Source: Chicksaw Nation Media Relations
Loski (turtle) races, moccasin making, a stickball tournament, Chickasaw games and a cornstalk shoot will be the highlights of the 16th annual Chikasha Ittifama (Chickasaw Reunion) set Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, at Kullihoma.
The gathering is free and welcomes Chickasaw and guests from across the country.
“Chikasha Ittifama is a special time for Chickasaw people to celebrate and share our culture, heritage and traditions. This annual reunion offers an opportunity for Chickasaws and friends from across the country to renew friendships and develop new relationships,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.
Chikasha Ittifama will begin at 5 p.m. Friday with posting of the colors by the Chickasaw Honor Guard and an opening prayer followed by a hamburger fry, youth and co-ed stickball, cultural demonstrations and a social dance.
The cultural demonstrations will include corn husk dolls, beadwork, moccasin making, Chickasaw games, language, basket weaving and traditional clothing.
Saturday’s events will begin at 9 a.m. and include a youth fishing derby, cornstalk shooting contest, youth and adult archery competitions, squirrel-stick throw, loksi (turtle) races and stickball tournament.
A traditional meal of pishofa, fry bread, salt meat and grape dumplings will be served Saturday for lunch.
For guests wishing to stay the night, overnight camping spaces are available including tent spaces and a limited number of RV hook ups.
To reach the site, travel to the Kullihoma sign seven miles northeast of Ada on S. H. 1, then travel three miles east and one mile south.
For information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Resources at (580) 332-8685.