Events
This FREE program series celebrates the history, culture, arts, and achievements of American Indians through a series of enlightening family programs at your local libraries.
2026 Festival of Words Programming
2026 American Indian Circle of Honor
Honoree: Greg Bigler
Saturday, March 7
10:30 a.m.
Hardesty Regional Library, Connor’s Cove Theater
Book Signing Immediately Afterwards
Free and Open to the Public!
Greg Bigler, Euchee, enrolled with the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, is a tribal judge and lawyer who exclusively represents Native American tribes. He currently serves as the chief district judge at the Sac and Fox Nation, district judge at the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, chief judge for the Court of Appeals for the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, appellate judge at the Mashantucket Pequot Nation, Quapaw Nation Supreme Court justice, and Supreme Court judge for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. He previously served as district court judge for the Muscogee Nation during the historic McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, attorney general for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, the first district court judge for the Prairie Band Potawatomi and attorney general of the Sac and Fox Nation.
The Circle of Honor recognizes an American Indian leader whose achievements and contributions enrich the lives of others and preserve American Indian culture and legacy. Recipients receive a $15,000 cash prize sponsored by the Maxine & Jack Zarrow Family Foundation.
Sponsored by the American Indian Resource Center, Tulsa Library Trust, and The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation. Additional Support: Southwest Trading Company and Vision & Voices
Family Fun with Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Tribal TANF
Saturday, March 7
9:00a – 10:30AM
Hardesty Regional Library
Kids come and have lots of crafty fun in the main lobby with Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Tribal TANF!
Take and Make: Mystery Turtle Kits
March 9-31 or as long as kits last!
Owasso Library, 314 E. Fifth Ave., Suite 202
Hey Kids! Stop by the Owasso Library and pick up a mystery turtle kit from March 9-31 or as long as they last!
Osage Language Class
TUESDAYS, March 3,10, 24, 31
6:00PM – 7:00PM
Skiatook Library, 316 E. Rogers
Join Jacqueline Delong, Osage Nation Language Department teacher, to learn commonly used words to simple sentences.
Decolonizing the Kitchen Pantry
MONDAY, MARCH 9
6:00-8:00PM
Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St.
Join us for a workshop exploring practices to incorporate traditional native foodways into the modern kitchen pantry facilitated by Chef Nico Williams.
Duno-Logah: Exciting folktales from Native America
MONDAY, MARCH 16
2:00 – 3:00PM
Bixby Library, 20 E. Breckenridge
Join Will Hill as he regales you with the stories of ancient America. Highlighted with song and laughter by Native America’s greatest raconteur. You will hear the serenade of the Buffalo hide drum, Native flute, and turtle shell rattle. High adventure for each and all! Prehistoric creatures from folklore!
Native Hand Talk for Families
MONDAY, MARCH 16
4:00 – 5:00PM
Broken Arrow Library, 300 W. Broadway Ave.
Join Mike Pahsetopah as he teaches simple sign language phrases and stories for families from the Hand Talk that the native peoples of this land once used.
Native Culture Make and Take: Beaded Medallions
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
2:00-4:00pm
Nathan Hale Library, 6038 E. 23rd St.
Join Robin Tiger as she teaches the art of beadwork. Learn how to create and bead your own design. Registration is required.
Native Culture Make and Take: Cherokee Pottery
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
2:00-3:00PM
3:30-4:30PM
Kishner Library, 10150 N. Cincinnati E.
Join Cherokee potter Crystal Hanna for native stories and a hands-on workshop. Materials provided. Class size is limited. Registration is required.
Native Culture Make and Take: Pony Bead Creations
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
2:00-3:00PM
Suburban Acres Library, 4606 N. Garrison A
Join Stella Foster as she brings pony beads to life with fun, colorful key chains and other creations!
Coyote & Crow: Tabletop Role-Playing Game
THURSDAY, MARCH 20
6:00-8:45PM
Zarrow Regional Library-North Meeting Room, 2224 W. 51st St.
Come and learn to play the award-winning tabletop role-playing game, Coyote & Crow! It is an award-winning sci-fi and fantasy tabletop role-playing game set in an alternate future where the Americas were never colonized. No experience necessary. For teens and adults.
Native Culture Make and Take: Corn Husk Dolls
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
4:00-5:00PM
Glenpool Library, 730 E. 141st St.
Come and learn how to make the corn husk doll, its purpose, and history (through storytelling) among our Kituwah Cherokee peoples and many of our relatives east of the Mississippi River. Seating is limited, first come basis.
Native Culture Make and Take: Native Patchwork
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
1:00–3:00PM
Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St
Come and learn the basics for Native American patchwork. Ten (10) sewing machines are provided or you may bring your own. Materials provided to the first 20 people.
Decolonizing the Kitchen Pantry
MONDAY, MARCH 23
6:00-8:00PM
Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St.
Join us for a workshop exploring practices to incorporate traditional native foodways into the modern kitchen pantry facilitated by Chef Nico Williams.
Sponsors:
American Indian Resource Center
Tulsa Library Trust
Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation
Additional Support:
Southwest Trading Company
Tulsa & Creek Counties Senior Nutrition Program
Vision and Voices