Hugo Choctaw Stickball holds wild Day in stick making onion McAlester class dinner

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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

May 2012 Issue Choctaws ... growing with pride, hope and success

Choctaw Defense awarded $24 million military trailer contract By BRIAN BRUS success makes you jaded. Just a few Journal Record years ago I would have fainted but now this sort of deal has become al- McAlester-based Choctaw Manu- most routine. facturing Defense Contractors has “We just lay low, out in the middle been awarded a $24.4 million deliv- of nowhere. We’re not in Oklahoma ery order to supply more than 500 City or Tulsa; we’re not on the East U.S. military trailers, Chief Execu- Coast or West Coast. So I guess no- tive Stephen Benefield confirmed. body ever hears about us.” When first asked about the con- The company, which was founded tract, Benefield needed a moment to in 1988, is now the largest supplier consider the scale of the job. of military shipping and storage Choctaw Nation: LISA REED ESIAS J. “E.J.” JOHNSON “Now that you mention it, it is a containers, with satellite produc- The Choctaw Defense plant in McAlester pretty large order,” he said. “I guess tion facilities in Hugo and Antlers. It has about 240 full- and vehicle trailers that are used for is expected to begin later this year. Former time employees and hauling drinkable water to military The order for 500 Medium Tactical makes about $50 forces nearly anywhere in the world. Vehicle Replacement trailer chassis million in annual The company is quickly establishing is currently the company’s largest Councilman revenue. a niche for itself with the latter, he contract, a continuation of an origi- Products range said, as it replaces the older so-called nal contract. He said the U.S. Army E.J. Johnson from wooden crates Water Buffalo model at a capacity intends to buy about 6,200 trailers for gun ammunition of 400 gallons with its new Camel over several years. to aluminum con- model at 800 gallons. The Camel is “This is good, ongoing business passes away tainers for missiles temperature-controlled so that water for us. It keeps our operations ro- Former Tribal Council- – “because you don’t is immediately ready to consume bust,” Benefield said. man Esias J. “E.J.” Johnson put a $900,000 cruise whether troops are in a desert or an The company has also recently of Atoka, who proudly served missile in a card- arctic environment. won a metrology-related award the people of District 10 for 18 Choctaw Nation: LISA REED board box,” he said. The first few Camel trailers out of from a federal government agency years before leaving office in Choctaw Defense employees work on a section In addition, CMDC an order of 300 recently were sent to for the precision of its manufactur- 2005, passed away April 24, of the trailers the plant has been contracted to produces space heat- the military for final testing; high- ing processes, officials confirmed. 2012, at Atoka County Medical build for the U.S. Army. ers, helicopter parts volume production in Oklahoma The award will be revealed in May. Center. He was 89 years old. E.J. was born April 12, 1923, in Bohler, Okla., to Daniel and Maulsey (Tully) Johnson. E.J. married Marie Leflore on Oct. 9, 1951, in Antlers. Grandmother’s wisdom helps She preceded him in death on March 4, 1996. Williams choose a positive path In addition to his service By LISA REED ure to teach him the ways of life. He to the Choctaw Nation, E.J. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma watched the other men, what they also served his country in the did, and even at that time the boys military during World War II. The 1960s were synonymous or young men had to do some kind He was also employed by the with change. It was a time period of accomplishment to earn the title Oklahoma State Department of when the Choctaws who stayed of warrior. Transportation. behind in Mississippi had been “Of course, before that time pe- E.J. is survived by four sons, Photo provided scattered out and were venturing riod, if you went to war you were Kenneth R. Johnson and wife Oklahoma Choctaw potters in attendance at the pottery gathering are, back to their original home. The a warrior,” Williams said. “When I Darlene of Achille, Richard D. front row from left, Vangie Robinson, Mary Frazier, Debbie Damron, Mississippi Choctaws were still was 9 or 10, it was a different era so Johnson and wife Pat of Atoka, Teresa Prough, and Ed Perkins; back row from left, Dan Bernier, Ian reuniting after being recognized they had to find another rite of pas- Bobby Dean Johnson and wife Thompson, Linda Burton, and Sandra Moore-Riley. by the federal government as a sage. If you could provide food for Sara of Atoka, and Richard tribe in 1945 – many with memo- the family it was the manly thing to Guitiurez; three daughters, Cle- ries of the old ways, all looking at do. You became a man if you pro- ta F. Billy of Atoka, Anita K. an uncertain future. vided food for the clan. Jones of Coalgate, and Deborah Choctaw potters return to ancestral “The old ways had been dis- “Grandma had to decide when it A. Williams and husband John banded for a moment,” says Olin was the right time. No one knew ex- of Mead; 17 grandchildren, 34 ground, to ancestral clay in Alabama Williams, who was a young boy cept her and the lead hunter that my great-grandchildren, and sever- By IAN THOMPSON American styles, and archaeologists during the ’60s. “Choctaws were first rabbit hunt was a rite of passage al nieces, nephews, and a host Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma who specialize in Southeastern Na- coming back to their home land day. She knew I would be in need of friends. tive American ceramics. and trying to resume life, but of authority and it should to be done E.J. was preceded in death by A group of nine traditional pot- For the Choctaw potters, the event things had changed. Martin Lu- then or I would select the wrong role his parents, wife, brother Mc- ters from the Choctaw Nation of was a special opportunity to learn ther King Jr. was preaching about models.” Donald Johnson, sisters Anna Oklahoma have recently returned more about ancestral ceramic forms injustice in the neighboring state His grandmother’s wisdom helped Mae Parrish and Christine from the “Fusing Red Earth Pottery and processes, to share techniques of Alabama. All this was going on Williams to choose a positive direc- Greenwood, daughter Anna, Gathering,” hosted at Moundville with other artists, to study hundreds and we were still trying to prac- tion for his life. and three sons, Ed Johnson, Archaeological Park in Alabama, of ancient pieces of pottery, to liter- tice the matrilineal way of life.” She conveyed her wishes, her Jerry LeFlore, and Alvin John- March 28-31. This event brought ally walk in the footsteps of ances- His grandmother was the ma- concerns, all with body signals and son. together potters from the Choctaw tors at Moundville, and to dig clay triarch of their clan, a position facial expressions as was her way, He was interred at Butler Nation of Oklahoma, Muscogee in some of the same places used by understood by the whole family. to the clan’s lead hunter. Williams Cemetery in Atoka. The Rev. (Creek) Nation, Cherokee Nation, ancestral Choctaw potters centuries People respected her and she was was included on a hunt as the lead Bertram Bobb officiated his the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indi- ago. There was so much to do and chosen from the heart, no written hunter’s apprentice. memorial service and Jason ans, and the Poarch Band of Creek so much information available that documents, no “title.” Williams The young boy was proud to be Leonard, Justin Strange, Jim Indians, other potters who work Choctaw potter, Theresa Prough, was raised in his grandmother’s among men, carrying his rabbit stick Micheles, Ricky Robinson, in traditional Southeastern Native See POTTERS Page 12 home. He didn’t have a father fig- See WILLIAMS Page 7 Josh Rorick, Doug Staits, and Eugene Taylor served as pall- bearers. OU students research water’s impact u What’s inside on Choctaw culture, past and present

Columns...... 2 By BRET MOSS how deep the water runs in the cul- Notes to the Nation...... 3 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma ture of the Choctaw people. Nursery News...... 4 The students, who are enrolled in Food Distribution...... 4 an applied climatology class, were People You Know...... 6 It’s no secret that water is a pre- Education...... 8 cious resource to Oklahoma, one invited to the capitol because they Obituaries...... 14-16 that is in the forefront of Choctaw are partnering with the Choctaw Iti Fabvssa...... 18 Nation’s preservation efforts. The Nation in developing its sustainable water in southeast Oklahoma affects water plan and drought planning much more than just the drinking process. The Mission habits of the people – it has strong These students have been charged of the Choctaw ties to the past, present and future of with the task of gathering data on Nation of Oklahoma the Choctaw people. factors that influence the climate To enhance the lives of all mem- Recently, a handful of University in the area. The group requested a bers through opportunities designed of Oklahoma students traveled to the visit to Choctaw Nation to get a bet- Choctaw Nation: BRET MOSS to develop healthy, successful and capitol grounds of the Choctaw Na- ter feel for the area they were to be Brian McClain, left, takes the group to the edge of the Kiamichi river productive lifestyles. tion in Tushka Homma to learn just See STUDENTS Page 5 to explain how quickly the water passes through the area. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 2

Tribal Council meets We are a greatly blessed nation in regular April session From the Desk of As the tribe continues to progress The Choctaw Nation Tribal Council met in Chief Gregory E. Pyle and grow, it is important that the vi- regular session on April 14 in Tushka Homma. sion of the tribe be a goal that we Council members approved: The Choctaw tribe has grown by can all strive toward – “To achieve • applications for a FTA Clean Fuels Grant leaps and bounds over the past 30 healthy, successful, productive, and Program, Tribal Transit Program Grant and years and it is exciting to see this self-sufficient lifestyles for a proud Residential Energy Assistance Challenge positive growth as I drive to meet- nation of Choctaws.” Grant ings in all of the districts across the The Assistant Chief, Tribal • the disposal of surplus equipment by the Choctaw Nation. Council and I have discussed the Fixed Assets Department and approved bud- I have a grateful heart for the significance of having a plan for the get for relocations of the Idabel Travel Plaza community centers, clinics, hous- tribe over the next 100 years that and construction of the Stigler Casino. ing additions, child development will cover the economics, culture, • the Jena Band of Louisiana Choctaws’ centers, and food distribution stores services and growth management request of use to said “Choctaw Casino” that have opened in recent years. of the Choctaw Nation of Okla- trademark to be confined to and only used Our tribe has been greatly homa. with other words identifying the Jena Band of blessed. The leadership of our tribe has Choctaws as not the Choctaw Nation of Okla- The employees of the Choctaw been developing short-term and homa. Nation work diligently to ensure long-term plans to help accomplish The Choctaw Nations Tribal Council holds the needs of the Choctaw people this vision so that our tribe will its regular session at 10 a.m. on the second are taken care of and I am extreme- continue to be successful for the Saturday of each month in the Council Cham- ly thankful that the staff are willing benefit of Choctaw generations for bers at Tushka Homma. to “go the extra mile.” many years in the future.

Tribe growing stronger during its spring season From the Desk of asked how she was in return. This shows great promise for the Assistant Chief Gary Batton tribe’s future. Our ancestors endured a harsh winter on the Trail of Tears. I see the result of the seasons changing. Everything is now Chief Pyle and I want to invest in our tribal members and our coming into bloom and it seems that life is really kicking off businesses so that type of winter does not happen to the Choc- again after the cold winter. The tribe is in the same spring sea- taw people again. We want them to be proud, self-sufficient son. We have so many things to be thankful for with all of the people who are able to stand on their own two feet and take programs we now have for our tribal members. One example is the path or journey they choose to take. We want what is best our School of Choctaw Language. for our tribal members just like we want what is best for our The department held a celebration April 26 in Durant with families. We want them to keep the values that have made them over 500 kids traveling from 39 schools to join in the finale. the great individuals they are and to have the ability to succeed Those 500 young people now know more of the Choctaw lan- in whatever they choose. guage and there will be more students enrolling next year. This I am very proud of everyone who participated in April’s keeps our culture and heritage alive and strong! Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. One employee relay team Not all of the students were able to attend because of sched- won first place in the Masters MX Division. That is a great uling conflicts. School of Choctaw Language Director Jim Par- accomplishment. Each person who gave their time to join in rish tells me that there are approximately 700 high school stu- the annual event gave a part of themselves as a tribute to the dents enrolled in Choctaw I and Choctaw II. What impressed victims of the devastating bombing in 1995. us most at the finale is the way they all responded to the emcee It’s encouraging to see so many of our tribal members and for the day, Theresa Billy. Mrs. Billy greeted the group with employees taking the steps to become healthier, stronger and “Halito! Chim achukma?”, and received a resounding response able to run marathons. Healthier individuals mean healthier from the students. They not only told her how they were, they families and that equals a stronger nation.

Chaplain’s Corner Preparing for eternity We pray for another year You will have to quit lying, you will have to quit sleeping with of celebration with our Chah- that woman or man who is not your spouse. You will have to quit tas and friends in Bakersfield, cheating at school or at work. You will have to take time to study Ca. Thanks to Bill and Teresa the Word of God. Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 2:15: in their efforts and guidance “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that in helping our Choctaws and needeth not be ashamed,…” friends. God bless you. All these things are costly. Are you willing to pay the price? Photo provided Where can I find the truth You can’t live a clean life today, except one way – with Jesus Choctaw Nation’s Going Lean Program sponsored 40 about life? Where can I find Christ in your heart. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20: runners in various races during the Oklahoma City Memo- guidance and direction for “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but rial Marathon on April 29. Congratulations to the employ- how to act at work, home and Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live ee team who took first place in the Masters MX Division school? Where can I find com- by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself with a relay time of 3 hours and 48 minutes. Team members fort in a time of need? To the for me.” include Billy Stephens, Angie Stephens, Terry Stephens, Christians the answer is obvi- Paul writes in his letter to the Romans in Romans 6:14: Shannon McDaniel and Dean Phillips. There were a total of ous. It has been repeated in the “…sin shall not have dominion over you.” 27,000 runners in the marathon, held each year in memory Bible, the Word of God. There was a time when sin ruled in your life. But when you of the victims and survivors of the bombing of the Alfred P. The Bible is God’s Word. come to Jesus, sin no longer rules. And He can help you meet the Murrah Federal Building and their family members. We read in the Book of He- high standards that He sets in moral living. brews 4:12: Now, coming to Christ isn’t going to make you perfect. Sup- “For the word of God is Rev. Bertram Bobb pose you accept Christ and you slip and fall. What happens? You quick, and powerful, and sharper Tribal Chaplain need to say, “Oh, Lord, I am sorry. Forgive me. I turn from that than any two-edged sword, pierc- sin. I don’t ever want to commit it again.” ing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the You confess it, He is faithful and just to forgive you your sin. joints and marrow, and it a discerner of the thoughts and intents If you have sinned, go to Him and say, “Lord, I have sinned, I am of the heart.” sorry” Whatever your profession or vocation, get to know the Bible, The third problem in coming to Christ is an emotional prob- get a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. There are many peo- lem, because, we are made of mind and will and emotion. God ple who have not committed themselves to God in faith, they are wants Lordship over your life, your marriage, your friendships, just waiting for a wind to come along to blow them in any direc- your morals. He wants everything surrendered to Him. You can’t tion. Will you today commit your life to Jesus Christ? Let Him look at that cross and realize its deep significance without being have complete control of your life, let Him be the Lord of your emotionally moved that God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, life. Serve Him with love and a committed heart. to shed His blood, and die for you so that you may have forgive- Jesus said in Luke 14:27-30: ness of sin and eternal life. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, Now God makes three calls to you. cannot be my disciple. First, He calls you to the Person of Jesus Christ: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him. Though your sins be as scarlet they can be made as white as Saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish.” snow because of the cross. He calls you to Christ. It’s a call to a What Jesus is saying is: “If you’re going to follow me, sit Person, the Person of Jesus Christ. down and count the cost.” Second, God calls you to consecration. The word “consecra- There are three problems we face when we come to the Word tion” means to “set apart.” of God: We can do the dedicating, only God can consecrate: First, there is a mind problem. We must decide who Jesus “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that Christ is. Was he the Son of the Living God, the Way, the Truth, ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto and the Life? (John 14:6) Was He all Truth as He claimed? That’s God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) a decision that we have to make about Jesus Christ, a mind deci- In response to God’s call to consecration, for a mother or a fa- sion. ther it means that you give your baby to Christ. For a businessman This is what Jesus has to say about the mind in Matthew 22:37: it means that you give God your business, in anything you do. In “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with your education, future marriage, let Him be Lord. The Bible tells all thy sould, and with all thy mind.” us in Colossians 2:6: And we read in Phillipians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk which was also in Christ Jesus.” ye in Him.” The mind is important. But remember that the mind has been Third, God calls you to serve. God needs you. He needs nurses affected by sin. You cannot come to Jesus Christ by the mind and doctors and businessmen and politicians, Christian leaders alone. That step has to be taken by faith. Jesus is God, He left who are ready to pay the price and step out and serve Christ. Heaven to come to this earth to become man to pay the penalty But you will have to make that first step, take that first step. for sin, which is death, in our place. And this is what we believe You will have to say, “Yes, by faith I receive you, Lord, into my by faith to be born again into God’s family. The second problem heart. I want to follow you, no matter what the cost. I am willing that face in coming to Jesus Christ is a moral problem, meet- to pay the price.” ing the high standards of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ demands first Today, will you make this choice to follow Jesus Christ? place in everything. You come to Jesus realizing that you will Remember to pray for America. Pray for our men and women have to pay the price. You can’t drag those dirty sins with you. in our armed services. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 3

Thank you to Energy Events Emergency Assistance I would like to express my appreciation for the Choctaw Tribal Energy Emergency Assistance program. They helped Weekend praise/worship event in Rufe Anderson family reunion me with my electric bill. Since they no longer have assistance with wood, I could only buy half cords of wood and had to use A weekend praise/worship event will be held at St. John The Anderson family reunion will be June 9 at the Choctaw an electric heater to off-set my wood. I live in extreme northern Presbyterian Church in Rufe, Okla., on May 19 through May Community Center in Talihina, and a potluck lunch will be California, 50 miles from the Oregon border. We are still hav- 20. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, a weekend served. If you have any questions, contact Jerry Anderson at ing bad snowstorms, which I still have to worry about. It’s too full of praise and worship, preaching and testimonies. Vari- 817-473-4533 or 408 S. 2nd Ave. Mansfield, TX 76063. bad the wood program was stopped. ous speakers and guests coming from Oklahoma and Texas Being on fixed income, choosing between gas for the trip to will be in attendance. A potluck lunch will be served on Sat- Hokit family reunion the doctor’s office, food, and bills, it leaves very little for full urday at 12:30 p.m., so bring your favorite dish. For further cords of wood. I express my deepest thank you to the tribe for information, contact Tina Ward-Crader at tina.ward-crader@ The Hokit family reunion will be held June 9 at the Belle its help with my electric bill. tklaw.com. Starr Lodge at Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton. Family and friends of the late Ruth Anderson Hokit of Yanush, Okla., Paula Florendo Miss Choctaw Owa-Chito Princess Pageant are welcome. The reunion will begin around 10 a.m. and a potluck will be held. For more information, contact Bobbie Appreciative detective All girls of Choctaw heritage between the ages of 8 and 18 at 918-297-7055. are invited to be a contestant in the Miss Choctaw Owa-Chito I would like to express my gratitude to the Choctaw Nation Princess Pageant to be held June 15 at 3 p.m. at Group Camp for all its assistance in getting to where I am today. The tribe Jim Thorpe 5K Run Number 1 in Beavers Bend Resort Park, north of Broken gave me my start in law enforcement and I credit the advance- Bow. No entry fee required. The 5th Annual Jim Thorpe 5K Race, which serves as the ments I’ve made over the past 20 years back to that opportu- There will be three divisions in which the contestants must Native American 5K National Championship, a Community nity. I was employed by the Choctaw Nation as a bingo clerk wear traditional Choctaw dress: Little Miss, 8-10 years; Ju- 5K Run, and N.M. USATF 5K Road State Championship, in 1992 and then transferred to tribal security in 1994. In 1998 nior Miss, 11-13 years; and Senior Miss, 14-18 years. The will be held June 16 at the Southwestern Indian Polytech- I was promoted to Tribal Police, where I worked proudly for winner of each division will represent their proud heritage, nic Institute located at 9169 Coors Rd. NW in Albuquerque, almost four years. It was during that time that the tribe sent me the Kiamichi Owa-Chito, throughout the festival. N.M. (southeast of Paseo del Norte and Coors Blvd.) All divi- to CLEET training, helping to pave the road for my career in Applications and guidelines can be picked up at the Choc- sions of 5K races begin at 8:30 a.m., the 1K Kids race (under law enforcement. In 2002 I went to work for the Bryan County taw Nation Family Investment Center in Broken Bow or 12 years old) begins at 9:30 a.m., the 1 and 2 mile fitness Sheriff’s Office, where I currently work as a detective. I am mailed to you. Please call 580-584-6372 for more informa- walks begin at 8 a.m., and the 300 meter toddler dash begins proud to maintain a connection to the tribe through my cross- tion. You may also call Audrey Mills, pageant director, at at 9:45 a.m. commissioning with the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police. 580-584-3636. Application deadline is June 1. The Native American 5K National Championship is open As a tribal member, I see firsthand the Choctaw Nation’s in- to all American Indian/Alaska Natives and First Nations fluence and contribution to the community, and I’m glad to be people of Canada. The N.M. 5K Road State Championship able to raise my two sons, Jacob and Harrison, here in Durant. King family reunion is open to all New Mexico USATF registered participants. Again, thank you, Choctaw Nation, for all the opportunities The Community 5K Run is open to all with no restrictions. and assistance provided to my family and me over the years. The 16th annual King family reunion will be held June 9 at The 5K course is a two-loop paved flat course designed for Johnny Bates the Talihina Senior Citizens Center on Rail Road Street in Ta- extremely fast altitude times. All divisions of the 5K run are lihina. If you are a descendent of Judy (King) Potts (#14157), eligible for state age group records. Robert King (#14045), Ada (King) Spring (#5525), William All former runners who competed for SIPI in Cross Coun- Thank you for kindness in difficult time King (#6372), or Lillie (King) McGee (#5748), you are en- try, Track and Marathon are encouraged to attend a reunion Thank you to the Choctaw Nation for all of your support couraged to attend. Bring your favorite covered dish, family and homecoming. For more information visit sportswar- and gifts of food during the loss of our loved one, Betty Crain. pictures and family tree, and a good story. Starting time is 10 riorstc.com, email [email protected], or call 505- Thank you to Brenda James and Pat Ensey for assisting in serv- a.m. with registration and mixing and mingling. Lunch will 710-3323. ing the family meal. A special thanks to Perry and Gail Thomp- be served at approximately 11:45 a.m. A short business meet- son and also to Bob Pate and the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police. ing will be held at approximately 1 p.m. Ward family reunion We want to thank the many others for their kind thoughts and prayers. “Thank you” is not adequate enough to show our love There will be a Ward family reunion for any and all de- and appreciation for all that the Choctaw Nation has done for Meely family reunion scendants of Abraham Parsons, Joseph Henry, William Giles, us during this difficult time. Your kind expression of sympathy and Charles Allen. It will be held June 9 at the senior center The Meely family reunion will be held June 30 at the is deeply appreciated and gratefully acknowledged. in Stephenville, Texas, starting at 9 a.m. Everyone is asked Chickasaw Nutrition Center, 401 E. Oklahoma, starting to bring a covered dish. For more information, please contact The family of Betty Crain about 10 a.m. The family says they have relatives from many Giles Ward at 940-745-1067 or email at lynnglover565@ya- other states. Games and pictures will be played and looked hoo.com. Seeking Jones Academy classmates at and lots of visiting. The family asks attendees bring a cov- ered dish and come enjoy themselves. If you have pictures, Ward, Casey reunion I am a 1966 graduate of Hartshorne High School, where bring them. many of our classmates were residents of Jones Academy. We If you have any questions, please contact any of the follow- The Ward and Casey cousin reunion will meet June 9 in the began searching for our classmates about six years ago with ing: George Mouse at 405-694-8833, Lovella (Goins) Alison Choctaw building in Spiro at noon for a pot luck lunch. For every hope of finding all of them. At this point, we have lo- at 405-485-3654, Donna (Crews) Smith at 580-618-2429, or more information, please call John Casey at 918-962-2316 or cated all but three girls, two of whom we are pretty sure are of Rosemary (Smith) Wallow at 580-247-0336. 918-774-4940 or Anna Denny at 405-348-8686. Choctaw heritage. The Biskinik ran a note for us three years ago, through which we located one who was previously “missing” from us. She got in touch and came to our reunion in the summer of 2009. As Thank you for scholarship Thank you for help with college we prepare for another reunion on June 30, we are in search Thank you to the people of the Choctaw Nation for the schol- I would like to thank the Choctaw Nation for the grants and for the rest of our classmates. Any help anyone can give us in arship I received to complete my Bachelor of Business Admin- scholarships I received for college. They helped me immense- getting our desire to contact them passed on to them would be istration degree. I graduated May 6, 2012, from the University ly. I can’t wait to graduate next year and give back to the com- greatly appreciated. of Alaska and have begun my MBA graduate program this munity. The following maiden names, dates of birth, and places of spring. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Antonia Ruston birth are all the information we have been able to locate: Edna I am the great-grandson of Ida Norman, an original enrollee. Jean Francis, March 26, 1946, Eufaula; Clara A. McClure, Oct. Brendon Moran 3, 1946, Idabel; and Claire A. Taylor, Aug. 31, 1947, Talihina. Thank you for care package We are so close to finding all the classmates, but without Recently my son, Quinton, received a care package from a these three we will never be complete. If you have any infor- Thank you representative from the Choctaw Nation. We want to thank you mation on these ladies, please contact Kay Isbell Day at 6819 I want to thank Chief Pyle and Shannon McDaniel for taking for reaching out to him, as he is recovering from injuries sus- S. 217th E. Ave. Broken Arrow, OK 74014, or 918-355-4049 or time out of their busy schedules and preserving our heritage re- tained in an IED blast in Afghanistan last November. He is do- at [email protected]. garding my wolf dispute with the city of Broken Arrow. Thank ing well but will be scheduled for more surgery. He is adjusting you both very much. I appreciate all of your help and concerns. to life as a double-amputee and is looking forward to the day Gregory E. Pyle Gary Batton James P. Parker Jr. he can walk again with the use of prosthesis. We understand the Chief Assistant Chief gentleman who fitted him for his right leg also works for the Thanks from Durant Fire Dept. Choctaw Nation. Quinton wishes to tell you thank you, he appreciates the box The Official I want to thank Chief Pyle and the Choctaw Nation for their of goodies he received. Monthly Publication generosity and support to the Durant Fire Department. After of the meeting with you a few months ago, plans were put into place The Picone family Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to help us fund a High Rise Training class and to purchase some equipment for this use. Our class was a success and our Judy Allen, Executive Director new equipment was used. Thanks again to the Choctaw Nation. Attention Lisa Reed, Director/Editor Your staff is always great to work with. Melissa Stevens, Circulation Director Larissa Copeland, Assistant Editor Roger Joines, Fire Chief Choctaw Artists Karen Jacob, Purchasing Coordinator If you are interested in participating Bret Moss, Copy/Production Assistant Thank you from Dorothy Chrissy Dill, Journalism Intern in a Juried and Judged Choctaw Indian Art Show, let I really needed to take the time and thank the Choctaw Na- us hear from you! P.O. Box 1210 tion for all it has done for me since I moved to this state in Durant, OK 74702 2008. I could never have made it as far as I have without you. Please complete the following interest form in order to receive (580) 924-8280 • (800) 522-6170 God bless you all! more information regarding the show which will be in Tvshka Hom- Fax (580) 924-4148 Dorothy L. Logan ma, Oklahoma during the annual Labor Day Festivities. Included www.choctawnation.com will be the following categories: Painting, Graphics, Cultural, e-mail: [email protected] Sculpture, Jewelry, Pottery, and Basketry. Please complete the Thank you form and return it to the address below. Art information packets The BISKINIK is printed each month as a service to Tribal I would like to thank three people of the Choctaw Nation: will be mailed beginning in April. Members. The BISKINIK reserves the right to edit submitted ma- terial which it finds inaccurate, profane, offensive or morally un- Laura Durant of the Talihina office, Mary Coley of the Wilbur- acceptable. Copy may be edited for proper grammar and punc- ton field office, and last but not least, District 6 Councilman Name:______tuation. Copy will be accepted in any readable form, but where Joe Coley. They helped my family when we needed it most. Address:______possible, it is requested that material be typewritten and double Their help means a lot to my family. To us, they exemplify the ______spaced. You must include an address or phone number where spirit of the Choctaw Nation. Once again, I would like to thank Phone:______you may be reached. Due to space limitations and the quantity you all. E-Mail:______of article submissions, we are unable to include everything we receive. Shiloh Perrotte and family Artistic Category:______If you are receiving more than one BISKINIK at your home or if your address needs changed, we would appreciate hearing Seeking relative You must be at least 17 years old and from you. My name is Vidal Colungo Pruneda. I am trying to get in have a membership card issued The BISKINIK is a nonprofit publication of the Choctaw Na- touch with Steven Colungo. My address is P.O. Box 156, Union, by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to participate. tion. WA 98592. My phone number is 360-898-6799. If you have any Please return to: Circulation is monthly. Article deadline is the 10th of the Shelley Garner month for the following month’s edition. information, please contact me. Thank you. Editor’s note: Views and opinions in reader-submitted articles Cultural Events are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma those of the Choctaw Nation. Thankful for educational help PO Box 1210 I would like to thank the Choctaw Nation for its ongoing Durant, OK 74702-1210 support of me in my goal towards obtaining a bachelor’s de-

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BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 4 Nursery News

Jaxie Jones Daniel Beaver III

Jaxie Fay Jones was born on Daniel Richard Beaver III Feb. 3, 2012, in Talihina, weigh- was born March 6, 2012, in ing 5 pounds and measuring 18 Rockwall, Texas, to Dan- inches long. iel Beaver Jr. and Alexandra Her parents are Shavannah Minter Beaver. He weighed 10 Short and Eric Jones. Great- pounds 3 ounces and measured 21 inches. Daniel’s maternal great-grandparents are Lee and Billie Pitt, Curtis and Pat Staf- grandparents are Mike and An- ford, and Juanita Short; great- gela Minter of Helotes, Texas. grandparents are Jimmy and Bonna McClendon, Vada Short His paternal grandparents are the late Danny Beaver and Bren- and the late Emerson Short; and grandparents are Rodney and da Tonubbee Beaver of Mesquite, Texas. His maternal great- Johnna Short. She is the niece of Jeremy, Trent and Tristan grandparents are Leonard and Audeen Huffman, Oteka and Short. Nick Beasley, and the late Joseph Minter, all of Madill. His pa- ternal great-grandparents are Frances Burton of Mesquite, Bob and Barbara Shelton of Mesquite, and the late Francis Murphy Tammie Cannady and Doris Winlock attend a luncheon Peter Hudson V Tonubbee of Dallas. to receive the award for Choctaw Nation Health Services. Peter Wayland Hudson V was born Feb. 19, 2012, in Winter Park, Lillyen Marcangeli Fla., weighing 8 pounds 5 ounces CNO Health Services named and measuring 20.5 inches long. Lillyen Kaye Marcangeli was His proud parents are Jane and Pe- born at 12:13 p.m., on Jan. 14, ‘Certified Healthy Business’ ter W. Hudson IV of Sanford, Fla.; 2012, weighing 3 pounds 4 ounces grandparents are Peter W. Hudson and measuring 17.5 inches long. On March 1, Choctaw Healthy Business Certifica- III and Molly of Columbia, Md., Her proud parents are Jerrod and Nation Health Services tion is based on availability Joyce (Fitzgerald) Mehl and TJ of Sorrento, Fla., and Jan Har- Genia Marcangeli of Jenks; grand- was recognized as one of of health screenings, educa- ris of Sanford. parents are Larry and Brenda Harris 76 businesses in Oklahoma tion, physical activity, to- of Red Oak, and George and Sch- who received the Certified bacco use prevention, nutri- eryl Mercangeli of McAlester. Healthy Business certificate tion, management support, of excellence award. Gov. community involvement and Awesome in orange and oh so sweet! Mary Fallin was the guest wellness policies. Liven up your meals speaker at a luncheon, held There are various pro- Katori Jones From the top of her head to her tiny cute feet! at the Cox Convention Cen- grams and levels of certi- 10 tips to improve your meals with fruits and vegetables ter, to honor their achieve- fication. Choctaw Nation Katori Faith Jones entered this ments. Choctaw Nation Health Services received the Weworld joyfully at 6:47 announce p.m., on Aprilthe arrival 2, of our sweet baby girl, Lillyen Kaye Marcangeli; joined businesses from all certificate of excellence in Discover the many ben- 2012, weighing 8 pounds and .5 across the state for recogni- the large workplace catego- efits of adding vegetables and WIC bornounces January and measured 14, 20.5 2012 inches at 12:13 pm. Lilly weighed 3 pounds 4 ounces and fruits to your meals. They are WOMEN, INFANTS tion. ry. Additional program cat- long. Parents are Peggy Sue and measured 17.5 inches. The initiative by the Okla- egories are Certified Healthy low in fat and calories, while AND CHILDREN Travis Wade Jones of Stuart. Ma- homa Academy for State Campus, Community, Res- providing fiber and other key ternal grandparents are Cathy and Goals, Oklahoma Turning taurant, and Schools. Each nutrients. Most Americans Thethe proud late Isaac parents Byington are of Krebs,Jerrod and Genia Marcangeli of Jenks, OK. Grandparents Point Council, State Cham- program has three levels of should eat more than 3 cups the salad bar as your dessert and praternal grandparents are are Larry and Brenda Harris of Red Oak, OK and George and Scheryl Marcangeli ber of Oklahoma, and the certification: Basic, Merit – and for some, up to 6 cups – when dining out. This will Willie and Glenda Jones of Wilburton. of vegetables and fruits each help you avoid any baked des- Oklahoma State Depart- and Excellence. of McAlester, OK. ment of Health seeks to For more information day. serts that are high in calories. recognize businesses work- on becoming a Certified Vegetables and fruits don’t 6. Get in on the just add nutrition to meals. Terance Johnson ing to improve Oklahoma Healthy Business you may stir-frying fun. health status by providing review criteria at www.ok- They can also add color, fla- vor, and texture. Explore Try something new! Stir- Terance Mitchel Johnson was health and wellness oppor- turningpoint.org or contact fry your veggies—like broc- born at 1:18 p.m., on Feb 25, tunities for their employees, Teresa Davis at at 918-567- these creative ways to bring healthy foods to your table. coli, carrots, sugar snap peas, 2012. He weighed 6 pounds 12.3 families and communities. 7000 ext 6044. mushrooms, or green beans— ounces and measured 19 inches. 1. Fire up the grill. for a quick-and-easy addition His parent is Tracey Johnson of Use the grill to cook veg- to any meal. Durant. He is the grandson of etables and fruits. Try grill- Debbie Johnson of Durant, as Choctaw Nation WIC ing mushrooms, carrots, pep- 7. Add them to well as Bill Bowdre of Texas. He pers, or potatoes on a kabob your sandwiches. is also the great-grandson of Jarvis Johnson and Shiela Johnson WOMEN, INFANTS skewer. Brush with oil to keep Whether it is a sandwich or of Durant. and CHILDREN them from drying out. Grilled wrap, vegetables make great fruits like peaches, pineapple, additions to both. or mangos add great flavor to Try sliced tomatoes, ro- a cookout. maine lettuce, or avocado on Paxton Hickson SITE HOURS DAYS 2. Expand the your everday sandwich or Erica Debo and Dontra Hickson Antlers 8:30-4:00 Every Tuesday wrap for extra flavor. of Weatherford would like to an- (580-298-3161) flavor of your 8. Be creative with nounce the birth of their son, Paxton Atoka 8:00-4:30 Every Mon., Wed., casseroles. Sean Hickson. He was born at 9:44 (580-889-5825) Thurs. & Fri. your baked goods. Mix vegetables such as sau- a.m., on Oct. 25, 2011, in Yukon. Bethel 8:30-4:00 1st Tuesday téed onions, peas, pinto beans, Add apples, bananas, blue- (580-241-5458) berries, or pears to your fa- He weighed 5 pounds 12 ounces, or tomatoes into your favorite and measured 18 inches long. Ma- Boswell 8:30-4:00 Every Friday dish for that extra flavor. vorite muffin recipe for a (580-380-5264) treat. ternal grandparents are Charlotte and Randy Debo of Hugo. 3. Planning some- Maternal great-grandparents are Norman and Charles James of Broken Bow 8:00-4:30 Daily, except 1st Tues. 9. Make a tasty (580-584-2746) & 2nd Thurs. thing Italian? Hugo and the late Jackie Debo of Seagoville, Texas. Paternal Coalgate 8:00-4:30 Every Wednesday Add extra vegetables to fruit smoothie. grandparents are Patsy and Wesley Guess of Paris, Texas, and (580-927-3641) your pasta dish. Slip some For dessert, blend strawber- Demetric Burns, also of Paris. Paternal great-grandparents are Durant 8:00-4:30 Daily peppers, spinach, red beans, ries, blueberries, or raspber- the late Aline Mathis and Ruby Burns, both of Paris. (580-924-8280 x 2257) onions, or cherry tomatoes ries with frozen bananas and Hugo Daily 8:00-4:30 into your traditional tomato 100 percent fruit juice for a (580-326-5404) sauce. Vegetables provide delicious frozen fruit smooth- FOOD DISTRIBUTION Idabel 8:00-4:30 Mon., Thurs. & Fri. ie. (580-286-2510) texture and low-calorie bulk McAlester 8:00-4:30 Daily that satisfies. 10. Liven up ANTLERS (918-423-6335) 4. Get creative Market open weekdays June 1-26 an omelet. June 6 : Idabel 9-11 a.m.; Broken Bow 12-2 p.m. (market open) Poteau 8:00-4:30 Daily Boost the color and flavor (918-647-4585) with your salad. June 13: Bethel 9-10:30; Smithville 12-2 (market open) Toss in shredded carrots, of your morning omelet with Smithville 8:30-4:00 2nd Thursday vegetables. Simply chop, Closed June 27-29 for inventory (580-244-3289) strawberries, spinach, water- sauté, and add them to the egg Cooking with Carmen: No Cooking with Carmen this month Spiro 8:00-4:30 Every Wed. - Fri. cress, orange segments, or as it cooks. Try combining (918-962-3832) sweet peas for a flavorful, fun durant different vegetables, such as Stigler 8:30-4:00 Every Mon. - Wed. salad. Market open weekdays: June 4-26 (918-967-4211) 5. Salad bars mushrooms, spinach, onions, Closed June 27-29 for inventory Talihina 8:00-4:30 Mon., Tues., Wed., or bell peppers. Cooking with Carmen: No Cooking with Carmen this month (918-567-7000 x 6792) & Fri. aren’t just McAlester Wilburton 8:30-4:00 Every Thursday Visit choosemyplate.gov for salads. Market open weekdays June 4-26 (918-465-5641) Try eating sliced fruit from for more information. Closed June 27-29 for inventory Cooking with Carmen: No Cooking with Carmen this month POTEAU A new way to combat startling obesity statistics Market open weekdays June 4-26 The end of the school year is drawing near, and we ask; Closed June 27-29 for inventory. “what to do with the kids?” According to Karen Donato Recipe of the Month Cooking with Carmen: No Cooking with Carmen this month the coordinator of Overweight and Obesity Research Ap- plications in the Division of the Application of Research Icy Lemon Sorbet Choctaw Nation Food Distribution Discoveries at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood In- Makes: 8 servings. Serving size: 1/2 cup stitute (NHLBI), over the past 30 years, prevalence of Open 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. childhood obesity has more than doubled among children Ingredients: move pulp. Set aside. Staff will take lunch from 11:30 to 12 noon. ages 2-5; it’s tripled among youth ages 6-11, and has more • 4 cups boiling water 3. Remove sorbet from WAREHOUSES & MARKETS than tripled among adolescents and teens ages 12-19. In • 12 packets SPLENDA® freezer; let stand about 10 Antlers: 306 S.W. “O” St., 580-298-6443 addition the current data show that 17 percent of children ESSENTIALS™ no calorie minutes. Scrape sorbet surface Durant: 100 1/2 Waldron Dr., 580-924-7773 ages 2-19 years are obese. As distressing as these statis- sweetener with fiber with a spoon; scoop or spoon McAlester: 1212 S. Main St., 918-420-5716 tics are, the story does in fact get worse. Children who are • 1 tablespoon lemon zest sorbet into lemon shells or Poteau: 100 Kerr, 918-649-0431 overweight or obese are at higher risk for becoming obese • 2/3 cup freshly squeezed into small serving dishes. Gar- Food Distribution Sites adults. This in turn places these children at increased risk lemon juice nish with fresh mint, if desired Bethel: Choctaw Community Building for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and • 8 lemons (for optional Nutrition facts: Broken Bow: Choctaw Family Investment Center cancers. decorative serving) Amount per serving: Calo- Idabel: Choctaw Community Center So, what to do? The NHLBI has developed “We Can!” • 8 sprigs fresh mint sprigs ries - 30, Total Carbs - 17g, Smithville: Choctaw Community Center (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition). This is Directions: Total fat - 0g, Cholesterol - Stigler: Choctaw Community Center a national movement designed to give parents, caregivers and 1. Combine boiling water 0mg, Fiber - 7g, Sat fat - 0g, In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agri- entire communities a way to help children 8-13 years old stay and Splenda in a large bowl, Protein - 2g, Sugars - 2g, Unsat. culture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on at a healthy weight. “We Can!” has a wide variety of resourc- stirring until dissolves; cool fat - 0g, Sodium - 5mg the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political es to help encourage a healthy lifestyle. For more information slightly. Stir in lemon rind For more information con- beliefs, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write on We Can!, call toll-free 1-866-35-WECAN (93226) or go and juice. Pour mixture into a tact: Erin Adams, RD, Choc- USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 to www.nhlbi.gov. 9-inch square pan; cover and taw Nation Diabetes Wellness Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or In the meantime see this month’s recipe for a cool and freeze. Center, 800-349-7026 ext. call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an refreshing treat this summer! 2. Cut tops from lemons; re- 6959. equal opportunity provider and employer. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 5

Below: Corey Copeland signs the guest register of STUDENTS the Choctaw Nation capitol building. OU students learn water resources’ vital impact on tribal culture Continued from Page 1 researching, and see first-hand the water’s influence on the en- vironment.. Several cultural experts on differing aspects gath- ered to accommodate this request, assuring a well-rounded Photos by BRET MOSS | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma glimpse into the Choctaw Nation for the students. The visitors from OU are welcomed to the Choctaw capitol grounds by Regina Choctaw baskets, weapons and pottery were displayed to Green, who gives them a lesson on Choctaw history and culture in the capitol building demonstrate how water affects many staples of Choctaw cul- while in traditional dress. ture. River cane and cattails grow only in the specific condi- Left: Ryan Spring showing the tions created by water in the Southeastern region of the United visitors a bucket of clay used to make States, and these are the resources used to create many Choctaw Choctaw pottery. He tells about mus- items. sel shells, which were a key ingredient The availability of these objects and other substances such as to Choctaw pottery. He mentions that clay for traditional Choctaw pottery are afforded by the water 297 species of freshwater mussels are conditions in the Choctaw Nation. The students were able to native to the Southeastern United get a hands-on feel for the products of the conditions they are States. Of these, 35 species have gone currently investigating. extinct, 70 species are endangered The work being done by the climatology class is part of a or threatened, and 180 species are project constructed by Director of Research for South Central considered critically impaired. The Climate Science Center, Renee McPherson, Ph. D., to enable the Kiamichi River is one of the best re- students to make serious contributions in their field of study. maining habitats for freshwater mus- Choctaw Nation is part of a league of government and aca- sels in the United States. demic entities which helped create the new South-Central Climate Research Center that will, according to OU’s website, “address the topics of climate variability and change.” Other members in this consortium are Texas Tech University, Loui- siana State University, The Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma State University, and NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Labora- tory. The efforts of this climate research center and those of the class which traveled to the Choctaw capitol will provide Choc- taw Nation with valuable information to help construct a water plan that is beneficial to everyone in Oklahoma as well as sus- tainable for future generations. Ryan Spring tells about the Choctaw arrow and the necessity for river cane in its creation. He explains that this par- ticular type of river cane only grows in the southeastern portions of the United States, and nowhere else in the world. Brian McLain takes the group to a bridge over the Kiamichi river to explain The conditions created by the flooding the flow of the water supply. of riverbanks make Oklahoma prime areas for river cane to grow.

Meagan Rowlison learns a little bit about Choctaw bas- Jeff Bodell, Parker Brown and other students investigate ket weaving from Kay Jackson. Choctaw items.

Above: BJ McDaniel gets a lesson on the Choctaw blow dart from Pam Waugh as he accompanies the vis- tors in Tushka Homma.

Left: Pam Waugh gives a demonstration, show- ing flutes, arrowheads, and what she holds in her hands, cattails. She tells how they Todd Baughman shows off clean drinking water from a were used for various pur- natural spring near the Choctaw capitol which used to pro- poses by the Choctaw peo- vided water for the early Choctaw government. ple.

Choctaws enjoy a wild onion dinner with Chief Pyle in Hugo Photos by BRET MOSS | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Chad and Regina Arnold, employees of the wellness center join the festivities at the com- munity center.

Councilman Perry Thompson stands with Judy and Larry Chaney, Trudy Caraway and JD Carter before the dinner begins.

Above: Perry Thompson enjoys the Right: Assistant Chief company of Evelyn Batton visits with Alice James. Bishop and Lisa Kitch- ings at the dinner on April 12. Right: Peyton Wes- ley with his great grandmother, Betty Left: Chief Pyle poses Baker, take time for a for the camera with Dot picture after the wild Glenn and DJ Battiest onion dinner. before the wild onion dinner. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 6

PEOPLE YOU KNOW

Happy birthday, Choctaw fish story Happy birthday, Rod Grandpa Sweet Pictured are two Choctaw I would like to wish my dad, Rod tribal elders who reside near Cannady, a happy birthday on April Harvey Sweet of Muskogee was Talihina, Imogene Maxine Ba- 24, from your son, Cody, and mom. born in Hartshorne and spent his con Davis Owens and her son, youth in the Goodland Indian School Floyd Gene David, who took the before joining the Hugo Brothers liberty of removing a 20-pound Circus, where he performed as a or more catfish from an undis- clown and an animal trainer. During closed location within the ju- his youth, he was a boxer as well as a risdictional boundaries of the rodeo bull and bronco rider. He later Choctaw Nation. This location served in the United States Air Force, where he was deployed is being withheld because they to Vietnam and eventually retired at the rank of Major. The plan to catch the brother/sister catfish. Imogene is the daughter next 20 years he spent working for the Veterans Administra- of Roosevelt T. Bacon and Josie Lou Woods Bacon, who are tion. original enrollees. According to R.T.B., which has been veri- Harvey celebrated his 80th birthday by skydiving for the first fied by Kenneth D. Davis, “the trick in catching fish is how you Happy birthday, Bob time. He is a passionate golfer as well. At 83 years old, he has hold your mouth.” Not pictured is tribal elder David D. Davis, Louise Walker would like to wish not slowed down much. who took the photo and was sworn to secrecy. Bob, who is very special to her, a Harvey Sweet is a loved father and grandfather to his family, happy birthday on May 18. who would like to wish him a happy 83rd birthday in April. Happy birthday and thank you Congratulations, Nick Janice Ward would like to wish happy birthday to some of her family members: Misty in May, and Johnny, Amanda, Win- Wishing a congratulations and a happy ter, Todd, Cey, and Honey in June. Happy birthday, from Jan- birthday to Nick Wendling of Arlington ice! Happy birthday, Heights, Ill. His 19th birthday was on May She would also like to thank the Choctaw Nation for all it has 11. His graduation from Prospect High done for “our nation and families.” Amos family School in Mount Prospect, Ill., will be held Happy birthday to Bill June 3. After graduation, Nick will be at- Amos on May 3, who turned tending Loyola University in Chicago in the 89 years old, and Louise Amos fall. Anoli named on May 6, who turned 85. Nick is the grandson of Curtis and Lily Baker of McAlester They would also like to wish and the son of Rhonda (Baker) and Joe Wendling of Arlington Little Miss Indian OKC happy birthday to their grand- Heights. Anoli Billy, daughter of Phillip and sons. Justin Williams turned 27 Lisa J. Billy, was recently titled “Little on April 23, and Andrew Amos Miss Indian Oklahoma City.” The annual turned 11 on April 27. competition was held March 23. Anoli The birthday boys will travel the state performing native Happy birthday to twins Ja- sign language and representing the com- cob and Isaiah Perrault, who mittee with various tribal dances. She is turned 1 year old on April 29. in the fourth grade at Purcell Intermedi- They are the children of Ray- ate School. She is the granddaughter of Happy 17th, Aire mond and Angel Perrault of Ed and the late Cynthia Billy of Broken Aire Sequoyah Thorne turned 17 Durant and the grandchildren Bow. years old on April 14. She’s the daugh- of Margie Slate of Calera and Ernestine Kuc of Ketchikan, ter of John and Marie Thorne of Moore, Alaska. They are the great-grandchildren of the late Richard where she attends Moore High School and Thelma Slate of Visalia, Calif., and the late Don and Mae as a junior. Tracy of Maple Valley, Wash. They are the nephews of Shan- Kyler turns 2 Aire participates in tennis, works at non and April Tompkins of Durant, Christian Kuc of North On April 24, Kyler celebrated his sec- Outback Steakhouse in Norman, and Carolina, and William Kuc of New York. ond birthday in Watonga. Helping him has been selected to travel with the Jacob and Isaiah enjoy being outdoors and spending time celebrate were numerous family and People to People Organization in July. Countries to be traveled with each other. friends with a cookout, cake, and play- are France, England, and Italy. She is also in the Choctaw Na- time. tion STAR program. Kyler is the son of SaVanna James, Aire’s grandparents are Gene and LaHoma Murphy Crau- Hicks, Milligan grandson of Gerald and Patty James of Watonga, great-grand- thers of Oklahoma City. Her great-grandparents are the late son of Pat Gonzales of Watonga, Daniel Gonzales of Clinton, William and Ella Murphy of Idabel. to exchange vows Jacob James of Broken Bow, and the late Mary Alice Ebaho- Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hicks tubbi of Hochatown. of Hugo announce the en- gagement and wedding of their daughter, Erin Mi- Happy birthday, Happy birthday, Breanna chelle Hicks, to Travis Le- Happy birthday to Breanna on May 17, from Grandma Black, thaniel Milligan, son of Mr. Mikael Grandpa Joe Wright, and Amber and Derek Stonebarger. and Mrs. Terry Milligan of Van, Texas. The Ward, Smith Erin is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wallace and the and Ham fam- late Mr. and Mrs. Billy Jack Hicks, both of Hugo. Travis is the ily wishes Mikael a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Orgel Milligan of Caddo and the late happy 30th birthday Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Stanley of Folsom. on May 29. Pictured The couple will exchange vows on May 26, 2012, at 4 p.m. left is Mikael Ham, at the 4th and Jackson Church of Christ in Hugo. Guests will grandmother Agnes be received at a reception immediately following the ceremony Ward, daughter Ryen at the Hicks’ home. All friends and family are invited to attend. Ham, and above is mother Lisa Ward.

The big 18 Happy birthday, Izzac Happy birthday to Danielle R. Smith on Happy first birthday to Izzac McKend- May 20. Danielle is the daughter of De- rick of McAlester. He celebrated his birth- loures and Ronnie Smith, the sister of Ron- day on April 12. Sending him birthday nie Jr., the niece of Annett Johnson, and the wishes are his dad, Michael McKendrick, granddaughter of Evelyn Johnson of Ard- grandmother “Mimi” Monta Johnson, and On April 11, District 12 Choctaw Senior Citizens elected more and Effie Smith of Sherman. great-grandmother Christine Johnson. their new officers for this year. Pictured from left, are Sec- retary/Treasurer Sybel Cometti, President Vickie McClure, Vice President Shirley Morgan and Activities Director Pat Native Writers’ Circle of the Americas recognizes Ralls.

Howe with Lifetime Achievement Award Harkins selected as LeAnne Howe, author of is also writer/coproducer of one of 30 American Indian Spain. These experiences act fiction, poetry, screenplays, “Playing Pastime: American authors to celebrate during as both research for her work Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellow creative non-fiction, plays, Indian Fast-Pitch Softball” Native American Heritage and experiences by which she The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation is and scholarly articles, is the and “Survival,” both docu- Month, November 2011. negotiates the ways in which pleased to announce the selection of 21 Charlotte W. New- winner of the 2012 Lifetime mentaries with James Fortier, Additionally, Howe’s multi- Indigenous people broadly combe Doctoral Dissertation Fellows for 2012. Among them Achievement Award from the a three-time Emmy award genre autobiographical and and Choctaw specifically ma- is Robert Harkins, an enrolled tribal member of the Choctaw Native Writers’ Circle of the winner and filmmaker. scholarly prose essay, “My neuver, negotiate, and impact Nation. Americas. Her scholarly work has ap- Mothers, My Uncles, My- the world around them. Howe Harkins is a doctoral candidate in modern world history at A well-respected and hon- peared in “Clearing a Path: self,” appeared in “Here First: has been honored to serve as the University of California, Berkeley. His dissertation, “The ored author, Howe’s books in- Theorizing the Past in Native Autobiographical Essays by writer-in residence at several Politics of Persecution: Religious Conformity and Republican clude “Shell Shaker” (2001), American Studies” (2001), Native American Writers” universities throughout the Obedience in England, 1553-1603,” examines the political and winner of an American Book “Pre-removal Choctaw His- (2001), and her scholarly U.S. before joining the facul- social legacies of religious violence in early modern England. Award in 2002 from the Be- tory: Exploring New Paths” work on Tribalography (a ty at the University of Illinois, The Newcombe Fellowship is the nation’s largest and most fore Columbus Foundation; (2008), and “Reasoning To- term she coined) has found Urbana-Champaign. She is a prestigious such award for Ph.D. candidates in the humani- Equinoxes Rouge, the French gether: Native Critics Collec- traction with other literary professor in the American In- ties and social sciences addressing questions of ethical and translation of “Shell Shaker,” tive” (2008), for which How critics in the field, such as dian Studies as well as Eng- religious values. Each 2012 Newcombe Fellow will receive a a 2004 finalist for Prix Medici is listed as a coauthor. “Rea- professors Dean Rader, Jill lish. 12-month award of $25,000. Estranger, (one of France’s soning Together” was named Doerfler, Joseph Bauerkem- Howe is currently working The foundation is delighted and privileged to be able to rec- top literary awards); “Evi- one of the most influential per, among others. on her third novel, “Memoir ognize Harkins with this award. If you are interested in this dence of Red” (2005), winner Native texts of the first de- Born in Edmond, raised in of a Choctaw Indian in the program, contact Susan Billmaier, program officer, at billma- of an Oklahoma Book Award cade of the 21st century. Oklahoma City, Howe main- Arab Revolts, 1917-2011.” [email protected] or 609-452-7007 ext. 310 or Beverly San- in poetry and Wordcraft Cir- In 2010-11, Howe was a J. tains an ancestral home in Her latest collection of short ford, vice president for communication, at sanford@woodrow. cle Award in 2006; and her William Fullbright Scholar at Ada. Her roots run deep into stories, “Choctalking,” is org or 609-452-7007 ext. 181. most recent novel, the ac- the University of Jordan, Am- the red dirt of “Okla Hum- forthcoming from Aunt Lute claimed “Miko Kings: An In- man, where she taught in the ma.” As she writes, “I am part Books in spring 2013. dian Baseball Story” (2007), graduate program as well as Cherokee... although I am She is a daughter, mother, was the 2009-2010 Read-In- conducted research for a new wholly Choctaw,” her work grandmother, culture bearer, Happy birthday, Cephus Selection at Hampton Univer- novel. speaks to the larger Choctaw and educator of the next gen- Happy birthday to Cephus John, sity in Hampton, Va. In March 2011 she was experience and interaction eration. A ceremony honoring who turned 71 on April 18. Cephus Howe is a screenwriter and awarded the Tulsa Library with not only Indian Coun- LeAnne Howe will take place would like to say hello to all his Choc- on-camera narrator for the Trust’s “American Indian try and the U.S., but also during the Returning the Gift taw friends in Idabel, Broken Bow, and 90-minute PBS documen- Author Award” in Tulsa. The with the world. She’s trav- Native Writers gathering at Golden. He also says God bless to his tary, “Indian Country Diaries: Maynard Institute for Jour- eled extensively to Japan, the Menominee Reservation church, Goodland Methodist. Spiral of Fire” (2006). She nalism Education named her Jordan, Israel, Romania, and in Wisconsin later in the year. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 7 WILLIAMS Following God ’s The Rabbit Hunt current A young boy’s rite of passage Continued from Page 1 By LISA REED one to see a rabbit and he was right. and being a part of the en- The tall, lean man in front suddenly deavor to supply the family Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma stopped, and as instructed in the begin- with food. He remembers fol- ning, the others stopped to wait for the lowing everything and know- Thwaap! Thwaaappp! The sound of lead hunter to throw. He skillfully tossed ing that the more rabbits you wood against wood echoed again and his stick with a lightning flash of his arm, have the better warrior you again as the young boy took aim and a flick of his wrist. The group watched as are. He tells that when it was threw his rabbit stick at an old oak tree. he swiftly crossed the 20 feet to pick up his turn he had one chance He fetched it and looked it over, a piece of Choctaw Nation: LISA REED the first rabbit of the day and fasten it to and missed the rabbit. hickory about 12 inches long with one end his belt. “Everything was through Olin Williams tells how important the gift of a rabbit smoothly whittled down about 3/4 of an No one said anything. They all met the an exchange of body lan- stick was in his life. inch in diameter for 2/3 of its length and eyes of the hunter with brief, congratula- guage, a transfer of emotion,” the other end about 1 1/2 inches in diam- tory flicks of their heads and got back to Williams explained. “Nobody eter. He grasped the slender end one more business. asked me how I felt, they clusive to Williams’ clan. son in nature and relates it time, a handle in his sturdy hand, and care- Toward the end of the day, all of the men sensed it. As we got on the There aren’t any more feasts to others. New experiences fully sighted on a bucket. Not putting quite had rabbits filling their belts and it was road going back to the house, to celebrate a hunt. Families bring new stories such as his as much force in it this time, he tossed the Tiak Osi’s turn. I was looking at everyone rarely visit each other any- recent encounter with an ea- stick through the air and killed the bucket. He understood how important it was to with rabbits hanging on their more. gle. Tiak Osi had been practicing for months. bring back enough to feed the clan and belts and I felt like a failure. I “Progress – is it good or is He was driving on a wind- He wanted his Grandma, the family’s ma- had patiently waited for the moment when had practiced at home but on it bad?” asks Williams. “We ing road around Sardis Lake triarch, to be proud of him. He had never each man had plenty for their families. He the real hunt I failed. Grow- don’t have to hunt with sticks, and saw a bald eagle sitting been on a hunt but he wanted to show the remembered the first time he had spotted a ing up without a father, I had but families are breaking up. on a dead tree, its branches man who had given him the rabbit stick rabbit that day, too. He saw the eyes, just always felt kind of neglected. We are losing more than just falling down, a few sticking that he would be a worthy hunter someday. like the lead hunter said he would. The I was hoping to bring a rabbit the way we hunted the rabbit. out. There were green trees Rabbit meat was a staple in his family’s next time they home, to feel important. “The rabbit made a change all around but the eagle was diet and they were a little “I was walking, dragging in my life. Because of what sitting on the dead tree. Wil- had always easier to spot, along, and the lead hunter the men did I was determined liams stopped, turned his car depended on even easier the turns around without a word to become a better hunter – around and because the sun others to sup- next time, and and comes toward me. He how to find the rabbit, how to was glaring in his face, he got ply what was the next. Now, places one of his rabbits on track. Because of the affirma- out and walked at an angle, needed. when he saw my belt. He didn’t tell the tion, I wanted to learn more.” crossing a fence to see him He didn’t the round eyes others what to do but they Williams compares the better. Behind the eagle was realize life in of the cotton- came forward and put one of hunter’s act to good leader- the lake and Flagpole Moun- Mississippi in tail he could their rabbits on my belt. This ship. No one noticed him as tain. 1960 might throw his stick. meant that they accepted me, a boy, but on that day the lead It was a bit foggy, but as have been Put the rabbit they understood what I was hunter gave Williams his best; Williams eased his way to- harder than in on his belt. going through.” the others did what he did. If ward him, the eagle looked other parts of He didn’t From that day, Williams we give our best, others will at him for a while, spread the country. At have long to began to search for the rea- follow, reflecting the servant his wings, and started flying 10 years old, wait. There! son why people couldn’t do style of leadership. A char- straight away from him. He he just knew The tall grass this for one another – offer acteristic of Choctaw people had no problem, just a con- things were on his left affirmation of worth. He sees is humility and the leader fident flight toward the moun- different for rustled. He parallels in Christianity, re- humbled himself, sacrificing tain, up and up and up until he him because he stopped. He minding that God in his sov- something of his own to help disappeared. lived with his stared and ereignty did that. someone else. Williams relates this to the grandmother, there they “We fail,” Williams says, “I found out later from the Choctaw people. mother and were. Two of “but He did this for us. We other hunters about how they “We may have sat on a dead sisters. He the biggest, have a passage to heaven. I had also failed and someone tree at one time but we took was growing Illustration by Ruby Bolding roundest, use this in church a lot, a rab- helped them the way they our flight. We had waters to up without brightest eyes bit story as an act of God, a helped me,” Williams said. cross, mountains to cross, but a father. He he had ever seen staring back. Tiak Osi rite of passage to heaven.” “The act was passed on. It we did it with confidence,” watched the other men, watched how they was fast. The months of practice had made A minister for most of his was from the leader on down. he said. “The eagle never did things for their families and taught him quick. life, Williams believes God That was my lesson when I changed course, just headed their sons to hunt. There had not been Just not quick enough. may have been calling him at became a Christian. That is for that mountain, coura- anyone to teach him what a man needs to Tiak Osi’s rabbit stick crashed into the an early age. exactly what I learned and geous, going somewhere. know. thick grass but the rabbit had been two He began to read human am still doing it today. I just They tried to remove the Tiak Osi stuck the rabbit stick in the shakes of a tail ahead of it. body language, coming to un- give my stories. I don’t do Choctaw to a land less fertile back pocket of his pants and headed for He couldn’t believe it. He had failed. He derstand that a person can lie them for profit, I do them for but we took a dead land and home. He walked quickly. The sun was felt numb as he went to retrieve his stick. to you but you can read them. somebody. The lead hunter took flight. getting lower; he had some chores he still The lead hunter turned back toward home It’s the body language that could have had needed to do before going to bed. and Tiak Osi once again fell into step tells everything. more glory but He awoke early the next morning, behind the men. This time, though, there As a result of the hunt, he he gave me his hungry as usual, and was ready for the big wasn’t any excitement. He wasn’t bringing went from feeling like a fail- rabbit. breakfast Grandma had ready for him. It Grandma a rabbit to cook for supper. ure to feeling accepted and “I learned was a big breakfast, he thought, bigger “A failure,” Tiak Osi thought, his spirit being looked at as an achiev- in the quiet than normal, but he wasn’t complaining low, his feet dragging. er, someone who could be Choctaw way. one little bit. He watched as the lead hunter turned one of the leaders of the fam- Sometimes A short knock on the door brought his toward him. “Oh,” Tiak Osi thought, “what ily. People showed admira- men, if they head up. Who could it be this early? is he going to say to me?” Without a word tion and he knew there was a would listen His big dark-brown eyes grew even the man walked up to Tiak Osi, unhooked greater mind, his grandmoth- as we did to larger when he saw the man known to one of the rabbits lining his belt and placed er, directing it because she my Grandma, everyone as the best hunter in the clan step it on Tiak Osi’s belt. He met Tiak Osi’s knew it was the right time. It would learn inside the kitchen. Grandma didn’t say gaze, one Choctaw man to another, and was something understood in that women anything to him, just nodded, and the man turned back to continue the trek home. the clan. It was a time when can have wis- motioned for the boy to come with him. Tiak Osi didn’t move. He couldn’t. One of Williams needed something dom that will “We’re going to hunt rabbits! Get your the other hunters turned to him and placed to feel better. help the whole stick,” he said. one of his rabbits beside the other on Tiak “It’s kind of like the sea- family. Men Was this really happening? Tiak Osi Osi’s belt. One after another the rest of the sons,” Williams explains. need to humble jumped up and ran for his stick. He was men did the same. “She used that particular themselves. It finding it hard to keep from shouting and Tiak Osi felt taller. He stood taller. hunt. Other boys may have seems like the Illustration by Ruby Bolding waking his sisters. Besides, what would The men in the hunting group accepted used other experiences. She whole hunt the lead hunter think of him if he acted him. He realized that they knew how knew I really wanted to go on was for me. so childishly. He tried to walk back to the important the hunt was to him. They un- a rabbit hunt. She had been They knew it was important “It can also relate to a per- man waiting in the doorway but his steps derstood what he had been going through watching me throw that rab- for me, they had to all be son not saved – sitting on a became a trot then a full-out run through as a fatherless young boy. There was an bit stick, practicing and prac- humble, but the leader had to dead tree – but if we can learn the house. “I’m going hunting!” he thought unspoken code among the hunters and he ticing. That’s what a good take the initiative. to fly across obstacles, we can to himself. “I am going hunting.” was now one of them. They were letting parent does, they watch their “Not only that but we had fly with confidence with the “Where are we going?” he asked as they him know that because he had hunted child. They see the heart of dinner!” wide wingspan God gave us. walked toward the road. with them, he was as successful as they the child. They choose a time, Williams learned later on It’s not really the wings but “Who’s going with us?” Tiak Osi’s heart were. just like God. He watches and that a good leader has realized the wind pushing us up.” was beating double-time, his eagerness He took his first steps as a man among watches, using an experience there is a purpose for every- Williams teaches the old growing as he wondered which direction men, the weight of the rabbits pulling the to go from one level to an- thing. Choctaw stories, but at the they would go to hunt and who would be pants on his boy-size legs down as he other. “I had a child’s little stick,” same time, has the heart of a joining them. walked home. He watched as each hunter “I call myself the ‘last of Williams noted “It probably Choctaw elder in seeing the A short way from Tiak Osi’s home, they threw down their rabbits for everyone the Mohicans’,” Williams wouldn’t kill a rabbit. I didn’t story in the eagle and know- met seven other men who fell into step to see, a time-honored ritual in the clan says with a laugh. “I haven’t know that. They wanted me to ing it is still as good a way to with the older man and boy. celebrating the success of the hunt and the done that (hunt with a rabbit just have something so I could reach young people as it was The weight of the rabbit stick in his beginning of a feast. stick) anymore because we I actually think I was part then. Stories are not just for hand had never felt this way before. It felt Tiak Osi felt he couldn’t wait until it went from there to WalMart of the hunt. The other men the past but the future. bigger. Heavier. Important. was his turn. At last he was able to take the where we could buy guns for had sticks that were heavier. “I’ve taught a lot on eagles. He knew he needed to control his excite- rabbits given to him in honor and throw hunting.” From experience they knew The eagle learns the current ment. Tiak Osi matched his steps to those them down. He looked around and saw the Following the hunt, after the heavier stick would do system,” Williams explained. of the men and he listened as the lead admiration of the other boys and he heard everything had been cooked, the job. My little stick would “That’s why he was sitting hunter told him how to find the rabbit. the girls whispering, “He’s going to be a the family sat down to eat have probably just annoyed there. He was waiting on a “Don’t look for its fur,” he said. “Look good hunter!” rabbit, cornbread, and enough the rabbit. wind current from the lake. for its eyes.” He glanced at his Grandma and saw her of their other favorite dishes “In scripture,” Williams He wasn’t afraid of me. He Big eyes. looking at the man who had made such a to feel like a feast. Everyone continued, “it tells us to not was waiting on the right cur- The rabbit can try to hide, its brown difference in her boy’s life that day. She talked about the hunt. The let a novice hold a big respon- rent. When it hit him he start- fur blending in with the different shades raised an eyebrow just a bit, a question for lead hunter named Williams sible position – we have little ed going up. of plants surrounding it. Its eyes, though, the lead hunter. The man nodded in return, as one of the hunters who sticks.” “Most of us don’t have reflect light and shine through the camou- affirmation that the act was finished and brought the food, never say- All of his Choctaw stories that wisdom,” he pointed out. flage. Tiak Osi was an honored one in the family. ing they gave him the rabbits. are done in the old traditional “We flap our wings against Tiak Osi was mimicking the movements The rite of passage was complete. No one ever knew. way, to do somebody good. If the current, work too hard of the men around him and thought he was Using the rabbit stick to it does the person telling the and get stressed, but the eagle doing pretty good. They had been so quiet, Editor’s Note: Tiak Osi’s story is a fictional account hunt was one of the last of the story more good then it’s not knows God sends us the right stepping so softly. He was examining ev- based on Olin Williams’ experience as a young boy. His name, Tiak Osi, is Little Pine. old ways used by the Choc- what is intended. Choctaw current at the right time. Like ery clump of grass, every bush and stump. taw, the last of the Choctaw stories teach. Grandma knew – it was the He knew the best hunter would be the first © Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma society experiences and ex- Williams often sees a les- right time.” BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 8 EDUCATION Caressa honored as Chance excels in youth delegate mathematics Caressa M. James of Oklahoma City, Middle school students from 27 daughter of Gerald and Patricia James counties throughout Oklahoma were and granddaughter of Pat Gonzales of recognized for their math skills and Watonga, Jacob James of Broken Bow, achievements during the 10th an- and the late Mary Alice Battiest of Ho- nual Oklahoma School of Science chatown, recently served as a delegate in and Mathematics Middle School the 56th United Nations Commission on Math Test held in February on the the Status of Women’s “Empowerment of school’s Oklahoma City campus. Rural Women and their Role in Poverty and Hunger Eradica- Round one was held at the local level with two highest scor- Michelle participates in tion, Development and Current Challenges” event at the United ing students from each grade level advancing to round two held Nations headquarters in New York City. in Oklahoma City. service project, alternative spring break This was Caressa’s second year to attend and first year as Chance Wafford was one of two students who qualified to Michelle Synhorst went on a service project to Lafayette, an appointed delegate. She was one of six Native American/ represent the sixth grade for Fort Gibson Middle School. He La., with a group of volunteers from Rice University, where Indigenous women chosen nationwide to represent Indigenous is also active in basketball, baseball, track and is a member they worked with youth. The trip was part of Rice University’s and Native American issues to the World Council of Churches of the First Baptist Church. He is the son of Scott and Katrina Alternative Spring Break program where students volunteer all and the UNCSW. She was appointed by the National Anglican Wafford of Fort Gibson and the grandson of Mike and JoAnn over the country. Council of Women and also the Indigenous Ministries office of Scantlen of Stigler, Martha Shipley of Fort Gibson and Dan Last fall, Michelle studied abroad at the University of Seville the national Episcopal Diocese as well as the office of Global Wafford. (Universidad de Sevilla) in Sevilla, Spain. Partnerships. Michelle is a member of Rice University’s Native American As a delegate, Caressa was one of the six presenters to host Student Organization and recently organized Rice University’s an event at the UN headquarters concerning the “Exposing of Garison places in ar- 13th annual pow wow at Rice University in Houston, Texas. the Doctrine of Discovery: A Call to Healing and Hope.” The Michelle is the granddaughter of Charles McClure of Dal- importance of this event was to work with the World Council of chery competition las and is a great-granddaughter of deceased original enrollee Churches and the United Nations on repudiating and renounce- Moss Public Schools’ students re- Ruby Marx McClure. She is pictured in the back row, third ment of the Doctrine of Discovery. Caressa and the other five cently competed in the Oklahoma Na- from the left. women also engaged in the advocacy process of rural women’s tional Archery competition. Elemen- rights with the NGO’s (non-governmental organization) will tary, middle and high school teams hopefully be partnering soon with Mother’s Union in Africa competed in the regional competition. Deon graduates and Australia. Attendees were Sarah EagleHeart (Oglala Sioux/ The competition was held on Feb. 29 National Episcopal Native Missioner), Denyse Bergie (Eastern at the McAlester Expo Center. All three His aunt would like to wish Deon Lar- Shoshone Band/Diocese of Wyoming), Elsie Dennis (Diocese teams placed second in the regional competition, and all three on Jones congratulations on his gradu- of Olympia, Wash./Shuswap tribe), Nellie Adkins (Chicka- teams advanced to the state meet held on March 28 at the state ation from Tulsa McLain High School hominy tribe/Diocese of Virginia), Jasmine Bostock (Native fairgrounds. on May 23. Deon is the son of Deanza Hawaiian/Diocese of Hawaii), and Caressa James (Choctaw Garison Bible and Garrett Cartwright represented the high Mims and Lorenzo Jones, Jr. Nation of Oklahoma/Diocese of Oklahoma/Whirlwind Mis- school team. Garison placed third and Garrett placed fifth. sion). There were teams from 12 other schools, 93 contestants in all. Caressa’s younger sister, Jessi James, was a 2011 attendee Garison is a descendant of Emery Goodwin Howard, an and will hopefully become a future delegate in the near future. original enrollee.

Heavener STAR students Garrison Choctaw Nation recently presented STAR awards to Choctaw students from Heavener Schools. The program rewards those students who have made all A’s, A’s and B’s, and/or per- fect attendance with Walmart gift cards. Congratulations to these great students. signs with OU With echoes of “Boomer!” through the historic Tommy Weast Gymnasium, where Comanche’s storied wrestling program has pro- duced champions of the sport, an- other part of the sport’s history was Pictured added. CHS Wrestling Coach Jason (above) are Miller introduced two-time Coman- Pictured from left, front row are Destiny McGee, Heavener che State Wrestler Garrison Mc- Gracyn Thompson, Cody Drury, Weston Cox, Sean STAR students Cauley as one of the University of Miller. “He is an outstanding wrestler, but one Miller; middle row, Kensley Yandell, Chace Callah- Laney May and Oklahoma’s newest wrestling team members. of the things that gets him to OU is that he is an, Dylan Hamner, Luke Adrean, Lesly Yanez, Josa Gracie Pate. The exciting letter of intent signing event was a 4.0 student and has a very high ACT score. Wiles, Joey Heavener; back row, Kelsey Bottoms, attended by classmates, family, and friends. That is a very big part of it. He takes care of Ashlyn Moody, Trace McDaniel, Journey Perdue, Pictured is “Not very many people in Comanche’s his- business in t he classroom and he takes care of Haylee Benefield, Cornelio Hernandez, and Gracie Dawson Adrean tory have had the opportunity to go to a Divi- business on the mat. Summers. with his STAR sion 1 school in sports, only a handful. And “We know he will do well because of his award. we haven’t had a Division 1 wrestler in quite work ethic and we know Garrison is going to a while,” Coach Miller said. “So this is a very go up there and make us proud,” said Miller. big deal for me, his parents, his coaches, and Pictured with Garrison (sitting center) are the wrestling team. his mom seated at leaft, Jeri Donn McCauley, “Garrison broke five school records this dad at right, Rodney McCauley, and (standing year. I have every record Comanche has since left to right) sister Madison McCauley Wat- they started wrestling in the late ’70s, so he son, Coach Jason Miller, sister Whitney Mc- broke some records that go way back,” said Cauley, and Assistant Coach Keith Hare.

Pictured from left, front row are Lillian Yanez, Makaylee Wilson, Megan Mathews, Alyssa Collins, Carson Cheek, Jett Pitchford, Makenzie Wilson; middle row, Emily Yan- dell, Shaylee Cripps, Emaline Wiles, Gunner Sanders, Laney Tiffee, Shayleigh McDaniel, Cheyanne Cranfield; back row, Abbi Moody, Gunnar Thompson, Parker Olive, Garison Thompson, Tyler Singleterry, Haley Cripps, Shae Singleterry, and Bailey Olive. Not pic- tured is Dawson Adrean.

Congratulations to the recent graduates of Joyce Cooper’s Choctaw language class, lo- cated in Duncan. The class includes Reda Harrell, Stephanie Christman, Linda Stringfel- Durant and Atoka Youth Advisory Board low, Jean Boyd, Fran Gray, Josephine Shaw, Teresa Roberts and Michael Cooper. members participate in various events Choctaw Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Calendar

Broken Bow 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Idabel by appt.

Durant Antlers Poteau 8 a.m.-4:30 by appt. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. p.m.

Carissa, Brittney and Destiny Tuskahoma Broken Bow Durant Wright City Lance, Lecie and Jessica help out at the Atoka Fun- 8 a.m.-4:30 8 a.m.-4:30 having fun at Ivy League and 8 a.m.-4:30 by appt. p.m. Talihina p.m. Idabel Friends. 2Run event. p.m. by appt. by appt.

Durant McAlester 10 Crowder 8 a.m.-4:30 a.m.-2 p.m. by appt. p.m. Stigler by appt.

Durant Wilburton Atoka by appt. 8 a.m.-4:30 9:30 a.m.-2 Coalgate by p.m. p.m. appt.

Marissa Yargee speaks with Durant - Mon., Wed. and Fri.; Broken Bow - Mon., Wed. and Fri.; an onlooker at the Tushka Idabel by appointment Cole, Brittney, Jazmine and Destiny happily load the carnival. Phone: 580-326-8304; Fax: 580-326-2410 trunk with stockings they filled for foster children. Email: [email protected] BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 9 2012 YAB Senior Class

YAB hosts annual senior Choctaw Nation Public Safety Officers will again join up with its Southeastern Oklahoma Traffic Safety Co- alition (SOTSC) partners for the seat belt enforcement campaign, “Click It or Ticket.” The operation kicked banquetMembers of the Youth Advisory Board at (YAB) Tushka from across Homma off with a press event on May 14 at the Atoka High the Choctaw Nation, accompanied by parents and sponsors, School, and the main push runs from May 21-June 3. gathered April 18 to celebrate the accomplishments of this Carrie Clem re- The officers will be out both day and night patrolling year’s graduating YAB class. ceives her certifi- and running checkpoints to crack down on violators cate from Assistant Dozens of seniors where honored as they received certifi- of the state’s seat belt laws. cates of their accomplishments and shared their plans for the Chief Gary Batton future. Choctaw Nation Assistant Chief Gary Batton and Exec- and Executive Di- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad- utive Director of Health Services Mickey Peercy shared words rector of Health ministration, seat belts are the most effective vehicle of encouragement and advice. Services, Mickey safety feature ever invented, yet so many of those hit- The younger YAB students honored the seniors by serving Peercy. ting the road still fail to buckle up regularly. The goal food and helping the banquet run smooth. It was a pleasurable for this year’s “Click It or Ticket” blitz is to increase occasion filled with proud parents and excitement for what the the seat belt use percentage of Oklahoma motorists future holds for the up-and-coming youth of the tribe. This year’s graduates are Peyton Baker, Jennie Williams, and occupants from 89.5 to at least 90 percent. Paden Wood, Michael Noah, Adrian Martinez, Macy Bohanan, * The multi-agency organization SOTSC is made up of Viridiana Zamora, Rachel Armstrong, Rogelio Zamora, Chas- tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies ity Sanders, Tyler Rowe, Tyler Lauderdale, Carrie Clem, Shane united for one purpose – to make driving Oklahoma roads Orr, Elizabeth Jernigan, Gabrielle Williams, Jessica Palmer, Michael Noah safer. Kira Moore, Stephani Arroyo, Thomas Olive, Thomas Owens, receives his cer- Trevor Johnico, Easton Crow, Haley Watson, James Moore, tificate from Lecie Murray, Danielle Hobbs, Samantha Goad, Moriah Rob- Assistant Chief Photos by BRET MOSS | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma ertson, Sydney Underwood, Heather Wright, Emily Wolfe, Er- Gary Batton ika Taylor, Tamren Smith, Freddie Curiel, Kaeley Standridge, and Execu- Chelsea Bishop, Donyale Shanklin, Tori Blankenship, Kelsey tive Director of Songer, Katie Wolfenbarger, Morgan Rice, Chelsi Mason, Health Services, Dusty Linn, Tanner Lester, Tanja Messer, Maranda Tramble, Mickey Peercy. Whitney Kos, Dakota Branton, Taylor Springfield, Heather Finch, Joshua Sam, Mariss Smith and Cherish Wilkerson.

At right, Tracy Brown, Hunter Courtney Patterson, YAB Chair, Mitchell and Jana reads the bios of the graduating class Juniors Stacee Bacon, Michael Christman, Madison Fagg make sure as the slide show plays and they re- Cress and Mariah Noah serve the seniors. things go smoothly. ceive their certificates.

Choctaw Nation hosts career fair Free ‘Green Jobs’ training planned in Ada, McAlester, Idabel and Atoka at McAlester Expo Center Free training to qualify for tional certification to become a “green jobs” in building thermog- LEED Green Associate. It will Job seekers come from near and far to find what opportunities await raphy and photovoltaic system de- teach principles of building de- sign will be held between May 21 sign, construction and operation in and June 21 at East Central Uni- order to achieve greater efficiency, versity in Ada and the Kiamichi improved health and comfort in Technology Centers in McAlester, indoor environments and promote Idabel and Atoka. sustainability. It includes printed ECU will provide free day care materials and an online course on its campus for the children of and learning tools to prepare par- parents enrolled in the Ada classes. ticipants for the National LEED Parents should reserve spaces for Green Associate professional cre- their children at least three days dential. before their class begins. The Photovoltaic System De- The university also will award sign and Installation Class will be Sherlynn Kennedy with the STAR Pro- certificates for all participants who taught from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. begin- gram and Kelly Brame with Career Devel- complete a class. ning May 24-25 at ECU in Ada. opment welcome guests at the front door of The classes start May 21 and 22 Registration will end at 5 p.m. the career expo on April 3. Tribal DARE officer Isaac James and Jordan Scott pose in Ada with Building Thermogra- May 23. Other classes will be held next to the DARE Camero. phy. The deadline to enroll in the at the Kiamichi Technology Cen- Photos by BRET MOSS | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma class is 5 p.m. May 18. Thermog- ters. Dates and locations are June raphy is the science of visualizing 5-6 (June 1) in McAlester, June infrared energy (heat) patterns. It 18-19 (June 15) in Idabel and June has applications in a number of 20-21 (June 18) in Atoka. industries and in determining envi- Photovoltaic systems are renew- ronmental conditions. able energy systems capable of The class will be held from 8 generating electricity from sun- a.m. to 5 p.m. and will teach sci- light for residential, public and entific principles of thermography, commercial buildings. The course thermography applications, opera- will include system design, solar tion of infrared cameras and the resource and site assessment tools, use of thermography software to component selection, system siz- analyze infrared camera data and ing calculations and basics of sys- generate thermography reports. tem installation. After completing Building Thermography the course, participants will re- Jamie Hamil gives David and Jeannie John useful infor- also will be offered at the three ceive a certificate. Tracy Horst dispenses some useful recycling mation at the Choctaw Nation Career Development booth Kiamichi Technology Centers. The To enroll or for more informa- tips to Debbie Clark and Ashely McDaniel. at the Career Expo in McAlester. dates of the class, followed by the tion, call Irina Campbell at 580- registration deadlines in parenthe- 559-5632. ses, are June 12 and 13 in McAl- Eligible participants must be ester (June 8); June 18 and 19 in U.S. citizens or legal aliens and Atoka (June 15); and June 20 and at least 18 years old. They can be 21 (June 18) in Idabel. All classes either employed or unemployed will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workers, veterans and spouses of The one-day Leadership in En- veterans, workers impacted by the ergy and Environmental Design National Energy and Environmen- (LEED) class will be held only tal Policy, or individuals in need at ECU in Ada and the Kiamichi of updated training related to the Technology Center in McAlester. energy efficiency and renewable It will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on energy industries. May 23 in Ada, with registration The courses are sponsored by ending on May 22, and on June the Southern Oklahoma Green 7 in McAlester, with registration Jobs Consortium Grant of ECU Right, Seth Fairchild explains the Chahta Founda- Larry Wade and Lela Rodriguez discuss High- ending on June 6. and the Oklahoma Department of tion to Stringtown principal, Rick Heard. er Education with Helen Geddes. The LEED class will offer na- Commerce. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 10

Easter Egg Hunt - Choctaw Nation Head Start, Durant To the Youth of the Nation By: Courtney Patterson Youth Advisory Board “A grape and a raisin” Older people are fountains of wisdom. They overflow with millions of water droplets containing clever methods, remarkable studies, incredible secrets, and unbelievable tales. You would think the younger generation would take the opportunity to bring a cup to these marvelous fountains and take what they have to offer; you would think, but un- fortunately, not all of them do. Photos by CHRISSY DILL | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma You see, in life we get cups, and what we put in our cups is all up to us. Several complain their cups aren’t function- al, they have holes or cracks, and there’s no way they can hold onto the rich water. But those same people that say that are the ones who take those same cups to parties and fill them with alcohol. These people that do this possess a cup half full with their night lives and drunken wishes, and half empty of their dreams and true potential. Now, is your cup half full or half empty? A cup can be mended. Regardless if it’s glass, plastic or Styrofoam. Sometimes when people get ready to fill their cups with the good stuff fountains have to give, they forget to check their condition, and leave the fountain dripping in hope. Don’t waste what people have to give you, it’s stu- pid. Putting a lid on your cup is stupid. Don’t close off your mind for knowledge the world has to bring you. True, some things the world has to bring aren’t pleasant, but that, you just have to deal with. A bitter taste in your cup won’t kill you, but a dry hollow cup of stupidity might. There’s also something you don’t need in your cup, and for that I say this: read the label. It’s simple, you can read, I know you can, you’re reading this. If you read the ingredients, you’ll know what’s good and what’s bad, but at the same time, don’t be fooled. A lot of sugar in something doesn’t make Gerra graduates Birthday girl it good, it makes it sweet, and sweet might taste good, but Congratulations to Gerra graduates that doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Cranberry juice is bit- D’awn James, who will gradu- Happy birthday and ter to many, and just because it’s bitter doesn’t mean it’s ate from Watonga High School congratulations to bad. Cranberry juice is really good for you. In almost every in May. Gerra is the daughter Steffanee Ogg, who cranberry juice is a little water, and that goes for sodas, too, of Gerald and Patty James of celebrated her birthday but the amount of water that’s in these two drinks doesn’t Watonga and the granddaugh- on April 21 and will be compare to the water of a fountain. ter of Pat Gonzales of Watongs, graduating from Du- What I’m getting at is, you can’t live without water. Daniel Gonzales of Clinton, Jacob James of Broken Bow, and rant High School in Some might argue you can, but actually you can’t. Knowl- the late Mary Alice Battiest of Hochatown. May. edge from the people before you does benefit the people Gerra has been involved in cross country, FCCLA, FFA, Birthday wishes and congrats from her mom, Leon, mom after. No matter if it’s good or bad, somebody’s going to HOSA, Indian Club, and Band during her time in high school. and dad number two (Bill and Angie), brother, Hannah, Lilly, learn, some way or another. Knowledge from the people She has received several honors, including receiving the HOSA Tiger, Cami, Collier, Noah, J.T., and Max. around you helps better every day, and the knowledge from Leadership Committee role as chairperson, Indian Club presi- people before you will better another day more. The longer dent, and voted class favorite. Her favorite school memory is a person’s lived, the more days they’ll affect. It’s crazy that going to high school with her sister and hanging out with her people don’t want to better themselves by stopping to listen friends. to what older people have to say; it proves to be quite ben- Gerra plans to attend Redlands Community College after eficial. So as soon as you get the time to stop, I encourage graduation then transfer to Southwestern Oklahoma State Uni- you to take your cup on a little trip, and while you’re at it, versity to get her business degree. you may even try the clean filters while you’re there. I’m more than sure they won’t mind.

Congratulations, Kayla Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma The nursing faculty and sopho- Youth Advisory Board more nursing students of Murray State College are pleased to an- SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS nounce the graduation of Kayla Si- CORRECTION Requirements: erra Oliver Farmer, Associate of Ap- (ALL INCOMPLETE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE REVIEWED) The photo of MeCayla Taylor was mistakenly labeled as  Must have typed, double-spaced essay of 250-500 words describing plied Science in Nursing, graduating Kaylee Ann Beams on the April page of the Choctaw Nation your future educational plans/goals Phi Theta Kappa. 2012 Calendar. MeCayla, in the Choctaw dress, is the daugh-  Must be a Choctaw Tribal Member living in the 10½ county area ONLY Kayla is the wife of Quaid Farmer,  Must attach copy of CDIB and Membership cards ter of Meggan Taylor and the granddaughter of Rubye Taylor.  Must attach Letter of Admission from post secondary education facility daughter of Deborah Oliver, sister of Kaylee Ann Beams is the daughter of Calvin Lee Beams, the  All applications must be postmarked by June 30, 2012 Caitlin and Kyle Oliver, and grand-  Attach list of activities you have been involved in grandchild of Richard Lee Beams, and the great-granddaughter  Provide- GPA: ______Class Rank: ______ACT/SAT score:______daughter of Ellie Oliver. of Calvin T. Beams. We apologize for the error.  Winning applicants will be notified by July 15, 2012 1st Place-$500 2nd Place-$250 3rd Place-$150

Name:______Date of Birth:______Age:______Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______Phone:______Email:______

Name of Current High School: ______

Name of Post Secondary Education Facility you plan to attend:______Please mail your application and essay to: Choctaw Nation Youth Empowerment P.O. Box 57 Clayton, Oklahoma 74536

Sponsored by: Choctaw Nation YAB

Pictured are the children of the Choctaw Nation Head Start located in Broken Bow. They had fun at the Easter egg hunt Choctaw Nation to where 700 eggs were found. aid with loans

Nelson receives Miss. Outstanding Volunteer Award The Southeastern Oklahoma Indian Credit Mississippi First Lady tiatives and pro- and nearby states in devel- Association offers small business, home, Deborah Bryant, Honorary vides support to oping their service program- home improvement and agriculture loans. Chair of the Mississippi Com- faculty developing ming. In addition to VISTA To be eligible to apply, a person must re- mission for Volunteer Service service-learning and Alpha Phi Omega, Rosie side within the 10-1/2 county service area Board of Commissioners, coursework. She currently volunteers with the of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and presented the 2012 Gover- has served over Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and must possess a Certificate of Degree of In- Lafayette County 4-H. nor’s Initiative for Volunteer 800 hours as a VIS- dian Blood (CDIB) from a federally recog- Excellence (GIVE) Award to TA member, work- Rosie has served as an nized tribe. Cheryl Rose “Rosie” Nelson ing with faculty, AmeriCorps NCCC mem- to celebrate her voluntary ser- staff, and students, ber, where she participated For more information, please contact Su- vice to the people of the state as well as a small in several projects along the san Edwards at 580-924-8280 or toll-free of Mississippi during Volun- grant program that Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 800-522-6170. teer Week from April 15-21. provides students honor of her amazing work The First Lady noted that namic and highly motivated with startup funds of up to as an NCCC member, she If you are interested in applying for a loan Oxford’s Rosie Nelson is one people, and Rosie is a won- $500 to create science and was awarded the Gold Level from the SOICA or the Choctaw Revolving of Mississippi’s treasured derful example. We’re proud technology-related service President’s Volunteer Ser- Loan Fund, there will be a representative volunteers and presented the of her service and of this ac- projects within the local com- vice Award, as well as the from the Choctaw Nation Credit Department inaugural award for Out- complishment.” munity. Congressional Award Bronze at the standing Service by a Na- Rosie Nelson, a trib- Her work in this capacity Medal. She was a volunteer in tional Service Participant at ally enrolled member of the has unlimited potential for multiple groups as an under- Choctaw Community Center the GIVE Awards luncheon Choctaw Nation, is one of 11 positively affecting Lafayette graduate at the University of in Smithville on April 16 at the Mississippi AmeriCorps VISTA members County, Oxford, and the Uni- California-Berkeley and as an May 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Museum of Art. fighting poverty through edu- versity of Mississippi com- employee of the Walt Disney “Rosie serves with com- cation with the North Mis- munities. Rosie has revived Company. and the passion and intelligence,” sissippi VISTA Project at the the university’s chapter of The GIVE Award cel- said Stephen Monroe, assis- University of Mississippi. Alpha Phi Omega, a national ebrates ordinary people in Tribal Services Building tant dean of the College of Serving from the Univer- co-ed service fraternity, and Mississippi doing extraordi- in Hugo Liberal Arts and director of sity of Mississippi School of serves as the chapter advi- nary things to improve lives May 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the North Mississippi VISTA Engineering, Rosie helps to sor. She assists other chap- and communities across the Project. “VISTAs are dy- develop service-related ini- ters throughout Mississippi state. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 11 Safety Camp at Wheelock Academy a big hit with youth

Right: Firefighters volunteer their time to teach the youth proper ways to put out fires and educate them on the duties of a firefighter.

Above: DARE Officer Isaac James share facts about drug abuse and how to avoid ques- tionable situations involving those substances. Photos by BRET MOSS | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Above: Employees use modified go-carts to simulate drunk driving, which gives students a feel of how little control they have while under the influence.

Above: Outreach employ- Above: Youth practice how to help out one an- ees spend some time teaching other when in hazardous situations like a house fire. Choctaw youth simple things, like how to bait a hook and cast Left: Choctaw weapons expert Les Williston dem- a line. onstrates how to shoot a bow and arrow.

Choctaws excel at 10th Annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair in Norman Several Oklahoma students received honors at the 10th an- nual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, held April 2 and 3 at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman. The competition drew more than 650 participants in grades Pre-K through 12 from across Oklahoma and other states. Stu- dents competed in spoken language, language with song, po- etry, poster art, book, language advocacy essay and multimedia categories. The museum prepared special gifts in celebration of 10 suc- cessful years of the Native American Youth Language Fair. Language kits were handed out to participants and attendees, to encourage participants to continue learning native languages. Each person, team or school also received a 2012-2013 cal- endar commemorating celebrating 10 years of Language Fair Poster Art. The museum displayed “A Decade of Posters” in The 1st Place 9th - 12th Large Group Spoken Language The Choctaw Language class from Coalgate takes a photo the Directors Gallery through April. These posters are from from Broken Bow. with councilman James Frazier. past winners of the Poster Art competition. Panels of Native American elders, teachers, artists and authors from many dif- ferent tribes judged the competitions. At this year’s event, stu- dents competed in 38 different Native American languages, an Haileyville students take all-time high for the fair. The Presenting Sponsors for the 2012 Oklahoma Native book awards at fair American Youth Language Fair were the Boeing Company, the The Choctaw I and Choctaw II language classes from Hai- Cyril Fund and the Sam Noble Museum. Additional support leyville High School are proud to announce that both classes was provided by University Silkscreen. placed first and third in the Oklahoma Native American Youth Application materials and information for the 2013 Okla- Language Festival at the University of Oklahoma. This was homa Native American Youth Language Fair will be available the tenth year for the annual event. Haileyville entered in the through the museum’s Native American Languages department book division. The annual event draws many Native American in January. Language Programs and schools state wide. Choctaw I’s book was about farm animals (nanalhpoa) play- The 3rd Place 3rd - 5th Grade Large Group Spoken Lan- ing stickball(kvpucha) against the wild animals (nanalhpoa nuk- Photos provided guage from Antlers. shopa). It was a funny book (holisso yopula). It placed first with a blue ribbon. Choctaw II’s book was about the animals’ wa- tering creek drying up (bokushishila). The animals went to the Chief Bear and he told them to see the Rain Goddess and find out what to do. She told them to dance and pray. They did and rain was delivered to the creek and it never dried up again. Choctaw II’s book took the third place and received a white ribbon. Virginia Espinoza was the esteemed teacher (nan ikhvnan- chi holitopa). She broadcasts her classes daily from Durant. Brian Weaver is Choctaw I’s facilitator and Louise Mitchell’s Choctaw II’s facilitator (ikhvnanchi apela). Students in Choc- taw I are: Cylena Cooper – Ohoyo Hvshi Napakanli, Spencer Blocks- Hattak Towa Washoha, Sara Alverson – Ohoyo Yvn- nvsh Oka, Alyssa Young – Ohoyo Hvnchvnchaba Okchamali, Sam Morgan – Ohoyo Nvni Kabak, Brian Gibson – Hattak 1st Place 9th - 12th Indi- 2nd Place 9th - 12th Indi- Nvnish wana, Jed Dutton-Hattak Nita Lusakbi, Jason Mayo- vidual Masters. Terri Ann vidual Masters. Tia Dixon of The 2nd Place 9th - 12 Grade Large Group Song from the Hattak Nvni Hakli, Stevie Johnson – Hattak Kalaki Chito, Jim of Riverside Indian Riverside Indian School. Oklahoma City Chahta Vlla Alheha. and Brian Weaver-Hattak Issi Chito. Students in Choctaw II School. are: Destiny Campbell – Ohoyo Kowasha, Payton Crawford – Itibi Aialhi, James Hart – Hiloha, Dallas Herring – Malvta, Joseph Needham – Nashoba Tohbi Chito, Lisa Nichols- Lesa, Joy Picotte – Nayukpa, Ben Ragsdale- Nashoba Chito vba, Klanyca Tiner – Fichik Homakabi, Blue Burns-Ochakko, and Mrs. Louise Mitchell- Ohoyo Sipokni. Everyone contributed to the books with either illustrations or writing stories. The Haileyville Choctaw Program has won many awards in the past and appreciates the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for mak- ing these programs 2nd Place 9th - 12 Grade Small Group Song. The 1st Place 6th - 8th Grade Small Group Spoken Lan- Choctaw II (top) and Choctaw I available. guage from Broken Bow. (bottom) books with their ribbons. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 12

DoraDora Jean Collins HampHampton- shares herwhere they’d childhood wash the grapes the flies off. Edmond memories built a or dresses from the sacks. ton, Choctaw elder, was born Dora’s Hampton’s story continues our before they went home. meat box and loaded it with Dora remembers women on Nov. 6, 1937, at her home When they got home, Maggie meat and plenty of salt. They wearing long dresses and in Bentley, Atoka County. publication of recorded interviews of would wash them again and would also go fishing and aprons. Dora’s mother didn’t Her mother was Maggie Wil- Choctaw elders from 2007 again. She’d put them in a Maggie cooked the fish. buy material at the store of- liams Collins and her father big pot of boiling water to get In the winter, Dora and her ten, but when she did pur- was Edmond Collins. in the kitchen, she helped to Dora enjoyed her time their juice, afterward canning sister would collect hickory chase clothes they went to Maggie was a full-blooded get food ready for breakfast at boarding school because the juice. In the winter, Dora nuts and walnuts. Maggie Atoka. They would buy high- Choctaw from Mississippi or dinner. In the dining room she learned a lot through would have grape dumplings liked to use them in cakes and top shoes and long stockings and Edmond was one-half she swept the floors and her classes. She also learned made with Maggie’s grape cookies. when they were young and Choctaw. cleaned the tables, getting cleanliness and personal hy- juice and sugar. Edmond had a pasture saddle oxfords when they When Dora was five years ready for the next meal. giene. Dora has showed her grand- he subleased to a man who were older. old, she started her education After her chores were fin- When Dora was growing daughter possum grapes. She planted peanuts. Dora and At her home, Dora’s fam- at St. Agnes Catholic School ished, she went to class. At up, she did quite a bit of work tells her grandchildren of her her sister would gather the ily only spoke in Choctaw. in Antlers. She was baptized Chilocco, Dora did chores around the house. Her fam- growing up with lots of fruit peanuts left behind from the Edmond could speak English as a Catholic at St. Agnes, in the morning and attend- ily had a kiti, which is a hol- available at her home. In dif- thrasher. Maggie would take fluently, but Maggie didn’t and she and her sister stayed ed school in the afternoon. lowed-out stump or log. After ferent seasons, they had dif- a gallon of peanuts, put them converse in English unless there until 1945 when a tor- Sometimes she would work it dries, it’s a good container ferent fruit, lots of possum in a pan and stick them in the someone asked her a ques- nado destroyed the building. in the laundry room or hos- for corn. Once the corn is put grapes, wild plums and ber- oven to roast. tion. Dora enjoys telling her Fortunately, no one was hurt. pital. in, Dora would use a big pole ries. Dora would pick the Dora and her family had grandchildren stories of when Dora didn’t speak English There were a large number to beat the corn, which would fruit and Maggie would can plenty to eat, and most of she was growing up. She used at that time, and no one ever of children at Chilocco, so make it crack to make tanchi it. it was from the land. They to walk around in the pasture told her not to speak Choc- it took nearly all morning to labona or banaha. Banaha is In the fall, they grew per- raised vegetables, and every- with one of her granddaugh- taw. After the tornado, she finish her jobs. There were cornmeal, flour and soda. simmons. Maggie didn’t thing they ate was boiled, not ters, telling her about pos- and her sister were sent to a children from tribes in New Dora’s mother, Maggie, can these, because Dora had fried. They had a milk cow, sum grapes and teaching her Catholic school in Purcell, St. Mexico and Arizona as well. would mix it up and add a them eaten before she got the chickens and hogs. names of trees they came Elizabeth. They were there Dora enjoyed working in little water. She then would chance. Very seldom did Dora’s across. They’d also pick wild until it closed in 1948. the laundry room because she wash out corn shucks and Maggie had a large gar- family purchase things at the berries and onions. They attended a public was able to use the pressers, wrap them around the corn den where she planted Indian store. Edmond went to the Today, Dora can make school in Bentley and then a pressing the boys’ pants and mixture, then drop them into peaches and pears. There store in Bentley about six pashofa and dumplings made boarding school at Wheelock shirts. They washed clothes boiling water to cook in the were many peach trees. Dora miles from their home and from sand plums’ juice. She Academy in Millerton, when in big washers and dryers, wood stove outside of their and her sister would peel and bought mustard to eat with also used to fix jelly from Dora was about 12 years old. and ironed them with the home. In the winter, she seed the peaches and their their fried pork ribs. Dora berries grown in her garden, Dora was at Wheelock un- pressers. would cook in the house, also mother would can them, still eats her ribs this way to- which she’d give as gifts to til she graduated. Her sister Dora attended some home making pashofa. providing them with lots of day. her family. graduated first and then Dora economics classes at Whee- When Dora was young, she canned fruit in the winter- Edmond would also pur- Dora likes to sing in Choc- the next year. They both went lock and Chilocco. She made picked possum grapes with time. chase apple butter, flour and taw and speak Choctaw with to Chilocco from Wheelock her own graduation dress; her sister. Possum grapes are Dora’s father, Edmond, sugar. At that time, flour came her brothers when they visit Academy, where Dora stayed everyone had the same mate- wild and small, and it seemed provided the family with in 25 or 50-pound sacks, peo- her. She attends the Choctaw for about three years. She rial but different colors. Do- to Dora the best ones were meat. He’d kill a calf and ple thinking if you bought a Community Center in Hugo was 16 years old when she ra’s was a pink-dotted Swiss at the top. Her sister would dry the meat. They had what 50-pound sack of flour you weekly and visits with her left Chilocco. dress. The dresses had long climb the tree, bring them Maggie called a wagon sheet, were rich. The flour sacks friends. She was able to make While at boarding school, sleeves and had to have belts, down and put them in the tub. which she’d set salted meat were made of pretty cloth in a trip with the center and Dora had plenty of jobs to so Dora made hers out of In those days, Dora’s fami- on top of and put on the roof print, floral or gingham de- Choctaw seniors to Missis- do, working in the kitchen pink ribbon. She wore white ly had access to lots of creeks of the house to dry. Dora had signs. Maggie would hand- sippi and meet many Choc- and dining room. If working shoes and socks. with running water. That’s to watch the meat to keep make the girls’ blouses, skirts taws who speak the language.

Photo provided A few of the Choctaw potters chat over the Alabama clay they dug, from left, Mary Frazier, Vangie Robinson, Teresa Prough. POTTERS Continued from Page 1 likened the event to drinking from a fire hose. After the 600-mile trip to Alabama, the road-weary Choc- Photo provided taw Nation potters, rounded a final bend in the road, and were suddenly greeted by a spectacular array of green, grass-cov- ered earth mounds as they entered Moundville Archaeologi- cal Park. Located on the eastern bank of the Black Warrior Choctaw U students attend ‘Day at the State Capitol’ River, Moundville was an immense town 800 years ago, and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Chief Gregory E. Pyle are After arriving at the Capitol, the group met with Represen- is today recognized as a World Heritage site. The people who pleased to announce the receipt of a generous gift provided by tative Pat Ownbey, Representative Tommy Hardin, Senator built the town are the ancestors of today’s Choctaw people John Sullivan of the Sullivan Insurance Agency in Ardmore. Frank Simpson, and Senator Josh Brecheen. Next, the group and some of the other Southeastern Tribes. Among other The gift was specifically designated for Choctaw University was given a tour of the Capitol which included time in both the things, Moundville’s early inhabitants are recognized for the (Choctaw U) and included a trip for 10 Choctaw U students to House and Senate while they were in session. This afforded the technically advanced and beautiful pottery that they devel- a “Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol” in March. group the opportunity to see two bills reach final approval. The oped before European arrival. The 10 students who visited the Capitol included Kyle Burch participants were also able to visit the Supreme Court. On their first day in this historic place, the Choctaw potters of Spiro, Jason Campbell of Calera, Jo Ann Compton of Hugo, After the tour, the group was provided a catered lunch and a toured the University of Alabama Office of Archaeological Angela Dancer of Soper, Jack Hedrick of Durant, Robbie Hob- visit with Senator Josh Brecheen from District 6. When lunch Research, and viewed hundreds of exquisite pieces of an- good of Paris, Texas, Lisa Howie of Fort Smith, Ark., Kelli was over, the group was given free time to look around before cestral pottery in the special collections room at the Erskine Ostman of Durant, Tana Sanders of Durant and Joey Tom of returning to Durant. Ramsey Archaeological Repository, located on site. After- Wright City. “We were grateful to be given the opportunity to send our Ju- wards, Chip Wente took the potters on a fieldtrip to a natu- The gift included a limo ride to and from Durant, a meeting nior and Senior class participants to see our State’s Legislature ral source of silky smooth, grey and red mottled clay. The with State Representatives and Senators, a tour of the Capitol, in person. It was a great learning experience to see some of our potters hand-dug several hundred pounds of this precious and lunch. state leaders in action,” says Tana Sanders, director of Learning resource to take back to Oklahoma for use in Choctaw tra- According to Susan Stockton, executive director of Human and Development. ditional pottery classes. That afternoon, the potters visited Resources for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, “This was a Choctaw U is designed to help build upon Chief Greg Pyle’s the newly renovated Jones Archaeological Museum, learn- great opportunity for Choctaw U participants to learn the im- long-term vision of growing and sustaining the tribe. The pur- ing more about the history of Moundville, and seeing dozens portance of building strong state and tribal relationships and pose of Choctaw U is to grow knowledge and skills of tribal more of the most breath-taking pieces of ancestral pottery. to gain a better understanding of how the State of Oklahoma’s associates by instilling a deeper understanding of their purpose The following day, the group from Choctaw Nation par- legislative system works.” within the organization. ticipated in a conference on Southeastern Native American pottery. They listened to presentations given by other Tribes about the revitalization of traditional pottery in their com- munities, as well as presentations on the meanings behind the Durant swears in designs put onto ancient pottery in the Southeast. Ian Thomp- son, of the Choctaw Nation Historic Preservation Depart- new officers ment, gave a presentation on the revitalization of traditional Chief Pyle swears in Dis- Choctaw pottery that has been ongoing at Choctaw Nation trict 9 senior officers, from over the last 3 years. left, Marilynn Mitchell, The following day, traditional potters from different Tribes President, Jo Selby, 1st VP, and areas taught classes on their own styles of pottery and Sharon Zondor, 2nd VP, personal techniques. The Choctaw potters learned new skills Bob Green, Treasurer, Jim from a variety of nationally renowned artists, while Thompson Cox, Asst. Treasurer and taught potters from other areas about making Oklahoma Choc- Margie Sutton, Secretary. taw eating bowls. That evening, the group attended a reception at the University of Alabama Department of Anthropology. On the final day of the event, the potters set out their work for the public, and spent the day demonstrating, learning, and teaching. That evening, a closing reception was held at the Kentuck Arts Center in Tuscaloosa, featuring master works Photos by LISA REED | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in traditional pottery, produced by participants in the event, including Ed Perkins of Choctaw Nation. The knowledge and inspiration gained at this event will not only advance these Choctaw potters in their own work, but Chief Pyle celebrates birthday will also better enable them to teach others here in Oklahoma. They are excited to do so and to help continue the revitaliza- with Durant seniors tion of this ancient Choctaw art. Visit the Choctaw Cultural Below: Chief Pyle has some fun with his cake as he Services website at www.choctawnationculture.com for more celebrates his birthday with the seniors of the Durant information about classes in Choctaw traditional pottery. Community Center. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 13 Choctaw heritage celebrated in McAlester April 24 event brings tribal members together

Councilman Bob Pate holds his Assistant Chief Gary Batton stops by to talk Photos by LISA REED | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma grandson, Braden Pate. with Laura Lucille Jamison. Students from the McAlester Head Start show the audience how to do the Snake Dance.

Carolyn Adams and Marvin Ginn enjoy the cultural Award-winning artist Teresa Rhoda Anderson, Councilman Bob Pate and Janeice and Teresa Prough creates a events, fellowship and dinner. Renegar displays her jewelry. Leo Jack visit as the event winds down. pair of moccasins.

Young Jon Sutherland watches the craftsman- Brad Joe sings The Lord’s Prayer in Choctaw while the princesses perform the prayer in sign language. The words to The ship of woodworker Jack Haynes. Lord’s Prayer were translated by the Choctaw Nation’s School of Language staff.

Travelers from around the world visit the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma By CHRISSY DILL have struggles with official to connect with a local indig- program,” Rodgers explained. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma government recognition, with enous group to be able to learn “Everybody at the headquar- language and culture preser- more about similarities and ters greeted them so warmly The Choctaw Nation of vation, and with other com- differences of experience.” and shared so much informa- Oklahoma’s headquarters, lo- munity social issues, like ag- Rodgers mentioned to Li, tion. I could tell that a sincere cated in Durant, is no stranger ing and unemployment that Edgar and Uma the School bond was built.” to visitors, who come from all they are addressing,” he ex- of the Choctaw Language, Li seemed to enjoy his visit parts of the United States to plained. and “they were extremely ex- to Choctaw facilities as well. meet Chief Gregory E. Pyle The three, with the accom- cited about the visit and the “I was inspired and encour- and see firsthand the tribal paniment of Rodgers, were things they could share with aged by Choctaw’s effort on offices that work to provide able to participate in many ac- and learn from our friends at the revitalization on language them with helpful services. tivities within their time in the the Choctaw School,” he said. and culture,” he said. “I would Recently a family who lives a United States, including vis- Director of the School of the like to go and learn more from little further than the usual vis- Choctaw Nation: KAREN JACOB iting the Belden Montessori Choctaw Language, Jim Par- the Choctaw Nation if there is itors visited the headquarters, Language instructor Theresa Billy, the Rev. Li Hautiong, School in Sherman, where rish, was instrumental in help- a chance.” coming from the Siraya Indig- Edgar Macapili, Uma Talavan and School of Choctaw Lan- they did a music and culture ing them arrange the visit, he Uma and Edgar commented enous community in Taiwan. guage Director Jim Parrish. session for the children. They added. on the Choctaw Nation lan- The three Taiwanese visi- also had a lunch with local According to Rodgers, he guage: “We enjoyed and ap- tors included Rev. Li Hau- research is Taiwanese politics community. Presbyterian ministers and and his friends from Taiwan preciated your gracious hos- tiong, pastor at the Khau-pi with an emphasis on identity Rodgers met Rev. Li, Edgar, gave several presentation and were treated very well when pitality and considered it very Presbyterian Church in the politics. Austin College has and Uma in 2010 when he was visited several classes at Aus- visiting the Choctaw Nation beneficial to learn about your Siraya community; Uma Ta- an Asian Studies Program, invited to speak in Tainan, tin College. They visited the headquarters and left with Choctaw language learning lavan, head of the Siraya Cul- and Rodgers said Asia Week Taiwan, at a conference and Dallas Taiwanese-American much satisfaction regarding program,” said Edgar. ture Association and works for is intended to bring awareness the three individuals came to Community and Dr. Li deliv- the tribe. “The learned a great “The most significant thing the Tainan city government in of Asia to the campus and the talk to him about the Siraya. “I ered the Easter Sunday service deal about the history of the we’ve learned from the Choc- Siraya and Indigenous Affairs; broader community. wanted to bring them here to at the Taiwanese Presbyterian Choctaw and were very im- taw Nation is that we have and Edgar Macapili, Uma’s “The focus changes from introduce them to the campus Church of Dallas as well. pressed by the work the Na- similar aspiration, that is, a husband, who composes mu- year to year with topics in- community and to the local The trip for Uma, Edgar and tion is doing in community sustainable tribal community, sic and has helped write the cluding politics, culture and Presbyterian churches so they Li was sponsored by Austin development and in cultural to revitalize our language textbook for teaching the Sir- history and attention given to could have an opportunity to College and a grant provided preservation and language and our culture and to foster aya language. different regions or countries inform people about the work by the Taiwan Foundation for education,” he said. among our people the pride of Li, Uma and Edgar came to of Asia,” explained Rodgers. the Siraya are doing in cultural Democracy. The knowledge and kind- our own identity.” know of the Choctaw Nation When planning Asia Week revitalization and to build a It was Rodgers who sug- ness of tribal employees the The Choctaw Nation is hap- during their visit to Austin for 2012, Rodgers initiated the more lasting relationship be- gested the Taiwanese citizens visitors came into contact with py to have taught Uma, Ed- College in Sherman, Texas, emphasis on the Siraya indig- tween them and the school,” visit the Choctaw Nation of seemed to leave an impact. gar, and Li about the culture during the college’s annual enous community. “I believe said Rodgers. Oklahoma. “The visit to the “They were overwhelmed and traditions of the tribe and “Asia Week,” organized by that there is great significance The work the Siraya com- Choctaw Nation was clearly by the passion and sincerity hopes to continue to do the Associate Professor/Chair of to the work they are doing,” munity Rodgers is referring one of the highlights of their of the people working in the same for all tribal members Political Science Donald Rod- he said, and he had already to involves issues they are visit,” he said. “I thought it Choctaw School and by the and the surrounding commu- gers, whose primary area of met several members of the confronting in Taiwan. “They would be beneficial for them progress made in the language nity.

The STAR Program staff would like to remind all par- ents with students in sec- CHOCTAW ond through 12th grade that the deadline to have docu- mentsCHOCTAW submitted is fast ap- proaching. The deadline for children to be awarded for the spring semester is Octo- ber 1. Required STAR forms are listed below: • STAR online application (one-time application) • Grade and attendance verification form (to be

Choctaw Nation: LISA REED completed and returned once per semester) The Billingsly family recently visited Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Pyle. Pictured • Copy of the spring semester report card are Donald and Kimie Billingsly of Okinawa, Japan, with their 5-month-old daughter, Sakura; Chief Pyle, Suzanne Billingsly, Maria Billingsly, Christina Billingsly and Chaz For more information about the STAR Program, please visit Billingsly, all of Cameron, Ark. Suzanne, who is Donald, Maria and Chaz’s mother, has star.choctawnation.com or call 800-522-6170 ext. 2787. lived in Okinawa for the past 12 years. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 14 OBITUARIES Juanita Wilmouth Mitchell Durant Mary LeFlore Juanita Elaine Wilmouth, a Hugo Mitchell Ray Durant, 69, of Bo- Mary Ann LeFlore, 74, an Atoka resident, passed away on March 12, swell passed away on April 18, 2012, resident passed away on April 8, 2012 2012. She was the daughter of Col- in Durant. He was born Dec. 21, in Atoka. She was born on April 4, berson Ishcomer and Edna (Sherfield) 1942, in Farris, the son of Emeizah 1938, to Herbert and Gladys (Con- Ishcomer. She was born in Garvin and Durant and Elency (Wesley) Durant rad) Patterson, in Jefferson City, Mo. had lived in Hugo since 1965. Juanita and had lived most of his life in Bo- She graduated high school in Jeffer- was of the Presbyterian faith and was swell. He married Dorothy Samis son City, and became a credit union an avid supporter and song leader of on May 15, 1965, in Honey Grove, manager. She married Ted LeFlore the Albion Presbyterian Church. She Texas. Mitchell enjoyed fishing, on Sept. 23, 1992 at Cane Hill. She was a member of several organizations hunting, working in the garden and attended Cane Hill United Methodist and charities through the years. Juanita working around the house. Church and enjoyed quilting, gardening and reading. was also a bookkeeper and licensed practical nurse. She en- He was preceded in death by his parents; son Cory Durant, She was preceded in death by his parents and son, Thomas joyed sewing, canning, gardening, fishing, garage sales, history sisters, Edith Pistubbee and Doretha Herra; brothers, Dan Du- Shelton. conversations and talking with friends. She loved her family rant and Terry Durant.. She is survived by her husband, Ted LeFlore of Atoka; chil- and friends. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Durant; daughters, Kim- dren, Steve Shelton with wife Mary of Dallas, Amy Mapel She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather Eli Har- berly Dancer with husband Shane of Durant, Lorinda Durant with husbwith Dan of Newnan, Ga., Mike Shelton of Atoka, rington; and sister Geneva Hale. of Boswell, and Janice Durant-White of Durant; brothers, Jim- Nancy Lilly of Mesquite, Texas, and Elaine Morris with hus- She is survived by her husband Donald Wilmouth, who she my Wesley of Hugo, and Johnny Durant of Boswell; sisters, band Blaine of Garland, Texas; siblings, Dave Patterson with married on Dec. 29, 1982; three sons, Alvin Pyle of Cold- Gina Samis of Paris, Texas, Erma Hargrow of Bonham, Texas, wife Vicki of Westphalia, Mo., Jerry Patterson with wife Carol spring, Texas, Chief Gregory Pyle with wife Patti of Durant, and Molly Billy of Rockwall, Texas; and five grandchildren. of Jefferson City, Mo., Carolyn Irvin with husband Lonnie of and Shaun Pyle with wife Christy of Powderly, Texas; daughter Linn Creek, Mo.; grandchildren, Drake Mapel and Falyn Ma- Sharon Fleming with husband Bruce of Kelso, Wash.; brother pel, both of Newnan, Ga., Anthony Lilly and Rachel Lilly, both Larry Harrington with wife Barbara of Richardson, Texas; sis- of Plano, Texas., Mason Morris and Alyssa Morris, both of ter Imogene Hollingsworth of Willows, Calif.; 16 grandchil- Joey Taylor Garland, Texas; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other dren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and Joey Allen Taylor, 29, passed away relatives and many friends. friends. on April 14, 2012. He was born Jan. Ernest Lynn 26, 1983, in Talihina. Joey enjoyed Vera McIntosh volunteering for the youth at Tus- Ernest Lynn, 48, passed away on kahoma, fishing, hunting, playing Vera Alene (Burnett) McIntosh, March 13, 2012, in Ardmore. He stickball and other outdoor activi- 68, of Fort Gibson, passed into eter- was born on Oct. 2, 1963, in Fres- ties. Joey loved spending time with nity on April 25, 2012. She was born no, Calif., to Elza and Lucille (Wal- his family and friends. Sept. 28, 1943, in Stockton, Calif., to lace) Lynn. Ernest worked in the oil He was preceded in death by his Vere and Myrtle Burnett. fields and drove farm machinery in grandfather, Milton Taylor and un- Vera married Alvin McIntosh on California. He moved to Ardmore in cle, Jeff Taylor. Feb. 7, 1960, in Talihina. They resid- 1996 to help care for his mother in Joey is survived by his wife, Candi Taylor of Holly Creek; ed in several locations before making her failing health. While living here grandparents, Don and Louise Roberts; mother Connie Taylor their permanent home in Fort Gibson he worked in Lone Grove for Trans- of Broken Bow; father-figure, Frankie Natt; children, Ashton in 1968. She worked at Optronics for co Tire Shop until his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed Taylor, Alexa Taylor and Shawn Bacorn; sisters, Michelle Tay- 26 years as well as making a home for Alvin and their children. hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles through the mountains. lor of Poteau, and Susan Natt of Broken Bow; special uncle, Vera was preceded in death by one son, Tracey McIntosh, He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Danny, Michael Taylor; aunts, Kathy Taylor and Teresa (Taylor) Long- and her parents. Dewayne and James Lynn; and daughter Shawna Lynn. oria with husband Mike; cousins, Joe Michael Taylor, Lisa She is survived by her husband, Alvin of the home; sons, Ernest is survived by his fiancé, Sheila Grayson, of the Marie, Alex and Cameron Farrell, Frencho, Chris and Hope Louis McIntosh of the home, James McIntosh of Fort Gibson, home; son Ernest “TJ” Lynn of Tennessee; two grandchildren; Garcia; and a host of other family and friends. and Kenneth McIntosh with wife Sandi of Hichita; daughter brothers, Tommy Lynn of Squall County, Calif., and Jimmy Alma Pickle with husband Charlie of Muskogee; grandchil- Lynn of Ardmore; aunt Lucille Wallace; and cousins, Paul Wal- dren, Cory McIntosh, Bailey McIntosh, Kenny McIntosh and lace, Paula Thomas, Wanell Perry with husband Ronney, Jerry Jesse Gardner Jesi Pickle; sisters, Iza Holt with husband Joe, Armenda Pear- Wallace, David Wallace, Jeremy Wallace, Cheyenne Perry and son with husband Danny, and Sally Burnett; brothers, James Jesse Greenwood “Joe” Gardner, Wyoming Perry, all of Ardmore. Burnett with wife Dot, Verlon Burnett, and Mikel Burnett with 89, passed away on April 10, 2012, wife Rose. at the VA Center in Norman. He was born to Leroy and Hazel Nickles Michael Spear Gardner in Durant. Joe served in the Linda Mitchell Michael Douglas “Doug” Spear, military in World War II, and was Linda Sue Mitchell, 67, of Ar- 59, of Pittsburg, Okla., passed away an expert marksman. After his dis- koma, passed away on April 23, on April 18, 2012, at his home. Mi- charge, Joe lived in San Diego, for 2012, in Fort chael was born November 3, 1952, a few years and then settled in Okla- Smith, Ark. She was born January at the Indian Hospital in Talihina. homa City, where he operated an ap- 5, 1945, in McCurtain, to Marlin and His parents were James Ross Spear pliance sales and repair business. After the sale of his business, Josephine (Carney) Billy. and Virginia Evelyn (Ward) Spear. Joe worked in the oil and gas business as a lease broker. Linda was preceded in death by He graduated from Pittsburg High He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John her parents; brother Marlin Billy Jr.; School and moved to Sherman, Tex- Gardner. and sister Ruby Terrell. as, where he worked for more than He is survived by his caring granddaughter, Sharon L. Fran- Linda is survived by her husband, 25 years in maintenance, later moving to Ardmore and worked cis; sisters, Joan Held, Marie Wong and Nancy Kegley; broth- Edward Mitchell of the home; daughter Sharon Squire with for Akin’s Concrete Construction. He was of the Baptist faith ers, Col. M. L. Gardner, Charles Gardner and Samuel Gardner; husband Kenneth of Sapulpa; sons, Matthew Rocha with wife and proud of his Choctaw heritage. many nieces, nephews and numerous friends. Melissa of McCurtain, and Kelly Billy with wife Debbie of He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Wayne Howe; sisters, Imogene Terrell of Kinta, and Ramona Baker of Akins and Charles Ross Spear. McCurtain; 26 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren He is survived by his son Mike Spear with wife Sheryle of Thomas Houston Pittsburg; siblings, Harold Akins with wife Helen of Ardmore, Carol Rice with husband Jimmy of Pittsburg, Joyce Church Thomas Ward Houston, 87, of Wichita Falls, passed away on Ken Begay Feb. 18, 2012. A son of the late Alice G.(Tannehill) and Cletus with husband Cecil of Kiowa, Ron Spear of Ben Franklin, Ken Begay, 44, of Plano, Texas passed away on March 12, Texas, Nancy Hailey with husband Mike of Shawnee, and Stan Houston, Mr. Houston was born on Oct. 7, 1924, in McAlester. He worked as a medical illustrator for Medical School at Shep- 2012, in Plano. Ken was born March 2, 1968, in Dallas. He was Moore of Pittsburg; stepfather Jerry Moore of Pittsburg; and of the Baptist Faith, a proud and loving father who loved the numerous nieces, nephews and friends. pard Air Force Base. Mr. Houston is survived by his wife, Elsie Houston, of Wich- outdoors and was an artist. ita Falls. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wendell Begay; Betty Wiedemann and his grandmother, Laura May Willie. Ken leaves to cherish his memory, his father Freddy Begay of Betty Ruth Wiedemann, 75, of Ke- Bessie Kirby Sanger, Texas; mother Juraline Begay of Plano; son Tyler Be- ota, passed away on April 26, 2012, Bessie Mae (Smith) Kirby, 71, of gay of Plano; two brothers, Michael Begay with wife Claudine in Talihina. She was born Feb. 14, McAlester, passed away on April 23, and their children, Jack, Jacob and Carson, all of Plano, and 1937, in Keota to Martha Wesley. 2012, in McAlester.She was born to Andy Begay of Sanger; and a host of other family and friends. She was a life-long member of New Robert and Edna (Nail) Smith on De- Hope Baptist Church. Betty will be cember 2, 1940, in Blanco. She married greatly missed. Odell E. Kirby in McAlester in 1976. Mary Anderson Betty was preceded in death by Bessie was a homemaker and enjoyed Mary Ashby Anderson passed away her husband, C.H. Wiedemann; her crocheting, doll collecting, music, gar- on April 28, 2012. She was born June parents; son Robert Lynn Perry; and dening and her family and friends. 29, 1927, in Octavia, to Ben F. and sister Charlotte Jackson. She was preceded in death by her Elizabeth Davenport Ashby. She will be missed by her family, which includes Betty Sue parents; husband in 2006; and sister Lola Mae Perkins. Mrs. Anderson married Thomas C. Owens and Kim Romig with husband Jim, both of Iola, Kan., She is survived by daughters, Cora Lambert with husband, Anderson on April 16, 1952. They Robert Perry in Heaven, Mike Perry with wife Vickie of Keota, Dan of Savanna, Sue Neace with husband, E.J., and Connie spent over 55 years together. It was a Paul Wiedemann with wife Tonie of Tulsa, Ron Wiedemann Joiner, both of McAlester, and Kay Peters with husband, John sad time for her when he passed away with wife Heather of Poteau, Mark Wiedemann with wife Tra- of Haileyville; companion, Gene Carr of the home; son Mike in 2008. She was a graduate of South- cy of Stigler, Lindsey Perry with wife Jennifer of Keota; seven Carr of the home; grandchildren, Catasha Sadler with husband eastern Oklahoma State University grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and special family Trevor, Shelby Ketchum, Karena Green, Stephanie Higgs, with BS and MT degrees. While attending Southeastern she which includes Pat and Darrell Jones, and Bill Johnnie, all of Crystal Flaherty with husband Christopher, Noramae Sasnett, lived at Oklahoma Presbyterian College – a place she loved Keota, Kevin and Tammy Jackson, and Ina Jackson, all of Sti- Tonya Lewis, Robin Flores with husband Victor, Issac Lopez and credited with having a tremendous influence for good in gler, and Lena Sweeney of Duncan. and Orlanda Wilson with husband Mike; 17 great-grandchil- her life. The career she chose to devote her life to was educa- dren; sister Brenda Capeheart of Pittsburg; brother Joe Ander- tion. son of Blanco; and numerous stepbrothers, stepsisters, nieces, Norma Cobb She served for 21 years as a teacher, principal, and coach in nephews and other family members and friends. the following schools: Octavia, Hatfield (Arkansas), Nashoba, Norma Jean Cobb, 78, of Oska- Russett, Mulhall, Wanette and Putnam City. In addition, she loosa, Kan., passed away on April Joe Blalack worked for the Oklahoma State Department of Education for 6, 2012, at her home. She was born 18 years as coordinator of business education, as well as assist- on Jan. 12, 1934 in Seminole, to Hu- Joe Ray Blalack passed away on Jan. 4, 2012, in Humble, ing in other areas of the department when needed. As a teacher, bert Earl “H.E.” and Violet L. Hayes. Texas, and interred next to his father. He was born on April 23, she worked tirelessly to meet the needs of her students. As a She graduated from Chickasha High 1936. He graduated from Kemper Military Academy in 1954 coordinator, she provided leadership, dedication and service to School in Chickasha. She then at- and then attended and received an undergraduate degree from the business educators with the ultimate goal of benefiting the tended the Chickasha College for the University of Texas. He then graduated from the Houston students. A note written to her by one of the teachers when she women where she received her home Law School and was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1960. retired described her well, “May all the good you have done be economics and elementary teaching His successful law practice in Houston and Austin was in the returned to you a hundred fold and more” “Never in my years degree in 1956. She married Richard Andrew Cobb on June field of oil and gas. He was an extensive traveler and loved the of knowing you have I ever seen you give less than your very 10, 1956, in Chickasha. He preceded her in death on March 10, study of history. He was an avid researcher of the Civil War best.” 2008. She was a member of the Oskaloosa Church of Christ. and was a member of the Sons of the Confederacy. He was She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, She was preceded in death by her husband and a grand- proud that several of his Indian ancestors had served with the H.S.P. (Stump) and Amanda E. Wray Ashby, and George and daughter, Amber Lea Cobb. Confederacy with the 1st Chickasaw/Choctaw Mounted Rifles. Elizabeth Yakambe Davenport; sister Amanda “Bess” Ashby She is survived by her sons, Brent and Johanna, Brad Cobb, He loved his Choctaw heritage and was proud that his mother, Bracken; and brothers, Neal F. Ashby and Harrison H. Ashby. both of Oskaloosa, Rick and Donna Cobb of Columbia, Mo., Vivian Scroggins and his uncles, Edgar and Ernest Scroggins, She is survived by her sister-in-law Annie Ashby; nieces and and Ed and Jan Cobb of Medford, Ore.; daughter Brenda and attended Chilocco Indian School. nephews, Susan Amanda Ashby Parker and Don Parker, David Ron Bertles of Nortonville, Kan.; sisters, Donna Spurling of He is survived by longtime companion Bonnie Richardson; H., John P. Ashby, Ben F. and Theresa Ashby, Toby and Daquiri Orville, Calif., and Ruth Russell of Denton, Texas; 14 grand- sons, Joe Michael and Jeffery; three grandchildren, all of Hus- Ashby; as well as other family members and friends. children; and eight great-grandchildren. ton; and sister Janet Johnston of Daphne, Ala. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 15 OBITUARIES Robert Shelton Dorotha Reed Loreta Eoff Robert Dewayne “Big Rob” Shel- Dorotha “Dot” Mae (Grubbs) Reed Loreta Eoff, 84, of Deming, passed ton, 54, passed away on Feb. 23, passed away on March 13, 2012. She away peacefully on Feb. 4, 2012, in 2012, in Ardmore. Robert was born was born on June 5, 1921, in Ashland, Bellingham surrounded by family and on Aug. 2, 1957, in Talihina, to Ode to John D. and Lillie Grubbs. She at- friends. Shelton and Rosa Lee (Willmond) tended school in Ashland and, con- She was born Loreta Mae Cleve- Mooneyham. Robert enjoyed sur- sistent with her future in education, land on Oct. 27, 1927, in Oklahoma rounding himself with his nieces and received numerous awards and certifi- City. She graduated from high school nephews. He also enjoyed being an cates including one for “being neither in El Monte, Calif., and moved to old movie buff, listening to classic absent nor tardy.” Washington State with her husband country and western music, and play- Continuing her love for education, and children in 1955. Loreta will be ing dominoes and chess. Dot received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from East remembered for her passion for gardening, her pride in her Na- Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brothers; Guy Central State College, a Master’s of Religious Education from tive American heritage and her love for her family. Shelton and Bryant Shelton; and niece Linda Renae Stephens. Oklahoma Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Master’s of She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Fred; sons, Fred He is survived by his siblings; Kenneth Shelton with wife Arts in History from Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Jr. and wife Elaine, Warren and wife De Lee; daughter Winona, Bette of Marietta, Lou Ann Hardy of Sparks, Linda Stroder University, now Oklahoma State University. Dot began her adopted daughter Diane; sister Peggy, many grandchildren and of Oklahoma City, Della Blackwood, Richard Shelton, Leo teaching career in rural Oklahoma. great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Shelton, Sherry Shelton, and Leesa Willis with husband Eddie, It was at OSU that Dot met Forrest “Frosty” Reed. She and all of Ardmore; nieces and nephews; Brett Crawford with wife Frosty married on May 26, 1951, and started their life together Sylvia of Ardmore, Bill Beesley of Norman, Tiffany Lasiter in Wichita, Kansas, where all four of their children were born. Vester Queen with husband DeRon of Ardmore, Michelle Jenkins with hus- In 1958, they moved to Kent and then to Maple Valley, Wash. Vester Queen, 88, of Heavener, passed away on Jan. 24, band Josh of Sherman, Texas, Casey Allen with wife Krista of Dot taught school in the Tahoma School District until her re- 2012, at his home. He was born on Aug. 26, 1923, to his par- Dickson, Terra Norton with husband Jonathan, Kendra Balder- tirement in June of 1981. ents, A.V. and Pearl (Kirksey) Queen. He has lived in this area rama and Carlos, Joshua Paul, Emily Royal, Craig Shelton with Dot was an Okie at heart and was proud of her Oklahoma and about 20 years. wife Lindsey, Natosha Shelton, all of Ardmore, Kim Martinez Choctaw heritage. In 1989, Dot and Frosty decided to return to He worked as a heavy equipment operator. He married Ruth and Robert of Meeker, Kennette Freeman with husband Lee of Oklahoma and lived in Stillwater until returning to Lakewood, Lila Posey on March 2, 1944, in Chandler, Ark. His hobbies Sulphur, and Barbette Shelton of Marietta; special great-neph- Wash., in June of 2002, to be closer to their children. were working on his cars and fishing. ews, Brett “Buster” Lewis and Adrian Bond, both of Ardmore; Dot was an active volunteer for many organizations through- Vester was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nieces out her life. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible Queen; and two brothers, Clifford and Jimmy. and nephews. School, taking many classes to ensure she was the best teacher He is survived by sister Emma Ruth Carnes of Watson- she could be. She volunteered at the Stillwater hospital deliver- ville, Calif.; nieces, Barbara Young of Glendale, JoAnn Lott Smiley Echols ing flowers to patients rooms and visiting with the patients and of Howe, Shirley Norton of Norman, and Shirley and Ann of their families. She volunteered at the Stillwater senior center Arkansas; nephew David Posey of Arkansas; and several other Smiley Echols, 91, passed away on with the “old folks”. Even though Dot was 90 when he passed relatives and friends. March 31, 2012. Smiley was born to away, she never quite put herself in that category – old was always for someone else. Blanche and Doy Echols in Stigler, Trevor Thornton-Payne on June 1, 1920. After growing up in Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of her children, Raymond (Fay) Reed, Wendell (Ann) Reed, Noland (Kathy) Braggs, Smiley began a career in the Trever Thornton-Payne, 14 months, Reed, and Karla (Preston) Shugart; her grandchildren, Stephen, Air Force that took him to Oklahoma, passed away on March 14, 2012 in Ramye, Cissy, Joey, Katie, Rochelle, Richard, Angelia, Melisa, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Antlers. He was born Jan. 12, 2011, in Shalise, Earl, Ian, Tricia, Stefanie, Breanne, and Jessica; and Alabama, Minnesota, and Michigan, Talihina, to John Rousseau and Julie numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. with offshore assignments in Guam, Ann Payne. Kwajalein, Hawaii, Thailand, Japan, Trever was a precious little boy. England and Vietnam. He was a veteran of World War II and He loved horses, especially Blaze Vietnam. Elmer Wells and Jax, his Blue Heeler that always He was predeced in death by his wives, Virginia Louise kept him out of trouble. He was truly Biggs Echols and Mary Kay Strecker Sabrosky Echols; his Elmer Wells, 79, passed away on Feb. 4, 2012. He was liv- loved and will be missed by everyone parents; and his brothers, Doy Echols Junior, Chester Echols, ing amongst the Redwood Trees in Northern California that he who knew him. Frank Leon Echols, Quinton Echols, and Calvin Echols. loved so much. Elmer was a staunch promoter of environmen- He is survived by his parents; sisters, Jessica Payne and Re- Smiley is survived by his children, Jim Echols (Cindy) and tal causes and later in life took a more traditional approach to bekah R. of Moyers; brother Payton Neal of Moyers; many Donna Edgell (Butch); his stepsons, Kirk Sabrosky (Kim), his heritage and culture. Elmer also enjoyed carving canes and cousins, friends, and other relatives. Kevin Sabrosky (Jennifer), and C.J. Sabrosky; sister Betty rattles; each unique in its own form, just like Elmer. At the last Echols Ogdon; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; Choctaw Gathering he attended in Bakersfield, Calif., he was three step-grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren. honored by Charlie Jones to give him his Choctaw name and he Debbie Bowen was proud of it. He loved the Choctaw people. Debbie DeAnn Bowen, 41, of Heavener, passed awa on He was the last son born to Elma Willis, Choctaw of Missis- March 31, 2012, in Fort Smith, Ark. She was born on Sept. Kelly Carnes sippi, and Charles Lee Well of Texas, Calif. 27, 1970 in Medesto, Calif., to Donald and Gilda (McCurtain) He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Lynn Walker-Wells, Watkins. She was a member of the Forrester Baptist Church. Kelly Joe Carnes passed away on daughter Chenoa Hanlon; four beautiful grandchildren, Heath- She was preceded in death by her mother, and paternal April 11, 2012, after months of ill- er, Ian, Julius and Nicholas; and sisters, Bernice Clara West, of grandfather, Clyde McCurtain. ness he is now free. Kelly was born L.os Angeles, and Willis Jeanne Brewer of Yorba Linda, Calif. She is survived by her husband, Jesse Bowen; sons, Tyler May 10, 1971, in Coalgate. He was Wayne Bowen of Heavener and Aaron Travis Bowen of the a long time member of Covenant home; father Donald Watkins of Hollis; sister Tammy Welch Church in Carrollton, Texas. Timothy James with husband Richard of Hodgen; brother Randy Watkins with He leaves behind his mother, wife Carrie of Hodgen; sisters-in-law, Kelly Bowen of Mena, Timothy Darrell James, 39, of Martha Carnes – Bennett; stepfa- Ark., and Kaycee Morrison of Heavener; brother-in-law Shawn Idabel, passed away on March 18, ther Kevin Bennett; sister Cynthia McDonald of Hodgen; maternal grandmother, Juanita McCur- 2012, in Clayton. He was born Nov. Carnes; and niece Taylor Williams, tain of Heavener; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tommy and 15, 1972, in Talihina. Timothy en- all of Carrollton; father Ellis Carnes Betty Diedrich of Heavener; grandfather Charles Diedrich; joyed fishing, hunting, working cattle of Coalgate; grandmother Catherine Willmond of California; six nieces; seven nephews; numerous relatives and a host of and spending time with family and grandparents, Buster and Vivian Bennett of Dallas; and a whole friends. host of cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends. friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Alice Battiest; Gene Taylor Kenard Rickey uncle Bradley Oneal James, brother, Harold Gene James, and foster dad, Gabe Paxton. Gene Ricardo ‘Geno’ Taylor, 47 of Ardmore, passed away on Kenard “Kenny” Earl Ray Rickey, Those Timothy leaves to cherish his memory include his Nov. 13, 2011. Interment was at Durwood Cemetery. Geno was 32 of Joplin, passed away on March grandfather, Jacob James of Broken Bow; companion Sonia born on April 14, 1964, to Amos Taylor Sr. and Agnes (Tubee) 17, 2012, due to injuries received in Dwight of Idabel; mother Margie Hernandez with husband Taylor in Sherman, Texas. He graduated from Sherman High a pedestrian versus automobile acci- Heriberto of Nashville, Ark.; sons, Timothy Darrell James Jr. School in 1982 and moved to Ardmore in 1984 to be closer to dent. of Talihina, and John Baca of Broken Bow; daughters, Whitney his father. He was a member of Grace Indian Baptist Church He was born Sept. 25, 1979, in Jo- and Kayla Dwight of Idabel and Chaunet Baca of Broken Bow; in Calera. He was an avid Texas fan, always supporting his plin. He was very proud of his Choc- brothers, Solomon Dewayne Anna with wife Teather of Ida- favorite teams. He was a movie buff and enjoyed playing video taw heritage and thankful for his bel, Christopher Anna of Broken Bow, and Jonathan James of games. He loved having his family over and grilling out and tribe’s help with his education. He Talihina; sisters, Shannon Yanez of Nashville, Ark. and Kristi visiting with his relatives. received his training as a class A CDL Aranda with husband David of Hope, Ark.; along with several He was preceded in death by his mother Agnes Taylor; broth- driver and heavy equipment operator from ATC in Wisconsin nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. er Harold Taylor; and niece Robin Wallace. and worked as a heavy equipment operator in the oil fields in Geno is survived by his father Amos Taylor Sr. of Ardmore; Bakersfield, Calif. George Bohanon brothers, Amos Taylor Jr. with wife Edna of Sherman, Jerry Kenny participated in all sports in Carl Junction and Jop- Taylor with wife Margaret of Ohkey, N.M., Johnny Taylor with lin while growing up. He was a member of Central Christian George Roberts Bohanon “Indian Bob,” 61, of Wichita Falls, wife Mildred of Thisomingo, and Randy Taylor with wife Mar- Center. Texas, passed away on March 20, 2012. He was born on Oct. 2, ilyn of Calera, Daryl Taylor with wife Sherry of Zuni, N.M.; Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Kenny Rickey; 1950, in Sardis to Robert Lee and Myrtle (Nichols) Bohanon. sisters Nancy Wallace with husband Lonzo of Sherman, and grandfather, Bill Tallant; He was proud to be a member of the Choctaw Nation. George’s Barbara Morgan of Red oak; four aunts; one unlce; 20 nieces grandparents, Dorothy and Freddie Rickey; and step grand- childhood was spent growing up in Fittstown. In his teenage and nephews; 19 great-nieces and nephews; 3 great-great niec- father, Carl Walker. years he attended Southeast High school in Oklahoma City. es and nephews; and a host of family and friends. Survivors include his mother, Joyce Tallant and stepfather, George was a wonderful chef and cooked at many restaurants. Dave Anderson of Joplin; son Levi of Joplin; sister Dezirai He was loved so much by his son George Jr., who stayed by his Witt with husband Bill of Joplin; brother Tim Rickey with wife side for the last days of his life. George was known for telling Hazel Kindred Teresa of Sullivan, Mo.; grandmothers, Janice Walker of Jop- jokes and making everyone laugh. To his nieces and nephews lin, Ann Tallant of Bakersfield; nephew Jack Daniels of Joplin; he was known as “Uncle George.” Some of the best memories Hazel Ruth Kindred, 65, of Dai- nieces, Ocean and Cheyann Rickey, both of Sullivan. were Uncle George cooking donuts for his nieces Little Dar- sy, passed away on March 9, 2012, lene while he babysat her. He also walked door to door with his in Daisy. She was born on Nov. 24, Albert Jones nieces Elisabeth for her first Halloween. She would say, “Just 1946, to George and Audrey (Isom) one more George.” He was a childhood playmate to his little Burleson, in Talihina. She gradu- Albert J. “Jack” Jones, 66, of Nor- sister Darlene and big brother Sammy. He was a drifter and ated from Clayton High School and man, passed away on Nov. 29, 2011 in moved from place to place but wherever George went he had a attended beauty college. She retired Norman. special charm that made everyone love him. from Ethan Allen in Atoka. She was a He was born on Aug. 28, 1945, in He was preceded in death by both his parents. member of the McGee Valley Baptist Stringtown, to John and Lillie Jones. He is survived by sons, George Robert Jr. with wife Lacre- Church. Ruth loved canning, garden- Albert enjoyed bead working and tia, and Judson Fanning; grandchildren, Cheyenne, Christian, ing and spending time with her grandchildren. working on his cars. He also enjoyed Nicholas and Abby; former wife Stella Stevens; brother Sam- She is preceded in death by her parents; former husband traveling to southeast Oklahoma and my Lee Bohanon with wife Joyce; sister Alice Darlene See- Arvile Kindred; brother Scotty Burleson; nephew Dewayne Las Vegas and going to the casinos. His beck with husband Lynn; sister-in-law Danuta Bohanon; aunt McKay; niece Hollie Ann Burleson; sister-in-law Shearie first love was his family. Ellen Nichols; cousins, Clione Ranos, Fayrene Freeman and King; and mother-in-law Marie Kindred Lewis. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Odette many Nichols cousins; nieces and nephews, Elisabeth Boha- She is survived by children, Jody Kindred with wife Melissa, Jones, Odell Smith, Odessa Ray, Opaline Hobbs, Viola Jones, non, Darlene Bohanon Fields, Katherine Austin, David Huff, and Charlotte Kindred, both of Daisy; grandchildren, Alissa Wesline Jones, Alma Hames, Raymond Jones, Jasper Jones and Curtis Smith, Sandra Smith and Sammy Smith; numerous great Kindred and Kayelin Kindred, both of Daisy, siblings, Jerry Almond Jones. nieces and nephews; a great-great nephew; a soon to be great- Burleson with wife Ladonn of Savanah, and John Burleson He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Schultz; son Jona- great niece; and other relatives, loved ones and friends includ- with wife Freida of Daisy, sisters-in-law Jeweldean Adair of than Jones with wife Heather; four grandchildren, Nekasha, ing Julie Clayborn and Gayle. George and his family are espe- Caddo, and Alice Caldwell with husband Brian of Wilburton; Christian and Katerina Schultz and Edward “Dalton” Jones; cially thankful to Michelle Chastain for all the support during brother-in-law Ray Kindred with wife Kathy of Dunbar; along brother Alfred Jones with wife Vivian; and a host of nieces, his time of need. George called her his guardian angel and the with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many nephews and other loving family members. family is grateful. friends. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 16 OBITUARIES Edith Slaton Viola McCurtain Julia Knight Edith Irene Thompson Slaton, 72, Viola Mae Durant McCurtain passed away on Feb. 5, 2011. Julia Maurine Knight passed away passed away on April 12, 2012, in She was born Jan. 29, 1920, and lived a long good life. She en- on April 5, 2012. He was born in Durant. joyed many things and had many talents that many knew little Checotah on Dec. 29, 1912. She Edith was born on Dec. 27, of, but her work and dedication in serving the Lord through was the daughter of Joe and Abby 1939, in Hugo, to Simon and Fran- the women’s mission endeavors through the United Method- Semple Doxsee. Julia married Amos cis Thompson. She loved her fam- ist Church, Indian Mission Conf. was the greatest joy of her Knight in 1930. With her husband ily very much and enjoyed spending life. Her wishes and hope was that the younger women would Amos, she owned and managed the time with them. She was especially carry on what the elder women had begun. The family wishes a Pay and Take It grocery store. Julia proud of her Choctaw Indian Heri- belated thanks to Choctaw Nation, Kenny Bryant, her church, was an artist who worked avidly in tage. St. Paul United Methodist Church Pastor, David Warden and ceramics and in painting. She men- She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bert members; also everyone else, neighbors and friends who were tored many other Durant citizens in these skills in her studio Jones; brothers, Leonard and Junior Thompson; and sisters, so thoughtful during her passing and throughout the years that behind her house. Julia was an active member of the First Ethel Hamill and Norma Homer. she was a part of the Talihina community. The list of names Methodist Church. She was a Charter member of the Durant She is survived by her husband, Cleatus Williams of the would be to long but we say thank you and may the Lord bless Medical Auxiliary. She was on the Board of Directors for the home; son Jeff Jones and daughter-in-law Melissa of Hugo; you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you. Historical Museum for the Choctaw Nation. She was honored daughters, Benethia Johnson and son-in-law Danny of Black- Her memory will continue through her daughter; Harriet to be named Business Woman of the year by the Business and well, and Margaret Heady and son-in-law Clifford of Hugo; Tehauno; foster daughter Iola Beaver; grandchildren, Rueben, Professional Women’s Association in Durant. She was again son Dwayne Taylor of Hugo; grandchildren, Candice Tanner, Tamara, Trisha, Michael; and four great-grandchildren, Elijah, honored when she received the Choctaw Woman of the Year Christin Glass, Chase Stinnett, Trevor Herrin, Amber Henslee, Jordan, Angel and Mahaiya. for two years. She gave abundantly of her time and resources. Jeffery, John, and Jennifer Jones; brother Bernie Thompson She loved ardently and gave generously. with wife Diane of Grant; and numerous great grandchildren, She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, James nieces, nephews, and cousins. Lula Berryhill Donald Knight; and her brothers, Johnny Doxsee and Eugene (Buddy) Doxsee. Lula Jean Berryhill passed away Julia is survived by her daughter, Julia Anne Koerner and six Rebecca Samuels on March 13, 2012. She was born grandchildren, Pat Koerner Alexander, Karen Koerner Dean, Feb. 20, 1942, in Talihina, and Dean Knight, Jerry Knight, David Knight, and Bill Knight; Rebecca Samuels, 65, passed moved to Oklahoma City in 1954. In her daughter-in-law, Linda Page Knight Shroyer; sisters, Jo- away on April 11, 2012, in Hugo. 1999 she moved to El Reno. sephene Doxsee Salmon and Elizabeth Anne Doxsee Finley Rebecca June Samuels was born Lula had two men in her life that Glenn; great grandchildren, Abby Alexander Thralls, Kira August 2, 1946, in Corrine, the were important to her in different Dean Frisby, Ragyn Alexander, David Dean, Max Knight, J.D. daughter of Victor and Ida (Morris) ways, Julius Samuels of Washing- Knight, R.T. Knight, Declan Knight, Kassi Knight and Trevor Tims. She had lived in this area all ton and the late Mose Berryhill. She Sheff; five great-great grandchildren; and her nieces and neph- of her life. She married Paul Samuels loved all her children very much and ews are many in number, including Sharon Salmon George, on March 26, 1966, in Valliant. Re- did her best to raise them right with Judy Doxsee Jones Foo, Debby Doxsee Fisher, Jody Doxsee becca had worked for 17 years as an little to no help. She was always a very strong and independent Williams, Fran Doxsee Henderson, Beth Doxsee Morris, Char- LPN for the local hospitals and nurs- woman. lie Doxsee, David Doxsee, and Martha Finley Popiel. ing homes. She was a member of Hampton Chapel Methodist Lula always had a strong belief and faith in God and said Church where she served the Lord in music. She loved reading many times she knew that God was always with her throughout her bible, praying, gospel music and teaching children how to her life. Thelma Pelton sing. Rebecca was just the type of person that really cared for Some of Lula’s fondest memories were the years she spent at Thelma Kay Bennett-Pelton all people. Goodland Boarding School in Hugo. She was an excellent stu- She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, passed away on March 27, 2012, in dent. She loved challenging the boys at her school to see who Dallas with her family by her side. Ethel Tims. could get the better grade in all subjects and most of the time, Rebecca is survived by her husband, Paul Samuels of the She was born Nov. 26, 1943, in she won those challenges. Her love of reading made it easy Hugo. She was the oldest child of home; sons, Emanuel Samuels with wife Ruth of Claremore, for her to excel as a student and throughout her life. While at Vandall Samuels of Miami, Fla., and Matt Samuels Sr. of Musk- Lester C.D. Bennett and Julia Er- Goodland, she got to work in the kitchen and loved it because mine Deffeyes. ogee; brothers, Lester Tims of Ada, and Silas Tims of Broken she was able to eat anything she wanted. Lula left Goodland in Bow; sister Lena Battiest of Broken Bow; five grandchildren, Her family left Oklahoma to farm her late high school years and moved to Oklahoma City where in California during the last years Matt Samuels Jr., Tamra Samuels, Brandon Samuels, Kirsten she graduated from Central High School in 1960. Samuels and Jasmine Samuels; three step-grandchildren, Matt of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl. They As an adult Lula continued learning and educating herself moved back to Oklahoma briefly during her childhood, and West, Ashlyn West and Mitchell West; along with many nieces, and had many interests. After high school she worked at Paseo nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. eventualy settled in North Texas. Laundry and she put herself through business school while Thelma first attended high school in Garland, Texas. When raising her family. Soon after, she got a job with Coca-Cola. her family moved to Royce City, Texas, she finished her se- Her hard work and eagerness to learn new jobs over the years nior year at Rockwall High School, class of 1961. After high Ruth James enabled her to work her way up to the computer operator job school, Thelma met Thurl Ray Pelton from Wylie, Texas, at the that she retired from after over 20 years due to complications Ruth James, 83, of Colbert, formerly of Talihina, passed Stetson Resistol factory, where they both worked. They were with diabetes. Lula was loved by her co-workers and bosses married on June 29, 1963, in Durant. away on Feb. 29, 2012, at her daughter’s home. She was born at Coca-Cola. They always knew they could call her up no in Oklahoma City on Sept. 9, 1928, to William S. and Tillian Thelma was a working mother until after her third child was matter what state they were in or what issue they were having born, returning to work fulltime after her first open heart sur- (Tickness) James. with a machine and she would be able to walk them through Ruth married Cecil James in Stigler on Dec 21, 1947. She gery in 1979. She usually worked as a machinist or in elec- their problem. She would have things fixed in no time. Lula tronic products testing. In her lifetime, Thelma worked as a received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from was heartbroken when she had to retire and missed her job and Southeastern State College and her master’s degree in Educa- traveling saleswoman, a school employee, a waitress, a screen friends dearly. printer, a cable reeling operator, and finally as a toll attendant tion and Psychology from Northeastern Oklahoma State Uni- She really enjoyed gospel singing and would go all over the versity. on the North Dallas Tollway. She moved back to Durant after metro and Eastern Oklahoma to listen to all night gospel sing- she retired in 2010. She was very proud of her Choctaw heritage. She enjoyed ing. One of her favorite groups was the Berryhill Quartet. singing at church and tribal and civic events. She was a mem- Thelma was born on the Friday after Thanksgiving. From Lula said she always wanted to learn how to play the piano, the old children’s poem, she was truly “Friday’s child…lov- ber of the Talihina Baptist Church, and was choir director for and in 2009, despite her failing eyesight, she signed up for several years. She was known as the Choctaw Nightingale, a ing and kind.” She was known for hospitality, her stubborn- piano lessons and fulfilled her dream of playing. It gave her a ness, her willingness to help strangers, her legendary dislike of name bestowed upon her by former Chief Jimmy Belvin. She sense of pride and enjoyment when she played. She practiced was as past Choctaw Elder of the year for District #2, Okla- house cleaning and her talent for making life-long friends. Her every day. Her debut performance was her recital the winter loves included her children and her friends, her dog Pookie, homa Federation of Indian Woman’s Indian of the year. She of 2011. She performed in front of an audience of family and taught at the Lone Star, New Weathers, Mount Washington, her garden and any board or card game. She was also a talented strangers, and brought tears to all eyes that watched her play. painter and she sang (she thought) beautifully. She was known Talihina and Whitesboro schools and was a counselor at Ba- At the end of her recital, her piano teacher gave a special recog- cone College for 20 years. Many will remember her singing the for serenading innocent bystanders! nition to Lula and pointed out that it’s never too late to follow Thelma survived the loss of her mother in 1978 to congestive Lord’s Prayer with one of her daughters accompanying her in your dreams, and there is no obstacle, health or otherwise, too the Indian Sign Language. heart failure, her father in 1996 to prostate cancer, and her hus- big to keep you from your dream. Lula had a green thumb and band, Thurl, in 1999, to complications of diabetes. They were She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, could keep any plant alive. She had a year round flower bed Florence Stevenson and Mary James; brothers, Edwin James, married over 36 years. that would make any gardener jealous. A person could find her Thelma was survived by her two siblings, Ms. Vicky Lou Leroy James and Woodrow James. out in her yard any time, day or night, working away. She is survived by two daughters, Gwen and William Takes Faughtenberry, of Waitsburg, Wash., and Mr. Charles Bennett In her later years she loved spending time with her family of Dallas; her three children, Ms. Carolyn Lou King of Dallas, Horse of Colbert, Sharon James-Schmidt, M.D. and Joe and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play. Schmidt of Tahlequah; son Mark S. James, M.D. of Oklahoma Mrs. Thurla June Salas of Princeton, Texas, and Ronald Her- She also loved going out to Lucky Star Casino and like ev- mann “Ronny” Pelton of Rowlett, Texas; her five grandchil- City; grandchildren, Adam and Kathy Takes Horse, Tana and erywhere else, made friends there and got “special” treatment Vincent Cleamons Jr., Jacob Schmidt, Aaron Schmidt and Kara dren, Angela Heather Salas, Jessica Catherine Salas, Kimberly when they saw her. Throughout her life she always loved trav- Nicole King, Sarah Elaine Pelton and Randy Lee Pelton; great- Schmidt; greatgrandson, Vincent “Tre” Cleamons III; sister Es- eling, whether it was a long trip or just a nice Sunday drive, she ther Caesar of Disney; sister-in-law Ramona and Henry Hart- granddaughter, Angelina Marie Torres; and extended family loved to fly, drive, just get out and loaf around. and friends. gers of Tulsa; brother-in-law Joe Gibbs of Sherman, Texas; two Lula was a very special person and dear to so many. She will nieces; 12 nephews; and other relatives and friends. be greatly missed, but we were blessed for the time we had her with us and so thankful for her love and the memories we have Garen Marris Lillian Slover with her. So for now we don’t say good-bye, we say we love Garen “Rooster” Wayne Marris, you and we’ll see you later. Lillian Slover passed away on Jan. 6, 2012, at her residence. 60, of Ardmore, went to be with Lula is preceded in death by her parents Carrie and Tom- She was born on Dec. 8, 1915, to Alfred and Dora Anderson his Creator on April 24, 2012, at mie Williams; three brothers, Wilson Belvin, Tommie Jr and Reed in Scipio. She attended Scipio and Byington Schools. his home. Garen was born Dec. 25, James Williams Sr; and two children, Clifford Williams and She married John W. “Bill” Slover and resided in the Tannehill 1951, at the Hardy Sanitarium in Ar- LaDonna Sweis. Community. She worked at Seamprufe-Komar until retirement dmore to Christian Marris and Imo- Lula’s surviving immediate family consists of sisters, Lorene in the late 70’s. She was half American Indian of the Choc- gene (Baptiste) Marris. He married Arrow, Patricia Sinnett, Rozina Mann, Wilma Morrow and taw/Chickasaw Nation and a life-long member of the Tannehill Evelyn Gayle Crowder on April 16, Linda Draper, all of Oklahoma City, children, Victoria Samu- “Church Beside the Road.” She enjoyed her life and she loved 1982. els with husband Gerald, Mosella Berryhill with husband Joe, spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, other family Rooster joined the Oklahoma and Jamie Berryhill with husband Michael, 13 grandchildren, members and friends. National Guard Reserves where he served several years. He Terrell, Clifford Jr, Albert, Jean, Jennifer, Derrick, Kimberly, She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; worked for Stockdale Plumbing as a journeyman plumber for Angela, Ashley, Tiffany, Marina, Miles and Marlee; 29 great- brothers, Edward, Harlon, Bob, David and Hugh Reed; and several years. He later became a driver for the SORTS bus and grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. sisters, Mae Shipley, Helen Hefley and Jean Perez. later a security guard for Big 5. He enjoyed spending time with She is survived by her daughter Dixie L. Scott of the home; his church family and going to any gospel singing. His favorite sisters, Marie Henderson of Tannehill, Hazel Martin of Scipio; Linda Mitchell fun time was spending time with his children and grandchil- grandchildren, Penny Lewis with husband Jimmy of Sayre, Da- dren always having game night every Friday night. Rooster vid Scott with wife Patti of Hartshorne, Larry Scott with wife Linda Sue Mitchell, 67, of Ar- was a member of the Southwest Baptist Church. Shelley of Nickerson, Kan., Nancy Scott and Terry Pugh of koma, passed away on April 23, He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Michael Oklahoma City; great-grandchildren, Adrienne Lewis of Mal- 2012, in Fort Smith, Ark. She was “Moshe” Marris and Billy Eugene Marris; sister Maxine Mar- ibu, Calif., SFC Zachary Lewis with wife Nicky of Hartshorne, born Jan. 5, 1945, in McCurtain, to ris; brother-in-law Sam Thompson; son Emmett Ray Battiest; Josie Pettit with husband Willis ofMcAlester, Amancha Wood Marlin and Josephine (Carney) Billy. grandson Raymond Nedd; granddaughter Alison Nedd; and with husband Brent of High Hill, C.W. Scott with wife Tani of Linda was preceded in death by three uncles, Ralph Marris, Leonard Marris and Bennett Mar- Hartshorne, Lacey Scott and A.J. Andrews of Hutchinson, Kan., her parents; brother Marlin Billy Jr.; ris. Levi Scott of Hutchinson, Kan., Christopher Kos and Elizabeth and sister Ruby Terrell. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of the home; children, Wright of McAlester, D’Andra and Kevin Austin of McAlester, Linda is survived by her hus- Mira Battiest and Jackie Matthews, both of Carthage, Miss., and Jessica Sparks of Arpelar; great-great grandchildren, Kay- band, Edward Mitchell of the home; Christina Marris, Lucinda Marris, Conrad Nedd Jr., and Mi- lie and Ace Lewis, Lindsey McKee and Maddie Pettit,Dalton, daughter Sharon Squire with husband Kenneth of Sapulpa; chelle Marris-Knight with husband Patrick, all of Ardmore; Jett, Trinity and Brentlee Wood, Talon and Clareese Scott, Au- sons, Matthew Rocha with wife Melissa of McCurtain, and sister Norma Marris of Ardmore; three aunts, Lula Parker, Lela tymn Givens-Scott and Lillian Holeman, Lyndzi Scott, Kenadie Kelly Billy with wife Debbie of Howe; sisters, Imogene Terrell Cooper and Ali Johnson with husband James “Jay”; 18 grand- Austin and Isabel Kos; along with numerous nieces, nephews, of Kinta, and Ramona Baker of McCurtain; 26 grandchildren; children; three nieces; three great-nieces; four great-nephews; cousins and other family members and friends. and 10 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends. BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 17 Idabel Community Center hosts special dinner for area Choctaws

Assistant Chief Gary Batton welcomes 6-month-old Li- Councilman Thomas Williston says hello to Flo Spalding Josephine Baker and Lorene Lajeunsse are two of the lah Battiest and Katie Baker to Idabel’s Wild Onion Dinner as the Wild Onion Dinner gets under way at the Choctaw great cooks responsible for the dinner enjoyed by every- on April 17. Community Center in Idabel. one.

Photos by LISA REED | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

District 1 Jr. Miss Choctaw Nation Mandy Steele, Atticus Isabel Clampet and daughter Sandra Holt. Isabel and Employees served plates of wild onions, pork, beans, Steele and Shanna Steele. Flo Spalding, pictured above, are sisters. fried potatoes, banaha, pashofa and fry bread.

Broken Bow holds annual spring pow wow events A Fighting 74 Hellcat Pilot Article by Sparky Barnes Sargent Flight Journal Winter 2012

In 1944, 22-year-old Lt.(jg) C. Paul Ratliff, a native Oklahoman of Choc- taw descent, was a Hellcat pilot with the Fighting Squadron VF-74 aboard the USS Kasaan Bay (CVE-69). He was Lt. Cmdr. H.B. Bass’ wingman when Bass went down in France. Ratliff personally related some of his experiences in the European Theatre to the author, as fol- lows: “When the fleet left Oran, Algeria (North Africa), and we flew out to the carriers to land, I was the first one to Photos by LISA REED | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma come aboard USS Kasaan Bay. The A stickball game started early Saturday, April 7, at the landing signal officer was my room- McCurtain County Sports Complex in Broken Bow. It was mate, and he gave me a ‘roger’ all the followed by gourd dancing, social dancing and a pow wow way around, until the last minute – then Photo provided in the gym, hosted by the American Indian Leadership he gave me a wave off. And I landed Youth Council of Broken Bow Public Schools. in the catwalk! Guess what? The two Lt.(jg) Paul Ratliff, far left. 250-pound bombs and the rockets un- der my wings tore loose, and just went had already armed my bombs, and was river. We evidently kind of caught them bouncing down that flight deck. None ready to drop them. Bass asked me how by surprise, and it didn’t take us long to of them were armed, and none of them he did, and I told him he closed it up. take them out. exploded. Every day for two weeks af- He said, ‘Let’s go around.’ We pulled It’s kind of hard for me to talk about ter that, when Commander Bass and up, and were looking back down at the it, because we lost men over there, in- I were in the ready room, he kept ask- railroad tracks running into a little town cluding my skipper – Commander Bass ing, ‘Ratliff, are you all right?’ He was there. There was a bunch of German – who I thought the world of. To me, he worried about me, because I was so tanks right at the edge of that town. Bass was a perfect Commander; he excelled in young. But I didn’t realize until years said, ‘Get ready to fire rockets, we’re everything. We would come back from later it was his mistake; he had autho- going to take those tanks out.’ Well, old our missions flying low coverage for rized the landing. The other airplanes dummy here forgot to unarm his bomb, the tanks and troops, and about two feel were all loaded just like mine, but after and as we were swinging over [toward back from my cockpit would be holes my landing, they all went upstairs and the tanks], I dropped my bomb in a corn- from .30 caliber rounds – that wasn’t dropped all that in the Mediterranean. field, and I like to rode him out of the uncommon. I was Bass’ wingman when You weren’t supposed to come aboard sky plus me! Bass turned around, and he was shot down; he got picked off by Dancers chase each other through the “cornstalks” dur- with rockets and bombs strapped to your he saw what had happened. He said, a guy with a rifle. Bass was so eager to ing the raccoon dance. airplane! It took them a while to repair ‘Who’s the idiot that dropped the bomb take on the enemy that he’d make us stay my whole airplane; it had a lot of dam- in that cornfield?’ I shook my fist and he up and cover for him while he went after age. But Commander Bass was a dandy; kept his mouth shut. We still got some them. He was really a fine man. he was the best. tanks, but when we got back to the car- One of the things I remember most During the invasion of Southern rier, there was no denying who did that. about the Germans was their accuracy. France, everything was just exactly like We all laughed about that a long time – I mean, they always had your altitude the Navy intelligence said it was – that’s there was one big hole out in that corn – it didn’t make any difference where how good the intelligence was. On the patch! you flew; when they fired up their anti- first mission that we made, I was fly- Every day, we kept giving ground aircraft guns, it was always right at your ing behind Bass, and we saw this train support to the troops and we were get- altitude. During one of the last trips we going in to a tunnel. Bass said, ‘Get ting further and further toward Paris, made, some of those antiaircraft guns ready – we’re going to close the tun- moving up the Rhone River. On one had blood-red powder explosions. That nel.’ I was right behind him, and boy, occasion, another pilot and I saw a Ger- thing just popped blood-red, right out in he just dropped his bombs right in the man convoy of about 10 trucks travel- front of you – jiminy, that really got to neck of that tunnel, and it closed up. I ing up the highway, not too far from the you.”

Mississippi Choctaw dancing group shares knowledge Choctaw Nation Color Guard leads the Pow Wow Grand A group of Entry. Mississippi Choctaw re- cently traveled to Oklahoma to share their knowledge of Choctaw danc- ing routines with the local tribal members. By spreading knowledge of heritage between Oklahoma and Mississippi, the culture of the Choctaw people is sure to thrive.

Royalty enters the circle. Choctaw Nation: LISA REED BISKINIK | May 2012 | Page 18

“tohbi abelha”, meaning “pole bean” and “ tobi hikiny vni”, meaning “bush bean”, hint that varieties of both of these general forms of Traditional Choctaw agriculture (Part I) beans may have been grown in Choctaw com- May was a busy month for Choctaw people ancient people are ties from south to north. munities (see Byington 1915:366). According 300 years ago. The height of spring would known to have in- It was being grown in to Henry Halbert, Choctaw beans were a type find communities working together to get dependently devel- Mexico by 10,000 years of butter bean. their crops planted in the warm soil, antici- oped agriculture. ago, in Florida by 8,000 Pumpkins came to the Choctaw homeland pating bountiful harvests later in the summer One of these spots Iti Fabussa years ago, and it was from Mexico, via Native American groups liv- and fall. As the crops ripened, there would be comprises parts of fairly common in the ing in the Southwestern United States about feasts of fresh vegetables. Later, the majority the present states Choctaw homeland by that time as beans (Scarry 2008:395). of the harvest would be dried in the sun and of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Illi- 2,500 years ago (Fritz 2008: 330). The spread Beginning in the 1500s, contact with Eu- placed in storage bins or hung on strings from nois. The Native American communities liv- of this ancient domesticated plant is clearly ropean colonizers brought a number of new the rafters of houses, where it would remain ing here, who had been gathering wild plant tied in with early human population move- domesticated crops and animals into the until it was taken down and cooked sometime foods for thousands of years, began to select ments and contacts across the globe, which are Choctaw homeland. One of the earliest was during the next year. Food grown in agricul- plants with the most desirable qualities, save today poorly understood. watermelons, brought be the Spanish in the tural fields has long been the backbone of the their seeds, and then plant them. Eventually, Fifteen-hundred years ago, many of our 1500s, it was quickly incorporated into Native Choctaw diet. this human selection genetically changed the ancestors were collecting large amounts of agriculture. Through the years, the Spanish Choctaw people have been recognized as plants, creating new domesticated varieties wild plant foods and nuts, as well as growing also brought onions, garlic, tomatoes, pep- the best agriculturalists of all of the South- with characteristics that made them better bottle gourd, and small amounts of the plants pers horses, cattle, and hogs. African people, eastern Tribes (Romans 1770). However, our foods. Wild gourd was domesticated in this domesticated thousands of years earlier by brought to Choctaw country by the French and earliest ancestors were not agricultural people, area by 3000 BC, eventually becoming today’s their northern neighbors, including sunflower, Spanish, carried okra and field peas with them. but rather hunter-gatherers who lived by col- summer squash. Sunflower was domesticated squash, goosefoot, sumpweed, little barley, By the late 1700s, in addition to the older Na- lecting edible wild plants and by hunting. The by 2800 BC, marsh elder by 1900 BC, and knotweed, and maygrass (e.g. Scarry 2003). tive crops, Choctaw farmers were successfully transition to an agricultural society was a slow chenopod by 1700 BC (Smith 2006). According to both Choctaw oral tradition, raising leeks, garlic, cabbage, hogs, chicken, and gradual one. Our Choctaw ancestors were on the periph- and archaeological research, corn was domes- and ducks (Romans 1770:84), all of which are Choctaw agriculture’s earliest roots lie in ery of the agricultural revolution occurring to ticated in Mexico, and then brought north- of European origin. They exported the pro- very ancient land-management practices. Our their north. They had long collected and eaten ward. It was grown as a minor crop in what is duce back to their Anglo-American neighbors. earliest ancestors were not passive in obtain- the wild varieties of these same plants and now eastern North America as early as AD 1. Choctaws began raising cattle perhaps as early ing edible wild plants. Ten-thousand years were certainly aware of their domestication. However, around AD 1000 a major shift oc- as the 1730s, and by the 1770s many Choc- ago and more, the people in what is now the Still, they would not start growing these plants curred, whereby corn agriculture became by taws left their old towns and spread out onto Southeast regularly set fire to the woods and themselves until centuries later, and they far the most important source of food for Na- previously unsettled land in order to better prairies to create a more open, biologically di- would never rely on them as much as did the tive American communities in the Southeast, graze their livestock. By the start of the Trail verse environment, increasing the amount of more northern groups (Fritz 2008:334). The including the ancestors of today’s Choctaw. At of Tears in 1830, the Choctaw cattle herd num- edible plants that could thrive there and creat- reason our ancestors didn’t adopt agriculture this time, many communities abandoned old bered about 43,000 head, with Choctaws rais- ing better habitat for the animals they hunted. early on may be that they already produced settlements and moved to fertile floodplains ing more cattle per person than their Anglo- The regularity of these fires and their effects plenty of food for their communities by us- that would make the best corn fields. They American neighbors (Carso 2005). on the local environment increased through ing fire and other tools to manage wild acorn also changed their village layout to make best Today, traditional food dishes like tanchi the millennia (Fowler and Konopik 2007). and nut-producing trees such as oak, hickory, use of these fertile soils. labonna and holhponi are an important part Through the regular use of fire, our earli- and pecan. Such a form of permaculture would Over the next 800 years, ancestral Choctaw of Choctaw life and culture. These foods that est ancestors were able to shape and maintain have required a lot less work than having to corn farmers developed four Choctaw varieties are made up of different ingredients adopted wild plant communities in the state that they replant domesticated crops every year. of corn. “Tanchushi”, was variety of corn that by Choctaw people at different times and from wanted them to be in. Although this type of Bottle gourd appears to be the first domesti- matured in just six weeks. “Tanchi hlimishko” different sources, are both a tasty reflection of interaction can be a forerunner of agriculture, cated plant grown in any abundance within the was a yellow flint corn used to make hominy. Choctaw history, and a testament to the skill it is not agriculture. An agricultural society Choctaw homeland. This gourd, used to make “Tanchi tohbi” was a white corn used in mak- and adaptability of the Choctaw farmer. is one that relies on domesticated plants or containers, rather than being eaten as food, has ing bread. “Tanchi bokanli,” was a popcorn, Stay tuned for next month’s edition of Iti animals. Domestication is said to occur when a fascinating and mysterious past. The bottle used in entertaining visitors (Halbert n.d.) Fabvssa, which will focus on the way Choc- people selectively manipulate the reproduc- gourd originated in Africa. However, recent Beans, another domesticated food from taw farmers of 300 years ago planted, tended, tion of a group of plants or animals over gen- studies of bottle gourd DNA have shown that Mexico, arrived in the Choctaw homeland and harvested their crops. erations, changing their genetic makeup from the variety of bottle gourd that was brought to about a century after corn became popular. A list of the works cited in this article can that of their wild ancestors. This does not hap- the Americas came from Africa by way of Asia Choctaws seem to have developed several be obtained from the Choctaw Nation Historic pen easily. (Erikson et al 2005). Once in the Americas, the types of beans. “Bvla”, was a large-sized va- Preservation Department 800-522-6170, ext. On this planet, there are only 10 spots where bottle gourd was spread by human communi- riety (Byington 1915:87). The Choctaw terms 2216.

Cultural Services hosts Choctaw stickball stick making class

Desiree Baker of Moore and Debbie Lloyd of Sum- Jared Tom and Ramsey Williston get started on making their Joyce Gilmore concentrates during the class behind the merfield work together on their stickball sticks. sticks at the stickball stick making class on March 31. Cultural Services office.

Chahta Anumpa Aiikhvna uuu uuu Lesson of the Month Katimma ish atoksvli? Where do you work?

Word Meaning: *Katimma/Katomma – where ish – you atoksvli – workplace li – I “Ish” and “li” are pronouns that are always attached to a verb. “Ish” comes before a verb and “li” follows a verb. Choctaw does not have a word to match the English word “do,” however, it is understood and inserted when translating to English. In the Choctaw word order, the verb is usually placed at the end of the sentence. *Dialect preference

atoksvli li – I work at Complete the sentence by naming your workplace. Example: Choctaw Nation atoksvli li. Steve Jacob chops away on a piece of wood to Levi Hart of Marietta is in the early Wilburton HeadStart atoksvli li. make his stickball stick. phases of creating a stickball stick, shav- Broken Bow Casino atoksvli li. ing off the bark. Ome Pronounced: Choctaw sound ‘O-meh’ Word Meaning: Very well! (expressing a ready assent, agreement or acknowl- edgement)

Yakoke Pronounced: Yah-koh-ke Word Meaning: Thanks! Thank you! Note: ‘Ome’, cannot be used to answer a question in the affirmative. To answer a question we respond with “A, sv hohchifo yvt Bob.”- “Yes, my name is Bob.” ‘Ome’ is used to respond in agreement or acknowledgement to a statement, conver- sation, or leave-taking expression. www.choctawschool.com

Are you Choctaw?

Do you need a CDIB card? Sonny Ratliff takes a close-up photo of the Instructor Joey Tom shows Billy Ea- How about a Tribal Membership/Voter Registration card? Or even both? stickball sticks at the class in Durant. gleRoad of Talihina techniques to create a Have you lost any of your cards and need a replacement? stickball stick. If so, you can now access our applications online at www.choctawnation.com Photos by LISA REED | Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma