I didn't think it was a particularly good time in the economy to pay for new plates for everyone. That being said, I don't know that anyone equates that statue with Oklahoma, even if it is kind of cool. Also I think its time to let go of the "Native America" moniker - the only reason its Native America is because people were forced here from their real native lands...

waste of money...

I didn't think it was a particularly good time in the economy to pay for new plates for everyone. That being said, I don't know that anyone equates that statue with Oklahoma, even if it is kind of cool. Also I think its time to let go of the "Native America" moniker - the only reason its Native America is because people were forced here from their real native lands...

1) These plates are phased in. The state isn't forcing everyone to get a new plate. It is optional but us automatically issued with a newly purchased vehicle. Thus, no cost difference. Just a new design.

2) There were already Native Americans here before the trail of tears. Your point?

1) These plates are phased in. The state isn't forcing everyone to get a new plate. It is optional but us automatically issued with a newly purchased vehicle. Thus, no cost difference. Just a new design.

2) There were already Native Americans here before the trail of tears. Your point?

Actually you have to get a new plate unless you paid the $20 to keep your old tag number. If I am not mistaken the deadline to reserve your old one has already past.

Actually you have to get a new plate unless you paid the $20 to keep your old tag number. If I am not mistaken the deadline to reserve your old one has already past.

Even then the your old number would have been issued on the new plates. This was mainly done to meed FHA reflectivity standards.

Am I the only one who noticed a bar code on the bottom right hand corner? I did some research and the only thing that is contained within this bar code is the License Plate Number.

There were Native Americans here well before the Indian Removals. In addition to some primitive tribes there were Caddos, Wichitas, some Cheyenne, Pawnee (those could be some mean suckers!), Apache, Arapaho and Commanche. I am not sure when the Kiowa came in. The Osage migrated here, early, as did some of the Cherokee.

I didn't notice a barcode. Maybe it was put there for Obama's plan to tax our mileages?

There were already Native Americans here before the trail of tears. Your point?

Yeah...and only here...nowhere else right?

I'm just saying, its time that Oklahoma isn't known because if Indians and Teepees only.

And as someone else mentioned - you do have to get one this year - it isn't optional. Seems like bad timing to me.

Gotta love the litlle bar code (bottom right) on the new tags!

A simple license plate frame will easily cover it, if that is a concern.

Don't care for them. Wish the design were more encompassing/a reflection of the diversity of Oklahomans, now.

Yeah...and only here...nowhere else right?

I'm just saying, its time that Oklahoma isn't known because if Indians and Teepees only.

And as someone else mentioned - you do have to get one this year - it isn't optional. Seems like bad timing to me.

Then why does my cousin still have her old plate with a 2010 sticker?

And as far as Native Americans are concerned, trail of tears or not, they are an indigenous part of Oklahoma's heritage, like it or not. Leave the cowboys to Texas. Leave the rednecks to the confederate South.

And if America still believes teepees are common housing in Oklahoma, it only goes to show how stupid our country really is. And it IS a stupid country.

When I moved to an area with a very low Native American population, I was surprised at how much I missed the "look" of many NA. Moreover, the NA culture and spirituality, is really missing. Obviously, not all NA look alike and they certainly don't have a religion that is common to all. I'm not saying that. Still, there is definitely something missing in areas where the native american influence, particularly plains Indians, is missing.

I've got a university plate, so I don't give a crap! LOL! But seriously, it's about a billion times better than those old pieces of crap we had. At least they're doing SOMETHING.

Yeah...and only here...nowhere else right?

I'm just saying, its time that Oklahoma isn't known because if Indians and Teepees only..


We are more known for Indians than a lot of states, but if you watch the tourism commercials, "Native America" is not a specific reference to that, but to the natural terrain and the spirit of the people.

I think it's one of the best (if not THE best) state mottos.

And if you think it's too generic, look at Arkansas: "The Natural State". I mean it fits them, but you could apply that to a lot of states.

Then why does my cousin still have her old plate with a 2010 sticker?


I'm assuming that some tag agencies didn't have them at the very beginning of the year - I've seen a few, but not many old ones with 2010.



And as far as Native Americans are concerned, trail of tears or not, they are an indigenous part of Oklahoma's heritage, like it or not. Leave the cowboys to Texas. Leave the rednecks to the confederate South.

And if America still believes teepees are common housing in Oklahoma, it only goes to show how stupid our country really is. And it IS a stupid country.


I don't think we should ignore our heritage, but I do think we are a lot more than that and that its been overplayed a bit when Oklahoma doesn't hold a patent on Native Americans. I don't know that the country is stupid, but some of the people certainly are.

"Native America" is not just about native americans. Remember, the alternative version of the slogan is "American in it's Native State". That should make it clear that it's intended to have a broader meaning, and I think all the commericals and print campaigns have sent that message.

I, for one, have always been impressed by the department of tourisms marketing efforts. Native America rings true to me.

I have a personalized tag and my only complaint is the color choices. I want a plate with red letters and they don't make one. I'd get an OU plate, but the Sooner schooner in the middle messes up the letting of my name. So a white plate with red letters would be perfect but they don't make one. I'm stuck with black and white.I like the new plates. They are more colorful than the other ones.

I drove behind a tan/beige SUV on the way to work earlier and saw the license plate was same color with darker tan or brown letters. I believe it says MS LV. No picture.

I like the new plates so much better than those old green things and 95% of the cars hav faded old green plates....very ugly. These new ones are much better, imo.

http://static.newsok.biz/sites/newsok/images/web/plate1.jpg

I'm surprised the Indians didn't object to this image of them being used with a bow and arrow. They've been trying to shed this "war" image of themselves for the last several years with the removal of Indian mascots, names, etc. Seems this only reinforces the very image they've been trying the shed. Interesting.

Really? I wasn't aware that they were trying to shed that image - only that they were offended at caracatures by the establishment/sports teams, etc. What tribes/groups were involved in that movement? I'd like to read up on that.

Really? I wasn't aware that they were trying to shed that image - only that they were offended at caracatures by the establishment/sports teams, etc. What tribes/groups were involved in that movement? I'd like to read up on that.

True, they are offended by it--but why? Below is a link to a website that defines their reasons for not wanting Indian mascots being used by sports teams. There's several reasons for it actually, including the one I mentioned.

STAR - Understanding The American Indian Mascot Issue (http://www.racismagainstindians.org/UnderstandingMascots.htm)

Well, I guess what I was asking was why are they opposed to a warlike image - and I was conceding that I could understand why they wouldn't like to be exploited.

I honestly have no idea how the Redskins foorball team name is acceptable to many. I have that conversation with people around here, a lot. DC has a huge black population and it is interesting, to me, how many african americans have expressed surprise that this would be considered offensive - it is like it never occured to them. I tell them, Hey, I'm from Oklahoma. Calling someone a redskin is kind of rude. After thinking about it, they typically say, "Yeah, I guess I can see that." It just strikes me as odd that it isn't so obvous that people would notice right away.

I'm sure there would be a quite a stir if they were the Washington "Darkies" or some other A-A caracatures.

Seriously, I don't see much difference between "darkies" and redskins. It is a consciousness raising thing, I guess. I often wonder how school mascots in the bible belt ever settled on the "Demons" or "devils." That wouldn't fly, these days.

I'm surprised the Indians didn't object to this image of them being used with a bow and arrow. They've been trying to shed this "war" image of themselves for the last several years with the removal of Indian mascots, names, etc. Seems this only reinforces the very image they've been trying the shed. Interesting.

I didn't know Native America made war on animals. Maybe the guy is hunting? Or maybe he's "shooting for the stars". Either way, I see no reason to raise a fuss about it. I have a cousin who's half Mexican half Indian. I doubt he'd give a rats a$$ about the new plates!

No indian in his right mind is going to shoot a perfectly good arrow in the sky (unlit). It is not like they could go buy replacements at the local Wal-Mart. That being said, I think it is nice. Can't wait to have that license tag back on my car even though I am sure I will be gritching about the price within a year. I always gritched about the price, before, and doubt that will change.

No indian in his right mind is going to shoot a perfectly good arrow in the sky (unlit). It is not like they could go buy replacements at the local Wal-Mart. That being said, I think it is nice. Can't wait to have that license tag back on my car even though I am sure I will be gritching about the price within a year. I always gritched about the price, before, and doubt that will change.

He's shooting up and to the right. The image does not continue...

Maybe there's a bird over there. A bad bird that they don't worship. Definitely not an eagle. Just saying & just being sarcastic as I have a dry sense of humor. Run with it 'Stands With A Fist', lol.

I can't believe there are four pages of license plate discussion.

It is the best discussion on the board, today.

You're right, he isn't shooting straight up. But I hope he isn't shooting for the stars because he isn't going to hit them or do much of anything besides perhaps cut granny when it comes down.

I didn't know Native America made war on animals. Maybe the guy is hunting? Or maybe he's "shooting for the stars". Either way, I see no reason to raise a fuss about it. I have a cousin who's half Mexican half Indian. I doubt he'd give a rats a$$ about the new plates!

Who's raising a fuss about it? Not me.

These plates only reinforce the stereotype that we live in hickville.

Are you serious? Based on the license tag? I think it is classy. Good lord, at least it isn't just a piece of fruit.

The only people who think we're hicks are judgmental people who don't have anything better to do and aren't looking beneath the surface. Or youngsters. And what difference does it make, anyway? Business people are going to go where the money is. Family people will love it. Hip young people will avoid us like the plague and in twenty years would give up their first born in exchange for the lifestyle.

As to the image on the plate:

Allan Houser's bronze sculpture Sacred Rain Arrow relates the legend of a young Apache warrior selected in times of drought to shoot a sacred arrow to the heavens carrying his people's prayer for rain to the Spirit World.

Folks in downstate Florida could use a few more sacred arrows released on their behalf

Thanks, I was just about to say that it is a famous work of art and you can see it at Tulsa's Gilcrease Museum.

Thanks, I was just about to say that it is a famous work of art and you can see it at Tulsa's Gilcrease Museum.

Thanks, dismayed. I was going to point that out, too, but you beat me to it. It's out in front of the Gilcrease, isn't it?

It looks rather graceful as opposed to warlike and sinister. I like the new license plate over the old green scheme.

Thanks, dismayed. I was going to point that out, too, but you beat me to it. It's out in front of the Gilcrease, isn't it?

Yeah if I'm remembering correctly. It's been a long time, but it is definitely outside.

These plates only reinforce the stereotype that we live in hickville.

Can't agree with you there, Patrick.

Wonder the effect if the Crossroads Mall was the chosen pix.

Enough with the Oklahoma tags. They are fine.

Imagine living in Nebraska.......now the official home state of the worst tag in the union.

http://www.kcci.com/2009/0504/19363468_240X122.jpg

Those are pretty hideous.

As to the image on the plate:

Allan Houser's bronze sculpture Sacred Rain Arrow relates the legend of a young Apache warrior selected in times of drought to shoot a sacred arrow to the heavens carrying his people's prayer for rain to the Spirit World.

Thank you for pointing this out. I'm sure if the Indians/Native Americans had an issue with the plate we'd heard about it by now, times 80. I still don't understand how the plate makes us "hickville" by any stretch of the imagination. This is old news. The plates are here. Move on.

Enough with the Oklahoma tags. They are fine.

Imagine living in Nebraska.......now the official home state of the worst tag in the union.

http://www.kcci.com/2009/0504/19363468_240X122.jpg

That's ugly. I've seen worse. The old Arkansas ones used to be really bad.

The plate above, like many state plates, merely makes a somewhat appropriate statement about the state ... in this case "ho hum"

You know I don't even really care that much about the grapic on the new plates, but I wish they would have included some funding for disposal of the old plates. We're going to have so much crap added to landfills from this now....ugh. We should have found a way to get these recycled for something. There are only so many steak/burger places around to plaster them on the walls.

I think the new tag sucks, it looks like an NY tag and I like the old one with the peace pipe

I'll probably just get one of the OU ones or something so I don't have to have that stupid new one

I heard that we don't have to use the lil stickers anymore on the new plates. I was surprised to see we still have the stickers when I got the new one early this year!