TUSCUMBIA– On September 11th and 12th Spring Park in Tuscumbia, Alabama, will be filled with the sights and sounds of Native American culture, when representatives of more than a dozen American Indian tribes return to share their heritage with the communities of the Shoals and the surrounding area at the place the Chickasaw called Oka Kapassa, meaning Cold Water.
The Oka Kapassa – Return to Cold Water Native American Festival will 
bring more than 150 artists and demonstrators to display their work, perform music and dance and to demonstrate the life skills of American Indians.
It has been said, “If the stories fall silent, who will teach the children?” Elementary school groups from across the region will attend special activities on Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Events include story-telling, dancing, and stickball, among other arts and living history demonstrations. Teachers are urged to pre-register through the UNA In-Service Center 1-800-760-7517.
When American Indians were camped at Tuscumbia in preparation for removal to the West, townspeople brought food, clothing and blankets to them explains festival chairperson Terry McGee. This spirit of goodwill by Tuscumbia is the only known documentation of such an act. A newspaper of the day published the words of Creek Chief Chilly McIntosh–“As long as our nation remains upon the earth, we will recollect Tuscumbia.” According to McGee, this is what the Oka Kapassa Festival is based upon.
The general public is invited to the Spring Park on Saturday, when festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue in the arena and throughout the park until 6:00 p.m. There is no admission charge.
During the festival dancers in full regalia will demonstrate both Pow Wow 
style and Stomp Dance. Two Native American award-winning artists, Arvel Byrd (Paiute and Celtic) and Injunuity (Choctaw and Chickasaw) will head the musical line up for this year’s festival and present a unique combination of traditional and contemporary Native American music.
Also included in the festival are hoop dancing by Lyndon Alec, storytelling by Freeman Owle, shell carving by award-winning artist Dan Townsend, blow gun demonstrations, flint-knapping, basket making, pottery, beading and jewelry, archery, dolls, hair braiding, Native languages and Native American foods, including Buffalo, fry bread, maize (corn) and Indian tacos. The “Walk of Life” will be held during which Native Americans and others are invited to walk from Tuscumbia Landing (Sheffield) to the park in a symbolic return to their Eastern homeland.
Festival Chairperson McGee, said this is the fifteenth year the festival has been presented and stated as it has matured, more and more people recognize its significance. Last year’s attendance grew to an estimated 8,000 people over the two days, with about 1,000 students benefiting from the educational program. The festival has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society. Credited for its authenticity, the festival requires all participants be Native American and hold federally recognized documentation.
In addition to activities in Spring Park, two new community events have been added to the schedule.
A pre-festival presentation featuring Lyndon Alec (Alabama), hoop dancer and Freeman Owle (Eastern Band Cherokee), Native American storyteller, will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 6:00 p.m at the Killen Public Library. This event is sponsored by the Oka Kapassa Festival, Alabama State Council on the Arts, and Killen Public Library. Admission is free.
An outdoor concert featuring music by Injunuity and Arvel Bird will be held at the Florence Public Library at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11th. Native American heritage, culture and history will be presented through violin, guitar, and native flute by these extraordinary musicians. This event is sponsored by the Oka Kapassa Festival, Alabama State Council on the Arts, and Florence Lauderdale Public Library. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs.
Oka Kapassa- Return to Cold Water and the additional events are made possible through various local sponsorships and additional grant funding by the Alabama Humanities Foundation, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, and the Alabama Department of Tourism.
During activities on Saturday, festival organizers assure that there will be plenty of American Indian food to sample and advise festival-goers to bring a lawn chair and plan to spend the day. For a full schedule of events or for more information, including how to book a school group, visit www.okakapassa.org the Oka Kapassa Facebook page or call Colbert County Tourism at 256-383-0783 or 800-344-0783.
