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14th Annual Caddo Festival 2025 to Feature “Calling Back the Spirits: A Healing Journey” at First Americans Museum

  • aorcutt8
  • 6 days ago
  • 2 min read
Caddo Festival at First Americans Museum
Caddo Festival at First Americans Museum

Oklahoma City, OK — November 16, 2025 — The 14th Annual Caddo Festival will take place Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. This year’s theme, “Calling Back the Spirits: A Healing Journey,” honors the story of Huh-nah-nee, a Caddo man imprisoned at Fort Marion in 1875, through ceremony, dance, art, and community remembrance.


The day’s events include the unveiling of a bronze bust of Huh-nah-nee, created by sculptor Lew Aytes, as part of the ongoing project Calling Back the Spirits – A Healing Journey. The work symbolizes a collective effort to honor the humanity of the 72 Native prisoners once held at Fort Marion and to bring forward stories that continue to shape Native identity and resilience.


“Huh-nah-nee’s story reflects not just the pain of imprisonment but the endurance of our people,” said Dr. Dolores Subia BigFoot (Caddo Nation), project director of Calling Back the Spirits. “This unveiling brings our ancestors’ spirits home through remembrance and healing.”


“For me, this project connects my Caddo and Cheyenne heritage,” added Ah-in-nist Sipes, a descendant of three Fort Marion prisoners. “We honor our grandfather Huh-nah-nee and all those who endured Fort Marion’s hardships by bringing their stories to life again.”

This project was funded in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

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Festival Schedule


11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Presentation: “Huh-nah-nee, Caddo, Fort Marion POW”XChange TheaterFeaturing Dr. Dolores Subia BigFoot, Ah-in-nist Sipes, and Lew AytesIncludes the unveiling of the bronze bust of Huh-nah-nee


1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Traditional Caddo DancesHall of the PeopleLed by Caddo Singers, songs include the Drum Dance, Fish Dance, Alligator Dance, Stirrup Dance, Swing Dance, Vine Dance, Bell Dance, Duck Dance, and Morning Dance.


All Day (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) | Food VendorsMuseum Plaza

Event Partners & Sponsors Caddo Nation • Oklahoma Arts Council • National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)


For more information, please contact:

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