USAO Student to Demonstrate Indigenous Beadwork For Library's New Collection
Contact: Hannah Thompson | 405-574-1362
USAO Student Hayla Wilson will perform a beadwork demonstration at an event hosted by the Chickasha Public Library for the official opening of its new Indigenous collection today, November 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend the event, which will feature specialized presentations, storytelling, a cultural display, and a taste of Indigenous cuisine.
The new collection, featuring approximately 300 new books, focuses on the diverse languages, cultures, histories arts, and current events of Indigenous peoples, with a strong focus on Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribes. The collection includes language learning resources, graphics novels, photography books, and fiction for all ages written by Indigenous authors. Given the library’s location within the Chickasaw Nation, the library is proud to feature many publications from Chickasaw Press.
The celebration program will feature a variety of distinguished speakers, including:
- Stanley Nelson, Senior Staff Writer for Chickasaw Press
- Katherine Witzig, Chair of the Oklahoma Library Association Tribal Libraries Committee
- Donna Courtney, Storytelling Program Manager of the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division
The event will also include a culinary presentation by Youth Services Librarian Drew Wilson, with samples of Indigenous food available to attendees, including:
- Sweet Corn bisque (from Cherokee and Choctaw traditions)
- Three Sisters Salad
- Cheyanne Batter Bread
- Wojapi (wild plum jam)
Following the presentations, guests can participate in a tour of the new collection, browse books, and check out other materials the library has to offer.
From November 1 – 8, the library will host the American Indian Nations of Oklahoma in the Modern Era trunk from the Oklahoma History Center Museum. The display contains flags, artwork, and books representing twenty-three different Native nations, as well as information on all of Oklahoma’s federally recognized tribes. The celebration is free and open to the public. Books from the Indigenous Collection will be available for checkout beginning today, November 6, 2025.
The Chickasha Public Library is located at 527 W. Iowa Ave, Chickasha, OK, 73018.
About the Chickasha Public Library:
The Chickasha Public Library was founded in 1905 as a Carnegie Library – the first free public library in what was then Indian territory. Today, the library continues its mission to provide the residents of Chickasha and Grady County with a broad array of free resources, including books, e-books, computer and internet access, and programs for all ages, with the goal of supporting information needs related to work, school, and personal life.