The Chickasaw Nation takes great pride in making sure that the story of the Chickasaw people is one that continues to be told. To achieve this goal, the Chickasaw Nation developed and maintained several cultural programs and services in FY 2009.
The award-winning Chickasaw Press had another impressive year of publishing works that continue to tell the numerous stories of the Chickasaw people. In FY 2009, the Chickasaw Press received the prestigious Harvard Honoring Nations Award for Excellence in Tribal Governance. The Honoring Nations program is administered by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. The award recognizes tribal governments and programs that address the concerns and challenges of Native American nations and citizens.
In FY 2009, the Chickasaw Press released the following titles: Chickasaw Lives Volume Two: Profiles and Oral Histories, by histroian Richard Green, which continues the Chickasaw Lives series through essays that focus on notable Chickasaw citizens; Uprising! Woody Crumbo's Indian Art, by Chickasaw elder Robert Perry; and A Nation in Transition: Douglas Johnston and the Chickasaw Nation by Michael Lovegrove.
The Chickasaw Nation language revitalization programs have grown in size and a number of exciting new programs were introduced this year. In FY 2009, the first class of the master/apprentice language program graduated. The master/apprentice program pairs fluent speakers of Chickasaw with individuals with limited or no knowledge of the language. The program lasts for 18 months and is designed to immerse participants in the Chickasaw language. Each master speaker/apprentice pair spends a minimum of 10 hours a week speaking only Chickasaw in conversation and in daily activities.
A new family camp focusing on the Chickasaw language was implemented in 2009. The first Language Family Immersion camp provided families a comfortable environment to enjoy a weekend filled with conversational Chickasaw language. The families strengthened their cultural identities and experienced quality bonding time.
Children also had numerous opportunities to learn and become fluent in the Chickasaw language. The first ever language sports camp was conducted during the summer. Camp instructors incorporated Chickasaw language with sports to create a fun and unique way to learn the language. Likewise, Chickasaw language flash cards continue to be mailed out to Chickasaw youth up to five years of age.
The office of historic preservation and repatriation continues to handle complex, large‑scale projects that involve the cooperation of local, state and federal governments working with the Chickasaw Nation. Working with a variety of private and governmental agencies, the office ensures that new construction and development do not destroy ancient village and burial sites located on the Chickasaw Nation's historic homelands.
The Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities kicked off its exhibits program with Chikashasha Holba Himitta Ikbi (Contemporary Chickasaw Art) featuring the work of Chickasaw artists Brent Greenwood and Natasha Wagner at the McSwain art gallery located on the second floor of the McSwain Theatre in Ada. The gallery at the McSwain Theatre will feature various exhibits on a continuing basis and will feature both Native and non-Native art.
The Holba Kanali (Moving Pictures) Film Series launched in August at the McSwain Theatre and will continue as a monthly program focusing on Native American filmmakers. Filmmakers are invited to present their work and discuss the various issues brought up in the films as well as issues related to the business of independent film.
Traditional Chickasaw storytelling was taken around the globe this year by tribal storyteller Lorie Robins. Robins visited Amman, Jordan as part of a volunteer global peace mission. She also presented at festivals, youth camps, the Chickasaw Reunion and at several community council meetings. Tribal storytelling has developed into a tribal training opportunity under Robins' guidance. To date, 239 Chickasaw Nation employees have been introduced to the art of storytelling.
Other accomplishments:
- They Know Who They Are, a collection of paintings of Chickasaw elders by renowned Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen, was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award in the Design Category.
- The Living History Players and the Chickasaw Theater Company performed at various festivals and events throughout the year including the Bois d'arc Festival in Tupelo, Mississippi.
- At the Te Ata Fisher Employee Art Show nearly 200 visitors viewed original artworks by 35 artists. The panel of judges recognized 54 award winners in 19 categories.
Chickasaw Cultural Center
The state-of-the-art facility nears completion
In FY 2009, the Chickasaw Nation made tremendous strides toward the completion of the Chickasaw Cultural Center. The construction phase of the project is nearing completion and exhibits are currently being installed. Chickasaws were able to visit and tour the facility during the 2009 Annual Meeting and Festival. This state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open in 2010.
Located on 109 acres next to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area west of Sulphur, Oklahoma, the cultural center will incorporate live performances, multimedia exhibits and galleries as well as natural outdoor spaces to share the story of the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation.
Highlights of the Chickasaw Cultural Center include:
- Chikashsha Poya Exhibit Center–The exhibit center, a re-creation of an 18th century council house, will serve as an orientation center. Throughout the center, visitors will be introduced to various aspects of Chickasaw culture through a variety of presentations, exhibits and museum guides.
- The Anoli' Theater–The theatre features a 2,400-square-foot screen and can seat 300 people. The theatre is fully equipped with digital picture and sound capabilities to give viewers an exceptional viewing experience.
- Aaimpa Café–The café is connected to the Anoli' Theater and will provide visitors a place to relax and enjoy refreshments. The Aaimpa Café's menu will feature a variety of traditional Chickasaw food items including corn, beans and squash as well as grape dumplings, a Chickasaw specialty.
- Kochcha' Aabiniili' Amphitheatre–The amphitheatre is a place for visitors to enjoy cultural demonstrations. The amphitheater will also host ceremonies, plays and live performances.
- Cultural Center grounds–The outdoor areas of the cultural center will include demonstration gardens, the Chikashsha Inchokka' Traditional Village and the Hall of Fame Honor Garden. The village is a recreation of a traditional Chickasaw village and will include a stomp dance ground and a stickball court.
