The Battiest Community Center decorated for Thanksgiving.
Credit: Christian Toews

Throughout the holiday season, tribal members gathered at community centers across the Choctaw Nation to celebrate faith, family and culture.

Tribal members and employees came together for a meal and to spend time with friends and family they don’t see often.

Pictured below are a few shots from the November community and elder meals.

Antlers

Antlers elders sing.
Chief Batton talks to Antler's elders.
Antler's elders are served meals.
Antler's elders sit and wait for meal.
Photo Credit: Krislan Garside Credit: Krislan Garside

Atoka

Atoka seniors smile for a photo.
Atoka elders smile for a photo.
A young Choctaw speaks into a mic.
a volunteer hands out meals in atoka.
Photo Credit: Kelsey Brown

Battiest

Women pose for a photo as another takes the picture.
Volunteers dish out rolls.
Tony Ward speaks to elders.
Two elders pose for a photo.
Photo Credit: Christian Toews

Broken Bow

Broken Bow elders sing.
A volunteer collects trash from a table.
Broken Bow elders smile as they wait for their meals.
Joey Tom and a volunteer hand out meals.
Photo Credit: Charles Clark

Coalgate

Assistant Chief takes a photo with Choctaw princesses.
Assistant Chief hands out meals.
Chief Batton poses for a photo with an elder.
Volunteers dish up meals.
Photo Credit: Christian Chaney-Sackett

Crowder

Choctaw Honor Guard post the colors.
Brad Joe sings the Lord's Prayer as princesses perform.
Crowder elders enjoy a meal.
Volunteers dish up food at Crowder meal.
Photo Credit: Deidre Elrod

Durant

Princesses smile for a photo.
Royalty perform the Lord's Prayer.
Volunteers prepare meals.
A baby sis on a table.
Photo Credit: Mallory Jackson

Hugo

Volunteers pose for a photo.
Man speaks on microphone.
Elders enjoy a meal.
Elders fill the Hugo community center.
Photo Credit: Rylee Tollett

Idabel

An elder raises her hand.
Tony Ward and other volunteers pass out meals.
A woman smiles for a photo.
Two elders smile for a photo.
Photo Credit: Kendra Sikes

McAlester

Elders sing hymns.
Princess performs Lord's Prayer.
Elders enjoy a meal.
Young boy smiles for the camera as he is held.
Photo Credit: Abigail Pack and Mekayla McClure

Poteau

Two men talk at a table.
Servers prepare plates.
two women talk at a table.
A large group of people fill a community center.
Photo Credit: Chris Jennings

Smithville

Woman shows off her door prize.
Credit: RODOLPHE FOUCHER
Eddie Bohanan speaks in front of crowd.
Credit: RODOLPHE FOUCHER
Man shows of his coffee maker prize.
Credit: RODOLPHE FOUCHER
Family smile for a photo.
Photo Credit: Rodolphe Foucher Credit: RODOLPHE FOUCHER

Spiro

Chief Batton speaks to group of elders.
Volunteers prepare desserts.
An elder helps another fix his Choctaw shirt.
Jess Henry anf Jennifer Turner take a photo with a princess.
Photo Credit: Christine Mason

Stigler

Volunteers pose for a photo.
A volunteer holds a stack of to-go boxes.
Assistant Chief and Jennifer Turner pose for a photo.
Elders pose for a photo.
Photo Credit: Sally Huggins

Talihina

Volunteers pose for a photo.
Elders wait for their meals.
Elders from a volleyball team pose for a photo.
The crowd at the Talihina elder meal.
Photo Credit: Kellie Matherly

Tushkahoma

Chief speaks to a baby.
Assistant Chief and an elder share a laugh.
Volunteers prepare meals.
Two elders pose for a photo.
Photo Credit: Shelia Kirven

Wilburton

The crowd gathers at the Wilburton Community Center.
Jennifer Woods speaks to elders.
Jones Academy student passes out desserts.
Volunteer grabs a meal from the serving line.
Photo Credit: Kendra Germany-Wall

Wright City

Joey Tom speaks at a podium.
Community members pose for a photo.
Two elders smile for the camera.
A family sits at a table.
Photo Credit: Kelli Stacy