Honoring Community, Moving Forward This Season
Happy Spring, Crosswinds News Community!
We hope you’re enjoying the longer days and warmer weather, while also staying mindful during tornado season. Spring invites a sense of renewal, as the earth begins to wake from winter and we find moments to reset alongside it.
For instance, spring marks Wild Onion season in Oklahoma. Russell Sun Eagle spent time with Claudia McHenry, who is leading workshops on traditional wild onion preparation. Participants learned proper harvesting and preparation techniques, while also reconnecting with ancestral foodways. McHenry shared that wild onion season continues to bring churches and communities together in meaningful ways.
Brittany Harlow and family foraged for wild onions with Four Locv Indigenous Arts and Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness.
As an organization, Crosswinds News stepped into March with a continued commitment to community-centered storytelling and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact across Indian Country.
But, this month, our team also experienced loss.
Lee. R. Weber, stepfather of Crosswinds Community Engagement and Cultural Coordinator Trista Vaughn, passed away on March 10. Weber was deeply committed to language revitalization and participated in the Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program. He was also a member of the Keetoowah Nighthawk Society.
Laquita Caron, grandmother of Crosswinds News senior journalist Rachael Schuit, passed away on March 21 at the age of 93. Born on the Menominee Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin, she later moved to Michigan but maintained a strong connection to her home community. She will be remembered for her enduring faith and her deep love for family.
We extend our sincere condolences to all families and loved ones navigating these losses.
March brought a full and active news cycle for our team.
In a significant legal development, the Oklahoma Supreme Court declined to overturn Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s opinion that the state cannot prosecute tribal members for hunting and fishing on their reservations.
Tribal leaders praised the court’s decision not to intervene.
At the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) Quarterly Meeting, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, a Republican candidate for governor, addressed tribal leaders and pledged to rebuild relationships between tribes and state leadership. The gubernatorial primary is scheduled for June 16.
Closer to home, Crosswinds News attended the Owasso City Council meeting on March 17. David Bible, President of the Tulsa Indian Club and member of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, spoke in opposition to a proposed city flag design that includes imagery connected to the “End of the Trail” sculpture. The council is expected to vote on the design at a future meeting in April.
And Rachael Schuit reported on an important new series from the Prison Journalism Project titled Cancer in Confinement. As part of her reporting, she spoke with an oncologist who developed a guide to help incarcerated individuals advocate for themselves while navigating cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Alongside these serious stories, March also offered moments of cultural connection and celebration.
“The Savior,” a film depicting the life of Jesus, was screened at the First Americans Museum with Mvskoke and Cherokee language adaptations. The project included language consultation from citizens of the Muscogee, Seminole, and Cherokee Nations.
In recognition of St. Patrick’s Day, the Choctaw Nation hosted the third annual Choctaw Irish Friendship Fest, celebrating a historic bond between the Choctaw people and Ireland. This year’s event included opportunities to learn both Choctaw and Irish language and culture.
We’re excited to share that our first StoryKeepers cohort is underway, with 13 participants beginning their journey into community-centered storytelling and multimedia production. Led by Crosswinds News Managing Editor Dr. Rosemary Avance, the program reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting Native and ally voices.
This work is just the beginning. As we move into April, we’re looking forward to sharing some exciting updates focused on Native youth in our community!
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the Crosswinds Community Calendar, where you can find and share events happening across our region next month.
Upcoming April events include:
- University of Central Oklahoma Powwow – April 4
- Words of the People Rematriation Retreat – April 10-12
- Tulsa Indian Club Spring Festival – April 11
- Mvskoke Art Market – April 18-19
Thank you, as always, for being part of the Crosswinds News community. Your support, your stories, and your voices continue to shape this work. We look forward to connecting with you in April and sharing more stories and updates.
Sincerely,
The Crosswinds News Team 🌱
