West South Central in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

We Are Chickasaw

Our Oral History

Chikasha Aittafama Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 12, 2025

1. Chikasha Aittafama Marker

Inscription.

According to Chickasaw oral history, himmonakut (once upon a time) two brothers, Chiksa' and Chahta, guided our people with the assistance of Ofi' Tohbi' Ishto' (large white dog) and a sacred pole on a migration from the West to the Chikasha iyakni (Homeland) in the southeast. Our historic Chikasha iyakni is located in the modern states of southwest Kentucky, western Tennessee, northwest Alabama and northern Mississippi.

Over thousands of years after the migration, our civilization grew and communities scattered across the forests and prairies. Oka hina (waterways) and numerous trails offered routes for expeditions, trade, hunting and military purposes. Ancient Southeastern Indian tribes built great earthen lokfi' sakti (mounds), extensive settlements and vast agricultural fields. Consequently, these man-made monuments reveal the formation of a complex political and social system maintained by our early society.

Now, ancient earthen lokfi sakti embellish the landscape, reminding us of Southeastern Indian tribes' architectural skills and ingenuity. Ancient artifacts discovered in our Chikasha iyakni

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reveal knowledge about daily lifestyle and reinforces Southeastern Indian tribes cultural identity.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 35° 32.066′ N, 97° 29.007′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in West South Central. It is on NE 63rd Street half a mile NE 66th Street. The marker is at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City OK 73111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: We are Chickasaw (here,

We Are Chickasaw Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 12, 2025

2. We Are Chickasaw Marker

next to this marker); Akaraarataa'u' (here, next to this marker); Chahiksichahiks (here, next to this marker); Chikasha Aittafama (here, next to this marker); Rikllsu (Corn) (here, next to this marker); Kiowa Tipi (a few steps from this marker); Kiowa (a few steps from this marker); Oil Derrick (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.