KOSU is committed to being more reflective of the audiences we serve. In Oklahoma, having stories reported by Indigenous reporters for Native communities is imperative. KOSU | By Sarah Liese (Twilla) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Flipboard In the distance lies the Sooner Generating Station, while sunflowers are growing in the foreground near the Otoe-Missouria Housing Authority on Sept. 17, 2024. James LeClair hops out of his Otoe-Missouria Emergency Management vehicle and walks toward the tribe’s Encampment Grounds. He picks up pecans that fell from the towering trees and opens a few to see if they are fruitful. They are not on this early September afternoon. LeClair is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna. He moved to the Red Rock area in northern Oklahoma when he was about 10. He remembers the land being fuller then—so much so that if someone went out into the timber with a pocket knife, they could supply food. Pecans were plentiful. “Back then, you could survive on the land, such as pulling berries and stuff from trees,” LeClair said. James LeClair said he remembers it used to snow heavily, but now he can’t remember a good heavy snow. The same goes for consistent rain. “When did it rain, consistently, nice raindrops to soak the ground?” he asked. “I can’t remember those days. So that’s what we need to soak the ground so things can grow.” 1 of 3 James LeClair said he remembers it used to snow heavily, but now he can’t remember a good heavy snow. The same goes for consistent rain. “When did it rain, consistently, nice raindrops to soak the ground?” he asked. “I can’t remember those days. So that’s what we need to soak the ground so things can grow.” Sarah Liese / KOSU James LeClair sits in his […]