"Spirit of a Nation" Theme for 52nd Annual Meeting and 24th Annual Chickasaw Festival.
People from across the United States will gather in southern Oklahoma to celebrate the "Spirit of a Nation" during the 2012 Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival, Sept. 28-Oct. 6.
"For generations, Chickasaws in every walk of life have demonstrated a spirit of community, creativity and determination," said Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. "This year we will join with family and friends for a special celebration of arts and culture honoring the Chickasaw spirit."
This year marks the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and the 24th Annual Chickasaw Festival.
Numerous events are planned for the week-long celebration of Chickasaw heritage, culture and tradition.
Activities will take place in Tishomingo, Emet, Kullihoma, Ada and Sulphur, Okla.
Annual Meeting Oct. 6
The Annual Meeting, which is highlighted by Gov. Anoatubby's "State of the Nation" Address, begins at 9 a.m., Sat., Oct. 6 at Fletcher Auditorium on the campus of Murray State College in Tishomingo.
Immediately following the address, the Festival Parade will begin on Main Street in Tishomingo.
A wide variety of exciting events and activities will be conducted throughout Tishomingo October 6, at the historic Chickasaw Capitol, Pennington Park, Murray State College campus, Johnston County Sports complex and other venues.
These events are the culmination of a weeklong celebration which begins Friday, Sept. 28.
Schedule of Events
A traditional Stomp Dance from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday, Sept. 28 at Kullihoma opens the festivities.
Several events are planned Sat., Sept. 29, including a traditional corn stalk shoot, a golf tournament, Junior Olympics, Senior Olympics and a co-ed softball tournament.
The Chickasaw Princess Pageant will be conducted at 6 p.m., Oct. 1 in Ada.
This year, the Arts and Culture Awards will be conducted at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4.at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, in conjunction with Cultural Evening, which begins at 4 p.m.
Cultural tours for area schools in Tishomingo; tours of the Chickasaw White House and Chickasaw Cultural Center will be available Tuesday-Friday.
For more information, including a schedule of events and vendor applications, visit www.chickasaw.net/annualmeeting or call (580) 371-2040 or 1 (800) 593-3356.
Event schedule is subject to change. Please visit often for the latest event updates.
Annual Meeting available via live web cast
Chickasaw citizens and friends around the world can view the Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and State of the Nation live via the web this year.
The 52nd Annual Meeting entitled "Spirit of a Nation" will be broadcast from Tishomingo on both the web and the airwaves live beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6.
A live web cast can be accessed by logging on to www.chickasaw.net and clicking on the State of the Nation web stream link.
An audio broadcast can be accessed at www.kcnpradio.org.
In the Ada, Okla., area, Annual Meeting can be heard on KCNP 89.5 FM.
The Annual Meeting is called to order at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time, 10 a.m. Eastern, 8 a.m. Mountain, 7 a.m. Pacific.
