The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference is pleased to announce that registration is officially open for the 2026 Immersion Experience, scheduled for March 15–19, 2026. This event offers participants an in‑depth look at the history, context, and lived experiences of Native American peoples within OIMC and our connection to The United Methodist Church. Throughout the week, Native communities will generously share their traditions, stories, and culture, creating a meaningful and memorable learning experience.
The registration fee is $325 per person, which includes all meals and entry fees for scheduled site visits. Payments may be submitted by mail. Mailed payments should be addressed to:
Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference
602 SW 35th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Please make checks payable to OIMC with “Immersion” in the memo line. Can also pay registration online: http://www.umc-oimc.org
Participants will lodge at Home2 Suites by Hilton, located at 4311 SW 15th St., Oklahoma City. Hotel costs are not included in the registration fee. The hotel provides complimentary breakfast and in‑room kitchen amenities. A block of rooms has been reserved for Immersion participants at a rate of $79.00 for Queen single occupancy, and each room includes a sofa bed. To reserve a room, call 405‑604‑5439 and request to speak to Jennifer Williams, request the “OIMC Immersion Event” rate. Reservations at this rate must be made by March 6, 2026. Shuttle service to and from the airport is available daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
2026 OIMC Immersion Registration link: https://oimc1-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/dpewo_oimc_org/IQBkq5pBYY0UToitDh3Ll9u3AX200nPLtNzl8gq1zYYL0XU?e=Z47Jy0
This year’s Immersion Experience will focus on tribal regions within a two‑and‑a‑half‑hour radius of Oklahoma City. Planned visits include the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, the Osage Nation Cultural Museum in Pawhuska, and the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center in Sulphur. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit several local OIMC churches.
The Immersion schedule: 2026 Immersion Experience Schedule: March 15th -19th (Sunday -Thursday)
Host Hotel –
Home 2 Suites by Hilton
4311 SW 15th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Sunday, March 15, 2026
4:00 p.m. Get acquainted and orientation
History of OIMC presentation
Location: Home 2 meeting room
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Monday, March 16, 2026
Since we are local, we will not rent a bus for that day. We will have transportation for those that fly in for the event and will ask some to drive to the museum.
9:00 a.m. Visit to Oklahoma Native Art & Jewelry, 2204 Exchange Ave. OKC, OK.
73108
10:00 a.m. Visit First American Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd, OKC, OK 73129.
Lunch at museum
Presentation of FAM
Continued visit
4:00 p.m. Depart FAM
4:30 p.m. Debriefing of day Dinner at Angie Smith Memorial UMC, 601 S Grand Blvd, OKC, OK 73109
6:30 p.m. Depart for Hotel
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The Osage People have established their roots in their land for over a century and a half. The nation embraces resilience and thrives in remarkable growth. As a flourishing Nation, their primary goals are to preserve the rich heritage, revive their language, and grow actively engaging in community initiatives. Osage ancestors-controlled millions of acres in what is now known as Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma before the existence of the United States. Their lives changed drastically after the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. At that time the United States Government claimed ownership of Osage land, leading to a period of forced displacement and land loss. By 1864, ancestors had been removed to a reservation of fertile land in southwestern Kansas known as the Osage Diminished Reserve. By an act of Congress on July 15, 1870, the Osage people would be forced to sell their land in Kansas to the U.S. government for $1.25 an acre. President Grant authorized a removal to a new home in Indian Territory, now present-day Oklahoma. The relocation resulted in loss of 95% of the Osage population due to starvation, disease, and other factors.
8:00 a.m. Leave for Osage Nation Museum
819 Grandview Ave
Pawhuska, OK 74056
12:30 p.m. Lunch
Continue tour
3:00 p.m. Depart for OKC
6:00 p.m. Meal and debriefing
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Chickasaws thrived in their vast homeland, with sophisticated towns, advanced agricultural skills, and strong leadership. Chickasaw warriors were regarded as the “Spartans of the Lower Mississippi Valley” by early historians for their skills and perseverance in defending their land. In the mid-1800s, the tribe was removed from their historic Homeland in present day northern Mississippi, northwestern Alabama, western Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky to new lands in Indian Territory on a route referred to as a Removal. In 1855, the Chickasaw Nation separated from the Choctaws and following year formed their own separate government and constitution in their own territory. The Chickasaw Nation remains strong and are dedicated to meeting their mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.
9:00 a.m. Leave for Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center
867 Cooper5 Memorial Rd
Sulphur, OK 73086
12:30 p.m. Lunch at Cultural Center
1:30 p.m. continue tour of center
3:30 p.m. Depart for OKC
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Oklahoma Historian Rennard Strickland wrote in his book, Indians in Oklahoma, “Survival is a word that describes the spirit of Indian people. The Oklahoma Indian has learned the lesson of building and rebuilding a civilization, of adapting, of changing and yet of remaining true to certain basic values regardless of the nature of that change. At the heart of those values is an understanding and appreciation of the timeless-of family, of tribe, of friends, of place and of season. It is a lesson that civilization has yet to learn.”
9:30 a.m.
Debriefing of week
Serving as “allies” for Indigenous communities and OIMC.
Closing Service with Holy Communion
For additional information, please contact the OIMC office at 405‑632‑2006 or email Mjohnson@oimc.org.
