First Americans Museum

[Doug Loudenback]

This is great news, hopefully they can get the matching donations.

This museum will be the most sophisticated, world-class museum in the state. It is disheartening to see opposition to it, especially from some of the tribes themselves.

I've been unaware of tribal opposition. Which ones?

[mcca7596]

I am honestly unsure of which specific ones, I just remember reading about it.

[BG918]

I am honestly unsure of which specific ones, I just remember reading about it.

Could it be because they want tourists to go to their tribal museums? The main tribes and their lands in Oklahoma:

[mcca7596]

That's what someone mentioned on the NewsOk comments section now that I remember. He said the Chickasaws in particular would not like it because they opened a new center in Sulphur last year. However, I have seen pictures on the museum's Facebook page of Chickasaw governor Bill Annoatuby at meetings, so perhaps they don't openly oppose the museum, but some just recognize that it could detract from their own tourism efforts.

[Doug Loudenback]

The Chickasaws are big supporters of the OKC project and actually handle the Okc project website.

[mcca7596]

Maybe none of them actually oppose it then, which would be great. I guess I shouldn't have said that any did.

Perhaps the gist of the frustration that I have read about is that they aren't contributing most of the cost as opposed to the state.

[Larry OKC]

I think that is where the perceived tribal "opposition" lies, from the lack of contributions from the tribes (voting with their pocketbook sort of thing).

[Chautauqua]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/ar...1_CUTLIN409229

Opinions???

[Dustin]

lol the comments are funny.

[UnFrSaKn]

According to Tulsans, Tulsa is either way more cosmopolitan, more urban, better skyline than that "flat cow town" OKC, or they are our "unwanted stepchild". Which is it?

[circuitboard]

Poor Tulsa, I thought you were much more wealthy and sophisticated than dirty ole' OKC. You can't find funding elsewhere?

[Platemaker]

No kidding... besides the AICC has a wide appeal at least... can't Tulsa come up with a better museum idea than one that is sooooo Okie-centric (especially at that price)... I mean there is a place for that kind of museum but we already have the Oklahoma History Center with exhibits that focus on music and pop culture.

[dankrutka]

Hate to see OKC and Tulsa bicker. It is better for both cities when the other is prospering. I'm originally from Tulsa and now live in OKC. Each city has their positives and negatives. I wish both projects would come to fruition.

[okcpulse]

No kidding... besides the AICC has a wide appeal at least... can't Tulsa come up with a better museum idea than one that is sooooo Okie-centric (especially at that price)... I mean there is a place for that kind of museum but we already have the Oklahoma History Center with exhibits that focus on music and pop culture.

Tulsa was chosen as the site of the museum, the city didn't necessarily hatch the idea.

[okcpulse]

Hate to see OKC and Tulsa bicker. It is better for both cities when the other is prospering. I'm originally from Tulsa and now live in OKC. Each city has their positives and negatives. I wish both projects would come to fruition.

Yes, let's leave the bickering for Texas.

[Chautauqua]

Poor Tulsa, I thought you were much more wealthy and sophisticated than dirty ole' OKC. You can't find funding elsewhere?

Why should we have to? It's an Oklahoma History Center project...sponsored by the state. Riddle me this... If a Tulsa project, in order to be completed, had to go to the legislature FOUR different times for funding because they were unable to raise private funds, and as a result prevented an important project in OKC from being funded, how well would that go over? Not well, I suspect. About as well as this is going over in Tulsa.

[HOT ROD]

In all fairness, it was and usually is always the Tulsa people who start the bickering with there pod shots at the 'cowntown' or their opinion of their self proclaimed cosmopolitanism, OR the 'Tulsa is the bastard of OK' mentality. ...

I almost never see any OKC people posting anything negative about Tulsa when there is a Tulsa story or development. But they always seem to have something to say about: Tulsa funding OKC's development, OKC cowntown and dirty, Tulsa superior, or Tulsa never getting anything (and that is OKC's fault). One would only expect OKC people to stand up and defend their city, and it is actually great to now see people stand up for OKC because that WASNT the case pre-1990.

Tulsa has a lot going for it, and is quite the organic city compared to OKC's planned, Big City developments. I'm not sure why they feel the need to stab at OKC no matter what; I don't see the same from OKC. In fact, it seems as if OKC people are quite proud of their city and it's direction overall - and really don't care much about anybody else (or at least, not anybody smaller).

Just goes to show me, there are some perhaps many in Tulsa - who have ***** envy (XXX rated term) against OKC. They have a huge inferiority complex with OKC, not really sure why since they are quite pretty and should team up with big brother to control this state in a urban/metro way. ...

[HOT ROD]

Chautaugua - that happens all the time. Oklahoma is run by the RURAL and to some extent, tribal interests. OKC misses out on many state projects despite being the capital. It usually always comes out to necessity, and it is usually underfunded, downsized, if it happens at all. Look at the capital dome, for example - which had to get significant private funding to be completed as designed. Look at the crosstown and state highways in OKC.

I agree, that Tulsa should receive state funding for state projects. And if it is an Oklahoma History Museum branch, then it should be sponsored by the state. But to think that it should be completely FULLY funded by only the state, using OKC state development as an assumption - that is quite preposterous, since it is not always true for even OKC despite being capital and largest city.

OKC is the capital and largest city; therefore OKC should have the most state funded facilities - you think?

Regarding the AICC in OKC, it is not fully funded by the state. There is a significant mix of participation and there will be significant private participation to complete it.

[HOT ROD]

just for the record, I think the pop museum is a cool idea AND I hope there is someway it can be built IN TULSA. I think it would do well there, and should be part of the Oklahoma Museum of History (like a smithsonian umbrella).

But like most museums, I would mostly expect the state to staff and operate it, private/local should bear most the construction.

[AICCM]

There is so much inaccurate information in this thread that I hope to dispel. First and foremost, it is not a tribal project! It is a state project! In 1994 a state agency was created with the sole purpose of developing and operating the project because there were a number of studies that demonstrated economic potential. Highlighting and maximizing one of Oklahoma's unique resources - the presence of 39 distinct nations within one state boundary. It will be an interpretive museum whose subject matter is about American Indian cultures. However, all of these new state tax revenues will go to the State of Oklahoma, not to the AICCM and not to the tribes. The tribes have participated both financially and with interpretive content. The project is adjacent to the emerging retail and entertainment district known as the Bricktown area, and builds on the synergy being created by the City’s Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) program, which is designed to create new and upgraded sports, recreation, entertainment, cultural and convention facilities in Oklahoma City. The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum is a critical anchor attraction for the entire state of Oklahoma.

[Chautauqua]

Hot Rod- For the record, I never suggested the State pay for the entire thing. In fact, BOK has donated the land (valued at 1 million dollars)...and George Kaiser has already pledged 1 million.

[Pete]

There is so much inaccurate information in this thread that I hope to dispel. First and foremost, it is not a tribal project! It is a state project! In 1994 a state agency was created with the sole purpose of developing and operating the project because there were a number of studies that demonstrated economic potential. Highlighting and maximizing one of Oklahoma's unique resources - the presence of 39 distinct nations within one state boundary. It will be an interpretive museum whose subject matter is about American Indian cultures. However, all of these new state tax revenues will go to the State of Oklahoma, not to the AICCM and not to the tribes. The tribes have participated both financially and with interpretive content.

Thanks for the input and welcome to the forum.

I hope you can continue to shine light on the project. You will find a lot of supporters here.

[Rover]

As such a young state, Oklahoma doesn't have a deep history or cultural heritage. However, the 39 nations that reside here do. To understand our state and the richness of its culture it is important we understand and promote the incredible history and culture that makes up a significant portion of its fabric. I think that not only is it a magnetic museum opportunity but an opportunity for explaining our diversity to any business thinking of locating or re-locating here. If finished out right it will be a proper display of our citizens' history and an economic opportunity at the same time.

I hope the provencialism of a few state legislators doesn't squirrel another great opportunity for the state as a whole.

[Kerry]

If I was a member of one of these tribes I would be more than a little insulted by this museum. I wonder if there are other groups the state can exploit for financial gain.

[earlywinegareth]

^^^Exactly. Why would I, member of [insert tribe name here], want to contribute financially to a white man's exploit of my heritage and not get a cut of the proceeds??? This isn't the 18th century!