Angela Molette and Barbara Finley

Angela Molette, or Tuscaloosa Ohoyo, currently serves as the curator of the Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum in Enid, OK.  She is also a Tribal Historian specializing in uncovered Aboriginal, Indigenous and Tribal Black Indian History.  An Ethnic Indian Advocate, she serves as a representative and spokesperson for Black Indians United Legal Defense and Education Fund.  Additionally, she is a genealogist and author.  

Barbara A. Finley began retirement with her husband, Al, by establishing with her daughter, Angela, the Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum.   She is the Executive Director of the museum and an Ethnic Indian Advocate and Educator.  She is currently serving as the President of Black Indians United Legal Defense and Education Fund. 

Molette and Finley were on campus November 5-8, 2007.  They spoke in two classes, Professor Catherine Stewart's topic course, Public History and Public Memory, and Professor Mary Olson's Civil Rights and Western Racism course.  Selected students with majors in Sociology/Anthropology, History, and Ethnic Studies were able to spend several meals with Molette and Finley. 

On November 7, they delivered a lecture entitled "Ethnic Indians of the Americas: An Overview of the History and Heritage of Indian Freedman of the 5 Civilized Tribes."  This lecture summarized the history, heritage, racial composition and identity  of "the People known as Ethnic Protectorate of the Tribes", the descendants of slaves of the tribes.  They also addressed the recent attempt by the Cherokees of Oklahoma to expel Black Indians.

*Angela Molette and Barbara Finley were co-sponsored by the sociology department, Program in Ethnic Studies, Office of Intercultural Life, LACE, Committee on Civic Engagement, and CUE.