First Americans Museum

First Americans Museum
Map
Former name
American Indian Cultural Center and Museum
Coordinates35°27′28″N 97°28′52″W / 35.4578°N 97.48123°W / 35.4578; -97.48123
TypeCultural
Visitors200,000+ (2022)[1]
Executive directorJames Pepper Henry
CuratorHeather Ahtone
Websitefamok.org

The First Americans Museum (FAM) is a museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. It was previously known as the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. It officially opened on September 18, 2021.[2][3]

Background

The center was initiated in the 1990s and previously was named the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.[4] Construction began in 2006, was interrupted in 2012 when state funding ran out, but resumed in 2019, after the responsibility for the museum was transferred from the State of Oklahoma to Oklahoma City.[5][6]

Mission

The mission of First Americans Museum is, "To serve as a dynamic center promoting awareness and educating the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, contributions, and resilience of the First American Nations in Oklahoma today."[7]

Staff

The FAM's executive director is James Pepper Henry (Kaw/Muscogee).[4] Deputy director is Shoshana Wasserman (Thlopthlocco Muscogee). Chief curator is Heather Ahtone (Choctaw/Chickasaw).[8] Loretta Barrett Oden (Potawatomi) is a culinary architect in the museum's on-site Thirty Nine Restaurant.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://famok.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Forest-Friends-Club-Letter032423.pdf
  2. ^ "First Americans Museum set to open". Indian Country Today. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Billock, Jennifer. "A Brand-New Museum in Oklahoma Honors Indigenous People at Every Turn". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Crum, William (December 13, 2019). "New name for cultural center: First Americans Museum". The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Construction resumes on American Indian Cultural Center and Museum". KFOR.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "American Indian Cultural Center and Museum | Hargreaves Jones". Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  7. ^ "About Us: Our Mission". First Americans Museum. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "heather ahtone". Chickasaw TV. Chickasaw Nation. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "E74: Loretta Barrett Oden — "Spoonful by spoonful"". Toasted Sister Podcast. December 5, 2021.