Lindy Waters III Brings Riverside High Schoolers to First Americans Museum

“I couldn’t have scripted any better of a platform to help these Indian kids,” said Norman-born and Oklahoma bred Lindy Waters III back in November of 2021. 

Before there was any inkling that he might make a mark with the OKC Blue in the G League, let alone get signed to a two-way contract with the Thunder, Waters was already primed to use any bit of the stage he had to inspire the next generation of his people – the Native American youth in his home state. 

Over the past two seasons the Thunder was limited in the ways it could give back because of COVID-19, but this year the organization has been back out with people in the local community in full force. On Wednesday, at the very outset of Native American Heritage month, Waters was able to follow through on his goal from his first days as a professional with a special appearance at the newly-opened First Americans Museum in downtown Oklahoma City. Alongside Waters was the cross-country team from Riverside High School in Anadarko, a school for Native American students. 

For weeks, Waters had been driving downtown and seeing the massive glass structure at the museum on his way to Paycom Center, but Wednesday was the first time he was able to learn what was inside. That structure, visible from the highway, is the Grasshouse, which was built to resemble and honor Native grass houses. Stepping inside the museum for the first time was a special moment for the 25-year-old former Indian of the Year from the 2018 American Indian Exposition, which was also held in Anadarko. 

“To see all the tribes and history being talked about to our youth is amazing,” said Waters, who is part Kiowa and part Cherokee. “It’s really important to continue to learn more about my culture and my heritage. I’m still learning things to do this day that I’ve yet to hear. With it being Native American Heritage month, it’s a good way to start the month.”

The group got to see the exhibits that describe the history of the 39 unique tribes in Oklahoma and watched a couple of brief videos that laid out the origin stories of several of the tribes, but naturally spent the most time at the sports exhibit. That’s where pictures of all of the professional Native American athletes were displayed, along with one of the Thunder’s Native American-inspired city edition jerseys from the 2018-19 season. 

“It feels good to have Native Americans be recognized, especially for different types of things – not just the history of what’s happened to us but also what’s happening now with athletics and sports,” added Riverside senior Kaya Quam. 

During the tour of the sports exhibit, Waters told the group that when he goes through hard things he thinks of his ancestors and what they had to go through, putting in perspective whatever he’s facing. 

“I always call on my family whenever I need something and they always come through for me,” waters said. “Family is the number one root of all things for us natives.” 

For the staff at the First Americans Museum, like Cultural Ambassador Ace Greenwood, Waters’ visit was an incredibly special treat. All day, Greenwood had been texting his family members to let them know who he’d be giving a tour to later in the afternoon. 

“For all of us, almost 600 tribes in the United States and Canada, we’ve got one out there,” Greenwood said. “He’s a representative. He’s an ambassador.”

For the Native-run museum and for Waters, getting an entire high school sports team into the building and to give them a different education than most Oklahomans would get was the ideal opportunity. According to Greenwood, as young Native Americans leave their homes, enter college or the workforce and then go out and start a family of their own, sometimes the connections to their ancestors and their customs can slip away. The goal of the First Americans Museum, shared by Waters with his outreach efforts and platform, is to make sure those bonds stay strong. 

“It’s very important to understand that we exist and we are here,” Greenwood said. “We have a unique culture, but we are just like you. We’re doctors, we’re lawyers, architects, professional athletes. We’re just everyday people who have managed to hold onto our stories.” 

“To see the museum and hang out with (the students), I thought it was a great day,” said Waters. “To me, it’s just part of my job of laying that pathway for that next Native.”