First Americans Museum Explained

First Americans Museum
Coordinates:	35.4578°N -97.4812°W
Former Name:	American Indian Cultural Center and Museum
Type:	Cultural
Visitors:	200,000+ (2022)^[1]
Executive Director:	James Pepper Henry
Curator:	Heather Ahtone
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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

• Center of the American Indian, Native-American led intertribal museum in Oklahoma City, active from 1978 to 1992

Notes and References

1. https://famok.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Forest-Friends-Club-Letter032423.pdf
2. Web site: First Americans Museum set to open . Indian Country Today . October 3, 2021.
3. Billock. Jennifer. A Brand-New Museum in Oklahoma Honors Indigenous People at Every Turn. 2021-10-21. Smithsonian Magazine. en.
4. News: Crum . William . New name for cultural center: First Americans Museum . April 23, 2021 . The Oklahoman . December 13, 2019.
5. Web site: Construction resumes on American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. April 2, 2019. KFOR.com. en-US. March 3, 2020.
6. Web site: American Indian Cultural Center and Museum Hargreaves Jones. en-US. March 3, 2020.
7. Web site: About Us: Our Mission . First Americans Museum . April 23, 2021.
8. Web site: heather ahtone . Chickasaw TV . Chickasaw Nation . April 23, 2021.
9. Web site: E74: Loretta Barrett Oden — "Spoonful by spoonful". Toasted Sister Podcast. 5 December 2021.