Over the past five decades, the Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting has matured. It now has become a reflection of the tribe's growth and success.
Originating October 1960, when more than 100 Chickasaws rallied to re-establish a tribal government at Seeley Chapel, Annual Meeting has always symbolized a time for Chickasaws to come together in fellowship.
President Kennedy's appointment of Governor Overton James in 1963 marked a rebirth in tribal government and is one of the most important milestones in recent tribal history.
Kennedy Brown, who is celebrating his 35th year working with the Chickasaw Nation, was present that warm day at Seeley Chapel, located about 20 miles south of Ada, Okla.
He considers it very memorable and spiritual.
"That was a big celebration day," said Mr. Brown.
Since that time, the location and length of the gathering have changed, but the mission has remained the same: to provide citizens vital information about the tribe's programs and services.
"At that time, there was not a home base to get information so people would come to the meetings to get information, Mr. Brown said.
"Annual Meeting is a time for tribal members to get together and have fellowship and be updated on what the tribe is doing. It is a big day everyone looks forward to."
The State of the Nation was presented by Gov. James and reports were given by several Bureau of Indian Affairs officials at those early meetings.
Mr. Brown said he missed a number of meetings while serving in the Oklahoma National Guard, but remembers attending one meeting at Kullihoma.
About this time, the annual meeting saw a surge of attendance as more people became interested in the Chickasaw Nation and tribal elections became a reality.
"It was exciting to see the Governor's race take place," Mr. Brown said. "Gov. James was one of the advocates of letting the people elect their own governor."
Meetings were also conducted at Byng High School for a number of years, and Mr. Brown served as emcee a few times.
"We would conduct everything that one day, including the selection of the princesses," he said.
He was also one of the directors of tribal programs who presented information so tribal citizens could be aware of the type of assistance available.
"We were able to come to the meetings and set up displays," he said. "It was kind of a show-and-tell of what the Nation was doing.
"By this time, the tribal government was established by election process, which ignited an interest. People could meet with their representatives at Annual Meeting."
As the tribe prospered and more people flocked to the one-day meeting, more room was needed to accommodate everyone.
When Annual Meeting moved to Tishomingo, Okla., in the 1990s, the "State of the Nation" address was first conducted under a big tent on the newly-acquired Chickasaw Nation Capitol grounds.
Other events were implemented such as the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame, the Princess Pageant, Junior Olympics and sports activities, including horseshoe and softball tournaments.
Today, the State of the Nation address is conducted in Fletcher Auditorium at Murray State College in Tishomingo, and today tribal division administrators have an opportunity to present reports.
Tishomingo's Chickasaw Festival was merged with the Annual Meeting activities in 1988 and the week-long celebration gives talented Chickasaw artisans a chance to display their wares.
"We have some very talented artists," said Mr. Brown.
As the tribe grows and expands, Mr. Brown foresees the Annual Meeting growing, too.
"Annual Meeting has always generated an interest in our people and will get bigger and bigger, even more so with the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center opening," he said.
Regardless of the location, the fellowship among tribal citizens has remained constant.
Lunch is still served to citizens following the State of the Nation address. Today, more modern fare is presented. In the past, Chickasaw cuisine was the staple.
"We always had pashofa and all the trimmings," Mr. Brown said.
For more information about the 50th Annual Meeting and 22nd Annual Festival contact Kelsey Upton at (800) 593-3356 or (580) 371-2040.
