OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The National Native American Hall of Fame has announced six individuals receiving induction into the 2026 Hall of Fame. The 2026 National Native American Hall of Fame class’s contributions to Indian Country span disciplines such government, law, education, and athletics. They will be honored at the induction ceremony gala on November 21st at the OKANA Resort and Hotel in Oklahoma City.
The 2026 inductees include:
Tom Cole, Chickasaw Nation. Thomas Cole has represented Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District as a Republican since 2003, previously serving in the Oklahoma Senate and as the state’s 26th Secretary of State. An enrolled Chickasaw Nation member, he is Congress’s longest-serving Native American and chairs the House Appropriations Committee since April 2024. Born in Shreveport, LA, Cole’s early career included congressional staff work and chairing the Oklahoma Republican Party. In Congress, he maintains a conservative record while advocating for Native American issues, particularly protections for Native American women…