10/12/2026
Aho! Ura! Thank you to our friend, Mayor Holman of Norman, for remembering us on this very special day!
Today, October 12th, I am proud to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Norman.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures, languages, sovereignty, resilience, and countless contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples, while also acknowledging the injustices they have endured and the importance of continuing to build stronger relationships for future generations.
Long before Norman was established, Indigenous peoples lived, traveled, traded, hunted, and maintained relationships with the land we now call home. That history did not end with the founding of our city. Indigenous peoples remain an essential and thriving part of Norman today.
Oklahoma itself takes its name from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning “red people,” and is home to 39 federally recognized Tribal Nations, each with its own government, history, culture, and sovereign status.
Norman has long been home to one of Oklahoma’s largest urban Indigenous communities, with Native residents representing many different Tribal Nations. Their contributions can be seen throughout our community in education, business, public service, healthcare, science, the arts, environmental stewardship, and countless other areas.
I’m particularly proud of the strong relationships the City of Norman has developed with Tribal Nations and Indigenous organizations both within and beyond our city.
That includes our partnership with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe, which maintains a significant presence in the Norman area. Our collaboration has helped secure important federal investments in transportation and infrastructure that benefit our entire community.
We also value our relationship with our neighbors in the Chickasaw Nation, whose investments in healthcare, education, economic development, cultural preservation, and community services have had a tremendous impact across central and southern Oklahoma.
These relationships are not simply ceremonial. Tribal Nations are sovereign governments, and cooperation based on mutual respect creates opportunities to improve infrastructure, protect natural resources, support economic development, and better serve our shared communities.
Norman also has an extraordinary history in Native American art and education. The Jacobson House Native Art Center, located at 609 Chautauqua Avenue, has played an important role in preserving and celebrating Indigenous art and culture, including the legacy of the Kiowa Six artists and their connection to the University of Oklahoma.
Today, the Jacobson House is hosting an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Art Market and Food Sale from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., featuring Indigenous artists, vendors, singers, Indian tacos, meat pies, and more!
The University of Oklahoma is also hosting activities throughout the day, organized with Indigenous student groups, including cultural ceremonies, educational discussions, traditional games, stickball, basketry, beadwork, and other opportunities to learn and participate.
Just up the road in Oklahoma City, the First Americans Museum is hosting its Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with performances, art, films, demonstrations, and activities for all ages.
Norman’s recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day dates back to August 22, 2017, when the City Council adopted a resolution officially designating the second Monday in October for this observance.
Today, I’m honored to continue that commitment as Mayor.
Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day is about more than acknowledging history. It’s about recognizing the living cultures, governments, communities, and people who continue shaping Norman and Oklahoma every day.
It’s also about acknowledging the history of forced removal, broken treaties, discrimination, and other injustices, while respecting tribal sovereignty and working together to build a better future.
I encourage everyone to take some time today to learn more about the Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities around us, support Native artists and businesses, attend one of today’s local events, and reflect on the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the place we call home.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman
City of Norman
