History in the making: 2024 was packed with Choctaw cultural excitement

It was a busy and exciting year for cultural events and activities in 2024. Here are just a few of the highlights from the past year.

Chahta Anumpa Allkhvna, the Choctaw language program, served over 4,000 people with its wide range of language teaching tools. The program also graduated 15 students from the Language Apprenticeship Program.

Choctaw Nation partnered with Boeing to send heirloom seeds on SpaceX’s 29th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the Internal Space Station. Five types of seeds, exposed to microgravity for several months before returning to Earth, will be grown alongside non-flown space seeds for study. Students at Jones Academy will study the growth of both seed groups in a CNO Growing Hope Garden to see if the exposure to space affected their development. They will be integrated into the middle school earth-sky STEM curriculum designed for NASA’s Science Activation program, Native Earth | Native Sky, at Oklahoma State University.

A sculpture, Eternal Heart, honoring the Choctaw Irish connection, was unveiled at Tvshka Homma during the Labor Day Festival. The 8-foot-tall sculpture was built by Choctaw tribal member Samuel Stitt and was a joint commission funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation.

A solar eclipse in April drew visitors from all over the country to the Choctaw Nation reservation and its path of totality. Viewing events were hosted in several locations, and attendees participated in traditional Choctaw cultural activities.

The Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement, announced by the Inter-tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, allows hunting and fishing licenses issued through each tribe to be recognized by the other tribal participants in the agreement.

Disney+ began public streaming of ECHO, part of Marvel’s Phase 5. The series focused on its character, Maya Lopez, and its Choctaw heritage and Indigenous roots. Several Choctaw tribal members were featured and consulted on the series.

In March, new School of Choctaw Language teachers were certified and recognized by the Tribal Council.

The Choctaw Nation Cultural Center hosted a Spring Equinox Celebration, and visitors came together to observe and participate in a day of cultural learning about how the changing of the seasons historically impacted Choctaw people.

Artwork by seven Choctaw artists was displayed throughout the year at the Choctaw Nation Headquarters lobby gallery.

Chief Batton’s Easter Celebration, for all ages, was held at Tvshka Homma, and the annual Trail of Tears Memorial Walk was commemorated and attended by hundreds to honor our ancestors.

A Memorial Day celebration included a wreath-laying ceremony, and a 21-gun salute was held at the Choctaw Nation Capitol Grounds at Tvshka Homma.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) donated over $200,000 to help preserve the Choctaw language of the tribe. Benefits will reach 39 public schools, Jones Academy, and college-level school students.

The Okla Chahta annual gathering took place in May in Bakersfield, California, drawing crowds to learn more about their culture and enjoy fellowship with other tribal members. Community meetings were also held in other states throughout the year to keep tribal members connected with each other, engaged in Choctaw traditions and cultural activities, and informed of programs and services.

The Choctaw Cultural Center hosted the “Okhvta Chito Okhoatali” exhibit from July through November, showcasing a collection of Choctaw artifacts from the 1700s. The exhibit featured part of the Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac’s French royal collections of North America. In a unique collaboration, staff from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Historic Preservation Department assisted in its preparation.

Choctaw Nation stickball teams, Tvshka Homma and Tvshkahomma Ohoyo, participated in the World Series of Stickball Tournament in Mississippi.

The Labor Day Festival was held at Tvshka Homma. From cultural education to musical entertainment, it is always a crowd pleaser.

Youth camps ran from May through August, with over 2,200 registrations. They offered a wide range of activities for various interests, including many of a cultural nature.

Choctaw Nation’s annual powwow was held in Durant, giving dancers and guests a weekend of Choctaw culture, heritage, and unity. Tribes from all over the U.S. traveled to Durant to participate.

November saw many cultural and traditional events, gatherings, teaching and learning opportunities. Native November was filled with something for everyone, including Choctaw Hymns, Choctaw artwork, foods and much more.

Choctaw veterans were honored at the annual Choctaw Veterans Day Ceremony. The event, held at Tvshka Homma, honored Chahta men and women who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. military.

A proclamation commemorating the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces men and women was signed, declaring the Choctaw Nation a “Purple Heart Reservation.”

The Code Talker Virtual Walk was held during the month of November, and a new Choctaw Nation Veteran Archive Website was introduced.

Chief Batton announced that the first-ever film to shoot on the Choctaw Nation Reservation, Brave, will begin production in Summer 2025.

Next year will be just as busy and exciting as this year has been, with more reasons to celebrate our faith, family and culture as members of the Great Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. We hope you will join in as many of the activities as you are able.