The National Native American Hall of Fame has found a new home in Oklahoma City’s historic Sundial Mansion, located near North Kelley Avenue and Northeast 42nd Street. The Hall of Fame was previously located in Great Falls, Montana, but its founder and CEO, James Parker Shield, chose Oklahoma City for its geographic centrality and high population of Native Americans.

Why Oklahoma City?

Shield said the city’s location and Native American population made it an obvious choice. “It’s geographic centrality in the United States. Secondly, its high population of Native Americans, you know, home to 39 tribes, made it obvious,” he said. The Sundial Mansion, built in 1915 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, was previously the home of John Sinopoulo, a Greek immigrant and entertainment pioneer in Oklahoma City.

The Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor the achievements of contemporary Native Americans. “Our mission is basically to recognize and honor the achievements of more contemporary Native Americans, specifically those that are from the turn of the century until today,” Shield said. Currently, the Hall of Fame is open by appointment only, but there are plans to expand access to the public.

The Hall of Fame also allows nominations for inductees, with its board of directors ensuring a balance between tribes, occupations, and gender. For more information on the Hall of Fame, visit their website.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.