Choctaw Cultural Center hosts Spring Equinox Celebration

The spring equinox has always been an exciting time for the Choctaw people. It is a time of change, warmer weather, and new growth. While the modern spring celebrations have evolved, the Choctaw people still welcome and celebrate the earth’s renewal after the cold winter months.

The Choctaw Cultural Center is leading the way with opportunities to learn, grow, and plant for the future this spring. One of these opportunities took place on March 15. People from all over came together to observe and participate in the Spring Equinox Celebration at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant, Oklahoma.

Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about Choctaw culture and how the changing of the seasons historically impacted Choctaw people.

During the day, Dr. Ian Thompson led a tour and presentation of the Living Village, where he answered questions and spoke about historic events. Other presentations and workshops explored women’s roles in Choctaw society and how native flora impacts local ecosystems.

This event highlighted how vital conservation and education have been in preserving the Choctaw culture.

One of the main presentations was from the Choctaw Nation’s Growing Hope program and the Public Programs department. Together, they hosted Okchahli in the Cultural Center’s Living Village garden. Attendees were offered the opportunity to plant some Choctaw heirloom corn seeds as part of the workshop.

The Growing Hope seed bank, curated by the Choctaw Nation’s Historical Preservation team, allows tribal members to participate in preserving and revitalizing time-honored Choctaw foods. By preserving and distributing Heirloom seeds for traditional Choctaw crops, this program offers a unique look into the past.

“These are some seeds that were actually sewn into the hems of our ancestor’s garments and dresses. These are seeds that they were afraid the soldiers would take, so they took such care to sew them and hide them,” said Jacqueline Putman, the Program Coordinator of Growing Hope.

She said it was remarkable that when these early Choctaws were displaced from their homes, they considered the need for seeds to grow crops.

“They knew when they left from Mississippi on that long walk that they would have to have food to start over. It was about sustainability,” said Putman. “That way, we weren’t reliant on the government the way they wanted us to be.”

Samples of other seeds that the Growing Hope program preserved were distributed to interested visitors just in time to plant them in their spring garden.

Growing Hope was able to share their ongoing efforts to preserve Choctaw Culture and food and give visitors a better idea of how they can participate in this preservation. Putman said that they recently opened their seed program to everyone.

“That’s anywhere through the United States; we have sent seeds to Alaska, Hawaii and so forth,” she said. “So, we are really excited about getting our seeds out to everyone.”

Putman said she enjoys her job and seeing how people get excited about receiving seeds and growing Choctaw heirloom food.

“I get cards and letters from people all the time,” she said.

Putman read part of a letter that she had received.

“Thank you for all your efforts and diligence in teaching our children a deeper understanding of the earth,” the letter read.

Putman said that the Okchahli event was about unity and realizing that we are all stewards of the earth. She said she believes we should all strive to learn more and better cultivate the land.

Learn more about spring events at the Choctaw Cultural Center and the Growing Hope program.

Photo by Rylee Tollett

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Photo by Rylee Tollett

Vistors sample traditional foods at the Spring Equinox Celebration on March 15.

Photo by Rylee Tollett

Growing Hope passed out Hvshi Pakanli (Seneca Sunflower) seed kits during the Spring Equinox Celebration.