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KOSU is committed to being more reflective of the audiences we serve. In Oklahoma, having stories reported by Indigenous reporters for Native communities is imperative.

'We have power': Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrates heritage, culture and pride

An overhead view of the new First Americans Museum along the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City
Provided
The new First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City is among places in Oklahoma hosting Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations.

Growing up, Colleen Thurston doesn't remember tribal nations in Oklahoma being as visible and as powerful as they are today. The Choctaw citizen, filmmaker and assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma says when she did read stories about Indigenous people in the news, it was about something negative or sensational.

That has changed, she says.

"It's not possible to exclude us," she says about tribal voices coming to the table when important decisions are made. "We have power, we have loud voices, and when you exclude us, it is laughable."

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma affirmed what tribal nations have said for decades: Oklahoma is Indian land.

The ruling affirmed the reservations of the Five Tribes. The reservations of other tribes in Oklahoma are also expected to be affirmed in the courts because of the McGirt ruling. In addition, tribal citizens feel a renewed sense of pride because of economic power built on tribal gaming, growing political activism and better representation in television and movies.

Thurston points to Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls, two Indigenous-created television shows that present a more accurate depiction of Indigenous people. The production of those shows has helped other people feel emboldened to tell their stories without the "white gaze."

Currently, 14 states replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Cities and states started doing this within the last decade. To Thurston, it's not just symbolic.

"We've reclaimed something," she says, pointing to how Columbus is recognized as someone who "discovered" America.

Ivory Vann, a city council member for the city of Muskogee, celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day is also something to be proud of. He's a Muscogee Freedmen who can trace his ancestors back before Oklahoma became a state.

"Indians were here first," Vann said.

He voted in favor of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day in Muskogee in 2018 and was proud when the city had their first parade.

At a recent meeting for Freedmen of the Five Tribes, he spoke about the importance of standing up for your heritage, learning the culture and being proud of who you are. That's why he voted for the change.

Indigenous people still face challenges, including battling negative stereotypes, racism and discrimination. Still, many Indigenous people say that “It's a good time to be Indigenous."


Across the state on Monday, there will be celebrations and parades to honor Indigenous People. Here are a few notable events:

Saturday, Oct. 9
Gourd Dance in Dream Keepers Park, hosted by the Tulsa Indian Club
Head Singer: John Arkeketa, MC: Mark Wilson, Co Host: Black Beard Descendants
12-5 p.m. Masks strongly encouraged.

Sunday, Oct. 10
Muskogee Oklahoma Native American Association hosting Indigenous Peoples' Day
Historic Roxy Theater, 220 W. Okmulgee Ave. Films from 4-8 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 11
Indigenous Peoples' Day March in Muskogee
Muskogee Civic Center, 425 Boston Ave
10 a.m. - Indigenous Peoples' Day March, including keynote speakers, veterans recognition and arts and crafts

Monday, Oct. 11
Tulsa Native American Day

Tulsa is the first city in Oklahoma to recognize IDP in lieu of Columbus Day. This year's theme is "Still Here." This event was supposed to be held in person at Guthrie Green in the arts district in Tulsa, but because of the rising COVID cases, the event will return to being virtual. The online celebration will begin at 9 a.m. on the Tulsa Native American Day's Facebook page.

Monday, Oct. 11
Indigenous Peoples' Day at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City
Drop in for a day-long celebration of Native history, arts and culture! This event is FREE to the public, and visitors will enjoy $5 discounted admission to the museum exhibitions.

12:00 - 6:00 | Marathon Screening of Rutherford Falls
12:00 | Southeastern Tribal Stomp Dancers
1:00 | Social Dance (everyone welcome!)
2:00 | Reading of the Mayoral Proclamation and Remarks
3:00 | OKCPS NASS Dance Group
4:00 | Moore Public Schools Indian Education Dance Group

MC: Ace Grenwood (Chickasaw/Choctaw) and singing/drum led by Brent Greenwood (Chickasaw)

7:00 | Panel Discussion on Native representation in popular culture, including:

  • Jana Schmieding, Rutherford Falls writer and actor (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux) via Zoom
  • Crystal Echo-Hawk (Pawnee), CEO of IllumiNative via Zoom
  • Actor Jake Tiger (Seminole, Ojibwe, Sac & Fox)
  • Actor and podcaster Angela Startz (Inupiaq)
  • Moderated by Sarah Adams-Cornell of Matriarch (Choctaw)

Allison Herrera covered Indigenous Affairs for KOSU from April 2020 to November 2023.
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