![Friday was filled with intense stickball play. (Photos/Darren Thompson)](/images/2022/Choctaw_Lacrosse.png)
- Details
- By Darren Thompson
TUSHKAHOMA, Okla. — Thousands of Choctaw tribal citizens are Tushkahoma, Oklahoma (Tvshka Homma), the Choctaw Nation's capitol grounds for the annual Labor Day Festival that lasts all weekend long. The Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival has been a decades-long tradition for the Choctaw people who gather to celebrate their culture and meet up with family and friends.
The annual gatheing on Labor Day weekend began with an opportunity to listen to the Chief speak and conduct tribal business. One of the earliest instances of the festival’s origin was a letter documenting interest in the first Choctaw Princess being selected in 1969. In its beginning, the gatherings were small compared to today where the festival includes carnival rides, softball, and, of course, stickball.
![](https://nativenewsonline.net/images/Chocaw_women_lacrosse.png)
In additonal to the sports events, the annual Choctaw Nation Royalty pageant was held on Friday evening. Winners inclused: Senior Miss Aliyah Myers from District 7, Junior Miss Kassidy Lee from District 9, and Little Miss Sophia McFarland from District 11.
![](https://nativenewsonline.net/images/Choctaw_princess_pageant.png)
To learn more about the Choctaw Labor Day Festival, CLICK.
https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/photos-of-the-choctaw-labor-day-festival#sigProId324b906a0e
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
President Biden Appoints Janie Simms Hipp to Community Development Advisory Board
Call to Campaigns: See Indian Country
NCAI Condemns Racist Remarks by Trump-Backed GOP Montana Senatorial Candidate
Following the release of the U.S. Department of the Interior's final report, we at Native News Online took a moment to reflect on our extensive three-year effort to highlight the traumatic legacy of Indian boarding schools. By covering all 12 Road to Healing events and publishing over 250 articles, we have amplified survivors' voices and illuminated the lasting impact on Indigenous communities. Our work continues. Please consider donating to help fund our ongoing coverage of Indian boarding schools.