Chaloklowa Chickasaw

The Chaloklowa Chickasaw Indian People or Chaloklowa Chickasaw is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and "state-recognized group" not to be confused with a state-recognized tribe. The state of South Carolina gave them the state-recognized group and special interest organization designation under the SC Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100-111) in 2005. The organization claims descent from 50 Chickasaws who moved to South Carolina at the state's request in the 18th century. The Chickasaw are an indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands who formerly inhabited parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Chaloklowa is said to come from the Chickasaw word chalokloha which means turkey. The organization sometimes refers to its leaders as mingo, a title said to derive from the Chickasaw word miko which means chief. Late historian Edward J. Cashin, a professor of colonial era history and Director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History at Augusta State University, was unable to ascertain the organization's connection to the Savannah River Chickasaws. Headquarters and Purpose The Chaloklowa Chickasaw are headquartered in Indiantown, South Carolina with members living within the counties of Florence, Marion, and Williamsburg. The organization is led by Chief Vernon Tanner and Vice-Chief Joe Tanner. The Chaloklowa Chickasaw is a nonprofit educational organization. Chief Vernon Tanner has stated that one of the Chaloklowa Chickasaws missions is to bring educational programs to schools or other activities with adults to share the true aspects of Native American life and to dispel other commonly believed myths about indigenous people. Charity The Chaloklowa Chickasaw organized as a 501(c)(3) public charity in 2002. The organization was awarded $100,147.00 that same year by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) for Social and Economic Development Strategies.