First Americans Museum (FAM) proudly tells the history of the Thirty-Nine Tribes currently in Oklahoma. The main floor’s exhibition, Okla Homma, contains colorful, large-scale interactive displays which feature over two days’ worth of video content. Visitors can begin to learn and understand hardships these communities faced, but also their vast cultural diversity and impressive tribal contributions to society. The second-floor gallery, Winiko: Life of an Object, features a wide array of artifacts from these tribes including ceremonial regalia, sports equipment and even drums used in present-day celebrations.
One of these celebrations is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which FAM has hosted since its opening in 2021. This year’s event, held on Monday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., expects to bring 3,000 visitors to the museum for a day of fun and festivities, commemorating the history and culture of Indigenous Oklahomans.
Throughout the day, guests can witness traditional and contemporary performances as well as social dances. There will be interactive events, such as a Hand Drum contest. A stickball tournament featuring five tribal teams will take place in Festival Plaza. At 1 p.m., Mayor David Holt will be reading a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. “OKC’s commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day may be one of the newer ones, but I think has to be one of the best in America,” Holt said. “This is fitting, as I think we are emerging as a national capital for Native and Indigenous people.”
After Mayor Holt’s address, all tribal leaders in Oklahoma have been invited to speak. There will also be remarks given by the new Executive Director and CEO of FAM, Dr. Kelli Mosteller. Mosteller, who was appointed in July, most recently worked as the executive director of the Harvard University Native American Program and holds a Ph.D. in American history with a focus on Indigenous studies from University of Texas at Austin.
When asked why she decided to take on this role at FAM, Mosteller said, “my decision to join FAM was motivated by my excitement to be part of such a dynamic institution that is doing groundbreaking and transformative work. In the three years FAM has been open, it is evident that it is a premier cultural institution that will help redefine the standards of what it means to work with and for Native communities to tell their stories, preserve their histories and share their cultures. As the national spotlight on Oklahoma City continues to grow, FAM is poised to showcase how integral Native American communities have been in shaping Oklahoma and how integral tribal communities are to our state’s continued growth and prosperity. I want to be part of this visionary work.”
Mosteller noted that she is excited to work with the tribal communities across the state. She also said, “I am eagerly anticipating the work on the FAMily Discovery Center, a one-of-a-kind, immersive world for all ages that’s brimming with STEAM-based activities centered on Indigenous values. Exhibit development and installation is such a fun process, especially when you know families are enthusiastically waiting to come and experience that space.” The FAMily Discovery Center is expected to open in the summer of 2025.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebratory event is completely free, and admission to explore the exhibits in the museum is reduced to just $5. For more information on First Americans Museum and its Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, visit famok.org.
