Native American Heritage Day

The Oldham County History Center will celebrate Native American Heritage Month on Saturday, Nov.12, 2023 with the following program line-up:

10:30-11:30 a.m. Native American Stories by author and artist Thomas Freese

Thomas Freese is a storyteller and author who performs over a dozen entertaining and educational programs for both children and adults. His storytelling programs World Folk Stories, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories, Pioneer Tales, Tales of the Desert Southwest, Hispanic Stories, Native American Tales among others. Tom is a visual artist in multiple media. He studied art at McNay Art Institute, The Southwest Craft Center, The University of New Mexico and The University of Louisville. Thomas created a line of wooden, folk art jewelry which includes Southwest and Celtic designs in pins and earrings. Items and books will be available to sell.

Noon to 12:45 p.m. : Native American Flute concert with Fred Keams, Yellow Knife Flutes, Harrodsburg, Ky.

“It is a rule that the name Native American Flutes can only bear this name if they are made by a person with Native American blood. Otherwise it should be called a Native American styled flute. Fred Keams is a Navajo. The Dineh or Navajo are a nation of North American Indians, most of whom reside in Dinetah, the Four Corners Reservation in the desert states of the United States. At the 2005 census, 338,443 Dineh were recorded in the United States. Fred’s flutes are unique in style, he also burns his hole unlike most flute makers who drill their holes. The flute made of red cedar and because the wood is not lacquered you can smell the cedar.” Taken from Fred’s website: https://www.music-navotakrull.com/en/fred-keams Keams will bring his Yellow Knife Flutes for sell.

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Presentation/re-enactment by Jim Zimmerman, “Lt. Colonel Wood. “ Lieutenant Charles Erston Scott Wood and His Encounter with the Nez Perce”. 

Scott was an aide to General Oliver Howard at the War of 1877 when Chief Joseph surrendered. Wood transcribed Chief Joseph’s famous speech, which ended with: “My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” The two men became close friends. Jim serves on the Board of Directors for the Nez Perce Trail Foundation. Jim is also serves on the Board of Directors at the Oldham County History Center.