Three Largest Federally Recognized Tribes in Mississippi

Mississippi's three largest federally recognized tribes — by enrolled membership — are:

Critical Clarifications

• Only the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is physically located in Mississippi. The Choctaw Nation and Chickasaw Nation are headquartered in Oklahoma but claim ancestral homeland in northern MS (Tupelo, Pontotoc, DeSoto areas).
• State-recognized tribes in MS (not federal): Vancleave Live Oak Choctaw, Choctaw Nation of Mississippi (separate entity), United Houma Nation (LA-based, MS members).
• Pre-removal: Choctaw, Chickasaw, Natchez, Yazoo, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Tunica, Natchez — all called Mississippi home.

Economic Impact (2023)

• Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: ~$500M annual economic impact in MS; 5,000+ employees (tribal govt + enterprises).
• Choctaw Nation (OK): ~$2.5B OK impact; 12,000+ employees.
• Chickasaw Nation (OK): ~$3.2B OK impact; 14,000+ employees.

Mississippi's tribal landscape is defined by removal — the tribes of Mississippi are largely in Oklahoma, except the resilient Mississippi Band who stayed, hid, and rebuilt.