Diversity Spotlight: Chickasaw Inkana Foundation Honors the Past and Celebrates the Future of the Chickasaw Nation

In 2012, trained archeologist, Brady Davis, would walk out of his small one-room office in a cabin at the Chickasaw Preserve and have hands-on involvement of preserving historic sites, artifacts and cultural reminders of the Nation’s past.

Then in 2019, Brady was offered the role as CEO of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation where he was tasked with helping to enhance the fundraising and development efforts for a new Chickasaw Heritage Center. Brady said he knows that many people think of the past when discussing Native Americans as it relates to American history. However, one aspect of the mission of Chickasaw Inkana Foundation is to help people understand that the Chickasaw people still have a strong and vibrant culture today.

The 501c3 organization was first envisioned by Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby to form a grassroots independent nonprofit organization in the Chickasaw Homeland. “Inkana” means friend in the Chickasaw language. 

The goal of the group is to foster and create real partnerships with local and civic governments and educational institutions to encourage protections of Chickasaw heritage sites as well as accurately interpret Chickasaw culture in the region.

“One of the most important elements of our mission and the development of the Chickasaw Heritage Center is that we are working for the Chickasaw People with a goal to share the Chickasaw story from their perspective.,” Brady said. “We do a considerable amount  of outreach and have preserved three large Chickasaw heritage sites..”

The Chickasaw Homeland encompasses its epicenter present day Tupelo, along with greater northern Mississippi, northwestern Alabama, western Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky.

Currently, the organization has three heritage sites it is preserving – one of which will be the new home for the Chickasaw Heritage Center.

Preserve, Protect, Interpret

• • The Chickasaw people lived in their Homeland until they were forcibly removed in 1837. Vast historical and cultural resources remain as a true testament of the Chickasaw’s prominence and reputation that placed them at the forefront of the southeastern tribes and influenced global events.
  • The Chickasaw cultural resources in the historic Homeland are non-renewable. Protecting what remains is a primary objective of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation. Developing lasting public and private partnerships based on education and outreach regarding historic preservation and cultural resource management provides a framework for a greater understanding and appreciation for the protection of Chickasaw culture and history in the historic homeland.
  • Since 2016, the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation, the Chickasaw Nation and other local partners have worked together on a variety of educational programming including annual Chickasaw celebrations connecting the public to the cultural heritage of the Chickasaw people.

National Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month, which calls attention to the culture, traditions and achievements of the nation’s original inhabitants and of their decedents. 

This month, Brady met with Mayor Todd Jordan and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution to proclaim November as Native American Heritage Month in Tupelo, Miss.

How Businesses and Individuals Can Help

By making a donation or becoming a member to the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation you will be supporting the overall preservation, protection and interpretation of Chickasaw history and culture in the historic Chickasaw Homeland. A major objective of the organization is to lead the capital campaign, construction and development the forthcoming Chickasaw Heritage Center. All funding will support the ongoing progress of the center. The Chickasaw Heritage Center offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the founding of a historic and cultural institution within the Chickasaw community.

The organization invites individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations to join them in this historic endeavor.

Resources to Learn More

• • www.chickasaw.net – the official webpage of the Chickasaw Nation.
  • www.chickasaw.tv – the Nation has a channel dedicated to learning the Chickasaw language through lessons, songs, games and stories.
  • www.chickasawkids.com – an educational and interactive website that enables children to play games, learn about Chickasaw language and history, discover exciting recipes and more.
  • https://inkana.org – The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation’s website.

“North Mississippi has a rich heritage steeped in Chickasaw culture.  Chickasaw names and words are commonplace, but most residents here know very little about the Chickasaw people and the historical impact of the Nation on our region,” says Tupelo office managing partner and Chickasaw Inkana Foundation board member, Greg Pirkle, “It is difficult to have the appropriate respect for the region unless you understand the culture of the people who originally settled and developed it.  My goal is to educate the people in our area about the incredible impact of the Native American people on northeast Mississippi and to strengthen the ties between the people of north Mississippi and the Chickasaw people who call this area their homeland.”

Phelps is a proud sponsor of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation and is dedicated to helping the organization preserve the culture and honor the Chickasaw people.