George W. Harkins (1810-1861), was a mixed-race Choctaw. His mother was Louisa "Lusoney" LeFlore, the sister of Choctaw Chief Greenwood LaFlore. Although George adopted some elements from his White ancestry, he identified as Choctaw and remained within that culture. There his maternal uncle, Greenwood, provided much of his boyhood training. As did some boys from elite status families among the Southeastern tribes, George attended Center College in Danville, Kentucky. He earned his law degree from Cumberland University in Kentucky. He had at least two wives, again in keeping with Choctaw custom, and several children. But his life didn't stay static for long.Greenwood LaFlore and several other Choctaw leaders signed the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830, agreeing to removal and a land assignment in Oklahoma. Several of them, including LaFlore, were depose by the Nation for their actions. Therefore, at the age of just twenty, George was elected to succeed his uncle as chief of one of the three divisions in the Choctaw Nation. Government officials refused to recognize his rank or right to speak for his people, so George took his case to them. In 1831, he wrote "Farewell Letter to the American People", which was published in several newspapers. In it, he set out his feelings and those of his people on having to move. He also expressed the sense of hurt and betrayal he and other Choctaws felt because they had stood with the United States during the War of 1812 and had adopted many White customs. His letter closed with his continued good wishes to the United States, his hope that his people would be left in peace in Oklahoma, and that if they should be faced with removal again, that the United States would protect them. He departed for Oklahoma in 1832.
Once there, he continued in his role as chief and statesman. In 1834, he was elected judge of the Red River District. In 1850, he was elected Principal Chief of one of the three Choctaw divisions. He served in that capacity until 1857. An excerpt from his letter is given below. The entire text can be found at the link provided.
It is with considerable diffidence that I attempt to address the American people, knowing and feeling sensibly my incompetency; and believing that your highly and well improved minds would not be well entertained by the address of a Choctaw
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We were hedged in by two evils, and we chose that which we thought the least. Yet we could not recognize the right that the state of Mississippi had assumed, to legislate for us. Although the legislature of the state were qualified to make laws for their own citizens, that did not qualify them to become law makers to a people that were so dissimilar in manners and customs as the Choctaws are to the Mississippians. Admitting that they understood the people, could they remove that mountain of prejudice that has ever obstructed the streams of justice, and prevent their salutary influence from reaching my devoted countrymen. We as Choctaws rather chose to suffer and be free, than live under the degrading influence of laws, which our voice could not be heard in their formation.
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Much as the state of Mississippi has wronged us, I cannot find in my heart any other sentiment than an ardent wish for her prosperity and happiness.
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I could cheerfully hope, that those of another age and generation may not feel the effects of those oppressive measures that have been so illiberally dealt out to us; and that peace and happiness may be their reward. Amid the gloom and horrors of the present separation, we are cheered with a hope that ere long we shall reach our destined land, and that nothing short of the basest acts of treachery will ever be able to wrest it from us, and that we may live free. Although your ancestors won freedom on the field of danger and glory, our ancestors owned it as their birthright, and we have had to purchase it from you as the vilest slaves buy their freedom."
http://www.ushistory.org/documents/harkins.htm
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