Celebrating our tribal history and warrior tradition

Chokma! November is always a special time and opportunity to observe Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate our shared history, culture and heritage.

This month also includes a special opportunity to recognize Veterans Day and honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Chickasaws have a long tradition of answering the call to serve. We are grateful to our Chickasaw veterans and all who have and continue to serve across all branches of the military. Their courage and dedication reflect the values of responsibility and service to others, and they are important parts of our history and story today.

For Chickasaws, our cultural heritage is more than history found in books — it is lived every day. It can be heard in our language, seen in our artwork and traditional dances, shared through stories of our people and experienced through the many gatherings and activities that bring us together.

Our story is of a people who faced tremendous challenges while remaining committed to one another and to the preservation of our identity. From our Homeland, through Removal and our experiences in Indian Territory, generations of Chickasaws worked to ensure our traditions, values and government would continue.

Today, we are fortunate to have more opportunities than ever to learn about and participate in our culture. We have made significant investments in preserving our story and making it accessible to Chickasaws everywhere. The Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, provides an outstanding place to experience our culture through exhibits, demonstrations, traditional arts, storytelling and other programs. It is a place where Chickasaws can reconnect with our heritage and where people from around the world can learn more about who we are.

We also offer many opportunities to learn our Chickasaw language. Language classes, camps, various programs and online resources like Rosetta Stone Chickasaw offer ways to begin or strengthen language learning.

As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month and remember those who came before us, let us also look forward with optimism and confidence. The Chickasaw people have always understood the importance of preparing for the future while honoring the past. We will continue to preserve our language. We will continue to protect and share our history. We will continue to celebrate our traditions and support opportunities for our citizens to experience and learn from them.

Most importantly, we will continue passing these gifts from one generation to the next.

May we celebrate our history, live our culture and look forward to an even brighter future together. Chikasha Poya!