What is it like to be a Native American?

The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum will be opening in 2017. It is being built by the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority (NACEA). Its goal is to “generate awareness and understanding of the history of tribes and their relationship to Oklahoma today” (http://theamericanindiancenter.publishpath.com/default.aspx). The Center’s values and behaviors will be as follows:

·        “Adaptability: Welcome new direction and innovation.

·        Communication and Teamwork: Foster an open, collaborative and inclusive environment.

·        Constituent Focus: Develop and provide effective, progressive programs and services.

·        Hospitality: Provide a welcoming environment.

·        Positive Environment: Foster a zeal for work while maintaining a balance between professional and personal life.

·        Professionalism: Reflect dignity, trustworthiness and integrity.

·        Quality: Insist on quality in work, take pride in results, and embrace continuous learning through professional development.

·        Relationship: Nourish the spirit of partnership and create an environment where everyone’s contribution is valued.

·        Responsibility: Promote accountability in all aspects of behavior.

·        Respect: Honor the diversity of all cultural values and perspectives.

·        Reciprocity: Embrace the mutual and cyclical exchange of sharing and receiving.

·        Stewardship: manage effective and efficient use of resources” (http://theamericanindiancenter.publishpath.com/default.aspx).

The center is going to be about the Oklahoma tribes and the impact they have had on Oklahoman history. I learned just from the website about the construction of the center that there are as many as 50 tribes just Oklahoma based. That does not include the rest of the USA Tribes or Canadian Tribes. There are a lot of Native American Tribes out there! In this museum they are going to tell the story of where the Oklahoma Native Peoples started out and where they are now. They will take you through the first peoples to the settlement of the Europeans to today. The tribes being portrayed in the museum from Oklahoma are the Caddo, Wichita, Quapaw, and Osage tribes. What I found most interesting about The Center is that they have a performance and film venue. People wanting to learn everything about these tribes can go through all the exhibit rooms (4 in total) and the discovery room that gives them hands on experience making Native American crafts etc. They can even eat at the café that has traditional foods these tribes would eat! It is a great way for us to get the whole picture of what Native American Peoples are like. Lastly, the most interesting fact I got off of the website was that the words Okla and Hooma translate to Red Peoples in the Choctaw language. Oklahoma is full of red clay. These Native Americans had an impact on the name of the state…what else did they do that we have today?

http://theamericanindiancenter.publishpath.com/default.aspx