Tulsa libraries inviting public to Native American Festival of Words program

TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa City-County Library’s American Indian Resource Center is offering Native American-related programs in March as part of the 2014 “American Indian Festival of Words.”

The festival will feature free, entertaining, educational presentations celebrating American Indian heritage, culture, arts and achievements.

From 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 8, a Native comic book workshop will be held at the Martin Regional Library at 2601 S. Garnett Road. The workshop will feature Cherokee artist Roy Boney, Laguna Pueblo artist Lee Francis, Caddo artist Michael Sheyahshe and Kickapoo artist Arigon Starr who are a part of the Indigenous Narratives Collective.

The four artists will discuss ways comics and sequential art are redefining American Indian stories for the next generation. Plus, participants may learn from the artists’ collective experience about the joys and pitfalls of creating successful comic book projects either online or in print. Visitors are invited to bring their own comic book portfolios for review.

Muscogee Creek citizen Will Hill will share traditional stories beginning at 2:30 p.m. on March 18 at the Helmerich Library at 5131 E. 91st St. Hill is a member of Mahenwahdose, which is a Muscogean word meaning “True Native American Theater.” Mahenwahdose is a Native American Indian performance company comprised of talented performing artists dedicated to performing accurate, educational and traditional stories of Native America.

Stay and Play Story Time With Joy Harjo will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on March 19 at the Zarrow Regional Library at 2224 W. 51st St. Participants are invited to come and listen to Harjo read her book “The Good Luck Cat.”

A Dancing Eagles program will begin at 1 p.m. on March 20 at the University Village Retirement Community Stovall Theater at 8555 S. Lewis. Mike and Lisa Pahsetopah will perform Native American dances and traditional storytelling. This entertaining and educational performance will include specialty, traditional and social dances. Audience participation is encouraged.

Cherokee artist Crystal Hanna will teach a youth pottery class at the South Broken Arrow Library at 3600 S. Chestnut on March 29. A class for first through fourth grade youth is set for 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A 90-minute class for youths in grades fifth through seventh grade will begin at 2 p.m.

Hanna will also share Native stories during the hands-on pottery workshop.

The Tulsa Library Trust, Tulsa City-County Library’s American Indian Resource Center, the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Cherokee Builders Inc., Dr. Frank and Mary Shaw and the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries are sponsoring the events.