By Kendra Germany-Wall
November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Indigenous traditions, languages and stories.
The Choctaw Nation invites tribal members and local communities to honor the month with events and activities showcasing Choctaw culture and traditions.
Below are some of the many Native November events happening in the Choctaw Nation.
October 31
Choctaw Powwow at the Event Center
1 p.m. | Doors Open to the Public
2 p.m. | Gourd Dance Begins
5-6 p.m. | Gourd Dance Dinner Break
7 p.m. | Gourd Dance Ends
5-8 p.m. | Dancer Registration
5-8 p.m. | Drum Registration
8-10 p.m. | Grand Entry (Everyone Contest One Song)
Heritage Festival at the Cultural Center
10 a.m.-Doors Open
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Choctaw Hymn Singing
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Curator Talk – Artist Spotlight
12 p.m.-1 p.m. | Performance with Dr. Shadle
1-2 p.m. | Stickball Demonstration
1-3 p.m. | Traditional Games
1-3 p.m. | Demonstration Tables
2-2:30 p.m. | Tour of Temporary Gallery
2-2:30 p.m. | Choctaw Language Story-telling
3-4 p.m. | Social Dancing Demonstration
5 p.m.-Doors Close
November 1
2025 Choctaw Powwow at the Event Center
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Dancer Registration
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Drum Registration
10 a.m. Doors Open to the Public
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Gourd Dance
12 p.m. Grand Entry (70+, 55-69, Junior/Teen Contest)
5-7 p.m. Dance Specials
7 p.m. Grand Entry (Junior/ Senior Contest)
Heritage Festival at the Cultural Center
9 a.m-5p.m. | Stickball Tournament
10 a.m. | Doors Open
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Curator Talk – Artist Spotlight
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Social Dancing Demonstration
1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. | Tour of Temporary Gallery
2 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | Social Dancing Demonstration
2:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. |Youth Exhibition Game (5-11)
2:45 p.m.-3 p.m. | Youth Exhibition Game (12-17)
3 p.m.-3:15 p.m. – Coed Exhibition Game (35+)
5 p.m. – Doors Close
November 2
2025 Choctaw Powwow at the Event Center
10 a.m. | Doors Open to the Public
10:30 a.m. | Choctaw Hymns
1 p.m. | Grand Entry (Everyone Contest)
5 p.m. | Sing Off/Closing
Heritage Festival at the Cultural Center
10 a.m. | Doors Open
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Curator Talk – Artist Spotlight
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Social Dancing Demonstration
1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. | Tour of Temporary Gallery
2 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | Social Dancing Demonstration
5 p.m. | Doors Close
November 4
Join your tribe in making a life-saving difference by donating blood at the Talihina Health Care Center (8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.).
Native November Speaker Series at
Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum
Capitol Museum curator Reno Crims will discuss the history of Choctaw Nation capitols.
November 5
Wear Your Regalia Day
Show your pride by wearing your tribal regalia in celebration of Native American Heritage Month and the rich traditions of Indigenous culture.
November 7
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
Choctaw Landing Live on the Lawn
Celebrate Choctaw culture at Choctaw Landing with social dancing, cultural booths, and a fancy dance by Michael Roberts.
November 8
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
Join us at 1 p.m. at the Choctaw Cultural Center for Cinema at the Center, featuring this month’s family-friendly film, Disney’s Fox and the Hound.
Choctaw Landing Live on the Lawn
Join us at Choctaw Landing for a day of culture and community featuring social dancing, stickball demonstrations and cultural booths.
November 10
Roc Your Mocs
Wear your moccasins with pride to celebrate Native identity, culture, and tradition. Share photos and show your support.
November 11
Join us to honor veterans, enjoy a meal, and veterans will be entered into a drawing for a Choctaw Hunting Lodge trip.
Native November Speaker Series at
Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum
Oklahoma Historical Society board member Kenny Sivard will discuss Solomon Hotema, a notable Choctaw from the late 1800s
Roc Your Mocs
Wear your moccasins with pride to celebrate Native identity, culture, and tradition. Share photos and show your support.
November 12 & November 13
Roc Your Mocs
Wear your moccasins with pride to celebrate Native identity, culture, and tradition. Share photos and show your support.
November 14
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
Roc Your Mocs
Wear your moccasins with pride to celebrate Native identity, culture, and tradition. Share photos and show your support.
Choctaw Landing Live on the Lawn
Join us at Choctaw Landing for some culture and community featuring social dancing.
November 15
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
Roc Your Mocs
Wear your moccasins with pride to celebrate Native identity, culture, and tradition. Share photos and show your support.
Choctaw Landing Live on the Lawn
Join us at Choctaw Landing for a day of culture and community with Choctaw language lessons, cultural booths and a live performance by Choctaw artist Southeast Remedy.
November 18
Native November Speaker Series at
Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum
Join Choctaw Nation genealogy researcher Jessica Roddy as she discusses “Understanding the Dawes Roll” and its ongoing impact on tribal membership.
November 19
Wear Your Regalia Day
Show your pride by wearing your tribal regalia in celebration of Native American Heritage Month and our rich traditions.
Red Shawl Day
Join us in observing Red Shawl Day by wearing red to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of violence in our communities.
November 21
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
Blood Drives
Join your tribe in making a life-saving difference by donating blood at the Idabel Health Clinic (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) or Stigler Health Clinic (11 a.m.–3 p.m.).
November 22
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
She Who Carries Fire Meet and Greet
Meet Crystal Tonihka, Choctaw Nation author of the No. 1 Amazon release She Who Carries Fire.
Choctaw Landing Live on the Lawn
Join us at Choctaw Landing for a day of culture and community with Choctaw language lessons, cultural booths.
November 25
Native November Speaker Series at
Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum
Historic preservation associate T’ata Begay will highlight how music and dance sustain Choctaw traditions.
Join your tribe in making a life-saving difference by donating blood at the Choctaw Casino Grant (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
November 26
Join your tribe in making a life-saving difference by donating blood at the Choctaw Casino Pocola (7:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) or Rubin White Health Clinic in Poteau (9 a.m.–2 p.m.).
November 28 & November 29
Discover Choctaw traditions at the Choctaw Cultural Center’s Living Village, with dances, stickball and cultural demonstrations.
Throughout the Month
Social Media
Follow the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Choctaw Cultural Center on social media for updates and special Native November posts..
All events are subject to change. For more information vist the Native November event page.