I've lived in Oklahoma the biggest part of my life and my husband has lived here all of his. I met my husband in high school and we've stayed right here to raise our girls. We are lucky enough to be able to raise our children in a small town with a large focus on community.  I am very proud of our town and the wonderful experiences that a child can have growing up here.  I thought it would be neat to share some basic facts about our state with you and give you a little background about our area. We are not all Native Americans (Indians); though my husband and I both have Cherokee blood (I'm actually the descendant of an Indian chief, so my daughters love the idea of having a little bit of Indian princess in them) you really couldn't tell by looking at either one of us.

Our Capital: Oklahoma City
Statehood: November 16, 1907
State Bird: the scissor-tail flycatcher
State Floral Emblem: mistletoe
State Flower: Oklahoma Rose
State Reptile: mountain boomer lizard

Our state flag was adopted in 1925 designed by Mrs. George Fluke, Jr.  The blue background was borrowed from the blue flag the Choctaw warriors carried during the Civil War.  The shield is an Osage warrior's made from buffalo hide and decorated with eagle feathers.  The shield is decorated with white crosses represented high ideals.  In front of the shield are a calumet (ceremonial peace pipe) and an olive branch, symbols of peace for Native Americans and European-American settlers.  The name Oklahoma was later added in 1941.

 

The Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma is a tribute to the state's Indian heritage and its hope for the future. The central design consists of one large star, representing the state of Oklahoma, surrounded by 45 small stars, representing each of the other states of the Union. The large star that symbolizes Oklahoma features five radiating arms, one for each of the five Civilized Indian Nations. The top ray is for the Chickasaw Nation, and holds a warrior with a bow and a shield. The upper right ray represents the Choctaw Nation, with a bow, three arrows, and a tomahawk. The lower right ray honors the Seminole Nation, with a hunter in a canoe. The lower left ray is for the Creek Nation, and holds a sheaf of wheat and a plow. And the upper left ray is the seal of the Cherokee Nation, with a seven-pointed star and a wreath of oak leaves. The center of the main star shows an Indian shaking hands with a white man, symbolizing the merging of cultures. Olive branches encircle this image, representing the hope for peace. The state motto "Labor Omina Vincit", or "Labor Conquers All", displays on the seal, and the entire seal is ringed with "Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma 1907".