American Indian Festival of Words

 2023 American Indian Festival of Words Award Presentation

 Honoree: Stephen Graham Jones

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Hardesty Regional Library, Connor’s Cove Auditorium

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Free and Open to the Public

Stephen Graham Jones, writer, novelist, and Ivena Baldwin Professor of English as well as a Professor of Distinction at the University of Colorado Boulder, will receive the 2023 American Indian Festival of Words Writers Award

Jones will sign books after the presentation. Copies of his work will be available for purchase. Consisting of a $10,000 cash prize, the award recognizes written contributions of outstanding American Indian authors, poets, journalists, film and stage scriptwriters. It is the first and only award given by a public library to honor an American Indian writer. Sponsored by the American Indian Resource Center, Tulsa Library Trust, and The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation.

2023 American Indian Festival of Words

Take and Make: 3D Turtle Kits

March 6-31 or as long as kits last!

Maxwell Park Library

The turtle bounces! The turtle can stick its head in and out of its shell! Enjoy a creative 3D Maker Space AIRC turtle craft kit. Stop by and pick one up from March 6-31 or as long as kits last!

Make and Take: Cherokee Pottery 

Tuesday, March 14 

2:00 p.m. 

Kishner Library 

Join Cherokee potter Crystal Hanna for native stories and a hands-on workshop. Materials provided. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Please call 918-549-7323 to reserve your spot.

Dancing Eagles

Wednesday, March 15

3:30 p.m.

Broken Arrow Library

The Pahsetopah’s will perform spectacular Native American dances and traditional storytelling. This entertaining and educational performance will include specialty, traditional and social dances. Audience participation is encouraged.

Make and Take: Basket Making I

Thursday, March 16

10:30 a.m

Charles Page Library

Join Choogie Kingfisher to learn the art of making a single-walled Cherokee basket. This program is for ages 3rd grade and up, younger participants will need parent supervision. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Please call 918-549-7323 to reserve your spot.

Talking with Hands with Mike Pahsetopah

Thursday, March 16

2:00 p.m.

Brookside Library

Learn the endangered sign language that tribes used to communicate with other tribes in the 1800’s.

Storytelling with Will Hill: Omulget!

Thursday, March 16

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Kendall-Whittier Library

Stories of how the animals work together. All ages welcome. 

Make and Take: Pony Bead Creations 

Saturday, March 18 

2:00 p.m. 

Schusterman-Benson Library

Join Stella Foster as she brings pony beads to life with fun and colorful crafts! Registration required. Please register at https://events.tulsalibrary.org/events. Registration closes 24 hours ahead of class.

Make and Take: Beaded Ornament

Saturday, March 25

12:00-3:00 p.m.

Zarrow Regional Library, South Meeting Room

Join Dode Barnett in this 3-hour class as she teaches how to make 2 beaded Christmas tree ornaments; a mini and regular sized ornament. It’s a fun, contemporary application of a traditional Mvskoke beading technique. Materials provided. Class size limited. Register online at https://events.tulsalibrary.org/events. Registration closes 24 hours before class.

Yuchi Language Class

Mondays – 6th, 20th, 27th

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Zarrow Regional Library, South Meeting Room

Any and all skill levels are welcome to join this language revitalization class, led by Yuchi language instructor Brent Deo from the zOyaha School of Language.  

Kiowa Language Class

March 7th and 21st

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Zoom, https://events.tulsalibrary.org/events. Registration closes 24 hours before class.

Learn the beautiful language of the Kiowa people. This class is taught by the Kiowa Language & Culture Revitalization Program of the Kiowa Tribe. Registration is required. Registration closes 24 hours before class. For all ages.

Native Culture Arts: Comanche Bow and Arrows

Willie Pekah

YouTube

Learn about Willie Pekah’s journey to bow and arrow making. Beginning Monday, March 6 at 8:00 a.m. Watch on TCCL’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TulsaLibrary.

Native Culture Arts: Cooking Traditional Foods

Carol Tiger

YouTube

Join Carol Tiger as she demonstrates how to make fried pork and wild onions! Beginning Monday, March 6 at 8:00 a.m. Watch on TCCL’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TulsaLibrary.