Chickasaw Times :: Official publication of the Chickasaw Nation

Gov. Bill Anoatubby and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry participate in the American Indian Cultural Center ground blessing ceremony in Oklahoma City.

Haskell Alexander, Kirk Perry and other members of the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe take part in the Ground Blessing Ceremony Processional that included representatives from all 39 Oklahoma tribes.

Chickasaw Nation Princess Tamela Alexander signs the Lord’s Prayer along with other tribal royalty during the ground blessing ceremony.

Every child who has been blessed to enjoy a long walk across the unpaved Oklahoma land has wondered, “Who has walked here before?”

History books tell us of oil rigs, cattle drives and land runs, but the land tells a different story. The land that once had crude pumping through its veins now has a deeper history to reveal.

On November 1, on a little piece of land on the banks of the Oklahoma River, overseen by the Oklahoma City skyline, hands from all 39 Oklahoma tribes joined together to bless the ground from which the new American Indian Cultural Center will rise.

As part of the daylong ground blessing ceremony, each tribe had a part in preparing the site for the future home of the Center. Designed, constructed and operated by the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority (NACEA), the Center will help American Indian history come to life.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, who serves as the NACEA Board Chairman and co-chairman of the ground blessing committee, had been looking forward to this day for a while.

“This project was conceived more than 30 years ago by tribal leaders who wanted a space to celebrate American Indian culture,” Governor Anoatubby said. “I am so pleased to see it finally reach this phase in the planning. I believe every Chickasaw and native Oklahoman will be proud of this project.”

The Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe and Chickasaw Children’s Choir were among several dancers, drum groups, tribal royalty and delegates that offered gratitude and blessings. The day was set aside as a special time to heal the land that was once an oil drilling field. This special place will soon become a place of significance to every Oklahoma tribe.

The Center will house cultural exhibits, original artwork, hours of video footage and many special features. It is destined to become a mainstay on hundreds of elementary schools’ field trip agendas. Young Oklahomans with bright eyes and inquisitive minds will gaze upon tangible history lessons and will discover what text books will fail to convey.

As they enjoy a long walk through the past, they will learn, and forever know, who has walked here before.