Embracing Heritage: Spc. Brianna Hunter’s Choctaw Journey

MURRAY, Ky. - Learning about self-identity and heritage is a struggle for many young Americans. Sometimes, it takes a special push from family, friends or your community to figure out who you are.

Spc. Brianna Hunter, a Soldier with the 438th Military Police Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, has always had her heritage present in her family. Hunter is one-eighth Choctaw from the Mississippi Band, whose main council is located in the Pearl River Community northeast of Jackson.

Hunter, a senior at Murray State University and the editor in chief of the Murray State News, reflected on the importance of her blood lineage.

That fraction of lineage is important for two reasons. The first reasons is to get a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) issued by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The CDIB lists the blood degree, or blood quantum, by tribe and contains information such as date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Blood quantum measures how much "Native American blood" an individual has. In this case, Hunter's blood quantum would be one-eighth.

The second reason is enrolling to be a member of the tribe.

The BIA does not oversee the tribe's enrollment process; that is up to the tribe. Each tribe also has its degree of requirements, including blood quantum, a descendent listed on the tribe's base roll, and many other criteria.

According to Hunter, the blood quantum is problematic.

"The Native American ethnicity is the only ethnicity in the United States that is recognized by blood quantum," said Hunter. "Livestock and cattle are the only other things that are recognized by blood quantum."

Hunter's father was one-quarter, his father is half, and her great-grandmother is from the reservation, full Choctaw.

Hunter attended powwows with her father, and Choctaw has always had some influence in her life.

"I was a little kid. I was more of the spectators [because of blood quantum]," said Hunter. "Not like, oh, you're going to go dance and go participate in activities. We're here to watch and learn about the culture. I knew I was Choctaw, but I always feel like it wasn't reinforced."

Hunter has continued to research her tribe connections.

"My, I think, fifth great-grandfather, Mushulatubbee, was considered to be the last great chief of the Choctaw Mississippi Band," she said.

Mushulatubbee, according to mississippiencyclopedia.org, was a 19th century warrior who led men who supported the United States against other tribes. He also sponsored an academy in Kentucky that would help teach reading and writing in English.

When it comes to Hunter's National Guard career, she doesn't find many connections to her lineage and military service. However, she concedes there are some similarities.

"Women were highly valued in the tribes and often provided counsel for decisions regarding tribal affairs," said Hunter. "Women would assist in wars by feeding arrows to the men as they were in active engagement."

Hunter added, "Choctaw women have this stereotype of being aggressive, and I see that in myself in my work."

Hunter's husband, Sgt. John Wayne Parish, also serves in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He is currently assigned to the 223rd Military Police Company.

"We both deployed together to Kosovo in 2022, and he has just volunteered for another deployment," Hunter said. "With him being gone, yes it has been hard, but I understand the process and what is going on. I don't sit at home worried; I know and understand the expectations because we both serve."

Earlier this month, as editor in chief, Hunter wrote an article about her Choctaw heritage and what it means to her.

Sgt. Maj. Naarah Stallard, the operations NCO for the 75th Troop Command, read the article and found her at drill.

"We talked about the article and Sgt. Maj. Stallard told me, 'Just seeing your pride in your heritage, it makes me want to do better with my kids,'" Hunter recalled.

"I think the biggest thing for me or that anyone can do in claiming their heritage is to inspire others to claim theirs, too," said Hunter. "Because every culture is different and learning and claiming pride in it is important."

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