Your guide to Native American Heritage Month events in Oklahoma

(TVLSE, Okla.) November is Native American Heritage month and with it comes plenty of opportunities to celebrate the many facets of this cultural heritage throughout the heart of Indian Country. 

Here’s the list of Tribal events happening this month, as well as the details: 

Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw Cultural Center is kicking off Native November with the Ittahoba Festival on November 1. The festival will feature traditional games, storytelling in the Choctaw language and a Stickball demonstration. 

The Choctaw Pow Wow is taking place at the Choctaw Event Center from November 1 to November 3. 

The Choctaw Nation will have several other educational opportunities and events including workshops on beading and elbow baskets during Native November. A full list of events hosted by the Choctaw Nation can be found online. 

Cherokee Nation

Also on November 1, the Cherokee Nation will celebrate the start of Native American Heritage Month at the Cherokee National History Museum. 

At 1 pm, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner will sign a proclamation to start the month. 

For fans of comic books and pop culture, SkasdiCon Vol. III will return at the Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah on November 9. It will be an opportunity to learn about Native artists and immerse yourself in Native pop culture. 

Chickasaw Nation

The Chickasaw Cultural Center will be celebrating Native American Heritage Day on November 9 with a PowWow, a Stomp Dance demonstration, Aztec dancers, and multiple live musical performances. 

There will also be make and take activities and food tastings. 

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) will hold their first “Growing Power: A Climate, Nutrition & Food Sovereignty Summit”, on November 7 and 8, 2024. Indigenous leaders from different tribes will be in attendance to discuss climate change and food security amongst other topics. This event is free and open to the public. 

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation will gather for the Council Oak Tree Ceremony on November 9 at Creek Nation Council Oak Park in Tulsa at 11am. 

After the ceremony there will be arts and craft vendors for attendees to interact with. 

And there’s plenty of other non-tribal opportunities to celebrate Native American Heritage, too. 

Other Native American Heritage Events

The Kiowa-Apache Blackfoot Society Veterans Dance will be held on November 9 at the Apache Tribe Community Building in Anadarko. This year the powwow will honor Navy Veteran Harry Kaudlekaule.

VNN Oklahoma’s Exploring Indigenous Allyship series returns this month, this time in partnership with the Choctaw Cultural Center, Irish American Club of Tulsa and Zarrow Regional Library’s American Indian Resource Center. 

That event will take place on Thursday, November 15 from 5 pm to 8 pm. A registration link for the event can be found here.

And TCCL has even more events scheduled through the American Indian Resource Center this month.

Also in Tulsa, the 100% Indigenous women-led, community-driven nonprofit Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness will continue its monthly Sunday Soup Group on the first and third Sunday of the month, as well as their Brunch and Bead event on the first Saturday of the month and their Movie Night on the last Wednesday of the month. 

In Oklahoma City, Belle Isle Library will be holding its Indigenous Artists and Authors Fair on November 16 from 1 pm to 4 pm. This event includes free activities as well as the opportunity to meet local Indigenous artists and authors showcasing their work.

Wanting some laughs? Then head to Ada for the Rezzy Jams comedy show presented by Full Blood Productions on November 16. Native comics include Brent Deo, Will Buck, Rachel Rose, Julie Make, and Jordan Jayi. This show is 18+. 

And if you are looking to support Native American businesses this month, the American Indian Chamber of Commerce chapters will be having three events across Oklahoma. You can find their full calendar here.

How are you celebrating Native American Heritage Month this month? Let us know in the comments below!