Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting, Festival Set Sept. 25 – Oct. 3

Activities for the 27th Chickasaw Festival begin Friday, Sept. 25, and culminate with the 55th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation Saturday, Oct. 3.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby announced "Chikasha Poya: We are Chickasaw," as the theme for this year's Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and Chickasaw Festival.

"Chickasaws share a unique culture and unconquerable spirit which binds us together as a people," said Governor Anoatubby. "While we live out that culture and spirit every day, the annual meeting and festival offers a special opportunity to reconnect with family and friends to celebrate all it means to be Chickasaw."

Numerous activities and events celebrating Chickasaw heritage, history and customs will be featured at different venues throughout the Chickasaw Nation, including the cities of Tishomingo, Emet and Ada, the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur and Kullihoma.

Annual Meeting

The 55th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation is highlighted by Gov. Anoatubby's "State of the Nation" Address. Annual Meeting is 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at Fletcher Auditorium on the campus of Murray State College in Tishomingo.

A live video and audio stream of the Annual Meeting and State of the Nation address by Gov. Anoatubby will be available on the Chickasaw Nation website and KCNP Radio. Live broadcast on KCNP Radio and the Chickasaw Nation website will begin at 8:30 a.m.

A live webcast can be accessed by logging on to http://www.chickasaw.net/annualmeeting on any mobile device and clicking on the State of the Nation web stream link. An audio broadcast can be accessed at http://www.kcnpradio.org, or on KCNP 89.5 FM in the Ada, Okla., area.

Immediately following Governor Anoatubby's "State of the Nation" address, the Festival Parade will proceed along Tishomingo's Main Street.

A wide variety of exciting events and activities will be conducted throughout Tishomingo Oct. 3, including tours of the historic Chickasaw Capitol and Chickasaw White House in Emet. Children's activities, a petting zoo, Horseshoe tournament, cultural classes, storytelling, living history vignettes, Stomp Dance demonstrations and a book signing by Chickasaw Press authors will be conducted on the Capitol grounds.

A health fair and traditional meal will be conducted at Murray State College campus, beginning at 11:30 a.m. and a Fast pitch softball tournament begins at 9 a.m. at the Johnston County Sports Complex.

The Southeastern Art Show and Market opens at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2, and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, on the south side of the Capitol grounds.

Numerous traditional events, including the Chickasaw Princess Pageant, Cultural Evening, Arts and Cultural Awards, children's activities and more are planned for the weeklong homecoming that celebrates Chickasaw heritage, culture, spirit and traditions.

A complete listing of events, locations and schedules is available online at http://www.chickasaw.net/annualmeeting. For more information, call (580) 371-2040 or 1 (800) 593-3356 or visit the Chickasaw Nation Facebook page at facebook.com/TheChickasawNation or twitter.com/ChickasawNation.

Event schedule is subject to change. Please visit often for the latest event updates.