Oklahoma Historical Society Hosts Free Workshop on Tribal History
Contact: Bill Welge
(405) 522-5206
October 7, 2009
For Immediate Release
Anniversary Events Highlight Tribal History Projects Free Workshop Addresses Planning and Implementing History Projects
A free workshop, a gala dinner, and a symposium are planned this month to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the American Indian Archives at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
The two day event begins October 29 with a free afternoon workshop sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. The workshop will provide information and ideas on implementing tribal history projects. Francine Spang Willis, former director of the successful American Indian Tribal Histories Project in Montana, will provide an overview of the project and illustrate how local and state tribal resources can be used to develop similar history projects.
The Montana project was funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Interior. Project staff gathered information from tribes who live in the Yellowstone River Valley and the northern High Plains Region. The research encompassed tribal origins, leadership, traditional societies, art, music, dance, entertainment, athletics, food, tepee construction, healing practices, family relations, government, education, language and religion. The information was then used to produce publications, exhibits, classroom materials and videos for each tribe.
A Gala Dinner in the Devon Great Hall at the history center will be held the night of October 29. Keynote speakers include Principal Chief Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation and Walter Echo Hawk, chairman of the Native Arts and Cultural Fund. Entertainment will be provided by the Cherokee Children's Choir. Cost for the Gala Dinner is $35.
The American Indian Archives Symposium on October 30 will feature noted scholars of American Indian history. Speakers include James Riding In, associate professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University; author W. David Baird, dean of Seaver College at Pepperdine University; Gus Palmer, Jr., associate professor of Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma; Chief Smith and Walter Echo Hawk. The $25 registration fee for the symposium includes lunch with keynote speaker Jay Hannah, chairman of the Cherokee Nation Enterprises' Board of Directors.
For more information on the free tribal history workshop, contact Susan Feller at 405-522-3515, or sfeller@oltn.odl.state.ok.us. For information, or to make reservations to the dinner or Symposium, contact Judith Michener at 405-522-0689, or judithm@okhistory.org