The Chickasaw Nation

Join us on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Tishomingo High School for the second annual Adaptive Olympics at the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival!

After an exciting debut last year, we're excited to bring back this incredible event where athletes of all ages and abilities can participate in adaptive sports tailored to their needs.

Last year’s Adaptive Olympics featured a range of adaptive sports events, including vertical jumping, shot put with tennis balls, stickball throwing and races. Parents and families from across the country celebrated this special event, witnessing the smiles and cheers as children experienced the thrill of competition and community support.

Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 2 p.m.

For more information on the 2024 Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival events, visit AnnualMeeting.Chickasaw.net.

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Join the Chickasaw Business Network Sept. 12 at noon for Power Hour!

This event is open to First Americans to learn how to properly utilize Facebook business pages to build brand awareness.

Pre-registration is required by Sept. 10 by visiting ChickasawBusinessNetwork.com. The event will take place at the Apelachi Business Center, 1011 Colony Drive, Ada, Oklahoma.

For more information, visit https://chickasawbusinessnetwork.com/Contact-Us.aspx.

Induction into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon a citizen by the Chickasaw Nation. Nominations for the 2025 Chickasaw Hall of Fame are being accepted until Friday, Nov. 1.

Next spring, we will once again honor several distinguished Chickasaw citizens for contributions to their profession, philanthropy, our shared culture and bringing honor to the Chickasaw people. Past inductees include leaders, artists, cultural ambassadors, athletes, political figures and more who have left a lasting mark through their lifelong service to the Chickasaw people and betterment of the tribe and community.

More information, including nomination form, is available at HOF.Chickasaw.net.

Chickasaw citizen Joey DiDesidero is set to embark on the adventure of a lifetime as one of 16 contestants on Netflix's “Outlast” Season 2.

Hailing from Benton City, Washington, Joey’s deep connection to his Chickasaw heritage and love for the outdoors drive his journey in this intense survival competition set in the Alaskan wilderness. Competing for a million dollars, he’ll have to rely on teamwork and strategy to outlast the harsh conditions and unpredictable twists.

Tune in to the “Outlast” season premiere Sept. 4 on Netflix. Good luck Joey!

Classes will be Thursday, Sept. 12, and Thursday, Sept. 19, from 1-3 p.m.

Learn from nurses who are certified childbirth educators about the birthing process, WIC benefits for families during and after pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care, car seat safety and infant CPR.

For more information, call (580) 421-6200.

The Chickasaw Nation Citizen Support Center is now offering 24/7 assistance to Chickasaw citizens with personalized support and program navigation. Our dedicated navigators provide one-on-one support to help Chickasaw citizens access programs and services in health care, education, housing and more.

To learn more or to reach the Citizen Support Center, please contact (580) 757-9082, call toll-free at (833) 551-0980 or email questions to [email protected].

The Chickasaw Nation’s commitment to build a strong and sustainable economic foundation to support vital programs and services began with the purchase of a small travel lodge in Sulphur in 1972. Today, 52 years ago, the Chickasaw Motor Inn opened for business.

The 72-unit inn, located on the site where our Artesian Hotel now sits, was the tribe’s first commercial business and the beginning of a new era of progress. Building on its success, we have since grown to operate more than 100 diverse businesses.

Opening the Chickasaw Motor Inn was an important step in the tribe’s ability to achieve increased self-sufficiency and greater self-determination, setting us on a path to better serve Chickasaws and First Americans and benefit all Oklahomans.

This September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month. If you’re struggling with mental health issues or having thoughts of su***de, please seek support from Chickasaw Nation Outpatient Services.

Outpatient services offer a wide range of resources including individual, couples and family counseling services, as well as therapy groups and educational workshops.

For more information on available resources, please visit Chickasaw.net/Prevention.

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Looking to advance your career with certification from a career technology center or trade school? Chickasaw citizens can access grants through the Career Technology Program for fields like welding, web development, nursing, biotechnology, HVAC, cosmetology and more.

For more details and to fill out an application, visit Chickasaw.net/CareerTech.

Chikasha Anokfilli (Thinking Chickasaw) is dedicated to promoting mental wellness by providing a variety of resources. This initiative offers support for trauma, grief, su***de awareness and prevention, as well as financial and cultural wellness.

Available mental health services include Behavioral Health, Prevention Services, Medical Family Therapy, Outpatient Services and the Hofanti Chokma (to grow well) program.

You can learn more by visiting Chickasaw.net/MentalHealth.

Reminder- the Chickasaw Nation 72-Hour Photography Competition deadline is today!

Starting Friday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m. CDT, photographers are challenged to capture their interpretation of a theme within 72 hours. Photographers enter a total of two photos by Monday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m. CDT. Digital editing, such as Photoshop, is not allowed.

Entries require a completed application and a $30 fee, due by 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30. The competition is open to all, with prize money awarded in Youth, Amateur and Professional categories.

For more details, rules, and to enter, contact Selby Barnes at (580) 272-5520 or [email protected].

Join us Sept. 9 for our Chickasaw Day of Prayer, as we unite in fellowship to celebrate our faith, give thanks for our many blessings and offer prayers for the continued health and happiness of friends, loved ones and our extended community.

The Chickasaw Nation Recruitment and Retention Program serves Chickasaw students on campuses of eight Oklahoma colleges and universities!

Student centers at each campus provide space for on-campus coordinators to offer advice and give Chickasaw students opportunities to meet, study and participate in community building activities like monthly social, cultural, academic and career development events.

Learn more and sign up at Chickasaw.net/RR.

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Mark your calendar for a weeklong celebration of Chickasaw culture and progress at the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival. We look forward to connecting with citizens from across the country and welcome you and your family to join us.

For those unable to join us in person, live video streams of this year’s Chickasaw Princess Pageant, Arts and Culture Awards ceremony and Annual Meeting will be available online. A full schedule of events is available at AnnualMeeting.Chickasaw.net.

Join the Chickasaw Nation Martial Arts Program for a unique blend of karate, judo and jujitsu that incorporates Chickasaw culture and language!

Build character, sincerity, effort, etiquette and self-control in a structured, supportive environment. Open to Chickasaw citizens, employees and their families, classes are year-round in Ada, Ardmore, Purcell, Sulphur, Tishomingo and via Zoom.

For a complete schedule or to learn more, visit Chickasaw.net/MartialArts.

Chickasaw.tv | Winter Fire Winter Fire is a documentary series sharing stories related to Chickasaw history, culture, people and present-day tribal issues.

The fall application period for the student support program is open!

This program offers our college and career technology program students financial assistance that goes beyond traditional scholarships and grants, assisting with essential needs of a student, such as housing, utilities, transportation, living expenses, tutoring or other barriers to education.

For more information and to apply, visit Chickasaw.net/StudentSupport.

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Each week, we highlight athletes who have gone above and beyond in their sports with notable accomplishments. These are our of the week!

If you have a Chickasaw athlete you want to highlight, send us a private message with the athlete’s name, where they’re from, a recent accomplishment and a photo of the athlete.

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Head in style! Whether it’s with new glasses or new clothes, the Chickasaw Nation has got you covered.

August is . Chickasaw citizens can schedule an eye exam with Chickasaw Nation optometry and then visit Chickasaw.net/Eyeglasses to receive a voucher for the purchase of contact lenses or a pair of glasses from Oklahoma Optical every two years.

The Chickasaw Nation Youth Services Clothing Grant provides eligible Chickasaw students ages 3-18 with $350 to purchase school clothes with a VISA gift card. The card provided can only be used for school clothing purchases. Visit Chickasaw.net/ClothingGrant to fill out an application.

Packed Promise offers eligible Chickasaw children between the ages of 4-18 increased food access and quality through home food delivery. Through a partnership with Amazon, families can now shop online at the Chickasaw Nation store, receiving $60 per child monthly. Unused funds roll over but expire after 90 days, with orders shipped directly to your doorstep.

Additionally, each child will receive an EBT card for $15 a month to buy fruits and vegetables at WIC-participating stores or Chickasaw Nation-participating farmers markets.

Recertification is now open until the end of September! Participants can update their account information at PackedPromise.com or call (844) 230-3785 for assistance.

Learn more by visiting Chickasaw.net/PackedPromise.

– The Chickasaw Nation is now offering the Citizen Support Center, a 24/7 resource providing Chickasaw citizens with personalized support and program navigation. Our dedicated navigators offer one-on-one guidance to help you find and apply for programs and services in health care, education, housing and more.

To learn more or to reach the Citizen Support Center, please contact (580) 757-9082, call toll-free at (833) 551-0980 or email questions to [email protected].

This back-to-school season, clear out your children's outgrown clothes by donating them to the Chickasaw Nation ReUse Center.

By dropping off gently used clothing, shoes, toys, kitchenware, baby items, small appliances and more, you help keep items out of landfills and support sustainable opportunities in our community. During the summer, shorts and T-shirts are a dire need.

Hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the public, as well as the first and third Monday of each month, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Chickasaw citizens only.

Donations are accepted Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The ReUse Center is at 2205 N. Broadway, Ada, Oklahoma. For more information, please call (580) 272-5451.

Chickasaw citizen and Latta class of 2024 graduate Keegan Bellefeuille recently completed a stunning panther mural at Latta High School. After dedicating approximately 50 hours to the mural, Keegan's artwork now proudly represents Latta’s school spirit.

Amazing work, Keegan!

We’re excited to kick off our new series “Outstanding Chickasaw Students” that recognizes Chickasaw students who excel in a variety of achievements. Each week, we celebrate outstanding achievements in categories that include academics, music, art, journalism, theater, dance and more.

If you know a high-achieving Chickasaw student, nominate them by sending us a private message with the student's name, where they’re from, a recent accomplishment and a photo of the student.

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Fit Force applications are open! Starting Sept. 3, classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-2 p.m. at the Chickasaw Nation Family Life Center in Ada, Oklahoma. Designed for homeschooled students, Fit Force focuses on fitness, safe exercise and sports basics in a social environment.

Classes are open to homeschooled students in first through sixth grade who are Chickasaw citizens or children of Chickasaw employees.

Apply at Chickasaw.net/FitForce. For more information, contact Valerie DeAngelis at [email protected] or call (580) 272-5716.