Durant, Okla. – The inaugural Drum Awards ceremony will be Nov. 1 at the Choctaw Nation Event Center in Durant, Okla. The national awards program will recognize individuals and Native American tribes for their accomplishments and contributions to society.
The following will be honored during the black-tie, red carpet event: John Herrington, Chickasaw; Choctaw Nation Scholarship Advisement Program; Wes Studi, Cherokee; Billy Franks, Nisqually; Ladonna Harris, Comanche; John EchoHawk, Pawnee; Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe; Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I and the late Wilma Mankiller, Cherokee.
Groundwork for the organization began in 2009. The Drum Awards project is a partnership between the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Creek Nations.
The Drum Awards name was chosen because of the symbolism of drums to native people. Drums play an important part in many Native American ceremonies and celebrations. Just as the drum represents a heartbeat, the Drum Award commemorates each honoree’s integral role in the overall heartbeat of native people.
Tickets for the Drum Awards event cost $300 and seats are still available. For more information about the event, visit www.thedrumawards.com or call (918) 384-6993.
