Choctaw Cultural Center

Location: 1919 Hina Hanta Way, Calera, OK 74730

Phone: (833) 708-9582

Website | Facebook

The Choctaw Cultural Center is dedicated to exploring, preserving, and showcasing the culture and history of the Choctaw people. The exhibits are immersive and told from the Choctaw perspective – honoring the physical and spiritual journey of the Choctaw people, the “Chanta Nowyt Aya.”The Choctaw Cultural Center includes over 100,000 square feet of rich, living exhibitions, a vast Living Village, classrooms, a theater, a café, and retail that bring the Chahta spirit of faith, family, and culture to life!

Daily Activities Include:

Chahta 101 | Tuesday – Friday, 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Join in a Chahta 101 class. This is a foundational class designed for those with little to no previous knowledge of Choctaw history or culture. The class covers themes of Choctaw history and culture presented within the exhibitions, spaces, and films of the Choctaw Cultural Center.

Stickball Exhibition | Wednesday-Saturday, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Guests can observe and learn about stickball, its history, and the various techniques to the game, also known as “Ishtaboli” in the Choctaw language. Stickball is an ancient game that we continue to play today.

Social Dancing Exhibition | Wednesday-Saturday, 2:00 PM –3:00 PM | Guests will be able to observe Choctaw social dancing and may even be invited to join in. There are many different types of Choctaw social dances, and during the exhibitions, we share their meaning and demonstrate the steps.

Cultural Demonstrations | Wednesday – Saturday, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM | Offering guests an opportunity to see first-hand how cultural items are designed and constructed. Demonstrations include Choctaw basket-making, Choctaw weaponry and the various types, and the construction of stickball sticks and balls. Visit with one of our knowledgeable cultural educators as they demonstrate these different techniques.

The Evolution of Chahta Education | Tuesday-Saturday, 1:30-2:00 PM | This class explores the education system of the Chahta people, encompassing the periods from before European contact, after contact with the missionaries, during the period of government boarding schools, and ending with how the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma regained and re-established its own educational goals.

The Scavenger Hunt | See the Welcome Desk to Participate | The scavenger hunt covers multiple areas with the CCC: Orientation Gallery, Front Lobby, Permanent Exhibits, Pre-Function/Auditorium, and the Café, and the Luksi Activity Center. The scavenger hunt has 15 questions total: 10 find the location of the picture questions and five short answer questions. The activity is intended for youth and teen CCC guests but can be for anyone, including groups who wish to partake in a team-building activity. Receive a reward upon completion.