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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- On Nov. 18th the newly completed Oklahoma State Capitol Dome will be filled with the sounds of the state’s past as thunderous ancient drum rhythms and voices singing in Native American tongue reverberate from its freshly painted walls and breath life into the Guardian statue as it continues it’s watch over the state during the 5th Annual Native American Heritage Celebration.
The celebration will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Oklahoma Capitol Rotunda. In honor of this year’s celebration, Gov. Frank Keating has proclaimed November 2002 as Native American Heritage Month.
There will be exhibition booths, traditional Native American music and food. The master of ceremonies for this year’s event will be Tim Tall Chief, Osage, Deputy Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Lt. Governor Mary Fallin will deliver an address and Miss Indian Oklahoma 2003 will read the Governor’s proclamation.
The theme for this year’s celebration, "Our Warriors, Guardians of Freedom," focuses on the proud service of Native Americans in the armed forces throughout the years. The flag ceremony will include the White Eagle American Legion Post 38, Choctaw Nation Honor Guard and children’s color guards from the Hasinai Caddo Nation and the Riverside Indian School. Special recognition will also be given to all veterans in attendance.
The Oklahoma Centennial Commission, Employment Securities Commission, Indian Affairs Commission, Historical Society, Arts Council, Department of Human Services and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center sponsored this year’s celebration.
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