The Chickasaw Cultural Center will host Ithana: The Learn and Lunch Series at noon on Nov. 18.

The presentations are free and open to the public. There is an optional lunch available to purchase which includes an entrée and drink.

Due to limited seating, reservations are preferred. Contact the Special Events Department at (580) 622-7130 or email Special.EventsCCC@chickasaw.net.

*IDP credit is available for Chickasaw Nation employees who attend.

Schedule:

Nov. 18, 2025 - noon - 1 p.m.

"To'li': Chickasaw Stickball" presented by Blake Nucosee

This presentation will explore itta kapochcha to'li, or stickball, a traditional game of the Chickasaw people and other Southeastern tribes. Stickball is a vital part of Chickasaw history and culture, and our people carry on the tradition today.

Biography:

Nucosee is the cultural resources supervisor for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Culture and Humanities, where he oversees 10 cultural instructors at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. He has served the Chickasaw Nation for nine years, beginning as a teen participant in the Toksali SMART program.

Nucosee is passionate about preserving and sharing his knowledge of First American traditions so they are passed down to future generations. One of these traditions is the traditional game of stickball, which he sees as a way to connect participants with the history, values and community spirit of the Chickasaw people. Through his stickball instruction, he encourages respect, teamwork and cultural understanding both on and off the field. He lives in Ada, Oklahoma, with his wife Nacobi.