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Archived Exhibition

Moving the Fire: The Removal of Indian Nations to Oklahoma

Think not I mourn for myself, I go to join the spirits of my fathers, where age cannot come; but my heart fails when I think of my people, who are soon to be scattered and forgotten.

—Red Jacket, Seneca, 1930, from I Have Spoken: American History Through the Voices of the Indians, 1972

Moving the Fire: The Removal of Indian Nations to Oklahoma picks up the story of the "Trail of Tears" in the aftermath of the relocation of Native Americans from the Southeast to Oklahoma. Here, the federal government expected the rapid integration of relocated native peoples into the American way of life, and pressure to assimilate intensified toward the end of the 19th century. In spite of the veneer of white civilization, however, Native Americans kept their own languages and cultural traditions very much alive in Oklahoma, a fact vividly documented in this illuminating exhibition.

Subsidized rental fee:
$600 for 3-week display

Regional rental fee:
$450 for 3-week display

Exhibition content:
40 sepia-toned gelatin silver prints

Checklist (pdf)

Curators:
Blue Clark, Ph.D., Kirke Kickingbird, J.D., and Mary Jo Watson, Ph.D.

Organized by:
Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma City

Security:
Limited

Shipping:
Common carrier

Running feet:
200

Fee includes:

Brochures

Educational materials

Planning calendar

Publicity packet

Press release

Registrar's packet

Full insurance

Installation instructions

Custom designed and built crates

Tour Schedule:

January 28, 2003–February 21, 2003, Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History; Bryan, Texas

March 5, 2003–May 29, 2003,
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Nat. Hist.; Norman, Oklahoma

June 9, 2003–August 18, 2003, Darke County Historical Society; Greenville, Ohio

September 1, 2003–October 24, 2003, Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center; Wichita Falls, Texas

November 4, 2003–January 15, 2004, Arlington Heights Historical Society; Arlington Heights, Illinois

January 28, 2004–February 21, 2004, Spring Street Historical Museum; Shreveport, Louisiana

March 5, 2004–April 27, 2004,
Brigham City Museum; Brigham City, Utah

May 8, 2004–May 29, 2004, Santa Fe Trail Center;
Larned, Kansas

June 11, 2004–July 5, 2004, Pony Express Museum;
St Joseph, Missouri

July 18, 2004–August 18, 2004, Chisholm Trail Heritage Center; Duncan, Oklahoma

September 1, 2004–October 24, 2004, Smith-McDowell House Museum; Asheville, North Carolina

November 4, 2004–November 30, 2004, Guilford College Art Gallery; Greensboro, North Carolina

January 28, 2005–February 26, 2005, Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center; Chadron, Nebraska

For more information:

E-mail or call Molly Alspaugh or Rachel Saalweachter at 1-800-473-3872.