December 15, 2014

Chickasaw Nation News

The holiday season is in full swing at various Chickasaw Country destinations, including the Chickasaw Cultural Center and the Artesian Hotel. Brad Clonch and Quin Tran take us to one of several special events held for local youth – the Chickasaw Nation Division of Youth Services hosted Children's Christmas parties in several cities across the state, giving kids a chance to meet Santa, play holiday games and enjoy sweet treats. Young Chickasaw citizens also participated in the Chickasaw Youth Storytelling Workshop, a nine-day program that stimulates participants' imaginations and encourages them to develop their language skills. Chickasaw musician and composer Jerod Tate was recruited to help revamp a song for NBC's recent live production of "Peter Pan." The new song, called "True Blood Brothers," is a reworking of one of the musical's original pieces, "Ugg-A-Wugg." Jerod's modern take maintains the rhythmic integrity of "Ugg-A-Wugg," but incorporates the native Wyandot language for historical accuracy. Finally, we travel to Margaret Roach Wheeler's new workspace and retreat in Sulphur, Oklahoma – Margaret, a well-known Chickasaw textile designer, lives in Missouri but wanted to build a space in Oklahoma to be closer to her cultural roots. Her new home and studio looks over the scenic Chickasaw National Recreation Area and is designed to reflect the Mississippian era.

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