The First Americans Museum (FAM) has announced that Oscar-nominated actress Lily Gladstone will deliver the keynote address at its annual Where Earth Meets Sky gala, set to take place on 1 May in Oklahoma City.
The high-profile event, which celebrates Indigenous culture, leadership and artistic achievement, will also honour a group of influential figures and institutions whose work has made a significant contribution to Native communities and cultural preservation.
The keynote presentation will be supported by Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, the official sponsor for the evening’s address.
Gladstone, who is a member of the Blackfeet and Nez Perce Tribal Nations, will headline the gala alongside the 2026 award recipients, each recognised for their contributions to Indigenous arts, language revitalisation and community knowledge.
The awards programme highlights individuals and organisations advancing Indigenous heritage through contemporary arts, traditional practices, language preservation and education.
Among those honoured is Raven Halfmoon of the Caddo Nation, who will receive the Benjamin Harjo Jr. Excellence in Contemporary Arts Award. Halfmoon is widely recognised for her striking ceramic sculptures and contributions to contemporary Native art.
Vanessa Paukeigope Jennings, representing the Kiowa Tribe, Ná’ishą Apache and Gila River Pima communities, will receive the Enoch Kelly Haney Excellence in Traditional Arts Award in recognition of her work preserving and promoting traditional cultural practices.
The Cherokee Nation Language Department will be presented with the Governor Bill Anoatubby Culture Protector Award for its work safeguarding and revitalising the Cherokee language through educational initiatives and community programmes.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dolores BigFoot of the Caddo Nation will receive the Dr. Henrietta Mann Knowledge Keeper Award, acknowledging her longstanding commitment to Indigenous knowledge, mental health advocacy and community leadership.
“We are honored to welcome Lily Gladstone to Oklahoma City,” said gala committee chair Debbie Lindsey (Muscogee Nation). “Lily’s presence, alongside the legacies of our 2026 honorees, underscores FAM’s mission to uplift Indigenous knowledge and visionary leadership. We are equally proud of the diversity among our early sponsors whose support makes this celebration possible.”
Gladstone’s rising global profile
Gladstone’s participation adds international prominence to the event following a landmark year in her acting career.
She became the first Native American to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, earning global recognition for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s historical drama Killers of the Flower Moon. The role also secured her the 2023 Golden Globe for Best Actress and a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2024.
Beyond film accolades, Gladstone’s achievements reflect a wider cultural impact. She is a member of the Women’s Stand Up Headdress Society, regarded as one of the highest honours within the Blackfeet Nation.
Her screen career spans several acclaimed film and television productions, including Fancy Dance, the award-winning series Reservation Dogs, and the drama Under the Bridge.
In a notable fusion of fashion and cultural craftsmanship, Gladstone’s Academy Awards gowns — created through a collaboration between Ironhorse Quill Work and luxury fashion house Gucci — are currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
Supporting education, culture and environmental stewardship
While the gala celebrates individual achievements, organisers say the event also serves as a platform to support broader educational and cultural initiatives at the museum.
This year’s theme, Dáumàuiáum Dàu:k’í:, a Kiowa phrase meaning “divine bond & balance to creation,” reflects a focus on sustainability, learning and Indigenous stewardship.
Funds and awareness generated through the gala will support three key priorities for the museum.
The first initiative aims to revitalise the FAM Mound, transforming it into a living pollinator landscape designed according to Indigenous environmental practices.
A second focus is expanding access to FAMcamps and school field trips for children across Oklahoma, helping introduce younger generations to Indigenous history, culture and heritage.
The third priority involves strengthening year-round educational programming, including the TEK Fest and the museum’s FAMily Discovery Center, both designed to promote community engagement and hands-on learning.
Final sponsorship opportunities
Organisers say the gala continues to attract support from corporate and institutional partners seeking to align their brands with Indigenous leadership and storytelling.
With preparations under way for the May event, the museum confirmed that a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain available.
Organisations interested in supporting the event have been encouraged to finalise commitments before 15 April, ensuring participation in what organisers describe as a landmark gathering of Native leaders, artists and cultural advocates.
The annual gala has become a flagship event for the First Americans Museum, highlighting the role of Indigenous voices in shaping contemporary cultural dialogue while supporting educational programmes and community initiatives across Oklahoma.
