Chickasaw Outpost offers unique collections, gifts

This article appeared in the October 2018 edition of the Chickasaw Times

ADA, Okla. - The Chickasaw Outpost recently went live with its new online storefront. The new front offers a unique collection of Native American merchandise to a global market.

Since 2003, the Chickasaw Outpost has maintained a Main Street storefront in downtown Ada, neighboring the historic McSwain Theatre. Shopkeepers keep an inventory representing many Native nations.

That variety is apparent in the types of items available as well as the designs used. Popular adornments including bolo ties, belt buckles, necklaces and earrings fill store displays. Pendleton blankets and mugs are stocked and available.

Southeastern, Southwestern and Plains Indian patterns and symbols cover merchandise. Shoppers can expect traditional aesthetics such as the medicine wheel, diamonds, buffalo, horses, feathers and the warrior, among others.

One of the more prevalent symbols at the Outpost is the Great Seal of the Chickasaw Nation. Depicted on the seal is one of the Chickasaw Nation’s great leaders, Tishomingo.

The colors of the seal represent purity (gold), honor and pride (purple). The warrior leader is depicted wearing feathers representing the four directions. A deerskin shield represents guardianship, a hickory bow represents hunting prowess. The river and landscape in the background depict the Mississippi river and the Chickasaw Homeland.

Anyone interested in digging deeper into Chickasaw history and stories will find the Chickasaw Outpost a useful resource. A large collection of media - movies, books, comics and audio discs - cover Chickasaw-centric topics.

The Chickasaw Nation produces documentaries and feature films that tell its own stories, share its history, culture and traditions. With DVDs and Blu-ray discs, viewers can relive moments in time that are of great significance to the Chickasaw Nation and its people.

Titles available at the Chickasaw Outpost include “Bearer of the Morning: The Life of Te Ata Thompson Fisher,” “Te Ata,” “First Encounter” and “Pearl.”

Chickasaw Press and White Dog Press print books including “Dynamic Chickasaw Women,” “Piominko - Chickasaw Leader,” “Te Ata - Chickasaw Storyteller (American Treasure Collector’s Edition)” and “Never Give Up: The Life of Pearl Carter Scott,” are among the offerings at the Outpost.

The comic book series “Chickasaw Adventures” follows a young Chickasaw boy named Johnny as he discovers his heritage by traveling back in time to important historical moments and places.

Anyone can find gifts and resources anytime online at www.ChickasawOutpost.com. For patrons who wish to browse in person or chat with friendly faces, the Outpost location is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding national holidays) at 132 W. Main in Ada.

For more information, call (580) 332-1458.