Native Americans of Oklahoma and their world

Steve Littleman sings and taps the drum in the old way to the delight of hundreds on a sunny afternoon. Kevin Connywerdy performs some of the old songs so fast that high speed cameras melt into glowing colors. This group is providing high-performance dancing, better than what you might see at Red Earth or the Inter-tribal Indian Fair in Gallup. Audience participation turns an already exciting event into a spectacular experience that will be long remembered.

To set up a low cost, high-impact event like this one that needs little or no advertising budget, small organizations with access to a large room or gymnasium can shoot an email to Patrick Redbird, a full-blooded Kiowa from Anadarko. Indian tacos of the heavenly sort are served outside, real American arts and crafts are made available, with discounts up to 30% being tucked in for Native Americans.

Not long ago Pat worked for the state's tourism department. He is still a mesmerizing salesman when it comes to making an audience feel good about being here in Oklahoma. Now his main support is derived with his art, on display outside while he is participating in dance festivals, usually featuring the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers, above. He cordially invites one and all to visit Anadarko Oklahoma "where there is an event going on virtually every weekend."

For six hundred years Oklahoma was the cultural center of the United States. Then it became a virtual waste land, and thus suitable for becoming the end destination the Great White Father could send many different tribes, known as Oklahoma, Indian Nations to. It is hard for many of us today to remember that Native Americans weren't even American citizens until 1924, and even as late as 1961 the right to vote on "American" issues was denied to them. The right to purchase "firewater" for their own consumption was similarly denied to them.

Virtually all the tribes here today remember a "Trail of Tears" that led to Oklahoma. The Five Civilized Tribes were sent packing from their ancestral homes when Andrew Jackson defied the United States Supreme Court and gave them marching orders. Then the United States Army was obligated to protect the friendlies they had disarmed from outlaws and marauding bands of Native Americans from the hostile west.

Larry EchoHawk once pointed out that: "At one time, history teaches us, the Pawnee people occupied an area of nearly thirty million acres of land in what is now known as Nebraska. The Pawnee people were estimated to have numbered about 25,000. In the winter of 1874, at the age of nineteen, EchoHawk was marched away from his home to the Oklahoma Indian Territory and placed on a small reservation that was not a part of the Pawnee homeland area. There on the Pawnee Indian reservation in Oklahoma he was one of less than 750 Pawnee people remaining, devastated over the years by disease and conflict. Perhaps the greatest sorrow he experienced was the loss of the homeland and the inability to go to see his ancestral grave sites, to go to the sacred areas, to pursue the buffalo herds as his forefathers had done. But he was a survivor."

Eventually even remnants of the Apache Tribes from Arizona were sent to Oklahoma when Geronimo and his small band were banished to Fort Sill. Even though the territory was specifically designated for occupation by Native Americans, Euromerican thieves and robbers soon infested every nook and cranny of The Nations. Native American lawmen were not permitted to touch Euromericans even if they were known murderers. Deputy U.S. Marshals were assigned the task of rooting them out.

For many tribes some tiny portion of The Nations was their last claim to a sovereign part of America. After the Civil War, Texans bulled their longhorn herds through The Nations with impunity, leaving Texas Fever in their tracks. The Cherokee and the Choctaw lost most of their land to a Carpetbagger Congress and Euromericans poured in. In a final step to full emancipation Congress decided that tribes could be "advised" to convert their tribal lands to private ownership. In this way Euromericans could nose in and "buy" lands all across The Nations. Like camels, once the nose was in, the whole body was soon there and the original occupants forced into second class citizenship.

The very first law passed by the Oklahoma State Legislature was the one enforcing segregation on public transportation.

When the family of Jim Thorpe begged for the privilege of burying Jim in Oklahoma their petition was denied. A town back in Pennsylvania agreed to let Jim be buried there if the family would allow it to change its name to Jim Thorpe. Today the town has an annual Jim Thorpe celebration that lasts over the weekend.

For those who don't know, Jim Thorpe was once designated the most perfect athlete in the world. In one ball game he batted three homers. One landed in Oklahoma. One landed in Arkansas and the third one landed in Texas. Yep, Jim Thorpe was one of the original Heavy Hitters. It's too bad Oklahoma wouldn't claim him. When his grand daughter asked me to sign a petition to Congress in Jim's behalf I put a signature on there that John Hancock would have appreciated.

Considered one of the nation’s leading American Indian artists, Benjamin Harjo, Jr. is a Seminole-Shawnee whose professional career began with a formal education at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Oklahoma State University in 1974.

Now it is politically correct for Oklahoma to claim Jim as a native son because gradually Native Americans gained a measure of citizenship in their own country. It was considered a great triumph when tribal members could leave The Nations without permission or even supervision. Then came the time they could buy their own hard drinks without meeting a bootlegger in some dark spot. By 1961 they had finally obtained the right to vote in Euromerican elections, and last of all they regained part of the right to practice their own religion again. Suddenly the wheel turned over completely and today there is a mad scramble to prove one has Native American ancestors. Now the gaming tables are turned too and ONLY the Native American tribes can have casinos in The Nations.

There have been many heroes along the road to prestige:

Stand Watie, a full-blooded Cherokee was the only Native American Indian to attain the rank of Brigadier General during America's Civil War. He was also the last general to surrender to Union forces.

Tribes 131 Fine Art & Gift Gallery has over 20 years brokering art with the Nations most noted Native American Artists.

For the past 62 years I have chosen to immerse myself in the native environments of Native Americans. From the Ah Autum night dances to the Navajo rodeo circuit I have embraced the customs and ceremonies of these peoples. The most important contributions I have received are the spiritual music that transcends the grace and beauty of the evening star, appearing when the night settles in and the soul stretches out to roam the heavens. Music is much like religion, producing a resonance in the yearning soul, expressing the love of Elder Brother that can be experienced in no other way. Click HERE to experience one of the most beautiful samples I've ever heard.

Jack Aker is a Citizens Band of Potowatomi Indian who spent 30 years in professional baseball, 11 as a pitcher. Since retiring, Jack teaches the skills and disciplines of baseball to Indian Youth, bringing his skills, encouragement and boundless enthusiasm to children who rarely get the chance to participate in any kind of organized sports. On April 3, 1997 Jack was honored by President Clinton at a White House reception after being named a winner of a 1997 "Giant Steps Award," given annually by the Center for the Study of Sport in Society. The "Giant Steps Award" for coaching goes to one coach, covering every sport at every level, for outstanding and dedicated work teaching student-athletes. Aker's work instructing Native American children on remote reservations of the Southwest caught the attention of Sport in Society.

Benny Anderson is a renowned hunter and fisher living in Kiamichi Country. Here you will read some of the tricks and strategies that have made him famous.

One thing Indians know how to do is have fun. Rodeos can bring a whole tribe together and anybody wants to watch the fun, come on. The welcome mat was always out, and I took advantage of it just as often as I could sneak off from home. Indians can have fun with the simplest things on earth. Some of the best fun we had as kids was sketching animals in the dark night with a live coal. Chasing rattlesnakes was the second best thing we did for fun, though I feel sorry for all those snakes now. As the evening shadows lengthened and the leaves of the cottonwoods sighed with relief one of the elders would pull up an old oil bucket and begin nodding. It was like watching a bob cat's cave entrance; we knew that if we kept real quiet and waited long enough, a story would come gliding out of the shadows.

"Long, long ago we lived beneath the earth --" The story is almost universally told across ten thousand tribal legacies. Once we lived beneath the earth and came forth to this world.

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The Native American Church was organized in Oklahoma to combine an ancient Indian practice - the use of peyote - with Christian beliefs of morality and self-respect. The Church prohibits alcohol, requires monogamy and family responsibility, and promotes hard work. By 1923, 14 states had outlawed the use of peyote and in 1940, the Navajo tribal council banned it from the reservation. In1944, the Native American Church of the United States was incorporated. Today, the Church continues to play an important role in the lives of many Indian people.

For news of the Oklahoma Nations, check out the Indian Times newspaper. There are many great articles here of interest to Euromericans and Americans alike.

The new proposed Native American Cultural Center will bring together powerful forces that include "Earth, Wind, Water and Wind that have been brought together in the site for the planned Center and Museum.

The Cherokee Heritage Center is located three miles south of Tahlequah in the heart of Oklahoma's Green Country.

Inter Tribal Indian Club of Tulsa

Native American Health Service in Oklahoma (City) To provide health services to the native American population of Oklahoma , the Oklahoma City Area Office is organized into twelve Service Units: (1) Ada, (2) Claremore, (3) Clinton, (4) Lawton, (5) Pawnee, (6) Shawnee, (7) Tahlequah, (8) Talihina, (9) Wewoka, (10) Haskell, (11) Holton, and (12) Eagle Pass. Of the 40 health centers, 26 are totally managed by tribes under compact/contract, 12 are operated directly by the IHS, and 2 are operated under contract with Indian organizations.

When cowboys get together for fun, sooner or later they are either working, or showing off how well they can work. When Indians get together, especially the Choctaw Nation, the fun doesn't stop until the last guest goes home. So, remember, the welcome mat is out for you. Join the fun.

The Horse Lover's Store

Oklahoma City's Red Earth Festival is the world's largest visual and performing arts event of its type, attracting thousands of people from all walks of life who appreciate the beauty of Native American cultures and traditions. Four exciting days of activities.

Oklahoma Heritage is a colossal achievement in dispensing information in an interesting format. Histories and heritage are intertwined in a fascinating manner.

Pictures of Red Earth festival by John C. McCornack (Yukon, OK) can be seen from this site. An excellent, professional array of photos.

Janet Littlecrow is well-known among Oklahoma Indians for creating authentic tribal regalia with outstanding workmanship. She has dressed dozens of champion dancers, head staff, and princesses of many tribes, including Head Dancers for Red Earth and Gathering of Nations. She has made outfits for members of various Native American dance troupes, some of whom tour world-wide, and has dressed dancers from Alaska to Arizona.

Handmade Buckskin Dresses, Custom Fit To Your Measurements

Seminole Nation page The Seminoles are a very proud people, devoted to their heritage and traditions. They believe strongly in their culture, which is displayed in many ways, including Stomp Dances Art, Storytelling, Music, and the devotion to their loved ones who pass on.

The Sac and Fox culture is based upon respect for the life within themselves,
their families, their communities, and all of creation. The Creator gave this way
of life to the Sac and Fox people. The culture is the way things are done in
relation to each other and all of creation. The Sac and Fox way of life is
spiritually-based. They seek the guidance of the Creator in how to live.
The oldest continuing religious practices are ceremonies like clan feasts,
namings, adoptions, and burials. More recent religious practices include
the Drum Dance, the Native American Church and Christianity.

United Keetoowah Band (Cherokee)

History of the Cherokee - Cherokee History, Images, Maps, and Links.
Cherokee & Proud - Cherokee and genealogy related information.
Cherokee Alphabet and Pronunciation Guide - with downloadable font.
Cherokee Cultural Society of Houston - a non-profit social organization with a mission to preserve heritage, culture and build for the future. A monthly email newsletter is sent to all visitors.
The Cherokee Observer - 1998 - Cherokee Observer, Founded in 1992, we are the only independent Cherokee newspaper.
Cherokee Removal Forts - Starting the Trail of Tears - Before the start of the Trail of Tears the Cherokee were forced to live in what were known at the time as 'Cherokee Removal Forts'.
North Georgia's Cherokee Indians - History of the Cherokee. The Native American culture in North Georgia.
Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory
Official Cherokee Nation - the federally recognized government of the Cherokee people, the second largest Indian tribe in the United States.
Southern Cherokee Nation - Our Association.

The Potawattamie Tribe of Shawnee. has a huge, official, extensive, professionally made web site that would do anyone PROUD. This is the friendliest tribe I have ever run into.

The official web site of the Tonkawa tribe is now up. The Tonkawa, like most of the Plains tribes, had a variety of dances that were performed regularly and ceremoniously. Among many dances belonging to the Tonkawa were the: Buffalo Dance, Deer Dance, Wild Hog Dance, Turkey Dance, Dance of the Short Steps, Notched Stick Dance, and a dance called "Singing All Around" which later became known as the "Back and Forth" dance.

Visit the Nighthorse Gallery of Broken Arrow. The artwork on the site is exceedingly wonderful. That Wild Pair of Jokers is enough to make anyone homesick. As an artist, Learned Hand has been an illustrator for production companies, ad agencies and publishing houses in New York and California. He has been an art director in Cleveland and has become an accomplished fine artist who guest-lectures at seminars and universities. His paintings are in the collections of John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Marty Robbins, Roy Rogers and many other prominent private, public and corporate collections.

Native Way Cookbook: Euromerican visitors to Oklahoma will appreciate the recipes, native hints, and native dining information packed into this site.

The following businesses actively support Native American progress:

One Feather: Native American Books and Gifts. Found 4 miles south of Tahlequah on Hwy 62 West.

The Oklahoma Systems Company

TEACO, INC. a provider of world-class communication systems, including data, voice and video systems.

Tiger Natural Gas Company

And, CONOCO, the gas and oil company.

Other supporters will be listed similarly, free of charge. Write to me at OK@insuranceroundup.com Those with definite plans and able to display tangible results will also receive a feature story on these pages without charge.

A delightful small catalog page with handmade items of interest to collectors of Native American crafts. The page is professionally built, loads quickly and looks good. The Cherokee Trading Post is found in El Reno, OK. I have spent hours there, and long to go back.

Mountain Chief (of Montana) can help you sell your certified Native American crafts. This site was just launched; first ones there will get the best deal.

An Official web page will be built for any tribe in Oklahoma, free of charge. You can post it anywhere you wish, or take advantage of all the free places I will show you.

My name is Lily Rozita Yusof. Aged 44, working as a Nursing Tutor, married, have 4 lovely grown kids. I am looking for native indian penfriend(s). I am fascinated by your culture since I was very young. I sincerely hope that there are someone who is keen to be my penfriend. My contact e-mail : teratai_8@hotmail.com.

A long list of indignities by Euromericans is availble here. I found it fascinating.

Tales of the Tepee by Edward Everett Dale. This is a wonderful reprint of the 1920 classic. See the lodge bonfires in this book covering territorial days and early statehood. Dale rode, hunted and visited the Kiowas, Commanche, and Wichitas. Later he taught Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, Sac and Fox, and Delaware at the state university.