Sooner State News

The Oklahoma History Symposium is set to take place on May 3 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Organized by the Oklahoma Historical Society, this one-day event will explore numerous historical topics related to Oklahoma. It serves as a platform for scholars, students, educators, history professionals, and the public to share their insights and interests. This year's theme is “Oklahoma in Context.”

Among the subjects to be discussed are the preservation of African American history in Stillwater, the 150th anniversary of the “Sand Hill Fight” on the Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation, and the contributions of Oklahoma Native American baseball players in Major League Baseball. Additional information regarding schedules, session details, and registration can be found online at okhistory.org/symposium.

The symposium will feature award-winning filmmaker Loren Waters (Cherokee/Kiowa) as the keynote speaker. Waters will discuss her short documentary, “Meet Me at the Creek,” which highlights Rebecca Jim’s (Cherokee) endeavors to restore Tar Creek in Miami, Oklahoma. Waters has extensive experience in the film industry, having worked on projects such as "Reservation Dogs," "Fancy Dance," and "Killers of the Flower Moon."

The event is open to the public at no cost, though registration is required. Participants are welcome to attend any sessions of their choice, with boxed lunches available for pre-order during registration. Attendees are also allowed to bring their own lunch.

Funding for the symposium comes from Oklahoma Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The views and conclusions presented during the event may not necessarily reflect those of the funding organizations or the Oklahoma Historical Society.