Homelands: Learning from Oklahoma's Indigenous Communities - 8

 

"Homelands: Learning from Oklahoma's Indigenous Communities"

 

The Cherokees express gratitude by saying “wado,” while the Muscogee people say “mvto.” Regardless of the language, we are deeply thankful for the invaluable teaching and learning experience some of our Putnam County High School students had during their Native American Homelands trip to Oklahoma this Fall. Their journey embraced themes of continuity, community, and creativity as they explored the intertwined histories of Black and Native American peoples after the Trail of Tears through place-based encounters and meaningful dialogues with descendant communities.

 

Their adventure began in Tulsa with the Real Black Wall Street Walking Tour, exploring the history of a Black business district destroyed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. At Greenwood Rising, students learned about the pain and resilience of this history through multisensory exhibits. They visited Council Oak Park, a sacred site for the Muscogee (Creek) people, and were welcomed at the Oklahoma Indian Territory Museum of Black Creek Freedmen History, where they explored the histories of African-Indigenous communities. The First Americans Museum showcased the strength of the thirty-nine Native American nations in Oklahoma. The journey concluded in Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation capital, with a tour of the Cherokee National History Museum, a game of stickball, and a traditional Cherokee Hog Fry featuring a community feast and basket weaving lessons from a Cherokee National Treasure.

 

Throughout the trip, students compiled journals to narrate their personal experiences, and the key lessons learned, some of which are highlighted in the podcast. Knowledge-sharing will continue through community presentations, creative projects, and new historical research initiatives that aim to strengthen our connections with the numerous communities that graciously welcomed our staff and students during their time in their homelands.

 

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Length - 53:28

 

The music in the opening and closing is from Soul Shifters. It is called Honey Bee.

Downloaded for use with this podcast from Soundstripe.

See the following copyright information.

Track Title: Honey Bee
Artist Name(s): Soul Shifters
Writer Name: Aaron Sprinkle
Writer IPI Number: 00179.77.26.10
Writer PRO: BMI
Writer Percentage: 100.00%
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS
Publisher IPI Number: 00.886.23.55.00
Publisher PRO: BMI
Publisher Percentage: 100.00