Native November
In the U.S., November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and acknowledge Indigenous people’s essential contributions to this country. Serving as an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise general awareness about the unique challenges Indigenous people have faced both historically and in the present, and how tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
As Choctaw people, celebrating and living out our culture is something we do every day. But every November, we plan many extra special events. Please join us in Choctaw Country to enjoy some of the best cultural experiences that Choctaw Nation has to offer.
Schedule
Dates/Times
Event(s)
Location/Description
Nov. 1, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Chahta Feast of the Dead
A time of celebration for families and the community to give remembrance to those who have passed on. Join us at the Choctaw RV Park for this traditional Choctaw burial custom to honor and remember our loved ones.
Nov. 1, 2024
Echo Chahta Anumpa Dub Release
Marvel Studios will release the final dubbed episode of its series Echo. Having Echo dubbed in Choctaw is an especially significant milestone for the tribe. Teresa Billy and other language experts worked diligently with Marvel Studios to ensure the highest level of accuracy in the translation process.
Nov. 1, 2024 10:30 a.m.
Celebrate at the Choctaw Cultural Center. Admission is complimentary for Choctaw tribal members and Cultural Center members.
Nov. 1-3, 2024
Make plans to join us as we kick off Native American month with one of the nation’s largest powwows. Experience the sights and sounds of dancers from all over the country. You won’t want to miss it! This event is open to the public, no tickets required.
Nov. 1-30, 2024
Join the Healthy Lifestyle and Warrior Wellness teams for a 250-mile journey honoring the brave Choctaw men who used their native language as an unbreakable code to help defeat the Germans.
Nov. 1-30, 2024
Travel Plazas Special
All CDIB card holders can receive a free fountain drink at any Choctaw Travel Plaza location and The Mercantile at Choctaw Landing during the month of November. Must present your CDIB card at checkout.
Nov. 2, 2024 10 a.m.
Honoring those who served our country and have some fun while doing it at the Talihina Health Care Center. The run includes a 1-mile route, 5K, 15K, or a three-person 15K relay. The routes will take you through scenic views of the area. In-person registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on race day.
Nov. 2, 2024
OU Native American Heritage Appreciation Day
The University of Oklahoma will be highlighting during the OU vs Maine football game. For discounted tickets, visit soonersports.com/promocode. Promo Code: NATIVE
Nov. 4, 2024
Heritage Day
This information-sharing event is designed to promote awareness of Choctaw tribal culture, heritage and history located at the Choctaw Nation Headquarters in Durant.
Nov. 4, 2024
Matriarch Monday
Choctaw Cultural Center Week of Giving; an online giving and silent auction of over 50 objects and experiences created by Choctaw artists opens. Proceeds from the online giving and auction will help bring school students to tour the Choctaw Cultural Center. All proceeds will be matched by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma dollar for dollar. Bids for auction items must be made in person at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Headquarters.
Auction items include:
- Custom Made Moccasins by Brad Jo
- Stickball Stick Making Experience with Brenner Billy
- Ribbon Skirt Making Experience with Gina South
- Photography Experience with Jeremy Spence
- Custom Pet Print with Natacia Mariot
- Customized Clothing Experience by Yasmine Del Rosario
- Custom Basket Purse by Aliyah Myers
- 2-Night Stay at the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, up to $350 at Steakhouse 1832, and up to $250 in spa services
- 1-Night Stay at Choctaw Landing and Free Play
Nov. 5, 2024
Teaching Tuesday
Choctaw Cultural Center Week of Giving; in-person auction opens at the Choctaw Cultural Center for over 50 objects and experiences created by Choctaw artists. Proceeds from the online giving and auction will help bring school students to tour the Choctaw Cultural Center. All proceeds will be matched by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma dollar for dollar. Bids for auction items must be made in person at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Headquarters or the Choctaw Cultural Center (items are identical are both locations).
Nov. 5, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Beading Experience
Traditional Choctaw beading has evolved from early shell and clay beads to commonly used bright-colored beads. While types of beads and patterns have changed, they remain highly valued due to the time and meticulous labor involved in their creation. Many pieces of this wearable art are passed down through generations. Join us for a brief guided tour of the evolution of Choctaw beading and a hands-on workshop on beading a basic retractable badge reel. Workshop will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 5, 2024 2-4 p.m.
Beading Experience
Traditional Choctaw beading has evolved from early shell and clay beads to commonly used bright-colored beads. While types of beads and patterns have changed, they remain highly valued due to the time and meticulous labor involved in their creation. Many pieces of this wearable art are passed down through generations. Join us for a brief guided tour of the evolution of Choctaw beading and a hands-on workshop on beading a basic retractable badge reel. Workshop will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 6, 2024
Workshop Wednesday
Choctaw Cultural Center Week of Giving; several workshops will be available at the Choctaw Cultural Center (see below).
Nov. 6, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Diamond Apron Workshop
Fall months align with the Choctaw traditional calendar of the hunger months. A unique way to celebrate these months was to prepare Choctaw food during the winter. Prepare for our upcoming cooking holidays as you learn to hand fold and stitch diamonds onto a cooking apron, and remember our heritage when family gatherings commence. Workshop will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 6, 2024 1-2:30 p.m.
Elbow Basket Workshop
Choctaw people have a wide variety of basketry for many uses in Choctaw life. Choctaw elbow baskets were used for gathering and storing wildflowers and herbs and for Choctaw weddings. Be a part of the tradition by using your hands to make a miniature version of this basket that complements the seasons. Workshop will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 6, 2024 3-4:30 p.m.
Beaded Keychain Workshop
Beadwork has changed over the years and is used in many different contemporary ways. Join us in learning a new type of beaded keychain through this step-by-step class that allows you to develop your own style. Workshop will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 6, 2024
Wear Your Regalia Day
Every Wednesday during Native American Heritage Month will be Wear Your Regalia Day. Show your Choctaw pride in style.
Nov. 6, 2024
Dr. Karina Walters
WebEx; additional details to come
Nov. 7, 2024
Tasting Thursday
Choctaw Cultural Center Week of Giving; enjoy samples of delicious desserts from the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Champuli Café. Stop by the silent auction during your visit.
Nov. 8, 2024
Fellowship Friday
Chukka Mudding; Choctaw Cultural Center Week of Giving; drop by the silent auctions at the Choctaw Cultural Center or Tribal Headquarters and pick up your 10% off coupon for Champuli Café.
Nov. 8, 2024 12 p.m.
In-Person Auction Closes
Stop by the Choctaw Nation Headquarters and check out the 50 auction items and experiences created by Choctaw artists before the deadline.
Nov. 8, 2024 12-4 p.m.
Join us at the Choctaw Cultural Center‘s Living Village, where you will be able to participate and learn from the cultural educators how our ancestors prepared the chukkas for winter. You will help with applying a clay/mud mixture to the bare chukka.
Nov. 9, 2024
Stickball Saturday
Choctaw Cultural Center Week of Giving; the in-person auction at the Choctaw Cultural Center closes at 2 p.m.
Nov. 9, 2024 1-1:30 p.m.
Glow in the Dark Stickball Demonstration
Experience and participate in a one-of-a-kind stickball demonstration… in the dark. Demonstration will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 9, 2024 2:30-3 p.m.
Glow in the Dark Stickball Demonstration
Experience and participate in a one-of-a-kind stickball demonstration… in the dark. Demonstration will be held at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 9, 2024 2 p.m.
SE Choctaw Game at SOSU
The culture of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) will be spotlighted when the Savage Storm Football team takes on the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns at Paul Laird Field on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. Before the game, tailgate with CNO’s College FYI at Tailgate Alley.
Nov. 11, 2024
Choctaw Nation/Choctaw Cultural Center Closed
Choctaw Nation facilities will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Nov. 11, 2024 11 a.m.
Choctaw Veterans Day Ceremony
Join us at the Tvshka Homma Capitol Grounds as we express our gratitude and honor our Choctaw veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Nov. 12-16, 2024
Rock Your Mocs Week
Wear your moccasins, take a photo, create a video or story, add the hashtag #RockYourMocs and upload it to social media for the world to see and enjoy.
Nov. 13, 2024
Wear Your Regalia Day
Every Wednesday during Native American Heritage Month will be Wear Your Regalia Day. Show your Choctaw pride in style.
Nov. 13, 2024
The Long History of Choctaw Hymns
WebEx; Choctaw Hymns are an important part of the Choctaw culture, both past and present. Many date back to before the Trail of Tears. Learn about the words and music, history and current usage of the hymns from Choctaw Language Teacher Chantelle Standefer. Registration coming soon
Nov. 15, 2024
Cultural Outreach is hosting a WebEx workshop where you can learn how to make mini pucker toe moccasins. Supplies are not provided for this class. Kits are available for purchase in-person at the Hvshi Gift Store at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 15, 2024 7 p.m.
This monthly series features a wide range of films designed around a fun, family-friendly theme at the Choctaw Cultural Center.
Nov. 16, 2024 11 a.m
Celebrating our dedicated volunteers of the Choctaw Cultural Center‘s Ibaiaya Volunteer Program. A special occasion to express our gratitude for the incredible contributions of our volunteers and a day to recognize and thank those who have made a difference in our community through their selfless efforts.
Nov. 19, 2024
Wear Red Day
Wear red to raise awareness and draw attention to missing or murdered Indigenous people.
Nov. 20, 2024
Wear Your Regalia Day
Every Wednesday during Native American Heritage Month will be Wear Your Regalia Day. Show your Choctaw pride in style.
Nov. 20, 2024
Diverse Contemporary Choctaw Art Discussion
WebEx; Learn about the latest gallery exhibition at the Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant‘s Gallery, featuring Choctaw artwork by six Choctaw artists (Dylan Cavin, Wani Marshall Coker, Rhiana Deck, Edmon Perkins, Gregg Standridge, and Eveline Steele.) The exhibition highlights a variety of diverse contemporary art, challenging outdated notions of what Native American artwork is – presented by Claire Young, Choctaw Nation Public Arts Manager. Registration coming soon
Nov. 23-24, 2024
Choctaw Nation Closed
Choctaw Nation facilities closed in observance Thanksgiving.
Nov. 27, 2024
Wear Your Regalia Day
Every Wednesday during Native American Heritage Month will be Wear Your Regalia Day. Show your Choctaw pride in style.
Nov. 27, 2024
Bobby Von Martin
WebEx; additional details to come
Nov. 27, 2024
Choctaw Nation/Choctaw Cultural Center Close Early
All offices will close early in observance of Thanksgiving.
Nov. 28, 2024
Choctaw Nation/Choctaw Cultural Center Closed
Choctaw Nation facilities closed in observance Thanksgiving.
Nov. 29, 2024
Choctaw Nation Closed
All offices will be closed to celebrate American Indian Heritage Day.
