Choctaw Landing, the latest luxury resort and casino by the Choctaw Nation, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday morning in Hochatown, Oklahoma. This new 100-room resort had its soft opening on April 3, with the official ceremony held on May 23.
The ribbon-cutting event was led by Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, with approximately 300 attendees present. Chief Batton emphasized the significance of merging cultural heritage with economic growth for both tribal members and local residents.
“Any time you can bring our culture and our history together, along with economic development for our tribal members and the citizens of this area, it’s a great day,” Batton remarked. “We broke ground down here two years ago, and to see our grand opening today and all the things we’re going to be able to bring to McCurtain County, it’s exciting. I love that we’re seeing our culture and history displayed here and that it’s an economic boost to this area. Hopefully, people will learn about Choctaw Nation here more than ever before.”
The celebration featured performances by Choctaw dancers and singers, along with traditional activities such as flintknapping, weaponry, and pottery, enriching the cultural experience for attendees.
Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell was among the state officials who attended the event. In his speech, he praised the Choctaw Nation’s significant contribution to Oklahoma’s tourism industry. “You are leading the way in economic development,” Pinnell said of the Choctaw Nation. “Oklahoma is Oklahoma because of our 39 sovereign nations. This is Native America. In Oklahoma, our tourism industry is the third largest industry in the state because of our sovereign nations.”
The $238 million Choctaw Landing resort is expected to provide a substantial boost to the local economy, creating over 400 jobs in southeastern Oklahoma and generating an estimated $95 million economic impact in the region, according to Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma via North Texas e-News.
Luxurious Resort and Casino
The resort boasts a range of facilities, including:
- 100 guest rooms with 15 suites
- Three conference rooms and over 4,300 square feet of meeting space
- One hotel restaurant and three outdoor dining/bar options
- A resort fitness center
- A pool area with nine cabanas, two hot tubs, and three fire pits
- An outdoor amphitheater with seating for 125
- A casino featuring 600 slot machines and eight table games, including roulette and blackjack
- A mercantile offering gifts, groceries, a deli, a Starbucks, and a 24-pump fuel station
Highlighting Choctaw culture, the resort collaborated with over 20 Choctaw artists to create original artwork for public spaces. The resort features 40 public art pieces, two large exterior sculptures, and 600 pieces of artwork throughout the guest rooms. An interactive Art Hike has been developed to showcase the Choctaw art, guided by a digital twin of Choctaw Chief Gary Batton using advanced AI technology, providing guests with an educational journey through Choctaw culture, art, and history.
“From the planning stages years ago, we knew that we wanted to bring something to this community that brought culture first and foremost,” said Heidi Grant, senior executive officer over commerce. “Culture was prevalent in the design and development stages. We were very considerate about the nature and community aspects and how we could fit and complement this area.”
Choctaw Landing mirrors the natural beauty of Hochatown, incorporating luxurious amenities like meeting rooms, a restaurant, a pool with cabanas, and a casino. The resort also includes an outdoor recreation venue with an amphitheater, beer garden, and diverse food options. Additionally, the mercantile connected to the resort provides convenient services including a deli, Starbucks, and a fuel station.
The Choctaw Nation, the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with over 225,000 members and 12,000 associates, has a rich history dating back over 14,000 years. The first tribe to travel the Trail of Tears, its historical reservation spans 10,923 square miles in southeastern Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation’s vision, “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family, and culture,” continues to guide its efforts in fostering growth and prosperity for its people.