Shawnee Tribe Cultural Center

Quick Facts

Location:

Miami, OK

MANAGED BY:

Shawnee Tribe

Amenities

8 listed

Benches/Seating, Cellular Signal, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Restroom

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

The Shawnee were one of the first tribes that Lewis and Clark encountered during their expedition, as the majestic Ohio River flowed through the heart of their homeland. The Middle Ohio Valley was the ancestral homeland of the Shawnee people before the tribe was pushed east into present day Oklahoma.

To learn more about the history of the Shawnee, visit the Shawnee Tribe Cultural Center in Miami, Oklahoma. The Center is a self-guided museum featuring rotating and permanent exhibits. Dedicated to sharing Shawnee culture, the center hosts a variety of events that allow visitors to take part in, and experience, this vibrant heritage.

The Center’s mission is to provide a place for Shawnees to tell the story of their past, how that past informs and shapes Shawnees today, and who they see themselves becoming tomorrow. Through interactive exhibits visitors can listen to stories of the past, learn about traditions, and help envision the tribe’s future.

The Shawnee exhibit visually tells the story of the Shawnee people through objects that represent essential aspects of Shawnee life— both today and throughout history. The installation displays no written information. Shawnee language, like many indigenous languages, is not traditionally a written language. History and ways of life are deeply rooted in oral tradition, with knowledge being shared and sustained from one generation to the next. While much has been written about Shawnee culture, a considerable amount of the information is incomplete. From sacred ceremonies to family stories, the exhibit supports Shawnee people in telling their own story. It invites conversation and investigations about Shawnee culture, with consideration for different ways of learning, sharing, and preserving.

The Shawnee Tribe Cultural Center also features work by tribal artists, like that of Shawnee artist Gibson Byrd, who was a lifelong artist and educator. To honor his passion for art and teaching, interactive art exploration activities accompany the display. Past shows include “From Ancient Hands,” the center’s inaugural, award-winning exhibition featuring historic Shawnee pottery as well as contemporary pottery made in partnership with community members as well as scholars and scientists.