Tuskaloosa/Tuscaloosa/Tushkalusa.

The article focuses on Tuskaloosa, a paramount chief of Muskogean heritage and Mississippian culture, emphasizing that his legacy extends beyond his 1540 encounter with Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto at the Battle of Mabila. It critiques the dominant colonial narratives that reduce Tuskaloosa to a minor figure defined by European conquest, urging recognition of his full humanity and the sovereignty of Muskogean peoples. The text highlights the rich cultural, political, and linguistic heritage of Muskogean nations, their resilience despite settler colonialism, and calls for respectful engagement with Indigenous perspectives and histories. It encourages learning about Muskogean peoples through their own voices and cultural sites rather than solely through colonial records.