American Indian culture celebrated at Red Earth Festival and Sovereignty Symposium

By Dustin Gray
Communication Director

Native American culture and concerns were well represented for the five days spanning the Sovereignty Symposium and Red Earth Festival in downtown Oklahoma City.

The five-day focus began on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 with the 21st Annual Sovereignty Symposium, billed as a forum for the exchange of ideas in a scholarly, non-adversarial environment.

Returning to the historic Skirvin-Hilton Hotel, the site of the initial Sovereignty Symposium over two decades ago, the event brought together state officials and leaders from Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized tribes to discuss several issues impacting tribal government.

This year’s event was appropriately themed “Peacekeepers” and adopted a logo designed by Seminole and Shawnee artist Benjamin Harjo, Jr. The logo, depicting a light-horseman framed in a star badge, reflects the peacekeeping efforts of the past in Indian Territory.

Sponsorship for the 21st Annual Sovereignty Symposium came from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Indian Affairs Commission, the Oklahoma Arts Council and the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University and the University of Tulsa Schools of Law.

The event began on Wednesday morning with panel discussions over the topics of drugs and victimless crimes in Indian Country, tort claims, education and cultural preservation, economic interdependence in Indian Country, tribal status, jurisdiction and international and comparative indigenous rights.

After a brief lunch period, opening ceremonies were held the in second floor ballroom, where a larger than anticipated crowd of onlookers gathered. Late arrivals packed into the few remaining seats. Others were forced to stand in the back of the ballroom after the seats were filled.

The Honorable Rudolph Hargrave, a Wewoka Justice of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, presided over the event as Master of Ceremonies. Honor Guards, including the Vietnam Era Veterans Intertribal Association and Kiowa Black Leggings, presented the state and national flags as the Whitehorse Drum Group provided a stirring rhythm.

Each tribe followed, presenting their individual tribal flags before the congregation. Veteran Tecumseh Underwood, accompanied by Assistant Chief Larry Harrison and Honor Color Guard Princess Leandra Dawn Wind, served as the flag bearer for the Seminole Nation.

Several distinguished Oklahoma officials spoke at the ceremony, reiterating the importance of positive tribal and state relationships. Governor Brad Henry was welcomed warmly, as he spoke to the congregation of onlookers.

“The future of the tribes and the future of the State of Oklahoma are inexorably linked, and events like the Sovereignty Symposium are the first step in mapping out a future that is beneficial for all,” Henry said.

The keynote address for the 21st Annual Sovereignty Symposium was delivered by the Honorable Robert H. Henry, Chief Justice of the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals who discussed ideas of justice, mercy and peacekeeping, among others.

He was also presented with a painting by artist Derrick Smalling, commemorating his work with Oklahoma tribal nations.

Discussion panels resumed following the ceremony on Wednesday, before concluding Thursday evening.

Several panels were of great benefit for the Seminole Nation staff and general council representatives in attendance, particularly those that addressed casino management and tribal court systems.

Attendance for the two day event exceeded 600.

As the Sovereignty Symposium wound down on Thursday, the 22nd Annual Red Earth Festival, a three day event at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, prepared to welcome nearly 2,000 American Indian artists and dancers from throughout North America.

The 2008 Red Earth Festival kicked off with the Grand Parade. The streets of downtown Oklahoma City were swarmed with the colorful spirit and traditional dress of over 100 tribal nations across North America, truly making it the center of American Indian culture during the three day event.

Tribal leaders, princesses, color guards, drum groups and several other organizations participated in the parade.

The Red Earth Art Market opened to festival-goers on Friday morning, June 6, following the parade, the first of several dance competitions began the same day at noon, and the Red Earth Run, featuring a 5k run and 2 mile fun walk, was held on Saturday morning, June 7, on the Regatta Park River Trails along the Oklahoma River.

Several of the nation’s most accomplished artists displayed their various mediums, from traditional beadwork and jewelry, to pottery, sculpture and painting, for purchase and competition. Hecete Band General Council Representative Jerry Haney won two prestigious prizes in the art competition, including the “Best of Division: Wood, Stone and Metal Sculpture” Award for his Cedar wood sculpture “Stickball Player.” He also won the first place award in wood sculpture for his Hulbutta Micco “Billy Bowlegs” piece of art.

The dancing at Red Earth was equally as impressive as the wide variety of art on display. Dancers from northern and southern tribes came together to compete in a number of dancing contests, including straight, fancy, traditional, grass, chicken, shawl, cloth and endurance contests. Over $58,000 in prize money was awarded to the competitors.