American Indian Exposition facts for kids
The American Indian Exposition is a big yearly gathering that celebrates Native American culture. It happens every August in Anadarko, Oklahoma. This event is one of the oldest and largest meetings of different Native American tribes in the United States.
Fifteen tribes help put on the Exposition, including the Apache, Arapaho, Caddo, Cheyenne, Comanche, Delaware, Fort Sill Apache, Iowa, Kiowa, Osage, Otoe-Missouri, Pawnee, Ponca, Sac & Fox, and Wichita. Many other tribes, sometimes up to fifty, also join in the fun each year.
History of the Exposition
The American Indian Exposition started a long time ago. It began as the All-Indian Fair in 1924. Before that, there was another fair called the Craterville Park Indian Fair. It ran from 1924 to 1933.
However, some Native American leaders felt that the Craterville Park fair didn't truly show their culture. They thought the Native participants were not treated as equals. In 1935, a group called the Southwest Indian Fair (SWIF) decided to create something new. They wanted to make sure Native people had full control over how their culture was shared.
So, in 1935, the event became the American Indian Exposition. Its main goal was to "promote and keep alive Indian cultural life, handicrafts, arts, crafts, and farming and livestock skills by providing a yearly showcase."
The Exposition is a week-long event packed with activities. You can see exciting dance contests and parades. There are also pageants like the Indian Princess and Beautiful Baby contests. People can join in sporting events, such as softball. Plus, there are contests for amazing arts and crafts. Visitors and participants can even camp at the fairgrounds.
Close by, you can also visit the Southern Plains Indian Museum, the American Indian Hall of Fame, and Indian City USA.
In 2020, the Exposition did not happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miss American Indian Exposition
The title "Miss American Indian Exposition" began in the 1930s. A young woman named Imogene Carter was the first to represent the Exposition. Over the years, the rules for this event have changed several times.
In 2015, the Exposition Board decided to pause the competition. They wanted to review the requirements for the title. Then, in January 2016, they brought the program back. Now, any young American Indian woman can enter the competition. Before, only tribal princesses could compete.
The winner of this title is expected to be a mentor for other young women. She also receives a scholarship to help with her education. In 2016, Marquela Pewewardy won the competition. She was 17 years old, and her mother is Kiowa and her father is Comanche. She planned to attend Oklahoma University after finishing high school.
