NMAI hosts Chickasaw Nation cultural event Nov. 3-4

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Chickasaw cultural demonstrators Michael Cornelius and Jeremy Wallace at the Chickasaw Cultural Center COURTESY PHOTO

WASHINGTON – The Chickasaw Nation presents “Chikasha Poya – We Are Chickasaw” November 3, 4 and 5 at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. as part of its Native American Heritage Month celebration.

“We are honored to be invited by the National Museum of the Native American Indian,” said Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. “This is a great opportunity for us to share our culture and our story with visitors from around the world.”

“Chikasha Poya” brings events from the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Okla. to the NMAI. Located on 109 acres of rolling hills, woodlands and streams, the Chickasaw Cultural center features more than 96,000 square-feet of indoor space.  

NMAI visitors will have the opportunity to learn Chickasaw traditions through demonstration booths, hands-on activities, on-site storytelling, live music, artist booths, language lessons and much more.

The event will also include special presentations by Chickasaw Nation historians and authors as well as Chickasaw musicians and the Chickasaw Dance Troupe. “Pearl,” the first feature film produced by the Chickasaw Nation, will be screened daily.

Many Chickasaw inspired dishes such as grape dumplings, Indian fry bread and Pashofa, will be available at the NMAI café.

Recipes for the dishes are included in “Ilimpa’chi’ (We’re Gonna Eat!): A Chickasaw Cookbook,” written by JoAnn Ellis and Vicki May Penner, who will make presentations and sign copies of the cookbook.

Recently published by the Chickasaw Press, the cookbook features favorite recipes of Penner and Ellis, some of which are translated into the Chickasaw language.

Cultural demonstrators will offer make and take classes where visitors can learn to make turbans, mini moccasins, stick-ball sticks, beaded necklaces, corn husk dolls and take the finished items with them.

The National Museum of the American Indian is the first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history and arts of Native Americans.

For more information, visit www.Chickasaw.net/NMAI.