
January 13, 2023
Season 10 Episode 27 | 57m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Team coverage recapping the second Inauguration of Governor Kevin Stitt and reaction to it
Team coverage recapping the second Inauguration of Governor Kevin Stitt and reaction to it. The remarkable recovery of Buffalo Bills player Demar Hamlin has a very important Oklahoma connection. The Tulsa Sobriety Clinic offers hope and another option for people detained for alcohol-related offenses. An InDepth discussion of Native American cultural appropriation
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The Oklahoma News Report is a local public television program presented by OETA

January 13, 2023
Season 10 Episode 27 | 57m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Team coverage recapping the second Inauguration of Governor Kevin Stitt and reaction to it. The remarkable recovery of Buffalo Bills player Demar Hamlin has a very important Oklahoma connection. The Tulsa Sobriety Clinic offers hope and another option for people detained for alcohol-related offenses. An InDepth discussion of Native American cultural appropriation
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> GOVERNOR STITT TOUTS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HIS FIRST TERM WHILE PREPARING FOR HIS SECOND.
>> WHEN THE WORLD WAS AT A STANDSTILL AND WHILE OTHER ECONOMIES CRUMBLED, OUR STATE'S ECONOMY GREW.
>> WHEN OTHER STATES EXPERIENCED A SETBACK, OKLAHOMA DISCOVERED ITS COMEBACK.
>> REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S SECOND INAUGURAL FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
>> WHAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO IS PUTTING PUBLIC DOLLARS INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THROUGH A VOUCHER, BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T ACTUALLY HELP ELEVATE, EDUCATE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
>> THE REMARKABLE STORY OF THE OKLAHOMAN WHO HELPED SAVE THE LIFE OF AN NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER.
>> THEN AN OPPORTUNITY ARISES AND HE'S JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT, SAVES A MAN'S LIFE, AND MAKES NATIONAL HISTORY.
>> THE TULSA SOBERING CENTER IS HELPING ALCOHOLICS AND ADDICTS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET WITHOUT GOING TO JAIL.
>> I MYSELF HAVE A 16-YEAR-OLD SON THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS HIS SOBER DADDY AGAIN.
>> AN INDEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE CULTURAL APPROPRIATION OF TRIBAL CUSTOMS AND DRESS.
>> AND WHAT PEOPLE LIKE TO DO IS THEY LIKE TO GROUP INDIANS ALL TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE'S 500 NATIONS HERE IN NORTH AMERICA.
>> WE'RE ALL NOT THE SAME.
>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"!
HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
I'M RICH LENZ.
>> JOHN KEVIN STITT WAS SWORN IN FOR A SECOND TERM AS GOVERNOR ON MONDAY.
WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE OF THE EVENT, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON THE SOUTH LAWN OF THE STATE CAPITOL IN FRONT OF AN ESTIMATED CROWD OF ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE.
SECURITY WAS TIGHT, BUT THE WEATHER WAS GOOD -- SUNNY WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE HIGH FIFTIES.
WE BEGIN WITH CAPITOL CORRESPONDANT JASON DOYLE'S RECAP OF THE GOVERNOR'S SECOND INAUGERAL ADDRESS AND THE REACTION TO THE PRIORITIES HE LAID OUT.
JASON?
>> RICH, GOVERNOR STITT OUTLINED HIS FOCUS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IN HIS CONTINUED PUSH TO MAKE OKLAHOMA A "TOP TEN" STATE.
WHILE THERE WAS AN OPTIMISTIC TONE TO THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS, THOSE WHO WILL BE WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR TO SET POLICY ARE HOPING THAT OPTIMISM IS WARRANTED.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE MY DUTIES AS GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, SO HELP ME GOD.
YOUR SECOND TERM OF OFFICE HAS COMMENCED.
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
WHEN I TOOK OFFICE FOUR YEARS AGO, THE STATE WAS IN THE THROES OF ANOTHER DOWNTURN.
WE WERE EMERGING FROM BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND A GOVERNMENT IN DISARRAY.
SPENDING SPREES IN THE GOOD YEARS LEFT US VULNERABLE IN THE DOWN YEARS.
IN SHORT, GOVERNMENT WAS NOT WORKING, IT WAS NOT GENERATING THE PROMISES OF CERTAINTY AND STABILITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.
SINCE THEN, THE STATE HAS STABILIZED THE FINANCES THROUGH WORK BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE THAT SET THE STAGE FOR STITT'S SECOND TERM.
WE WILL CONTINUE OUR MARCH TO THE TOP.
IT WILL COME BY BUILDING A STRONG ECONOMY, AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT PREPARES ALL CHILDREN FOR SERVICE.
AND A CULTURE THAT RESPECTS AND PROTECTS EACH PERSON'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FAIRNESS, FAMILY, AND FREEDOM OF FAITH.
>> STITT NOTED THE STATE IS GROWING AND GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION NOW.
>> THE GREAT AMERICAN DREAM HAS ENDURED IN THIS STATE, AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO OKLAHOMA AS THE PLACE TO FIND OPPORTUNITY AND TO LIVE FREELY.
OKLAHOMA HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE STATES IN THE NATION TO LIVE, TO WORK, AND TO RAISE A FAMILY.
IN FACT, NEW CENSUS DATA RELEASED LAST WEEK NOW RANKS OKLAHOMA AS TOP 10 IN STATES WITH HIGHEST NET MIGRATION.
>> YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE OKLAHOMA VALUES MOVING IN FROM CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, MOVING FROM A OTHER STATES.
I WAS EXCITED TO SEE HIM ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IN HIS REMARKS.
BECAUSE WE ARE GROWING.
AND WE HAVE TO GROW THE RIGHT WAY.
SENATOR SHANE JETT IS A SUPPORTER OF THE GOVERNOR.
>> I WILL SEE A LITTLE MORE POLICY.
NOW WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT RE-ELECTION.
>> AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I CAST A VISION FOR A TURNAROUND THAT WOULD PUT OKLAHOMA ON A JOURNEY TO BE VIEWED NATIONWIDE AS A STOP TEN STATE.
>> Reporter: HOUSE DEMOCRAT LEADER REPRESENTATIVE CYNDI MUNSON HEARD NOTHING IN STITT'S ADDRESS THAT TOOK HER OFF GUARD.
>> THERE WERE NOT ANY SURPRISES, IN MY OPINION.
>> Reporter: MUNSON FEELS SOMETHING WAS MISSING WHILE STITT LAUDED THE STATE'S MORE SECURE FINANCIAL FOOTING.
>> ONE THING THAT I THINK WAS MISSING AND I WISH HE WOULD ELEVATE IS A WORK WE DID AS A LEGISLATURE BODY FOUR YEARS AGO, BEFORE HE BECAME GOVERNOR, ALL THE HARD WORK TO RAISE REVENUE TO MAKE SURE WE WERE FUNDING OUR STATE SERVICES.
>> Reporter: MUNSON DOES PRAISE STITT'S WORK ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
>> I WAS SURPRISED IN TERMS OF THE THINGS I AGREE WITH HIM ON BECAUSE HE GOT HIT SO HARD IN HIS CAMPAIGN WAS ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
THERE WERE QUITE A FEW MEASURES THAT CAME OUT THE LEGISLATURE THAT HE SIGNED INTO LAW WHO HELPED FOLKS TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE SO THEY CAN PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IS AN AREA THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.
>> I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT, YOU KNOW, SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, NOW I GUESS WE CAN COUNT EIGHT YEARS, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PRETTY GOOD ON THE ISSUE.
I THINK, AT THIS POINT, NOW IT'S MORE ABOUT DIGGING INTO THE DETAILS AND SEE WHAT WE'VE MISSED WHEN IT COMES TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND GETTING FOLKS BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND, ALSO, WHAT ARE THE PREVENTIVE THINGS WE'RE DOING.
>> Reporter: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR.
MUNSON HOPES HE'S LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THOSE WHO DO WANT TO WORK BUT MUST ALSO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY.
>> HIGHER POPULATION OF OUR WORKFORCE OUT OF THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE THEY'RE PARENTS.
UM, WE HAVE CHILDCARE DESERTS IN OKLAHOMA.
YOU KNOW, THESE TYPES OF THINGS HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED IN ORDER FOR US TO STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY.
>> I PROMISE THAT WHILE I'M IN THIS ROLE, I WILL WORK TO MAINTAIN YOUR TRUST AND ME YOU THE TAXPAYER FIRST.
AND I WILL FIGHT TIRELESSLY TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT DO THE SSAM.
>> RESPECT LEADERSHIP ARE LOOKING AT REDUCING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT BECAUSE GOVERNMENTS ARE NOT EFFICIENT IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES.
GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE SERVICES.
WHO PAYS?
IS THE MOM-AND-POP BUSINESSES BACK HOME WRITING CHECKS IN APRIL TO PAY FOR ALL OF IT.
>> Reporter: JETT ADDS THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE TRIBES TO FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER FOR OKLAHOMA.
>> I THINK WORKING WITH THE TRIBES GOING FORWARD, THEY HAVE THEM FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS, BEST SHOT AT PREVENTING HIM FROM BEING ELECTS THROUGH PACs AND THESE TYPES OF THINGS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, GOVERNOR STITT REPRESENTS FOUR MILLION PEOPLE, NOT JUST THE DIFFERENT NATIONS.
HE REPRESENTS THEM ALL.
I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT GOING FORWARD WE'LL HAVE MORE OF A DIALOGUE.
>> TODAY I OFFER ONE FINAL PLEDGE: TOGETHER, WE WILL PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE IN OKLAHOMA.
GOVERNOR STITT WILL OUTLINED HIS PLANS FOR THE BUDGET AND POLICY ON FEBRUARY 6th DURING HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE.
OF COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WATCH THAT RIGHT HERE ON O.E.T.A.
HE WILL PUSH FOR MORE SCHOOL CHOICE IN THE SESSION.
SOMETHING THE DEMOCRATS AND EVEN MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY DON'T AGREE WITH.
EDUCATION REPORT TAELYR JACKSON HAS MORE ON THAT.
>> RICH, GOVERNOR STITT SAID MORE EDUCATION CHOICES WOULD BENEFIT OKLAHOMA'S STUDENTS, AND HE DIDN'T WASTE TIME ON RECREATING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
>> TO THE STUDENTS AND TO YOUR PARENTS, I WANT YOU TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM ME.
I DO NOT ACCEPTANCE THAT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS AT THE BOTTOM.
>> Reporter: STITT DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME ON MAKING CHANGES.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF HIS SECOND TERM, HE MADE MAJOR CHANGES TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BY REPLACING SEVERAL OF THE MEMBERS AHEAD OF THE FIRST MEETING IN WHICH STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS.
STITT RETAINED TWO OF THE FIVE MEMBERS.
THE NEW FACES JOINING WALTERS AROUND THE TABLE ARE THRESHOLD BURDICK, MARLA HILL, AWES SUPP AND SUZANNE RECONVENES.
TRENT IS REPRESENTING A DIFFERENT DISTRICT.
SARAH LEPAK IS BEING RETAINED ON THE EDUCATION BOARD AS WELL.
THIS DECSION COMES JUST DAYS AFTER SUPERINTENDENT JOY HOFMEISTER OFFICIALLY WALKED OUT OF THE OLIVER HODGE BUILDING FOR THE LAST TIME.
STITT AND WALTERS ARE READY TO TAKE ON THE TASK OF PROVIDING MORE EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.
DURING HIS INAUGRUAL ADDRESS, STITT POINTED TO THE OPEN TRANSFER LAW AS A SUCCESS IN OPENING UP CHOICE FOR PARENTS.
>> JUST ONE YEAR AFTER WE PASSED THE "OPEN TRANSFER LAW," THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE AND CAN NOW CHOOSE TO ATTEND A SCHOOL THAT FITS THEIR NEEDS.
>> MANY LAWMAKERS EXPECT SCHOOL VOUCHER BILLS TO BE CONSIDERED THIS SESSION.
>> IT'S TIME TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO THINK, NOT WHAT TO THINK.
[APPLAUSE] AND THAT MEANS, WE MUST GIVE STUDENTS MORE ACCESS TO LEARNING METHODS THAT FIT THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS.
WE NEED MORE SCHOOLS, NOT LESS SCHOOLS LIKE THE FEARMONGERS CLAIMED WHEN WE CALLED FOR CHANGE.
>> LAST YEAR, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMP GREG TREAT'S "OKLAHOMA EMPOWERMENT ACT" WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE BUT IT FAILED TO ADVANCE IN THE HOUSE.
REPRESNATIVE CYNDI MUNSON SAYS SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES ARE CONCERNED WITH HOW SCHOOL CHOICE VOUCHERS WILL AFFECT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO MAKING SURE FAMILIES MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.
WHAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO IS PUTTING PUBLIC DOLLARS INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THROUGH A VOUCHER, BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T ACTUALLY HELP ELEVATE, EDUCATE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
>> A RURAL REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE DOESN'T BELIEVE A VOUCHER SYSTEM WILL WORK FOR RURAL OKLAHOMA.
>> I'M STILL TOTALLY OPPOSED, ESPECIALLY BEING A RURAL EDUCATOR.
THERE'S NOTHING FOR RURAL EDUCATION IN REGARD TO THAT.
WE DON'T HAVE PRIVATE SCHOOLS OUT IN THE RURAL AREAS.
>> SENATOR DEWAYNE PEMBERTON SAYS PARENTS IN HIS DISTRICT PUSH BACK ON THE NOTION OF VOUCHERS.
I'LL TELL YOU, THE PEOPLE IN MY RURAL AREA DO NOT WANT THEIR LOCAL TAX DOLLARS GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, RIGHT NOW, A LOT OF OUR KIDS, YOU KNOW, PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN TULSA ARE 50 MILES AWAY.
HOW ARE THEY GONNA GET THERE?
IT'S TIME FOR THE TOUGH CONVERSATION TO ADDRESS WHAT WORKS AND WHAT IS NOT.
>> BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR THAT THERE'S PLENTY OF WORK TO BE DONE REGARDING EDUCATION THIS SESSION.
>> THAT MEANS KEEPING TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.
IT MEANS FOCUSING ON THE THINGS THAT KIDS NEED TO LEARN TO PREPARE FOR THE WORKFORCE AND FOCUSING ON CURRICULUM THAT MATTERS AND NOT GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THIS RHETORIC ABOUT INDOCTRINATION.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS FOR EDUCATION.
I'VE GOT SOME STUFF I'M WORKING ON WITH HIGHER ED.
I WANT TO CONTINUE THE SCHOLARSHIP BILL I DID LAST YEAR, SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S FUNDED AGAIN.
>> AS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE CONTIUNES, OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PROVIDE BETTER INCENTIVES TO KEEP EDUCATORS IN THE STATE.
>> MY PAY RAISE BILL BASICALLY WOULD BE A $2,000 PAY RAISE THIS NEXT YEAR, 23, FOLLOWED BY TWO MORE, $2,000 PAY RAISES IN THREE-YEAR INCREMENTS.
SO, OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS, THERE'LL BE A 7,000, A $6,000 PAY RAISE.
>> I'VE GOT A BILL FOR THE NATIONAL BOARD-CERTIFIED TEACHER TO $3,000 EVERY YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS.
YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN GO TO IF YOU'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN BEING THE BEST TEACHER OR, YOU KNOW, PLACE SOME INCENTIVES ALONG THE WAY THAT, THAT YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE.
>> OTHER FILED BILLS GAINING ATTENTION ARE HOUSE BILL 1028 AND SENATE BILL 94.
HOUSE BILL 1028, AUTHORED BY REPUBLICAN REPRESENATIVE JOHN TALLEY, WHICH PROHIBITS THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ON CERTAIN STUDENTS.
SENATE BILL 94, AUTHORED BY SENATOR JESSICA GARVIN, WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL FITNESS ASSESSMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WILL ATTEND HIS FIRST STATE EDUCATION BOARD MEETING IN HIS NEW ROLE AS SUPERINTENDENT LATER THIS MONTH.
RICH.
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY MONTHS, WE ARE SHARING THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S WEEKLY "COVID NUMBERS" WITH YOU BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING MORE VIRUS AND MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS AS A NEW VARIANT, THE XBB.1.5 TAKES HOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS NEW VARIANT IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS, THOUGH IT DOESN'T SHOW SIGNS OF BEING MORE SEVERE.
IN THE LAST WEEK, A LITTLE OVER 4,000 NEW CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, BUT, KEEP IN MIND, THAT NUMBER DOES NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITIVE WITH "AT-HOME" KITS.
316 PATIENTS ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH THE VIRUS.
74 OF THEM ARE OCCUPYING ICU BEDS AND 35 OF THOSE ARE CHILDREN.
IN TOTAL, MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION OKLAHOMANS HAVE BEEN INFECTED AND 17,502 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.
>>> THE REMARKABLE, AND SOME WOULD SAY “MIRACULOUS ” RECOVERY OF BUFFALO BILLS PLAYER DAMAR HAMLIN HAS BROUGHT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TOGETHER IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY, AND THE STORY HAS A VERY IMPORTANT OKLAHOMA CONNNECTION.
WITH DAMAR WATCHING FROM HIS HOSPITAL BED, ON THE MEND AFTER SUFFERING CARDIAC ARREST ON JANUARY 2ND IN A GAME AGAINST CINCINNATI, THE BILLS FIRST PLAY SINCE THAT TERRIBLE MOMENT WAS A 96-YARD, OPENING-KICKOFF TOUCHDOWN RETURN BY HIS TEAMATE, NYHEIM HINES, IN LAST SUNDAY'S WIN OVER NEW ENGLAND.
HOLLYWOOD COULDN'T WRITE IT ANY BETTER.
AND NOW, DEMAR IS BACK IN BUFFALO AND CONTINING TO IMPROVE, AND NONE OF IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HELP OF AN OKLAHOMAN.
STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THAT PART OF THIS UPLIFTING STORY.
STEVE?
>> RICH, LIKE MANY OTHERS, I WAS TUNED INTO “MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ” THE NIGHT AFTER NEW YEAR'S.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE-ENDING TRAGIC SITUATION TURNED OUT TO BE SOMETHING IT LOOKED LIKE A NORMAL FOOTBALL PLAY.
BILLS SAFETY AND PITTSBURGH NATIVE DAMAR HAMLIN HIT THE RECEIVER WHO MADE A SHORT CATCH MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
>> YOU TRAIN YOUR MINDS EVERY DAY.
>> Reporter: 800 MILES WEST, OKLAHOMA STATE DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE WAS COURTSIDE AT THE ARENA KEEPING WATCH AT A COWBOYS-WEST VIRGINIA BASKETBALL GAME.
WHAT THE CAMERAS DIDN'T CATCH WAS MIDWEST CITY HIGH SCHOOL, OKLAHOMA STATE GRADUATE AND ASSISTANT BUFFALO BILLS TRAINER DENNY KELLINGTON SPRUNG INTO ACTION.
HE QUICKLY USE ADE FIBLATOR AND ADMINISTERED CPR ON THE FIELD WHICH KEPT DAMAR HAMLIN ALIVE AND GAVE HIM A CHANCE WHILE PARAMEDICS RUSHED THE FALLEN BILLS SAFETY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI MEDICAL CENTER.
AND HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.
>> WELL, HE CERTAINLY DID.
YOU KNOW, MUCH CREDIT TO THEIR STAFF.
YOU KNOW, TRAINERS GET VERY LITTLE CREDIT, TYPICALLY, STEVE.
>> Reporter: WHICH MAKES WHAT KELLINGTON DID EVEN MAYBE MORE REMARKABLE.
>> I WILL SECOND THAT.
YOU KNOW, THE BILLS TRAINING STAFF WHO WAS WITH HIM IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THIS WAS NOT A RUN OF THE MILL INJURY AND THEY HAD A SIGNIFICANT EVENT ON THEIR HANDS.
THEY IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED AND GOT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE TEAM INVOLVED IN HIS CARE.
ONCE HAMLIN WAS BREATHING ON HIS OWN AND WAS TALKING, DOCTORS RELEASED HIM FROM THE HOSPITAL IN CINCINNATI.
HE RETURNED TO BUFFALO THIS PAST MONDAY, AND THEN, ON WEDNESDAY, HAMLIN WAS DISCHARGED FROM BUFFALO GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER.
>> PROMPT RECOGNITION, VERY EFFICIENT IN WHAT THEY WERE -- WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED ON THE FIELD, AND, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN'T BE CONGRATULATED ENOUGH FOR THEIR RESPONSE.
>> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENED TO DAMAR HAMLIN HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.
IN 1937 -- IN 1979.
AND IT'S NOT JUST FOOTBALL.
IN FEBRUARY OF 1990, AFTER DUNKING THE BALL, HANK GATHERS COLLAPSED ON THE COURT AND LATER DIED.
DOCTORS SAID BOTH ATHLETES HAD AN UNDERLYING HEART ISSUE.
>> A COLLAPSED ATHLETE CAN HAPPEN IN ANY SPORT, REALLY.
SO, YOU'RE ALWAYS RECOGNIZING AND MINDFUL OF THOSE TYPES OF EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR.
>> Reporter: KELLINGTON GRADUATED FROM OKLAHOMA STATE IN THE YEAR 2000.
HE'S PAID SERIOUS DUES, BOTH ON THE COLLEGE LEVEL AND IN THE NFL WHERE HE'S EXCELLED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
>> WE'RE NOT DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER PROGRAM.
I MEAN, ANYWAYS THE NATURE OF ATHLETIC TRAINING STAFFS.
THEIR WORK ETHIC, THEIR DILIGENCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND HOW THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THINGS ON A DAILY BASIS TO BE READY FOR ANY KIND OF AN EVENT THAT COULD HAPPEN AT THEIR PRACTICE OR GAME.
>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATES ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR ATHLETIC MEDICINE, ROBERT FULTON SAYS ATHLETIC TRAINERS POSSESS THE SAME COMMITMENT AS THE ATHLETES THEY SERVE.
>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF REPETITIONS, JUST LIKE PRACTICE, JUST LIKE TRAINING, JUST LIKE THE TEAMS GO OUT AND REPORT AND PRACTICE THEIR SKILLS, WE HAVE TO DO THAT SO WE'RE MOST PREPARED TO RESPOND IN A TIMELY MANNER.
>> Reporter: FULTON SAYS WHILE HE WASN'T WATCHING WHAT HAPPENED ON "MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO WITHIN -- IN THE ATHLETIC TRAINING COMMUNITY, WORD SPREAD QUICKLY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
CREDIT TO HE AND HIS STAFF AND THE CINCINNATI STAFF AND THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL THAT WERE TRAINED FOR THAT RESPONSE THAT WERE IN THAT MOMENT THAT RESPONDED -- RECOGNIZED AND RESPONDED SO QUICKLY.
>> THERE WAS A SENSE OF IMMEDIATE URGENCY, PANIC, AND, OH, MY GOSH.
MIKE WHALLEY IS SOCIA DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION.
HE WAS WATCHING THAT MONDAY NIGHT.
IS IT OSSAA GOVERNS MORE THAN 480 SCHOOLS AROUND THE SOONER STATE.
>> WE SHOULD BE REMINDING OUR ADs AND OUR COACHES PERIODICALLY, YOU KNOW, DON'T FORGET, THIS IS WHERE THIS IS, THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON.
I KNOW WITHIN OUR OWN STAFF, WE WILL REACH OUT TO OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AND TALK TO THE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS GROUP.
I JUST GOT BACK FROM NATIONAL MEETING ON FOOTBALL RULES IN INDIANAPOLIS, AND WE TALKED ABOUT SPORTS MEDICINE.
WE JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE THE DOCTOR THAT CHAIRED THE SPORTS MEDICINE COMMITTEE.
HE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS.
WHAT COULD WE BE DOING?
HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE, MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT PLAN, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A DEFIBRILLATOR AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN GET IT.
>> Reporter: THAT COMMITMENT NOW SENTENCES TO HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AS WELL.
THAT BRINGS TO HEAD COACH GARY ROSE WHO WON 10 STATE TITLES AT CARL ALBERT AND HAD A STADIUM NAMED AFTER HIM.
>> BOMBERS ARE ALL RIGHT.
WE WERE ALWAYS RIVALS.
THE BOMBERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
>> Reporter: HE KNEW DENNY KELLINGTON BACK IN THE DAY, DESPITE THE RIVALRY BETWEEN MIDWEST CITY AND CARL ALBERT.
>> NOT SURPRISED.
DENNY WAS IN OUR HOME.
HE WAS IN THE GROUP WE CALLED THE BOY RANGERS IN HOOL WITH MY DAUGHTERS AND THEY WERE FRIENDS FROM THE CHURCH WE WERE IN.
HE WAS JUST A GREAT YOUNG MAN.
>> Reporter: ROSE SAYS HEROES ARE BORN EVERYWHERE.
>> HE SPENT 20 PLUS YEARS JUST HERE AND THERE, BEING PATIENT AND TAKING HIS TIME AND WORKING AND GETTING AN EDUCATION.
THEN AN OPPORTUNITY ARISES, AND HE'S JOHNNY ON THE SPOT, SAVES A MAN'S LIFE AND MAKES NATIONAL HISTORY.
THAT'S PHENOMENAL THAT YOU CAN GO FROM MIDWEST CITY, OKLAHOMA, MIDWEST CITY HIGH, CARL ALBERT HIGH, DEL CITY HIGH AND DO YOUR BEST AND MAKE AN IMPACT.
MOST OF US DON'T MAKE THAT BIG OF AN IMPACT, BUT WE ALL MATTER.
DENNY HAS JUST SHOWN US HOW THAT HAPPENS, I THINK.
I REACHED OUT TO DANNY KELLINGTON EARLIER THIS WEEK AND HAVEN'T HEARD BACK.
HE'S A LITTLE BUSY RIGHT NOW.
THE BILLS ARE PREPARING FOR A PLAYOFF GAME ON SUNDAY.
RICH.
>> THANK YOU, STEVE.
GREAT STORY.
>>> THE DICTIONARY DEFINES "CULTURAL APPROPRIATION" AS: THE UNACKNOWLEDGED OR INAPPROPRIATE ADOPTION OF CUSTOMS, PRACTICES, AND IDEAS OF A PEOPLE OR SOCIETY BY MEMBERS OF ANOTHER AND TYPICALLY MORE DOMINANT PEOPLE OR SOCIETY.
IN THIS WEEK'S "IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION, ” WE'LL DISCUSS CULTURAL APPROPRIATION AS IT RELATES TO OKLAHOMA'S NATIVE-AMERICAN POPULATION AS WELL AS OUR STATE'S OTHER MINORITY COMMUNITITIES.
>> I USE SOME OTHER TRIBAL, LIKE, REALLY OLD PETROGLYPH SYMBOLS OR CARVINGS FROM THE MAYANS AND PERUVIANS, BUT I TWIST THEM A LITTLE BIT A CHANGE THEM TO BE MY OWN STYLE AND THAT'S THE SYMBOLISM THAT I USE.
>> I HAD THIS, UM, I ACTUALLY READ THIS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY SIMPLE AND ELEGANT WAY TO PUT THIS AND YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO “NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS ”" SO, WHEN JACK SKELLINGTON DISCOVERS CHRISTMAS, HE REALLY LOVES IT AND IS ENAMORED WITH IT.
THAT'S GREAT; THAT'S APPRECIATION, BUT WHEN HE TRIES TO TAKE IT OVER AND MAKE IT HIS OWN, THAT'S APPROPRIATION.
AND SO, YOU KIND OF WANT TO BE LIKE JACK SKELLINGTON AT THE BEGINNING.
>> IT GETS TO A POINT TO WHERE YOU CAN READ THE LATEST TABLOID, AND IT WILL SAY, OH, SUCH AND SUCH A NATIVE FROM AUSTIN OR NATIVE FROM WELL, FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND, I'M LIKE THINKING ARE THEY AN INDIAN?
WHAT TRIBE?
SEE, IT'S GOTTEN SO GENERALIZED AND SO MANIPULATED TO WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW.
>> THAT CONVERSATION CONTINUES A LITTLE BIT LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST.
>>> THE “TULSA SOBERING CENTER" SERVED MORE THAN 700 PEOPLE IN 2022.
THE CENTER HELPS THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM ALCOHOLISM OR OTHER ADDICTIONS AVOID JAIL TIME AND WORK TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE.
KENNEDY SEPULVADO VISITED THE CENTER THIS WEEK AND HAS OUR >> Reporter: A GROUP SESSION FULL OF TULSANS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.
THE PROGRAM IS EFFORTS TO DECRIMINALIZE SUBSTANCE USE AND REDUCE THE STIGMA ATTACHED TO IT.
>> THERE'S A HIGH FREQUENCY OF INDIVIDUALS GETTING ARRESTED FOR INTOXICATION.
THEY WERE FINDING, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A ROOT CAUSE.
SO, THERE'S A REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE DRINKING AND USING SUBSTANCES.
WHY DON'T WE TRY TO HELP.
>> Reporter: THE TULSA SOBERING CENTER ALLOWS PEOPLE TO SOBER UP AFTER A ROUGH NIGHT OUT OR GET THE LONG-TERM HELP THEY NEED.
>> WHENEVER SOMEBODY IS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION, THEY ARE GIVEN THE OPTION TO COME INTO THE CENTER IN LIEU OF BEING ARRESTED.
THEY'RE BROUGHT TO THE FACILITY AND STAY IN THE TULSA SOBER CENTER FOR 10 HOURS VERSUS GETTING ARRESTED.
WE'RE SCREENING THEM FOR SERVICES.
THAT MIGHT BE MEDICALLY-SUPERVISED DETOX OR OUTPATIENT SERVICES.
>> Reporter: OF THE INDIVIDUALS BROUGHT TO TULSA SOBER CENTER, ABOUT 13% AGREE TO RECEIVE TREATMENT.
HE IS CONTINUING HIS RECOVERY JOURNEY.
>> IT WAS BENEFICIAL IN MY LIFE BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I REALLY WANTED RECOVERY.
I WASN'T FORCED TO DO IT BY ANYONE.
IT WAS MY OWN CHOICE.
>> Reporter: PERSONAL CHOICE IS IMPORTANT.
HE KNEW IT HAD TO BE HIS CHOICE AND NO ONE ELSE'S AFTER A CONVERSATION WITH HIS MENTOR.
>> HE SAID, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU EXACTLY WHY YOU KEEP DRINKING.
OF COURSE, I WAS ALL EARS.
AND HE SAID THE REASON YOU CAN'T QUIT DRINKING IS BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO.
UM AND, YOU KNOW, SOME THINGS YOU'LL NEVER FORGET.
>> Reporter: SUBSTANCE USE HAS BEEN A PART OF HIS LIFE SINCE A YOUNG AGE.
>> I STARTED USING WHEN I WAS 13, AND, UM, 31 YEARS LATER, WHICH IS WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW, I HAVEN'T HAD 100 DAYS SOBER.
[CHUCKLES] >> WE CAN'T REWRITE THE PAST.
I REALLY WANTED IT THIS TIME AROUND.
>> Reporter: HE SAID IT WAS HELPFUL BEING ALONGSIDE OTHERS WORKING THROUGH ADDICTIONS AND WITH STAFF WHO UNDERSTANDS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DEALING WITH.
>> THE STAFF, I'M PRETTY SURE 99%, IF NOT 100% OF THE STAFF, IS IN RECOVERY, HAS BEEN THROUGH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AND ADDICTION.
IT WAS REALLY HELPFUL TO EVEN HAVE MEETINGS THEY HOST EVERYFRI NIGHT THAT ARE HAVING A COUPLE OF STAFF COME IN AND SHARE THEIR STORIES, AND EVEN EVEN HAVING SITUATIONS COME UP WHILE I WAS THERE AND I NEEDED TO TALK TO SOMEONE TO GET SOME ADVICE OR INSIGHT.
>> Reporter: HE WAS ALSO ABLE TO GET TO ROOT CAUSE OF HIS SUBSTANCE USE.
>> SOMETHING THAT CAUSES US SO MUCH PAIN, TIME, ENERGY, MONEY, COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND, YOU KNOW, IT SHOULD FEEL LIKE THE RONALD REAGAN CAMPAIGN, JUST DON'TS DO IT.
I'M FIGURING OUT THE THINGS THAT HAUNT ME FROM MY PAST, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, VERBAL ABUSE AND I LEFT THEM UNPROCESSED.
>> Reporter: KNOWING WHAT CONTRIBUTED TO HIS SUBSTANCE USE HAS ALLOWED PATTERSON TO MOVE FORWARD AND TAKE POSITIVE ACTION.
>> IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO.
AND I CAN UNDERSTAND AND COMPREHEND THEIR INVOLVEMENT, ACTIONS AND BARRIERS.
UM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S UP TO ME TO TAKE ACTION TO PROCESS IN A HEALTHY WAY INSTEAD OF TRYING TO NUMB THEM OUT OR DRUG THEM OUT OR DRINK THEM OUT.
IN REALITY, I WAS THE ONE THAT WAS STILL CONTINUING TO SUFFER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
>> Reporter: ONE EXERCISE MARK DID AT THE CENTER ALLOWED HIM TO RELEASE THE PAIN OF ONE OF THE TOUGHEST SITUATIONS IN HIS LIFE, THE DEATH OF HIS MOTHER.
>> SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WORLD.
AND -- AND I WROTE OUT A 15-PAGE LETTER, AND I CAN'T SHARE IT WITH HER BECAUSE SHE'S GONE.
BUT IT IS TO SHARE THAT LETTER WITH A GROUP OF OTHER PEOPLE OR A MENTOR OR SOMEONE THAT I -- OF MY CHOOSING AND SHARE IT WITH THEM, AND THEN JUST TEAR THE LETTER UP.
IT'S OVER.
THAT'S MY CLOSURE.
>> Reporter: AFTER GRADUATING FROM GRAND, PATTERSON ENROLLED HIMSELF AT LIFE GATE FREEDOM RECOVERY RANCH TO CONTINUE HIS SOBRIETY.
>> I HAVE A 16-YEAR-OLD SON WHO DESPERATELY NEEDS A SOBER DADDY AGAIN.
ADDICTION IS GIVING UP EVERYTHING FOR ONE THING.
RECOVERY IS GIVING UP ONE THING FOR EVERYTHING.
>> Reporter: THE GRAND ADDICTION RECOVERY CENTER HAS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH TEAM TO HELP TULSANS WHO NEED HELP BUT DON'T WISH TO USE THE RECOVERY SERVICES.
>> WE'RE ALL AROUND THE TULSA AREA.
WE PROVIDE HARM-REDUCTION KITS, WE PROVIDE BLANKETS IF IT'S COLD AND ENGAGE PEOPLE IN TREATMENT.
>> Reporter: THE GROUP NETWORKS WITH OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE ACCESS TO CARE TULSANS NEED.
KENNEDY SEPULVADO, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
KENNEDY, THANKS.
MIGRATION INTO OKLAHOMA IS ON THE RISE, AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR COMPANIES LOOKING TO HIRE, AS WE LEARN IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, OKLAHOMA'S POPULATION HAS SURPASSED 4 MILLION PEOPLE, THANKS TO PEOPLE MOVING HERE FROM OTHER STATES.
ACCORDING TO THE TULSA WORLD, 88 PERCENT OF THE NEARLY 65,000 NET INCREASE IS DUE TO "IN MIGRATION" AND THAT'S GIVING OKLAHOMA EMPLOYERS A BIGGER POOL OF QUALIFIED WORKERS TO CHOOSE FROM.
CALIFORNIA SUFFERED THE GREATEST EXODUS, WITH MORE THAN 500,000 RESIDENTS LEAVING, WHILE FLORIDA AND TEXAS SAW THE GREATEST INCREASES IN POPULATION DUE TO STATE-TO-STATE MIGRATION.
>>> THE OKLAHOMA CONSERVATION COMMISSION IS REPORTING OKLAHOMA DEER HUNTERS ARE ON TRACK TO PRODUCE AN ALL-TIME RECORD HARVEST FOR THE 2022-23 SEASONS.
THE DEPARTMENT SAYS ALMOST 129,000 DEER HAVE BEEN CULLED.
THE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES DEER HUNTERS PROVIDE AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL IMPACT OF MORE THAN $600 MILLION DOLLARS TO OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY.
>>> THE 37TH ANNUAL CHILI BOWL IS UNDERWAY AT THE EXPO SQUARE IN TULSA.
THE INTERNATIONAL RACING EVENT IS EXPECTED TO LURE UPWARDS OF 75,000 PEOPLE AND PUMP MORE THAN $30 MILLION DOLLARS INTO THE TULSA METRO AREA ECONOMY, ABOUT $17 MILLION OF THAT SPENT ON HOTELS AND THE REST ON SHOPPING, EATING AND TOURISM.
>>> THE CITY OF NORMAN SHOULD RECEIVE A BIG ECONOMIC BOOST THIS WEEKEND WHEN MORE THAN 2,000 SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETES GATHER FOR THE 26TH ANNUAL STATE WINTER GAMES JANUARY 12TH THROUGH THE 14TH.
THE EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITITIES IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA.
>>> OG&E IS EXPANDING IT'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE "MEALS ON WHEELS" PROGRAM, DONATING $50,000 DOLLARS TO CREATE A NEW SERVICE ROUTE IN WEST OKLAHOMA CITY.
OG&E VOLUNTEER EMPLOYEES WILL DELIVER THE MEALS TO MORE THAN 70 SENIORS IN THAT AREA.
IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, ONE IN 12 SENIOR CITIZENS LIVES IN POVERTY AND MORE THAN 16,000 LACK ACCESS TO THE HEALTHY FOODS THEY NEED.
>>> THE OKLAHOMA-BASED ANDOLINI'S RESTAURANT GROUP WILL ATTEMPT TO SET A GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORD FOR LARGEST PIZZA PARTY TO BENEFIT "MAKE A WISH" OKLAHOMA.
THE ATTEMPT IS SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 AT 5:45, PRIOR TO THE START OF TU'S BASKETBALL GAME AGAINST TULANE.
THE GOAL IS TO RAISE $15,000 FOR "MAKE A WISH" OKLAHOMA.
EACH PARTICIPANT MUST FINISH TWO SMALL SLICES OF PIZZA AND A BOTTLE OF WATER.
THIS IS THE “OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.
” >>> ONE MORE BUSINESS STORY FOR YOU.
THE OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENTION CENTER IS CELEBRATING ITS SECOND BIRTHDAY, AND SO FAR, IT'S EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.
THE CENTER WAS IN USE FOR 317 DAYS IN 2022, WITH MORE THAN 195,000 PEOPLE ATTENDING 149 IMMERSIVE EXHIBIT," WHICH ENDS NEXT WEEK.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CONVENTION CENTER ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY IS JUST SHY OF $30 MILLION AND THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GROW IN 2023.
>> WE HAVE ABOUT EIGHT NATIONAL EVENTS THIS YEAR, STARTING THE END OF JANUARY WITH AMERICAN SPIRIT CHAMPIONSHIPS, WHICH IS A NATIONAL CHEER CHAMPIONSHIP THAT WE'LL BRING IN ABOUT 15,000.
WE HAVE THE AMERICAN FENCE ASSOCIATION WHO'S DOING A VERY LARGE EVENT USING THE ENTIRE BUILDING IN FEBRUARY.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER NATIONAL EVENTS THIS YEAR, LIKE I SAID, A TOTAL OF EIGHT.
AND THEN WE HAVE A GOOD COMBINATION OF SOME LOCAL AREA EVENTS LIKE LIFE CHURCH HAS A LARGE EVENT HERE AND A LOT OF OUR LOCAL COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS DO SOME REALLY, REALLY GREAT EVENTS, SMALL AND LARGE.
>> THE CONVENTION CENTER IS A "MAPS 3" PROJECT THAT COST $288 MILLION DOLLARS TO COMPLETE.
IT OPENED IN JANUARY OF 2021.
CULTURAL APPROPRIATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN AMERICA FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, FROM MULTIPLE SPORTS TEAMS ADOPTING THE NAMES OF TRIBES TO PEOPLE DONNING TRADITIONAL NATIVE DRESS, THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT'S ACCEPTABLE, OR SIMPLY, INAPPROPRIATE CONTINUES.
THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "IN-DEPTH" CONVERSATION ” WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.
>> THANK YOU, RICH.
WE HAVE A LOT TO DOES AND WHAT A GREAT PANEL WE HAVE TO HELP US.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE WENDY.
SHE'S OSAGE NATION.
WE HAVE BRENT IN THE MIDDLE.
SHE'S A NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIST AND TOM FERRIS WITH THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHO WE'RE HEARING FROM TODAY.
WENDY, WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU.
>> AS YOU SAID, I'M A MEMBER OF THE OSAGE NATION.
I AM A FASHION DESIGNER AND RETIRED PROFESSOR.
I HAVE MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE AND A MASTER'S IN ART THERAPY.
>> YOU WENT TO THE PARSON SCHOOL OF DESIGN?
>> YES.
I KNOW THAT FROM TV.
THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> BRENT, HOW ABOUT YOU?
>> I'VE WORKED IN A LOT OF MUSEUMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I'M A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.
I'M A CHEYENNE-ARAPAHOE.
>> TOM, YOU'RE WITH THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM.
>> WELL, I'VE WORKED IN NATIVE AMERICAN ART AND RETAIL FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST FOR THE LAST TEN.
I ALSO HAVE ART IN SEVERAL MUSEUMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
UM, BUT, YEAH, I -- I GET TO GO AND PLAY AND REPRESENT MY FRIENDS EVERY DAY AND WORK WITH OTHER NATIVE ARTISTS.
IT'S A LOT OF FUN.
>> BRENT, LET'S TALK ABOUT -- LET'S START WITH YOU AND TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE CREATING YOUR ARTWORK, AND YOU DO KIND OF A CONTEMPORARY, MODERN TYPE OF WORK.
UM, WHAT STORY ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL?
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO REPRESENT?
>> WHEN I PAINT, I DO VARIOUS STYLES, BUT I'M KNOWN FOR MY BRIGHT, BOLD COLOR PIECES.
I'M TRYING TO TELL THE STORIES OF MY ANCESTORS, GIVE THEM A VOICE.
I'M TELLING THEIR STORIES THROUGH MY ART, GIVING THEM A VOICE.
I TELL YOUNG ARTISTS, YOU'RE AN AMBASSADOR OF YOUR TRIBE, YOU'RE TELLING THE STORIES OF YOUR PEOPLE.
SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE TO DO, IS TO TRY TO TELL STORIES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD, YOU KNOW, THE LAST TWO PROJECTS I PUT TOGETHER, ONE WAS A FEW YEARS AGO, THE SAND CREEK MASSACRE, I DID THAT WITH SEVERAL OTHER CHEYENNE-ARAPAHOE ARTISTS.
WE HAD GOTTEN TOGETHER AND TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, DOING A SHOW LIKE THIS.
ONE, IT HASN'T BEEN DONE WITH TRIBE MEMBERS COMING TOGETHER AND EXPRESSING A STORY THAT HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON US WITH ALL THE TRAUMA AND TRIBULATIONS.
IT STILL AFFECTS OUR TRIBAL MEMBERS TODAY.
SO, I GO, WELL, THERE HADN'T BEEN A SHOW ABOUT THE BATTLE OF WATCETAP.
IT WAS A GENOCIDE.
WE'RE ALL DESCENDANTS FROM THE SAND CREEK MASSACRE AND THE BATTLE WHICH HAPPENED RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.
>> SO, THE GENOCIDE IS THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT RELATES TO THAT.
NOW, YOU'RE WEARING A SHIRT.
YOU'RE ALSO SPREADING INTO FASHION HERE.
>> I DID THIS A FEW YEARS AGO.
RIGHT BEFORE COVID, I PUT TOGETHER A SHOW IN CHICAGO, BUT IT HAD TO BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF COVID.
FROM THAT, I JUST KIND OF MOVED ON AND DID OTHER THINGS.
I DO DABBLE IN FASHION.
I DO MAKE CERTAIN IMAGES THAT ARE PUT ON SKIRTS AND SHIRTS AND TIES AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.
>> A LOT OF ARTISTS ARE DOING THAT.
THAT'S A NICE SEGUE TO WENDY.
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FASHION.
WHAT NATIVE AMERICAN INFLUENCES DO YOU PUT INTO YOUR DESIGNS?
AND WHAT KIND OF DESIGNS DO YOU PUT OUT?
THAT SCARF IS SOMETHING YOU DESIGNED, WHICH I LOVE.
>> THANK YOU.
I DO MY OWN SILK PRINTING ON SILK, LINEN, WOOL AND COTTON.
I DO COMPLETE TAILORING FROM THE GROUND UP.
I PRODUCE MY OWN PATTERNS.
I ALSO DO JEWELRY, TRADITIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CLOTHING AND, OF COURSE, CONTEMPORARY CLOTHING.
>> THE DESIGNS YOU PUT IN, NATIVE AMERICAN DESIGNS, WHERE DO THOSE COME FROM?
>> FROM MY TRIBE.
>> OKAY.
>> I USE SOME REALLY OLD, LIKE, PET TRE GLIF SYMBOLS AND/OR CARVINGS FROM THE MAYANS AND PERUVIAN INDIANS.
BUT I TWIST THEM A LITTLE BIT, CHANGE THEM A LITTLE BIT TO BE MY OWN STYLE.
SO, THAT'S THE SYMBOLISM I USE.
>> TOM, WHAT NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE INFORMS YOUR ART?
>> I KIND OF STICK WITH MY OWN TRIBES.
UM, THE CHEROKEES, WE HAVE -- I LIKE TO USE OUR LANGUAGE A LOT, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW TRIBES WITH OUR OWN WRITTEN LANGUAGE.
IT LENDS ITSELF WELL TO A VISUAL MEDIA.
I INCORPORATE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE QUITE A BIT.
THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL RIBBON WORK HISTORY THAT CONTINUES TODAY.
SO, I CAN INCORPORATE THOSE PATTERNS.
I REALLY DRAW ON THOSE TWO FROM MY OWN TRIBES.
>> YOU'RE WEARING BEAUTIFUL TURQUOISE JEWELRY, DISTINCTLY NATIVE AMERICAN.
I WANT TO GET INTO APPROPRIATION.
WHAT DOES APPROPRIATION MEAN TO YOU?
>> SO, I HAD -- I ACTUALLY READ THIS.
AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY SIMPLE AND ELEGANT WAY TO PUT THIS.
AND YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO "A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS."
WHEN JACK SKELLINGTON DISCOVERS CHRISTMAS, HE LOVES IT.
THAT'S GREAT.
WHEN HE TRIES TO TAKE IT OVER, THAT'S APPROPRIATION.
YOU TRY TO BE JACK SKELLINGTON AT THE BEGINNING RATHER THAN THE OWNED.
>> DOES THAT MEAN I CAN'T WEAR THAT NECKLACE IF I LIKED IT?
>> NO.
THIS JEWELRY WAS ORIGINALLY MADE AS TOURISM TRADE.
SANTA FE DEVELOPED TOURISM IN THE '20s, '30s.
THEY STARTED MAKING JEWELRY FOR THAT SPECIFIC REALITY.
AND SO, THERE'S A LONG HISTORY OF NATIVE-MADE ITEMS THAT WERE MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TOURIST TRADE.
NOW, A LOT OF THE DESIGNS AND A LOT OF THE CONSTRUCTION WERE BASED ON THINGS IN CEREMONIES.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY -- THIS IS A SOUTHWESTERN PIECE, NOT TRIBAL TRADITION, BUT THIS REPLICATES A BEAR CLAW NECKLACE WHICH IS RELEVANT.
IT'S KIND OF AN INTERESTING CROSSOVER PIECE.
>> BRENT, WHERE IS THE LINE BETWEEN APPRECIATION AND APPROPRIATION?
IS THAT A BLURRED LINE, OR IS THAT A DISTINCT LINE?
>> I THINK IT'S KIND OF A BLURRED LINE.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ART.
YOU KNOW, BUT YOU'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT A CULTURE.
AND WHAT PEOPLE LIKE TO DO IS THEY LIKE TO GROUP INDIANS ALL TOGETHER, BECAUSE THERE'S 500 NATIONS HERE IN NORTH AMERICAN.
WE'RE ALL NOT THE SAME.
LIKE TOM JUST SAID, THEY'RE DISTINGUISHED BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN WRITTEN LANGUAGE.
YOU KNOW, OURS IS MORE ORAL, MORE TAUGHT TO YA.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE LIKES TO THROW INDIANS ALL IN TOGETHER, LIKE WE'RE ALL ONE AND WE ALL THINK THE SAME.
NO.
THERE'S 500 DIFFERENT NATIONS, SO 500 DIFFERENT WAYS PEOPLE ARE GONNA REACT TO IT.
AS FOR IT BEING AN ART, YOU KNOW, YOU -- YOU GET -- YOU KNOW, LIKE FOR MYSELF, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THIS IS MY OPINION.
I GREW UP LOOKING AT OTHER ART FORMS, GETTING INSPIRATION AND JUST KIND OF TAKING WHAT THEY DID AND MAKING IT MY OWN.
SO AND, WHEN YOU THROW A LABEL ON IT, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A SOCIETY THAT LIKES TO THROW LABELS ON THINGS.
JUST REAL QUICK, YOU KNOW, YOU KEEP REFERRING TO US AS NAVES.
-- NATIVES.
I LIKE TO BE REFERRED TO AS AN AMERICAN INDIAN.
THE REASON WHY IS WHAT WOULD YOU CALL A BLACK GUY FROM AMERICA?
>> WELL, IT USED TO BE AFRICAN, BUT NOW THEY PREFER BLACK.
>> WHAT DO YOU CALL A CANADIAN WHO'S BLACK?
>> FRENCH?
[LAUGHTER] >> NO.
>> NO.
YOU CALL THEM CANADIAN.
THE UNITED STATES IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WHERE THEY PUT A LABEL IN FRONT OF AN ETHIC GROUP.
I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THAT.
ALL WE'RE DOING IS JUST CHANGING THE LABELS, CHANGING TITLES.
>> HOW WOULD NON-NATIVES KNOW?
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SOMEONE LIKES TO BE ADDRESSED.
WOULD YOU TAKE OFFENSE.
>> LIKE, DID YOU TAKE OFFENSE WHEN I WAS SAYING NATIVE AMERICAN.
>> YOU CORRECT THEM.
HEY, I'M CHEYENNE-ARAPAHOE TRIBE, AN AMERICAN INDIAN.
THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE MY MOTHER GREW UP AS AN AMERICAN INDIAN.
AGAIN, THEY CHANGED THAT TITLE.
IT GETS TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN READ THE LATEST TABLOID AND SAYS A NATIVE FROM AUSTIN, I'M THINKING, ARE THEY AN INDIAN?
WHAT TRIBE?
>> YEAH.
>> SEE, IT'S GOTTEN SO GENERALIZED AND SO MANIPULATED TO WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW.
>> YEAH WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
I WANT TO GO TO WENDY REAL QUICK.
WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HER.
WHERE IS THE LINE FOR YOU?
IS IT A DISTINCT LINE FOR YOU, OR IS IT BLURRED?
>> FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE ALL SPEAKING ENGLISH, WE'RE NOT SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGES, SO IT'S SE MANICS.
I PREFER TO BE CALLED OSAGE.
AS FAR AS BEING UPSET ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE WOULD CALL US OR REFER US, I CAN'T CONTROL THAT.
EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN BIAS.
>> YOU KNOW, AMERICA'S JUST THIS MELTING POP, BUT THE TRIBES ARE SOVEREIGN NATIONS.
SO, I'M GUESSING NONE OF YOU HAS A PROBLEM WITH ME BUYING YOUR SCARF AND WEARING IT OR BUYING YOUR ART OR -- >> NO.
AS AN ARTIST -- >> YOU HAVE A POLO SWEATER ON THAT HAS THIS.
IS THAT APPROPRIATION BY POLO?
>> YES.
>> HOW SO?
>> BECAUSE THAT'S NOT -- RALPH LAUREN ISN'T NATIVE.
BUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THEY'RE JUST -- THE PROBLEM IS THAT WELL, NATIVES, AMERICAN INDIANS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO USE, NONE OF THEM ARE CORRECT.
WE ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED.
THAT'S A LOT TO ASK OF PEOPLE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, BRAND NEW MEETING YOU.
THE SHORT ANSWER IS THERE'S NOT REALLY A GOOD ANSWER.
BUT, YEAH, THERE'S -- THERE'S A LONG HISTORY OF -- OF THE DOMINANT CULTURE OF THIS COUNTRY REALLY EMBRACING THE IMAGE OF THAT NOBLE SAVAGE THING.
THAT'S JUST A THROWBACK TO THOSE SUMMER CAMPS AND REDSKINS AND ALL THESE FANTASTIC MASCOTS WE GET TO ENDURE.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, BRENT.
>> I LOOK AT IT AS CULTURE APPRECIATION.
THERE USED TO BE A TIME WHEN DOMINANT SOCIETY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURES.
AGAIN, THERE'S 500 DIFFERENT TRIBES.
TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND ONE OR TWO WILL BE HARD.
IT'S A WAY OF THEM APPRECIATIONING IT, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT, SO THEY USED THE IMAGERY AND MADE IT THEIR OWN AND PUT IT ON PRODUCTS AND EVERYTHING.
WELL, WE'RE AT A TIME NOW WHERE WE HAVE A CANCEL CULTURE THAT WANTS TO GET RID OF IT.
NO, THAT'S WRONG.
WHO ARE THEY SAY TO ANOTHER PERSON'S ART, BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ARTIST THAT DESIGNED THAT, TO SAY THAT IS WRONG.
I'M AN ARTIST THAT DOESN'T BELIEVE IN CENSORSHIP OF ANY KIND.
>> WENDY, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
>> I CAN'T JUDGE WHAT PEOPLE WEAR.
I CAN ONLY DESIGN WHAT I LIKE TO WEAR.
I DON'T JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE'S TASTE IN APPAREL.
I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THEY WOULD BUY MY DESIGNS.
>> I LOVE THAT.
SO, WE HAVE JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WEARING HEADDRESS FOR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES.
>> THAT IS A GATEWAY TO THAT, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
THE SAME WAY MASCOTS -- >> THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A HEADDRESS -- WHEN BRENT AND I WERE TALKING BEFORE, THAT'S LIKE WEARING A CONGRESSIONAL MELD OF HONOR WHEN YOU DIDN'T EARN IT, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S THE MOST IDENTIFIED NATIVE IMAGE.
THAT'S MOSTLY A PLAINS TRIBAL HISTORY.
THAT'S JUST THE MIDDLE STRIP OF AMERICA.
YOU HAVE THE EAST COAST, WEST COAST TRIBES, YOU HAVE ALL THESE OTHER TRIBES THAT DON'T HAVE THAT TRADITION, BUT THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE IDENTIFY AS INDIAN.
>> FOR SOMEONE TO DRESS UP NATIVE AMERICAN AND THEY'RE NOT -- I SEE IT ON TV SHOWS.
THEY'RE MAKING FUN OF SOMEONE WHO DRESSED UP WHEN THEY WERE KID AS AN AMERICAN INDIAN WITH THE HEADDRESS AND THE OUTFIT, WHICH I'M OLD ENOUGH, THAT WAS NORMAL BACK IN THE DAY, AND NOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING IN TROUBLE FOR IT.
>> A FEW YEARS AGO I DID A PROJECT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WHERE I WAS PART OF A CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM GOING OVER TO SIBERIA.
I WAS TO INTERVIEW 25 DIFFERENT ARTISTS.
I ASKED THEM BASIC QUESTIONS.
YOU KNOW, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
WHAT TRIBE ARE YA?
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
BEING YOU'RE FROM THAT TRIBE, CAN YOU TELL ME A STORY THAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE FROM THOSE PEOPLE?
OUT OF 25 PEOPLE THAT I INTERVIEWED, ONLY THREE COULD REALLY ANSWER THAT.
AND I'M, LIKE, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TELLING PEOPLE YOU'RE AN ARTIST, YOU'RE AN INDIAN ARTIST, YOU'VE BEEN DO THIS FO X-AMOUNT OF YEARS, YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHY YOU'RE PROUD TO BE FROM THAT PEOPLE OR WHAT STORIES ARE SIGNIFICANT FROM THAT TRIBE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE BECAUSE YOU'RE EDUCATING DOMINANT SOCIETY?
I SAID IT'S OKAY NOT TO KNOW, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO GET FROM THIS IS SHOW THAT WE NEED TO TEACH AMERICAN HISTORY, INDIAN HISTORY TO A LOT OF KIDS.
>> YEAH.
>> AND GOING WITH THE DIFFERENCE OF CULTURAL APPRECIATION OR APPROPRIATION.
DOMINANT SOCIETY DOESN'T KNOW.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND WHAT'S NOT.
>> IT'S SO MUCH TO COVER, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT IN THESE FUSE -- FEW MINUTES.
I FEEL A LITTLE LESS WORRIED.
NOW, I WOULD LOOK SILLY IF I DRESSED IN FULL INDIAN REGALIA, YOU KNOW, BUT THERE'S HIGH FASHION, AMERICAN INDIAN, NATIVE AMERICAN HIGH FASHION.
THAT SHIRT, I LOVE THAT SHIRT.
I LOVE THE NECKLACE.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU WEAR IT ALL TOGETHER -- USE YOUR BEST DISCRETION, I GUESS, AND GIVE PEOPLE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT?
>> YEAH, A MISHMASH OF THOSE CULTURES MIGHT BE AN ODD THING.
THAT'S USUALLY WHEN NATIVE CAN PICK OUT.
THAT'S A HEADDRESS AND A SQUASH BLOSSOM AND MOCCASINS.
>> WE DON'T KNOW.
WE SHOULD TRY TO LEARN, LIKE WE LEARN ABOUT OUR CULTURES.
>> RIGHT.
>> CORRECT?
>> YES.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND KIND OF EDUCATING ME AND I HOPE SOME OTHER FOLKS ALONG WITH MYSELF ON THIS ISSUE.
THANK YOU, AGAIN, VERY MUCH.
IT'S BEEN GREAT.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> GREAT PANEL THERE.
>> IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW," WE TAKE A TRIP TO COLORADO WHERE WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EXCAVATION AND PRESERVATION OF "WALTER" AND HOW THAT TASK HAS GIVEN ONE WOMAN A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.
IT'S A GREAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR FRIENDS AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS IN DENVER.
♪ >> HI, I'M SUE.
I'M MANAGER AT THE COLORADO NORTHWESTERN FIELD MUSEUM.
IT IS HOUSED AT THE COLORADO NORTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE CRAIG CAMPUS.
ONE OF MY JOBS HERE IS I TAKE SAND AND ROCK AND STONES OFF DINOSAUR BONES AND GET THEM READY TO PUT INTO OUR COLLECTIONS.
THEN I TAKE AND I RECORD THEM INTO THE BOOKS AND ACTUALLY MAKE THE -- KEEP TRACK OF THE COLLECTIONS.
SO, THE COLORADO OVERNIGHT PERIOD FIELD MUSEUM STARTED IN 2015 AFTER WALTER THE DOG FIND A DINOSAUR BONE.
SO WE DECIDED TO CALL THE DINOSAUR WALTER AND WE'VE BEEN EXCAVATING HIM SINCE 2015, WHICH IS NOT VERY LONG AGO.
2015, BLM SHOULD US TO BECOME A FOSSIL REPOSITORY.
WE CAN HOUSE BONES FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO BONES FOUND IN NORTHWESTERN COLORADO CAN STAY IN NORTHWESTERN COLORADO AND NOT HAVE TO GO OVER TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
-- DENVER.
>> WHAT MAKES WALTER SIGNIFICANT IS IN THE FORMATION THAT WALTER WAS FOUND IN, THE MESA VERDE FORMATION, 74 MILLION YEARS OLD.
EITHER THE BONES ARE PERFECT, PRISTINE; OR THEY ARE HORRIBLE IN TERMS OF THEIR PRESERVATION.
WALTER IS ON THE REALLY GOOD SIDE.
MOST OF HIS BONES ARE INTACT.
MOST OF THE BONES ARE FANTASTIC QUALITY, AND WE HAVE THE PRESERVATION OF TENDONS, OSSIFIED TEN DUN -- TENDONS.
THEY ARE EXIT IT IS QUALITY OF A DINOSAUR.
IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY SEE WHAT THE RANGE OF THESE DINOSAURS WERE, WHAT THE AGE WAS LIKE OF THESE DINOSAURS.
WALTER IS VERY BIG, BIGGER THAN MOST THE DINOSAURS THAT ARE FOUND IN THIS AREA.
HOW CAN SKIN AND SOFT TISSUES PRESERVE WHEN THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO?
SKIN SHOULD BE GONE, WELL GONE BEFORE ANYTHING FOSSILIZES.
IT'S HERE.
>> IRONICALLY, IN 2014, WHEN WALTER THE DOG WAS FINDING THE BONE THAT BECAME WALTER, I WAS IN MICHIGAN FIGHTING CANCER.
WHEN YOU ARE BATTLING CANCER, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT THOUGHTS AND THINGS GO THROUGH YOUR MIND.
ONE OF THE THINGS I DECIDED WAS I WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO COLORADO.
I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE MOUNTAINS IN SCHOOL.
I CAME BACK OUT HERE.
I POINTED ON A MAP, AND IT HAPPENED TO BE CRAIG, COLORADO.
I GOT ON THE TRAIN AND ROAD THAT TO THE BUS STATION AND CAME UP HERE TO CRAIG.
OKAY, WHEN I CAME IN TO CRAIG, COLORADO AND ACTUALLY CAME DOWN TO THE REPOSITORY, PALEONTOLOGISTS LET ME TOUCH THE SKIN.
WHEN I WENT LIKE THIS, I SAID, HOW DO I GET HERE?
AS SOON AS I PETTED WALTER'S SKIN, THAT'S IT, UM, THEY CAN'T GET RID OF ME.
I'M HERE.
AND I JUST LOVE WHAT I DO.
I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER THAN WHAT I AM NOW.
♪ ON THE NEXT "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVISTS SAY THE LAND RUN MOMUMENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY DOESN'T TELL OR REPRESENT THE WHOLE STORY, AND THEY WANT IT CHANGED.
SOON, IT WILL BE.
KENNEDY SEPULVADO REPORTS.
AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE AMAZING "VAN GOGH IMMERSIVE" EXHIBIT PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.
'S LUIS RENDON.
IF YOU ENJOY THE NEWSCAST, PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.
FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.
STAY SAFE AND STAY TUNED TO O.E.T.A.!!
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