Drumming, dance and dozens of floats fill Tulsa’s largest Native American Day parade yet

The sounds of drumming, dancing and speeches filled Tulsa’s SoBo district Monday morning as attendees prepared for the largest-ever Native American Day parade in the event’s decade-long history.  

Coinciding with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the festivities began at Dream Keepers Park, 1875 S. Boulder Park Drive, before moving to nearby South 21st Street for the parade that featured Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols as grand marshal. Programming resumed at the park after dozens of floats representing tribal nations and cultural organizations moved through downtown. 

Nichols, along with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill and Osage Nation Principal Chief Joe Tillman, spoke to an audience of hundreds about the unified strength of the tribes and how their success is contributing to the communities of northeastern Oklahoma. 

“Native peoples today are operating some of the most successful enterprises in this region and in this country and even around the world,” Hoskin told the crowd. “We’re creating jobs and we’re creating economic impact that helps everyone, including everyone in the city of Tulsa and we should be proud of that.” 

The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission hosted the 10th annual celebration under the theme “Sovereign Roots, Shared Future.”

News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.