Nine casino managers, drawn from three of the tribe’s four gaming facilities, successfully completed the National Indian Gaming Association approved course which is conducted by the staff of Pawnee Nation College. Previously, ten other managers graduated from the first ever program on Dec. 8.

Tom Cunningham, the Oklahoma City-based regional director of the National Indian Gaming Association, was a guest speaker at the ceremony. He spoke of the tremendous job opportunities for qualified casino managers, with not only thousands of gaming jobs in Oklahoma, but tens of thousands of positions nationwide. “Protect your integrity and protect the integrity of your facility,” charged Cunningham to the class.

Pawnee Nation College instructor Andrew Gray stressed that the managers had earned not a certificate, but rather a certification in Indian Gaming Regulatory Management. Tribal Chairman John R. Shotton congratulated the managers and urged them to continue their education. “Our goal is to develop tribal members to be qualified to fill the majority of gaming management positions,” Shotton said. He added that continued education holds the keys to the future of the tribe. Shotton holds two degrees from the University of Oklahoma, a bachelor’s in Business Administration and a master’s in Public Administration.

Shotton listed many of the benefits to the Otoe-Missouria Tribe from income generated by the tribe’s successful gaming and other tribal business operations including increased social service programs, more jobs, the ability to provide college scholarship assistance and increased per capita to tribal members. “It’s so exciting to see where tribal members stick together, grow together, develop relationships,” said course graduate Laura Rosas.

“This particular training will be extremely beneficial and we hope to continue with more training of this type for our casino employees,” said Oliver LittleCook, who helped to coordinate the program and is the Employee Relations Manager/Trainer. Successfully completing the course and earning certification are Angela Barnett, Kim Burgess, Lawanda Canaday, Charisse Cline, Scott Miller, Bradley Moore Sr., Laura Rosas, Naomi Roubedeaux and Stephanie Ruff.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Albert was a member of the Ponca Indian Baptist Church and the American Quarter Horse Association. He was known for his kindness and generosity to others, and for his big smile. His greatest joy in life was being a loving husband and a loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed following his children on all occasions, whether softball games, proms or graduations, his love and support knew no limits. He helped cook and tend the fires at many Native American funerals and he loved to attend the pow-wows. He loved riding and raising horses. He loved his beloved dog “Rowdy” who would help him get out of his chair or bed during his illness and lay by his side all day.

Albert is survived by his wife, Teresa, of the home; three daughters, Whitney Killscrow and husband, Brad, of Ponca City, Stephanie Annette Black of Stillwater, and Jamee Lynn Black of Ponca City; his pride and joy was his granddaughter, Kyleigh Ann Bear; a niece, Carol Plumley, who was like a sister to him; a loving mother and father-in-law, Nancy and Clarence “Wahoo” Marlar who devoted themselves to help care for him this last year and were called Mom and Pops by him; many other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lupe Black; one sister, Inez Hollingwolf; aunt, Tomasita Garcia; three uncles, Ted Black Sr., Earnest Black and Emanuel Black; a grandson, George Henry Bear.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Editor’s note: No family history was included in this obituary.

He is survived by his father, Harold Fisher Jr. and wife Linda of Ponca City; one brother, Bruce Fisher and wife Sharon of Tahlequah; one half-sister, Kym Fisher of Edmond; two nephews, Robert and Ryan Fisher; one niece, Karie Fisher; five great-nephews and one great-niece; and a very special friend, Sharon Linder and daughter Amanda of Cushing. He was preceded in death by his mother, Fern Alexander; his paternal grandparents, Harold and Gladys Fisher; his maternal grandparents, Charles and Mary Thompson; four uncles, Vernon Lee Fisher, Neal E. Fisher, Bruce Thompson and Keith Thompson; and one aunt, Louise DeHaas.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Grace Episcopal Church with Father Kenneth Armstrong presiding. Burial will follow in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Casket bearers will be Jack Thompson, Bill DeHaas, Ryan Fisher and Dewayne Bagwell.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Julia was born to Thomas Andrew and Mary Anna Butler. She was the eldest of thirteen children. She attended Chilocco Indian School from age 9 until she graduated. While there she played sports and ran track. Julia was married October 1, 1938 to Clarence L. Sparks in Newkirk. They had three children. The couple made their home in Arkansas City, after their marriage until Mr. Sparks purchased a 17 ft. home-made trailer. They followed construction jobs throughout the midwest, settling in the Kansas City area for about five years. They eventually moved to Wichita where Mr. Sparks started their construction business known as Sparks Excavating. Julia did all the clerical work for the company. They returned to Arkansas City in the 1970s, living there until their deaths. Julia was very proud of her Indian heritage and enjoyed attending pow-wows. She was an elder in the Otoe-Missouria tribe at the time of her death. Julia enjoyed dancing, fishing, and hunting.

As her health failed she lived at Lake Point Assisted Living in Augusta. Kansas, where she was affectionately named the “social butterfly.” She was always helping those less capable around her. Julia always said her children were her life. She was surrounded by family and friends in her final days and those times were filled with lots of laughter (and tears). She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include: son, Richard L. Sparks, of Wichita, daughters, Charlene Klein, of Arkansas City, and Beverly Funk, of Wichita, nine grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence Sparks; brothers, Benny Butler Sr., Carl Butler Sr., and Billy Dale; two infant brothers; sisters, Thomasine Waymire, Etheleen McGlaslin, and Kathleen Marvel; and three great-grandchildren.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Kearney, Nebraska — Last year’s powwow featured the Pawnee Tribe’s long lost cousins from North Dakota, the Arikara, but this year’s event will feature the Pawnee’s next-door neighbors, the Otoe-Missouria. “It’s an opportunity for the Otoe-Missouria to teach about their culture,” said Ronnie O’Brien, educational director for the Great Platte River Road Archway, where the 2011 powwow will unfold June 17-18.

As during the 2009 and 2010 powwows, the 2011 event will feature the colors, sights and sounds of Native American culture with an added emphasis on education. The opening day of the powwow will be reserved for the Otoe-Missouria visitors to teach about their tribe, its history, customs and lore. The second day will feature music, dancing, food, art and other popular powwow attractions. “The education day will allow is to take more time for in-depth learning,” O’Brien said. “We heard from so many people during our first powwows that they want to learn more.”

» Originally published on KearneyHub.com.

Jeanette worked as a linotype operator at Kansas University. She later married to Tony Mitchell and moved to Hanna, where she was a dormitory aide at Eufaula Boarding School.

Mrs. Mitchell is survived by three sisters, Ruthe Blalock Jones, Yvonne Kaulaity and Rosemary Wilson; three children, Cecilia Runnels, Jack Runnels and Reyna Runnels; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Albert Waters; her brothers, Anson Joe and Tudge “George” Blalock; her sisters, Darlene Carson, Elizabeth Brave and Cecilia Brave; and one aunt.

A traditional Otoe-Delaware funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 1, at the Delaware Tribal Center. Mr. Chink White Cloud will preside over the services. Burial will follow in Delaware Indian Cemetery. A wake will be held until the service at the Delaware Tribal Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Arnold Moore Funeral Home.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Fast. Brutal, Violent… Entertaining. That is how Otoe-Missouria tribal member Kyle K. Williams describes the music he creates with his heavy metal/thrash band With Smoke They Gave Their Offering. Their latest album is set to drop in January. Williams (vocals) and his band mates Kenny Higgins (drums), Nick Lehman (guitars) and Ian “Fitzy” Rogers (bass) have been performing in Oklahoma and surrounding states since 2002. He says that while today he has focused his talent on performing death metal, as a child he was exposed to a variety of musical genres. “I have been singing since I was a kid,” Williams says. “I have been listening to this type of music ever since I can remember. My sister and brothers always had some kind of music going whether it was R&B, hip hop, glam metal, metal, thrash just whatever was playing. I listened to all of it slam dancing in my room all alone.”

» Read the complete article on NativeTimes.com.

He is survived by his children, Anna Ramsey and husband Joe, Raylene Berryhill and husband Jim and Toni Whitehorn; grandchildren, Colby Whitehorn, Aleah Sam, Abel Whitehorn, Bobby Sam, Brinae Bearbow, Bretten Bearbow and Angel Whitehorn; great-grandchildren, Alexis Whitehorn and Kaden Whitehorn; brothers, Randy Whitehorn and Mark Whitehorn; several nieces, nephews and other distant relatives; as well as many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Elsie; and one brother, Ronald Whitehorn.

Casket bearers will be Abraham Dent Jr., Ted Grant, Sid Armstrong, Chink Whitecloud, Jimmy Atkins and G.K. Bassett. The service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center with Ted Black presiding. Burial will follow at Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Ten casino managers successfully completed the course which is approved by the National Indian Gaming Association and conducted by the staff of Pawnee Nation College. Primary instructor for the course was Andrew Gray. At graduation ceremonies held December 3 at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Agency, Gray stressed that the managers had earned not a certificate, but rather a certification in Indian Gaming Regulatory Management.

Tribal Chairman John R. Shotton congratulated the managers and urged them to continue their education, for it holds the keys to the future of the tribe. Shotton holds two degrees from the University of Oklahoma, a bachelor’s in Business Administration and a master’s in Public Administration. “This particular training will be extremely beneficial and we hope to continue with more training of this type for our casino employees,” said Oliver Littlecook, who helped to coordinate the program and is the Employee Relations Manager/Trainer.

Successfully completing the course and earning certification were Thomas Butler, Danielle Butler, Bridget Adams, Bradley Moore Jr., Tara Begs His Own, Kim Dent, Brian Gooden, John Pratt, Crystal Jimenez and Curtis Burgess.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.