Center of the American Indian

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Center of the American Indian
Established1978
Dissolved1992
LocationOklahoma City, Oklahoma
Coordinates35°31′25″N 97°28′30″W / 35.5236°N 97.4751°W / 35.5236; -97.4751Coordinates: 35°31′25″N 97°28′30″W / 35.5236°N 97.4751°W / 35.5236; -97.4751
Typecultural museum
Executive directorMary Jo Watson (1984–88)
ChairpersonAllie Reynolds (1984)

The Center of the American Indian (CAI) was an intertribal, Native American-led museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was housed in the second floor of the Kirkpatrick Center.

The Center of the American Indian produced a quarterly journal, The Storyteller.[1] The CAI held workshops, language classes, and symposia, such as "We Always Had Plenty: Native Americans and the Bison" held in 1989.

CAI helped launch the Red Earth Festival in 1987. In 1992, the Center of the American Indian merged into Red Earth Inc.,[2] marking the end of its Native American leadership.

Personnel and supporters[]

Mary Jo Watson (Seminole) served as director of the museum from 1984 to 1988.[3] Baseball legend Allie Reynolds (Muscogee Creek) served as board chairman. Artists Benjamin Harjo Jr. (Absentee Shawnee/Seminole and Sharron Ahtone Harjo (Kiowa) volunteered at the museum and served on the board.[3] Collector advised the museum.[4]

Selection exhibitions and publications[]

In 1990, the museum created a permanent exhibition Moving History: Native American Dance.[5] Kiowa artists Sherman Chaddlesone (1947–2014) and exhibited at CAI.[6]

Changing exhibitions, included:

  • Kachin-Tihus: Those Who Sit with the People (1991) with catalog[7]
  • Moving History: Evolution of the Powwow (1991) with catalog by (Kiowa)[8]
  • Songs of Indian Territory: Native American Music Traditions (1989) with catalog and cassette tape by Willie Smyth
  • Children of Early America (1987) with catalog[9] by Daniel C. Swan[10]
  • Big War/Little War: Oklahoma Indians in the Civil War, 1861–1865 (1985) with catalog[11]
  • Making Medicine: Ledger Drawing Art from Fort Marion (1984) with catalog,[4] celebrating the ledger art of St. David Pendleton Oakerhater (Southern Cheyenne, c. 1847–1931).
  • Full Blooded (1984), solo exhibition of work by Edgar Heap of Birds (Southern Cheyenne)[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Storyteller". Worldcat. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Overview and Mission". Red Earth. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Indian Center Chooses Director". The Oklahoma. 24 May 1984. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Silberman: Introduction". National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  5. ^ "American Indian Dance Exhibit to Open at Kirkpatrick Center". The Oklahoman. 28 September 1990. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. ^ Condit, Nancy P. (10 August 1986). "Indian Tribes to Honor Heritage at Annual Expo". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Kachin-Tihus : Those Who Sit with the People". Worldcat. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  8. ^ Zotigh, Dennis. "Moving History: Evolution of the Powwow". Google Books. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Children of Early America". Worldcat. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Publications". Daniel C. Swan. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Big war/little war : Oklahoma Indians in the Civil War, 1861-1865". Worldcat. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  12. ^ Heap of Birds, Edgar. "Hock E Aye VI Edgar Heap of Birds CV". Garis & Hahn. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
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