Speaker Biography

James Pepper Henry is a nationally recognized museum professional with over forty years’ experience working with museums, libraries, and archives.  He currently serves as President of the Kanza Heritage Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Kaw culture, language, and historic sites. He is also Principal at Pepper & Associates, a museum and exhibition development firm. Recently, Pepper Henry finished a four-year term as Vice-Chairman of the Kaw Nation.

Pepper Henry is Director Emeritus of First Americans Museum (FAM), Oklahoma’s premiere cultural institution located in Oklahoma City.  Its mission is to educate the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, and contributions of the 39 federally recognized tribes that were removed to Indian Territory, now the state of Oklahoma.

Prior to his tenure at FAM, Pepper Henry was the Executive Director of Tulsa’s premier art, history, and culture museum, the Gilcrease Museum.  He co-led the successful $65 million campaign to update and expand the facility.  Pepper Henry also served as a commissioner on the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission and was a key proponent and facilitator to establish “Native American Day” as an official City of Tulsa day of recognition.

Prior to Gilcrease Museum, Pepper Henry was the Director and CEO of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ, Director and CEO of the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center in Anchorage, AK, and former Associate Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. He played a pivotal role in the establishment and launch of the American Indian museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC that opened to the public in 2004.

Pepper Henry is a graduate of the University of Oregon and a graduate of the Museum Leadership Institute at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California.