Christian L McClish “Kowi Chito Hopaii” – Native American Ancestry/Lineage:
This traces lineage from Christian’s father’s side, showing the Native American heritage:
Shomachiche – Christian’s most distant Chickasaw ancestor – a man from the House of Wildcats (Kowimihlha Iksa) clan of Chickasaw. Shomachiche’s children married into the LeFlore, Fulsom, Pitchlynn and McLish families (the inner circle of 19th century Choctaw/Chickasaw political leadership).
Shim-a-te-cha – Daughter of Shomachiche from House of Wildcats clan of Chickasaw. She married William McLish or McClish – their son was John E McLish.
John E McLish (Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductee) married Susan “Sukey” Colbert, who was the granddaughter of Chief Doublehead (Cherokee), through her mother Saleechee and her father Chickasaw Chief Colonel George ‘Tootemastubbe’ Colbert. A son of John and Sukey was Ameziah McClish.
Ameziah McClish married Ellen James. Reason Enzire McClish or “Ross” Enzire McClish was one of their children.
Ross Enzire McClish or Reason married Minnie Mosteller. Ernest Edward McClish was one of their children.
Ernest Edward McClish (US Army Colonel and Choctaw) was a WWII hero. Colonel McClish had five children (from first marriage: Patricia, Richard; from a relationship in the Phillipines during WWII: Vivian; from his second marriage: Ross, and Melba Susan/”Kelly”) before his marriage to Christian’s mother (Wanda). Colonel McClish married Wanda Ruthrauff and they had Christian. Christian was Ernest McClish’s sixth child.
Christian L McClish also known as Kowi Chito Hopaii (“Puma/Wildcat Visionary”). Christian McClish married Stacey Cummings and has three children and (thus far) four grandchildren.
The House of Wildcats/Panthers
The House of Wildcats clan of the Chickasaw were the night hunters, the protectors, and eventually the security force (as the clans within the tribe/nation had specific roles). Many ancestors became “Lighthorsemen”, who were the law enforcement of the Chickasaw and Choctaw.