The story of the Chickasaw Nation is one rich in cultural heritage.  Throughout the history of the Chickasaw people and the intertwining history of America, the Chickasaw have held strongly to our culture and traditions.  The department of Museums, Archives and Libraries honors the generations of Chickasaw who have come before us and hopes to carry on those traditions by educating our present and future generations.

Chickasaw history, culture, beliefs and traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next through stories.  Oral tradition was the primary method used to instruct generations of early Chickasaw about the world and their place in it.  Most tales encourage listeners to live with integrity and high standards of morality.

With attention to cultural sensitivity and a respect for knowledge passed down from tribal elders, the professionals working within the Heritage Preservation division and Museums, Archives and Libraries department help to educate others while ensuring the continued existence of tribal traditions and the protection of our valuable cultural resources.  We invite you to discover for yourself the Chickasaw ways.

Mission Statement: "To honor and preserve our past in order to enhance our future."

The Chickasaw Nation Archives is charged with the responsibility of collecting and maintaining documentary materials for the purpose of preserving and interpreting the history of the Chickasaw Nation.  The Archives department collects historical materials in a variety of formats including photographs, film, slides, negatives, microfiche, video, or other documents that relate to the Archives purposes and goals.

The Chickasaw Nation Archives is located in the Chickasaw Nation Tribal Library, Miko Building, Chickasaw Nation Headquarters, Ada, Oklahoma.  The Archives are open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.  The Archives welcomes donations of family photographs and documents for addition to our growing collections.