Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby has proclaimed October 2011 as the National Arts and Humanities Month in the Chickasaw Nation.
"The arts and humanities enhance and enrich the lives of all Americans by encouraging creativity and expression," Gov. Anoatubby said. "This celebration is an excellent opportunity for the Chickasaw citizens and community members to explore the rich culture of the Chickasaw Nation as well as engage in meaningful dialogue."
To celebrate the proclamation, several fun and exciting events have been planned by the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities.
Southeastern Art Show and Market
Friday – Saturday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 1
Chickasaw Nation Capitol Grounds, Tishomingo, Okla.
Adult and youth artists from the Southeastern and Woodland tribes showcase and market their artworks on the beautiful historic Chickasaw Capitol grounds during the 2011 Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival.
"Carry the Fire" Native Humanities Forum
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6
Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities building
201 North Broadway, Ada, Okla.
This forum is an opportunity for public dialogue between Native and non-Native sectors on Native humanities for the development and welfare of local communities, regions and the State of Oklahoma. The forum will be conducted in the facility's Black Box Theatre. A panel of five scholars led by Dr. Thomas Cowger will discuss basic tenets of the humanities, historic contributions of Native and non-Native humanities, important current initiatives and cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. Dr. Cowger is the Chickasaw Nation endowed chair of the Department of History and Native Studies at East Central University in Ada.
Panel members include:
Dr. Alvin O. Turner, emeritus dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at East Central University in Ada;
Linda Hogan, a Chickasaw poet, novelist, essayist, playwright and environmentalist as well as Chickasaw Nation writer-in-residence;
Rachel C. Jackson, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma instructor for Kiowa Clemente Course in the Humanities and a doctoral student at the University of Oklahoma in Norman; and
Dr. Jason Murray, East Central University professor of English.
In a question-and-answer format, this two-hour forum will invite questions from the audience during discussions by scholars. This program is funded in part by the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH.
Holba' Kana'li Film Series: "The Dead Can't Dance"
2 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20
McSwain Theatre
130 W. Main, Ada, Okla.
The film revolves around three Native American men, who discover they are somehow immune to a mysterious plague that is turning everyone else into zombies. The Holba' Kana'li film series showcases Native American-made independent films that address the issues of Native American and Indigenous peoples.
The Nature of Art Workshop
11 a.m., 11:25 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities building
201 North Broadway, Ada, Okla.
The Nature of Art is a 20-minute workshop where participants can create a pin or a magnet. The workshops are open to all ages, but all children (under 16) must have an accompanying adult. All participants must enroll by Oct. 15. There is a limit of 20 participants per each of the three classes.
Spooky Tales
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27
Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities building
201 North Broadway, Ada, Okla.
Celebrate the Halloween with storytelling by Lorie Robbins, Dixie Brewer and Stephanie Scott. The event will be conducted in the facility's Black Box Theatre. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or mats to sit on.
For more information, visit www.chickasaw.net/ah or call (580) 272-5520.
About Oklahoma Humanities Council:
As the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) is mandated to provide the citizens of Oklahoma with opportunities to learn about the human experience through programs based on humanities disciplines. These disciplines include subjects such as: history, language, literature, film studies, art history and criticism, archaeology, jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy. The humanities are a vehicle to understanding the human experience—the diverse history, traditions, and cultures of the world. It is only through this quest for understanding that we cultivate the wisdom and vision that democracy demands. For more information, please visit www.okhumanitiescouncil.org.
