Oklahoma is home to more Native Americans than any other state. Each year, for the past 23 years, Oklahoma City hosts the Red Earth Festival, where more than 100 tribes come together to celebrate their cultures, dance, art, food, and everything in between. It is the largest Native American gathering in the country. The event took place from June 6th to June 8th this year and, ever since then, we've been waiting to find some pictures to post on Cold Splinters. We wait no longer. Beautiful.William Horncloud - Chiefs Honoring Song (Traditional Lakota Song)
Okie Noodling II
In 2001, Bradley Beesley (Summercamp) made a movie about a subculture of men who go catfishing with their bare hands. He called that movie Okie Noodling. Beesley decided that he'd go back a few years later to visit some of these guys and make a film about the newfound legal issues and commercialization of their sport. Okie Noodling II, due out July 14th on DVD, is a beautifully shot documentary full of men you wish you knew. By the end, you'll feel as though you've spent countless summer afternoons in an Oklahoma river participating in one of the most under-appreciated forms of bizarre Americana. More info here.Oh, what a good day to go fishing.