12 Oklahoma events to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and beyond
Starting this fall, Oklahoma City is permanently and officially commemorating the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day.
As the home of 39 tribal nations, though, Oklahoma has long boasted year-round, statewide opportunities to experience Native American culture, history and heritage.
Fall is perhaps the best season to learn about Native American traditions, between Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations like the one hosted by OKC's First Americans Museum , an event that attracts about 3,000 people a year, and seasonal festivities like the Cherokee Art Market , one of the largest Native American art markets in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City Council recently voted unanimously to designate the second Monday of each October as Indigenous Peoples Day , which is observed in the same time frame as the federally recognized holiday Columbus Day . The council resolution — authored by Mayor David Holt, who is Osage — sets the day as a ceremonial recognition, not as a formal city holiday, but makes it permanent.
Several Indigenous Peoples Day commemorations are planned in OKC, Norman and beyond, and those events are taking place in the midst of a full fall season of events that leads right into Native American Heritage Month , which is commemorated in November.
Here are 12 October events across Oklahoma where people can celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and Native cultures:
Cherokee Art Market, Catoosa
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When:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 11
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Where:Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, 777 West Cherokee St., Catoosa
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Information: https://cherokeeartmarket.com/
The 21st annual event is bringing together artists and collectors from across the country. About 50 tribes are represented by nearly 170 artists, with works including beadwork, pottery, paintings, basketry, sculptures and textiles.
First Americans Museum's Indigenous Peoples Day, OKC
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When:10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12
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Where:First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd., OKC
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Information: https://famok.org/ipd
The all-ages celebration features an array of free festivities, including Lightning Talks, live music and performances, social dancing, Indigenous sports and games, hands-on activities, a chalk mural contest, community information booths, raffle drawings and food from 39 Restaurant and local food trucks. Holt will take the Festival Plaza stage at 1 p.m. to read a proclamation, and the new exhibit "By the Dawn's Early Light: Oklahoma Tribal Flag Songs" will be on view for free in the Community Gallery.
Discounted $10 admission to the rest of the galleries and the FAMily Discovery Center will be available all day.
A Quiet Hour will be 10 to 11 a.m., with a calmer start to the day for visitors who prefer reduced crowds and sensory stimulation. Free parking and shuttle service will be available from 8:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Crooked Oak Public Schools, SE 15th and Eastern.
Indigenous Peoples Day Parade and Cultural Event, McAlester
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When:4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12
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Where:5th Street and Choctaw Avenue and Chadick Park, 3rd Street and Chadick Avenue, McAlester
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Information: https://www.facebook.com/mpsindianeducation/events
The free celebration starts with the parade at 5th and Choctaw, followed by cultural crafts, demonstrations and activities, plus traditional food, in the park.
Tulsa Native American Day
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When:9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12
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Where:Dream Keepers Park, 1875 S. Boulder Park Drive, Tulsa
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Information: https://www.facebook.com/TulsaNativeAmericanDay
The 10th annual free event includes artist and vendor booths, performances by tribal singers and dancers, food trucks and guest speakers. The parade begins at 11 a.m., and this year's grand marshal is Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols , who has listed strengthening relationships between city and tribal leaders among his priorities.
Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa
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When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
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Where: 423 N. Main St. Tulsa
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Information: https://www.cainsballroom.com/
The legendary Tulsa venue is hosting a Native American song swap featuring several Oklahoma-based Indigenous musicians, including Samantha Crain , Blaine Bailey , RC Edwards , Agalisiga "Chuj" Mackey and Kalyn Fay .
OU Indigenous Peoples Day, Norman
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When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12
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Where: South Oval, University of Oklahoma campus, Norman
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Information: https://www.instagram.com/ou_aisa/
OU's American Indian Student Association is hosting the event, which includes a Tribal Celebration Walk with Oklahoma's 39 tribal flags, a cedar ceremony, workshops, stickball, a Lunch & Learn, community dinner and more.
'Under the Influence' film screening: 'Rabbit-Proof Fence,' Tulsa
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When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13
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Where: Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa
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Information: https://www.circlecinema.org/
University of Tulsa President Stacy Leeds , an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the first Indigenous woman to lead an Oklahoma university, hosts a special screening of the acclaimed 2002 Australian drama as part of the nonprofit theater's "Under the Influence" film series. "Rabbit-Proof Fence" tells the 1931 true story of three young Aboriginal girls who are forcibly removed from their families by government officials. After a daring escape from a state-run internment camp, the girls embark on a grueling 1,500-mile journey on foot across the Australian Outback to find their way home, guided only by the continent's vast rabbit-proof fence.
Choctaw Cultural Center Fall Festival, Calera
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When:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16-17
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Where: Choctaw Cultural Center , 1919 Hina Hanta Way, Calera
The family-friendly festivities range from cultural demonstrations, traditional dancing and storytelling to a Fall Farmer's Market and Art Market, mini pumpkin painting for children and a corn-eating contest. Activities are included with cultural center admission .
Red Earth FallFest, OKC
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When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17
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Where: Scissortail Park Great Lawn, 300 SW 7th St., downtown OKC
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Information: https://redearth.org/pages/fallfest
In its sixth year, Red Earth Inc. 's free, family-friendly fall event moves from its initial home in the Myriad Botanical Gardens to Scissortail Park's Great Lawn, allowing more room for the festival's Youth Powwow and Native Art Market. Dancer registration begins at 9 a.m., with the Grand Entry at noon. The downtown OKC event also includes hands-on activities and food trucks.
Cherokee Fall Harvest, Sallisaw
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When:11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24
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Where:Sequoyah's Cabin Museum, 470288 OK-101, Sallisaw
The family-friendly event includes live music, pumpkin decorating and cultural demonstrations, plus artisan goods available to purchase.
Wewoka Sorghum Festival
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When:8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 24
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Where:Seminole Nation Museum, 524 S. Wewoka Ave., and downtown Wewoka
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Information: https://www.sorghumfestivalok.org
Started by the Wewoka Rotary Club in 1976 to promote the Seminole Nation Museum , the 51st annual festival honoring the syrupy frontier treat features historic re-enactors, Native American foods, children's crafts, live music and sorghum baked goods on the museum grounds. In downtown Wewoka, the free, all-ages festivities include a 10 a.m. parade, a car show and a 5K run.
Will Rogers Days, Claremore
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When:Oct. 28-31
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Where:Will Rogers Memorial Museum, 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd., and other venues
To celebrate the Nov. 4 birthday of "The Cherokee Kid" and "Oklahoma's Favorite Son," who would have turned 147 this year, the festivities include the Will Rogers Medallion Awards, a wreath-laying, a 5K run, the Will Rogers Wild West Expo and the Will Rogers Days Parade at 10 a.m. Oct. 31 in downtown Claremore.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 12 Oklahoma events to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and beyond
