American Indian Exposition

The Official Page for the Annual "Expo" held i">To the Tribal Members of the American Indian Exposition

The American Indian Exposition is Oklahoma’s first and original exhibition of tribal arts, crafts and culture. Initially known as the “Indian Fair” held at Craterville, just north of Apache, Oklahoma; the “Indian Fair”, incorporated August 22, 1935 under the name “American Indian Exposition”. Exposition Principal Incorporators, Hubert Halfmoon, Maurice Bedoka and Parker McKenzie moved the American Indian Exposition to Anadarko, Oklahoma area the 1930’s.

More than just a powwow, the American Indian Exposition was and continues to be an annual showcase of tribal heritage. Finding a home in Caddo county area, the city of Anadarko, became known as the “Indian Capital of the World” and the American Indian Exposition highlighting the physical endurance of local Native American dancers and held the first-ever contest awarding a single dancer the World’s Championship Fancy-Dancer title.

The American Indian Exposition sponsored horse and greyhound racing; artist from across the United States brought 2d and 3d works, drawing international collector’s and art enthusiasts; and pageants were a must-see event, as pageant directors presented historic events pertinent to our American Indian tribes, most not even recorded in books or taught in schools. The impact generated significant interest for our American Indian community, the city of Anadarko, Caddo County and the State of Oklahoma. In many ways the American Indian Exposition is a living, perpetual document of American Indian life and invites the public to participate; and the public could not get enough.

Times change and the world is much different place; but who we are as a People will never change, unless we let it.

With that said, we the Executive Officers and Board of Directors, have renewed the original corporate charter of 1935 and a Plan of action to revive the “American Indian Exposition”. That Plan includes respecting the sovereignty of each member Tribe and its selected Tribal Director and Tribal Princess. We extend the opportunity for any Tribe to become a member of the American Indian Exposition. Since the original corporate charter of 1935, there have been at least two (2) other corporate charters registered to mimic the American Indian Exposition; both known as the “American Indian Exposition of Oklahoma, Inc”. As you can see, anyone with the required documents and filing fee, can start establish a new corporate charter or renew any of the two (2) existing charters.
We are the continuing under the original 1935 Oklahoma State corporate charter. We are the original. Our logo and the letterhead will depict in some manner, the “American Indian Exposition, est. 1935”.

We look forward to working with everyone to revive the annual American Indian Exposition again as a historical experience for our Tribal communities, the city of Anadarko, Caddo County and the State of Oklahoma.

As of this date, we have had several additional Tribes requesting an application for membership. We welcome you.

Sincerely,

J.T. Goombi, President
American Indian Exposition