Three days of special entertainment and fun will take place at the Chickasaw Cultural Center during the Awa Talhlhá'pi: 15-Year Anniversary celebration July 24-26. Festivities will include a daily art market, stomp dance demonstrations, presentations, cultural activities and more.
The celebration will take place daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Chickasaw Cultural Center is located at 867 Cooper Memorial Road, Sulphur, Oklahoma.
Activities Thursday, July 24, begin with the Chickasaw Princesses performing the Lord’s Prayer in sign language. The Chickasaw Princesses will remain at the cultural center for photo opportunities. The Chickasaw Press will conduct a book signing and readings at 1 p.m. with featured Chickasaw author Gabriel Cannon. Stomp dance demonstrations take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by a cultural preservation presentation at 3 p.m.
Activities Friday, July 25, include stomp dance demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., a tribal dance demonstration at noon, a cultural identity presentation at 1 p.m., and storytelling at 3 p.m.
Activities Saturday, July 26, begin with hymn singing at 10 a.m., stomp dances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., a musical performance by Redmen Blues Band at noon and again at 3 p.m., and a language preservation presentation at 1 p.m.
Chickasaw cultural demonstrations will take place daily.
Along with the festivities, booths will provide activities and information on cultural topics such as Chickasaw language and horticulture, as well as Chickasaw Nation programs and services.
Access to the Chickasaw Cultural Center’s amenities, including the Chikasha Inchokka' Traditional Village, Aaholiitobli' Honor Garden and Holisso: The Center for Study of Chickasaw History and Culture, is open to patrons at no charge.
The Chickasaw Cultural Center hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Weather permitting, the Chikasha Inchokka' Traditional Village opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m.
About the Chickasaw Cultural Center
The world-class Chickasaw Cultural Center opened in 2010 and provides visitors with a place to learn and embrace the rich history and traditions of the Chickasaw people. One of the largest tribal cultural centers in the United States, the campus is located in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation, in south-central Oklahoma.
The center uses theatrical environments, interactive media stations and state-of-the-art technology to share Chickasaw history, language, culture and the arts. Since opening, the Chickasaw Cultural Center has hosted more than 1 million visitors.
Combining natural architectural elements and picturesque scenery, the 184-acre campus provides activities and adventures year-round for visitors of all ages. Guests experience many aspects of Chickasaw culture such as art, food, storytelling, dance, music, film, language and history.
For more information, visit ChickasawCulturalCenter.com or call (580) 622-7130.