National Museum of the American Indian To Host “Choctaw Nation Arts and Music Festival”

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian presents a free museum-wide, two-day festival celebrating the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s tribal history and heritage Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The festival will showcase music, dance, food, art and storytelling. See the full schedule at 2016 Choctaw Festival.

Each day will begin with opening remarks and a blessing followed by social dancing, song and storytelling, with a repeat at 1:30 p.m. Demonstrations will take place in the Potomac Atrium throughout the festival allowing visitors to learn more about agriculture, tools and weapons, beadwork, flutes, literature, art, stickball and tribal-council history. Visitors will also be able to meet and talk to Choctaw Nation princesses and featured artists.

Hands-on activities for children and families will include crafting corn husk dolls and beaded necklaces. Free timed tickets for these events will be available daily and commence in room 4025 (corn husk dolls) and in the imagiNations Activity Center on Level 3 (beaded necklaces) at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Special concerts will be presented by Choctaw recording artists Samantha Crain at 3 p.m. Friday and Lainey Edwards at 3 p.m. Saturday.

For additional information about the National Museum of the American Indian, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu. Follow the museum via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #ChoctawFestival.

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SI-316-2016