Jennifer Wilson Honored with Red Earth Spirit Award

After 25 Years of Service, Caddo Nation Council Member Receives Distinguished Spirit Award from Red Earth 

Caddo Nation Council Member Jennifer Wilson

 Jennifer Wilson, Caddo Nation Oklahoma City District Representative, was recently honored with a prestigious Spirit award for many years of service with the Red Earth Festival. The award ceremony, held on March 20, 2025, celebrated Wilson's longstanding commitment to Native American arts and culture. 

About Red Earth Festival 

Red Earth Festival stands as one of Oklahoma's most significant cultural celebrations, drawing thousands of visitors annually to experience Native American art, dance, and heritage. Founded in 1996, the festival has grown into a premier event showcasing diverse tribal traditions from across North America. The multi-day celebration features a juried art market, cultural demonstrations, and one of the nation's most respected Native American dance competitions, with participants representing tribes from throughout the United States and Canada. 

"I was shocked that they would even think of me," Wilson shared in a recent interview. "I wasn't a big artist or anything like that. I just was one of the worker bees." 

Wilson's humility belies her significant contributions to one of Oklahoma's premier Native American cultural events. Her connection to Red Earth runs particularly deep, as her sister Jerry Red Corn co-founded the festival 29 years ago alongside an Oklahoma Supreme Court justice. 

A Family Legacy of Cultural Celebration 

Wilson's involvement with Red Earth began at its inception. What started as family support for her sister's initiative evolved into a lifelong commitment to the festival's success. 

"I've been there from the beginning," Wilson explained. "As it went on, I began doing the registration for the dancers. I was also a vendor for many years too. I sold blankets, shawls, and other items." 

The award was made even more special by the surprise appearance of Wilson's family at the award ceremony. "My family came, and I didn't know they were coming," Wilson recalled. "That was very special to me." 

Caddo Nation Council Member Jennifer Wilson and Family

The Face of Red Earth Registration 

For over twenty years, Wilson has been the steady presence behind the dancer registration table at Red Earth, welcoming participants and helping organize one of the festival's most significant components. 

"They just say, 'Will you do the registration?' I say, 'Yes,'" Wilson explained of her annual role. Her experience allows the process to run smoothly, even with the predictable last-minute rush before each grand entry. 

"It's always funny because about 15 minutes beforehand, dancers come running," Wilson shared with amusement. "They'll be still dressing or putting their makeup on or whatever, and they'll come running and signing up at the last second. Once it gets closer to the time for grand entry, we get a rush. But it always works out." 

Wilson's dedication has expanded to include Red Earth's Fall Festival, an outdoor event for youth up to age 18, where she also manages registration responsibilities. 

Witness to Cultural Evolution 

Having been involved since Red Earth's earliest days, Wilson has observed the evolution of Native American dance and cultural presentations at the festival. 

"At that time, we had not seen jingle dress dancers," Wilson recalled of the festival's early years. "They brought that in, and that was just really cool. It's just so different from the way we did dance here locally or in Oklahoma." 

Wilson remembered how bringing jingle dress dancers from northern tribes created excitement and drew crowds to witness the cultural exchange. "Without social media at that time, you didn't really see that," she noted. "That was really something to watch, and it brought a lot of people in." 

Dedicated Educator and Coach 

Beyond her cultural service, Wilson dedicated 25 years to education, teaching physical education and Careers classes. She also served as a coach for several athletic categories for Norman Public Schools throughout the span of her career as educator.  

"I coached tennis, high school tennis, softball, basketball, volleyball," Wilson said, reflecting on her diverse athletic leadership roles at both high school and middle school levels. 

Tribal Leadership in Challenging Times 

As the Oklahoma City District Representative for the Caddo Nation, Wilson now helps guide the tribe through complex political landscapes. 

"The tribe is going through a difficult time right now. All the tribes across the nation are going through a difficult time with the new administration in Washington," Wilson explained. "A lot of things are uncertain, and everybody's trying to get their footing. It seems like it's changing day to day." 

Despite these challenges, Wilson expressed confidence in the Caddo Nation's leadership. "I feel like our Chairman is steering us, keeping up with the information, and trying to get other tribes to join together to have a voice that goes to Washington. He's been working very hard on that." 

Representing an Engaged Community 

Wilson takes pride in representing an informed and engaged constituency in the Oklahoma City area. 

"My constituents are very well versed in tribal politics and working in the non-Indian world," Wilson said. "They're very astute, and they ask really good questions. They keep me on my toes." 

She emphasized the importance of tribal members staying informed about developments in Washington that may affect Native communities. Wilson also highlighted the tribal council's commitment to maintaining employment for tribal members during uncertain times. 

"The council and Chairman Gonzalez are working as hard as we can to keep us going forward," Wilson affirmed. "We're really working hard on that to keep our employees going and the tribe going forward." 

Caddo Nation Council Member Jennifer Wilson and family

Red Earth's Continuing Impact 

The Red Earth Festival has evolved over its nearly three decades of existence, expanding its programming to include additional events throughout the year. As Wilson mentioned, the organization now hosts a Fall Festival downtown specifically designed for youth participants up to age 18, where she continues to provide registration services. 

The festival not only preserves and celebrates Native American cultural traditions but also creates critical opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and economic support for Native artists and performers. The prize money offered in various dance categories provides financial recognition for participants while encouraging excellence and continued participation in traditional art forms. 

Red Earth's annual awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Native American arts and culture, with past honorees including renowned artists, cultural leaders, and dedicated volunteers like Wilson who ensure the festival's continued success. 

As Wilson continues her service to both Red Earth and the Caddo Nation, her dedication to cultural preservation, community engagement, and tribal advocacy demonstrate her lifelong commitment to Native American heritage and progress.