Celebrating our progress together

The time for this year’s Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival, a celebration of our tribal progress and culture, is quickly approaching. This is a special time of year when Chickasaws from across the country and all walks of life will gather in our historic capital city of Tishomingo to enjoy and take part in Chickasaw culture and fellowship.

This year, we are celebrating our 64th Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation and 36th Annual Chickasaw Festival, with events taking place September 27 through October 5.

We are thrilled to welcome you and your family and friends for entertainment, cultural activities, food and more. With events taking place in multiple locations across the Chickasaw Nation, there will be plenty of opportunity for fellowship and connection throughout the week.

The festivities will start Friday, September 27 with a golf tournament in Tishomingo, fastpitch softball in Ada and a social stickball match and stomp dance at Kullihoma.

Activities will continue into the weekend with a 1-mile fun run and 5k run in Tishomingo, the kid and adult cornstalk shoots at Kullihoma. Athletics, including a pickleball tournament and Junior Olympics take place in Tishomingo, while a stickball tournament will be played at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur. The annual Pontotoc Pursuit bike ride will once again take place at Wintersmith Park in Ada.

On Monday, September 30, the Chickasaw Princess Pageant will take place at the Ada Cougar Activity Center on the campus of Ada High School. Stickball demonstrations and educational tours will begin taking place Tuesday on the Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol building grounds in Tishomingo.

The always popular Senior Olympics take place throughout the day, Wednesday, October 2, as well as the historic Chickasaw church tour. This year, attendees will be visiting Mitchell Memorial Church in Ada.

On Thursday, October 3, the Chickasaw Cultural Center will host the annual Cultural Evening and Arts and Culture Awards. The Chickasaw Press will also be releasing this year’s new books during the event.

The talent and works of a number of incredible First American artists will be on display at the Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) beginning Friday, October 4 at the Chickasaw Nation Historical Capitol building grounds. Be sure to visit to browse the variety of unique and remarkable works of art.

This year’s events will culminate Saturday, October 5, with the Annual Meeting of the Chickasaw Nation, which includes the State of the Nation Address, at 9 a.m. at the Aiitafama’ Ishto facility in Tishomingo.

A full day of fun will follow, beginning with our annual parade taking place on downtown Tishomingo’s Main Street. Arts and crafts vendors, cultural demonstrations, kids’ activities, music, food and more will take place throughout the day.

Each year, we come together during the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival to celebrate our progress, history and heritage as a people and as a sovereign government. We look forward to enjoying this time with you all!