Labor Day Festival is a Choctaw Nation Labor of Love

One of my favorite Choctaw Nation events that I attend is the annual Labor Day Festival. For many years, the nation has set aside the holiday weekend as a time of faith, family, and culture where all our friends and family have a chance to have fun and fellowship together.

The festival honors Choctaw culture and our ancestors who made the Choctaw Nation what it is today – a thriving, progressive, sovereign, self-em-powered tribe. There are many cultural events on the schedule, such as stickball games, the princess pageant, arts and crafts, dancing and native arts and crafts. There will also be concerts, a free 5k run and much more! There are many festival events, and there is something that will surely cater to your idea of entertainment and fun – and yes, there will be carnival rides and great food as well! This year’s festival is from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. Chief Batton will kick off the festival with a welcome address to the festival at 4 p.m. at the Amphi-theater.

At 1 p.m. the Chief, along with members of the Government of Ireland, will dedicate a new statue, called Eternal Heart, on the Choctaw Capitol grounds that embodies the friendship between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland. Eternal Heart was selected after a call for submissions. The project is funded jointly by the Choctaw Nation and the Government of Ireland. The winning entry was submitted by a member of the Choctaw Nation, Samuel Stitt, of Spokane Valley in Washington state.

The design incorporates both Choctaw and Irish symbolism, with the Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart. The Choctaw and Irish relationship began in 1847, when the Choctaws, who had only recently arrived from “trail of tears and death” to what is now Oklahoma, took up a donation and collected over $5,000 (in today’s money) to support the Irish during the potato famine. The famine ravaged Ireland
during the 1840s. The donation was given with such kindness that it forged an unbreakable bond between the Irish and Choctaw that thrives still today.

On Sunday, festival attendees can attend our church services and stay for the Chahta gospel singing. The festival is rooted in our faith, and that will be on display throughout the event. We have entertainment and concerts during the festival, and you are invited to come out to enjoy the weekend with free admission. Take in all the Choctaw Nation has to offer and learn about the Chahta Spirit of Faith, Family and Culture while also having good food, fellowship, entertainment and fun.