Oklahoma

Lake of the Arbuckles is in the heart of Chickasaw Country, and the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma is the 13th largest federally recognised tribe in the United States.

"Chickasaw people have long dreamed of a special place to celebrate, embrace and share the culture and heritage that bind us together as a people."

Governor Bill Anoatubby

And the Chickasaw Cultural Centre does just that.  It's a hands-on place to visit, with dancing, singing, crafting, planting, weaving, a fantastic restaurant (if you ever go to the Aaimpa' Cafe you have to try the pishofa), and landscaping to rival Disney World.

Chicasaw Warrior
Tashika Chikasha Hattak Holba' 

The Chikasha Onchokka' Traditional Village
from the Aba' Aanowa' Sky Pavilion

A summer house

A winter house

"Who's taller than the corn?"

Rolling down the sacred mound...
I mean wouldn't you?

The girls and I also spent a bit of time in the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center which really was a state-of-the art interactive gallery focussing on the history and geography of the Chickasaw people.  It was fascinating and incredibly well done.

The Big White Dog and the Sacred Pole
Ofi' Tosbi' Ishto', Kohta' Falaya'
This is why the Chikasaw came to be a people
separate from the Choktaws and came in to
their Mississippi homelands.

The water pavilion, looking to the Aaholiitobli' Honour Garden