Enjoy the outdoors and Mississippi's rich history. Take a trip into the past with a visit to Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, located in Natchez, Mississippi - the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River. The Natchez were one of the few North American Indian tribes who were ruled by a king. The Natchez king was called the Great Sun, because the Natchez people believed he was descended from the sun. Unlike European kings, Natchez royalty was traced through the mother's bloodline, not the father's. So the son of the Great Sun would not become the next Great Sun -- his oldest sister's son would. The Natchez Great Sun was an absolute ruler, which means that he had the power to make all the decisions for the tribe himself. In reality, though, the Great Sun usually had to listen to the opinions of a council of warriors, priests, and other important Natchez men, because he needed their support. Learn more about this extinct tribe at Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.