Great White Dog Ofi' Tohbi'

A contemporary white dog who is a protector and companion.

Kana Bevan Crumby

Long ago on a long eastward journey to find a new homeland, the great white dog, Ofi’ Tohbi’ was the scout and protector for two Native American Indian brothers, Chicsa and Chatah and their people. These brothers and their people were the founders of the tribes that we know today as the Chickasaws and Choctaws. Visit Chickasaw.TV to hear the story of the migration to the southeast. https://www.chickasaw.tv/videos/the-chickasaw-choctaw-migration-story

The ancestral homelands of these people are in the southeastern United States. The Natchez Trace Parkway runs through those homelands and commemorates the main travel and trade corridor that began with these tribes.

Ofi’ Tohbi’ still represents a symbol of strength and courage and continues to inspire loyalty and friendship. The powerful story of Ofi' Tohbi' is expressed in arts and history as a part of the culture of these Native American people. Ofi' Tohbi' is the center of modern arts. Ofi' Tohbi' is the subject of artists like Larry Carter in his painting Ofi' Tohbi' (White Dog), and Donna Welch's thunder gourd, Ofi' Tohbi'. The dog plays a role in teaching children about Chickasaw history in an educational comic book series. As a reward completing activities and learning about history, Chickasaw children can earn a patch signifying they are a member of the Ofi' Tohbi' Club. The Chickasaw Cultural Center, in Sulphur, Oklahoma displays a life-size Ofi' Tohbi' exhibit.

Still leading the Chickasaw through history and imagination, the Chickasaw Nation's secondary publishing imprint is White Dog Press. According to this press, "Ofi' Tohbi', the legendary white dog who protected the Chickasaw people while they searched for a homeland centuries ago, is back on the job with new orders to follow." He is still leading his people through new adventures.