Choctaw, Chickasaw unveil new statue at Southeastern Oklahoma

DURANT, Oklahoma (KXII) – There’s a new statue at Southeastern Oklahoma University that’s part of an old story.

The statue of the “Two Brothers” weighs 1700 pounds and symbolizes the bond between the Choctaw and the Chickasaw nations.

“We recognize and honor the historic connection between the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which started many years before the story of the two brothers, Chiksa’ and Chatah, even began,” SOSU Student Senator Alexander Robinson said.

Before the Choctaw and the Chickasaw, there was just one tribe, led by two brothers.

Eventually, the brothers parted peacefully, each taking a part of the tribe with them.

The sculpture captures that very moment.

“It has been long known that we needed to create something to commemorate the importance of these two huge tribes and how important they are to the students that come here,” artist Jane Umsted said.

To this day, though they are separate, the two tribes work hand in hand.

They chose the SOSU campus because leadership in both tribes strongly believe in education.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said, when the youth excel, the whole tribe excels.

Before this ceremony, SOSU did not have any bronze art on campus. Now, the growing school is home to a piece of the past — and a model for the future.

“What we’re trying to do for our kids, for our grandkids, that’s so important to us, and the legacies we want to leave behind,” Choctaw Chief Gary Batton said. “A lot of times, I hope I’m just living out the vision our ancestors set for us many many years ago.”

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