Center of the American Indian facts for kids
| Established | 1978 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1992 |
| Location | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Type | cultural museum |
The Center of the American Indian (CAI) was a special museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was led by Native American people from many different tribes. The museum was located on the second floor of the Kirkpatrick Center.
The CAI worked to share and celebrate Native American cultures. It helped people learn about the rich history and traditions of various tribes.
Contents
What the Center Did
The Center of the American Indian did many cool things. It published a magazine called The Storyteller four times a year. This magazine shared stories and information about Native American life.
Learning and Events
The CAI also hosted workshops and language classes. These events helped people learn new skills and understand different Native American languages. They also held big meetings called symposia. For example, in 1989, they had an event called "We Always Had Plenty: Native Americans and the Bison." This event taught people about the important connection between Native Americans and bison.
Starting the Red Earth Festival
A big achievement for the CAI was helping to start the Red Earth Festival. This festival began in 1987. It is a famous event that celebrates Native American art, dance, and culture. The Center of the American Indian played a key role in making this festival happen.
The Center's Legacy
In 1992, the Center of the American Indian joined with Red Earth Inc.. This change meant the museum was no longer led by Native Americans. However, its work helped create the Red Earth Festival, which continues to celebrate Native American heritage today.
Important People at the Center
Many talented people helped make the Center of the American Indian a success. They worked hard to share Native American culture with everyone.
Leaders and Supporters
Mary Jo Watson (who is Seminole) was the museum's director from 1984 to 1988. She helped guide the museum's activities. Allie Reynolds (who was Muscogee), a famous baseball player, was the chairman of the museum's board in 1984.
Artists like Benjamin Harjo Jr. (Absentee Shawnee/Seminole) and Sharron Ahtone Harjo (Kiowa) also volunteered. They even served on the museum's board. A collector named Arthur Silberman gave advice to the museum. Many other volunteers, called "Friends of the center," also helped out.
Amazing Exhibitions
The Center of the American Indian hosted many interesting art shows and displays. These exhibitions taught visitors about different parts of Native American culture and history.
Permanent and Changing Shows
In 1990, the museum created a lasting exhibition called Moving History: Native American Dance. This show explored the history and meaning of Native American dances. Artists Sherman Chaddlesone (Kiowa) and Allie Chaddlesone (Kutenai) also showed their art at the CAI.
The museum also had many temporary exhibitions that changed over time. Some of these included:
- Kachin-Tihus: Those Who Sit with the People (1991)
- Moving History: Evolution of the Powwow (1991), which had a book by Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa)
- Songs of Indian Territory: Native American Music Traditions (1989), which came with a book and a cassette tape
- Mothers and Descendants (1987), a show featuring art by women artists like Shan Goshorn (Eastern Band Cherokee) and their children
- Children of Early America (1987)
- Big War/Little War: Oklahoma Indians in the Civil War, 1861–1865 (1985)
- Making Medicine: Ledger Drawing Art from Fort Marion (1984), which celebrated the unique ledger art of St. David Pendleton Oakerhater (Southern Cheyenne)
- Full Blooded (1984), a solo show by artist Edgar Heap of Birds (Southern Cheyenne)
