OKLVHOMV CITY, Oklv. – On Oct. 14, people all across the United States celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday designed to commemorate the struggles and lives of Indigenous people across the country. It was no different in Oklahoma or in its capital, Oklahoma City. Across the campus of the First Americans Museum (FAM) in Oklahoma City, numerous events were held in celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
These events included Caddo dances in the courtyard with the Caddo Culture Club, a drum performance by the De’Wegen Kwek Potawatomi Women’s Drum Group, a performance by the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers and a proclamation that made the holiday official by Oklahoma City Mayor and Osage citizen David Holt. A variety of Indigenous films from the deadCenter Film Festival were screened in the FAM Five Moons Theater.
Meanwhile, in Festival Plaza on the FAM campus a Stickball exhibition match, which featured teams from multiple Indigenous tribes and organizations, including Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Yuchi Nation and a FAM team took place. Other events included a Mound Walk, a tipi cultural station held by the Caddo tribe and an archery activity managed by the Chickasaw Nation.
An Indigenous Peoples’ Day Open-Air Market was held by the Culture Hub Collective in the afternoon. It featured raffle prizes, food trucks, Indian tacos and local Indigenous vendors selling handmade goods.
Later in the week, another celebration honoring Native culture, the Red Earth FallFest, will be held on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, which will take place on the Great Lawn of the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City, will include an arts and crafts market featuring works from many tribes, including the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.The event will also host a youth powwow and a Fancy Dance competition.
Those who wish to learn more about Red Earth FallFest can find more information on their website.
