Thousands of years of culture and history of the Choctaw people are presented in a fascinating experience for the family at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant.
The Choctaw Cultural Center is dedicated to exploring, preserving, and showcasing the Choctaw story. The exhibits are immersive and told from the Choctaw perspective – honoring the physical and spiritual journey of the Choctaw people, the “Chahta Nowvt Aya.”
Following are a few activities happening this summer at the center: Current: On display throughout the summer is “Bolukta: Mississippian Designs, Medallions, and Modern Choctaw Art” featuring recent works by award-winning Choctaw artist Jane Semple Umsted.
Current: Cultural center workshops for youth and adults run all summer. Many are free with tribal or center membership. Check the website for times, multiple dates, and other details for programs such as Fruit Leather (like beef jerky) for adults; Tye Dyeing for kids; and Cooking Traditional Foods, such as fry bread, grape dumplings, and tanchi labona, for all ages.
Coming up: Stickball is an ancient sport still played today. Tournaments and exhibition games take place on playing fields across the Choctaw Reservation. The Choctaw Cultural Center Arena is a state-of-the-art location for these thrillpacked games with men’s and women’s teams of all ages. While stickball season is in full swing numerous workshops are slated for enthusiasts to make their own stickball players and dress them in game clothing and gear. Also, a full-size stickball weaving workshop will show the differences of the ball style through the generations and how to make a game ready, modern stickball.
July 4: There will be plenty of room for everyone at the 4th of July Celebration at the Choctaw Cultural Center. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Fireworks can be watched from the Choctaw Cultural Center front porch.
July 6: Opening July 6 is the highly anticipated “Okhvta Chito Okhoatali: Choctaw and French Transatlantic Legacies.” Artifacts and art from the 1700s explores the continued relationship between the Choctaw Nation and France through this collaborative effort with the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac in France and the University of South Alabama.
July 27: The cultural center is celebrating its third anniversary with special programming all day for all ages. Little ones can enjoy the many educational and entertainment happenings inside the Luksi (Turtle) Activity Center from storytelling to the treehouse slide.
August 9: The “Cornival,” celebrating all things corn, is set for August 9. The festival will be a blend of modern and traditional corn-based activities centered around the staple crop of the Choctaw people.
August 16: The 2024 Annual Choctaw Nation Art Show is one of the most celebrated art events of the year with Choctaw artists competing in several media including painting, sculpture, beadwork, jewelry, basketry and more. The art show opens to the public August 16.
The Choctaw Cultural Center is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Its location is a little over an hour drive north of Dallas near the intersection of Highway 69/75 and Choctaw Road in Durant, at 1919 Hina Hanta Way. For details, admission, and schedule updates visit www.choctawculturalcenter. com.