A Night of Indigenous Greatness
Reflections from the 2025 National Native American Hall of Fame Gala
I had the privilege of attending the 2025 National Native American Hall of Fame Induction Gala on Saturday, November 5th at the OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. The organization exists to shine a national spotlight on contemporary Native leaders whose achievements continue to shape modern history, and this year’s ceremony fully lived up to that purpose.
This year’s inductees (W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe; Ross Anderson, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and Mescalero Chiricahua Apache; Notah Begay III, Navajo Nation; Dwight Birdwell, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo; Lynn Valbuena, Yuhaaviatam of the San Manuel Nation) represent achievement at the highest level. Their careers reflect resilience, vision, service, and the kind of leadership that strengthens tribal nations for generations.
This was one of those nights that lifts your spirit and reminds you how much excellence exists across Indian Country. Throughout the program, the room shifted naturally between laughter and quiet, emotional moments as each inductee’s story unfolded. Every introduction made clear why these leaders were chosen for this honor.
Being able to experience the night alongside friends and the many people who have become family was something I will always appreciate.
Read more about the inductees here: https://nativehalloffame.org/inductees-nnahof/
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