An important exploration of Oklahoma’s Allotment Era, how communities are still facing health disparity and wealth inequity relating to this time period, and possible solutions.
Indian Country News Panel
The Indian Country News panel examined the relationship between Indian Country news organizations and their audiences, highlighting the importance of tribal history and cultural sensitivity.
This panel also dove into the unique positions of tribal media, the role of trust-building, and information needs in Native communities.
To follow Native news coverage, check out:
Not My Duty: Choctaw Women, Land Restrictions and Contemporary Land Dispossession in Southeastern Oklahoma Presentation
A political anthropologist, Dr. Megan Baker’s research examines how American Indian polities negotiate the development of racial capitalism within their communities and legal systems. In doing so, her work highlights early American anthropology’s role in undermining Indigenous sovereignty and how that work has informed and shaped contemporary laws in the US. As a tribal historian, she specializes in 19th and 20th-century Choctaw legal-economic history and how the Five Tribes’ treaties and tribal laws configure into the early formation of the state of Oklahoma and its politics in the post-McGirt era.
All Crooks at Tulsa: Reconsidering the Foundations of the Oil Capital of the World Presentation
While Killers of the Flower Moon brought to light a darker side of the oil boom in the Osage Nation, there is still much to be exposed about the swindle of Muscogee allottees in the Tulsa area. Using the story of Minnie Atkins, a Muscogee citizen and alumna of Carlisle Indian School, as a microcosm, Dr. Russell Cobb delved into the complicated network of people who turned Tulsey Town into the Oil Capital of the World, and examined the human cost of this transformation.
To pre-order Dr. Cobb’s soon-to-be-released book on these topics, click here.
VNN TCCL Check Presentation
“Unlocking American Indian History”
Thanks to research, reporting and a generous donation from Verified News Network (VNN) Oklahoma, for the first time ever, an extensive digital collection of American Indian history is now available at no cost to the public through the Tulsa Public Library System.
As of July 12, anyone with a TCCL library card can begin exploring the previously privately held records of the Indian Rights Association, the first and largest non-governmental organization offering support to and advocacy for Native Americans during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Natural Pathways Between History and Today Video Presentation
A VNN Collaboration produced by VNN Oklahoma in partnership with Pursuit Films, written by Rachael Schuit and Brittany Harlow and narrated by Trista Vaughn.
Joe Ballard, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, reflects on his family’s history, marked by forced removal during the Trail of Tears and later losing their land to the establishment of Camp Gruber. Joe’s wife, Grace, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Foundations Behavioral Health, has dedicated her career to helping Native American clients heal from trauma using culturally resonant and somatic therapy practices.
Land Title Issues with Robinett King Presentation
Attorney Rick D. Tucker, a legal expert in areas such as Oil and Gas Law, Probate, and Real Estate and Title Examination, discussed matters such as clouded titles and other residual issues from Tulsa’s Allotment Era.
As the largest firm serving Washington, Osage, and Nowata counties, and one of the oldest firms in Oklahoma, Tucker and the other attorneys at Robinett King possess significant experience representing both individuals and businesses, from the small proprietor to multi-state corporations.
Strengthening Sovereignty through Entrepreneurship (Indigenous FATE) Presentation
Launched in 2022, FATE (From Adversity to Entrepreneurship) is a learning series focused on trauma-informed entrepreneurship. In 2023, the series included extensive surveys and developed a toolkit based on the Workforce Enhancement Resilience Project (WREP). Recognizing the high levels of complex trauma in Indigenous communities, FATE highlights the impact of trauma on business opportunities, self-motivation, and self-regulation, emphasizing the importance of managing stress and dysregulation for sustainability. The 2024 FATE presentation centered on trauma-informed entrepreneurship relating to historic Native American trauma.
Asking For A Friend: Thumb Prints and ‘X’s – A Creek Story of Betrayal Presentation
Lucinda Hickory Research Institute Founder and Director Tatianna Duncan and board member and Associate Professor Dr. Russell Cobb dove into the exploitative history of Allotment Era crimes, weaving in familial history and experience to historical context. The floor opened to audience members, allowing participants to share their own family histories and receive personalized insights from experts.
For more information on the Lucinda Hickory Research Institute, you can visit their website.
For more information on some of Tulsa’s untold crimes relating to the Allotment Era, explore the investigative series Stealing Tvlse.
Exploring Indigenous Peoples of North America: The Indian Rights Association Presentation
Tulsa City-Council Library Central Assistant Manager Alison Embry-Saenz mapped out how to navigate TCCL’s newest collection, “Indigenous Peoples of North America Part II: The Indian Rights Association.” Indigenous Peoples of North America offers an in-depth exploration of Native American history, illustrating the comprehensive yet personal narratives of American Indian tribes and supporting organizations. Part 2 focuses on the Indian Rights Association (1882-1986), detailing the organization’s advocacy efforts through correspondence, organizational records, publications, photographs, and research notes. This collection is made possible by a donation from Verified News Network (VNN) Oklahoma.
For more information on this collection, as well as accessing it, visit the collection’s web page on the TCCL website here.
Voting for Better Health Outcomes Panel
VNN OK Senior Journalist Rachael Schuit and Professor and Head of the Department of History at Oklahoma State University Brian Hosmer discussed the history of the Native vote in the United States.
Schuit and Hosmer explored what the upcoming Tulsa Mayoral elections mean for Native voters, and ways Native and ally voters can learn more about issues impacting Native communities, including health disparities, tribal sovereignty, wealth inequity and more.
Engaging Communities for Good Panel
Shannon Shaw Duty, Osage News
Sarah Roberts, Tinker Federal Credit Union
Susan Dean, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma
Industry leaders across news and other business sectors of northeast Oklahoma discussed ways to accelerate positive impact in communities. Topics included how businesses can become allies, and how individuals can invest in their own growth and success.
TFCU provided the following resources for community members:
Researching American Indian Ancestry In Oklahoma Presentation
The Oklahoma Historical Society’s Mallory Covington and Veronica Redding explored how you can trace Native ancestry, why it’s more complicated than you’d think, and resources for navigating your own genealogy journey. This presentation included what information is necessary to kickstart your own genealogy exploration, resources offered by OHS, and more.
Interested in tracing your roots?
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Join us as we honor Indigenous resilience and work towards a more just future together.
Engage in meaningful discussions, strengthen your understanding, and explore new perspectives with expert speakers and immersive breakout sessions.
