Children & Youth
Chickasaw Nation camps are free of charge to Chickasaw youth and focus on education, leadership, athletics, arts and culture.
The Chickasaw Nation takes pride in providing services, programs, camps and academies for Chickasaw youth. From the child care assistance program to the princess program, opportunities for Chickasaw youth continue to be an important initiative for the Chickasaw Nation.
The Chickasaw Nation Child Care Department provided child care services to nearly 900 children during the 2008 fiscal year through many programs, services and activities.
The child care summer school program was a success with 67 children between the ages of four and nine in attendance during June and July. Through the program, children experienced a summer full of exciting educational and recreational field trips. Activities included swimming and playing sports, picnicking at the park, attending healthy nutrition classes, attending the Oklahoma History Center, the Oklahoma Aquarium and Casady’s Dairy, plus many other exciting classroom activities.
Through the child care assistance program, 292 Native American children were assisted with child care services through 80 contracted providers. This program is income based and provides financial child care assistance for Native American families who are working or attending school.
The Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Clubs in Chickasha, Sulphur and Tishomingo had a total membership of 1,000 children. The clubs provide students a safe and structured environment to learn and play after school. Through the club, children participate in activities such as field trips, clinics, educational tutoring and more.
During FY 2008, the martial arts program, conducted in locations across the Chickasaw Nation, averaged more than 1,400 individuals each month and provided families the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of martial art forms. Through the program, a new Chickasaw Martial Arts demonstration team was established to provide martial arts exhibitions throughout the Chickasaw Nation.
Providing a unique opportunity for Chickasaw youth, the Chickasaw Children’s Choir performed throughout the Chickasaw Nation, including a performance at the Newcastle American Indian Festival, Youth ARTS Celebration in March and a Christmas Concert in December 2007. The choir incorporates the Chickasaw language throughout each practice and performance.
During FY 2008, the Chickasaw Nation princesses performed the Lord’s Prayer at 34 events, 16 being Chickasaw Nation events. The princesses attend events across the United States as ambassadors for the Chickasaw Nation. Among many performances in 2008, the Chickasaw princesses performed for the Oklahoma House of Representatives and took part in the Gathering of the Nations and the Miss Indian World Princess Pageant in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
