Cultural Preservation

The Cultural Affairs Program was established in 1995 to promote and preserve the cultural traditions of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

In October 2009, the Tribe's cultural programs were reorganized into one department - the Cultural Preservation Program. The program's mission is to strengthen cultural knowledge among the Choctaw people and to increase public awareness of the Tribe's history and culture. The program performs its work through:

WORKSHOPS
The Cultural Preservation Program holds community workshops on a regular basis. Workshop topics are determined by community interest and have included cultural skills such as:

• Food preparation and outdoor cooking
• Traditional Choctaw clothing
• Traditional chant and dance
• Traditional hand crafts

Many students of Cultural Workshops have gone on to teach at subsequent workshops, ensuring that traditional arts are still passed on from one Tribal member to another.

RESEARCH

Identifying and documenting endangered traditions is another part of the community-based work of the Cultural Preservation Program. Staff members conduct research and interview Tribal elders to obtain first-hand knowledge of Choctaw history and culture.

PUBLIC EDUCATION
Public presentations about Choctaw culture are another service provided by the Cultural Preservation Program. In addition to coordinating the dance ground and cultural activities at the Choctaw Fair, the program director and staff often speak to school groups, clubs, and groups who come to visit the Reservation.

PHOTO CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR THE WEBSITE
From "A Living Tradition" Pages:

• 3, courtesy of D.C. Young
• 13, courtesy of Photo Archive, National Museum of the American Indian
• 14, courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and Photo Archive, National Museum of the American Indian
• 19, courtesy of Photo Archive, National Museum of the American Indian

Thanks to the Choctaw dance groups, craftspeople and tradition bearers who are pictured in this book. It is through their efforts that Choctaw traditions remain strong and vibrant for coming generations.