Learn how to win a free gift by taking part in Chikasha Poya Cultural Week!
Chickasaws and their guests are invited to celebrate Chickasaw culture and tradition at the 13th annual Chikasha Reunion June 4-5 at Kullihoma stomp ground.
The Chickasaw Nation Division of History and Culture has planned several activities for the event, which draws Native Americans from across the country.
This year's Chikasha Reunion marks the beginning of Chikasha Poya Cultural Week.
Chikasha Poya Cultural Week will feature daily events at tribal cultural sites including the Chickasaw Historic Capitol Building and Council House Museum in Tishomingo and the Chickasaw White House in Emet. These events lead up to an exclusive one-day event for Chickasaw citizens June 12 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center.
"Chikasha reunion has long marked a special time for Chickasaw people who treasure the heritage and culture which binds us together as a people," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "This year, we have set aside a full week to embrace our heritage and celebrate the upcoming opening of our cultural center – a place which reflects the vision, imagination, resilience and spirit of the Chickasaw people."
Activities for Friday, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., include cultural demonstrations, a children's tent and a social dance. An evening meal of hot dogs and hamburgers will be served.
Traditional reunion activities will resume on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and will continue through midnight. These include a youth fishing derby, cornstalk shooting contest, youth and adult archery competitions, blow gun competition, Squirrel Stick throw, loksi races and stickball games.
Corn husk dolls, beadwork, moccasin making, stickball, arrows and basket weaving will be featured as cultural demonstrations.
A traditional meal will be for Saturday's lunch, including pashofa, fry bread, salt meat and grape dumplings. The reunion will conclude with a stomp dance beginning at midnight Saturday.
Overnight camping spaces are available at Kullihoma, including tent spaces and a limited number of RV hook ups.
To reach the site, travel to the Kullihoma sign seven miles northeast of Ada on Highway 1, then travel three miles east and one mile south.
For information, call Terri Haney (580) 332-8685. For more information on Chikasha Poya Cultural Week, visit www.chickasaw.net.
