DHS recognizes 'Native American Heritage Day'

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The 17th annual Native American Heritage Celebration will be held Monday, November 17, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Farmers Market Auditorium, 311 S. Klein Ave., in Oklahoma City. 

The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrating Wellness in Native America.”  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.” 

In 1998, HB 2822 was signed into law, and proclaimed the third Monday of November each year be designated as “Oklahoma Native American Day” in Oklahoma.

The annual celebration provides an educational opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the wealth of cultural contributions of the Native American segment of the state’s population.   It includes entertainment, storytelling, historic information and traditional Native American food.

Entertainment includes a drum group from Edmond Public Schools, a flutist from the Chickasaw/Ponca nations and other Native American activities.  Miss Indian Oklahoma and the Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princesses will also be present.

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

###