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Belvin, Harry J.W., Principal Chief Of Choctaw Nation, 1900-1986

 Person

Biographical:

Harry JW Belvin was a Native American educator who served as an Oklahoma State Representative and Senator. He was the first elected principal chief of any of the Five Civilized Tribes in the 20th century, and the longest serving principal chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Belvin advocated for complete assimilation into the dominant society, suppressing Choctaw traditions, language and ceremonial practices as undesirable remnants of an unrefined history.

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