A stunning collection of paintings of living Chickasaw elders In August 2004, Oklahoma Centennial project artist Mike Larsen approached Chickasaw Nation leaders with an idea to honor living Chickasaw elders―sages of his own tribe. He wanted to learn about their families and hear their stories, and he wanted to connect with their Chickasaw strength and spirit. Larsen’s vision was to paint a series of portraits of these elders. Accompanied by his wife, Martha Larsen, the artist began a creative process that turned into a personal journey. During the interviews, the Larsens were often treated like members of the elders’ families. They listened and learned what it means to be Chickasaw―what it means to “know who you are.” In the Larsen studio, carefully rendered sketches progressed from paper to canvas to yield the 24 remarkable paintings reproduced in this volume. Martha Larsen has written a richly detailed narrative, based on each elder’s interview, documenting his or her cultural beliefs, experiences, and history.

They Know Who They Are: Elders of the Chickasaw Nation

Arts & Photography

Larsen, Mike

Larsen, Martha

History & Criticism

Chickasaw Press

Among Oklahoma painters, Mike Larsen is a living legend. His work—from a twenty-six-foot mural in the Oklahoma state capitol to a painting appearing on the U.S. postage stamp honoring the Oklahoma centennial—is visible and prominent. In 2005, leaders of the Chickasaw Nation commissioned Larsen to create twenty-four oil portraits of living Chickasaw elders. After those paintings were completed, the Chickasaws commissioned a second series of twenty-four portraits—showcased in this handsome, full-color volume.
In Proud to be Chickasaw, the Chickasaw master artist and his wife, Martha Larsen, have again teamed up to offer insights into and insider perspectives on the lives of two dozen tribal elders, including a storyteller, a longtime contributor to music education in Oklahoma, and a World War II code talker. This book follows the critically acclaimed They Know Who They Are, which exhibits Mike Larsen’s first twenty-four paintings in the series, each accompanied by a biographical sketch of the elder by Martha Larsen.
Proud to be Chickasaw captures the spirit of the most revered members of Chickasaw and American Indian society: the elders. This book is an exciting addition to the growing body of literature about American Indians, by American Indians.

Proud to Be Chickasaw (Elders of the Chickasaw Nation)

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Larsen, Martha. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Larsen, Martha

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Larsen, Martha. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

They Know Who They Are: Elders of the Chickasaw Nation

Proud to Be Chickasaw (Elders of the Chickasaw Nation)