Otoe-Missouria News Archive

Continuing a long tradition, the Otoe Elo’ska Kigo’nye will hold its ceremonial Elo’ska Tail Dance on Saturday, Dec. 23 in Red Rock at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Center.

A full day of activities is scheduled beginning at 2 p.m. with the first session of the Elo’ska Tail Dance. Supper will be served to all in attendance at 5 p.m. with the second session of tail dancing commencing at 6 p.m. A special Christmas program will follow with Santa Claus and helpers making a visit. All tribal members, neighboring tribes and the public are invited to attend.

Originally published in the Ponca City News.

The Otoe-Missouria Tribe’s 125th Annual Encampment begins its four day run of traditional activities this evening at the tribal powwow grounds near Red Rock.

Tonight’s program starts at 6 p.m. with the Gourd Dance, followed by powwow dancing. Ceremonies to crown the new 2006-2007 tribal princess will also be conducted. Both afternoon and evening programs are scheduled for Friday through Sunday. All activities are open to the public, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs. The access road to the Encampment and powwow grounds is located at the entrance to the Seven Clans Paradise Casino, about 15 miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177.

Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Tech. Sgt. Linda Big Soldier will be honored on her retirement after 20 years in the military at a dance to be held Saturday at the Iowa Powwow Grounds. The grounds are located 4.5 miles south of U.S. 177 near Perkins.

Head staff includes: Tony Arkeketa, Ponca City, master of ceremonies; Jerry Harjo, Edmond, head man dancer; Mitchell Childs, Enid, head gourd dancer; Douglas Eagle, White Eagle, head singer; Tina Big Bow Baker, Lawton, head lady dancer; and Sam Howell, Tecumseh, arena director. Little Standing Buffalo Post 38 of White Eagle will be the co-hosts. Honored guests will be the Otoe War Mothers of Red Rock and the Seminole Nation color guard will be the honorary color guard.

Gourd dancing starts at 2 p.m. with supper at 5 p.m., more gourd dancing at 6 p.m. followed by the grand entry, war dancing or intertribals at 6:45 p.m.

Originally published in the Ponca City News.

The nieces and nephews of Cecelia Moore will honor their aunt with a dance celebrating her 100th birthday beginning at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Otoe Missouria Tribal Complex, 14 miles south of Ponca City. The public is invited to the celebration.

Gourd dancing is planned for the afternoon, and the family invited all gourd dance organizations and war dancers to participate in the celebration. Head staff for the occasion will include the emcee, Wallace Coffey; head gourd dance singer, Larry Cozad; head war dance singer, Oliver Littlecook; head gourd dancer, D.K. Toppah; head lady dancer, Georgia Noble; head man dancer, Earl Plumley Jr., and arena director, Emmett Hall. Those attending the celebration should bring their own dishes and chairs. Charles and Lillian Robedeaux of Enid will prepare the meal.

Miss Moore resides at Westhaven Nursing Home in Stillwater. She is one of the last full blood Otoe Missourians and the oldest living Otoe Missouria tribal member. She was born Jan. 26, 1906, on the Otoe reservation near Red Rock, the daughter of Charles and Laura Saunders Moore. She is a member of the Bear clan. Her Indian name is E-page-je-me, meaning Fire burning, never burning out. She attended the Otoe Missouria school and Chilocco Indian School, and has supported the tribe activities, participating in the pow wow when possible.

Originally published in the Ponca City News.

A welcome home dance will be hosted Saturday by the Garland Kent Sr. family in honor of their son-in-law, Sgt. Jeffrey Lynch, plus Staff Sgt. J.B. Hall and Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Hall, who have recently returned from a tour of duty in Kuwait and Iraq. The dance will be held at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Activities begin at 2:30 p.m.

The three soldiers were attached to the 45th Infantry, 179th Battalion Bravo Company out of Alva. In October of 2002 they were activated and sent to Camp Doha, Kuwait. While they were there they patrolled the DMZ between Iraq and Kuwait. At the beginning of the Iraq War in March they convoyed in Bradleys heading north to Baghdad. Their first obstacle was a vicious sandstorm that caked their eyes closed, according to family members. Sleeping a few minutes meant spending 10 minutes prying their eyes open. Their skin was so sandblasted the sweat stung them for days. The temperatures that they endured were 120-130 degrees, depending on if they had shade.

Once they were in Baghdad, they had several missions including security forces operations, day and night foot patrol, traffic control points, ambushes, house raids and arrests. They also seized one of the largest weapons and ammo caches. Their missions took them as far as 20 miles north of Baghdad to Taji. Their home for a time was a former Republican Guard building which was also used as a terrorist training camp.

In the 91 days they were in Iraq, they had two opportunities to shower, one that lasted 30 seconds and the next 51 days later. Following their missions they returned to Camp Doha where they received various awards. They have received the Combat Infantry Badge plus the honor of wearing the double Thunderbird patch, which had not been done since the Korean Conflict. They were officially released from active duty on Aug. 16.

An open invitation to all veterans, organizations and friends has been extended for the dance. Gourd dancing starts at 2:30 p.m. with supper at 5:30 p.m. and war dancing at 7 p.m. There will be special contests in men’s fancy, grass and women’s jingle.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

The 122nd Otoe-Missouria Tribal encampment will be held July 17-20 on the Otoe-Missouria tribal campgrounds east of Red Rock on U.S. 177.

Head staff includes Tony Arkeketa, emcee; Oliver Littlecook; Kyle Robedeaux, head singer; Jimmy Atkins, head gourd dancer; Oliver Plumley, head man dancer; Carolee Bible, head lady dancer; Jess Robedeaux, A.D.; Ashlee Jacobsen, 2002-03 outgoing princess; Andrea Kihega, 2003-04 incoming princess. Red Rock Creek will be co-hosting along with the Central Oklahoma Tribal society and the Ponca Gourd Dance Society. Special invited guests are the Kiowa Gourd clan and the Kiowa Tai-Pah Society.

There will be contests in all categories, and contestants must be in two parade-ins to receive prize money, and must be dressed in full regalia. There will be a “49″ contest Saturday night, and a junior girls jingle 13-17; Earl Plumley Men’s traditional winner take all; Percy Hudson Memorial Men’s Straight contest; Remonia Jacobsen Memorial Otoe Regalia contest Saturday night.

Handmade raffle items, Saturday morning Olympics for all ages, turtle races, 50/50, soldier dance will be available. RV hookups and showers are in place. Alcohol, drugs and firearms are prohibited.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.