Chickasaw Inkana Foundation

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Did you know that for only $250 you can join the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation as an annual "Wolf Clan" member? By making a donation to the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation (CIF) you will be supporting the overall preservation, protection and interpretation of Chickasaw culture and history in the historic Chickasaw Homeland.

The annual Wolf membership comes with the bi-annual newsletter, a commemorative annual CIF coin, a dual membership in the Chickasaw Historical Society (including the Journal of Chickasaw History and Culture + a T-Shirt), a limited edition black metal CIF bottle, and invitations to special CIF events! Click the link below to join today!

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E360403&id=5

05/27/2026

Chickasaw artist Donna Welch recounts her two-decade journey of crafting art from gourds. From the very first gourd she crafted Welch has held a passion for this unique artform. "It was like a connection I couldn't explain," says Welch. Also known as Dancing Star, Welch describes the different types of gourds she works with and the various types of art she transforms them into, including rain and thunder gourds. At the core of Welch's work is a combination of beauty, utility and history. Obvious beauty as shown through her meticulous designs. Utility in the forms of drums, storage and other sundry uses. And a purposeful history aimed at keeping tradition alive, with a new modern twist. "Our ancestors would have used the gourds for drums or rattles, however, this is a new take on what our ancestors would have done," says Welch. Want to learn more? Click the link below!

Chickasaw artist Donna Welch recounts her two-decade journey of crafting art from gourds.

05/26/2026

On this day in 1736 the French forces and their Choctaw allies, coming up from the south, attacked the Chickasaw village of Aahikki'ya' (Ackia). In the spring of that year, two pivotal battles between the French and the Chickasaw occurred at the epicenter of the historic Chickasaw Homeland, in what is now Tupelo, Mississippi. As the French forces, led by Jean-Baptist Bienville, attacked the Chickasaws at Aahikki'ya' they were immediately caught in a crossfire between two Chickasaw forts. Following this unsuccessful effort, the French and their allies sought cover behind structures along the ridgeline and were forced to retreat, but not before suffering heavy casualties. The news of the Chickasaw victory over the much larger French force was published in newspapers across Europe. This decisive Chickasaw victory ensured that the French would no longer be able to pose a significant threat to Chickasaws in the region. Want to learn more? Click the link below!

The French began their attack on Ackia with grenades.

05/22/2026

Did you know that for only $100 you can join the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation as an annual "Deer Clan" member? By making a donation to the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation (CIF) you will be supporting the overall preservation, protection and interpretation of Chickasaw culture and history in the historic Chickasaw Homeland.

The annual Deer membership comes with the bi-annual newsletter, a commemorative annual CIF coin, a dual membership in the Chickasaw Historical Society (including the Journal of Chickasaw History and Culture + a T-Shirt), and invitations to special CIF events! Click the link below to join today!

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E360403&id=5

05/20/2026

Hunting has always been a part of Chickasaw artisan Elihu Johnson's life. Elihu has hunted with a hand-made bow and arrows since he was five years old. And now, he continues the tradition through making his own arrows. Learning most of his skills from the book "The Traditional Bowyer's Bible," he says he creates arrows to provide his family with food and to pass the tradition on to the next generation. According to Elihu, the reason why his Chickasaw ancestors used the bow and arrow was out of necessity. It was safer to fight and to hunt from a distance in order to stay safe – providing food and security for the tribe and family. Elihu walks through his process of crafting his imperfectly beautiful arrows, from choosing the proper wood, sourcing feathers for fletching and how to create an arrow tip. "I'm very proud of the arrows because I put a piece of myself into all of them, my blood, sweat and tears," says Elihu. He says that passing on the skill and craft of arrow making was of utmost importance to him. Having taught everyone from his children to people around the world, he prides himself in keeping the sacred fire lit and passed on: "That's why I'm here." Want to learn more? Click the link below!

Artisan Elihu Johnson crafts traditional Chickasaw arrows and keeps the custom alive by teaching the next generation how to make them.

05/15/2026

Saltillo Main Street is hosting Chickasaw artist Brent Greenwood to paint a new mural in the downtown area.