Oklahoma flag proposal causes a flap

[82Rigger]

An altered style and an exclamation mark draw some critics.


State Rep. Shane Jett said one exclamation point has gotten him more attention than the rest of his four-year legislative career combined.

"People ask me if there aren't more important things for me to work on," the Tecumseh Republican said Thursday. "I am, they're just not paying any attention to them."

Jett, as chairman of the House International Relations and Tourism Committee, introduced a bill this session to italicize the word "OKLAHOMA" on the state flag and put an exclamation point at the end.

The bill also creates an official state abbreviation: OK!

Jett said he has introduced more legislation on rural Internet access and wireless coverage than anyone else during the past few years, but nothing has drawn the same response as the proposed flag change.

"I was just looking for a way to improve our image ... and get some good, solid publicity," Jett said.

But he immediately ran into a buzz saw: the people of Ponca City and their contingent in the state Legislature, Sen. David Myers and Rep. Ken Luttrell.

Ponca City was the home of Louise Fluke, who designed the current flag, and the locals take considerable pride in that fact.

"Our community is deeply initiated in the heritage of the flag," said Luttrell, a Democrat. "We're just unalterably opposed to any change."

Myers, a Republican, gives talks on the flag's history and also opposes any changes, Luttrell said.

Fluke's design was adopted in
1925, replacing an earlier flag that featured a white star on a red background. According to legend, that flag became unpopular after World War I because it was thought to resemble a communist banner.

The original Fluke flag, however, did not have "OKLAHOMA" on it at all. That was added in 1941.

Jett said his proposal originated with Oklahoma City advertising legend Ray Ackerman. His bill to make the flag changes has made it out of committee and awaits consideration on the House floor.

"It seemed like a good idea," Jett said. "If it gets picked up here and there, it could give us hundreds of thousands of dollars in free publicity."

[melody1181]

Uh, I dunno about that one. Seems kind of...stupid and pointless. There is nothing wrong with the flag in the first place!

Does kinda make you want to break into song...almost.

[Arrow]

I like the larger letters but it would take away from the shield which should be the main focus of the flag. The exclamation point on a flag makes it look to much like an advertisement for the musical "Oklahoma." I'm afraid business wouldn't take us seriously with a flag that makes you want to break out in song. Melody you called that right. I say leave the flag alone and put in a request to change the state song to "Oklahoma Rising." "Oklahoma" is so dated. We need to move on. When's the last time you heard a cowboy call his girl "honey lamb"?

[82Rigger]

Sis,

What?

What?

Ya'll don't wear white cowboy outfits and dance on fence rails all the time?

[39mto39g]

Northern Texas don't have anything except Texas players for it's college teams. And what’s with the Indian shield? Didn't the US Army kick the Indians ash?

That would be like having a British symbol on the American Flag.
Oklahoma needs a new flag but it should be far more than just the word.

I do like Ardmore.

Ron

[Arrow]

Good Question Ron, I've never really thought about why. The flag was created a couple of decades before I got to planet earth but here is what I found:

"... it is truely fitting that the Oklahoma flag uniting the ancient lore of the Indian and the white man and symbolizing the peace of a united people should be standardized in color as an example of the solidarity and patriotism of such people

WHEREAS, Oklahoma is entering into its 100th year and the cultural and historic integrity of the Oklahoma state flag as designed by Mrs. George Fluke, Jr., and subsequently approved by the Oklahoma Legislature should be preserved and maintained."

The following information was excerpted from the Oklahoma Statutes, Title 25.

Title 25. Definitions and General Provisions
§25-91. State flag - Design.

A. The banner, or flag, of the design prescribed by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25, Third Legislature of the State of Oklahoma shall be, and it hereby is superseded and replaced by the following design, to wit:
A sky blue field with a circular rawhide shield of an American Indian Warrior, decorated with six painted crosses on the face thereof, the lower half of the shield to be fringed with seven pendant eagle feathers and superimposed upon the face of the shield a calumet or peace pipe, crossed at right angles by an olive branch, as illustrated by the design accompanying this resolution, and underneath said shield or design in white letters shall be placed the word "Oklahoma", and the same is hereby adopted as the official flag and banner of the State of Oklahoma

B. The standard design and colors in the state flag shall be as follows:

1. The Osage Indian warrior’s circular rawhide shield of amber buckskin is center upon a field of French Blue. On the face of the shield shall be six small gold brown crosses that match the thongs lacing the edge of the shield. The vertical bar of each cross shall be twenty-five percent (25%) longer than the horizontal bar, the lower width line of which shall be placed at the fifty percent (50%) mark of the vertical bar and the top width line shall be placed at the top twenty-five percent (25%) mark of the vertical bar. The width of the horizontal bar shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of the vertical bar;

2. The edge of the lower half of the shield shall be fringed with seven pendant eagle feathers of white tipped with gold brown;

3. Across the face of the shield at right angle shall be a calumet or Indian pipe of peace, which shall have a ruby red bowl, flesh stem and be decorated with a ruby red tassel at the end. Above the calumet, lying at a right angle shall be an olive branch of Dartmouth green; and

4. The name Oklahoma in white letters shall appear under the shield on the face of the flag.

C. The standard colors used in production of the state flag shall be:

1. Pantone Matching System, Pantone Inc., latest edition:
a. field: French Blue PMS 285c,
b. shield: amber PMS 465c,
c. feathers shading: flesh and gold brown combination PMS 486c and PMS 174c,
d. crosses and thongs: gold brown PMS 174c, and
e. calumet: stem of pipe flesh PMS 486c, body of pipe and tassel ruby red PMS 195c, and olive branch Dartmouth green PMS 554c; and

2. Colors shall be colorfast and shall not bleed one into another. Added by Laws 1925, c. 234, p. 340, § 1. Amended by Laws 1941, p. 90, § 1; Laws 2006, c. 181, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.

[Arrow]

Description of the Seal

Oklahoma was the 46^th state to be admitted to the Union. Statehood is November 16, 1907. Oklahoma means "land of the Red People" in the Choctaw language. When Oklahoma became a state, it required a seal representing the spirit of the new state that could be placed on a public office or a public document.

The Oklahoma State Seal consists of a large five-pointed star containing the emblems of the Five Civilized Tribes in the points of each ray. The spaces between the five points were filled with forty-five smaller stars, representing the states of the Union, with the center star as the forty-sixth state.

The Oklahoma State Seal contains six seals. In the center of the large star is the central device of the official Seal of the Territory of Oklahoma, including the words �Labor Omnia Vincit meaning Labor Conquers All Things.

Columbia is the central figure, representing justice and Statehood. On her right is the American pioneer farmer, on her left is the aboriginal American Indian. These two representatives of the white and red races are shaking hands beneath the scales of Justice, symbolizing equal justice between the white and red races in Oklahoma and on the part of the Federal Government. Beneath the trio is the cornucopia of plenty and the olive branch of peace, and behind is the sun of progress and civilization.

Each of the five rays of the central star represents the official seals of the Five Civilized Tribes.

From the Seal of the Cherokee Nation:

A large seven-pointed star, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves is depicted. The seven-pointed star represents the seven ancient clans of the Cherokee people. The wreath of oak leaves refers to oak wood, the principal hardwood in the old Cherokee country in the Carolinas that was used in maintaining the perpetually burning sacred fire. In this connection, oak was a symbol of strength and everlasting life.

From the Seal of the Chickasaw Nation:

An Indian warrior is shown standing in ancient regalia, carrying two arrows in his right hand, a long bow in his left, and a shield on his left shoulder. The two arrows represent his guard over the two ancient tribal divisions, in which all Chickasaw clan and house names originated. According to old tribal lore, the bow and the shield represent the insignia of the Chickasaw warrior by right of his descent from the �House of Warriors

From the Seal of the Choctaw Nation:

An unstrung bow with three arrows and a pipe-hatchet are blended together. The ceremonial pipe-hatchet was passed around and smoked in council when deliberating important tribal matters. Though a peaceable people, the Choctaws were noted for great strength in defending their homes and country. The unstrung bow represents peace yet instant preparedness for defense. The three arrows, always ready, stood for the three great Choctaw chiefs.

From the Seal of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation:

A sheaf of wheat and a plow are represented in the seal of the Muscogee nation. The plow and sheaf of wheat were chosen as modern symbols of agricultural industry, for which the Creeks were noted from earliest times. It is a reference to the prosperity that agriculture brought to the Creek people.

From the Seal of the Seminole Nation:

A plumed tribesman is shown paddling a canoe across the lake to a village with a trading post standing near the shore. This scene represents some of the early customs surrounding the act of gathering, preserving and trading plants that were held sacred in connection with their ancient tribal religious rites and ceremonies. It is symbolic of peace and plenty.

[Arrow]

federally recognized



OKLAHOMA INDIAN TRIBES



Federal list last updated 3/07


FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES

• Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians
• Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
• Apache Tribe
• Caddo Nation of Oklahoma
• Cherokee Nation
• Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
• Chickasaw Nation
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Citizen Potawatomi Nation
• Comanche Nation
• Delaware Nation
• Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
• Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma
• Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
• Kaw Nation
• Kialegee Tribal Town
• Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
• Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma
• Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
• Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma
• Muscogee (Creek) Nation
• Osage Tribe
• Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma
• Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians
• Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
• Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
• Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
• Quapaw Tribe of Indians
• Sac & Fox Nation
• Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
• Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma
• Shawnee Tribe
• Thlopthlocco Tribal Town
• Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
• United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
• Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco and Tawakonie)
• Wyandotte Nation

STATE RECOGNIZED TRIBES
(Not recognized by the Federal Governemnt)

• None

UNRECOGNIZED / PETITIONING TRIBES

• Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma. Currently recognized only as part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
  
  
• Arebeka Tribal Town
  
  
• Cataba Tribal Association
  
  
• Delaware Tribe of Eastern Oklahoma, Letter of Intent to Petition 1/6/1993; determined ineligible to petition, 2/24/1994.
  
  
• Hillabee Tribal Town. Currently recognized only as part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
  
  
• Kichai Tribe. Currently recognized only as part of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.
  
  
• Loyal Shawnee Tribe. Letter of Intent to Petition 10/14/1998; Legislative recognition 12/27/2000.
  
  
• Natchez Nation of Oklahoma
  
  
• New Tulsa Tribal Town. Currently recognized only as part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
  
  
• Northern Chicamunga Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri, Letter of Intent to Petition 9/5/1991
  
  
• Tallahassee Tribal Town
  
  
• Thlathlogvlga Tribal Town
  
  
• Traditional Southern Cheyenne Nation. Currently recognized only as part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
  
  
• Tvkapvtchee Tribal Town. Currently recognized only as part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
  
  
• United Band of the Western Cherokee Nation. Letter of Intent to Petition 3/14/2003.
  
  
• Weogufkee Tribal Town. Currently recognized only as part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
  
  
• Yuchi Tribal Organization. Letter of Intent to Petition 10/05/1990; Declined to acknowledge 3/21/2000, 64 FR 71814.
  
  
• Yuchi (Euchee) Tribe of Oklahoma located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. It is seeking federal recognition and separation from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, which subsumed the much smaller numbers of Yuchi during Removal.

FIRST CONTACT TO PRESENT

Before the white man entered the region that is now the state of Oklahoma, several tribes of Indians lived in or ranged over the land. Plains Indians including the Kiowa, Apache, Ute, and Comanche occupied the western part of the region. They were nomadic hunters who followed the huge herds of buffalo that grazed on the grasslands.

Farther to the east, the more sedentary Wichita Indians lived in houses thatched with grass and cultivated crops such as corn, beans, pumpkins, and melons. The Wichita are descendants of a prehistoric culture known as the Earth House People.

Of the original tribes which ranged throughout Oklahoma when Europeans first began to explore the area, only the Ute remain.

A large portion of Oklahoma’s Native American population – the third largest in the nation - is made up of descendants of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes. These five tribes were forcibly moved to Oklahoma by the United States government between 1820 and 1842. Hundreds of people died on the forced marches that became known as The Trail of Tears.


PRE-CONTACT OKLAHOMA TRIBES
PRE-HISTORIC CULTURES IN OKLAHOMA

• 500-1300 AD - Spiro Indians, linked to the Aztecs, thrived and left burial mounds filled with exquisite artwork and clues to their way of life. A museum displaying their artifacts is near Spiro.

[Arrow]

did more damage and harm to the North American Indian and their culture by passing immoral, dishonest, inhumane, laws and decrees than ever did the United States Army. For those that are interested in exploring that thought you are invited to read just for starters:


The Nez Perces Indians and The Opening Of The Northwest -Alvin M Josephy Jr-

And Still The Waters Run - Angie Debo -

[Arrow]

Early in the 19th century, while the rapidly-growing United States expanded into the lower South, white settlers faced what they considered an obstacle. This area was home to the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chicasaw and Seminole nations. These Indian nations, in the view of the settlers and many other white Americans, were standing in the way of progress. Eager for land to raise cotton, the settlers pressured the federal government to acquire Indian territory.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html