Oklahoma:  For the first time, AARP Oklahoma has awarded honors to American Indian Elders.  This year, 50 elders were recognized. Below are the honorees and a brief mention of their accomplishments. 

 [Editors Note: Don't miss the detailed and impressive list of each person's accomplishments and awards: http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2686:aarp-honors-native-elders&catid=49&Itemid=25]

James Anquoe, Kiowa:  preserving tribal music, working with tribal museums and the Smithsonian NMAI.

Tony Arkeketa, Ponca Tribe: preserving tribal songs, languages, and traditions, litigator for Ponca interests.

Turner Bear, Jr., Muscogee (Creek) – educator, coach, mentor.

Gene Bible, Muscogee (Creek) – served in the 45th Infantry Division and volunteer work in refurbishing homes.

Kennedy Brown, Chickasaw – a Chickasaw Nation leader, health care advocate, and youth mentor.

Dr. Guyneth Bedoka Cardwell, Caddo – retired educator and poet and protecting Caddo oral histories.

Allan Colbert, Muscogee (Creek) – minister of the gospel, educator and coach. 

Ethel Cook, Ottawa – Ottawa leader dedicated to the needs of her people, especially the elderly.

Phillip Coon, Muscogee (Creek) – a full blood Creek and WW II veteran. 

Gracie Dailey, Seminole: Seminole Nation council member, civil servant, and educational advocate.

Lorena DeRoin, Otoe-Missouria –  age 94, works at Otoe-Missouria Senior Citizens Center. supporter and Chaplain of American War Mothers. 

Eula Doonkeen, Seminole –Supports Indian health care and involved in tribal leadership. She speaks fluent Seminole and was featured in several films. 
 
Jerry Douglas, Delaware Tribe – involved in tribal leadership, education, economic, and health care.

Tewanna Edwards, Chickasaw – Advocate for American Indian families, Chickasaw Nation Peacemaker, youth supporter. counselor, teacher, author. 

 Martha Bull Frog Ellis Edwards, Absentee Shawnee – Fluent speaker of Shawnee, second oldest tribal member, dancer.

Mary (Spooner) Ellis, Sac and Fox Nation – Sac and Fox Veterans Women’s Auxiliary, traditional cook, one of the longest active/serving elders.

Chief Bill Follis, Modoc –  tribal leader, Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, education an health supporter, Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Chief Lawrence Hart, Cheyenne Arapaho – a Peace and Principal Chief, established and directs the Cheyenne Cultural Center.

Jacob Fixico, Kialegee Tribal Town – Tribal leader, promotes culture, arts and crafts, helping the needy. 

Melinda Ann Gibson, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town – fluent native speaker, feeding the needy, role-model.

  Lupe A. Gooday, Sr., Fort Sill Apache – Cultural advocate, established housing, health advocate.
Barbara Goodin, Comanche – Comanche language educational materials, preserving tribal history, research.

George Elton Howell, Pawnee – health care, tribal leadership.

 Juanita Johnson, Kickapoo – elder advocate, tribal interpreter and resource person, fluent Kickapoo speaker.

John Ketcher, Cherokee – community volunteer, fluent in the Cherokee language, college housing director, tribal leadership, student activities.

Doris Jean Lamar McLemore, Wichita and Affliliated Tribes – the last living fluent speaker of the Wichita Language,   Wichita Language preservation.

Bill Mashunkashey, Osage –  World War II Army veteran, Indian Affairs advisor, children's interests, author.

Nadine Mayfield, Miami – respected elder, tribal leadership.

Florence Whitecrow Matthews, Quapaw – business woman, cultural efforts, educator.

William Nadeau, Citizen Potawatomi –  A World War II veteran, Potawatomi Elder.

Ted Nesvold, Wyandotte – veteran, Wyandotte Nation service, honor guard, powwow committee.

Levi Orphan, Chickasaw/Choctaw --  veteran, firefighter, national disaster assistance.

Don Patterson, Tonkawa – dancer, singer, businessman, tribal historian and president, Native American Church. 

Norma Price, Choctaw – elder, teacher, coach, caseworker, tax-aide.

Lucy Belle Schultz, Chickasaw – tribal leadership, community development, government education, volunteer, serving elders. .

Dr. Lahoma Schultz, Ph.d, Creek and Seminole – humanitarian, author, lecturer and psychologist, advocate for the disabled.

Mae Sine, Iowa –   Ioway traditional, spiritual and cultural issues, businesswoman, Ioway language.

Leo Smallwood, Choctaw – award-winning former teacher, basketball coach and principal

Wayne Smith, Seneca-Cayuga –  tribal elder, full blood Seneca Cayuga, past Chief and supporter of tribal traditions..

Hickory Starr, Cherokee – lifetime spent working for Indian health care and services.

Wanda Stone, Kaw – former tribal Chairperson, businesswoman, tribal affairs

James Squirrel, Shawnee – former tribal chairman, ceremonial singer,  instrumental in the Shawnee's federal recognition.

George Phillip Tiger, Creek – a full blood Creek,  tribal and state tribes council, educational affairs, native public relations,  television executive.

Vernon Tsoodle,  Kiowa -- veteran, BIA employee, national advocate of NA veterans, agriculture. 
 
Barbara Warner, Ponca – Oklahoma Indian Affairs, national leader on NA issues.

Modina Waters (Toppah/Yellowhair), Kiowa --  tribal leadership, health services, fund raiser, community service, advocate for veterans and tribal culture.

Chief Glenna Wallace, Eastern Shawnee – tribal chief, businesswoman, educator,  civic and community involvement.

Chief George Wickliffe, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee – elder advocate, nutrition, quality of life supporter. Under the leadership of Chief Wickliffe, quality of life for older Keetoowah Cherokees has vastly improved.

Evangeline Wilson, Choctaw – Code Talkers Association, educator and guidance counselor, case worker, volunteer..

Tarpie Yargee, Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town –  tribal economic development, elder advocate former chief.

Previous Story