Indigenous Day Native American Song Swap
Cain’s Ballroom
October 12, 2026
For a decade now, Tulsans representing our state’s 39 federally recognized tribes, along with a wide cross-section of others inspired to honor the day, have gathered to dance, parade, and hear visionary messages from city and tribal leaders on Native American Day on the second Monday in October. In Oklahoma there are many other significant dates on the annual calendar to participate in tribal homecomings, dances, and ceremonies, including intertribal powwows, but Native American Day is unique in its inclusion of Tulsa civic leaders and local dignitaries in the program along with its parade, and the festivities continue to grow in their scope and attendance.
This year, a new addition capped off a full day of activities: a Native American song swap at Cain’s Ballroom. With space to mingle, enjoy an iteration of Native music different from the rest of the day’s expressions, and sit close (importantly, in air conditioning!), this event was a memorable bookend to the drumming and dancing that began the day at Dream Keeper’s Park.
Drumming and dancing kicked off an evening emceed by David Bible of Tulsa Indian Club, the event host. Dancers representing women’s Fancy Shawl and Jingle Dress (featuring current Tulsa Powwow Princess Katie Fields Alexander) and men’s Fancy Dance categories grounded this gathering in a continuity with typical powwow happenings.