Native American Heritage Celebration set for Nov. 18

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The 16th annual Native American Heritage Celebration will be held Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Oklahoma Homebuilders Event Center, 430 East Britton Road in Oklahoma City.

The theme of this year’s event is “We are Oklahoma - The Native American Story.” The event is open to the public.

The name Oklahoma is derived from two Choctaw words: okla, which means people, and humma, which means red. The celebration provides an educational opportunity to understand Oklahoma's deep connection to native peoples and to appreciate the wealth of cultural contributions made to our communities each day by Native Americans.

Entertainment will be provided by dancers from the Oklahoma City Public Schools, a Native American drum group from the University of Oklahoma, a flutist from the Chickasaw Nation, and a comedy routine from the Native American perspective. Along with storytelling, historic information and traditional Native American food, Miss Indian Oklahoma and the Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princesses will also be part of the festivities.

For additional information, contact Wilson.Seawright@okdhs.org or call (580) 795-8103 or Vicki.Pettiford@okdhs.org or call (405) 522-1611.

###