Preserving and sharing the Chickasaw story were central themes of the 10th annual Chickasaw Cultural Evening, Monday, Sept. 27 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Okla.
An estimated 1,000 people participated in a variety of evening events, including tours of the facility, cultural demonstrations, children's activities and a traditional evening meal.
The newly-opened Chickasaw Cultural Center provided a serene setting for hundreds of Chickasaws, families and guests to explore the new facility and celebrate and share Chickasaw culture.
Dr. Amanda Cobb-Greetham, administrator for the tribe's Division of History and Culture, welcomed the crowd to the Cultural Center and said more than 12,000 guests have visited the center since the facility opened July 24.
A prayer and posting of the colors by the Chickasaw Honor Guard, followed by ringing the traditional bell formally opened the evening.
Kennedy Brown, special assistant to Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, had the honor of ringing the bell and Stan Smith led the assembly in a Chickasaw-language prayer.
During the evening, guests had the opportunity to watch the Chickasaw Dance Troupe and storytellers perform, view Mahota Woven designs by Chickasaw artist Margaret Roach Wheeler and portraits of Chickasaw elders by Mike Larsen.
Chickasaw citizen Mona Miller and family had the opportunity to see the portrait of her mother, brother and sister that Mr. Larsen had painted.
"I love it. I think it is nice the Chickasaw Nation is doing all of this for us," she said.
Mrs. Miller also spent part of the evening identifying several people in photos at the Holisso Resource Center, which was open for tours to Chickasaw people for the first time.
The Holisso Resource Center houses historic documents, archives and photos and provide a place for research for Chickasaw citizens and the general public.
Reuniting and fellowship with friends were also highlights of the evening.
"It is nice to be able to look around the Cultural Center and also see many people you haven't seen in a while," said Allen resident Mona Miller.
Miller attended the event with family members Bob Huggins and two-year-old Gage Lockheart, who was enjoying the Cultural Center grounds.
Other activities offered during the evening included tours the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Gallery and Aaholitopli Honor Garden and films in the Anoil Theater.
Several children dove into craft activities and cultural demonstrations, including stickball, bow shooting, beading and other traditional crafts at the Chikasha Inchokka' Traditional Village.
Chickasaw author Phil Morgan was on-hand signing copies of Chickasaw Renaissance and Chickasaw: Unconquered and Unconquerable in the Aatifama Room.
Talented singers performed Chickasaw and Choctaw hymns and members of the Chipota Chikashshanompoli Language closed the annual event with a performance.
For more information about the Chickasaw Cultural Center, located at 867 Charles Cooper Memorial Road, Sulphur, visit www.chickasawculturalcenter.com.
