Chickasaw Nation Celebrates Remarkable Recovery

From their ancestral homelands in Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, the Chickasaw people—one of the so-called Five Civilized Tribes—were driven along the desperate Trail of Tears into Oklahoma in the 1830s. Stripped of their lands, homes and possessions, and leaving hundreds of dead along the trail, they might have expired altogether in exile; but instead, after decades of poverty and despair, they have arisen stronger than ever. This summer, come and join them in Oklahoma as this “unconquered and unconquerable” tribe celebrates a series of events marking their remarkable rebirth and renewal.

First up, Aug. 5–13 at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, is the world premiere of a full-length play with music based on the life of Te Ata Fisher, a Chickasaw actress from Oklahoma who performed a one-person show of Indian folklore for more than 70 years. The play, Te Ata, was written by JudyLee Oliva (Chickasaw). “Te Ata was a remarkable Chickasaw actress, and her story—told on stage through words, song and dance—is a spiritual journey,” notes the playwright.

Ticket prices for Te Ata are $15 and $25, with group and senior discounts. Tickets went on sale June 1. Call 580/272-5520 or 405/574-1213 for tickets; visit www.teataworldpremiere.com for background details.
Next up is the tribe’s annual Hall of Fame Ceremony, on Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pontotoc County Agriplex in Ada. U.S. Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma (Te Ata’s nephew) will serve as master of ceremonies, while Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby will be a featured speaker. “We are planning an event which will demonstrate our respect and admiration for our very distinguished honorees,” says the governor. Inductees this year will include Mary “Ataloa” Stone McClendon, James E. Amerson, Catherine Pickens Willmond and Charles David Carter.

Reservations for the ceremony, dinner and dancing are required. Call 580/436-7259 for reservations or details.
Finally, on Aug. 30, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., come and join the Constitution Day Anniversary in the historic capital city of Tishomingo. The event marks the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the Chickasaw constitution. Events will include a one-act play depicting the process of creating the constitution, live music and dancing, food, kids’ races, horseshoes, tours of the capitol, a student art contest, appearances by the Chickasaw Lighthorsemen in period clothing, and a fireworks display. All events are free. For details, call 580/371-2040.

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Elsewhere
Mosey over to Cherokee Summer, a series of events in and around Cherokee, NC, including the 6th annual powwow on July 1-2, which also includes a substantial arts and crafts fair; the nightly (except Sundays) enactment through Aug. 19 in a lovely outdoor amphitheater of the drama Unto These Hills, entirely revised this summer by accomplished writer/producer Hanay Geigamah (Kiowa); and the Festival of Native Peoples on Aug. 25-26 featuring song, dance, music, storytelling, arts and crafts. 800/438-1601.

Attend the Native American Festival, July 8, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME. The largest gathering of Native basketmakers in New England, including artists from the four Maine tribes, also presents other Native arts (including root clubs, birchbark goods, dolls and jewelry), a silent auction, storytelling, drumming, dancing, singing and Native foods. 207/288-3519 or www.abbemuseum.org

Drop by the 9th Annual Prescott Indian Art Market, July 8–9, Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, AZ, where amidst the museum’s shady gardens you’ll find some 80 leading Native artists selling a diverse range of their work alongside artisans demonstrating the making of pottery, pipes, baskets and moccasins. Featured artist this year is the stone and bronze sculptor Evelyn Fredericks (Hopi). Also enjoy performances by Allenroy Paquin, Alex Maldonado and the Hopi Senom Dancers in the outdoor amphitheater. Admission is $5 for adults. 928/445-3122 or www.sharlot.org

Don’t miss the 3rd annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, July 8–9, Milner Plaza, Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, where some 20,000 visitors are expected. The event features 104 artists from 34 nations, including Nancy Anak Ngali, an Iban tribal weaver of Borneo who works in cotton and silk Ikat-style weaving; and Loida Mejia of the Wounaan Tribe of Panama, who creates palm-frond baskets. Plus children’s activities, international entertainers and educational exhibits. Adult tickets are $5 to $50 (depending on day and time); under 16 free. 505/476-1166 or www.folkartmarket.org

Hoopsters should head to the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI), July 10–15 in Phoenix, AZ. Preliminary games for the 64 boys’ and girls’ teams will be held on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Fort McDowell Yavapai reservation; the final four games will take place at US Airways Center, home of the NBA Phoenix Suns. Singing the national anthem prior to the final games will be Star Nayea.

Admission: $10 for all five days of competition. 602/265-2770 or www.nabihoops.com
Return to the historic 35th annual Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts and Crafts Fair, July 15–16, Visitor Center on Hwy. 68, Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo), some 30 minutes northwest of Santa Fe. Some 360, predominantly Pueblo, artists are expected, selling top-notch, handmade arts. Watch 45-minute dance sets by four pueblos one day and another four the next, and the annual Po’Pay Foot Race (5K adult) on Sunday morning, with some 300 runners. Still photography permitted. Also, in the indoor gallery, peruse an exhibition of historic fair photos and artwork looking back over the event’s past. Delicious, traditional Pueblo foods will also be available, including the unique “flat” pie. A benefit auction on the evening of July 12 kicks off the fair. Admission: $3 per day. 505/747-1593, ext. 113 or www.eightnorthernpueblos.com

Jump into the Julyamsh Coeur d’Alene Tribe Encampment & Pow Wow, July 21–23, Greyhound Park, Post Falls, ID, the largest outdoor powwow in the Northwest, with some 1,000 dancers and drummers competing for large cash prizes. The event begins with a spectacular horse parade and is accompanied by an arts and crafts fair with some 130 artists and vendors. Free admission; small parking fee. 800/523-2464, ext. 7275 or www.cdacasino.com

Motor over on Route 66 to the 85th annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, July 26–30, Red Rock State Park near Gallup, NM, which includes powwow dancing, an all-Indian rodeo (including new junior and senior divisions), a major arts and craft market with some 350 artists, a Ceremonial Queen, arts and crafts demonstrations, three non-motorized parades in downtown Gallup, and a 5K marathon and golf tournament. 888/685-2564 or www.indianceremonial.com

Catch the 7th annual Navajo Rug and Cowboy & Indian Art Auction, July 28–29, Smoki Museum, Prescott, AZ, with some 600 rugs on the block, as well as jewelry, baskets and other works, and frybread and Navajo tacos to keep you going. 928/445-1230 or www.smokimuseum.org

Dance into the 38th annual Southern California Pow Wow, July 28–30, Museum of the American West, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. This largest powwow and Indian arts and crafts fair on the West Coast features tens of thousands of spectators and some $25,000 in prize money. Admission: $5 adults; $3 seniors and teens ages 13–17. 714/962-6673 or www.indiancenter.org

Enjoy a weekend at the Indianapolis Totem Pole Celebration, Aug. 5–6, Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, marking 10 years since the installation in the museum of a re-creation of a historic pole from Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Island), British Columbia that ended up in an Indianapolis neighborhood in the early 20th century. The event includes music, dance, storytelling and artist demonstrations by Haida Gwaii residents. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days. 317/636-9378 or www.eiteljorg.org

Stroll through the stunning 28th annual Invitational Antique Indian Art Show, Aug. 14–16, at El Museo Cultural, Santa Fe, now owned and directed by Marcia Berridge of Whitehawk Antique Shows. The show is preceded by the 23rd annual Antique Ethnographic Show (Aug. 11–13) and is followed by the new show Antiques of the Americas (& Beyond). 505/992-8929

Catch the contemporary dance performance Lacuna, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. and 6:40 p.m., Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City, as part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival. By Tom Pearson (Creek/Cherokee/Coharie), in collaboration with Louis Mofsie, the Heyna Second Sons and Rob Mastrianni. The performance includes artists of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Hopi, Winnebago and Taino heritage. The free, 20-minute show will be performed in the dry reflecting pool and north plaza area.