Annual Native American Heritage Celebration Set for Nov. 20

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL--- Before oil fields dotted its landscape, before endless lines of barbed wire and posts sliced it into patches of red earth and before the cannon fire preceded the thunderous stampede of settlers; they were the first people to call Oklahoma their home.
The culture, history and contributions of Native Americans will be honored during the Oklahoma Native American Heritage Celebration held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Oklahoma Capitol Rotunda. In honor of this year’s celebration, Gov. Brad Henry has proclaimed November 2006 as Native American Heritage Month. This year’s celebration is also an official Oklahoma Centennial Event.

The event features exhibition booths, traditional Native American music and food. Secretary of Human Services Howard H. Hendrick is scheduled to appear, and this year’s master of ceremonies is former Director of Indian Education for Tulsa Public Schools Archie Mason, Osage/Cherokee.  Rep. Shane Jett from the Oklahoma House of Representatives Native American Caucus will deliver the keynote address, and Miss Indian Oklahoma Elizabeth Wright and Junior Miss Indian Oklahoma Faith Weeks-Harjo will read the proclamation.

The winners of the Native American Celebration writing contest will be announced. A special recognition award will be presented to celebration committee member Lou Brown, and the Hart-Yellowman family will be honored with the Oklahoma Spirit Award.

The Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, Oklahoma Historical Society, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Edmond Public Schools, United Urban Indian Council Inc., American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Workforce Oklahoma Chickasha One-Stop and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services sponsored this year’s event.

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