Our History

The Clifton Choctaw Tribal Reservation, Inc. was established as the Clifton Settlement in the 1840’s by Jesse and Jane Clifton. This settlement was a community of partial native descent that encompassed hundreds of acres of land in west Rapides Parish about 25 miles outside of Alexandria, Louisiana. The community, as it is still referred to, has migrated to an area between highways 28 and 8 in Rapides Parish adjacent to Vernon Parish.

Jesse and Jane had ten children, who married into other nearby families, thereby forming the community. Over time the community grew with other original family surnames including Neal, Shackleford, Smith, Thomas, and Tyler. Tribal or family leaders progressed through the generations with some of the early leaders being Jesse Clifton, Frank Smith, Felix Tyler, and Tom Tyler. The tribal membership now exceeds nine hundred current and historic members throughout Louisiana and the United States of America.

In 1977 Clifton Choctaw Tribe received state recognition under the leadership of Norris Tyler. A volunteer-based Tribal Council was established under the leadership of Manuel Tyler in 1984. Starting in the late 1970s, Clifton members began a revitalization of the unique traditions and culture returning to the making of baskets, wood carvings, and other crafts. Through grants, volunteerism, and partnerships, our community history, culture, support, and enrichment continue and will for generations to come.

Current Chief/Tribal Chairperson

Audrey Clifton

Historic Leaders

Tom Tyler
Felix Tyler
Frank Smith
Jesse Clifton

Additional Links:

Splittin on the Grain: Folk Art in Clifton, Louisiana