Otoe-Missouria News Archive

by Brandy McDonnell

Despite the oppressive heat, hundreds of spectators crowded outside the Cox Convention Center to watch the 24th annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival open with its annual parade. Viewers clapped, cheered and bobbed to the patriotic music as the National Guard band made its first Red Earth parade appearance. The festival’s first grand entry Friday ended with veterans among the dancers and from the audience taking the Cox arena floor to accompany the three color guards in a special victory dance.

“I’m glad they’ve done that this year. … I think it’s the greatest thing they could do,” said Darrell Moore, a Pawnee native who now lives in Dallas. “If it wasn’t for the veterans, they wouldn’t be able to have this.” The Army veteran, who is of Pawnee and Otoe-Missouria descent, wears a red, white and blue ribbon on his black and green regalia when he competes in the golden age men division of the Southern Straight Dance.

» Read the complete article on NewsOK.com.

Leon O. Dailey of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday, January 17. He was feted with a family dinner on Saturday evening and a church reception on Sunday.

Dailey was born on the Otoe-Missouria Indian Reservation near Red Rock, Oklahoma, one of seven children of the late Dewey and Susie Caleb Dailey. Leon is from the first generation of his family to be born with the surname Dailey. His grandfather, So-Jay-Inga, took the name Charles Dailey as an adult and passed the surname onto his son. Dailey is a descendant of Ah-Hah-Che-Ke-Saw-Ke, one of the Missouria chiefs who signed the tribe’s Treaty of 1854.

Dailey attended the Pawnee Indian boarding school and completed high school at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. After graduation he helped on the family farm and worked briefly as a plasterer in Stillwater and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was inducted into the Army during the Korean War. After completing basic training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, he was transferred to Indiantown Gap Military Reservation to join the 5th Infantry Division, anti-aircraft artillery. It was during his stay there that Dailey met Caroline Reese of Palmyra. The two were married the following year. The couple has resided in Lebanon County ever since and will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary in April.

Dailey has worked primarily in construction. For many years he was employed with Granger General Contractor and later with Buchmoyer Contractor. He retired from Hauck Manufacturing in Cleona.

As a charter member of the Jonestown Bible Church, Dailey has sung in the choir and taught Sunday school for more than five decades. At various times he has served on the Elder Board and as a Deacon of the church. He has been active in many church programs over the years, such as conducting music and worship services at local nursing homes.

Leon and Caroline are parents of five children. They also have seven grandchildren. Leon Dailey and his children are enrolled members of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma.

» Originally published in the Lebanon Daily News.

Approximately 200 people enjoyed a special Veterans Supper on Veterans Day, November 11, hosted by the members of the Otoe War Mothers organization. Honored guests for the evening were veterans from six surrounding tribes: Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Kaw Nation, Tonkawa Tribe, Ponca Nation, Pawnee Nation and Iowa Nation.

A special table was set up to display pictures and memorabilia of current military men and women as well those who have served in the past. A military roll call was held while each veteran representing their branch of service was honored. Wendell Bollinger, Second Member on the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council offered a thoughtful keynote address. Jade Roubedeaux led tribal singers who sang honoring songs for the gathered veterans.

The Otoe War Mothers wish to offer many thanks to all those that brought food and other items to make this night a great success in honoring our men and women of the armed forces. The organization offers special thanks to Claude and Patsy Dailey who worked tirelessly to prepare a plentiful and tasty meal, Baptiste Shunatona for taking the time to visit with our War Mothers, and the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council for it’s assistance. [photo]

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

George Lee Dailey, 75, went to be home with the Lord, Monday, April 14, 2008 in Tulsa. He was born November 16, 1932, at Pawnee Indian Hospital to Lee and Clara Dailey in Pawnee, OK.

He had lived in Bryans Road, MD, for 30 years. George graduated in May 1951 from Hominy High School in Hominy, OK. In July 1951 he entered the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit and completed Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. After Hospital Corps School in Bainbridge, MD, he served at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, the U.S.S. Worcester, CL-144, and Boston, MA, and the U.S.S. Olensted APA 145, Norfolk, VA.

After a second tour at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, George was ordered to the Naval Dispensary, Rota, Spain, where he was commissioned as an Ensign, Medical Service Corps USN. His last assignment was as Special Assistant to the Surgeon General U.S. Navy for Equal Opportunity. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander SC USN on December 1, 1972.

George was a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria Indian Tribe, Asbury United Methodist Church, Disciples Community, MOAA and Men’s Senior Golf Association.

George is survived by: his wife, Connie of the home, Tulsa; sons; Richard and wife Diana of Bentonville, AR, Geoffrey and his wife Brenda of Winchester, VA.; daughters: Elizabeth and Amy Dailey of Waldorf, MD; stepsons: Jeff Newman of Tulsa, OK, Matt Newman and wife Anita of Sand Springs, OK; stepdaughter: Amy Shipp and husband Brett of Dallas, TX. 12 grandchildren; sister, Movita Turner and husband Bud of Locust Grove, OK; brother, Donald and wife Margie of Pryor, OK. Preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Beverly Dailey.

A Memorial service will be held at the Shiloh United Methodist Church in Bryans Road on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 1:30 pm with interment to follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.

» Originally published on Southern Maryland Online.

by Robert Medley

Finding other married couples who are both veterans of World War II isn’t easy these days. Finding married war veterans who are both American Indians as well is even harder, say Henry and Wanda Stoneroad of south Oklahoma City, two people who can make such a rare claim. Henry Chapman Stoneroad, 85, and wife Wanda White Stoneroad, 82, both served in World War II. Both still dance at powwows. And they can claim 56 years of blissful marriage…

Wanda Stoneroad enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Women’s Auxiliary Voluntary Services, or WAVES, in December 1943 and was stationed in Washington for 19 months. Serving in the war was important to her as a girl growing up in Red Rock, she said. Her father, Corbett White, an Otoe-Missouri tribal chief, was wounded in France fighting with the U.S. Army. His sons were too young to enter World War II, so when his 18 year-old daughter enlisted he was extremely proud, Wanda Stoneroad said.

» Read the complete article on NewsOK.com.

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.

Antoine Roy Sr., former area resident, died Monday, December 13, 2004, at his home in Cromwell. He was 73. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, December 17, in the Poteet Funeral Home Chapel in Pawnee with the Rev. J.B. Fish officiating. Burial will follow in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of the funeral home.

Antoine “Buster” Roy Sr. was born April 5, 1931, in Pawnee, the son of James Roy Sr. and Florence Arkakeeta Roy. He graduated from Red Rock High School. He entered active duty with the United States Army on December 5, 1952, and received his honorable discharge on December 8, 1955. He married Anna Charty of Ponca City on March 4, 1961. The moved to Enid from Oklahoma City in 1961 and moved to Cromwell 13 years ago. He was affiliated with the Little Quarsarty Baptist Church. He enjoyed all sports especially Oklahoma State University and playing horseshoes.

Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Debra Horne of Seminole, Rosa Millican of Inola and Allison “Charlie” Roy of Ada; four sons, Antoine Roy Jr. of Moore, Larry Roy of Oklahoma City, Gary Roy of Cromwell and Morris Roy of Oklahoma City; a sister, Fern Eaglechief of Pawnee; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; and numerous other relatives.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Veterans are invited to a seminar on veterans benefits to be held Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center, approximately 18 miles south of Ponca City.

Charles Lobdell, regional national service officer from the Veterans Administration from Muskogee; Amos Deere, certified service officer for the Disabled Veterans Association in Tulsa; and Kim McHenry, from the VA clinic in Tulsa will be present to discuss services and benefits for veterans. Applications for services will be taken after the seminar. The Otoe-Missouria Veterans Association will co-host the event for the north central area veterans.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Elmer Sugar Brown, resident of Red Rock, died Friday, June 11, 2004, in Tulsa. He was 78. The funeral will be noon Monday, June 14, in Otoe Cultural Center in Red Rock. Burial will be in Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee.

Elmer Sugar Brown was born April 28, 1926, in Pawnee, the son of Frank Sugar Brown and Irene Elle Smith Brown. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines; he was honorably discharged as a corporal. He traveled and performed with the Ringling Brothers Barnam and Bailey Circus and was a world champion fancy dancer. He was affiliated with the Baptist Church.

He is survived by a sister, Claudia Brown Spencer of Miami, Oklahoma, and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Arvid, Irwin, LaVerne, John and Frank Jr; and a sister, Isabel.

» 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.