Oklahoma Alpha 2 Goldback

The Oklahoma 2 Goldback embodies the virtue Benevolentia, or Kindness, as lived and passed

down through generations of Indigenous women. The imagery is set in the fertile river valleys of

Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. This piece honors Native matriarchs, whose

wisdom, generosity, and stewardship form the bedrock of tribal life.

At the center of the scene stands a Cherokee mother, the primary symbol of virtue. She wears a

traditional tear dress and beaded headband, powerful emblems of Cherokee identity. The woven

basket in her arms overflows with the bounty of the land: corn, beans, squash, and strawberries.

They represent the Three Sisters planting tradition, a method used across many Native cultures

where the crops grow in mutual support. The corn provides structure, the beans enrich the soil,

and the squash protects the roots. The strawberries serve as a sacred Cherokee symbol of love

and reconciliation. In the distance, a second mother tends the harvest with a papoose on her

back, symbolizing the intergenerational nature of teaching and nurturing.

Above the figures, a branch of Oklahoma’s state tree—the Eastern Redbud—arches over the

scene, its delicate blossoms in bloom. The redbud’s vibrant pink and purple flowers, which

flourish in early spring, symbolize renewal, beauty, and the enduring bond between people and

land. As a beloved symbol across the state, it offers a quiet tribute to Oklahoma’s identity and

spirit.

Flowing behind the figures is the Illinois River, a historic waterway that remains vital to the

Cherokee people and those who call Eastern Oklahoma home. Dugout canoes glide across the

river, illustrating the deep Indigenous connection to water as a source of life, travel, and

spirituality. Nearby, an Asi house, a traditional winter dwelling of the Southeastern tribes,

represents both architectural ingenuity and communal life. Domed and crafted from woven

saplings and clay, it speaks to the intimate, enduring relationship between Native peoples and

the land.

Footprints in the soil quietly allude to the Trail of Tears, one of the most painful chapters in

American history. To present-day Oklahoma, the forced removal of the Cherokee and other

Southeastern tribes was an act of grave injustice. The land became a place of resilience and

survival. It also became a place of renewal. A rainbow arches overhead, symbolizing healing,

hope, and a better future—a vision carried forward by those who refused to let their culture fade.

Oklahoma today is home to 39 federally recognized tribes, each with a distinct heritage. They

are united by shared values of community, tradition, and reverence for the earth. Though this

artwork draws visually from Cherokee symbolism, it was shaped with the input of cultural

advisors and artists from several Oklahoma tribes, including a registered Choctaw artist who

suggested the theme. Every detail was researched and chosen with care to honor the matrilineal traditions of the region. Women were not only caregivers, but also landowners,

farmers, educators, warriors, and leaders whose voices helped shape tribal governance and

daily life.

This Goldback tells Oklahoma’s story of perseverance, connection, and quiet strength. It

reminds viewers across the world that Benevolentia is more than kindness: it is a way of life. It is

the mother’s hand guiding her child, the elder passing down stories, the farmer planting seeds

for the next generation. Through this image, Oklahoma proudly honors the women who give

without asking, who teach without judgment, and who embody the true spirit of kindness.

At the bottom of this note is written the enduring truth: “The greatest strength is gentleness