October at Crosswinds: Community, Connection and Stories That Matter

Happy October, Crosswinds Community!

As October comes to a close, we're reflecting on a busy and meaningful month of reporting, community gatherings and new opportunities to connect.

From the Indigenous Roots Community Summit and Tulsa's Native American Day celebration to welcoming our second StoryKeepers cohort and reporting on issues affecting local communities, October gave us plenty to reflect on.

With Native American Heritage Month just around the corner, we're also looking ahead to more opportunities to celebrate, learn and strengthen our communities.

Here's a look at what we've been up to.

Indigenous Roots brought our community together

We started October with the third annual Indigenous Roots Community Summit, held October 2–4 at several locations across Tulsa.

This year's expanded gathering brought together more than 300 participants for three days of cultural activities, community conversations, educational workshops, art, wellness and family-friendly programming.

We were grateful to collaborate with organizations throughout Tulsa, including the Indian Health Care Resource Center, Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness, Southwest Trading Company and the Center for Public Secrets.

One of the weekend's highlights was our sold-out Benefit Dinner at the Museum of Tulsa History. Guests enjoyed a keynote presentation from Dr. Michelle Johnson-Jennings, a performance by Full Blood Productions' Rezzy Jams and opportunities to support Native-serving organizations.

The dinner generated $2,172.34 in proceeds shared among 10 community beneficiaries.

But what we're especially encouraged by are the connections that came out of the weekend.

Of the 30 people who completed our post-event survey, 20 discovered a Native organization, business, artist, resource or opportunity they hadn't known about before. Another 29 reported either making a connection they hoped to build on or identifying a possible future collaboration.

That's exactly the kind of impact we hope Indigenous Roots continues to create.

Read our full Indigenous Roots recap

Continuing the conversation: What's Next, Indian Country?

Another important part of Indigenous Roots was the beginning of our What's Next, Indian Country? community conversation series.

Building on our Beyond the Ballot research, which explored Native experiences with voting, representation and civic participation, we're bringing people together to discuss the issues affecting their communities and what meaningful change could look like.

Fourteen people joined our first discussion on October 2, sharing their experiences and identifying priorities for Native families and communities.

With support from the National Issues Forums Institute's Spark Grant program, we're continuing this work through two additional community conversations focused on understanding shared concerns and exploring opportunities for action.

We believe listening is an important first step, but what happens with that information matters just as much.

Our hope is that these conversations help connect people, ideas and resources in ways that lead to meaningful change.

Read our Beyond the Ballot research

Celebrating Tulsa's 10th Native American Day

The Crosswinds team was also honored to participate in Tulsa's 10th annual Native American Day celebration on October 12.

What began as a relatively small gathering in 2017 has grown into one of Tulsa's largest celebrations of Indigenous culture and community.

At its October meeting, the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission shared that this year's event was its largest yet, with an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 attendees, more than 22 participating schools, over 80 parade entries and approximately 70 vendors.

Organizers also reported more than 7,000 livestream viewers, allowing people who couldn't attend in person to experience the celebration.

Earlier in the month, Russell Sun Eagle explored the history of the celebration and how it has grown over the past decade.

Read: Sovereign roots, shared future: Tulsa Native American Day marks 10th annual celebration

Welcoming our next generation of StoryKeepers

October also marked the beginning of our second StoryKeepers cohort.

This session focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), bringing together Native and allied youth ages 12–20 to explore issues affecting their communities through storytelling.

Led by Crosswinds co-founder Brittany Harlow, with curriculum developed by Dr. Rosemary Avance, the program is being offered in partnership with the AISES Green Country Professional Chapter.

Participants are learning how to research, verify information, interview experts and produce multimedia stories about science, technology and other STEM-related topics.

The cohort continues through December, and we're looking forward to sharing the stories these young people develop.

Learn more about StoryKeepers

Helping Muscogee families strengthen cultural connections

We're also pleased to share the results of another community-centered project.

Through the Rooted Together Toolkit, seven families with young Muscogee children spent 12 weeks exploring language, traditions and cultural activities together.

Developed by Catalyst News in partnership with the Muscogee Nation Native Youth Community Project, the toolkit was designed to help parents and caregivers feel more confident sharing Muscogee culture with their children.

Families reported that the activities helped strengthen cultural connections, not only for their children but also for the adults participating alongside them.

This project reflects something we believe strongly at Crosswinds: access to culturally relevant information and resources can make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of Native families.

Read: Rooted Together toolkit builds cultural connections with Muscogee kids

Reporting on issues that matter to Indian Country

Alongside our community programs and events, our newsroom continued covering tribal sovereignty, politics, cultural preservation and the people shaping Native communities.

Here are a few stories from October.

Tribal sovereignty and environmental oversight

A federal appeals court rejected the Pawnee Nation's challenge involving Oklahoma's authority to administer certain federal environmental programs in Indian Country.

The October 16 ruling upheld the Environmental Protection Agency's decision allowing Oklahoma to administer 26 federal environmental programs in parts of Indian Country without additional tribal engagement requirements.

The case raises important questions about state authority, tribal consultation and the role Tribal Nations play in decisions affecting their lands and natural resources.

Read: Federal appeals court rejects Pawnee Nation challenge in Oklahoma environmental dispute

Native voters and political representation

With Oklahoma's general election approaching on November 3, we also reported on the cancellation of a planned forum for gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates.

The forum, organized by Kinship Model, was canceled after only one candidate, Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Kelly Forbes, confirmed participation.

Crosswinds reached out to candidates from both major parties for comment but received responses from only two.

The cancellation reflects concerns we've heard through our own community research. In our Beyond the Ballot report, only 4% of surveyed Native respondents said political candidates do a good job reaching out to Indigenous voters.

Yet the same research showed strong interest in civic participation and a desire for more meaningful engagement.

Read: Native voter forum canceled after only one Oklahoma candidate confirms attendance

Indigenous art, identity and creative expression

We also highlighted Indigenous artists creating opportunities for cultural expression and representation.

Brittany Harlow spoke with Indigenous tattoo artist Missy Mahan (Tohono O'odham, Yuchi and Muscogee) about her participation in Gathering of Ink in Oklahoma City, the importance of Indigenous representation in the tattoo industry and the role of traditional tools and techniques in her work.

Read: Gathering of Ink to celebrate Indigenous tattoo traditions, artistry in Oklahoma

Russell Sun Eagle also shared the story of Jessica Moore Harjo (Otoe-Missouria, Osage, Pawnee and Sac and Fox), whose creative work spans fashion, jewelry, public art and collaborations with other Indigenous artists.

Harjo's work reflects a family legacy of artistry while helping create opportunities for Native designers and entrepreneurs.

Her latest venture, INDIGICHIC, begins its fourth season October 31 at a new location on Tulsa's Studio Row, featuring work from approximately 30 Indigenous artists.

Read: Jessica Moore Harjo continues family legacy, building community through art, collaboration

It's another example of the many ways Native artists are creating opportunities for themselves and one another.

Keeping up with community decisions

Our work also includes attending meetings and following developments that don't always receive widespread news coverage but can directly affect Native families.

Here's some of what we heard this month:

Spooky stories and community connections

The Crosswinds team also attended a Ghost Stories gathering featuring Native storyteller Christopher Honkv Hill, who shared traditional ghost stories and legends from the Muscogee (Creek) people and around the world. The evening offered a chance to enjoy spooky storytelling while celebrating the oral traditions that keep cultural knowledge alive across generations.

We also joined Wakaya youth for their Native Fright Fest on October 24. The family-friendly celebration featured an Indigenous spooky story trail, costume contests, corn husk doll making, traditional foods and other activities. Organized and led by Native youth as a community service project, the event brought families together for an afternoon of culture, creativity and Halloween fun.

Have a happy and safe Halloween weekend!

We want to hear from Native people living outside Oklahoma

Crosswinds is continuing our outreach to citizens, descendants and family members of Oklahoma Tribal Nations who live outside the state.

We know that living away from your Tribal Nation can create unique challenges when it comes to staying connected to community news, cultural activities, services and opportunities.

So far, we've spoken with 19 people about their experiences, and we'd like to hear from more. Whether you live in a neighboring state or across the country, we'd welcome the opportunity to learn about what information matters to you and what you'd like to see covered.

If you're interested in participating, email us at crosswindsnewsok@gmail.com or message us on Facebook.

Looking ahead to Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, and there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate, learn and connect with Native communities.

Here are a few upcoming events:

• November 4: Oklahoma City Thunder Native American Student Day
• November 7: 40th Annual Council Oak Tree Ceremony
• November 21: Native Christmas Market
• November 29: Rez the Halls Holiday Market

Be sure to keep an eye on the Crosswinds Community Calendar as we continue sharing events and opportunities from across Indian Country.

Thank you for being part of our community

October was a reminder of how much can happen when people share their time, experiences, resources and ideas.

Whether you attended Indigenous Roots, participated in one of our programs, answered a survey, shared a story or simply followed along, you've helped make this work possible.

As we head into Native American Heritage Month, we're looking forward to continuing these conversations, sharing important stories and finding new ways to connect and support our communities.

Thank you for being part of Crosswinds.

With gratitude,

The Crosswinds News Team

Carrying stories from the heart of Indian Country.