The Guardian and The Shield - Tribal Flags
Oklahoma is home to 39 American Indian tribes. Each tribe has their own language, culture and government. Several tribes have historic ties to the area of land known as Oklahoma. In a period of time spanning fifty years, all tribes were located to specific areas in Oklahoma City by federal government through treaties, legislation or executive order.
Photographs and descriptions have been compiled representing each of the tribe's flags - the modern day shield - an image that is symbolic of the tribe's unity and allegiance. Each tribal flag is unique. The images in the tribal flags and the colors used have specific meaning to the tribe. Similarities among the tribal flags exist in their use of color; theme-games, transportation, fire, arrowheads or agriculture; and imagery-animals, dwellings, people or stars. There are 37 tribes recognized in the images below. Two tribal flags however are not represented: The Kickapoo, whose flag can only be viewed at their tribal headquarters and the Euchee tribe who currently do not have a tribal flag.
Oklahoma has three symbols that are a tribute to the state's Indian heritage. The large star in the state seal is symbolic of the five tribes who were forcibly removed to Oklahoma from the homelands in the eastern United States - Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole. The Oklahoma flag and The Guardian statue that tops the newly constructed dome on the state capital building are the other two symbols.
The Guardian and The Shield exhibit is part of Red Earth's educational initiative REACH (Resources for Educating in Arts, Culture and Heritage). Red Earth thanks The Institute of Museum & Library Services, Chickasaw Nation, Kirkpatrick Family Foundation and American Fidelity Foundation for their financial support for Red Earth REACH.
Click on each tribe's name below to read about their tribal history, flag description and educational activity.
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