For Tribe and Country, Three Generations Deep in Tradition
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Continuing publication Choctaw of recorded interviews of Harvest Day in Choctaw elders from 2007 Carnvival Denver Costume Contest This month – Edith McMinn and Doecha Harris Page 8 Pages 13 Page 16 BISKINIK CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PRESORT STD P.O. Box 1210 AUTO Durant OK 74702 U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHOCTAW NATION BISKINIKThe Official Publication of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma November 2011 Issue Serving 210,258 Choctaws Worldwide Choctaws ... growing with pride, hope and success Past Outstanding Elders 1999 Outstanding Choctaw Randle Durant, District 6 2000 Elders named for 2011 Rev. Bertram Bobb, District 7 The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma zx More photos on Pages 10-11 Judith Perry, District 8 held a banquet Oct. 20 to honor out- standing elder nominees from each tired at the rank of E-8. His MOS was 2001 of its community centers. Chosen William “Bill” Amos, District 1 52B, power generation equipment as the tribe’s Outstanding Elders for Juanita Jefferson, District 3 repairman, with his first duty station 2011 are Herbert Jessie, District 1 at Fort Hood with the 11th Data Pro- 2002 – Idabel, and Rebecca Nahwoosky, cessing Detachment 2nd Armored Moses Williams, District 2 District 7 – Wright City. Division. His next duty station was Lois Burton, District 4 “The annual recognition of our el- in Karsrube, West Germany, with the ders is a special event,” Chief Greg- 72nd Signal Battalion in charge of 2003 ory E. Pyle said. “They represent the Franch Johnico, District 3 the power generation repair shop. He strength of our resilient nation.” Rena Caffey, District 9 has also been stationed at Ramstein Choctaw Nation: LISA REED Herbert Jessie, 1st Sgt. (ret.), is Airbase, West Germany, with the Councilman Thomas Williston, Outstanding Choctaw Elders Herbert 2004 a member of the Choctaw Nation 92nd Ordinance Detachment where Jessie and Rebecca Nahwoosky, Chief Gregory E. Pyle and Councilman Shirley Montgomery, District 7 Color Guard. He joined the group in he was in charge of direct support re- Jack Austin. Ernest Hooser, District 9 1998, served as assistant coordinator pairing power generation equipment and is now the coordinator. He also that included the chapparal missiles His last duty station was at Fort Sill later became the center coordinator 2005 serves as commander of the Ameri- with the Polar Bear BN, 4th-31st In- for the Idabel and Broken Bow of- Julia McKinney, District 2 and Vulcan machine guns for low- can Legion Post #8 in Idabel and is fantry Regiment. This battalion was fices. He remained with the agency Truman Heron, District 9 flying aircraft for protecting the air- on the Board of Commission of the base. Herbert returned to the states the only American unit that fought in from 1990 to 1998. He then began 2006 Choctaw Nation Housing Authority. to Fort Belvoir where he became an China during the 1930s. Herbert was his career with the Housing Author- Carrie Bohanon, District 2 He was born in Talihina to a fam- AIT instructor for the power genera- the battalion motor sergeant, training ity in Hugo as a modernization coor- John Hooser, District 7 ily of migratory farm workers who tion repair school for five years. He young officers on the combat readi- dinator, retiring in 2005. moved from West Texas to East Cen- was sent next to South Korea where ness of track and wheel vehicles. This year’s female Outstanding 2007 tral Texas, then Western Oklahoma He spent a total of eight and one- Elder winner, Rebecca Hattie Nah- Juanita Futrell, District 3 he was the battalion motor sergeant and settled in Frederick. Herbert at- half years overseas during his mili- woosky, has taught Choctaw lan- Benny Anderson, District 3 for the 44th Combat Heavy Equip- tended rural Weaver School in Fred- ment Battalion while also acting as tary career. He retired from the U.S. guage classes in Wright City for four 2008 erick. While growing up, he worked the first sergeant and a platoon ser- Army in 1989. years. She has been a member of the Lorene Blaine, District 9 on farm lands that had wheat, cotton, geant. This unit, close to the DMZ After his retirement, Herbert and Choctaw Language Dictionary com- Walker Davis, District 1 maize and alfalfa, driving combines line, maintained combat readiness wife Lillie moved to Kvllituklo to be mittee for six years. and wheat-loaded tractors. After for track and wheel vehicles. near his mother. The couple raised Hattie is married to Frank Nah- 2009 graduation, he went to work for a three children, Cheryl, Robert and woosky and enjoys reading her Bi- Leo Smallwood, District 7 After returning to Fort Belvoir, skilled-craft leatherworks facility Douglas. Herbert lost his wife in ble, studying and praying. She is a Norma Price, District 9 Herbert was sent to Garistedt, West until he was drafted into the U.S. Germany, near Bremmerhaven, 2010 and his son, Douglas, this year. Sunday School teacher at her church. 2010 Army. where he was assigned as the 1st He began working for Little Di- She graduated from Grey High Mary Watson, District 7 Herbert’s military career spanned Sgt. of the 199th Combat Service xie Community Action Agency soon Melvin Tom, District 2 22 years – 1967-1989 – and he re- Battalion 2nd Armored Division. after retirement as a van driver and See ELDERS Page 5 Tribal Council Choctaws among AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder honorees meets in regular Each year AARP Oklahoma cel- young, new pastor in the late 1960s, nificant time researching self-deter- ebrates 50 of the state’s Indian El- he addressed the cultural situation of mination. He was employed by the October session ders by recognizing their achieve- the tribe at the time, he says, leading Absentee-Shawnee and Sac and Fox The Choctaw Nation Tribal ments and contributions in cultural to him and a small group making a tribes as a child welfare director and Council met on Oct. 8 in regular preservation, community service, trip to their “homeland” in Missis- served on boards of other Indian and session at Tushka Homma. Trib- arts or leadership in their respective sippi. The trip was the first of many state agencies. Mr. Dry promoted al Council Speaker Delton Cox tribe, community or state. This year, made over the few decades, with the legislation and worked closely with called the meeting to order, wel- Indian elders from 37 of the state’s group growing in size every year. other tribal members to create the comed guests and then asked for tribes were recognized at the AARP “Many of the older Choctaws Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare committee reports. After com- Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors cer- never talked about the homeland or Act. He is a founding member of mittee reports were given the emony, an event held Oct. 4 at the much about the history,” he says. the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Tribal Council addressed new National Cowboy and Western Heri- Through forced integration, much Association and continues to work business. tage Museum in Oklahoma City. of the cultural identifiers were lost closely with state and tribal leaders. • Approval of several budgets Included among the honorees were over time following the Trail of Betty War including Upward Bound Math/ three Choctaws, the Rev. Donald Tears. It became, sadly, “a muted Also honored but not in atten- Science Program FY 2012, Inju- Eugene “Gene” Wilson, Thomas J. heritage and tradition,” he says. Re- dance was Betty War of Hartshorne, ry Prevention Program, Project Dry and Betty Cooper War. gaining the dance was a vital piece a Choctaw who worked with Indian Safe and Legal Assistance for The event, which drew several in reconnecting to their tribal roots. children for over 35 years at Jones Victims Grant. hundred people, opened with a buf- Countless young people who were Academy in Hartshorne, according • Budget modifications to fet dinner and a performance by the Choctaw Nation: LARISSA COPELAND part of his Choctaw dance group to AARP. She first served as a ma- WIC FY 2011 and Capitol Proj- Oklahoma Fancy Dancers. Follow- Thomas J. Dry and the Rev. during the 1970s credit his lasting tron in the little girls’ dorm where ects Budget FY 2012. ing a keynote address by John Penn, Gene Wilson proudly display their influence on their lives, many con- many had wounded spirits, low or • Disposal of surplus equip- a member of the AARP National medallions at the Indian Elder tinuing the tradition of Choctaw so- no self-esteem. She made them feel ment by Fixed Assets Depart- Board of Directors, the honorees Honors ceremony on Oct. 4 cial dancing today. proud to be Indian and was involved ment. were presented with large medal- Thomas J. Dry in every aspect of their lives from • Approval of oil and gas lease lions of appreciation as a brief his- Eagletown, is credited with help- Indian heritage has always been school to church. Today, many for- with Stephens Production Com- tory of their accomplishments was ing to stimulate the tribal culture in important to Thomas J. Dry of Ed- mer students still come to see, visit pany. read to the crowd. the 1970s by “kick starting” a tradi- mond. Realizing he needed more and help “Miss War.” A generation The Choctaw Nation Tribal The Rev. Gene Wilson tional Choctaw dance revival among skills to help the Indian cause, he of men and women love her for her Council meets in regular ses- The Rev. Gene Wilson, a resident the youth of the Presbyterian church earned a Master’s degree in social kindness, as a wise counselor and sion at 10 a.m.