Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission to Host Native American Day Festivities Oct. 9 at Dream Keepers Park

10/2/2023

Tulsa’s annual Native American Day celebration, hosted by the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, is coming up on Oct. 9 starting at 9 a.m. at Dream Keepers Park, 1875 S. Boulder Park Drive.  

This year’s theme is “Weaving a Legacy.”  

Native American Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October, this year on Oct. 9. The city of Tulsa is home to a population of approximately 30,000 Native Americans. Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized Native American tribes. 

Native Americans have continuously inhabited the Greater Tulsa area for thousands of years. By celebrating Native American Day, Tulsa formally recognizes its indigenous populations who have made valuable contributions to our community through shared knowledge, stewardship of the land, labor, science, technology, philosophy, arts, and deep cultural influences that have substantially shaped the character of the city of Tulsa. 

Some parking will be available at Dream Keepers Park. Also, a shuttle will be available from the parking lot of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 S. Boston Ave. The shuttles will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. People going to the festival need to bring their own chairs. In case of rain, a large general admission tent will be on site.  

See below the schedule/agenda for the 2023 Tulsa Native American Day: 

9-9:15 a.m.        Opening Ceremony  

                           Introduction of Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission 

                           Introduction of Mayor of Tulsa via video 

                           Welcome - District 4 City Councilor Laura Bellis 

                           Recognition of City Councilors attending 

                           Land Acknowledgement – Lachelle King, Mayor’s Office of Resilience and   Equity 

9:30-10 a.m.       Posting of Colors-CREEK Women Veterans Songs 

                            Flag Song, Memorial and Victory Songs 

                            The Lord’s Prayer ‘Signed’ by Native Princesses  

                            Connie Foreman Singing The Lord’s Prayer 

                            Singers & Drummers Paul Bighorse, Mason Bighorse, Paul Macron 

                            Open invite for others 

                            Convocation - Archie Mason 

                            Introduction of Princesses  

10 a.m.-2 p.m.    Art in the Field, canvasses and art for kids to create 

10-11a.m.           Welcome and Introduction of Tribal Leaders 

                            Osage Chief Standing Bear 

                            Muskogee Creek Chief Hill 

                           Cherokee Chief Hoskin, Jr.   

                           Introduction of Parade Marshall- Sterlin Harjo 

11 a.m.-noon      PARADE
                          Parade Marshall: Sterlin Harjo 

                           Chiefs, Tulsa City Council Members, and Princesses, many schools and bands  

12:30 p.m.          PARADE CONCLUDED 

                           Open drum for others to join in afternoon 

1-1:30 p.m.         Cherokee Choir 

                            Pawnee Singers and Dancers 

1:30-2 p.m.         Q& A with Chief Standing Bear & Danette Daniels  

                            Showing trailer of Killers of Flower Moon; questions afterwards 

2-2:30 p.m.         Cultural dancing & Princess Dance 

2:30-3 p.m.         DREAM KEEPER AWARD WINNERS - Winners to attend personally  

Cultural exhibits and demonstrations all afternoon; IHCRC drummers with Robbie Anquoe 

3-3:30 p.m.          Dancing exhibition - Rising Buffalo Dancers.