It offers a variety of unique spaces and state-of-the-art resources, including permanent and changing exhibits, theaters, classrooms, and a community resource center.
In developing the interpretive program for the Museum, extensive meetings were held with representatives from 39 tribal nations based in Oklahoma. We were asked to create an experience that privileges the multiplicity of First American voices. These convey an ancient—yet very contemporary—story, with the purpose of generating awareness, sharing knowledge, sustaining traditions, honoring ancestors and celebrating these diverse and thriving cultures.
In the South Wing of the complex, a blend of interactive media, text, graphics and film provides for visitors an encounter with the history of Oklahoma tribal communities through tribal and personal stories. Also within the South Wing, “WINIKO; Life of an Object” is a 10-year exhibition developed in conjunction with the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Through this exhibition, visitors view objects from the NMAI collection that were created and/or owned by members of the Oklahoma tribal communities.
The Museum is recognized as a culturally groundbreaking institution. Many of the objects on display are returning to Oklahoma for the first time since their collection in the early 20th century. As part of the exhibit’s development process, reunions between objects and descendants of the creators and/or owners were facilitated by the First Americans Museum.
The First Americans Museum is a living, breathing institution that is a destination for First Americans and First American allies alike, offering a variety of unique spaces and state-of-the-art resources, including permanent and changing exhibits, theaters, classrooms, and a community resource center. Here, visitors experience a multiplicity of First American voices that impart an ancient – yet very contemporary – story with the purpose of generating awareness, sharing knowledge, sustaining traditions, honoring ancestors and celebrating these diverse and thriving cultures. The First Americans Museum is arguably the first institution in the nation to invite Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations to share their stories in their own words.
We have been involved in the development and design of the First Americans Museum for over two decades. Over the course of the development of the interpretive program for the Museum, extensive and numerous meetings were held with tribal representatives. In Oklahoma today, there are 39 officially organized tribes and RAA met with representatives of each as well as members of other tribes that have passed through the State and been involved with this project.
In the South Wing of the complex, The Tribal Nations Gallery addresses the collective history of the 39 Tribal Nations currently located in Oklahoma. Through a blend of interactive media, text, graphics and film, visitors encounter the history of the Oklahoma tribal communities through tribal and personal stories. Also within the South Wing, “WINIKO: Life of an Object” is a 10-year exhibition developed in conjunction with the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Through this exhibition, visitors view objects from the NMAI collection that were created and/or owned by members of the Oklahoma tribal communities. Many of the objects on display are returning to Oklahoma for the first time since their collection in the early 20th century and as part of the exhibit’s development process, reunions between objects and descendants of the creators and/or owners were facilitated by the First Americans Museum.