Oklahoma
Oklahoma Land Run anniversary: What to know about rocky history, Bricktown sculpture updates
Over 130 years ago this month, thousands of settlers rushed to stake their claim of 160 acres in the so-called “unassigned lands” of Oklahoma territory, marking the beginning of what would eventually become the state of Oklahoma.
That event, which started on April 22, 1889, is also a source of generational trauma for many Oklahoma tribal members, who are reminded by the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run of their ancestors’ forcible removal here. There are 39 federally recognized tribes based in Oklahoma today, many of whom were granted or sold land that was a fraction of the areas they previously occupied for centuries.
Since their removal, they have endured decades of hardship, from boarding schools where students were forced to cut their hair, only speak English and were often abused, to continued loss of land through government allotments and subsequent land runs, and suppression of tribal sovereignty.
Here’s what to know about the 1889 land run, how it originated, and the effects it still has today.
Oklahoma Land Rush: Where did ‘Unassigned Lands’ come from?
The land, nearly 1.9 million acres, was deemed open for settlement 23 years after the Five Tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee/Creek, and Seminole) signed new treaties with the United States in 1866, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
The tribes ceded portions of their land — along with agreeing to end slavery, allow railroads to enter the area and grant former slaves full tribal citizenship — after signing treaties with and fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Much of that land was used to remove other tribes to the area, the Oklahoma Historical Society said, including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Comanche and others.
But a large portion of land in the center of the state remained empty, and was eventually deemed “unassigned.” There were campaigns to open the land up for settlement, but because of stipulations in 1866 treaties with the Creek and Seminole, the land was supposed to be used only for re-settlement of other native tribes.
But in 1889, the Creek and Seminole tribes presented proposals to relinquish any claim they previously had on the land, placing the land in the public domain.
The legal basis for opening the Oklahoma District, now called the Unassigned Lands, came
So in 1889, in the U.S. Congress amended the Indian Appropriations Bill to authorize President Benjamin Harrison to proclaim the two-million-acre region open for settlement. That spring, would-be settlers flooded the area in preparation, and on April 22, 1889, guns and cannons went off at noon, marking the “opening” of Oklahoma for non-native settlement.
Changes coming near Oklahoma City land run monument
For decades, the land run has been celebrated and even re-enacted at elementary schools. But those events have drawn protest from groups like the Society to Protect Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Treaties (SPIRIT), and many schools have stopped the practice.
But a permanent, bronze, larger-than-life monument to the land run stands tall in Lower Bricktown. A set of 45 statues depicts the event, stretching 365 feet across the southern end of the Bricktown Canal.
The monument, created by Oklahoma artist and citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Paul Moore, has been the recipient of protest since 2007 when SPIRIT formed to oppose centennial statehood celebrations.
The group again protested the monument and its heroic depiction of land run participants during the summer of 2020 and the racial reckoning which was bringing down monuments across the nation that honored people like Christopher Columbus and Confederate Army generals.
The group met with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who rejected a proposal to tear down the monument completely but helped connect the group with the late city arts liaison Robbie Kienzle.
Since then, the group and the city have been working together to provide more context to the monument, specifically from the perspective of indigenous peoples. A report was presented in 2022 to the Oklahoma City Arts Commission — compiled by mother-and-son Anita Fields, who is Osage and Muscogee, and Yatika Fields, who is Osage, Muscogee and Cherokee — which determined the monument is one-sided and “hurtful” to Oklahoma’s Indigenous communities.
Randy Marks, Oklahoma City’s Arts Program Planner, said the city expects to announce within the next three months a Request for Proposals for a “cultural exhibit” that will be adjacent to the land run monument.
“The exhibit will convey an indigenous perspective on the indigenous cultural and historical context leading up to and including the land run event,” Marks said.
Oklahoma is so close it can taste it.
The No. 8 Sooners have to take care of LSU on Senior Day to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019, but OU won’t be at full strength for the final push.
Center Jake Maikkula is doubtful for Saturday’s contest between the Sooners and the Tigers, throwing one last wrench into things for Oklahoma as it tries to secure its spot in the CFP.
Here are three matchups OU must win to get across the finish line at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Receiver Isaiah Sategna is the Sooners’ only big-play option on offense.
He was able to turn a quick slant into an 87-yard score last week against Missouri, and he may have to bail Oklahoma’s offense out against LSU.
The shuffling up front will likely see right guard Febechi Nwaiwu slide over to center, and even if the Sooners were healthy up front, running backs Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock are playing hurt.
OU’s quick passing game may have to take the place of any non-quarterback running game, and Sategna breaking off one or two of those plays for a big gain could help provide enough separation for Oklahoma’s defense to go to work.
LSU will also be without its center.
Braelin Moore, who has played in every game this year, was ruled out for Saturday’s contest.
Backup DJ Chester, who is expected to step in for Moore, will have his hands full.
OU defensive tackles Gracen Halton, David Stone, Damonic Williams and Jayden Jackson have formed one of the best position groups in college football, and they’ll be able to throw every look at Chester.
Todd Bates’ defensive tackles seamlessly stunt and twist, as well as overpowering opposing offensive lines, and if Chester can’t digest what he’s seeing in front of him, quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. could have defenders in his face all afternoon.
LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green will be one of Van Buren’s key weapons on Saturday — especially if he’s constantly on the run.
The 6-foot-7 tight end is a matchup nightmare for any defense, though he’s still just fourth on the team with 28 catches for 323 yards. Green does lead the Tigers with five touchdown receptions, however.
Thankfully for the Sooners, they have their own matchup nightmare on defense.
Kendal Daniels has proven his worth week after week this year, proving he can step up and play the right while also seamlessly dropping back into coverage.
With defensive back Reggie Powers III suspended for the first half due to a second half targeting last week, Daniels’ role will be even bigger in Saturday’s first half.
If he can win his battles against Green, the Sooners will be able to take away one more weapon from an LSU offense that has struggled all year, which is a comfortable plan of attack for Brent Venables and his defense.
The health situation along Oklahoma’s offensive line is headed in the wrong direction ahead of the Sooners’ regular season finale.
OU center Jake Maikkula was downgraded from questionable for Saturday’s contest, as was guard Heath Ozaeta on Thursday’s SEC Availability Report.
Without Maikkula, the Sooners could move right guard Febechi Nwaiwu over to center.
That could also slide Ryan Fodje from right tackle to right guard, with Derek Simmons holding it down at right tackle for the Sooenrs.
Oklahoma hasn’t had to go beyond Maikkula or Troy Everett at center so far this year.
Everett sustained a season-ending injury in September, and while Maikkula has played through injuries at times this year, he’s yet to miss a game in 2025.
There was a bit of good news with defensive tackle Jayden Jackson.
He was upgraded from questionable to probable on the Thursday report. Jackson hasn’t been 100 percent over the past two weeks, but he’s a key piece at the heart of the Sooners’ defensive line.
Running back Jovantae Barnes remained listed as questionable for the contest.
Defensive end R Mason Thomas and defensive back Gentry Williams were both ruled out for the contest.
Thomas injured himself during his scoop-and-score against Tennessee, and Williams hasn’t appeared since exiting the contest against South Carolina on the game’s opening defensive drive.
Offensive linemen Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor both remained listed as doubtful, though neither lineman has played in an SEC contest this year.
Defensive back Reggie Powers III was also listed, though he is not injured.
Powers will miss the first half on Saturday after he was ejected in the second half of last week’s win over Missouri for targeting.
LSU will be without receivers Aaron Anderson and Nic Anderson, as well as center Braelin Moore.
Aaron Anderson is third on the team with 398 receiving yards on 33 catches. Nic Anderson has added 12 receptions for 106 yards and two scores this year.
Linebacker Whit Weeks was upgraded to probable alongside defensive back Ja’Keem Jackson and running back Caden Durham.
Durham leads LSU with 463 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 100 carries.
Kickoff between the Sooners and the Tigers is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
It was a battle through and through in the third game of the NBA Cup group stage. The Thunder would have as large a lead as 12, but the Timberwolves found a way to stick in the game all the way to the final buzzer. In the end, the Thunder would hold on and prevail 113-105 in the closest game of their 10-game win streak.
With a minute remaining, Anthony Edwards would hit a three-pointer to bring the game within one, putting the pressure on OKC. Chet Holmgren would respond for the Thunder by hitting a three of his own with 37 seconds remaining.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would then hit one of two free throws to put the Thunder up 109-104, and after a five-second inbound violation, the game was as good as OKC’s.
Gilgeous-Alexander was his usual MVP self as he had 40 points, leading the game in scoring. This game came down to the wire, but the Thunder got it done like they’ve continued to do.
Here are three takeaways from the Thunder’s tenth win in a row.
1. OKC continues to smother opponents
You would think the Thunder only scoring 49 points in the first half would have them behind in today’s NBA, but the Thunder were, in fact, leading by 10. The Timberwolves only shot 32% from the field in the first half and would end the game only shooting 41%.
Oklahoma City has continued to be the hardest team to score on in the league, and the league can only hope they slow down soon. This has been a trend for the Thunder, as they remain at the top of almost every defensive stat this season. OKC has continued to produce on the defensive end, leaving their opponents unable to on offense.
2. The Thunder must finish their defensive possessions
Like previously said, the Thunder’s defense is immaculate, but they must make sure to only play defense once per possession. The Thunder got beat on the offensive boards tonight as Minnesota had 12 offensive rebounds compared to the Thunder’s seven.
These allowed offensive rebounds sometimes negated the Thunder’s defensive efforts and allowed the Timberwolves to get chances they shouldn’t have had in the first place. This mistake didn’t cost the Thunder ultimately, but it must be something the Thunder improves on.
3. The NBA Cup is the Thunder’s to lose
Oklahoma City is now 3-0 in the group stage of the NBA Cup, with only one remaining against Phoenix on Friday. A win then will guarantee the Thunder a spot in bracket play as the winner of West Group A. The Thunder are looking to be right in the position they were in last year, when they made the NBA Cup finals.
They lost that game to the Milwaukee Bucks 97-81 and have to have a chip on their shoulder now that this goal seems attainable once again. They would be the first team to reach the cup finals in back-to-back years and are hoping to be the third ever team to win it.
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