Downtown Anadarko Shop Part Of Town Revitalization Effort

A landmark in downtown Anadarko has received a new look after the Caddo Nation has taken over McKee's Indian Store.

Chairman of the Caddo Nation, Bobby Gonzalez, said the store will not only feature Native American artisans, but may also help revitalize the area.

"It gives our people a place to come back to, to bring their work, their crafts their art so we can look at it and hopefully move it into the market," Gonzalez said.

The store is now an outlet for the more than 400 Caddo families living in the area, and any others who want to sell their artwork.

"Anadarko being a Caddo name, named right after our band, we wanted to start on Main Street right with our own gallery right with our own place," Gonzalez said. "This place is full of a variety of different things from silver to paintings to beads to cloth to artwork."

Gonzalez also said they hope the store will be able to help with the emotional needs of those it serves.

"We want to help the local crafts people economically and give them a place to go mental health purposes and culture purposes," Gonzalez said.

Aside from the store, there is an art gallery featuring Native American artists such as Robert Redbird.

"That is what makes a tribe, that is what makes a nation," Gonzalez said. "You know our language our culture our songs our dances. The best way to do it is to support it."

Every so often, the store will be switching out the artist featured in the gallery.