September at Crosswinds: Honoring the Past and Looking Ahead
Happy September, Crosswinds Community!
As September comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a month filled with reporting, travel, community connection and preparation for one of our biggest events of the year.
But first, we want to recognize the significance of today.
Honoring Orange Shirt Day
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a day to honor survivors of Indian residential and boarding schools, remember the children who never returned home and recognize the lasting impacts these systems have had on Indigenous families and communities.
Orange Shirt Day began in Canada through the story of residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken from her when she arrived at residential school as a six-year-old child. Her story helped inspire a movement centered on remembrance, truth and the message that Every Child Matters.
Here in Oklahoma, that history is especially close. Oklahoma had more Indian boarding schools than any other state, and Crosswinds has continued reporting on both that history and the people working to preserve survivors’ stories.
From the Crosswinds archives:
OK leads the country in number of old “Indian Boarding Schools” - and the Feds are looking into them
Federal funding cuts jeopardize access to Indian Boarding School history
“Every Child Matters Honor Walk” happening Monday in Seminole Nation
This summer, that work came directly to Tulsa when the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition concluded its nationwide Oral History Project here in Oklahoma. Survivors gathered to share experiences that will become part of a permanent collection preserving their stories for future generations.
Today, we remember the children, honor survivors and their descendants, and recommit ourselves to telling these stories.
Indigenous Roots is almost here
We’re kicking off October in a big way with the Indigenous Roots Community Summit, happening across Tulsa October 2–4.
This year, Indigenous Roots has grown into a three-day gathering created alongside community organizations throughout Tulsa.
It begins Friday, October 2, with a community kickoff at Indian Health Care Resource Center, followed by art, film and more throughout the evening.
Saturday brings Native history, community experiences, workshops, wellness activities and opportunities to explore Native Tulsa before the Indigenous Roots Benefit Dinner and Rezzy Jams Comedy Show that evening.
Dinner guests will also get the first look at a new exhibit exploring the history of the Tulsa Indian Youth Center and Tulsa Indian Youth Council of the 1970s — and the role those spaces played in creating community and belonging for generations of Native youth in Tulsa.
Then on Sunday, October 4, we’ll close out the weekend with a family-friendly day of activities at Veterans Park.
There is a lot happening throughout the weekend, so check out the full schedule and register for Indigenous Roots here.
We hope you’ll join us!
Showing Up Across Indian Country
September kept the Crosswinds team moving.
We began the month with the Gathering Business Summit and Native Business Expo, where we had the opportunity to share our work and connect with other Native-owned businesses and organizations.
Russell Sun Eagle traveled to Tahlequah over Labor Day weekend for Cherokee National Holiday. September travels also brought Russell to Owasso and Quapaw.
In Owasso, Team Native Rams celebrated 21 years of Owasso Indian Education during the Indian Summer Auction Fundraiser on September 17. Hosted by emcee Kel Coops, the evening opened with a presentation from Navajo youth speaker and basketball performer Jerrickson Hosteen. Owen Hawzipta later shared the Team Native Rams mission of building youth leadership, strengthening cultural identity and supporting students in academics, athletics and the arts.
The night continued with live and silent auctions featuring a Jim Thorpe art piece, Pendleton items, a cruise vacation and more. Great food and great community showed how much support surrounds Native students and families in Owasso.
The Quapaw Nation Historic Preservation Program hosted From Soil to Story: Quapaw Nation Summit on September 18 at the Quapaw Nation Community Building. The summit brought Quapaw citizens, researchers and scholars together to explore Quapaw history through archaeology, archival research and traditional knowledge. Presentations covered topics ranging from early Quapaw communities along the Arkansas River and colonial era relationships to current efforts to protect cultural resources and ancestral lands.
Crosswinds Coverage
With Oklahoma’s November 3 General Election approaching, Brittany Harlow reported on Rock the Native Vote’s plans to mark National Voter Registration Day with a multigenerational Family Day at Dream Keepers Park.
Although the event was ultimately canceled because of inclement weather, its message remains timely: Oklahoma voters have until October 9 to register for the November 3 General Election.
Read: Celebrate National Voter Registration Day at Rock the Native Vote Family Day this weekend
Rachael Schuit continued Crosswinds’ reporting on Native youth homelessness in Tulsa. According to the 2025 Tulsa Equality Indicators, Native youth ages 13 to 24 are more than four times as likely to experience homelessness as white youth.
Rachael spoke with Evan Rogers (Cherokee), a Tulsa Job Corps student who experienced homelessness after turning 18, as well as Youth Services of Tulsa about the resources available, and the gaps that remain, for young people experiencing homelessness.
Read: Native youth face high homelessness rates, gap in Tulsa shelter options
Trista Vaughn reported on a first for one of Tulsa’s most iconic music venues. On Native American Day, Cain’s Ballroom will host its first full Indigenous artist lineup, bringing together Blaine Bailey, R.C. Edwards, Samantha Crain, Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey and Kalyn Fay.
The October 12 event will take the form of a song swap, giving the artists an opportunity to perform while sharing the stories behind their music. Organizers hope the event will celebrate the range of Native music and culture, create greater visibility for Indigenous artists and inspire Native youth.
Read: Cain’s Ballroom to host first full Indigenous lineup for Tulsa’s Native American Day.
And keep an eye out for Russell’s story about this year’s Tulsa Native American Day coming soon!
From the AP Wire
Crosswinds also shared national reporting from The Associated Press on issues affecting Native communities:
Staffing problems stall federal investigations of missing and killed Native people
A Christian pastor called Arapaho ceremonies 'idol worship.' Now the tribe wants her church gone
Repping Crosswinds Nationwide
Traveling across the US, Rachael Schuit, Russell Sun Eagle and Trista Vaughn headed west for the Local Independent Online News (LION) Summit in San Diego. The gathering gave our team an opportunity to learn alongside other independent local newsrooms while connecting with organizations and funders that have supported Crosswinds and helped make our work possible.
Around Tulsa
- Tulsa Arts Commission: Travelers along Route 66 will soon see more public art. Commissioners approved artist recommendations for six new Route 66 murals planned for bridges, underpasses and other public infrastructure across Tulsa. The projects are intended to bring more public art to the Route 66 corridor while highlighting Tulsa history. A new round of Vision Arts grants is also expected to be funded in 2027, with applications due February 1.
- Greater Tulsa Indian Affairs Commission: Preparations are underway for the 10th anniversary of Tulsa’s Native American Day celebration on October 12. Organizers reported strong volunteer participation, involvement from more than 20 schools and plans for a stomp dance as part of this year’s celebration. Commissioners also discussed whether Tulsa should establish a more formal observance recognizing Native communities, with members emphasizing the need for additional community input. The Parks Committee reported that the design for Dream Keepers Park is nearing completion, with construction expected to begin after Native American Day.
October Community Calendar
October is packed with opportunities to gather, learn and celebrate Native cultures and communities across Oklahoma. Here are just a few:
October 2–4: Indigenous Roots Community Summit
October 10–11: Cherokee Art Market
October 10–11: Indigenous People’s Day and Fall Break Kick-off
October 12: Tulsa Native American Day
October 17: Red Earth FallFest
October 17: OKC Pow Wow Club Fall Benefit Evening Gourd Dance
Keep an eye on the Crosswinds Community Calendar throughout the month as we continue adding events from across Indian Country.
Thank you, as always, for supporting Crosswinds News. Our work, from local reporting and historical storytelling to community gatherings like Indigenous Roots, is possible because of the Crosswinds community.
We hope to see many of you this weekend at Indigenous Roots!
With gratitude,
The Crosswinds News Team
