OK Mike,
@Nor'easter Reefer. I got you brother. Here are two different recipes. The first one is the recipe for the legendary Mrs. Leah Chase. It is made with out a roux. A Native American leaf powder called file' (fee lay) along with okra are what thickens the gumbo. This is the most famous gumbo house in New Orleans recipes.
https://content.ctpublic.org/recipes/leah-chase-gumbo/#recipe
This one is more "traditional" and does have a roux.
https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/authentic-new-orleans-style-gumbo/
You can make your own roux if you want by slowly cooking your flour and oil to your desired color and flavor. Also, if you want to pass on making your own, buy a good mix like Kerry's that isn't flavored. They even have it jarred already cooked down if you want to avoid the powdered mix. Ieaten peoples gum o that used it and youd never know the difference. To me, making the roux is the most fun part of the process and is what really makes the gumbo unique to you. On another side note, precooked rotisserie chickens help speed this process up a lot. And it's gumbo, you can do anything you want!