the 'Trail of Tears.' As I have read and corresponded with Choctaws in Oklahoma, as well as those who have moved to California, I have learned more of the history and culture of my people. As I have not grown up with the tribe, this then is the challenge of the project of this nature. Therefore these paintings represent Choctaw culture today as I have learned it.