Oklahoma 10 Goldback

The Oklahoma 10 Goldback honors the virtue Unitas, or Unity, celebrating the cultural resilience and connection of Oklahoma’s Native American tribes. Oklahoma is home to more Native American tribal nations than any other state, and powwows are central to its cultural life. These spiritual gatherings unite dancers, drummers, families, and communities across generations. When consulting with Native voices from across Oklahoma, many expressed that including an intertribal powwow in the Goldback series would be a deeply meaningful way to reflect shared traditions and the enduring strength of Native cultures in the region. This design was created in collaboration with those voices.

Set against the silhouette of the Wichita Mountains, the artwork depicts an intertribal powwow. At the center, a woman performs the Fancy Shawl Dance while another figure performs the men’s Fancy Dance behind her. The men’s dance originated in the 1920s in response to efforts to suppress Native ceremonies in public spaces. It’s known for its high-energy footwork, bold regalia, and athletic movement. The Fancy Shawl Dance, sometimes called the “butterfly dance,” emerged in the 1950s among the Crow Nation as a counterpart to the men’s Fancy Dance. Women wearing elaborate fringe shawls that mimic fluttering wings spin, leap, and glide in a mesmerizing display. They embody the grace and agility of the butterfly and hummingbird.

In this piece, the dancers are not symbolic—they are real people. The male dancer is Mike Pahsetopah of the Osage Nation, a world champion Fancy dancer, cultural ambassador, and author of Talking with Hands. His regalia is his own, crafted and worn with deep meaning. In the center of the scene is his daughter, Heaven, a celebrated Fancy Shawl dancer who has performed across the country and on HBO. Her regalia is also authentic and personal—used in both ceremony and competition. Their presence in the artwork roots this piece in living tradition, not distant history.

At Heaven’s suggestion, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was added to the scene. The dancer’s rapid movements mirror the flight of this graceful bird, often associated with resilience, joy, and messages of renewal. 

Surrounding the dancers, Oklahoma’s sacred natural world comes to life. In the distance moves a buffalo, or American bison—the state animal and a Native symbol of endurance and survival. Once nearly driven to extinction, the buffalo’s return parallels the spiritual and cultural revitalization expressed in powwows across the state.

Beside the dancer, a majestic raven carries a flowing ribbon inscribed with “Unitas.” In many Native traditions, the raven is seen as a messenger and keeper of sacred knowledge, linking the spiritual and earthly realms. Its presence mirrors the unifying theme of the artwork, connecting people, nature, and tradition across space and time.

In the sky, black swallowtail butterflies dance, echoing the flutter of the shawl. Beneath the dancers bloom Indian blanket flowers, Oklahoma’s state wildflower, known for their resilience and bold red-and-yellow petals.

This artwork is more than a portrait of beauty in motion. It is a celebration of Native excellence, a tribute to Oklahoma’s deep Indigenous heritage, and a reflection of the sacred connections between people, place, and tradition. It honors the families who continue to pass on traditions that have endured for generations.

Through Unitas, the Oklahoma 10 Goldback invites us to recognize that unity is not sameness—it is shared purpose, respect, and community. It is through that unity that cultures thrive and legacies endure.

Inscribed at the bottom of this artwork is the enduring truth: “Walk in harmony with all things.”