Chickasaws are invited to attend an exclusive, one-day opening of the Chickasaw Cultural Center beginning 10:30 a.m. on June 12. This opening is an exclusive event for Chickasaw families to visit the CCC campus prior to the public opening on July 24.
Events will include cultural demonstrations, free meals, tours and film presentations throughout the day.
"Chickasaw people have long dreamed of a special place to celebrate, embrace and share the culture and heritage which binds us together as a people," said Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation. "That dream has now become reality as we open a center which reflects the vision, imagination, resilience and spirit of the Chickasaw people."
Located on 109 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and streams adjacent to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur, Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Cultural Center is the culmination of a vision born more than twenty years ago. The center utilizes the latest technology, live demonstrations, ancient artifacts and natural outdoor spaces to tell the Chickasaw story.
"This fantastic facility is a wonderful addition to the wealth of cultural treasures in the Chickasaw Nation," said Gov. Anoatubby. "We believe this center will enhance the value of historic gems such as the Chickasaw Historic Capitol, Chickasaw White House and Council House Museum. These icons of Chickasaw culture will always have a special place in the hearts of Chickasaw people."
Dreams of the cultural center began more than 20 years ago and gained momentum over time. In October, 2000, more than 1,200 tribal citizens responded to a survey which asked for comments and suggestions regarding a Chickasaw Cultural Center. Language, beliefs, ceremonies, history and customs were among the most popular suggestions. Art and music, food and medicine, prominent Chickasaw men and women, and a living village with traditional dwellings were also mentioned.
Numerous informal requests by citizens were also considered during planning and construction. Building upon citizen requests, the cultural center utilizes live performances, high technology multimedia exhibits, and galleries as well as natural outdoor spaces to revitalize and preserve tribal culture for future generations.
"Chickasaws of all ages and from all walks of life contributed to the development of the center and the programming that will be available," said Gov. Anoatubby. "It is beautiful and provides an opportunity for us to tell the remarkable history of Chickasaw people.
"We want to not only preserve our history, but recognize that we have a living, thriving, growing culture to share with others."
For more information about the Chickasaw Cultural Center, log on to http://www.chickasawculturalcenter.com/ or call 580-436-7265.
Schedule of Events (tentative):
| 10:30-7:00 | Tours of the Exhibit Gallery, Chikasha Poya Exhibit Building—Begin in an eighteenth century, 1,200 sq. foot Council House that shows a 20-minute HD film; look for hidden treasures in the Spirit Forest; witness the pain and hardships of the Removal corridor; discover exhibit areas that feature "Indian country," the period of settlement after removal, the Dawes Commission, Chickasaw governors, ancient Chickasaws, and Chickasaws today; and finish in a Stomp Dance Gallery with holograms and a glowing campfire. |
| 10:30-7:00 | Portraits of the Elders by Mike Larsen, Aatifama Room—Following up on the success of his first series of 24 elder paintings, They Know Who They Are, Mike Larsen displays the second set of Chickasaw elder paintings. They will be featured in the upcoming publication from the Chickasaw Press, Proud to be Chickasaw. |
| 10:30-7:00 | Cultural Demonstrations, Traditional Village—From stickball to bow shooting, traditional demonstrations will take place throughout the day in the Chikasha Inchokka' Traditional Village. |
| 11:00 | Friendship Dance, Kochcha' Aabiniili' Amphitheater—Led by the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe, feel free to join this traditional dance to celebrate our bonds as Chickasaws and to officially kick off our day together. |
| 11:15 | Opening Ceremony, Kochcha' Aabiniili' Amphitheater—It all starts with a welcome and introduction by Governor Anoatubby. Immediately following Governor Anoatubby's remarks, there will be a prayer and then the ceremonial ringing of the bell, announcing that lunch will be served. |
| 11:30-4:30 | Lunch at Aaimpa' Café |
| 11:30-7:00 | Chickasaw Renaissance Book-Signing, Aatifama Room—Meet author Phil Morgan as he signs copies of his newest book, Chickasaw Renaissance, the much anticipated sequel to Chickasaw: Unconquered and Unconquerable. |
| 11:30-7:00 | Aaholitopli Honor Garden Tours, Honor Garden—Visit this quiet, reflective place, located next to the pond and across from the water pavilion. With traditional landscaping elements and swirling walls, this peaceful area features laser-cut photos of all Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame inductees. |
| 11:30-7:00 | Time Capsule Contributions, Holisso Research Center—This is the last opportunity to make a contribution to the Time Capsule! Don't miss it. The time capsule will be buried very soon, only to be opened after 50 years. |
| 11:30-7:00 | Children's Activities, Traditional Village—Bring the kids to enjoy arts and crafts activities. This is also a good opportunity for them to create an item to place in the Time Capsule! |
| 12:00 | Behind the Scenes Movie, Anoli' Theater—This 15-minute film will be shown throughout the day. It gives viewers an insight into what the Cultural Center is and how it was constructed. |
| 12:15-5:00 | Demonstrations, Kochcha' Aabiniili' Amphitheater |
| 12:15 | Choctaw Hymns—Join in as a choir sings favorite spiritual songs from the Choctaw Hymnal |
| 1:15 | Chipota Chikashshanompoli' Language Club—Chickasaw language students will be performing a skit and singing a song in Chickasaw. The children recently won first place for Group Spoken Language (Skit) and first place for Group Language with Music/Dance (Song) at the Native Language Fair in Norman, Oklahoma. Living History Players—See the renowned acting troupe as they perform original plays and vignettes based on Chickasaw history, court cases, and family stories for audiences of all ages. |
| 2:15 | Storytelling—Traditional stories from Chickasaw history told by storyteller Stephanie Scott |
| 3:15 | Flute Playing—Witness a demonstration of flute-playing techniques, as well as a short, "how-to" session hosted by Michael Cornelius. |
| 4:15 | Stomp Dancing—Traditional dancing led by the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe |
| 5:15 | Evening Meal, Aaimpa' Café—After a prayer, the bell will again be rung, this time signaling that dinner will be served. |
| 7:00 | Closing—Buildings, exhibits, and demonstrations will all close for the evening. |
