The Oka Kapassa - Return to Coldwater Festival

12/25/2024

Share Memories and Support the Family.

11/21/2024

We are sad to learn of the passing this week of Ramsey King, Mississippi Band of Choctaw. Ramsey was a master basket maker who learned his traditional basket-weaving skills from a grandmother and great aunts. He participated in many of our festivals, sharing his craft and playing stickball. He will be greatly missed.

09/30/2024

We look forward to seeing storyteller Amy Bluemel of the Chickasaw Nation at next year's festival. Thank you to the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D) for grant money sponsoring the performances of some of our festival participants.

Chickasaw Storyteller Amy Blumel at the Florence Lauderdale Public Library in Florence, AL, Sept 9, 2016. This was a special event of the Oka Kapassa -- Retu...

09/30/2024

Arvel Bird is one of the performers we were expecting at the 2024 festival before weather caused it's cancellation. We are grateful to the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D) for grant money sponsoring the performances of some of our festival participants.

April 2018, Arvel performed several times at Southwest Virginia Community College in Cedar Bluff, VA. The theme for this Festival of the Arts was "From Acr...

09/11/2024

We are saddened to announce that this year's festival is being canceled due to impending severe weather. Several of our participants coming from across the country will be unable to make the trip due to tribal travel restrictions because of the weather threat. The cancellation includes both Friday and Saturday events, as well as the Friday night program. This was a hard decision, but the safety of our participants and attendees always comes first. Thank you for your understanding and support.

09/10/2024

ARTISANS PART 3
We have many talented people demonstrating their craft and selling their art this year. Some have been with us many years, some are new, and all bring something unique to the festival.
Niles Aseret (Navajo) - Jewelry & Silversmithing
Amy Bluemel (Chickasaw) - Painted Boxes & Gourds
Melvin Manning, Jr. (Poarch Creek) - Shell Carving
Cornelia Manning Miller (Poarch Creek) - Traditional Crafts

09/09/2024

Music serves as a medium of communication in Native American culture and is an integral part of spiritual, social, and cultural events. This year we are fortunate to have two talented musicians perform at the festival. Cherokee Nation National Treasure Tommy Wildcat is an accomplished maker and player of traditional Native flutes. Arvel Bird blends his American Indian (Southern Paiute) and Scottish heritage to create "Celtic Indian" music using violin, fiddle, Native flutes, and Irish whistles.

09/08/2024

Join us Friday night for an informative and entertaining evening!

09/06/2024

ARTISANS PART 2
We have many talented people demonstrating their craft and selling their art this year. Some have been with us many years, some are new, and all bring something unique to the festival.
Rebecca Alec (Alabama-Coushatta) - Jewelry
Freeman Owle (Eastern Cherokee) - Stone carving
Charlie Wolfe (Eastern Cherokee) - Beadwork

09/05/2024

ARTISANS PART 1
We have many talented people demonstrating their craft and selling their art this year. Some have been with us many years, some are new, and all bring something unique to the festival.
Mary Newman (Eastern Cherokee) - Pottery
Sue Fish (Chickasaw) - Woven Baskets
Carrie Vance (Cherokee Nation) - Woven Baskets & Cornhusk Dolls

09/04/2024

Emcee Cubert Bell (Choctaw) and drummers led by Dan Isaac (Choctaw) keep visitors entertained and the schedule of performances on track. Sit for awhile and enjoy music, dancing, and storytelling throughout the day. Check out the schedule for Saturday September 14th.

09/03/2024

Dancing is a special aspect of American Indian culture. Historically dances were used to tell stories, celebrate events, pray and give thanks, and build community. At the festival you will see several different styles of dance including hoop, fancy, stomp, and jingle.

08/31/2024

If you haven't tried authentic Native American food, this is your chance. Juanita Gardinski and her brother Billy Thompson (Choctaw) return this year, cooking up delicious fry bread, Indian tacos, bison burgers, and roasted corn. Gina Brown and her sister LaDonna (Chickasaw) will again cook and serve traditional pashofa, a soup-like dish made from cracked corn and pork.

08/30/2024

Storytelling and oral traditions are an important part of Native American culture. Oral traditions are a form of shared history and can communicate lessons, creation stories, cultural beliefs, and tribal history. Oka Kapassa Festival brings this tradition to you through the storytelling talents of Amy Bluemel (Chickasaw), Tony Garter (Lakota), and Freeman Owle (Eastern Cherokee).

08/29/2024

An explanation of why Tuscumbia is the site for the festival.

08/28/2024

This year's Festival will feature something special, the return of Arvel Bird!

Arvel Bird's “Celtic Indian” brand is a reflection of his mixed-blood American Indian and Celtic heritages — With his violin, fiddle, Native flutes, and Irish whistles, Arvel weaves a powerful tapestry of music and stories. From music festivals to concert halls, audiences get a glimpse into his Native American heart and Scottish soul.

A classically trained violinist, Arvel toured worldwide with Glen Campbell for 6 years, then with other artists such as Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Louise Mandrell, and Clay Walker.

Since that time, he has released 25 CDs of his own music, reflecting his Native and Celtic heritages.

We are delighted to welcome Arvel Bird back to The Oka Kapassa Festival this year!

08/27/2024

Just two weeks away!

08/09/2024

Mark your calendars for a great program about the Mound Builders by our board member Ana Peeples at the Sheffield Public Library Thursday August 22 at 2:00 p.m.