Nalora, I don't know exactly where I picked up the phrase, maybe Oklahoma History class in high school, but I have always referred to the tribes as Nations. My use of the term is really too inclusive I guess, since all of them were not self-governing, as you mention. I use the word, intentionally, as a term of respect for a proud, noble people. And this comes from and "Intruder", I suppose. I found a census microfilm at the library yesterday that listed the Henry Cummins I have been researching. He is listed on the 1910 Haskell County census as "white" and Lela, his second wife, also listed as "white". So the Choctaw blood was his first wife, Donia Crowder. It was darned inconsiderate of him to have my ancestry through the second marriage!! So that makes me an almost Choctaw, twice removed???LOL As 'Maxwell Smart' used to say, "Missed it by that much!" Can I still play with you guys??? Ronnie