'Making History': OKC's First Americans Museum seeks to build a database of tribal veterans

Nov. 10—Every day, the new First Americans Museum honors the warrior cultures of the 39 Native American tribes headquartered in Oklahoma.

"Even long before we were citizens of the United States, we were warrior cultures — but not just warriors in the way that you think of the military. It was more about the values of warriors: being protective, building community and a balance between war and peace — most of the time trying to be peaceful. So, we pay homage to the warriors and then to our veterans," Marketing and Communications Manager Ginny Underwood, who is Comanche, said recently while touring the museum's Tribal Nations Gallery.

For its first Veterans Day, the First Americans Museum, which opened in September, is inviting military service members and veterans to be part of "Making History" from Thursday to Sunday. Veterans Day is Thursday.

"First Americans have the highest record of service per capita in the armed forces compared to the general population and we honor and commemorate their service," First Americans Museum Director and CEO James Pepper Henry, who is Kaw/Muscogee, said in a statement.

The "Making History" event offers veterans and service members an opportunity to be added to an interactive database in the museum's Tribal Nations Gallery.

During the event, tribally enrolled veterans, service members and their families may bring documentation of military service, awards and photographs to be professionally scanned by archivists. Portrait photography also will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for veterans and service men and women.

Family members of those unable to participate can submit documentation on behalf of their relatives.

To establish the database, Underwood said museum staffers asked the Oklahoma-based tribes to each send photos and information on 10 veterans to be showcased. The "Making History" event will be the next step in adding to the database.

"This is going to be a growing and living project," Underwood said.

First Americans Museum Senior Curator Heather Ahtone, who is Choctaw and Chickasaw, said in an email that the database will not only honor Native American service members and veterans but also "promote the warrior values of sacrifice, caring for community, and protecting our cultures."

Funding for the "Making History" project has been provided by a grant from Boeing. The aerospace company announced this month $1.8 million in donations to organizations supporting Indigenous communities in the United States.

During the event, all veterans and service members — both Native and non-Native — will receive free admission to the museum's galleries, plus a 20% discount on their meal in the Thirty Nine Restaurant. Military ID is required.

To get more information or to schedule an appointment to participate in the "Making History" project, go to www.famok.org/events/veteransday2021.

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