Otoe-Missouria News Archive

Minnie Mae English Moore, resident of Red Rock, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 5, 2005, at OU Medical Center-Presbyterian Tower in Oklahoma City. She was 89.

The traditional funeral feast will be held Tuesday, November 8, at noon at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cultural Center. Burial will follow at Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Minnie Mae English Moore was born November 21, 1915, in Hiawatha, Kansas, to Reuben and Katie English. She was an active member of Otoe-Missouria Senior Citizens and the Otoe War Mothers. She enjoyed beading and appliqué ribbon work. She also enjoyed watching Frontier basketball and the Dallas Cowboys. Minnie liked playing Aggravation, going to powwows and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by numerous relatives and friends.

She is survived by three daughters, Loretta Hess and husband Everett of Enid, Carmen Everhart and husband Chuck of Red Rock, and Lorraine Sigwing of Red Rock; sons, Elton J. Moore of Tulsa, Johnny Moore Jr. and Randall O. “Wahoo” Moore, Roland Moore and Robert Moore; and grandson, Michael Moore all of the home. She also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and three great, great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnny Moore; and other relatives, Claudetta Morris, David Morris, Eddie Everhart and Marcus D. Moore; and sons-in-law, John Morris and Darrell Sigwing.

Casket bearers will be Josh Helt, Elijah Helt, Mike Ahdokoba, Rudy Ahdokoba, Graham Primeaux Jr., and Skip Toppah. Honorary bearers will be Robert Moore, John Paul Everhart, Mike Morris, Thomas “Beaver” McGlaslin, Bruce Hess and David Morris.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Jacquelin “Jackie” Morrow, resident of Red Rock, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2005, at the Stillwater Medical Center. She was 63.

Jacquelin Morrow was born Jan. 23, 1942, in Knoxville, Tenn., the daughter of Felix Morrow and Jo Anderson Morrow. She graduated high school in Tennessee. She was a member of the Otoe Baptist Church of Red Rock where she had served as treasurer. She was active within the church in helping with youth activities and outside the church with various Frontier school events. She most recently helped with the McCord Senior Citizens Center. She was also a member of the Otoe War Mothers.

She is survived by her mother, Jo Moore of St. George, Ga.; three daughters, Robin Adams of Ponca City, and Mellanie Rowell and Angie Owens, both of St. George, Ga.; one adopted son, Joe Woodard of Red Rock; one brother, Toby Morrow of Lake City, Fla.; one sister, Karen Wing of Monterey, Calif.; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father and one half sister, Sharon Moore.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Ruth Josephine Tyndall Page Chama, lifelong area resident, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center. She was 67.

A prayer service will be held this evening at 7 p.m. at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center. The traditional funeral feast will be held at noon on Monday, Feb. 14 followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center with the Rev. Louis V. Headman, pastor of Ponca Indian Church of the Nazarene, presiding. Burial will follow at the Ponca Tribal Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Ruth was born Oct. 1, 1937, in Pawnee, the daughter of Raymond and Carrie Little Voice Tyndall. She spent her first years living in a tent on the present day powwow grounds. They later moved to a home in Bois d’Arc where she grew up. She attended Ponca City schools and graduated from Chilocco Indian School. Ruth married Eli Page, and he preceded her in death in 1967. She married Domingo Chama in 1975, and he preceded her in death in 1983. She moved to White Eagle in 1973. She worked for a short time for Ponca Indian Child Welfare but spent most of her time serving her family as a homemaker. Ruth was a lifelong member of the Native American Church. She was also a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska as well as the Otoe War Mothers. She loved playing Bingo, painting pottery and attending powwows.

She is survived by 11 children, Timothy Harjo of Ponca City, Carol Page of Wichita, Kan., Denice Page of Ponca City, Dennis Page of Tulsa, Danny Page of Ponca City, Robert Crosby of Oklahoma City, Barbara Jones of Edmond, Tomasita Roubedeaux of Tonkawa, Pauline Hopkins of Caldwell, Kan., Paul Chama of Salina, Kan., and Maria Chama of White Eagle; one brother, Horace Tyndall of Okmulgee; an uncle, Paul Little Voice; 15 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to both of her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her four siblings, Claremore Z. Tyndall, Lawrence James, Pauline Harjo and Esther Buffalohead.

Casket bearers will be Harley Buffalohead, Matthew Buffalohead, Victor Buffalohead, Dennis Page, Danny Lee Page and Gregg Grant. Honorary bearers will be Eli Page, Aaron Page, Jadion Roubedeaux and Zachary Roubedeaux.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

On July 30, the Otoe-Missouria tribe sent 75 enrolled tribal members, descendants and other tribal representatives as delegates to represent the tribe and attend the historical Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration.

Dignitaries included the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council, elders from Red Rock and surrounding communities, Otoe War Mothers, Otoe Veterans Organization and veterans as well as Otoe-Missouria tribe scholars, tribal princesses and youth. In all, 160 people traveling with the Otoe-Missouria tribe made this pilgrimage to Omaha, Neb., the homelands and former territory of the Otoe and Missouria Tribes.

This was an emotional time for many of the tribal members, to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors and see the documents that had been donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society by the Dent Family and Shunatona Family. Authentic documents presented to Otoe-Missouria tribesmen from President Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were available for public display for the first time.

The stories that had been told to them as children came to life and the sense of heritage and tradition became very strong in the realization of the loss the tribe has suffered as a result of the success of the Corps of Discovery. It was after this time that the government began making treaties with the tribes and relocation became inevitable, pushing the Otoe-Missouria tribe to its present home in Red Rock. Together with the joy and happiness for this opportunity were tears of sadness of a time remembered and deep sense of loss.

The Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to initiate the Corps of Discovery to get exclusive trade agreements from Indian tribes along the Missouria River in August 1804 made their first council meeting with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe along the Missouri River. By the time Lewis and Clark made their journey, the Otoe-Missouria were well known as a tribe who had strong trading relationships with trading companies and governments along the Missouri River. When Lewis and Clark met with the Otoe and Missouria Tribes, there was excitement in the air for the Corps of Discovery members, because they were anxious to establish a diplomatic trade relationship with the tribe.

In April of 1998 Dawn Briner and Sylvester Alley, designated representatives of the Otoe-Missouria tribe, traveled to New Town, N.D. to meet with the government agencies involved in leading the planning of the upcoming bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery II.

In August 1998 the Otoe-Missouria tribe hosted a meeting in Wichita, Kan. to discuss the involvement of the Oklahoma Tribes that met with the Corps. The Otoe-Missouria tribe had been working with the Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee since 1998 to coordinate the activities and planning of this signature event. During the planning Otoe Tribal Chairman Grant was extended an invitation to make a personal visit with the Governor of Nebraska to Lincoln, Neb. at the Governor’s Mansion. “This was a productive meeting. It was our ‘Nation to State’ meeting and I think all participants enjoyed the conversations very much,” said Ron Hull, chairman of the Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission. Alley remained the authorized representative for the Otoe-Missouria tribe the following years until April 2004, when the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council appointed a Planning Committee for the final plans of the tribes involvement.

Ron Hull stated, “Doubly fortunate we’ve had the good fortune of working with some highly talented and motivated people from the Otoe-Missouria Nation. Dawn Briner, Annette Arkeketa, Bat Shunatona, Sylvester Alley and Aaron Gawhega, appointed by Tribal Chair, Jim Grant, formed the core of our ‘Planning Committee’ representing the tribe and they have given unstintingly toward this mutually cooperative project. They made the decisions about the level of participation they wanted and we did everything in our power to help achieve these goals. From the beginning our message to the tribe was that we saw this signature event in Nebraska as an opportunity for the Otoe-Missouria Nation to have an auspicious platform from which to tell their story. That was our primary goal — to tell the story of the Otoe-Missouria from their perspective and in the manner they would choose. They came up with the ideas for the various panel discussions featured throughout the event, the history of their tribe was well told.”

Speakers from the Otoe-Missouria tribe selected for the panels were chosen for their knowledge of tradition, education and experience and their desire to represent the tribe in this historical event. Panels and speakers consisted of: Otoe-Missouria Military Panel, Marvin Diamond, Veteran, Debra Denny, Desert Storm Veteran, and Mildred Hudson; Otoe-Missouria Leadership Panel, Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council Members, James E. Grant, Chairman, Susan Arkeketa, Vice-Chairman, Myra Pickering, Secretary, Bobby Kihega, Member and Mildred Hudson, Member; Otoe-Missouria Tribal Dress Panel, Deanna Harragarra, Julia Tah & Bernadette Huber; Otoe-Missouria Youth Panel, Cody Harjo, Andrea Kihega, Jessica Moore, Shawn Tohee and Meta Tohee; and Otoe-Missouria Education and History Panel, Dr. Marlene Echohawk, Dr. Aaron Gawhega and Wilson Pipestem, Attorney. The Nebraska Commission was excited about the proposal that had been developed and very accepting to do what ever was necessary to ensure the Otoe-Missouria tribe’s participation in this signature event became successful.

The Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery II Bicentennial Commemoration were held in Omaha and Fort Calhoun Neb., July 31 through Aug. 3. On July 31, 2004, Governor Johanns of Nebraska made the Welcome Home Address to the Otoe-Missouria tribe with a proclamation designating July 31 through August 3 as Otoe-Missouria Days in the State of Nebraska. Otoe-Missouria Tribal Chairman James Grant presented Governor Johanns with a gift of an OU football jersey signed by Billy Simms. Over 50,000 people attended the festivities that followed during the four days.

The Corps of Discovery Festival was held in Fort. Calhoun, Neb. at Fort Atkinson State Park. A large variety of activities took place including 1800s traders village, education tent, exhibitors tent, Native American stage and Otoe-Missouria circle. The first Tribal Council was held at Elmwood Park in Omaha, Neb. which included performances by Heartland of America Brass Quintet, Philip Glasses’ Piano Concerto No. 2 , Sacagawea performed by Paul Barnes, pianist and R. Carlos Nakai, Flutist and a dramatization by Carson Grace Becker, “Ink and Elkskin.”

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Patricia Ann Dent Black, resident of Red Rock, died Tuesday, April 27, 2004, in Ponca City. She was 65. The funeral will be noon Friday, April 30, at Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock with the Rev. Duane Pratt officiating. Burial will be in Otoe-Missouria Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee.

Patricia Ann Black was born January 25, 1939, in Pawnee, the daughter of Abraham Sr. and Wilma Dailey Dent. She moved to California in 1985, returned to Perry in 1992 and moved to Red Rock in 1997. She was past president of the Otoe War Mothers chapter and past president of State War Mothers. In 1979, she attended Indian Meridian Vo Tech and received a certificate for secretarial administrative assistant. She was employed with Indian Health Service in California and was executive secretary for the Otoe tribe from 1992 to 2002 before retiring. She enjoyed bible scriptures and her grandchildren.

Survivors include five sons, Albert Jim and Jeff Littlecrow Jr., both of Red Rock, James Jim and Russell Jim, both of Grove, and Tim Jim of Pawnee; one daughter, Angel Ann Littlecrow-Wolfe of Visalia, Calif.; three brothers, Joe Dent of Red Rock, Abraham Dent Jr. of Stillwater and Dana Dent of Vinita; five sisters, Rose Lane and Rhonda Dent, both of Stillwater, Madge Artman of Newkirk, Carole Aguero of Perry and Edye Habibi of Enid; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous other relatives.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Mildred DeRoin Watson, lifelong Red Rock resident and first lady of Red Rock, left this world early Friday morning, June 20, 2003, from her home. She was 68.

Native American church service will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at the family home with Oliver Littlecook overseeing the service. The traditional funeral feast will be at noon on Monday, June 23, at the family home. The burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery with Randy Whitehorn overseeing the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Mildred Lucille DeRoin entered this world on October 16, 1934, in Red Rock, the daughter of Cleve J. and Julia White DeRoin. She was reared in Red Rock and attended schools in Enid, Red Rock, Pawnee “Gravy U” Indian School and Chilocco Indian School. She then attended Haskell Indian Jr. College, Central State College (now University of Central Oklahoma) and Johns’ Business College. On Januar 17, 1975, Mildred was united in marriage to Geary Watson in Oklahoma City, and the couple made their home in Red Rock.

She began her career by working for Tinker Air Force Base, Indian Health Service, worked for the Ponca Tribal Native American Women Rehabilitation Center as a substance abuse counselor. Mildred also served the Otoe-Missouria tribe as a tribal council member, tribal secretary, tribal treasurer as well as other tribal administrative capacities. She was selected tribal princess for the Otoe-Missouria tribe in 1953, won the Myrtle Patterson Life Style Award and was voted Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Otoe-Missouria tribe in September of 2002.

Mildred was a member of the Otoe War Mothers Society, Haskell and Chilocco Alumni Association and a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe. She was a member of the Native American Church — Otoe chapter and of the Catholic faith. She enjoyed reading, being with her family and friends and most of all her grandchildren, who brought her the greatest joy.

Survivors include her husband, of 28 years and presently serving as the mayor of Red Rock, Geary of the home in Red Rock; one daughter, Antoinette Hopper of Ponca City; two sons, Norman Bernal of Taos, New Mexico, and Perry Botone Jr. of Red Rock; one adopted son, Oliver Littlecook of Hominy; two sisters, Rosella DeRoin of Red Rock and Deloris Wood of Enid; one brother, Mitchell DeRoin of Enid; eight grandchildren, LittleBear Littlecook, Tara Littlecook, Ophelia Botone, Kirsten Thompson, Angela Botone, Cleve Botone, Ava Botone and Rebecca Botone; one great-grandson, Alfonso Aguilar Jr.; three aunts, Wanda Stoneroad of Oklahoma City, Doris Hunter of Perkins and Florine Washabaugh of Enid; as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Cleve J. and Julia White DeRoin; grandparents, Corbett and Julia White and John and Lizzie DeRoin; one infant sister; three sisters, Joann DeRoin, Lena DeRoin and Eva DeRoin; one brother, Cleve DeRoin; and two daughters, Ophelia and Baby Girl Watson.

Casket bearers will be Brian Herragerra, Quinn Herragerra, Preston Walking Sky, Lawrence Keith, Alex Hawzipta and Owen Lee Hawzipta. Honorary casket bearers will be Paul Tyndall, Paul White, Baptiste Jon DeRoin, Frank DeRoin, Logan DeRoin, Blake DeRoin and Marcus Neskahi.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Pearl White Walking Sky, longtime Ponca City resident, went home to live eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday morning, February 20, 2003, from the Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 81.

An evening prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Complex in Red Rock. The traditional funeral feast will be held at noon on Sunday, February 23, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center with burial following in the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery. Arrangements are under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Pearl Margaret White was born on June 19, 1921, in Red Rock, the daughter of Corbett and Ruth Vetter White. She was reared in Red Rock, graduating from Red Rock High School. On October 23, 1942, Pearl was united in marriage to Owen Walking Sky, and the couple continued to make their home in Red Rock. She served her family as a homemaker which gave her real happiness and joy. Pearl loved the Lord and united with the Ponca Indian Baptist Church, where she served faithfully until her health began to fail. She also was a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, the Otoe-Missouria War Mothers and the Post 38 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed singing, attending church services, testifying of the greatness of her Lord and Savior and attending Indian dances.

She leaves to cherish her memories, three daughters, Cecelia Preslopski of Dallas, Texas, Dorothea Blueback of Marland and Kay Walking Sky of Red Rock; three sons, Preston Walking Sky of Ponca City, and Woolsey Walking Sky and Corbett Walking Sky, both of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Doris Hunter of Perkins and Wanda Stoneroad of Oklahoma City; one adopted son, Paul David White of Dallas, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; as well as numerous other relatives and extended family members. Her husband; one infant daughter, Vera Walking Sky; one son, Alexander Owen Walking Sky; one sister, Julia DeRoin; and two brothers, Nelson and Wallace White, preceded Pearl in death.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

When the American War Mothers of Oklahoma convened for their semi-annual state meeting April 6 at the Seven Clans Casino at Red Rock, a surprise guest was the national president, Kate Hearn of Raleigh, North Carolina. State President Patricia Black introduced several visitors, including Bill Burns, manager of the casino, and his staff; Don Butler, chairman of the Otoe tribe, and several council members.

Several emotional tributes were paid to veterans and the American War Mothers organization by officers and Butler, who is a world War II veteran. He recounted how one Christmas overseas he was huddled in a foxhole trying to dodge enemy fire, and feeling very despondent, when he received a card from the Otoe War Mothers. Butler said “Not to be forgotten or unappreciated is about the best tribute that can be paid people in the service.”

At the conclusion of the business meeting, and before luncheon was served, bouquets of roses were presented to Mrs. Black, Mrs. Hearn and Lorena Deroin, immediate past national president. Mrs. Black and Mrs. Deroin are members of the Otoe tribe. Tribal chairman Butler presented Mrs. Hearn with an embroidered shawl as a token from the tribe and Oklahoma.

Among the upcoming events for the rest of the year for American War Mothers will be an honor dance for Alexander Matthews at Apache on May 4, the annual Indian Mother’s Day dance hosted by chapter 15 at Grayhorse on May 11, an appreciation dinner hosted by chapter 16 in Enid on May 24, the AWM state convention to be hosted by the Otoe War Mothers on October 5, and the Indian Veterans Day dance to be hosted by Mi-tho-ti-moi Chapter 6 on November 11 at post 198 in Pawhuska.

Attending were representatives from Mi-tho-ti-moi chapter 6, Hominy; Otoe Chapter 14, Red Rock; Chapter 15, Grayhorse; Chapter 16, Enid; Kiowa Chapter 18, Lawton-Anadarko area. Also present was Donna Pearce of Skiatook, under whose initiative a new chapter of American War Mothers s being formed. It is the first new chapter since 1977 and Chapter 20 is being named for Brian A. Moss, a young man from Sperry who was killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

The American War Mothers is a non-profit organization of mothers of military personnel, whose purpose is to volunteer to work for the welfare of veterans and “so that the contribution of our children to the defense of our country will not be forgotten.” American War Mothers was organized in 1917, and incorporated by an act of congress on February 24, 1925.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Vera Madge Woodall Cleghorn, former Red Rock resident died Friday July 23, 1999, at a nursing home in El Reno. She was 99. A rosary memorial was held July 24, at the Sacred Heart Church in El Reno with Father Philip Donohoe, pastor, leading the prayers. At her request, Mrs. Cleghorn’s remains were donated to science.

Vera Madge (Woodall) Cleghorn was born March 9, 1900, in Indian Territory, one of six children born to William Coffee and Sarah Ellen (Marker) Woodall Jr., on a farm allotment 10 miles south of Vinita. She was 1/2 Cherokee and also part Delaware. She was a relative of Stand Waitie, and the granddaughter of prominent Cherokee leader William Coffee Woodall Sr. She was also the descendant of a pioneer great-grandfather, George Caruth Woodall, who helped settle the Grove area in 1835 — before the Trail of Tears and the Civil War.

She attended Haskell Institute at Lawrence, Kansas, where she met her husband, Emmett Cleghorn, a full-blood Otoe. The couple married in 1921 and lived on a farm allotment on the Otoe Reservation at Red Rock. Mrs. Cleghorn was active in the social work of the Otoe Tribe and was a member of the War Mothers organization founded during World War II. After the death of her husband in 1975, Mrs. Cleghorn continued to live on the farm until 1992, when she moved to El Reno to live near a son.

Survivors include a son, Rudy of El Reno; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Mrs. Lida W. Tipton, Mrs. Hazel Legg and Alma Rothie Burris; two brothers, Stand Watie Woodall and Charles “Boot” Woodall.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.