TAGS   |   Thrive: Traditions

Episodes

56 Episodes

Traditional Flutes

S5 • E9
Chickasaw flute maker Tim Cornelius is passing the art of traditional flute making down to his son, just as his father taught him.

Traditional Arrows

S5 • E7
Artisan Elihu Johnson crafts traditional Chickasaw arrows and keeps the custom alive by teaching the next generation how to make them.

Bladesmithing

S5 • E1
With skills as sharp as his knives, Chickasaw bladesmith Daniel Worcester explains his process in crafting his artisan blades.

Stomp Dancing

S3 • E3
Chickasaw dancer Julie Underwood explains the significance of traditional stomp dancing and shell shaking.

Flint Knapping

S3 • E2
Chickasaw flint knapper Matthew Griffin's love of archaeology led him to start crafting his own stone tools using traditional methods.

Medicine Bags

S4 • E10
Chickasaw elder Pat Greenwood Cox makes medicine bags to preserve the culture of her ancestors.

Bow Making

S2 • E11
Elihu says that if it wasn't for the Chickasaws' prowess with the bow and arrow, it's likely they would've been conquered by European explorers.

Textile Art

S3 • E9
Chickasaw textile artist Tyra Shackleford works to preserve ancient techniques while applying them to modern objects.

Beaded Jewelry

S3 • E1
Artisan Melvin Burris, who makes baskets and jewelry, describes the passion behind his crafts.

Porcupine Quillwork

S5 • E3
Chickasaw bowmaker and traditional artist Eric Smith is proud to be part of the revitalization of porcupine quillwork.

Shell Carving

S4 • E9
Chickasaw visual artist Dustin Mater tells stories through his beautiful shell carvings, a tradition passed down over thousands of years.

Fine Gourd Art

S5 • E8
Chickasaw artist Donna Welch recounts her two-decade journey of crafting art from gourds.

Bead Artistry

S4 • E1
Chickasaw beadwork artist Ashley Wallace makes colorful creations using skills taught to her by her grandmother.

Pottery

S1 • E1
Chickasaw potter Dixie Brewer demonstrates the ancient art of handcrafting pinch pots, which have been used for hundreds of years.

Shell Carving

S2 • E1
Dustin Mater is a Chickasaw citizen and accomplished artist in many different mediums, including shell carving.

Tattoos and War Paint

S6 • E1
Ladonna Brown and Dustin Mater share how ancient tattoo and war paint designs continue to inspire artistic expression today.

Chunkey

S5 • E13
Chickasaw cultural demonstrator Isaac Kemp shares the history of chunkey to help preserve the ancient game for future generations.

Turtle Pottery

S5 • E10
Chickasaw potter Marcella Yepa continues what her grandmother taught her about pottery.

Regalia

S1 • E4
Chickasaw elders Pauline Brown and Rose Jefferson continue the tradition of hand-sewing Chickasaw regalia as a way to honor their ancestors.

Beaded Collars

S2 • E8
Chickasaw bead artist Kelly Reynolds shares her love of the traditional beaded collar.
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Series

1 Series

Thrive: Traditions

Meet the Chickasaw Culture Keepers
Thrive: Traditions highlights Chickasaw artisans who breathe new life into cultural traditions like basket weaving, pottery and beading.

Videos

3 Videos

First Look: Traditional Arrows

Chickasaw Culture Keepers
Chickasaw artisan Elihu Johnson talks about making traditional Chickasaw arrows in this preview for the new episode of Thrive: Traditions.

First Look: Duck Decoys

Chickasaw Culture Keepers
See a First Look of the new Thrive: Traditions episode, "Duck Decoys."

First Look: Fine Gourd Art

Chickasaw Culture Keepers
Watch this First Look of the upcoming episode of Thrive: Traditions "Fine Gourd Art," debuting August 26.