A Feast for the Mind and Spirit: Inside Chickasha Public Library’s Vibrant New Indigenous Collection

If you walked into the Chickasha Public Library on the evening of November 6, 2025, you would have realized immediately that this wasn’t your typical library event. It wasn’t quiet, and there certainly wasn’t any “shushing.”

Instead, the air was filled with the rhythmic cadence of traditional storytelling, the bright colors of intricate beadwork, and the warm, inviting aroma of Sweet Corn Bisque.

This was the official launch party for the library’s groundbreaking Indigenous Collection, and it felt less like a formal ceremony and more like a family reunion. The community came together not just to cut a ribbon, but to celebrate the arrival of approximately 300 new books dedicated to the languages, cultures, and histories of Native American peoples.

For a library sitting right in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation, this collection feels like a homecoming. It is a recognition that the stories of Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribes aren’t just history—they are living, breathing parts of our daily lives.

Indigenous Collection Enriches Chickasha Public Library

A Night to Remember: Food, Art, and Stories

Let’s talk about that launch night for a second, because it perfectly captured the spirit of what this collection is all about.

Libraries are usually associated with the mind, but this event fed the soul (and the stomach). Guests were treated to a culinary journey through Indigenous history. We aren’t talking about store-bought cookies here. Attendees bonded over bowls of Three Sisters Salad (a dish honoring the agricultural triad of corn, beans, and squash) and tasted the tart, deep sweetness of Wojapi, a traditional wild plum jam. Connecting the culture of food with the culture of reading was a masterstroke—it reminded everyone that culture is something you consume with all your senses.

While the food warmed the guests, the entertainment sparked their imaginations. Donna Courtney, from the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division, held the room captive with traditional stories. There is a power in oral history that a book can’t quite capture, and hearing these narratives spoken aloud set the perfect tone for the evening.

Meanwhile, Hayla Wilson, a talented student from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO), provided a mesmerizing demonstration of beadwork. Watching her needle weave through the tiny beads was a reminder of the patience, skill, and artistry that has defined Indigenous culture for centuries. It was “living art” in the truest sense.

More Than Just History Books

Now, let’s get to the main event: the books themselves.

If you hear “Indigenous Collection” and picture a dusty shelf full of dry academic textbooks, think again. The librarians at Chickasha have curated a collection that is as diverse as the community itself. They understood that to truly honor a culture, you have to show all sides of it.

For the Visual Learners: The collection features stunning photography books that capture the landscapes and faces of Native America, alongside graphic novels that retell ancient legends with modern, dynamic art.
For the Storytellers: There is a wealth of fiction here. These are stories of love, mystery, and resilience set in both the past and the present day.
The Local Connection: Because of where we live, the library made sure to feature a heavy rotation of titles from the Chickasaw Press. This highlights the specific heritage of our neighbors, ensuring that local history isn’t just a footnote—it’s the headline.

The Heartbeat of Heritage: Language Learning

Perhaps the most vital part of this new section is the resources dedicated to Language Learning.

Language is the DNA of a culture. It holds the worldview, the humor, and the wisdom of a people. But as we know, many Indigenous languages are endangered. This collection offers a lifeline. Whether it is a young person trying to connect with their grandparents’ native tongue, or a non-Indigenous resident wanting to understand the names of the towns and rivers around them, these resources are tools for revitalization.

Why This Matters for Chickasha

In a digital world where we are increasingly disconnected, libraries remain the beating heart of a community. By carving out this dedicated space, the Chickasha Public Library is making a bold statement.

They are saying that Indigenous narratives belong in the center of the room.

This collection bridges the gap between the past and the present. It offers a student the chance to write a research paper using primary sources. It gives a teacher the tools to explain the complexity of tribal sovereignty. And, perhaps most importantly, it gives an Indigenous child the chance to pull a book off the shelf and see a hero who looks like them.

Conclusion: Come Explore

The party might be over, but the doors are open. The Indigenous Collection is now available to the public, waiting to be explored.

Whether you want to research the complex history of Native American treaties, learn how to bead, or simply get lost in a great novel by a Native author, this collection has something for you.

So, come on down. Check out a book. Learn a new word. Taste a piece of history (metaphorically speaking, since the corn bisque is all gone!). This is a rich tapestry of resilience and tradition, and it belongs to all of us.

For more information on upcoming events and library hours, be sure to visit the Related Source.

Photo credits: Daniel Neves Cotta, Julia Volk (via pixabay.com)