Choctaw Livestock Show is a Commitment to Chahta Youth
Chahta Vlhpoa Yopisa yvt Chahta Himitthoa ya Im Isht Ahvllaia
Published January 19, 2026Halito and I hope your 2026 is going great! We are gearing up for what we believe will be another successful year of events, tribal service launches and finding new ways to better the lives of our tribal members. After all, our tribe is the reason why we work so hard to ensure that our services match your needs.
The post-holiday season is an important time for the Choctaw Nation as we work to launch or relaunch many of the action plans that we started preparing in 2025. Those plans include events that our Nation has been a part of for many years. As an example, one of our tribe’s annual events that I personally enjoy is our very own Choctaw Nation Livestock Show.
Growing up in Clayton, Oklahoma, and being the FFA president of our local chapter helped mold and refine the ambitions of my youth. The planning, care and showmanship at the livestock show takes me back to my days as a hard-working FFA student. The life lessons these kids learn while taking care of their projects will stay with these current FFA students throughout their lives.
You may ask yourself why we are so involved in the livestock shows? And the answer is our Chahta children. A CDIB card is one of the requirements to be in the Choctaw Nation Livestock Show. Agriculture has always been a large part of our Choctaw heritage. Our ancestors were expert farmers and horticulturists that laid the foundation for the success and future of the Choctaw Nation today.
As a tribe, we are committed to our youth, our agricultural endeavors and learning how to care for something outside of us. In fiscal year 2025 alone, our tribe provided more than $1 million in support or more than 35 area Choctaw stock shows. We view our support efforts for FFA students and agriculture as a commitment to our youth and the heritage that created our tribe. Giving thanks to our ancestors is something we take very seriously, and this is just another way of promoting our agricultural heritage to future generations.
If you have never been to the Choctaw Nation Livestock Show, I urge you to come out and see for yourself how much determination and effort these kids put into their projects. This year’s events are being held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. I walk away every year from this event with a renewed sense that our future is in good hands with these hard-working, intelligent and well-mannered kids. It lets me know that with all the trials and tribulations that we sometimes face, there is a bright spot to see from our livestock show participants.
For more information go to choctawnation.com, click on events and search for the Choctaw Nation Livestock Show to learn when and where to attend.
Yakoke and God Bless!