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Choctaw Day and Flag Day Honor our Sovereignty

Chahta Nittak Anonti Shvpha Nittak vt Hvpi Kucha Pehlichi Iksho ya Holitobli

Published October 10, 2025

By Chief Gary Batton

Audio in Choctaw Language

The Choctaw Nation has two events coming up that not only celebrate our sovereignty but also shine a light on the accomplishments and fortitude of the Choctaw people and our culture.

Here at the Choctaw Nation, we celebrate Chahta Nittak (Choctaw Day) on Indigenous Peoples Day, which occurs on the second Monday of October each year (this year’s date is Oct. 13), in place of Columbus Day. By highlighting the strength of our tribe on Choctaw Day, it also shows the resilience of our people who have overcome the sorrow and horrors faced along the Trail of Tears.

We celebrate along with all Native Americans in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. In 2021, the federal government issued the first-ever presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day. He said in a statement that the day is meant to “honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.”

All Choctaw Nation administrative offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 13 in recognition of Chahta Nittak (Choctaw Day). I urge all tribal members to take time on this day and remember the trials, sacrifices, and suffering experienced by our ancestors that occurred in past generations so that we can participate in this day as a strong, unified, sovereign nation.

CHOCTAW FLAG DAY

Also, on Oct. 16, our tribe will celebrate the Choctaw Nation’s Flag Day in honor of the day our Great Seal was introduced as our symbol. The Choctaw Flag is purple and features the Choctaw Nation’s Great Seal, an important image to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

A reminder of our history and traditions is on display in everything we do at the Choctaw Nation through our Great Seal. On Oct. 16, 1860, the Choctaw General Council, led by Chief George Hudson, passed an act at the regular annual session held at Doaksville, that created the Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation.

The Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation, which consists of an unstrung bow symbolizing a peaceful Nation; encompassing three arrows honoring our three Chiefs Pushmataha, Mushulatubbe, and Apukshunabbe; and a smoking pipe-hatchet that represents the desire of the Choctaw people to establish beneficial alliances with neighbors, but also perhaps prowess. The seal has been used on all official papers of the Choctaw Nation since 1860. The seal is a guide for visitors to the Nation to see what we stand for, our traditions and culture.

Choctaw Nation celebrated its Inaugural Flag Day in an official capacity on Oct. 16, 2021. Since then, tribal members have celebrated Choctaw Flag Day by representing the Choctaw Flag Across the world. Get your Choctaw Flag and wave it proudly; it is an honor to fly the flag of our sovereign nation.