Stories in motion
Happy April, Crosswinds News Community.
Spring is in full swing, and the land is beginning to renew. At Crosswinds, we’re reminded of the importance of growth and connection to one another. We see this season not just as change, but as a time to strengthen relationships and continue the work of supporting local Native communities.
April was a full and meaningful month. Our team spent time where it matters most, in community. Russell Sun Eagle was present at gatherings across the region, including the opening of Harrah’s Casino, the Mvskoke Art Market and the Rematriation Retreat with Crosswinds News Senior Journalist Brittany Harlow, put on by Words of the People. These spaces are more than events; they are places of culture and shared experience.
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The first official season of the Talking Winds Podcast launched this month. Episode 1 featured Crosswinds News Cofounders Kelly Tidwell and Brittany Harlow. Episode 2 featured Crosswinds Community Engagement and Cultural Coordinator Trista Vaughn.
Thanks to support from Listening Post Collective, Crosswinds also began testing a new Native News and Events podcast this month. The first segment of this podcast focused on cultural events happening across Oklahoma this May.
We’ll be testing a series of potential segments now through June, all based on feedback provided to us during our Listening and Learning Tour Across Northeast Oklahoma Reservations in 2025. Have a listen here and make sure to share what you think!
It’s also available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
The Crosswinds Team also stayed busy covering news from the heart of Indian Country this month.
The Owasso City Council approved a controversial flag design depicting a Plains Indian slumped over on a horse. Two council members voted no on approving the design and three voted yes.
Crosswinds Senior Journalist Rachael Schuit reported on how two Muscogee advocates helped stop a data center from being built on the Muscogee Reservation and why they view data centers as a threat to tribal sovereignty.
That same thread continued at the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma quarterly meeting, where tribal leaders discussed the rise of prediction markets and their potential impact on tribal gaming. These conversations reflect larger questions about jurisdiction, protection of tribal economies, and the need to be proactive in rapidly changing industries.
Rachael also reported on the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians’ (UKB) plans to place 112 acres into federal trust to expand services and strengthen tribal jurisdiction. The land includes Diamondhead Resort and several community and health sites, with no plans for gaming.
Tribal leaders say the move is critical to sovereignty, though potential opposition from the Cherokee Nation could impact the process as the applications move forward with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Greater Tulsa Indian Affairs Commission met April 21 to share updates and highlight upcoming events across the community. Planning continues for Tulsa Native American Day, with Dr. Jessica Moore Harjo named as the featured artist this year. The education committee also continues its Senior Recognition Program, honoring Native students across Tulsa Public Schools. Two public events are set for May. A Financial and Neighborhood Resource Fair on May 7 will offer free help with budgeting, credit, and financial planning. A Recovery and Mental Health Summit on May 16 will focus on addiction awareness and overdose response, with free access and no registration required.
From the Associated Press:
- For second time, Trump seeks to eliminate federal funding for tribal colleges and universities
- Drivers save amid soaring gas prices by fueling up at tribal stations
As part of our ongoing cultural preservation efforts at Crosswinds News, Russell Sun Eagle spoke with Will Hill, a Muscogee (Creek) Citizen who is a traditional storyteller this month. Hill learned traditional stories in the Muscogee language from his grandparents Rufus and Gussie Buckley. Hill said he uses his role to make sure that stories and history are not forgotten.
And Cherokee and Muscogee author Tatianna Duncan held a book signing for her new book “Indian Territory: 160 Acres of Betrayal” at the Museum of Tulsa History this month. Brittany attended the event for the book, which both raise awareness about how land was stolen from Native families in Oklahoma during the early 20th century. Crosswinds News was proud to sponsor the event.
Sour Sofkee is a column written by Native author and historian J.D. Colbert (Muscogee Creek, Chickasaw, Cherokee and Citizen Potawatomi) under the pen name Fus Yvhikv ("Singing Bird"). Check it out on Crosswinds here!
Last but certainly not least, Crosswinds also shared a seasonal reminder rooted in both safety and respect for our relatives on the land. As turtles begin moving across Oklahoma this spring, we published a guide on what to do (and not do) when you see a turtle in the road. Turtles often travel to find food, mates, or nesting sites during warmer months, and helping them safely cross in the direction they’re already heading can make a difference!
As our newest podcast experiment alluded to, there are a plethora of community events coming up in May to look forward to. Some of them include:
- May 2: Tulsa Indian Club Spring Festival
- May 5: National Day of MMIP Awareness
- May 14: Tulsa Regional Chamber State of Tribal Nations
- May 30: IHRC Dance of the Two Moons
These events and more can be found online on the Crosswinds Calendar. Do you know of an event that needs to be on it? Please submit your event via email to crosswindsnewsok@gmail.com.
We are so grateful for all of your support, and we cannot wait to share more exciting updates with you next month. See you Saturday at the Spring Festival!
The Crosswinds News Team
