We will definitely be visiting this before the holidays. It will be interesting to see the programming they have for festivals and education.

Holy moly! What a beautiful development. I expected a lot and that is even better than I imagined.

At first I thought there would be a tunnel inside the mound, that will be cool.

FP article about the museum:

https://freepressokc.com/first-americans-museum-brings-dignity-to-indigenous-art-and-history/

They had quite the fireworks show for the soft open last night, judging by how loud it was in Edgemere at least! Apparently started some fires along I-40, which is funny, as the only other time I'm aware that they've done fireworks which was for a Deadcenter party in 2015 the hill surrounding the museum caught on fire. 2 for 2 (or 0 for 2 depending on your outlook)! Glad it sounds like there wasn't much real damage (which is why I'm making light of it).

Very glad this is done and can't wait to check it out. Look forward to seeing what additional development this spurs in the immediate area.

News 9 article:

https://www.news9.com/story/6145238396200c0c1a2f9e13/first-americans-museum-perseveres-after-3-decades-of-uncertainty-

https://www.news9.com/story/6145260fc755166ccd7212d7/indigenous-artifacts-returned-to-native-families-

405 Mag Article:

https://www.405magazine.com/a-storied-destination/

The overall quality of what I saw yesterday during my visit was outstanding. The gift shop would be great for Christmas shopping, especially for the children's gift offerings.

I have visited all three days since it opened; made the opening ceremony Saturday, visited the galleries and store early Sunday, had lunch in 39 (the wonderful restaurant) there yesterday.the place is an absolute treasure.

In some ways it reminds me of the OKC National Memorial Museum it that it doesn’t shy away from telling some very hard, distressing truths. In fact, hard truths are the dominant aspect of the storytelling in the main gallery downstairs. It’s remarkable and necessary, and I’m proud that the story is being told in this way, without any sugarcoating, here in OKC.

^^^
You might consider reading Oklahoma native Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz' An Indigenous People's History of the United States (https://revisioningamericanhistory.com/portfolio/an-indigenous-peoples-history-of-the-united-states/) as an accompanying text.

I'm looking forward to visiting the museum.

Although I'm looking forward to visiting, they aren't making it very easy with the very limited hours on weekdays (10-5, closed on Tuesday) and 11-5 Sat and Sun. Why no variation? If you just want to run one shift, then have it open on Mondays and Fridays from 12-7. Or Saturday from 9-3. Or ANYTHING that provides more options if increasing hours isn't possible.

Yeah the hours are awful. It’d be nice to have it extended later on the weekend to offer night life events like powwows and other traditions. Hopefully this is just temporary due to worker shortage.

Yeah the hours are awful. It’d be nice to have it extended later on the weekend to offer night life events like powwows and other traditions. Hopefully this is just temporary due to worker shortage.

I think you are confused. A pow-wow is not a "night life event". It's not a tourist event either.

17109

Hours seem comparable to the cowboy museum and not hearing complaints there.

I think you are confused. A pow-wow is not a "night life event". It's not a tourist event either.
It’s a ceremony yes I’m aware of what they are. I was referring to education as re-enactments. I wouldn’t expect a real spiritual ceremony to take place here. Perhaps I should have worded my post better. Not sure about how often they take place at night but the two I’ve been to in my life were at night.

But not to detract from my overall point which is creating and fostering a nice nightlife scene here or rather events that take place from 6-7pm going to midnight is something I’d love to see. I’m sure something or some event can be found. Pay me money and I’ll research some ideas. I’m just spitballing here.

And there absolutely is a tourist element around powwows which are sought out by those who want to see them. There is nothing wrong with as long as people are respectful and it’s generally acceptable by almost all tribes from what I know.

17109

Hours seem comparable to the cowboy museum and not hearing complaints there.
Oh I’ve complained about it lol. I think the cowboy museum should be extended to at least 8-9pm. But I know there are staffing and funding issues. All things that can be worked out.

It’s a ceremony yes I’m aware of what they are. I was referring to education as re-enactments. I wouldn’t expect a real spiritual ceremony to take place here. Perhaps I should have worded my post better. Not sure about how often they take place at night but the two I’ve been to in my life were at night.

But not to detract from my overall point which is creating and fostering a nice nightlife scene here or rather events that take place from 6-7pm going to midnight is something I’d love to see. I’m sure something or some event can be found. Pay me money and I’ll research some ideas. I’m just spitballing here.

And there absolutely is a tourist element around powwows which are sought out by those who want to see them. There is nothing wrong with as long as people are respectful and it’s generally acceptable by almost all tribes from what I know.

First off, if you have been to Red Earth, it is not a Pow-Wow, it's a tourist event.

Real Pow-Wows, while they do take place mostly at night, they are not tourist events, they are cultural and community events for people from disparate tribes to come together and have a social event that celebrates Native cultures. The public is welcome to these events, but they are NOT "spiritual" or traditional events. Those kinds of gatherings are private to each specific tribe and the public is usually not welcome, you have to be specially invited to them.

Tribes in Oklahoma have usually not wanted to be used tourist draws, that's why this museum has at times had a hard time with many local tribes participation. If you want natives to play pretend dance at shows at night at the museum for people going out to eat and drink, you are confused.

I’ve been to two and no they weren’t red earth events and I wasn’t invited to them. I’m not going to debate anymore on this issue as you are splitting hairs. Not sure if I offended you sorry if I did. As I sit in Mexican hat while typing this with my good friend who is very much involved in the Navajo nation which is deeply spiritual I can say with a good degree of confidence I am not confused but I am no expert on Native American Indian culture either. As I said, the last word is yours on this I was just throwing out ideas including powwow re-enactments, which is what I should have said. If re-enactments aren’t even a thing(which I’m not sure if they are) it should be at the discretion of the respective tribe(s).

Although I'm looking forward to visiting, they aren't making it very easy with the very limited hours on weekdays (10-5, closed on Tuesday) and 11-5 Sat and Sun. Why no variation? If you just want to run one shift, then have it open on Mondays and Fridays from 12-7. Or Saturday from 9-3. Or ANYTHING that provides more options if increasing hours isn't possible.

Seems like their hours are pretty much the same as any other museum's hours, here in OKC and elsewhere...

Since they are planning to eventually develop the surrounding land, perhaps it will include some things that are compatible with the museum that can include nighttime activities.

Took this last night.

They have installed illumination on the promontory walk to the top of the mound.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fam101321a.jpg

That should look so good after dark!

Oh dang, didn't realize we'd be able to walk on the mound

The mound is accessible from the second level of the museum.

cool thanks

You don't even have to go inside the museum.

The path starts just inside the courtyard and winds all the way up.

You can start from the 2nd level of the museum as well.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okana112721c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okana112721a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okana112721b.jpg

An absolutely awesome facility...but...it looks like Mars. Trees please! Hundreds and hundreds of TREES!

An absolutely awesome facility...but...it looks like Mars. Trees please! Hundreds and hundreds of TREES!

You won't have to worry about trees in a couple years

An absolutely awesome facility...but...it looks like Mars. Trees please! Hundreds and hundreds of TREES!

Suggest you step on over to the OKANA thread for the full vision of the area

Wife and I went today. WOW!! Everyone should go to this museum. Especially liked the video presentations. My wife is Chickasaw and the part covering the Sand Creek and Wa****a massacres and what the Feds and states did to assimilate First Peoples (my wife says that's a better term than First Americans) into American society was really emotional for her. She knew and had heard stories but the presentation at the FAM brought it home to her personally. The art, the stories and history displayed are outstanding and can be emotional for many visitors. Had lunch at the 39 restaurant. Again, excellent. Not a big menu but very good. Nothing disappointed. The mound is having work done on it and isn't open now. Our waitress said the view from the top is extraordinary. Can't wait for more.

^

Thanks for the review!

I agree, that place is not only first-class but provides a history lesson that most people were never taught. It's very moving.

My wife is Chickasaw and the part covering the Sand Creek and Wa****a massacres and what the Feds and states did to assimilate First Peoples (my wife says that's a better term than First Americans) into American society was really emotional for her. She knew and had heard stories but the presentation at the FAM brought it home to her personally. The art, the stories and history displayed are outstanding and can be emotional for many visitors.

My wife and I took a guided tour several months ago and I had to briefly step away from the group to collect myself somewhere near the middle of the tour. Like your wife, I have heard stories throughout my life, mostly family stories passed down through the generations, but the way the museum brings it all together is quite powerful and moving, almost overwhelming depending on ones tolerance for past horrors. Of course, the museum is more than exhibits of excessive despondency. Everything from the stories of hope and community in existential perseverance, the creativity and symbolic meaning in the art, the recognition of the many tribes of Oklahoma, all of that and beyond, I came away pretty much speechless at just how world class everything felt.

I got to town via Greyhound today so I figured I'd walk the 5 blocks from the Greyhoud Station to FAM since I've been meaning to get there. As you might guess, the walkability is bad with dangerous crossings and sidewalks right against the street. I expected that, but I was particularly disappointed to find that the City did not include sidewalks in the brand new roads to FAM. I had to walk in the road to get there. How does that happen? I walked in the main entrance and no one was at the desk so the museum felt really empty and abandoned. However, that's where my complaints end.

Once I reached the second desk, I bought a ticket and started running into other people. The museum is really well done, particularly the videos. There's a lot of storytelling. The origin stories room is really an incredible experience. I wish I could have brought students to this museum when I was teaching Oklahoma History! The museum isn't huge, but it's all really well done all around. I had the Hominy Stew and Fry Bread at the Thirty Nine Restaurant for lunch and they were delicious. If you haven't been yet, I recommend getting there. This would be on my top few places I would take anyone who is visiting OKC.

I got to town via Greyhound today so I figured I'd walk the 5 blocks from the Greyhoud Station to FAM since I've been meaning to get there. As you might guess, the walkability is bad with dangerous crossings and sidewalks right against the street. I expected that, but I was particularly disappointed to find that the City did not include sidewalks in the brand new roads to FAM. I had to walk in the road to get there. How does that happen? I walked in the main entrance and no one was at the desk so the museum felt really empty and abandoned. However, that's where my complaints end.

Once I reached the second desk, I bought a ticket and started running into other people. The museum is really well done, particularly the videos. There's a lot of storytelling. The origin stories room is really an incredible experience. I wish I could have brought students to this museum when I was teaching Oklahoma History! The museum isn't huge, but it's all really well done all around. I had the Hominy Stew and Fry Bread at the Thirty Nine Restaurant for lunch and they were delicious. If you haven't been yet, I recommend getting there. This would be on my top few places I would take anyone who is visiting OKC.

the city didn't build the road on the FAM property they are not city roads

Hopefully the walkability will be better with new resort paths/roads.

In the OKANA resort renderings there's a pedestrian bridge over the Oklahoma River. I'm hoping there will be a connection between the Boat House District and the OKANA/FAM.

In the OKANA resort renderings there's a pedestrian bridge over the Oklahoma River. I'm hoping there will be a connection between the Boat House District and the OKANA/FAM.

There's already a trail currently being built from the Boat House District over to the east along the north bank of the river, if that pedestrian bridge ends up happening the rest of the pieces needed will already be in place for the connection.

the city didn't build the road on the FAM property they are not city roads

That may be, but doesn't the city typically require sidewalks to be installed? Every business I've seen go in puts sidewalks out.

Hopefully the walkability will be better with new resort paths/roads.

Yeah, but it needs to be accessible from MLK/First Americans Blvd/Eastern Ave.

Not being argumentative, but why? I can't figure out who is going to walk there? Seems like the area is currently so challenging that they aren't encouraging foot traffic. After the OCANA buildout maybe.

Not being argumentative, but why? I can't figure out who is going to walk there? Seems like the area is currently so challenging that they aren't encouraging foot traffic. After the OCANA buildout maybe.

Huh? I just tried to walk there and had to walk in the street with cars. That was the point of my post.

Took the kids here today and enjoyed it a lot. Nice facility and I think it tells the story really well. We popped by Thirty Nine for lunch. There were a couple of hiccups that I wasn't really concerned about, but they comped the meal unasked for which was very nice. The food was good too. The only bummer was the mound path was closed due to the heat.

Took the kids here today and enjoyed it a lot. Nice facility and I think it tells the story really well. We popped by Thirty Nine for lunch. There were a couple of hiccups that I wasn't really concerned about, but they comped the meal unasked for which was very nice. The food was good too. The only bummer was the mound path was closed due to the heat.

I haven't had a chance to visit the museum itself, but I did have a business lunch at Thirty Nine and was really impressed with the food and the cocktails (I'm not a big drinker, but decided to try their interesting creations). It seems like the entire facility is first class.

Not being argumentative, but why? I can't figure out who is going to walk there? Seems like the area is currently so challenging that they aren't encouraging foot traffic. After the OCANA buildout maybe.

"Nobody is going to walk there so we don't need to build sidewalks" is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There will be tons of pedestrian paths throughout this project, as well as a pedestrian bridge.

Anybody wanting to walk or ride their bike can use the existing bike/pedestrian paths on either side of the river, and the massive OKC trails network will be tied directly into this area; the work is already well underway.

Coming from the bus station, you would walk along the northside of the river and then across the ped bridge which will take you right into the heart of the development. From there, they'll be scores of walkways.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okana112621u.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okana23a.jpg

It's great that there's all these pedestrian pathways, but it still doesn't explain why there's no sidewalks off of the main street and the main entrance to FAM. There should be sidewalks for every entrance to FAM, especially on the new roads. It's disappointing.

It's great that there's all these pedestrian pathways, but it still doesn't explain why there's no sidewalks off of the main street and the main entrance to FAM. There should be sidewalks for every entrance to FAM, especially on the new roads. It's disappointing.

They haven't even built the new entrance road; the one that is there now is temporary.

They haven't even built the new entrance road; the one that is there now is temporary.

Well, that's good to know. Still, this will probably the road for several years, right? It would just be nice to see a pedestrian plan even for temporary roads.

It won't be there for several years, the new road is already under construction.

Anybody wanting to walk or ride their bike can use the existing bike/pedestrian paths on either side of the river, and the massive OKC trails network will be tied directly into this area; the work is already well underway.

Just FYI, presently, the existing paved trail stops well short of this site.

https://twitter.com/shawn_dubs/status/1500266514586419200

That video is from March and a lot of work has been done since then. I haven't been to the south side of the River Trail but I know for a fact that the North side is mostly paved east of I-35. I can ride my bike down there this week and check it out to see if the south side is being paved also if nobody else knows.

Yes, I've ridden on the mostly paved north side as well (and since this video from April). This is a known trail connection from the north river to the Katy trail (planned before Okana was announced, pre-pandemic even).

https://youtu.be/0fXNqbz4efY

I've been to the south bank following the March video multiple times, but not in the last month, and the trails on that side hadn't been worked on yet. Because of Okana construction, I would bet they won't happen until after that is done, because then they'd have to put a very long fence up along the property separating the trail from the construction site.

That makes sense about the south side. I haven't been to the north side in a few weeks but I did notice that another person was coming from east to west even though the trail was still not finished. Thanks for posting that video as I was wondering how far the trail was paved to the east. It just goes to show how much of a demand there is for the trails to be finished when riders will use them when they are not quite done. I am sure your Strava feed is well watched by people wanting to know the progress.

This week, OKC has been hosting the National Brownfields conference at the OKCCC and Omni. It is the largest environmental conference in the US each year. But this is the first since 2019 because of Covid. About 2500 attended the week long conference. Folks from coast to coast were in attendance.

The highlight of the conference each year is the Phoenix award, awarded to the best Brownfield revitalization each year. This year covered the past 3 years. There were dozens of entries in each of the 10 EPA regions. They award a winner from each Region and then from those 10 winners, they award the grand prize. This year, the grand prize winner was the First Americans Museum.

During his acceptance speech, the Director James Pepper Henry announced that the museum and the Chickasaw Nation met in the last week with the OKC Zoo to begin planning on a possible world class aquarium on the Okana site. I hope it happens.

That would be incredible.

That said, I think the better site would be the Co-Op.

This week, OKC has been hosting the National Brownfields conference at the OKCCC and Omni. It is the largest environmental conference in the US each year. But this is the first since 2019 because of Covid. About 2500 attended the week long conference. Folks from coast to coast were in attendance.

The highlight of the conference each year is the Phoenix award, awarded to the best Brownfield revitalization each year. This year covered the past 3 years. There were dozens of entries in each of the 10 EPA regions. They award a winner from each Region and then from those 10 winners, they award the grand prize. This year, the grand prize winner was the First Americans Museum.

During his acceptance speech, the Director James Pepper Henry announced that the museum and the Chickasaw Nation met in the last week with the OKC Zoo to begin planning on a possible world class aquarium on the Okana site. I hope it happens.




Dude, yes! I get there might be other locations that seem better, but I'll be honest, I'd trust the Chickasaw the build/partner up on this waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than I would anyone with a connection to Bricktown or really anywhere else.

This would be incredible for sure!

Here are some pics from the awards ceremony that I took for the EPA.

17620176211762217623

This week, OKC has been hosting the National Brownfields conference at the OKCCC and Omni. It is the largest environmental conference in the US each year. But this is the first since 2019 because of Covid. About 2500 attended the week long conference. Folks from coast to coast were in attendance.

The highlight of the conference each year is the Phoenix award, awarded to the best Brownfield revitalization each year. This year covered the past 3 years. There were dozens of entries in each of the 10 EPA regions. They award a winner from each Region and then from those 10 winners, they award the grand prize. This year, the grand prize winner was the First Americans Museum.

During his acceptance speech, the Director James Pepper Henry announced that the museum and the Chickasaw Nation met in the last week with the OKC Zoo to begin planning on a possible world class aquarium on the Okana site. I hope it happens.

What are the actual odds we see something on the scale of the Atlanta Aquarium that was almost 300 million? To me that is what world class is, what are the actual expectations?