learn from our history. So in terms of tribal sovereignty today, and state relationship, tribal relationship, with federal relationship, with local governments, if you don’t understand the story of the assault on tribal sovereignty, there is no way to understand the resurrection of tribal sovereignty. There is no way to understand today dealing with America’s Indian’s resentment if you don’t understand the story of their grandparents whose land was taken away, because they didn’t understand contracts or they thought that money for a wagon might make the difference in their children’s lives forever, not really understanding the land was that first opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. They did not have the cultural baggage to make that decision. Without understanding all of that, we can’t make good decisions today.” Through partnerships and advocacy, Blackburn has lent a helping hand to projects outside the orbit of the OHS, ranging from preservation of the Skirvin Hotel and a re-design of the Zink Ranch Museum to the re-birth of the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum and the creation of the National Park Service’s Battle of the Washita National Monument. The author of more than 25 books, the first published while still in graduate school, Blackburn continues to enjoy research and writing in retirement. His extensive career and deep sense of community have provided him with friendships to last a lifetime. If you ask Blackburn what his greatest achievement is, he will tell you it is his family. With wife Debbie, a former teacher, non-profit CEO, and state legislator, they are the proud parents of son Beau and daughter- in-law Tori. And, Blackburn is thrilled with his new title— Papa—given to him by grandsons Bodhi and Waylon. 35