MIAMI, OK – The brand-new FAMily Discovery Center at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City will have its grand opening later this summer, thanks in part to support from the Shawnee Tribe. In May 2024, the Shawnee Tribe’s Business Council approved a pledge of $500,000 over four years to help support the FAMily Discovery Center.

The museum will offer a unique, fun-filled learning experience for everyone ages three to 103. FAM invites everyone to join “The FAB SIX” in an immersive pop-up book experience, where “We are all Connected.” The goal of the FAMily Discovery is to encourage whole-family engagement through activities and playful experiences while learning the importance of community, respect, resilience, and discovering the role we all play in stewardship and caring for our world.

“Supporting this center was and is an honor for the business council,” said Second Chief Roy Baldridge. “This gift represents a continuation of our partnership with FAM started by former Chief Ron Sparkman during his tenure on First Americans Museum’s development team many years ago.”

Last August, the tribe and museum partnered with the University of Oklahoma School of Dance and other partners to host the Five Moons Dance Festival in honor of renowned Shawnee ballerina Yvonne Chouteau. Visitors to the FAMily Discovery Center can now meet Yvonne Chouteau, one of six original heroes featured in the Tree Trunk Transporter exhibit area. Guests can explore her inspiring story and even take a selfie with Yvonne. This special keepsake celebrates the idea that everyone has unique gifts to share with the world.

“We are deeply grateful to the Shawnee Tribe for championing a space where families can connect with Native values and stories in ways that truly reflect our communities,” said Shoshana Wasserman, FAM Deputy Director and Co-Curator of the FAMily Discovery Center. “This September’s opening would not be possible without their generous support. Thank you, on behalf of all the future generations whose lives your gift will touch.”

The FAMily Discovery Center’s grand opening to the public will be September 20, but Shawnee tribal citizens are invited to attend an exclusive VIP preview event on Sunday, September 14, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Please RSVP online by September 1. More details can be found at shawnee-nsn.gov.

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Contact: Princella RedCorn, media@shawnee-tribe.com

About the Shawnee Tribe

The Shawnee Tribe is a sovereign nation of approximately 5,000 citizens living across North America and abroad. Tribal headquarters are located in Miami, Oklahoma, and Shawnee Chief Benjamin J. Barnes took office in 2019. For more information, visit shawnee-nsn.gov.

About First Americans Museum

First Americans Museum celebrates our shared American history through the collective stories of 39 distinct Tribal Nations in Oklahoma today. The museum promotes awareness and educates the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, contributions, and resilience of the First Americans. The 175,000 sq. ft. museum is located at 659 First Americans Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73129. For more, information, visit https://famok.org/.

About FAMily Discovery Center

The FAMily Discovery Center is a dynamic pop-up-book-inspired forest, where First American values, nature, and imagination meet. Through hands-on play, guests of all ages engage in interactive, sensory-rich learning that deepens their relationship with the living world.

Photos courtesy of First American Museum.