r/choctaw

Happy Nanih Waiya Day!

"Today, August 14, 2026, marks the official Tribal Holiday commemorating the return of the Nanih Waiya Cave and Ceremonial Mound back to its rightful owners, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The Cave holds great significance for the Tribe as the birthplace of the Choctaw and is commonly referred to as the “Mother Mound.” The Ceremonial Mound has been recognized as a burial ground for the ancestors of the Choctaw.

On November 14, 2008, a proclamation was signed by the Tribal Government elected officials at that time, which reads, “Nanih Waiya, our mother mound, was taken from the Choctaw people long ago, but it has now been restored to her children. Let it be proclaimed to all people that this land shall never be sold, traded, or negotiated with ever again. This land has remained in the hearts of the Choctaw people and from this day forward shall never leave their hands again."

As we celebrate this holiday, let us reflect on what this sacred ground means to our people. Let us always remember the perseverance of our Chahta People against the many challenges they faced throughout our history. Let us be grateful for the opportunity of passing down our cultural and historical legacy to our younger generations.

A symbol of our heritage, strength, and connection to our ancestors, Nanih Waiya remains a sacred land preserved for generations to come. The Mound shall never leave the hands of the Choctaw people."

Copied from the MBCI Facebook page.

I put a different picture of our mother mound since they chose to use AI to create a poster

@dirtychaimomma on IG

(copied from their Facebook page)

"On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) held the Nanih Waiya Day Celebration at the Ceremonial Mound. This yearly event commemorates the return of Nanih Waiya to the Tribe in 2008 after it was taken away during the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830.

The program with drumming by drummers from the various Choctaw communities. The mistress of ceremonies was 2026-2027 Choctaw Indian Princess Lexi Alaysia Flint, who gave a welcome and spoke about the historical and cultural significance of Nanih Waiya. She then introduced Bogue Chitto Tribal Councilman Kendall Wallace, who offered an invocation. Princess Lexi sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem in the Choctaw language. Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben then offered his remarks, thanking everyone for attending and sharing his thoughts on the sacred aspects of the beloved mound.

The Department of Chahta Immi Social Dancers then danced several traditional Choctaw dances in celebration of the day. Following the dances, members of the Tribal Council, U.S. Army Veteran Henry Shumake, Jr., U.S. Navy Veteran Meritza Shumake, and Chief Ben presented the Tribal community flags, State of Mississippi flag, the United States flag, and the MBCI Tribal flag. As the program concluded, Chief Ben offered a closing prayer, and attendees were treated to a delicious, traditional to-go meal.

Thank you to every program, department, organization, and volunteer who had a hand in the success of this meaningful program at the Ceremonial Mound!!!"

Link to the post https://www.facebook.com/100064708414996/posts/pfbid0LxF6JrsQhJqyqsLyiyVMfPVpUgThknYhNrTjdx1RDZuv22k3TRSVY7MiENsuvHjPl/?mibextid=NOb6eG

I cannot believe I missed posting this by a day!!