Phase 1 Fundraising Complete!
The Mission
Sincere, valuable efforts have strived to honor the presence of the Chickasaw people
but never truly captured their spirit.
The CHC will interpret the rich history of the Chickasaw people by providing visitors
with a comprehensive, state-of-the-art educational experience from a
uniquely Chickasaw perspective.
The Mission
Sincere, valuable efforts have strived to honor the presence of the Chickasaw people but never truly captured their spirit.
The CHC will interpret the rich history of the Chickasaw people by providing visitors with a comprehensive, state-of-the-art educational experience from a uniquely Chickasaw perspective.
The Experience
For visitors, the CHC offers an unforgettable
journey into a vibrant
culture of resilience,
complex history and living traditions.
For
Chickasaw citizens, it serves as a powerful,
sacred space to connect
with the unbroken
legacy of their Ancestors in the historic
Homeland.
Step back into their history and
experience a living culture that
continues to
flourish today.
The Experience
For visitors, the CHC offers an unforgettable
journey into a vibrant
culture of resilience,
complex history and living traditions.
For
Chickasaw citizens, it serves as a powerful,
sacred space to connect
with the unbroken
legacy of their Ancestors in the historic
Homeland.
Step back into their history and
experience a living culture that
continues to
flourish today.
The Experience
For visitors, the CHC offers an unforgettable
journey into a vibrant
culture of resilience,
complex history and living traditions.
For
Chickasaw citizens, it serves as a powerful,
sacred space to connect
with the unbroken
legacy of their Ancestors in the historic
Homeland.
Step back into their history and
experience a living culture that
continues to
flourish today.
The Project
Phase I - Opening Spring 2027
• Exhibit hall will share the history and culture of the Chickasaw people
from their perspective.
• Art gallery will showcase past and contemporary Chickasaw and other
Southeastern Indian artists.
• Gift shop will provide opportunities to purchase original Chickasaw and
Southeastern art, literature and CHC specific items.
• Outdoor plaza will provide a space for demonstrations and events.
• Walking trails across the campus will provide outdoor interpretation
connecting to the National Park Service National Scenic Trail.
Phase II - Funding in Process
• Café providing traditional Chickasaw dishes and a
selection of American fare
• Theater for sharing films and presentations
• Outdoor recreation featuring a reconstructed 1700s
Chickasaw community
• Children’s playground
• Stickball field for games and activities
The Project
Phase I - Opening Spring 2027
Exhibit hall will share the history and culture of the Chickasaw people
from their perspective.
Art gallery will showcase past and contemporary Chickasaw and other
Southeastern Indian artists.
Gift shop will provide opportunities to purchase original Chickasaw and
Southeastern art, literature and CHC specific items.
Outdoor plaza will provide a space for demonstrations and events.
Walking trails across the campus will provide outdoor interpretation
connecting to the National Park Service National Scenic Trail.
Phase II - Funding in Process
Café providing traditional Chickasaw dishes and a
selection of American fare
Theater for sharing films and presentations
Outdoor recreation featuring a reconstructed 1700s
Chickasaw community
Children’s playground
Stickball field for games and activities
The Project
Phase I - Opening
Spring 2027
Exhibit hall will share the history and culture of the Chickasaw people
from their perspective.
Art gallery will showcase past and contemporary Chickasaw and other
Southeastern Indian artists.
Gift shop will provide opportunities to purchase original Chickasaw and
Southeastern art, literature and CHC specific items.
Outdoor plaza will provide a space for demonstrations and events.
Walking trails across the campus will provide outdoor interpretation
connecting to the National Park Service National Scenic Trail.
Phase II - Funding
in Process
Café providing traditional Chickasaw dishes and a
selection of American fare
Theater for sharing films and presentations
Outdoor recreation featuring a reconstructed 1700s
Chickasaw community
Children’s playground
Stickball field for games and activities
Natchez Trace Parkway
Reasons to Give
The Chickasaw Heritage Center
represents:
The symbolic “Journey Home” for Chickasaw citizens
and serves as an anchor for Chickasaw heritage tourism in the
surrounding region, adding to the growing variety
of experiences available in the area. The Chickasaw people were
removed from their Homeland beginning in 1837, yet
they reestablished a strong presence in the Tupelo, Mississippi area
more than a century later. Their goal centered on continued efforts to
protect, preserve,
and educate the public about Chickasaw life, history,
and
culture; while investing in the regional economy.
The Chickasaw Heritage Center will be a place where
Chickasaw people tell their story from their perspective,
marking the first time that a southeastern tribe has
returned to their historic Homeland in a tangible way
after being forcibly removed.
Reasons to Give
The Chickasaw Heritage Center Represents:
The symbolic “Journey Home” for Chickasaw citizens and serves as an anchor for Chickasaw heritage tourism in the surrounding region adding to the growing variety of experiences available in the area. The Chickasaw people were removed from their Homeland beginning in 1837, yet they reestablished a strong presence in the Tupelo, Mississippi area more than a century later.Their goal centered on continued efforts to protect, preserve, and educate the public about Chickasaw life, history, and culture; while investing in the regional economy.
The Chickasaw Heritage Center will be a place where Chickasaw people tell their story from their perspective, marking the first time that a southeastern tribe has returned to their historic Homeland in a tangible way after being forcibly removed.
Reasons to Give
The Chickasaw
Heritage Center
Represents:
The symbolic “Journey Home” for Chickasaw citizens and serves as an anchor for Chickasaw heritage tourism in the surrounding region adding to the growing variety of experiences available in the area. The Chickasaw people were removed from their Homeland beginning in 1837, yet they reestablished a strong presence in the Tupelo, Mississippi area more than a century later.Their goal centered on continued efforts to protect, preserve, and educate the public about Chickasaw life, history, and culture; while investing in the regional economy.
The Chickasaw Heritage Center will be a place where Chickasaw people tell their story from their perspective, marking the first time that a southeastern tribe has returned to their historic Homeland in a tangible way after being forcibly removed.
Become a Chickasaw Heritage Center (CHC) Charter Member and get a Complimentary Annual Membership in the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation (CIF)! While the CHC takes shape, the CIF continues its mission to preserve, protect and interpret Chickasaw history and culture in the historic Chickasaw Homeland. For a limited time, make history with us.
Here’s how it works:
• Donate $250 or more to the CHC Journey Home Capital Campaign and become a CHC Charter Member.
• Your Charter Membership includes recognition on the CHC website, a Charter Membership Certificate and a special Limited Edition Charter Membership Coin.
• This limited time offer grants a one-year CIF membership at a level equal to 10% of any donation. For example, a $250 donation earns you a $25 (Fish) level CIF membership or a $500 donation earns you a $50 (Bird) level CIF membership.
• Annual CIF memberships run by calendar year and include all CIF benefits listed on www.inkana.org/give.
By making a donation to the Chickasaw Heritage Center, you will be supporting the overall preservation, protection and interpretation of Chickasaw history and culture in the historic Chickasaw Homeland.
We accept all donation dollar amounts; however, donations of $10,000 and up will be recognized on this Chickasaw Heritage Center capital campaign website and in the newly constructed Chickasaw Heritage Center lobby/atrium donor wall as an inaugural charter member. All charter members will also receive a special certificate and a special edition Chickasaw Heritage Center charter membership commemorative coin.
Charter membership provides an opportunity for individuals to make an enduring impact toward the creation of this long-awaited project and legacy in the Homeland. The following inaugural charter members are:
Grow With Us
The Purpose of
Naming Opportunities:
Provide individuals or corporations an opportunity to make a lasting
contribution to the preservation of Chickasaw history and culture
in the historic Homeland.
Funds will be used to complete the capital campaign needs.
The remainder will be allocated to sustaining campaigns for the operations and
endowment of the Chickasaw Heritage Center.
For additional information concerning naming opportunities
please contact the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation at 662-842-4176.
Grow With Us
The Purpose of
Naming
Opportunities :
- Provide Individuals or Corporations an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the preservation of Chickasaw History and Culture in the historic Homeland. Funds will be used to complete the capital campaign needs.
The remainder will be allocated to sustaining campaigns for the operations and endowment of the Chickasaw Heritage Center.
For additional information concerning naming opportunities please contact the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation at 662-842-4176.
Grow With Us
The Purpose of Naming
Opportunities :
- Provide Individuals or Corporations an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the preservation of Chickasaw History and Culture in the historic Homeland. Funds will be used to complete the capital campaign needs.
The remainder will be allocated to sustaining campaigns for the operations and endowment of the Chickasaw Heritage Center.
For additional information concerning naming opportunities please contact the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation at 662-842-4176.
Our Partners
The Chickasaw Heritage Center project is vital to the mission of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation seeks to preserve, protect and interpret Chickasaw history and culture in the historic Chickasaw Homeland, which constitutes not only its heart of Tupelo, but greater northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, northwestern Alabama, and southwestern Kentucky.
The Chickasaw Heritage Center project is vital to the mission of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation seeks to preserve, protect and interpret Chickasaw history and culture in the historic Chickasaw Homeland, which constitutes not only its heart of Tupelo, but greater northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, northwestern Alabama, and southwestern Kentucky.
Contact the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation
- Phone : (662) 842-4176
- Office Address : P.O. Box 1307 Tupelo, MS 38802
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Capital Campaign?and the development or expansion of an endowment.
Why is the Capital Campaign slogan titled, "Journey Home"?The Chickasaw Heritage Center project represents a symbolic “Journey Home” for Chickasaw citizens and will serve as an indelible anchor for Chickasaw heritage tourism,
education and cultural preservation. The Chickasaw people were forcibly removed from their Homeland starting in 1837 yet reestablished a strong presence in the Tupelo, MS
area more than a century later with efforts of protecting, preserving and educating the public about Chickasaw life, history and culture while at the same time investing in the regional economy.
The Chickasaw Heritage Center is a culminating beacon reconnecting Chickasaw citizens to a Mississippi Homeland edifice.
Why is Chickasaw Inkana Foundation (CIF) involved/spearheading the Journey Home Capital Campaign?An ongoing major objective of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation since its inception has been to lead the construction and development of the forthcoming Chickasaw Heritage Center.
The Chickasaw Heritage Center project is vital to the mission work of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation seeks to
preserve, protect and interpret Chickasaw history and culture in the historical Chickasaw Homeland, which constitutes not only its epicenter of Tupelo, but greater northern Mississippi, western
Tennessee, northwestern Alabama, and southwestern Kentucky.
What is the Journey Home Capital Campaign fundraising goal?The phase one goal of the Capital Campaign is approximately $32 million dollars. In addition to the phase 1 fundraising we hope ot raise additional funds for the multipurpose room and Chickasaw Heritage Center Cafe.
How much of my Journey Home Capital Campaign Donation will go to the construction and development of the Chickasaw Heritage Center?100% of all donated funds earmarked specifically for the Journey Home Capital Campaign will go to the construction and development of the Chickasaw Heritage Center.
How do I donate? How can I pay my gift or pledge?We accept your gift in the form of:
Check/Credit Card • Appreciated Stock • IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution • Bequests
Please make checks payable to the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation
May I pledge my Campaign gift over a period of time?We encourage donors to spread their campaign gift over a period of time. Capital Campaigns have a special, targeted purpose for raising the money and the funds are restricted.
By spreading your pledge out over time, you have the flexibility to plan for your financial commitment.
Is it okay to give to the Campaign in my company's name?an appreciated stock gift or an IRA qualified charitable distribution or name the Chickasaw Heritage Center in their Will.
What if my company has a matching gift program, does that help?this charitable benefit option. It is worth exploring if your employer has a corporate matching program. Contact the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation to provide matching gift information.
Once I make my Campaign gift, how else can I help?People give to people. Consider ways you can involve your business associates, friends and family to support this worthy effort.
Will donors (and donation amounts) be publicly acknowledged?Donor recognition is an important part of every campaign. The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation has a tiered system of acknowledging all donors with the
highest honor being that of: Naming Opportunities (via major gift and agreement), the Legacy Wall, Website and in various other print/media materials.
Are donations to the Journey Home Capital Campaign tax deductible?Chickasaw Inkana Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EIN: 47-1377524.
When is the project slated for completion?The Chickasaw Heritage Center is slated for completion in 2026.
Who do I call if I have additional questions or concerns?
Please contact the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation at 662-842-4176.