89th annual American Indian Expo kicks off in Anadarko

CADDO COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — With Native American Heritage Month only days away, 14 tribes are already celebrating in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

For the next three days, the American Indian Exposition will take over the town of Anadarko and the Caddo County Fairgrounds. Day one started with a parade downtown showcasing the different tribes and other groups participating.

For 89 years, the expo has been held in Anadarko, a central location shared by numerous tribes, like the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, the Caddo, and others across the southwestern parts of Oklahoma.

The first day was just the beginning of a long celebration of American Indian heritage. For the expo’s president, Pete ‘Echo Hawk’ Neconie, all three days will strengthen today’s traditions so that each tribe’s culture can continue into the future.

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“These are ceremonies for some part, the things that we do certain times of the year, certain dances, certain representations that go back before our generations in our mom and dad’s generations,” Neconie said, “And to have that to this day, it’s something for all of us because we are role models for the younger generations ahead of us.”

After the parade and the earlier festivities, the focus shifted to the Caddo County Fairgrounds for the arts and crafts, food, and, most importantly, ceremonial dances.

Other festivities during the expo will include the Great Plains Carnival, art and dance competitions, a 5K, bow shooting and much more.

The American Indian Expo will carry on through November 2.

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