CULTURAL RESOURCES
You don't have to look outside of Oklahoma City to learn more about your tribe.
Here are some local resources for you to enjoy.
Noteworthy Native News
Native TV & Movies
CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO TELEVISION K35MV-D
Cheyenne and Arapaho Television provides Oklahoma with a rich cultural viewing experience for Native as well as Non-Native audiences. Their hope is to not only present positive and inspiring images of Native Americans but also through cultural exposure and education, they are able to foster a better appreciation and understanding between Oklahoma's Non-Native and Native communities.
For more information click on the link below.
Spirit Rangers
A new animated children's show on Netflix, follows three Indigenous siblings who are tasked with becoming Spirit Rangers and embodying various animals to protect the national park they call home. Karissa Valencia, the show's creator, was inspired by her upbringing and the tribal stories her father would tell her about nature and animals.
Te Ata
Te Ata set her sights on Broadway and what she thought was her life's dream. Audition after audition she was rejected and began to wonder if she was cut out for the bright lights. Showing on Netflix.
Gather
An intimate portrait of a growing movement amongst Indigenous Americans to reclaim their spiritual and cultural identities through obtaining sovereignty over their ancestral food systems, while battling against the historical trauma brought on by centuries of genocide. Showing on Netflix.
Indian Horse
Follows the life of Native Canadian Saul Indian Horse as he survives residential school and life amongst the racism of the 1970s. A talented hockey player, Saul must find his own path as he battles stereotypes and alcoholism. Showing on Netflix.
Reservation Dogs
A half-hour comedy that follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. After the death of the fifth member of the Reservation Dogs, the crew took to stealing, scheming and saving in order to vicariously fulfill his dream of reaching the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California. But after a promising start to their criminal endeavors, including the legendary heist of a Flaming Flamers chips truck, swiping some old lady’s weed edibles and some low-grade grand theft auto, the plan went bust. The gang disbanded, with everyone trying to forge their own paths. Showing on FX.
Basketball or Nothing
Sports documentary of the lives of the Chinle High School boys' basketball team based on the Navajo Nation reservation in Arizona. Showing on Netflix.
Dark Winds
A thrilling new Western that follows Joe Leaphorn and his Navajo Tribal Police deputies as they investigate a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. Showing on AMC+
Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher
A remarkable story inspired by the life of renowned Chickasaw cattleman Montford T. Johnson, a man who overcame great hardships to establish a ranching empire along the famous cattle highway of the American West, the Chisolm Trail. Showing on Netflix.
Are you planning a day trip around OKC?
Experience sacred American Indian traditions and view authentic cultural displays at top Native American museums, cultural centers, and attractions in Oklahoma. Make sure to check out TravelOK.com for a list of the top Native American attractions in Oklahoma.
Interested in viewing/purchasing contemporary Native art or attending a Native American event?
Red Earth, Inc. is a non-profit 501 organization whose mission is to promote the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through education, a premier festival, a museum, and fine art markets. The Red Earth Art Center recently reopened in the ground floor lobby of the BancFirst Tower, 100 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City in 2021. The center is home to a respected permanent collection of Native fine art, pottery, basketry, textiles, and beadwork including the Deupree Cradleboard Collection - one of the finest of its kind in the Southwest.
Red Earth hosts several annual events throughout the year that promote the traditions of American Indian arts and cultures. Annual Events include:
The Red Earth Festival The Festival highlights the diversity of Native cultures in the region and the country, doing so in an environment of the utmost quality and respect for both the artist and participant. The Festival is annually in June in Oklahoma City.
FallFest is a multi-faceted event celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in Oklahoma City. Scheduled for the Myriad Gardens on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Fallfest includes an outdoor art market, dancing, food, and cultural presentations. The annual Red Earth Parade kicks off the festivities at 10 am in downtown OKC.
The 8th Annual Treefest features Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments representing Oklahoma's diverse tribal nations. Held annually at NorthPark Mall in Oklahoma City, Treefest will run from November 17, 2022 -- January 1, 2023.
Click on the link below for more information
OR
Click on the white Red Earth box to watch a video from The Oklahoman about Red Earth Festival 2021.
2023 Red Earth Youth Art Competition & Show
The Youth Art competition is the perfect platform for young and talented Native artists between the ages of 9-18 to showcase their skills and creativity. With categories ranging from pottery to painting/drawing, sculpture to jewelry, there's something for every aspiring artist. Winning pieces will be featured in a special Youth Art Booth at the Red Earth Festival.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH AT 5PM
Information and the online registration can be found at: https://redearth.org/pages/youth-art
Our very own Yukon student, Cheyenne Frerichs, has entered her picture in the Red Earth Youth Art Show!
Cheyenne is a sophomore at YHS and is a member of the Cherokee Nation.
When you go to the festival, be looking for Cheyenne's picture! It is entered under the category Painting/Graphics/Drawings.
Congratulations to one of our students, Laine Williamson, at Yukon High School won first place at the recent Red Earth Arts Festival art competition for her pottery!
She is a sophomore here at Yukon High School and a member of the Chickasaw Nation!
There is a park dedicated to Chief Standing Bear?
Located in Ponca City, Standing Bear Park is a 63-acre park that encompasses more than eight fully developed acres that include off-street parking; a one-acre pond with central arrowhead island; a walking trail winding through native grasses and wildflowers to the monument site, and a shaded memorial grove at a peaceful sitting area along the way. Check out the 22-foot bronze statue is of Ponca Chief Standing Bear and the Standing Bear Museum while you are there.
Click on the picture of the Standing Bear statue on the left to view a DiscoverOklahoma report about the Standing Bear Museum.
OR
Click below for more information about the park hours and directions.
Tracing your tribal background?
The Oklahoma History Center has an extensive library to trace your Indian ancestry. Since 1934 the Oklahoma Historical Society American Indian Archives have housed records for numerous tribal nations. The archives include federal Indian records placed in the society's custody in 1934 by an act of Congress. Containing more than 3.5 million documents and 6,000 volumes, the collection represents sixty-six tribes. These tribes either were relocated by removal or are native to the area. These records include a variety of official documents and information relating to tribes in Indian and Oklahoma Territory.
Want to learn your Native language?
These are tribes of the students that NASS services with our grant. Click on the underlined tribal name that you belong to and learn more about your language.
Absentee Shawnee, Apache, Caddo Nation, Cherokee, Cheyenne/Arapaho, Chickasaw (adults) (kids), Choctaw, Comanche, Delaware, Eastern Shawnee, Fort Sill Apache, Inuqiaq, Iowa, Kaw, Keetoowah, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Lipan Apache, Miami, Muscogee Creek, Navajo, Northern Cherokee, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Peoria, Ponca, Potawatomi, Sac & Fox, Santo Domingo, Seminole, Shoshone, Siberian Yupik, Sioux, Southern Cherokee, Wichita, and Wyandotte
*Eastern Shawnee, Osage, and Ponca require a password for language classes*