November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month — and as such, organizations in OKC and Norman will host a variety of events to celebrate and recognize the value of tribal culture.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum are teaming up for a fifth consecutive year to present a Native-American display.

This year, the collaboration will present a Native-American film showcase beginning Thursday at the museum’s Noble Theater, 415 Couch Drive.

The film showcase will begin with Billy Luther’s Sundance Film Festival entry, titled “GRAB,” according to a press release. Other entries titled “GOOD MEAT,” “The Storm” and “A GOOD DAY TO DIE” will be among a few of the featured short films. according to the press release.

Museum Film Curator Brian Hearn said this event showcases a lot of great talent.

“One of the films, ‘GOOD MEAT,’ is about an American Indian’s journey and demonstrates how going back to his native culture saved his life,” Hearn said. “It’s rare to learn about things like that.”

Hearn also said Native-American heritage is a huge part of Oklahoma’s culture, with 39 tribes in the state.

“You learn about things that you other wise wouldn’t, and you’ll leave with a deeper perspective of the Native American community,” Hearn said.

Jacobson House employee Kelly Alvarez said she thinks the Native American Heritage Month holds just as much significance.

“There’s a Black History Month and a Hispanic History Month, so I think having a Native American Heritage Month is just as important,” Alvarez said.

It’s not just Oklahoma City that will be celebrating the Native American Heritage Month.

College of Education graduate student Noetta Harjo, a member of the Osage Nation, said she will be celebrating her heritage as well. Harjo said believes it’s important to recognize her heritage because the cultures are being lost.

Harjo said in the past, OU has considered April as being the American Indian Heritage month, however this year OU will hold events recognizing Native American Heritage in November for the first time.

“There is so much that we could all learn from one another and our cultures,” Harjo said. “The more youth that get involved with their culture, the easier it will be to preserve it. I didn’t grow up around my culture, so now that I have the opportunity to learn more, I feel a sense of identity that I never had before. I know better now about who I am and where I come from.”

GO AND DO
Celebrate
WHAT: Gamma Delta Pi Sorority, Native American Cultural Showcase
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center