Oklahoma’s Tribal Nations
Oklahoma is home to 39 individual First American nations. Historic Route 66 touches 14 of them.
Quapaw, Peoria, Miami, Ottawa, Cherokee, Osage, Muscogee, Sac and Fox, Iowa, Kickapoo, Wichita, Caddo, Delaware, and the Cheyenne - Arapaho Nations.
Map modified from State Department of Education 2021 map here.
The history of Route 66 and representation of Native Americans is complicated. The road brought commerce and new opportunities, but it also carved through sovereign land and promoted stereotypical misrepresentation of Native American culture.
Each nation that Route 66 passes through has a rich, unique culture and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association encourages travelers to experience them as they explore the state. Below you’ll find links to more information and sites of significance that you can visit.
There’s also an excellent guide, “American Indians & Route 66”, which is available for free download and covers the entire route. Click the image of the guide cover to go to the AIANTA website where the PDF is available.
Enjoy the journey!
You can download a PDF of the AIANTA American Indians & Route 66 guide here!
Oklahoma Tribal Resources
This section is a work in progress
First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City
If you only have time for one stop in Oklahoma to learn about our tribal culture, make it the First Americans Museum. It is a stunning and moving experience that provides a window into the rich cultural tapestry of our 39 tribal nations.
The links below go to websites directly maintained by each tribal nation. We encourage you to check them out, learn more, and plan your visit so that you can experience the real story of these vibrant communities.