10 Oklahoma Goldback

The 10 Oklahoma Goldback Note Artwork

Unitas (Unity)

Created in collaboration with Native voices, the Oklahoma 10 Goldback honors the virtue Unitas, or Unity. Oklahoma is home to more Native American tribal nations than any other state, and the artwork depicts an intertribal powwow.

At the center, a woman performs the Fancy Shawl Dance while another figure performs the men’s Fancy Dance behind her. The woman wears an elaborate fringe shawl to mimic fluttering wings, embodying the grace and agility of the butterfly and hummingbird.

In this piece, the dancers are not symbolic—they are real people. The male dancer is Mike Pahsetopah of the Osage Nation, a world champion Fancy dancer, cultural ambassador, and author. In the center of the scene is his daughter, Heaven, a celebrated Fancy Shawl dancer who has performed across the country and on HBO.

At Heaven’s suggestion, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was added to the scene, symbolizing renewal. In the distance moves a buffalo, or American bison, the state animal and a Native symbol of survival. Beside the dancer, a majestic raven—known as a keeper of sacred knowledge—carries a flowing ribbon inscribed with “Unitas.” In the sky, black swallowtail butterflies dance, echoing the flutter of the shawl. Beneath the dancers bloom Indian blanket flowers, Oklahoma’s state wildflower.

Inscribed at the bottom of this artwork is the enduring truth: “Walk in harmony with all things.”

For the 10 Oklahoma Goldback note mintage information, please see the Goldback Mintages page.