The Oka Kapassa - Return to Coldwater Festival

06/30/2025

Our new website is live! Check it out at https://www.okakapassafestival.org.

06/20/2025

Calling all teachers! Join us on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m for a continuing education opportunity presented by Oka Kapassa Festival as part of UNA's Inservice Program. In this workshop we will review AL Course of Study for Native American Standards (Grades 3,4 and 5); provide resources and activities related to the Standards and other Cultural Information; and take a visit to the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall in Lauderdale County. All presenters are of Native American descent and have extensive experience in teaching authentic information related to Alabama’s First People. Local workshop attendees will be eligible to have Native American demonstrators/performers visit their schools during the Oka Kapassa Festival in September 2025. For registration information go to https://secure.smore.com/n/6y7nr and register for PS Section: 528385 under the Social Studies section. Hope to see you there!

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