Published: October 02, 2008 12:14 pm      

Chickasaws to host cultural event

Sulphur — Hundreds of Chickasaws and friends are expected to attend Cultural Evening at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.

Activities will include dedication of a time capsule and a preview of the center, which is currently under construction at 500 Charles Cooper Memorial Road, Sulphur.

More than 560 volunteers will assist with activities which include gospel singing, cultural demonstrations, fry bread making, stick ball demonstration, storytelling and a presentation by the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe.

A meal which will include barbecue along with pashofa and other traditional elements will be served.

Individuals who participate in the fry bread making class will have the opportunity to sample the finished product.

A wide variety of cultural activities and games for children will be conducted throughout the evening.

Members of the Chickasaw Gaming Commission will provide a fingerprinting service for children.

Other features of the evening include performances by the Chepota Chikasha Anumpoli Children’s Language Club and the Chickasaw Nation Living History Players.

One item will be placed in the time capsule during the dedication ceremony.

Chickasaws will have approximately one year to submit items for consideration for inclusion in the time capsule.

Because of limited space in the time capsule, there will be specific guidelines for accepting items to be included in the time capsule.

The time capsule will be officially sealed at the cultural center grand opening in 2009 and opened 50 years later.

Cultural Evening participants will also have the opportunity to take self guided “red ribbon tours” of the facility.

Cultural Evening events are free of charge and open to the public.

Transportation will be provided from Ada and Ardmore free of charge for the first 110 to register from each location.

Buses will leave the Ada Chickasaw Community Center, 700 North Mississippi 4:45 and 5:15 p.m.

Buses will leave the Ardmore Senior Center, 949 Locust at 4:30 and 5:15 p.m.

Buses will begin loading for the return trip from the cultural center at 8:45 p.m.

To register for transportation, call (580) 421-9030. Registration is limited to 110 individuals from Ada and 110 from Ardmore.

To register for the fry bread making class, or for more information, call (580) 421-9030.