OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oct. 10 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022 and the First Americans Museum commemorated the 39 tribes in Oklahoma as Native Americans mirrored on their successes and challenges.
“We’re not just a historical people and our cultures are thriving. We contribute to the economic and cultural well-being of our state,” stated Adrienne Lalli Hillis, with the First Americans Museum.
The celebration included music, dancing, sports activities and artwork.
“We have a giant chalk mural that one of our native artists has designed, that the community is welcome to come and fill in,” stated Lalli Hillis.
“Indigenous people are strong contributors to modern Oklahoma City and we value the many contributions made to the community,” stated OKC Mayor David Holt, as he learn from a proclamation.
Over the years, there was a metamorphosis in the way in which these tribes function in Oklahoma, together with new challenges from the McGirt ruling, which overhauled their very own justice system.
“Since that time, there has been increased attacks on the native community, on our tribal sovereignty, because there’s just not a good understanding in my opinion,” stated Amy Warne, a panel speaker on sovereignty.
The tribes additionally answered the decision through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing options to all Oklahomans.
“Our nations were involved in providing vaccines to the public and other health care related items,” stated Lalli Hillis. “I know mine in particular, the Wyandot nation, was able to provide vaccines to folks up in the northeast corner of Oklahoma.”
Oklahoma tribes have additionally been taking over a extra political position. Just final week, a number of tribes referred to as on state lawmakers to repeal House Bill 1775, which bans the so-called Critical Race Theory in Oklahoma school rooms.
They declare the regulation derails any progress tribes have made to offer a extra correct historical past of the US and it’s relationship with Native Americans.
“Many of our tribal groups across the country continue to feel the long lasting impacts of forced removal from our homelands. Laws that prohibit the use and teaching of our languages and the forced assimilation of our parents, grandparents and family members at federal Indian boarding schools,” stated Shelley Lowe, chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Despite their voices, extra challenges nonetheless lie forward.
Warne held a panel about how reservations nonetheless have little entry to grocery shops, wholesome meals, and public transportation.
“We do have our own languages, cultures, court systems,” stated Warne. “And I don’t think that that there should be any kind of fight for that.”
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