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.