Milestones in Oklahoma Indigenous History

This session explores various milestones in Oklahoma Indigenous history. From the Civil War and its impact on families, to the development of tribal systems to care for their citizens, and a multi-tribal push for an all-Indigenous state, this panel shares the various ways Indigenous people exercised personal and tribal sovereignty against the backdrop of increased settlement, land loss, and dispossession. The speakers are Dr. Michelle M. Martin, faculty associate at Arizona State University and adjunct professor at Mesa Community College; Dr. Donald L. Fixico, regents’ and distinguished foundation professor of history, School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies, Arizona State University; and Dr. Natalie Panther, associate professor of history, Department of History and Geography, University of Central Oklahoma (UCO); and Dr. Patricia Loughlin (moderator), professor of history, UCO. This session is part of “Milestones in History,” the 2026 Oklahoma History Symposium. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during the program do not necessarily represent those of the Oklahoma Historical Society.