CONCHO, Okla. – The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ television station, CATV47, received the Big Bird Partnership Award Wednesday from OETA for its contribution to the “Native Oklahoma” TV series.

“We are incredibly proud of our CATV47 crew,” stated Eddie Hamilton, Governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. “Without their involvement and hard work the Cheyenne and Arapaho’s would not be recognized for this historical contribution. On behalf of all tribal members, I want to express deep appreciation for their dedication to this project.”

In early summer 2013, Cheyenne and Arapaho Television CATV47 met with Dan Schiedel, Executive Director at the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA.)

CATV47’s staff collaborated with Schiedel to help OETA come up with ideas to better serve their Native viewers.  The idea for “Native Oklahoma” came out of that meeting; a 30 minute program about Oklahoma tribes featuring stories produced by the tribes themselves, giving each tribe an opportunity to tell their own stories in their own words. CATV47 became a leadership partner and put the first episode together.

This groundbreaking effort is unprecedented in Oklahoma which is home to 39 tribes.

“We just thought it would be a great opportunity for all the tribes to get together and make it happen,” said Randy Burleson, CATV47 Director. “OETA offered us the airtime to showcase the Native Americans of Oklahoma, and that is what we set out to do. CATV47 has gained knowledge of the different cultures as each tribe gave a little bit of their story. The Osage shared of their ceremonial dance, I’n-Lon-Schka. I did not know what that meant to them and now I do. It has been an enriching experience for all of us.”

Along with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and the Osage, the Cherokee, Choctaw, Ponca and Kiowa tribes also contributed to “Native Oklahoma”. CATV47 Producer Darren Brown wrote the introductions to each video and acted as the host of the show.

Brown stated, “I’m surprised that a show like this hasn’t been done before, and the overwhelming positive response we’ve received from the Native community lets us know there is a need for more of it.”

The second episode of “Native Oklahoma” is slated to air in March next year. It will focus on Vietnam Veterans and how the different tribes prepared their warriors for battle.

For more information about CATV47 and to view their videos and full length programs, visit www.catv47.com or http://www.youtube.com/user/MyCATV47