The National Native American Hall of Fame Is committed to providing generational continuity with the past while exemplifying and honoring the evolving Native American in modern society.
The National Native American Hall of Fame new headquarters at Sundial Mansion, OK
TOURS
Your presence, support, and shared celebration of Native excellence meant the world to us. As we move into our next chapter, the Museum will be open to the public by appointment only. This allows us to offer each visitor a more personal, meaningful experience while we continue building toward all that's ahead. To schedule your visit, please reach out to us at info@nativehalloffame.org and a member of our team will be glad to assist you.
WHO WE ARE
The National Native American Hall of Fame will serve as a unique resource for identifying and honoring contemporary pathmakers, new heroes, and significant contributors to American society.
The major focus of the Hall of Fame will be from the Civil War period up until the present day. This time frame was chosen because the Civil War was a milestone event in Native American history in a unique and “modern” sense because Natives fought on both sides of that national conflict. This phenomenon was happening at the same time that Geronimo and the Apaches, Quanah Parker and the Comanches, and many Plains and western tribes were fighting against U.S. forces in the West.
OUR LOCATION
The National Native American Hall of Fame is located at the historic Sundial Mansion in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Hall of Fame is open by appointment only until additional parking space is installed, particularly for tour and school buses. To schedule your visit, please contact us at info@nativehalloffame.org, and a team member will be glad to assist you.
OUR MISSION
To recognize and honor the inspirational achievements of Native Americans in contemporary history.
OUR PURPOSE
The National Native American Hall of Fame helps people understand how Native Americans overcame the hopelessness of early reservations, the trauma of Indian boarding schools, poverty, discrimination, racism, and the cultural divide to not only adapt, but to achieve greatness in many areas of endeavor.
OUR HISTORY
The National Native American Hall of Fame was founded and incorporated in Great Falls, Montana, in 2016 by James Parker Shield.
The inaugural National Native American Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held in November 2018 at the former Phoenix Indian School site in Phoenix, Arizona, where twelve notable Native Americans were enshrined.
The second Induction Ceremony was held in November 2019 at the Cherokee Nation-owned Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Induction ceremonies have been held every year since, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. November was selected for the induction ceremonies to coincide with Native American Heritage Month.
In 2022, the Hall of Fame moved operations from Great Falls, Montana, to a rented building on the First Americans Museum campus in Oklahoma City. It operated there until November 2026, when the Hall of Fame purchased the Sundial Mansion as its permanent home. The official Grand Opening Ceremony was held at the mansion on June 6, 2026.
The objectives are:
Conduct Annual Induction Ceremonies
Pursue development of a facility to be the home of the Hall of Fame
Develop a traveling exhibit
Develop a Hall of Fame education curriculum
The inaugural Induction Ceremony was held in November 2018 at the former Phoenix Indian School site in Phoenix, Arizona. Twelve notable Native Americans were enshrined.
The second Induction Ceremony was held in November 2019 at the Cherokee Nation-owned Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. November was chosen as the month for the Induction Ceremonies because it is “Native American Month.”
In 2019, the Hall of Fame received funds to develop its “Inspirational Leadership” curriculum. Twenty-four lessons were developed; one on each inductee. Linked to the curriculum were videotaped interviews of inductees or a family member.
In November 2020, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the Hall of Fame placed a twenty-foot-long banner on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., next to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. Due to the COVID pandemic, a ceremony was not held in 2020.
On February 19, 2021, the First Americans Museum, located in Oklahoma City, issued a Press Release announcing they have agreed to collaborate on the development of a permanent home for the National Native American Hall of Fame, currently located in Great Falls, Montana. Both organizations share common goals to advance knowledge and understanding of First Americans and their contributions to the world.
In October of 2022, the Hall of Fame moved operations from Great Falls, Montana, to a temporary building on the First Americans Museum campus and opened the HOF Exhibit.
An education curriculum with biographical lesson plans based on individual Hall of Fame members was developed. The Hall of Fame “Inspirational Leadership” curriculum is now used in schools across the nation.
The 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Induction Ceremonies were held at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. The 2025 Induction Ceremony was held at the Chickasaw Nation-owned OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. The 2026 ceremony will again be held at OKANA.
