New research by curatorial scholar Jordan Poorman Cocker (Kiowa [Cáuigù], Tongan) was rooted in an oral history–based Indigenous research methodology of Daum Yì:dop, which roughly translates to “touching the Earth.” This process includes extensive input from the artists and their descendants or tribes, and it gives an Indigenous perspective and interpretation to 80 works of art, corrects previous inaccuracies, and enriches the story of America’s Indigenous past and present. Cocker was assisted by Chelsea Herr, Gilcrease’s curator for Indigenous art and culture. The 80 objects with their texts can stand on their own as a source of information about the work of art, and you can read them in any order.

You can read more about Jordan Poorman Cocker’s oral-history–based research process in “Daum Yì:dop (Touching the Earth).

Portraits | Animals and Land | Ceremony | Historical Events