AARP Oklahoma 2018 Native American Elder Honors

Evening Events

Dinner

Oklahoma Fancy Dancers

Invocation – Osage Prayer/ Blessing, Dr. Steven Pratt

In Memoriam – John Hamilton

Master of Ceremonies Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma State Director

Welcome – Joan Ruff, AARP Board Chair

Dr. John Edwards

Memorial Leadership Award

Presentation of Medallions

DR. JOHN EDWARDS MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Dr. John Edwards (1935-2014) was a beloved member of the AARP Oklahoma Executive Council, a Peacemaker for the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court, an arbitrator for the U.S. Department of Interior and former Governor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. He dedicated his life for the betterment of his fellow man and was a pastor of the Fellowship of American Indians Church of Oklahoma. His Indian name was “Nikaani Kaapaa: Leader Standing in Front.” This award recognizes an individual whose leadership and positive impact on Native Americans embodies the spirit of Dr. Edwards.

AWARD RECIPIENT

Dr. Judy Goforth Parker CHICKASAW NATION

Dr. Judy Goforth Parker is a highly-respected and honored Elder of the Chickasaw Nation. She currently serves as commissioner of health policy of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health (CNDH). She is also an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) at the CNDH women’s clinic. Dr. Goforth Parker was instrumental in starting the hepatitis C clinic at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center (CNMC), as well as the virtual visit service in the CNMC emergency department and pediatric clinic.

Dr. Goforth Parker served as a Chickasaw Nation tribal legislator for four terms beginning in 1994 and stepped down in 2009 to assume the role of administrator for CNDH. She was named the department’s secretary in January 2014. She assumed her current role in July 2018. Dr. Goforth Parker served on the Chickasaw Foundation Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2017. She currently serves as chairperson of the East Central Oklahoma Blood Institute and the Tribal Technical Advisory Group’s Oklahoma representative to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Dr. Goforth Parker is a published author with her book, “Dynamic Chickasaw Women,” which presents the lives of women who had an impact on Chickasaw history during the periods of removal from the homelands, difficulties in Indian Territory and the tumult of Oklahoma’s early statehood days. The book was an Oklahoma Book Awards finalist and earned the Gold Medal for Independent Publisher award.

Dr. Goforth Parker received a doctorate in nursing from Texas Woman’s University and completed her nurse practitioner degree at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

The Honorees

Sharron Ahtone-Harjo

KIOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Marcelle Sharron Ahtone-Harjo’s Kiowa name, Sain-Tah-Oodie, translates to “killed with a blunted arrow.” Mrs. AhtoneHarjo is the fourth generation of her family to attend college. She studied art under Cheyenne artist Dick West at Bacone College in Muskogee and earned an associate degree. She also received a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern State University in 1965. That same year, Mrs. Ahtone-Harjo was chosen as Miss Indian America in Sheridan, Wyo.

Mrs. Ahtone-Harjo has been instrumental in modern works on paper in the revival of ledger art, a Plains Indian narrative pictorial style on Western supports such as paper or canvas. She also paints in acrylic, oil and watercolor. In the 1970s, Mrs. Ahtone-Harjo began showing her work professionally. Due to the lack of acceptance of women artists in her area, she exhibited under the name Ahtone-Harjo, a mix of her maiden name hyphenated with her husband's last name. Her works have been featured in Boston, Portland, Los Angeles, New York and Santa Fe and showcased nationally and internationally in galleries and museums. She continued her career while teaching art in the Edmond Public School District to more than 35,000 students. With each student touched by her creativity and cultural influence, she is proud to accurately portray indigenous peoples around the Oklahoma tribes, Oklahoma history and community.

Mrs. Ahtone-Harjo still devotes a significant part of her volunteerism to the Oklahoma City Public School District where her grandchildren attend. She also donates time to several arts programs and museum board memberships. She and her husband, Amos Harjo, have been married for 50 years.

Susan Arkeketa

OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE OF INDIANS AND MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Susan Arkeketa has dedicated herself to improving the lives of Native Americans. Ms. Arkeketa is of the Buffalo Clan on her Otoe-Missouria side and Tiger Clan on her Muscogee (Creek) side.

Ms. Arkeketa has more than 40 years of experience working with Indian tribes and Indian organizations, including the Native American Rights Fund and the Native American Journalists Association. She currently works for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney General’s Office and heads the nation’s child support agency.

Ms. Arkeketa won the titles of 1973 Otoe-Missouria Tribal Princess and the 1978 Miss Indian America. She was also honored with the 2014 Dream Keeper’s Dr. Ralph Dru Career and Professional Award.

Ms. Arkeketa is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Communications. She is also a graduate of the University of Tulsa College of Law and has served as chair of the Oklahoma Bar Association Indian Law Section and the vice-chair of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Bar Association.

Kim Arkeketa-McHenry

OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE OF INDIANS

Kim Arkeketa-McHenry, Otoe-Missouria, has devoted her life to serving her country and her tribe. Her lineage is of the Buffalo Clan on her Otoe-Missouria side and Tiger Clan on her Muscogee (Creek) side.

Ms. Arkeketa-McHenry served her country in Operation Desert Storm. After returning home from the war, she served an additional seven years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. After completing her active duty service, Ms. Arkeketa-McHenry began working for the Veterans Health Administration, where she has worked for more than 20 years. She takes great pride in helping veterans and their families. Ms. Arkeketa-McHenry has also served her tribe through elected positions and volunteering. She held the position of marshal on the Otoe-Missouria Election Board for several years, and she has long been a presence at the Otoe-Missouria summer encampment which she enjoys each year with her family.

Ms. Arkeketa-McHenry earned a Bachelor of Arts from Baker University.

Annette Arkeketa-Rendon

OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE OF INDIANS

Annette Arkeketa-Rendon is an accomplished poet, playwright, photographer, filmmaker and teacher. She is of the Buffalo Clan on her Otoe-Missouria side and Tiger Clan on her Muscogee (Creek) side.

Mrs. Arkeketa-Rendon’s plays “Hokti” and “Ghost Dance” have been performed at numerous theatres, museums and universities throughout the United States over the last several decades. More recently, Mrs. Arkeketa-Rendon has devoted her time to documentary films. Through her production company, Hokte Productions, she has produced several documentaries about contemporary Native Americans, including “Intrinsic Spirit: The Artway of Jimmy Pena,” “Muh-Du Kee: Put Them Back,” “Pahdopony: See How Deep the Water Is” and “Chief George.” Her poems and stories have appeared in more than 20 publications and anthologies.

Mrs. Arkeketa-Rendon was awarded the Writer of the Year for playwriting in 1998 and named Mentor of the Year in 2000 by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. Mrs. Arkeketa-Rendon served as the director of Native American film studies at Comanche Nation College until its closure in 2017.

Arlene Sue Bates Caesar

KIOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Born and raised in Anadarko, Okla., Arlene Sue Bates Caesar is skilled in the arts of traditional and contemporary ribbonwork clothing and dance apparel. She is known for her elaborate beadwork and leatherwork, including beaded jewelry, full-size and miniature medicine bags and buckskin animal pins filled with cedar. Her natural talent and honed skills have made her beadwork and apparel well-known in Indian Country.

Mrs. Bates Caesar has been married for more than 40 years to Bruce Caesar, a renowned Pawnee metalsmith, and they have raised their children as artists. Their son, Adam, is now a fifth generation metalsmith, and his sisters, Amy and Krystal, are skilled bead workers and seamstresses. Among her many accomplishments, Mrs. Bates Caesar is also a master frybread maker, a skill she passed on to her daughters.

Chief John Berrey

QUAPAW TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Chief John Berrey is a member of the Quapaw Tribe and the Osage Nation. Chief Berrey has two Native names: HumBah-Gah-Kah, his Quapaw name which means Big Elk, and Nee-Wah, his Osage name which means Healing Water. Chief Berrey’s paternal grandmother was an original allottee on the Osage Reservation, and his paternal great-grandmother was an original allottee on the Quapaw Reserve. Chief Berrey is a fourth-generation rancher on his family's original allotment on the Osage Reservation north of Tulsa. He has had the great fortune to be part of Indian Country his entire life, with significant influence from his grandmother to ensure he had a strong foundation rooted in native culture and religion.

Chief Berrey is the chairman of the Quapaw Tribe, a position he has held since 2002. During his tenure in this position, the Quapaw Tribe has experienced exponential growth. The Tribe has expanded its economic development activities, and it has increased employment among tribal members and the community. Chief Berrey has led efforts in pursuing an environmental cleanup of the Tar Creek Superfund site located on the Quapaw Reservation, one of the largest Superfund sites in the nation. He has also represented the Quapaw Tribe in federal courts as the key negotiator in the Quapaw Tribe's landmark settlement of trust litigation against the United States and in an environmental claims settlement related to the Tar Creek Superfund site.

Other tribal and Indian Country leadership service by Chief Berrey includes his current position as chairman of the Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma. He is a founding member of the Shoal Creek Waste Water Treatment Authority. Chief Berrey serves on the Council for Native American Farming and Ranching and is a member of the Inter-Tribal Council of Ottawa County. He also serves on the board of the Claremore Indian Hospital. He previously served on the board of the InterTribal Monitoring Association, was a tribal leader representative to the Department of Interior’s Trust Reform Initiatives and is a past member of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Before becoming the chairman of the Quapaw Tribe, Chief Berrey was employed in the construction management and ranching industries. He received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Arkansas.

Chief Berrey is the proud father of a daughter and a son.

Larry “Joe” Brooks

DELAWARE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Larry “Joe” Brooks was first elected to the Delaware Tribal Council in 1982. Since then, Mr. Brooks has faithfully served his tribe in numerous capacities for more than 35 years. He loyally served under five different chiefs of the Delaware Tribe and is currently on the Tribal Council and treasurer of the Delaware trust board. His commitment is demonstrated with significant work on various committees including veterans, elders, community services, education and cultural preservation. Mr. Brooks is a proud veteran and feels privileged to serve his Native American people.

Bruce Caesar

PAWNEE NATION OF OKLAHOMA

Bruce Caesar is widely considered as a leading metalsmith in the Native American tradition. He represents the third generation of metalsmiths in his family. His father, Julius, a Pawnee, was known as an accomplished and creative Native American craftsman working in German silver. Mr. Caesar remembers beginning to work with metal when he was seven years old. By the time he was nine, he was demonstrating jewelry making in craft shows with his father. Mr. Caesar’s apprenticeship with his father was long and intense, and he continues to build on his father's legacy of incorporating lapidary work into his designs and signing his more elaborate commissioned pieces.

Mr. Caesar is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. His work has won many awards and has been featured in major exhibits, such as "Contemporary Southern Plains Indian Metalwork," sponsored by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and in articles in Oklahoma Today and Native Peoples magazines. Mr. Caesar offers demonstrations for schools, museums and galleries as time permits.

He is married to Arlene, and they have three children. The entire family continues the family tradition of craftsmanship and artistry and can often be found on the Southern Plains powwow circuit.

Roberta Janell Coombes

SHAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Roberta Janell Coombes’ life began on her grandmother’s Indian allotment in White Oak, Okla. From there, she spent most of her childhood on her father’s Indian allotment, where she grew to love stomp dancing. She has spent her life as a public servant to her tribe. Mrs. Coombes worked in Indian education for the Vinita Public School System for 15 years until her retirement. She began serving on the Shawnee Tribe Business Council in 2001. She continues to hold this position today and considers it an honor to serve the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s membership. Mrs. Coombes is married to her husband, JC Coombes, and they have three children.

Billie Curry

THLOPTHLOCCO

TRIBAL TOWN

Billie Curry is a devoted member of her tribal nation and is known for her passion of service. Ms. Curry dedicated her working years in the school system. She was both a school teacher and a librarian at Butner Public School in Cromwell, Okla. She also worked as a librarian at the Oklahoma State University Patent and Trademark Library. Ms. Curry has served on a variety of tribal nation committees over many years. She is currently serving on the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town of Oklahoma’s tribal government enrollment and membership committee.

DeLois Louise Dunzy Roulston MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

DeLois Louise Dunzy Roulston has served her community and influenced the lives of countless individuals through her service, both during her working years and in retirement. Mrs. Dunzy Roulston retired from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation community health representative program in 2011 after seven years of service. During her tenure, she received a letter of commendation from former Principal Chief A. D. Ellis. Postretirement, Mrs. Dunzy Roulston was a consultant to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Language Department master apprentice Mvskoke language program. She not only taught the language, but also taught her assigned students the history of the language, traditional ways, beliefs, disciplines, traditional recipes and methods of traditional preparation and cooking. Over the years, Mrs. Dunzy Rouston has prepared many students for language competition at the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair. Mrs. Dunzy Roulston is a former Muscogee (Creek) Nation Princess. Her first language was the Muscogee (Creek) Language, and she maintains her fluent speaking ability.

Mrs. Roulston is known throughout various communities for her compassion, immeasurable kindness, keen sense of humor and words of encouragement. Whenever anyone is sick, in the hospital or nursing home, or has lost a loved one, she is always there with a covered dish, words of encouragement and prayers.

Deb Echo-Hawk

PAWNEE NATION OF OKLAHOMA

Deb Echo-Hawk has been instrumental in reviving one of the Pawnee Nation's most precious gifts from history: corn grown thousands of years ago that is specific to the Pawnee Nation. Without her efforts, the traditional strands would have become extinct. Through Mrs. Echo-Hawk’s dedication, she worked independently to begin the Pawnee Seed Preservation Project to foster a new generation of young food growers by learning and using tribal heritage seeds and planting techniques. Her efforts will introduce tribal members to the agriculture tradition of the Pawnee tribe while teaching the value of growing healthy food.

Ramona Eyachabbe

CHICKASAW NATION

Ramona Eyachabbe is a woman of faith who basks in God’s love and is known for sharing her blessings and talents of song with others. She is Chickasaw and three-eighths Seminole. Mrs. Eyachabbe is the wife of Pastor Rufus Eyachabbe Jr. of the Pennington Indian Church in Reagan, Okla. Mrs. Eyachabbe’s church work began in her youth when her father was a United Methodist minister. As an adult, she became involved in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church. She served as conference youth coordinator, Southeast District Region lay leader and conference lay leader.

In her local church, Mrs. Eyachabbe has served in many capacities and currently has the privilege of being a lay speaker of scriptures, doctrine, heritage, organization and life of The United Methodist Church. She leads the Chickasaw Nation Elders choir and conducts monthly choir practices at one of the Chickasaw Nation senior centers where she enjoys teaching elders the Choctaw hymns. The choir sings at Chickasaw Nation Elder events and many other requested events. In speaking of her life, Mrs. Eyachabbe has expressed, “God is good to me. I thank him all the time for all the blessings. Couldn't do this by myself without the Father guiding me.”

Emerson Falls

SAC AND FOX NATION, MISSISSIPPI CHOCTAW

Dr. Emerson Falls is an enrolled member of the Sac and Fox Tribe of Oklahoma and is also of Mississippi Choctaw descent. Dr. Falls dedicated his life and ministry to working with Indian people following high school and was ordained in 1982. His first work as a pastor began that same year, and he has spent 35 years in full-time ministry. He has pastored churches in California, Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma.

Prior to becoming a minister, Dr. Falls worked for the Indian Health Service and gave up a promising career in government to answer God’s call to become a minister. He received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Golden Gate Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif. In 1996, Dr. Falls became the first director of the Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Rocky Mountain Campus in Denver, Colo. and received an alumni achievement award from Golden Gate in 1999. He was president of Cook College and Theological School in Tempe, Ariz. from 2001 to 2003. In 2008, he returned to Oklahoma and was elected to serve as the President of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, the first Native American to serve in that capacity. In 2014, Dr. Falls was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity by the Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. He currently serves as the Native American Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

Dr. Falls was the former pastor of Glorieta Indian Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He currently serves as the pastor of the Circle of Life Native Fellowship. He and his wife, Shirley, reside in the Norman area.

Gary Farris CHEROKEE NATION

Gary Farris has committed himself to Native issues, including health care and the arts throughout his diverse career. An Army veteran and graduate of Northeastern State University, Mr. Farris also holds advanced degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the University of North Carolina and the University of North Dakota. His career has spanned teaching American Indian history, serving as academic advisor and helping American Indian and Alaska Native students get accepted into the Medicine (INMED) program. He also served a successful tenure as deputy director of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission where he oversaw a wide array of tribal issues and coordinated with the state’s 38 federally-recognized sovereign governments. Additionally, Mr. Farris served on the Cherokee Nation leadership team under Principal Chief Ross Swimmer and was the administrator in the tribe’s health department. For the past 15 years, he has managed the office of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Mr. Farris is the co-owner of the Standing Buffalo Art Gallery in Norman. As an avid supporter of artisans, he advocated for strengthening the Oklahoma Indian Arts and Crafts Act. Mr. Farris is an award-winning woodworker who creates ceremonial cedar boxes. He has exhibited at the Jacobson House, Red Earth Festival and the Chickasaw Nation Artesian Art Festival. As a master carpenter, Mr. Farris shared his talents volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. He is very proud of his family, which includes his wife, Elizabeth, four children and five grandchildren.

Kelly Flow DELAWARE NATION

Kelly Flow is a proud descendent of Black Beaver. Her aunt, Mary B. Rice, is the oldest living allottee and is 101 years old. Ms. Flow is a graduate of Verden High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha. After receiving her degree, she taught in the Verden School District. She then went on to serve the Delaware Nation in several tribal government departments including Lenape Communications, the Tax Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Social Service department. Currently, Ms. Flow is the director of the enrollment program and works closely with the Delaware Nation citizenship committee. She also serves on the environmental regulatory advisory committee, the election committee and as an executive committee member for the Delaware Nation governing board. In this position, she has played an instrumental role in authoring the tribe’s revenue allocation plan which allocates gaming profits. Ms. Flow’s dedication and passion for serving people makes her a tremendous asset to her tribal nation and community.

Principal Chief James Floyd

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Principal Chief James Floyd is of the Wind Clan of Koweta Tribal Town, and his ceremonial ground is Tvlahasse Wvkokaye. Chief Floyd serves as the chief executive of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the fourth largest federally recognized tribe in the United States.

Chief Floyd previously served as Director of the Eastern Oklahoma Veterans Affairs (VA) in Muskogee, the VA Heartland Network in Kansas City, the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and its VA Salt Lake City Hospital and the Portland Area Indian Health Service in Portland.

In 2015, he was awarded the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Regent’s Award. Throughout his career with the Indian Health Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Chief Floyd continued to serve Native Americans throughout the United States, while always keeping in mind how his efforts could benefit the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He has been recognized nationally for establishing outreach to Native American veterans, incorporating traditional healing practices and establishing telehealth services in rural and Native American communities.

Chief Floyd can frequently be found at many Muscogee (Creek) community events, in Colorado with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Youth Council members for national youth leadership conferences or enjoying time spent with elders at the annual Elders Christmas party. Chief Floyd is well-known for his efforts to consult with his constituents, and he ensures decisions made by the tribe have the citizens in the forefront. When there are matters of great cultural importance, he calls on the Mekkos of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation ceremonial grounds for consultation.

Bonnie Jo Griffith

DELAWARE NATION

Bonnie Jo Griffith is an honored and respected elder and the Assistant Chief of the Delaware Nation. Her family is of the Turtle Clan, and she is the great-great-granddaughter of Chief Sarcoxie. Additionally, she has served on the tribal trust board and various committees including land management, community services, education, elders and cultural preservation.

This remarkable woman is immensely proud of her two children, Lisa Griffith, a school teacher, and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Griffith. Ms. Griffith has been blessed with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

James Franklin Hail CHEROKEE NATION

James Franklin Hail is a committed father of three whose dedication to fostering a sense of accountability and life of service has positively impacted his community and tribe. Mr. Hail spent his youth in Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma. He graduated from Central High School in Sequoyah County and attended college at Northeastern State University where he studied for a teaching degree. Upon graduation, he began teaching at an Arkansas elementary school. Mr. Hail was drafted by the Army in 1969 and served with distinction in Vietnam with the 199th Infantry Brigade and 1st Cavalry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1971. During his service, Mr. Hail was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a Bronze Star. Upon returning to civilian life, he returned to teaching and served as an elementary principal and teacher for more than 40 years. Mr. Hail’s commitment to education is evident by the many pupils who still recognize him and credit him with their success.

Mr. Hail is an active member of Eastside Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Ark., where he serves on several committees, is a driver for youth trips and an active volunteer for charitable projects conducted by the church.

Matheson Hamilton

CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO TRIBES OF OKLAHOMA

A decorated veteran and advocate for others, U.S. Army veteran Matheson Hamilton is described as a man that anyone would be proud to call their brother. As a member of the American Legion Cheyenne and Arapaho Color Guard, U.S. Veterans Affairs Native American Elders, and the Veterans Affairs Warriors, Mr. Hamilton has helped countless Native and non-Native veterans. Every Memorial Day, Mr. Hamilton takes flags to all the Cheyenne and Arapaho cemeteries throughout western Oklahoma and plants an American flag on the final resting place of each veteran. He has also won national Gold Medal honors at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival with Albert GrayEagle in performing arts and creative writing.

Mr. Hamilton also enjoys being a sun dancer as a part of the traditional Cheyenne sun dance, offering prayers for the welfare of the people and for the increase of their resources.

Larry Wayne Hamilton

WYANDOTTE NATION

Larry Wayne Hamilton served and protected our nation for 17 years as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, Mr. Hamilton served as the former commander of the Wyandotte Nation Honor Guard. He also served the Wyandotte Nation as the Workforce Investment Act director. Mr. Hamilton later joined the Wyandotte Nation maintenance department as a facilities technician, where he still continues this role. He is well-known throughout his community as a person that is always willing to lend a helping hand. Mr. Hamilton has been married to his wife, Karen, for 40 years, and they have three daughters, one son and two granddaughters.

Terri Denise Haney

SEMINOLE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Terri Denise Haney has devoted her life to tribal service in Oklahoma and beyond. Her passion includes not only advancing the Seminole Nation economically, but also maintaining its culture. Ms. Haney has served as a tribal council representative of the Hecete Band of the Seminole Nation for 14 years, as well as serving on numerous committees. She has also served as the treasurer to the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes for 25 years. Additionally, Ms. Haney has served in positions with organizations such as the Indian Child Welfare and Family Preservation, WIC programs, Johnson-O'Malley committees of the Sac and Fox Nation and positions with the Citizens Pottawatomi and Chickasaw nations. Ms. Haney’s work extends outside of Oklahoma with her service as a multicultural committee member for the state of Texas.

Joy Harjo-Sapulpa

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Joy Harjo-Sapulpa’s name is synonymous with the beauty of Native American poetry and music across the nation. Ms. Harjo-Sapulpa is considered an important figure in the second wave of the literary Native American Renaissance of the late 20th century. Ms. Harjo-Sapulpa received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Fine Arts from the Iowa Writers Workshop.

Her seven books of poetry, which include such well-known titles as “How We Became Human - New and Selected Poems,” “The Woman Who Fell From the Sky” and “She Had Some Horses” have garnered many awards. These include the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas and the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America. She has also been awarded the PEN Open Book Award, the American Indian Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award, the Josephine Miles Poetry Award, the Ruth Lilly Prize in Poetry and the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award. Additional honors include the Academy of American Poets’ Wallace Stevens Award for proven mastery in the art of poetry and fellowships from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the Witter Bynner Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ms. Harjo-Sapulpa has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam in venues across the U.S. and internationally. She plays saxophone with her band Poetic Justice and has released four award-winning CDs of original music. In 2009, she won the Best Female Artist of the Year from the Native American Music Awards (NAMMY) for “Winding Through the Milky Way.”

In addition to writing books and other publications, Ms. Harjo-Sapulpa has taught in numerous United States universities. She continues to share her talents by maintaining an active schedule with workshops and readings across the country.

Justice Leah Harjo-Ware

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Justice Leah Harjo-Ware has committed her legal career to the practice of Federal Indian and Tribal Law. Justice Harjo-Ware has served as both a staff attorney and executive director of the Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc., a non-profit law firm providing legal services to indigent Native Americans in Federal Indian Law cases. Justice Harjo-Ware also served as co-counsel in the case of Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. Hodel, which resulted in successfully obtaining recognition of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's inherent sovereign authority to re-establish its court system after Muscogee (Creek) Nation courts were wrongfully by an 1898 federal mandate.

Justice Harjo-Ware was nominated and confirmed as the first attorney general of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation under the 1979 Constitution. As attorney general, she represented the Muscogee (Creek) Nation as amicus curiae in United States v. Sands, defending the rights of the federal and Muscogee (Creek) Nation governments to exercise criminal jurisdiction over restricted allotments. Justice Harjo-Ware and her husband, Henry, also practiced together for a number of years with the firm Indian Country Lawyers, P.L.L.C. Justice Harjo-Ware currently serves as an Indian Probate Judge probating Indian trust estates for the Probate Hearings Division of the Office of Hearings and Appeals, U.S. Department of the Interior. She was first nominated and confirmed to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court in January 2007. In June 2013, Justice HarjoWare was nominated and confirmed to serve a second six-year term on the Court.

James Pepper Henry

KAW NATION AND MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

James Pepper Henry’s influence on American Indian art is spread throughout the United States, but the passion began here in Oklahoma during his youth. Mr. Pepper Henry’s grandfather introduced him to Native American art and artifact collector Thomas Gilcrease and the Gilcrease collection during Mr. Pepper Henry’s summer visits to Tulsa. The experience later inspired him to study art and art history in college.

Today, Mr. Pepper Henry has the distinction of serving as the executive director of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City. Mr. Pepper Henry has been involved in its development since 2004 when he helped develop the conceptual design. In 2007, as associate director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, he signed the memorandum of understanding between the two institutions, which created the possibility of a long-term loan, as well as collaborative programming opportunities.

Most recently, Mr. Pepper Henry served as executive director of the Gilcrease Museum, where he helped lead the successful $65 million Vision Tax extension campaign for the museum expansion and helped raise $27 million in additional support through the museum’s partnership with The University of Tulsa. Prior to the Gilcrease Museum, he served as director and chief executive officer of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz. Mr. Pepper Henry also previously served as executive director and chief executive officer at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. In 2010, he oversaw development of The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center.

Mr. Pepper Henry is a graduate of the University of Oregon and a graduate of the Getty Leadership Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. He is a board member of the American Alliance of Museums, the Western Museums Association and the Mvskoke Arts Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Mvskoke arts and artists. Mr. Pepper Henry also serves on the Oklahoma Art in Public Places Oversight Committee and as a commissioner on the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission.

Bill Hobia

KIALEGEE TRIBAL TOWN

Rev. Bill Hobia is a highly-respected elder of the Kialegee Tribal Town. Rev. Hobia was born in 1938 and is an original enrollee of the Kialegee Tribal Town. Along with his extended family, he actively supports the Tribal Town government to this day, and his nephew is the current Town King. Rev. Hobia is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country from 1956 to 1960. Rev. Hobia has pastored several Baptist churches in the Seminole, Okla. area, and is presently the pastor at Snake Creek, northeast of Seminole. The Kialegee Tribal Town expresses great pride in Rev. Hobia for his strength and spiritual leadership for the people of their Tribe.

Nellie Hunter CHOCTAW NATION

Nellie Hunter’s caring and nurturing spirit have been a guiding force throughout her life. Following her service in the military, Ms. Hunter worked at the Veterans Administration hospital for 15 years, followed by caregiving for special needs children and adults for nearly two decades. She also worked at the Tupelo Public School district for 10 years. This active veteran has eight children, 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She has been an RSVP volunteer for 15 years and also volunteers at the Tupelo Senior Citizens Center, teaching Sunday school classes and serving as secretary of Centrahoma Baptist Church.

Ms. Hunter has been recognized as Choctaw Elder for District 12 six times; in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015 and again in 2018. District 12 has also twice nominated her as a delegate to the National Indian Council on Aging. In 2014, Chief Gary Batton honored Ms. Hunter as a Choctaw Nation Elder. Ms. Hunter is a member of the Choctaw Color Guard, an associate member of the Choctaw Code Talkers Association and the Oklahoma Women Veterans Association. Her dedication extends to the Choctaw Veterans Association where she served as secretary/treasurer for 10 years. Ms. Hunter graduated from college at the age of 75 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. This year, Ms. Hunter became mayor of Tupelo at 79 years of age.

Tom D. Keffer

WYANDOTTE NATION

As an elder of the Wyandotte Nation, Tom D. Keffer is a retired archaeologist who has spent many years digging into the histories and ‘footprint’ left by the various cultures. Mr. Keffer has stated he has always been struck by the notion that a grave marker is many times the only physical reminder of a person. This realization is what inspired him to take on the task of cleaning, repairing and preserving the many grave markers in the cemeteries of the Wyandotte Nation. Mr. Keffer started with a tribal cemetery in Wyandotte and then progressed to three other area cemeteries. He is now working on the grave markers of Wyandotte peoples interred in the Huron/Wyandotte Cemetery in Kansas City, Kan. More than three years into his mission, Mr. Keffer has donated countless hours to ensuring the many hundreds of the Wyandotte ancestors’ grave markers are fresh and preserved for years to come. He is an inspiring, self-appointed steward of the Wyandotte tribal past and its future to come.

Tim LaFalier

MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

Tim LaFalier is an enrolled member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and has spent his life supporting the Tribe, fellow tribal members and his community. Mr. LaFalier is in attendance yearly at the tribe's annual meeting and attends tribally sponsored events. He has diligently served as a triballyappointed member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's Miami Nation Enterprises (MNE) board of directors. The MNE is a subordinate economic entity of the Miami Tribe which oversees the Tribe's business ownership interests. Mr. LaFalier’s work on the board began in 2009, and he has since served as both chairperson and vice chairperson. Mr. LaFalier also served on the first Miami Tribe Gaming Commission in the late 1990s. His professional career in insurance has spanned 30 years, including the last 23 years with Holmes/HUB International where he is a senior employee benefits consultant. He has been married 35 years to his wife and has four children and eight grandchildren. Known as an ethical man with strength and commitment, Mr. LaFalier is a respected and hardworking tribal elder.

Richard Luttrell Sr. OSAGE NATION

Richard White Luttrell Sr.’s life embodies a journey of many dynamic facets. Born in 1926 in Hominy, Okla., Mr. Luttrell graduated high school from the Oklahoma Military Academy in 1943. Mr. Luttrell served in the U.S. Army for 12 years, both active and inactive, during World War II and the Korean War. After leaving military service, Mr. Luttrell later created Running RL Outfitters and managed both the business and the outfitting of the first commercial river rafting company on the Colorado River in Colorado. Running RL Outfitters encompassed big game hunting, camps for families, trail rides and other outdoor activities. Mr. Luttrell also served as a Boone and Crocket guide. During the off-season, he worked as a pipefitter and welder with Union 208 on missile bases, commercial and nuclear plants in Denver, Colo. Mr. Luttrell spent his personal time as a pack leader, committee member and associate with the Boy Scouts and scouted officially and unofficially for approximately 17 years in Denver. He was a member of the Denver chapter of the Knights of Columbus and was a Deputy Grand Knight, 3rd Degree. Mr. Luttrell had a moment on the national screen when he starred in a Super Bowl commercial for Schlitz Beer Company commercial, acting as a rider in a buffalo chase.

Mr. Luttrell has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kiwanis Club, American Legion and Oklahoma Fly Fisherman’s Club. Luttrell has received many awards and honors throughout his life, including an international award in Montreal, Canada, for conducting a camp for special needs children through the Industrial Kiwanis Club. He was inducted into the St. Maurice Infantry Organization as a member and honored by the Fairfax War Mothers. Mr. Luttrell has served on the boards of the Osage County Housing Authority, MESA Medical Company and Osage Veterans Memorial Commission. Mr. Luttrell was a key leader in the planning and execution of the building of a shrine in Pawhuska honoring St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Roman Catholic Church's first Native American saint.

Mr. Luttrell and his wife, Carmalita, have been married since 1947. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Mary Frances McCormick

SAC AND FOX NATION, SEMINOLE, AND MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Mary Francis McCormick is an enrolled member of the Sac and Fox Nation. Her father was Seminole and Creek, and her mother was full-blood Sac and Fox. She is a member of the Deer Clan, and her Indian name is Le-ne-wa which means, “when the deer changes color.” Mrs. McCormick has dedicated her adult life to serving American Indians. In 1969, she was elected to serve as secretary for the Sac and Fox Nation, a role she served in for 22 years. She also served 24 years on the Sac and Fox Nation business committee. In 1975, Mrs. McCormick was appointed as the Sac and Fox principal chief after the seated principal chief died. During her two-year leadership, Mrs. McCormick brought water to the Sac and Fox Nation reservation and reclaimed 160 acres of dormant tribal land through various grants and programs. She also was instrumental in the buy-back of 40 acres of the Sac and Fox original reservation. At that time, no other Indian Nation had repurchased any of their original landholdings. Mrs. McCormick also identified damages to the tribal reservation by oil companies and filed a suit against Tenneco Oil Company, which led to a $3.5 million award for the tribe after almost 20 years of litigation.

In 2010, Mrs. McCormick was appointed to the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education by the Governor of Oklahoma. She has given countless hours to reading, writing, interpreting and presenting issues of the people of the Sac and Fox Nation. She has been a strong advocate for Indian Country rights over the past 48 years. Her work has been recognized with such awards as Outstanding Indian Woman of the Year from the Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women. She also received the Mary Townsend Crow Service award, which recognizes an outstanding person who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve and benefit American Indians.

Mrs. McCormick’s interest in preserving oral history and family stories prompted her to write two historical dramas honoring her tribal heritage, including “A Tribute to the Sac and Fox Nation,” which was funded the Sac and Fox Nation, as well as a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council. She also wrote “A Tribute to a Seminole Indian from Florida,” a historical drama of her great-grandmother, Lina (Rinah) Harjo Coker, the last survivor of the Seminole Nation’s removal from Florida to Indian Territory. Her drama received the 1998 Best Play prize from the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee.

Mrs. McCormick holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Education from East Central State College and a certification in library science from the University of Oklahoma. Mrs. McCormick’s school career included working as a teacher and librarian in the Seminole and Pottawatomie County public school systems. She is married to Gwinn McCormick and has two daughters.

Joe Miller CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION

A proud elder of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Joe Miller has lived in Choctaw his entire life and is an avid hunter and fisherman. A lifelong athlete, Mr. Miller has always played sports, including football, baseball, wrestling, track, and even had a five-year stint as an amateur and professional boxer. After graduating high school, Mr. Miller attended Oklahoma State University where he played football. Mr. Miller is a gaming commissioner for his tribe and the executive director of the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission (OSAC), which oversees over 240 combative sporting events each year. Prior to accepting the position with the OSAC, Mr. Miller served 27 years on active duty with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Before retiring in 2000, he attained the rank of captain and served his last 10 years as the director of Counterdrug Operations. Mr. Miller is also a volunteer coach for little league football and baseball, initially for his two children and now for his grandchildren.

Merry MonroeCHICKASAW NATION

A dedicated educator for 47 years with Byng Public Schools, Merry Monroe impacted thousands of young lives throughout her career. She was recruited by the Byng superintendent, Marvin Stokes, and became the Indian education coordinator. Initially, she worked with pre-K through 12th grade students. In 1998, she was assigned permanently to high school students. In 2002, Mrs. Monroe returned to college to complete her degree and enrolled in a Chickasaw language class. She was so intrigued that she soon enrolled in the Chickasaw Nation Master Apprenticeship program which connects students with Chickasaw fluent speakers and applies language immersion principles. Concurrently, the Chickasaw Nation began offering Chickasaw language classes at Byng High School. Mrs. Monroe attended class alongside the students and learned from Josh Hinson, Chickasaw Nation's language director. In 2011, she graduated from East Central University with her Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies. Her studies would come full circle: Mr. Hinson remembered her from the language classes and approached her about teaching. Mrs. Monroe and her husband, Leonard, have two children, James and Christy.

Priscilla Ann Palmer Johnson

SEMINOLE NATION OF OKLAHOMA

Priscilla Ann Palmer Johnson’s roots are heavily rooted in the Indian heritage of the Seminole and Muscogee (Creek) tribes, and she is enrolled with Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Her Tribal Band is Tusekia Harjo, and she is of the Wind Clan. Ms. Palmer Johnson is thought to be the first known educator at Beggs Public School to promote Indian education, where she currently serves as the coordinator of the Title VI program. As a 17-year employee of Beggs Public Schools, Ms. Palmer Johnson strives to expose students to the many cultural events hosted by local tribes, and she has created a cultural day at school so that students have an opportunity to experience the current and past traditions of Native Americans. Her work at school also extends to providing nutritious meals and other essentials at her own cost to ensure the students’ basic needs are met for children in her care. Ms. Palmer Johnson’s work does not stop in the classroom: she is a proud mother and grandmother. She is a devoted member of Crossroads Baptist Church in Beggs. Ms. Palmer Johnson graduated from Northeastern State University with a doublemajor Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management.

Romaine Shackelford

OSAGE NATION

Romaine Shackelford’s life is a testament of a time filled with passion and dedication to the things he loves. Mr. Shackelford’s early life was spent in Graystone, where he was raised until the age of 10 by his grandfather. He attended Wyandotte Boarding School and Haskell Institute. During his time at Haskell, Mr. Shackelford was a lineman on its undefeated football team, and he subsequently became a proud Haskell alum where he forged many lifelong friendships.

Mr. Shackelford served his country during World War II and was stationed as an Army medic in Europe. He later married his wife, Ruth, and had six children. Mr. Shackelford worked for Phillips Petroleum for three decades and retired in 1985.

Mr. Shackelford began dancing in the I'n Lo'n Schka at an early age and continued for 70 years. He has served as an adviser for Drumkeepers and as a Whipman. Mr. Shackelford is a passionate and talented artist in painting and sculpting bronzes, and many of his pieces have been shown at renowned venues throughout the Midwest. Mr. Shackelford created the seal of the Osage Nation by request of Chief Paul Pitts during the 1950s. He is also well-known for beautiful Osage headdresses he makes for men. An avid reader, and historian at heart, especially when it came to Osages, Mr. Shackelford spent many hours visiting with the full blood elders. His taped recordings of are a significant piece in adding validity and meaning to Osage history, culture, language and the I'n Lo'n Schka.

Albert Shade

UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND OF CHEROKEES

Albert Shade’s commitment to the cultural preservation and education of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees is known far and wide throughout the tribe. Mr. Shade holds the designation as a Tradition Keeper by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees tribe. As a Keetoowah Cherokee Tradition Keeper, he demonstrates his bow making and native materials used to make the bow. This distinction lauds his commitment to education and cultural preservation of bow making utilizing native materials in the traditional manner, while preserving the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees unique heritage.

Bud Andrew Squirrel CHEROKEE NATION

Bud Andrew Squirrel is an exemplary tribal citizen and dedicated employee of the tribe for 37 years. A graduate of Northeastern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Mr. Squirrel began working at Cherokee Nation in 1976 as a reporter-in-training at the Cherokee Advocate. Later that year, he was promoted to Director of the Tribal Work Experience Program. Three years later, Mr. Squirrel was recruited to supervise Cherokee Nation Health Department staff in Mayes and Delaware counties and then promoted to Director of Community Health Services. As director, he successfully negotiated a contract with the Indian Health Service for the Cherokee Nation to administer the community health nursing, mental health and medical social services federal programs. In 1985, Mr. Squirrel was selected as deputy director of Health Services and developed a 25-year plan for tribal health care that assisted in the opening of four new clinics. After recognizing that more clinics were coming, Mr. Squirrel began attending construction and design seminars to bolster his ability to aid in expansion. This hard work led to a promotion as director of construction for Cherokee Nation, where he completed 10 major projects. After his successful contributions to many construction projects, Mr. Squirrel was appointed to manager of the Food Distribution Program. Over eight years, he advocated for increased federal funding for the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations and succeeded in increasing the budget of the program. He also spent many years serving on numerous local and national committees, including serving as chairman of the Oklahoma Area Inter-Tribal Health Board.

Mary Louise (Stevenson) Tselee

WICHITA AND AFFILIATED TRIBES OF OKLAHOMA

Mary Louise (Stevenson) Tselee was born in Lawton, the youngest child of Nuss and Elle (Lee) Stephenson. Ms. Tselee’s parents were both full-blood members of the Wichita tribe, and her father was the last hereditary chief. Mrs. Tselee graduated from Anadarko High School in 1959 and followed in her older sister’s footsteps by joining the U.S. Marine Corps. She served two years active duty and one year reserve, and she was honorably discharged in 1962.

Mrs. Tselee then began her work as a home living assistant at Riverside Indian School in 1968, where she became a cottage mom to hundreds of students. She was a favorite of many students, as evidenced by the shoebox full of photos given to her by many students with the word “Mom” written on the back. Mrs. Tselee retired from Riverside Indian School in 2000 after 32 years of faithful service.

She has been married to Nathan “Jumbo” Tselee for 53 years. They have three daughters

Sammy Still

UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND OF CHEROKEES

A full-blood member of the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokees, Sammy Still embodies the Cherokee tradition through his teachings and his life work. Mr. Still serves a knowledge keeper of the Keetoowah Cherokee traditions, culture and history. As a cultural presenter and storyteller, he has traveled nationwide to schools, universities and various organizations to share the teachings of Keetoowah Cherokee history in culture, language and tradition. Mr. Still is a founding member of the Turtle Island Liars Club, which shares old traditional Cherokee stories.

Mr. Still is a Keetoowah Cherokee traditional craftsman in blow guns, Indian bow and stickball making and basket weaving. He is one of the only known Keetoowah Cherokee traditional stone marble makers.

Mr. Still is a graduate of Bacone Junior College with an Associate of Arts and Northeastern State University with a Bachelor of Science. He is a past member of the Native American Journalism Association and the National Congress of American Indians. Mr. Still is the current public information officer and editor of the Cherokee Gaduwa News, the tribal newspaper for the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Mr. Still is married to Dama (Auxier) Still, and they have two daughters and five granddaughters.

Claude Sumner

CHOCTAW NATION

Claude Sumner came from modest beginnings as a Choctaw farm boy raised in Gerty, Okla., and has always been determined to succeed. He graduated from Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kan., the University of Kansas and the University of Oklahoma Law School. Following many years of providing pro bono legal advice for his Indian friends, Mr. Sumner recognized a need for Indian leadership and entered tribal administration. Many tribal nations received his help until he joined the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Sumner served as a flight officer and sent B-52 bombers on bombing runs during the Vietnam War. Through Mr. Sumner’s position as executive director, he has improved the quality of life for the 80,000 tribal members through economic expansion, development of the College of the Muscogee Creek Nation and his consulting work.

Janie Tartsah

CADDO NATION OF OKLAHOMA

Over the span of nearly half a century, Janie Tartsah has profoundly touched hundreds of Riverside Indian School students while serving as dormitory manager. Students came from all over the nation to attend Riverside Indian School, and they say passing through the care of Ms. Tartsah was a blessing. She focused on improving the quality of the life of her students by teaching them empowering life skills and self-sufficiency. Ms. Tartsah would devote extra time to decorating the dorms to ensure the children were comfortable, felt loved, and she incentivized the children to make school work as a priority. Within the walls of the dormitory, the children knew they had a caring counselor, and many hold her as dear as their own grandmothers. In her final year of service at Riverside Indian School, Ms. Tartsah had perfect attendance, yet another example of her dedication to her students.

Dena Tiger-Kloehr

SEMINOLE NATION OF OKLAHOMA

Dena Tiger-Kloehr is an inspiration and role model to many people in many ways. Ms. Tiger-Kloehr comes from the Bear Clan and is a member of the HYTECH (Newcomer) Band. She is a member of the Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women. Ms. Tiger-Kloehr consecutively held the title of Senior Ms. Seminole Nation for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. She currently serves on the Seminole Nation Tribal Princess Committee as event coordinator. She is always ready to inspire and motivate younger generations to obtain their goals, and she believes it is important to share her culture and preserve the traditional ways. Ms. Tiger-Kloehr was recently sworn in as a councilwoman for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Ms. Tiger-Kloehr is an active member of the Little Cusseta Indian Baptist Church and serves as the church youth coordinator and activity director. While Ms. Tiger-Kloehr is employed full-time, she considers her most important role as mother and grandmother. She also spends her personal time inspiring cancer patients with her own story as a 24-year cancer survivor. She is always willing to share her testimony with other cancer patients to give them hope and encouragement.

Delores R . Twohatchet COMANCHE NATION

Delores R. Twohatchet is an esteemed elder with an impressive and extensive history, predominantly in the area of education. She has experience in the field of administration, teaching, proposal writing, curriculum development, counseling, educational consulting and youth programs. Ms. Twohachet is a graduate of Cache High School, holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern State University and a business diploma in post-graduate work from the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. She is a licensed teacher and counselor in Oklahoma. Ms. Twohatchet served as Comanche Nation of Oklahoma director of higher education programs, adjunct professor of English at Comanche Nations College, as well as an academic counselor at Riverside Indian School. She also served as director for the Indian Student Center at Southeastern State University, director of Indian education programs at Lawton Public Schools and adjunct professor of American Indian literature at Cameron University. Ms. Twohatchet also managed summer cultural enrichment programs at Lawton and Cache Public Schools. She also wrote the curriculum for Indian cultural projects with the American Indian Institute and the University of Oklahoma. Ms. Twohatchet is a published author well-known and respected for her writings, photography and presentations.

Meredith Wahpekeche

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

Meredith Wahpekeche is deeply committed to family, tribe and community. Ms. Wahpekeche retired from Little Axe Public Schools after 36 years where she served as a teacher, program director, grant writer and director of Indian education programs. She holds a master’s degree in education and is six hours away from completion of a doctorate. A devoted mother of three and grandmother to five, Ms. Wahpekeche also serves as the legal Kickapoo Tribal Court appointed guardian for a young man for the last six years. She is known for her work to diligently to secure a Christmas tree in honor of the Absentee Shawnee tribe at the Red Earth Art Center in Oklahoma City. She also volunteers at City of Norman Parks and Recreation Little Axe Community Center’s weekly food distribution. Her dedication to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe includes participation in tribal religious activities, working with the tribe’s elder program, and preservation tribal language and cultural traditions which provides cultural programming for youth. She is a member of the Absentee Shawnee Election Commission where she previously served on the Absentee Shawnee Constitutional Revision and was elected tribal secretary. In 2012, Ms. Wahpekeche was recognized as the Oklahoma Native American Woman of the Year.

Rachel Lynn Walkup

IOWA TRIBE

Family, heritage, and faith have always been at the center of Rachel Lynn Walkup's busy life. Mrs. Walkup recently retired as vice president of lending from the 4th National Bank, after working in the banking industry for 43 years. She spent four decades of her career at INTRUST Bank where she acquired more than 50 educational bank training certificates from institutions such as the American Institute of Banking, Wichita State University and Newman University. As a dedicated employee, Mrs. Walkup earned multiple Employee of the Month awards. In 1993, she was named the Employee of the Year. Mrs. Walkup’s volunteerism over the years has included community events and organizations such as the Wichita River Festival, Kansas Food Bank, Salvation Army and United Way. Mrs. Walkup is the great-granddaughter of Chief Frank N. Kent and Emma Tohee Kent, granddaughter of Mary Kent McClellan and daughter of Phoebe M. McClellan O’Dell. Raised in the Iowa jurisdiction, she received firsthand teachings from great grandparents and a grandmother who instilled in her the traditional teachings of the Iowa culture. Mrs. Walkup passed on these traits and qualities to her children. She makes her home in Wichita, Kan. with her husband, where they dote on their many grandchildren. Rachel is proud to be Ioway and is supportive of all the tribal functions. She recognizes how blessed she is for all the encouragement and teachings that came from the Ioway elders and continues to encourage the young people to receive an education, set goals, never give up and, “Know all things are possible if you believe.”

Mickey White

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Mickey White is a devoted servant dedicating her time to the continuous improvement of her community. Ms. White created the My Hope Foundation after her daughter passed away from brain cancer. She awards four scholarships annually as a part of the foundation, and she is always helping anyone in need.

Ms. White has volunteered her time to be a grant writer for the community of Paden which has included grants for a park, playground equipment and a lighted basketball court. She also coordinated the volunteer hours needed for a land grant match. Ms. White is currently working on a grant with the State of Oklahoma Highway Department for sidewalks for the community, as well as work on the coordination of a veterans’ memorial for Paden. She also gives her time as a coordinator and volunteer to help clean the Paden School.

Wanda Whiteman

CHEYENNE & ARAPAHO TRIBES

Wanda Whiteman is recognized for her kind heart, caring nature and devotion to assisting tribal members in pursuit of education. She began her 25-year career with the tribe in 1977. Throughout her career, Ms. Whiteman worked in various departments such as the Johnson O’Malley program which provides enrolled Native American students with support to encourage success in school and foster participation in schoolrelated activities. She also supported the tribal nation’s employment and training program. Ultimately, Ms. Whiteman found her home in higher education, where she has been the coordinator since 1994. Her love of knowledge led Ms. Whiteman to purse two associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree, and she recently received her master’s degree.

Ronda Williams CHEROKEE NATION

Ronda Williams consistently demonstrates her love and respect for tribal elders and honors her culture by teaching others. Mrs. Williams served as the Native American diversity team lead at ConocoPhillips for nine years. In this role, she assisted in the recruitment of Native American employees. She also designed a recruiting brochure and went on several college campus tours to help recruit college students for interns and full time jobs. As a part of this effort, Mrs. Williams educated the students on the rich culture of Oklahoma Native American history and the history of ConocoPhillips.

Mrs. Williams also hosted cultural events for hundreds of children and taught them how to make corn silk dolls, clay pots and basket weaving. She was also active in the work of the Native American Network which insured that community children had Christmas gifts. Mrs. Williams also volunteered for holiday giving outreach by delivering elders food for the holidays.

Following her retirement in 2015, Mrs. Williams began work at the Delaware Tribe as the Title VI director where she works diligently to ensure elders have daily meals and socialization. Each day, she visits and serves approximately 90 elders to address their transportation and medical needs. She also assists elder caregivers and secures respite workers to serve the elders, while giving the caregivers a much-needed break. Mrs. Williams spends several volunteer hours weekly with the elders when they are sick or need assistance with getting their medication, as well as providing them socialization opportunities. Mrs. Williams has also proudly served as the Delaware Powwow concession lead and helped with program design and ads for more than 17 years.

Thomas Leroy Yahola

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Thomas Yahola’s commitment to Muscogee (Creek) Nation service began at a very early age. Mr. Yahola began attending council meetings in Okmulgee as a teenager when they were held in the Council House, and in the now-gone Oakdale Schoolhouse. He later took on an active role in tribal matters when he became secretary for Fishpond Tribal Town.

In the following years, Mr. Yahola attended Northeastern State University and earned a Bachelor of Science. He joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged, and then began his career with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was elected to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council just prior to ending his employment with the Corps of Engineers.

In Mr. Yahola’s early years on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council, he worked closely with Kansas State Rep. Rochelle Chronister and the Inter-tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, introducing and supporting legislation that designated areas along the Verdigris, Fall and Big Sandy River Valleys as the Opothle Yahola Historical Trail. He has served as the Mekko of the Tallahassee Ceremonial Ground. Mr. Yahola also wrote legislation that commissioned a bronze bust of Opothle Yahola that was to be placed in the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians. He also established the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Honor Guard and served as its commander. This unit, which consists of all military branches, provides burial service to veterans and posts colors at various events. During his 27 years serving the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council, Mr. Yahola held 11 terms, serving as speaker four terms and second speaker for one term.

Robert L . Yargee

ALABAMA-QUASSARTE TRIBAL TOWN

Robert L. Yargee has humbly served as a traditional Chief of the Alabama-Quassarte people for more than 50 years. He has maintained his lifetime commitment to preserve and honor the traditional teachings, customs and values of the AlabamaQuassarte people. As a traditional leader taught by his elders, he carries the wisdom and knowledge preserved in the native language, songs and stories. Mekko Yargee serves as a cultural advisor to many community organizations and a spiritual advisor to individuals. With his love, compassion, humility and understanding, he has served as a counselor to many friends and acquaintances. Mekko Yargee is currently serving his second term as Second Chief. Mekko Yargee is regarded as a peacemaker or peacekeeper and considered a very humble man full of love and wisdom.

Past Indian Elder Honors Recipients

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

Ms. Johnnie Mae Bettelyoun

Ms. Mary Birdtail

Mr. George Blanchard

Ms. Redena Blanchard Miller

Ms. Martha Bull Frog Edwards Ellis

Mrs.Charlene Edwards-Whittington

Ms. Jenifer Sloan

Ms. Esteline Sloan Schulenberg

Mr. Larry Spybuck

Mr. Melpherd Switch

Ms. Pauline White Wahpepah

Ms. Reta Marie Wilson-Harjo

ALABAMA-QUASSARTE TRIBAL TOWN

Mrs. Sinah BirdCreek

Mr. F.B. Fish

Mrs. Evelyn McLemore

Ms. Diana Moppin

Mr. Turner Scott

Mrs. Lucinda Tiger

Mr. Jack Yargee

Chief Tarpie Yargee

Ms. Winey Yargee

APACHE TRIBE

Mr. William (Bill) Tennyson Berry

Mr. Harry Kaudlekaule

Mr. Gregg Klinekole Jr.

Mr. Nathan (Jumbo) Tselee

CADDO NATION

Col. Louis (Buddy) Bedoka

Dr. Guyneth Bedoka Cardwell

Ms. Gayle Cussen Satepauhoodle

Ms. Mary Lou Davis

Mr. Randlett Edmonds

Ms. Billie Ruth Hoff

Mr. John Wayne Kionut

Ms. Ann Louis Bedoka Donaghey

CADDO NATION, KAW NATION AND OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE

Mr. Dwight Pickering

CHEROKEE NATION

Dr. Richard Allen

Mr. Buel Anglen

Mr. Jack Baker

Ms. Dianne Barker Harrold

Mrs. Karyn Braswell

Ms. Rosa Carter

Mr. John Wayne Cloud

Ms. Beverly Cowan

Sgt. 1st Class Ret. Norman Crowe

Ms. Carol “Jane” Davis

Dr. John Farris

Mr. Bill Glass Jr.

Mr. Joe Grayson

Mrs. Winnie Guess-Perdue

Mr. Dennis “Jay” Hannah

Dr. Pamela Jumper Thurman

Mr. John Ketcher

Mrs. Doris “Coke” Lane Meyer

Ms. Rebecca “Becky” Meyer

Mrs. Marcella Morton

Ms. Mary Rector Aitson

Mr. Jimmy L. Reeder

Ms. Lucinda Robbins

Ms. Fan Robinson

Mr. Crosslin Fields Smith

Mr. Henry Smoke

Ms. Ollie Starr

Ms. Hickory Starr

Ms. Betty Starr-Barker

Mr. Ross Swimmer

Mr. Joe T. Thornton

Mr. Raymond Vann

CHEROKEE NATION AND OSAGE NATION

Mr. J. C. Elliot

CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO

TRIBES

Col. Ralph Dru

Ms. Irene D. Hamilton

Mr. Lawrence Hart

Dr. Henrietta Mann

Mr. Charles Pratt

Mr. Harvey Phillip Pratt

Mr. Moses Starr Jr.

Mr. Raymond “Red” Stone Calf

Traditional Chief Allen Sutton

Mrs. Viola Sutton-Hatch

Mr. William Tall Bear Sr.

Mr. Robert Wilson

CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO TRIBES AND APACHE TRIBE

Mr. Albert GreyEagle

CHICKASAW NATION

Mr. William “Bill” Bomboy

Mrs. Jeraldine “Jerry” Brown

Lt. Gov. Kennedy Brown

Ms. Pauline Carpenter-Brown

Mr. Thomas W. Cooper

Ms. Irene Digby

Mr. Bill Duckworth

Ms. Glenda Galvan

Ms. Mary Jo Green

Mr. Don Hayes

Mr. Ron Hayes

Mr. Melvin Imotichey

Ms. RoseJefferson

Honorable Mary Jane Lowery

Mr. Neal McCaleb

Mrs. Dean McManus

Mr. Ron Parker

Mr. Michael Reed

Ms. Thelma Lucile (Chincie) Ross

Ms. Lucy Belle Schultz

Past Indian Elder Honors Recipients

Mrs. Sue Simmons

Ms. Barbara Smith

Ms. Mary Smith

Mr. Stanley Smith

Ms. Towana Spivey

Ms. Evangeline Wilson

Ms. Patricia Ann Woods

CHICKASAW NATION AND CHOCTAW NATION

Mr. John Edwin Anderson

Mr. Levi Orphan

CHOCTAW NATION

Mr. Jack Austin Sr.

Mrs. Lorene Blaine

Rev. Bertram Bobb

Mrs. Doretha Bowen

Ms. Mary Ann Brittan

Mr. Gilbert Mike “Choc” Charleston

Mr. Delton Cox

Mr. Thomas J. Dry

Mrs. Sue Folsom

Mr. Ernest Hooser

Mr. Sylvester Moore

Mr. Walter Phelps

Ms. Norma Price

Mr. Leo Smallwood

Ms. Marcie Smith

Mrs. Rosa Taylor Gilmore

Ms. Harriet Tehauno

Ms. Betty War

Ms. Linda Watson

Rev. Donald Eugene (Gene) Wilson

Mrs. Robin Woodley

CHOCTAW NATION AND CHICKASAW NATION

Mrs. Tewanna Edwards

CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION

Mr. David Barrett

Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett

Ms. Loretta Barrett-Oden

Vice Chairman Linda Capps

Mr. Leon Cross

Ms. Mary Deathrage

Ms. Beverly Hughes

Mr. Alan Kelly

Mr. William Nadeau

Ms. Mary Ann Powell

Ms. Carmelita Skeeter

Mr. Doyle Thompson

COMANCHE NATION

Chairman Wallace Coffey

Mr. Kenneth Coosewoon

Mrs. Rita Coosewoon

Mr. Conrad Galey

Mrs. Barbara Goodin

Ms. LaDonna Harris

Mr. Barthell Little Chief

Ms. Martha (Adele) Mihesuah

Ms. Josephine Myers-Wapp

Mr. Bill Shoemate

Mr. Jack Shoemate

Ms. Sherry Smith

Mr. Milton Sovo

Dr. Robbie Wahnee

Dr. Linda Sue Warner

Rev. Videll Yackeschi

COMANCHE NATION AND KIOWA TRIBE

Mr. Leon Hawzipta

Ms. Cornelia Quoetone-Karty

DELAWARE NATION

Ms. Georgia Gallegos

Mr. Tom Holder

Mr. Frank Osborne Jr.

Ms. Linda Sue Poolaw

Mr. Jim VanDeman

Ms. Glayds Yackeyonny

DELAWARE TRIBE

Mr. Howard Barnes

Chief Chester (Chet) Brooks

Mr. Raymond M. Cline

Mr. Jerry Douglas

Mr. Lewis Ketchum

Mr. Dee Ketchum

Mrs. Annette Ketchum

Mr. Charles Randall

Mrs. Bonnie Thaxton

Ms. Mary Watters

EASTERN SHAWNEE TRIBE

Mr. John Daughtery Jr.

Mr. Charles Enyart

Ms. Beverly Sue Hauser Rendel

Mrs. Norma Kraus

Ms. Glenna Wallace

Ms. Virginia Fanning

EUCHEE (YUCHI) TRIBE

Dr. Richard A. Grounds, Ph.D

Ms. Maxine Wildcat Barnett

EUCHEE (YUCHI) TRIBE AND MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION

Mrs. Vada Foster Tiger Nichwander

EUCHEE (YUCHI) TRIBE, MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION AND CHOCTAW NATION

Mr. Arthur K. James

Past Indian Elder Honors Recipients

FORT SILL APACHE TRIBE

Mr. Leland Michael Darrow

Mr. Lupe Gooday Sr.

Mr. Benedict Kawaykla

FORT SILL APACHE TRIBE

Mr. Michael Pratt Kawaykla

IOWA TRIBE

Mr. Eugene Big Soldier

Ms. Linda Big Soldier

Ms. Joyce Big Soldier-Miller

Mr. Jacob “Jake” Big Solider Jr.

Ms. Ruby Nell Gibson Logan

Ms. E. Bernadette Huber

Ms. Joan Mayes

Mr. Victor Roubidoux

Ms. Janice Rowe-Kurak

Ms. Mae Sine

Ms. Jackie Sine Young

KAW NATION AND OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE

Ms. Mary Butler

Mr. Charles (Sonny) Holloway

Mr. Curtis Kekahbah

Mr. Guy Munroe

Mr. Luther Pepper

Ms. Jacque Secondine-Hensley

Ms. Tahagena (Gena) Warren

Ms. Wanda Stone

KAW NATION

Ms. Eva Munroe-Jones

KIALEEGE TRIBAL TOWN

Mr. Jacob Fixico

Ms. Jennie Anderson-Lillard

Ms. Leola Barnett

Ms. June Fixico

Ms. Brenda Leftwich

Ms. Susie Martinez

KICKAPOO TRIBE

Mr. Clarence Deer

Ms. Judy Deer-Coser

Ms. Jenell Downs

Ms. Emma Murdock

Mr. Cecil Wahpekeche

Mr. Lawrence Wahpepah

Mr. Bob White

Ms. Juanita Johnson

KIOWA TRIBE

Mr. James Anquoe

Mr. Nelson BigBow

Mr. Jerry C. Bread

Mr. Parker Emhoolah

Mr. Gary Kodaseet

Honorable Philip LuJan

Dr. N. Scott Momaday

Mr. Burt Patadal

Mr. John Pinezaddleby

Mr. Luke Toyebo Sr.

Mr. Gene E. Tsatoke

Mr. George (Chuck) Tsoodle

Mr. Vernon Tsoodle

Ms. Modina Waters

Ms. Dorothy Whitehorse-DeLaune

Ms. Julian Q. Whorton

Dr. Diane Willis

Ms. Francine Worthington

KIOWA TRIBE AND APACHE TRIBE

Mr. Duke Tsoodle

KIOWA TRIBE AND CHOCTAW NATION

Mr.Lyndreth L. (Tugger) Palmer

Mr. Dixon Palmer

Ms. Georgette “G.G.” Palmer-Smith

Mr. Matthew (Mac) Whitehorse

MIAMI TRIBE

Mr. Royce Carter

Ms. Judy C. Davis

Mr. Jerry Lankford

Mr. Frank Leonard

Mrs. Nadine Mayfield

Mr. Wilbur (Webb) Tipton

Ms. Mildred Walker

Mr. James Battese

Mayor Neal Watson

MODOC TRIBE

Ms. Judy Cobb

Mr. Phil Follis

Mr. Bill Follis

Mr. Ted McCullum

Ms. Ramona Rosiere

Mr. Jack W. Shadwick

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION

Ms. Jeanetta Anderson

Mr. Fredo (Chubby) Anderson

Ms. Mary Arkeketa

Mr. Bill Barnett

Mr. Turner Bear Jr.

Mr. Gene Bible

Ms. Johnnie Brasuell

Mr. Allen Colbert

Mr. Phillip Coon

Mr. George Coser

Dr. Peter G. Coser

Mr. Bill J. Davis

Ms. Myrtle Denney

Principal Chief A.D. Ellis

Ms. Leona Fish

Ms. Pauline Haney

Mr. Eugene Harjo

Mr. Keeper Johnson

Ms. Matilda King

Ms. Candy Fish Klumpp

Past Indian Elder Honors Recipients

Ms. Rebecca Lindsey

Ms. Rosalee “Rose” Marshall

Ms. Susie “Sue” Morgan

Mr. Scott Roberts

Mr. Jon Mark Tiger

Mr. George Phillip Tiger

Mr. Richard Ray Whitman

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION AND SEMINOLE NATION

Ms. Lahoma Schultz

OSAGE NATION

Ms. Jerri Jean Branstetter

Ms. Anita Fields

Ms. Mary Gray-Bighorse

Mr. Charles Eugene “Chuck” Hessert

Ms. Nancy Keil

Mr. Charles Lookout

Mr. H. Mongraine Lookout

Ms. Anita Lookout-West

Mrs. Sheri Mashburn

Mr. Bill Mashunkashey

Mr. Steven Pratt

Councilwomen Kathryn Red Corn

Mr. Charles Harold RedCorn

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Ricketts

Mr. George A. Shannon

Mr. Tim Tallchief

Mr. George E. Tallchief

Ms. Julia Wilson

Ms. Rosemary Wood

OSAGE NATION, KAW NATION AND PONCA NATION

Ms. Martha Spotted Bear

OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE

Ms. Dorcas Kent Williams

Ms. Joan Aitson

Mr. Don Childs

Mr. Hank Childs

Mrs. Barbara Childs Walton

Mr. Joseph Dent

Ms. Lorena DeRoin

Dr. Aaron Gawhega

Ms. Cornelia Mae Gosney

Ms. Freida Homeratha

Ms. Arkeketa LeClair

Mr. Baptiste Shunatona

Ms. Virginia Thomas

Mr. Randall Whitehorn

OTTAWA TRIBE

Mr. Larry Angelo

Ms. Ethel Cook

Mrs. Charla Dawes

Ms. Sharon Den Hoed

Ms. Coweta Ulrey

PAWNEE NATION

Mr. Neill Bayhylle

Mr. Henry Chapman Stoneroad

Ms. Cordelia Clapp

Mr. John E. Echo-Hawk

Mr. Marshall R. Gover

Mr. Charles A. Lone Chief Jr.

Mr. Duane Pratt Sr.

Mr. Roy Weeks Taylor

Mr. George Howell

PAWNEE NATION AND WICHITA AND AFFILIATED TRIBES

Mrs. Dawna Hare

PEORIA TRIBE

Mr. Wayne Blalock

Miss Annette Black

Mr. Emmett (Bud) Ellis

Chief John P. Froman

Ms. Carolyn Garren-Ritchey

Ms. Roberta Lindsly

PONCA TRIBE

Mr. Tony Arkeketa

Ms. Therese Buffalohead

Mrs. Casey Camp-Horinek

Mr. Louis Headman

Mr. John Lee Kemble

Mr. Christopher Lee LittleCook

Mr. Steve Pensoneau

Ms. Barbara Warner

Ms. Maxine Williams-Thompson

QUAPAW QUAPAW TRIBE AND PAWNEE NATION

Mrs. Charlene Leading Fox Button

QUAPAW TRIBE

Mr. Lloyd Buffalo

Ms. Grace Goodeagle

Ms. Barbara Kyser-Collier

Mr. Henry McNeer Ellick

Mr. Jim Greenfeather

Ms. Jean Ann Lambert

Ms. Florence Whitecrow Matthews

QUAPAW TRIBE AND OSAGE NATION

Ms. Ardina Revard Moore

SAC AND FOX NATION

Ms. Peggy Acoya

Ms. Judy Crain Baggett

Ms. Mary Ellis

Mr. Keith Franklin

Ms. Stella M. Nullake-Nanaeto

Ms. Lena (Ellis) Pennock Clark

Principal Chief Elizabeth Rhoads

Mr. John R. (Jack) Thorpe

Mr. William Thorpe

Mr. Freeland Wood

Past Indian Elder Honors Recipients

SAC AND FOX NATION AND IOWA TRIBE

Ms. Stella Wilson

SEMINOLE NATION

Ms. Diana Autaubo

Ms. Velma Coker

Asst. Chief Ella Colman

Ms. Gracie Dailie

Mr. Kotcha Doonkeen

Ms. Eula Doonkeen

Ms. Mary Ann Emarthle

Ms. Nancy Fixico

Mr. Enoch Kelly Haney

Ms. Greta Haney Ruminer

Ms. Fannie Harjo

Mrs. Darlene Henneha

Council Rep. Charlie Hill

Mrs. June Lee

Mrs. Jane McGiesey

Ms. Joanna Palmer-Morris

Ms. Shirley Walker

Mrs. Cynthia Yerby

SEMINOLE NATION AND MUSCOGEE

(CREEK) NATION

Mr. Jerry Haney

SENECA CAYUGA NATION

Mr. Charles Diebold

Ms. Nadine Hilliard

Chief Leroy Howard

Mr. Wayne Smith

SHAWNEE TRIBE

Ms. Ruthe Blalock Jones

Mr. Tony Booth

Mr. Freddie Halfmoon

Ms. Georgie Honey

Ms. Patsy Lorene Johnson

Mr. Doyle Barry Kerr

Mr. Scott Secondine

Ms. Carolyn Smith

Mr. James Squirrel

THLOPTHLOCCO TRIBAL TOWN

Ms. Rosalie Bateman

Ms. Grace Bunner

Ms. Dorothy Burden

Ms. Nora Cheek

Mr. Charles Coleman

Ms. Melinda Ann Gibson

Ms. Elsie Mae Martin

Mrs. Elizabeth Trickey

THLOPTHLOCCO TRIBAL TOWN & MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION

Ms. Sandra Dacon-Medrano

TONKAWA TRIBE

Ms. Barbara Allen

Mr. Don Patterson

Mr. Jim Schreen

UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND OF CHEROKEES

Mr. John William Cornsilk

Mr. Sequoyah Guess

Mr. John Hair

Mr. Woody Hansen

Mr. Howard Hansen Sr.

Mr. Jim Henson

Ms. Dorothy Ice

Mr. Jacob Littledave

Dr. Ricky Robinson

Mr. George Wickliffe

WICHITA AND AFFILIATED TRIBES

Ms. Shirley Davilla

Mr. Clark Inkanish

Mrs. Elfreida Irving

Ms. Doris Jean Lamar

Mr. Stuart Owings

Ms. Marsha Rose

Mr. James “Bunny” Ross

Mr. Myles Stephenson Sr.

Mr. Franklin Dale Swift

Mrs. Rochelle Swift

Mr. Stratford Williams

WYANDOTTE NATION

Mr. Leaford Bearskin

Chief Billy Friend

Mr. David Keffer

Ms. Juanita Long McQuiston

Mr. Ted Nesvold

Mr. Walte Watts

PAST JOHN EDWARDS LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

2018

Dr. Judy Goforth Parker Chickasaw Nation

2017

Dr. Henrietta Mann

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma

2016

Rev. Dr. David Wilson

Choctaw Nation

2015

Dr. Tom Anderson Cherokee Nation

2014

Chief Gregory Pyle

Choctaw Nation

AAR P Oklahoma Executive Council

Joe Ann Vermillion, State President

Wayne Blackmon

Teewanna Edwards

Mary Overall

Beth Roller

AAR P Oklahoma State Office

Sean Voskuhl State Director

Melanie Henry

Associate State Director, Communications & Outreach

Melba Knight Senior Operations Associate

JoyMcGill

Associate State Director, Outreach

Chad Mullen

Associate State Director, Advocacy

Mashell Sourjohn

Associate State Director, Outreach

With 400,000 members in Oklahoma and nearly 38 million members nationwide, AARP is dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. As the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.