ADA – A dragon boat, kayaks and canoes gracefully slid atop Wintersmith Lake in Ada during a special program hosted by the Chickasaw Nation Riversport Youth Canoe/Kayak League. This marked the first time in approximately 20 years such an event was conducted on the local lake.
Approximately 100 individuals took part in the program which was two years in the making through cooperative efforts with the city of Ada.
Aasim Saleh, Chickasaw Nation Riversport program director, said one of the most enthusiastic boaters Saturday was Ada city manager Cody Holcomb, who brought his family to the park to participate.
"There were lots of people who came up and said they had not seen a boat or canoe on the lake in 18-20 years," Saleh said. "People said scouts and youth would camp on the banks and enjoy boating."
Many are interested in bringing the event back to the area soon.
"Everybody was really positive about the event Saturday and we are dedicated to bringing our boats and expertise to the heart of the Chickasaw Nation in the future," he said.
Chickasaws, having lived and navigated the Mississippi River for centuries in the ancestral territories of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, are getting reacquainted with boating through the Nation's Riversport program.
"It is in our blood," Saleh said.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby's determination to see Chickasaw youth become knowledgeable about their heritage spurred on the Chickasaw Nation Riversport League, Saleh said.
On hand to help Chickasaws and others learn the art of kayaking and canoeing was Chickasaw youth Garrett Wampler, who became the first Canoe/Kayak Nationals gold medalist for the Chickasaw Nation during competition last year in Seattle, Wash.
Wampler, then 12, was a member of the OKC Riversport Chickasaw Paddling Team and raced for Oklahoma City in the men's 1000 meter event. He was the first participant to join the Chickasaw paddling program when it launched in Oklahoma City in 2011, Saleh said.
On June 22, between 700-800 Chickasaws – youth, elders, and in between –will be hosted by the OKC Boathouse Foundation at a special event called the Chickasaw Picnic.
"It is a fantastic event and this year will be the third year we've hosted it. Everyone has a really good time and the elders particularly love to see the dragon boat," Saleh said.
The boat resembles a traditional Chickasaw dugout – complete with drum -- and scales painted on the side resemble a gar fish, which has special meaning to the Chickasaw people, Saleh said.
