SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS - Cherokee Phoenix
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SEVEN FEATHERS
AWARDS 2020
The Cherokee Phoenix will honor seven Cherokees who work to make the world a
better place in the categories of Health, Education, Community, Service and Business, as
well as advance the tribe’s Language and Culture. Join us virtually at 6 p.m. on the
Cherokee Phoenix’s social media platforms to celebrate their contributions.
2 CHEROKEE PHOENIX • DECEMBER 1, 2020 SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ • ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020
TYLER FOURKILLER
BUSINESS
T
yler Fourkiller is all business when it comes to his thing. I just think that that’s what you’re supposed to one that has grown annually since.
successful and growing lawn care operation, but do.” “It’s kind of been a really interesting journey,” he
he’s also making a difference behind the scenes, Born and raised in Stilwell, Fourkiller attended said. “I’ve been the guy on the weed eater. I’ve been the
according to those who know him best. Connors State College, then transferred to Northeastern guy on the mower. I’ve been the guy in the skid loader.
“The work that Tyler does, especially in his home State University. The seeds for his future business, how- I’ve done a little bit of everything, and I really do enjoy
community, there’s a whole bunch of it that goes unno- ever, were sown while still in high school. that. But, you know now, it’s more of me on the phone,
ticed,” friend and fellow Cherokee Nation citizen Lane “I was down at our house we used to live in with my being behind the desk, doing things like that. I always
Kindle said. “He’s always willing to pitch in and help dad, and he made a suggestion that I should mow some have my hand in something.”
anyone that needs any kind of assistance. He’s not wor- lawns, you know, for some side money,” Fourkiller said. Fourkiller said he has 15-16 full-time employees on
ried about what’s in it for Tyler.” “I kind of thought about it, and I was like, sure it sounds three mowing crews and a landscaping/irrigation crew.
Fourkiller, 27, of Stilwell, owns and operates Fourkill- great. So that’s kind of where it started.” “We stay pretty busy with those four crews,” he said.
er Lawn Solutions LLC, which has a growing clientele After college, he said, the business “kind of “But we get into some tree work and bunch of other lit-
that includes the CN and its Tahlequah, Roland and snowballed.” tle odds and ends in the off-season. We’re finally to
Grove casinos. Friends say Fourkiller has a “giving “I got my bachelor’s degree here the point now where we have a shop being built
heart” behind the scenes, caring for residential lawns from Northeastern State and had and I’ll have a full-time secretary, and then
and cutting trees at no charge for residents in need. For intentions of going on the road I’ll have a guy or two underneath me that
his efforts, Fourkiller will receive the business award doing oil and gas stuff,” he said. stays in the office with me to help logis-
during the Cherokee Phoenix Seven Feathers Gala, “Deal kind of fell through, so I tics-wise, scheduling and stuff like that.
which will be held virtually at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 on the Cher- kind of looked at the business So, it’s always something new. We’re
okee Phoenix Facebook page. and what I thought it might do really excited about that.”
“To be nominated for that, it’s really an honor,” in a couple of years. So I went For information, call 918-905-0362
Fourkiller said. “I really enjoy helping people out, you out on a limb and just went at or visit Fourkiller Lawn Solutions’
know, when I can. It’s always been something that my it full time.” Facebook page.
parents have taught me, my grandparents have taught Lawn care became Fourkill- BY CHAD HUNTER
me and stuff. I don’t really hang my hat on it or any- er’s “everyday job,” he said, Reporter
“I really enjoy helping people out, you know,
when I can. I just think that that’s what you’re
supposed to do.”
Tyler Fourkiller, Seven Feathers recipient
HOMETOWN: STILWELL
OCCUPATION: BUSINESS OWNER
TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
SCAN
CODE
FOR
VIDEO
JOSH FOURKILLER PHOTO BY STACIE BOSTON
ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS DECEMBER 1, 2020 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX 3
ELLIE JOHNSON
COMMUNITY
C
herokee Nation citizen Ellie Johnson she has met through her endeavors that encour-
won the 2020 Seven Feathers award in the age her to keep doing what she is doing.
community category by taking a small idea Stilwell Middle School teacher Karen Ford,
and bringing a community of people together who knows Ellie from church, was inspired by
through writing letters. the second grader’s efforts.
Ellie, 7, is a second grader at Rocky Mountain “Ellie inspires me because as a little girl, she
School near Stilwell. With the help of her moth- gets it,” Ford said. “Where I think sometimes us
er, Jennifer Johnson, they started Ellie’s Hope as adults have forgotten what it’s all about. We
Factory as a way to help people stay connected get busy in life and we don’t make those connec-
and spread hope when the COVID-19 pandemic tions with people. We don’t reach out to people.
started earlier this year and people were not able We text, we tweet, we instant message. But that a
to meet face to face. little girl could take just a small idea and turn it
Unable to meet with her friends for play dates into something as big as she has, we could all use
and dealing with the mandated school closures an Ellie in our lives.”
back in March, Jennifer suggested that Ellie Since the Ellie’s Hope Factory began, Ellie
start writing letters. and Jennifer have held contests on the Face-
“Ellie’s Hope Factory started when I was miss- book page. Ellie has gotten her own post office
ing friends and family and I couldn’t talk to them box, and they are working on a project for the
in person, so I started writing letters and I really nursing home.
liked it so I kept writing,” Ellie said. “We’re still writing letters and we’re
Jennifer said she gave Ellie supplies to start working on a project for the nursing home
her lettering-writing venture and Ellie began with coloring sheets so they can hang
writing to friends and family and “anybody she them in their room,” Ellie said. “And I’ve
could think of to write to.” already sent out a whole big packet and
“She started asking the people at the end of the we will be sending out more.”
letters if they would write back to her,” Jennifer On winning the award, Ellie said she
said. “So she has gotten several letters in the thanks those who have helped her along
mail and is super excited every day to check the the way.
mail and see what she’s gotten.” “I’d like to thank the people who
Ellie’s Hope Factory started on Facebook wrote to me and the people who are
shortly after the letter writing began and it was writing to spread hope,” she said. “I’d
a way for them to reach out to more people and like to thank the Cherokee Phoenix for
encourage them to begin their own letter writing this award. It is very special to me.”
campaigns. BY LINDSEY BARK
Ellie has since gained a multitude of friends Reporter
“I’d like to thank the people who wrote to me and the
people who are writing to spread hope.”
Ellie Johnson, Seven Feathers recipient
HOMETOWN: STILWELL
OCCUPATION: STUDENT
TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
SCAN
CODE
FOR
VIDEO
JOSH FOURKILLER PHOTO BY JOSHUA FOURKILLER
4 CHEROKEE PHOENIX • DECEMBER 1, 2020 SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ • ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020
JULIE THORNTON-BRISON
CULTURE
D
ue to her artistry of creating pre-contact regalia, each day,” she said. “This disease has made me realize the
pucker toe moccasins and textiles, the Cherokee importance and value of making each moment count.”
Phoenix has chosen Julie Thornton-Brison as its A Southeastern Woodland textiles artist, Thorn-
2020 winner of the Seven Feathers award for culture. ton-Brison focuses on 18th century pre-contact wool wrap
A Cherokee Nation citizen and Checotah resident, skirts and leggings, feather capes, trade shirts, bandolier
Thornton-Brison manages Waterspider Creations, which bags, purses and finger woven garters.
has a Facebook page, is on Instagram @waterspidercre- “I also make pucker toe moccasins and contemporary
ations, and can be emailed at waterspidercreations@ Indigenous clothing which is pan-Indigenous and stomp
gmail.com. skirts and shirts specific to our Cherokee culture,” she
Thornton-Brison can trace a branch of her lineage to said. “I bead using the two-needle method as well as pho-
England’s King Edward III, and is also interested in her tographing Cherokee art, culture and other traditional
European ancestors – how people came from differ- surroundings. My work practically sustains our culture
ent parts of Earth to merge into her family. But because it is worn, seen and used as educational repre-
her immediate environment has been Cherokee. sentation of authenticity, infused with the reminder that
“I was raised in a Cherokee home and was we are still here. I have been creating and teaching for 10
raised knowing who I was and our rich years and will continue for the entirety of my life.”
history,” she said. “Culture has impact- Thornton-Brison said her family also helped steer her
ed every single part of my life and has toward traditional textile arts.
influenced even the choice of foods we “My Granny was very stern on the fact that I should be
eat in our household. I do my utmost to able to do everything in relation to sewing both by hand
look at life in a way that is Cherokee and by machine, because ‘you never knew what life would
based-centered and by living this way bring,’” she said. “I still remember her instruction on
I have found peace in a world full of the correct way to do a running stitch and her insightful
chaos. Medicine and traditions are knowledge on how to do so efficiently. The basics that
our first go-tos in our house as well. my Granny taught me I use every day in my work as a
We believe in the importance of ev- seamstress. In regard to my other artistic talents, I was
ery living thing, in the importance taught initially by Robert Lewis to finger weave, round
of respecting nature and what the reed basketry by my mother, and flat reed (basketry) by
Creator gives us to live on in life. Shawna Cain.”
We keep things simple in our Upon notice of receiving a Seven Feathers award,
household and my child has bene- Thornton-Brison said she was shocked and grateful.
fitted from this.” “I’m so thankful that this award represents opportunity
Thornton-Brison deals with for those who have limited access to cultural knowledge
a rare disease, familial hemi- in our Cherokee community at home and afar,” she said.
plegic migraines, which causes “To receive this award is an incredible experience be-
severe migraines and temporary cause I have chosen to be a servant for our people despite
episodes of paralysis similar to everything that has been thrown at me, and I refuse to let
stroke. it get me down.”
“Because of this, I no longer
can drive and rely heavily on my BY D. SEAN ROWLEY
service dog, Lincoln, and family Senior Reporter
HOMETOWN: CHECOTAH
OCCUPATION: ARTIST
TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
SCAN
CODE
FOR
VIDEO
PHOTO BY STACIE BOSTON STACIE BOSTON
ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS DECEMBER 1, 2020 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX 5
JOYCE ROCK
EDUCATION
Cherokee
Phoenix
DECEMBER 1, 2020
Volume 44, No. 23
A
The Cherokee Phoenix is published s the winner of its second Seven Feathers Award for pre-planned or followed meticulously.
twice monthly by the Cherokee Nation, education, the Cherokee Phoenix has selected Cherokee “There were some individuals that were put into my life at
PO Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465. Nation citizen Joyce Rock of Muskogee. strategic points who set me on this path,” she said. “The first
Application to mail at Periodicals post- Rock, 65, has spent her career in teaching after earning her of these individuals was ‘Donna’ – the owner of a day care
age rates is pending at Tahlequah, OK undergraduate degree in 1983. She was a math teacher for where I was working when I was 22 years old. She encouraged
Hilldale Public Schools in Muskogee for 15 years. She then me to start taking college classes at Claremore Junior College
74464.
earned a master’s degree in bilingual education and school (now Rogers State University) and let me arrange my work
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
administration before directing the Cherokee language and schedule around the college classes. The second person who
Cherokee Phoenix, PO Box 948, Tahle- culture program at Gore. Her work included helping teachers guided me on my path was ‘Mr. Reynolds,’ a math teacher
quah, OK 74465 recognize ways in which students learn, particularly Native at Claremore Junior College. He saw my aptitude for mathe-
students. In 2013, she was named New Mexico’s principal of matics and encouraged me to go into math education. After
Editorial Staff the year for her work on the Navajo reservation. Since return- teaching math for 15 years, I met Dr. Phyllis Fife at Northeast-
Tyler Thomas ing to Oklahoma, she has been a specialist for the Office of ern State University and she helped me enroll in a program in
Executive Editor School Support within the Oklahoma State Department of Edu- school administration and bilingual education.”
tyler-thomas@cherokee.org cation, helping lower performing schools improve. Rock said the encouragement she received was indispens-
918-207-3997 “From high school dropout to high school math teacher, to able, and the list of people to whom she felt gratitude was
Travis Snell curriculum director, to high school principal, to school sup- long. “There have been many others, but none as important as
Assistant Editor port specialist at the Oklahoma State Department of Education my husband of 48 years, Calvin. He was always there saying,
travis-snell@cherokee.org – this is definitely not a path I envisioned walking as I was ‘Joyce, you can do this.’ Whenever I was discouraged, Calvin
918-453-5358 growing up,” Rock said. “But it is a path I am so very grateful would not let me give up. In 2008, when there was an opportu-
Will Chavez to have traveled.” nity to go and work on the Navajo reservation – something I
Assistant Editor Her upbringing was not an experience of consistency. She had dreamed of doing for years – he said, ‘Let’s do it.’ He has
will-chavez@cherokee.org bounced from school to school before finding herself becoming always been my greatest cheerleader.”
918-207-3961 a teenage mother. She said her kids were also supportive, to the point of toler-
Mark Dreadfulwater “My school days were fairly chaotic,” she said. “I attended ating her tests of educational ideas.
Digital Media Coordinator 17 different schools, some of them several different times, “I would also like to thank my children, Lynett and Jimmy,
mark-dreadfulwater@cherokee.org before I dropped out of high school when I was 16. The idea of for being the Guinea pigs whenever I was thinking about try-
918-453-5087 going to college never once entered my mind.” ing new things in my classroom, and for giving me their sup-
Rock was caught in a “cycle of poverty” that is difficult to port as I spread my wings a little after they graduated
Reporters disrupt and can span generations. However, she was the first high school,” Rock said.
D. Sean Rowley member of her family to attend college, let alone graduate. She said being an educator is her
Senior Reporter With her perseverance, she broke the cycle in her family. perfect job. “It has provided me with
david-rowley@cherokee.org Her children are also college graduates and immersed in amazing opportunities and great
918-453-5560 careers. In 2019, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Ad- adventures. I encourage every
Lindsey Bark vocacy honored Rock with its Laura Choate Resilience young person to consider becom-
Award, which recognizes those who overcome diffi- ing a teacher. It is the best job
Reporter
cult beginnings and dedicate themselves to helping in the whole world.”
lindsey-bark@cherokee.org
children.
918-453-5000 ext 4223
As a dropout, Rock did not make a beeline for BY D. SEAN ROWLEY
Chad Hunter college. She cites “divine intervention” for her Senior Reporter
Reporter success as she traveled a career route that was not
chad-hunter@cherokee.org
918-453-5000 ext 7256
Multimedia Staff
Stacie Boston
Multimedia Reporter HOMETOWN: MUSKOGEE
stacie-boston@cherokee.org OCCUPATION: EDUCATOR
918-453-5269 TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
Josh Fourkiller
Multimedia Specialist
josh-fourkiller@cherokee.org
918-207-3969
Administrative Staff
Dena Tucker
Administrative Officer
dena-tucker@cherokee.org
918-453-5324
Joy Rollice
Administrative Assistant
joy-rollice@cherokee.org SCAN
918-453-5269 CODE
Samantha Cochran FOR
Advertising Specialist VIDEO
samantha-cochran@cherokee.org MARK
918-207-3825 DREADFULWATER
Terris Howard
Advertising Representative
terris-howard@cherokee.org
918-453-5743
BJ Frogg
Distribution Specialist
billy-frogg@cherokee.org PHOTO BY
918-207-4975 STACIE BOSTON
Editorial Board
Lauren Jones Cusick
Ceciley Thomason-Murphy
Brenda Thompson
Kristy Sturgill
Cherokee Phoenix
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
(918) 453-5269
FAX: (918) 207-0049
1-800-256-0671
www.cherokeephoenix.org
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Within the United States:
$15 for one year
Please contact us at the number above to subscribe.
Mail subscriptions and changes of address to
the Cherokee Phoenix, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK
74465, phone 918-207-4975. Please include the
words “Change of Address” or “Subscription” on the
envelope.
Back Issues may be purchased for $2.50 postage
and handling. Please inquire to make sure the issues
are in stock by writing to Back Issues, Cherokee
Phoenix, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465; or
calling 918-207-4975.
Copyright 2020: The entire contents of the Chero-
kee Phoenix are fully protected by copyright unless
otherwise noted and may be reproduced if the copy-
right is noted and credit is given to the Cherokee
Phoenix, the writer and the photographer. Requests
to reprint should be directed to the editor at the
above address. Material provided through member-
ship with Associated Press NewsFinder, identified by
(AP), may not be reproduced without permission of
the Associated Press.
Member
Oklahoma Press
Association
Native American
Journalists Association
6 CHEROKEE PHOENIX • DECEMBER 1, 2020 SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ • ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020
JOSHUA HOBGOOD
HEALTH
C
herokee Nation citizen Joshua Hobgood has been I’ve always had a desire to connect with other veterans,” outfitters in Oklahoma and Louisiana, and the fishing
awarded this year’s Seven Feathers award in the he said. “I was introduced to waterfowl hunting, which program takes veteran groups to fishing charters in
health category for his efforts to connect military is hunting for ducks and geese, in late 2017. I found it as Washington, Louisiana and Florida.
veterans via outdoor activities with his nonprofit orga- a very cathartic experience, as a healing type of experi- FowlCo Outfitters in Garber, Oklahoma, owned by
nization. ence that I wanted to share so I used waterfowl hunting Josh Teff, is a supporter of veteran organizations and
Having served five years in the Marine Corps, Hob- as kind of a nexus to start the organization.” has established a relationship with Black Dog Hunting.
good said he had a desire to connect with other veterans Hobgood said his organization uses outdoor activities “Our place is really relationship driven anyway so it
after leaving the military. He started Black Dog Hunting such as hunting and fishing to get veterans conversing was a natural fit for us when the veterans showed up,”
in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 2018 to cater to the men- with each other and possibly mentor or counsel each Teff said. “Their walls kind of came down once they real-
tal health and well-being of veterans. other through shared experiences. ized they were among people that cared genuinely about
“In researching a name for the organization, the “These are veterans who are Vietnam-era veterans their well-being and about getting to know them.”
black dog internationally is regarded as a metaphor for to actively serving military members,” A third program called the social program centers on
mental health,” Hobgood said. “It was actually Hobgood said. “And they can really events such as festivals, feasts and concerts in the Fred-
made famous by Sir Winston Churchill. mentor and counsel each other ericksburg area.
During World War II, he used it to de- when it comes to what are the Hobgood said the intent of the trips and activities is
scribe his own struggles with ill mood hardships you’ve experi- not just to enjoy the outdoors.
and depression.” enced in your services, “About the second day they realize what the actual
Hobgood said they use the black your separation and your intent of the trip is and they see the value in simply
dog metaphor to champion a cause of transition.” connecting with other veterans from other services,
getting veterans together with their He said the older from other eras,” he said. “It’s a lightbulb moment for
peers in group-based experiences in veterans have a chance to everyone, for the guides and outfitters, for the veterans
the outdoors. mentor younger veterans themselves or just the general public who has the oppor-
During his five-year service, Hob- while younger veterans tunity to observe our mission. That underlying founda-
good served as a military policeman can give new perspectives tion of peer-based mentoring and counseling I think sets
at Camp Fuji in Japan, and as a Ma- to those who have been out us apart.”
rine security guard for the American of service for years. For information, visit www.blackdoghunting.org.
Consulate in Pakistan and the Ameri- The hunting program
can Embassy in Denmark. focuses on waterfowl BY LINDSEY BARK
“Since separating from the military, hunting at partnering Reporter
“It’s a lightbulb moment for everyone, for
the guides and outfitters, for the veterans
themselves or just the general public who
has the opportunity to observe our mission.”
Joshua Hobgood, Seven Feathers recipient
HOMETOWN: FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA
OCCUPATION: BLACK DOG HUNTING FOUNDER
TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
SCAN
CODE
FOR
VIDEO
COURTESY PHOTO STACIE BOSTON
ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS DECEMBER 1, 2020 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX 7
DAVID CRAWLER
LANGUAGE
D
avid Crawler, of Marble City, is this year’s recip- to church in Marble City, as well as from his elders. In Cherokee language class.
ient of the Cherokee Phoenix’s Seven Feathers particular, he learned how to read and write from his Crawler said he learned much quickly from Feeling
award for language. great-aunt, Cynthia Rosin Pettit. in 1986 while attending Sequoyah High School because
He has worked for the Cherokee Nation since 2009 as a “She was the only one that read Cherokee in our Feeling “pushed us to learn the language.” But he said it
translator. church,” he said. “We had an uncle, he was a preacher, all started in Marble City at that little church where he
“What I do there, I translate for the Cherokee Phoe- he would tell his sister (Cynthia), ‘could you read that got the idea to learn from his aunt Cynthia.
nix. I put the articles in the Cherokee language. I trans- passage in Cherokee for me?’ She would get up and open “Sometimes when we would be outside and I’d ask
late for the schools…the (Cherokee) Immersion (School). up that Bible and read it. I thought, ‘that sure is some- her, and she would write on the ground…and say the
They need stuff all of the time, so we help translate thing. She can read our own language.’ I thought that sounds like I’m supposed to,” he said.
materials for the school as well as the (Cherokee), North was really interesting.” He said his teachers would be proud of the job he is
Carolina, immersion school. We work with them for He began learning to read and doing now.
whatever translations they need,” he said. write Cherokee with his “I wish they were here to see what we’re doing. I need
Translators also translate signage for the tribe’s hos- grandmother, Nancy them sometimes. Sometimes I’ll try to remember how
pitals and clinics, Crawler said, along with street signs Pettit, and “learned to say something, and I think, ‘boy, I wish I could
and signage for tribal departments and programs. a little bit then.” have them all back with me,’” he said. “Lan-
“Everything you see in Cherokee around here, that’s While in high guage is important. There are just a few of us left
what we do, that’s what I do,” he said. “There are sev- school, he met (speakers). Me and my mother talked last night,
eral of us that does those translations, and I’m one of Cherokee and we were talking about how serious it is, that
them.” linguist the kids and grandkids should learn. I’m at
He said what he likes the most is that he can speak Durbin fault there because I have children and I have
Cherokee with others and “never have to talk English.” Feeling, grandchildren. I wish they could talk Chero-
“It’s (job) the easiest thing for me because of the who kee or understand it even, but they don’t.”
language. We get to talk in Cherokee. When you talk invited He said he’s glad to receive the Seven
in Cherokee everything is funny. It just depends how Crawl- Feathers award for language because
serious you are. You can make it funny or you can be er to that’s something he excels in and can
serious. That’s the best thing in the world, to talk Chero- his teach. “That’s the thing I can’t fail at. I
kee all day with my coworkers.” eve- can really do that, and I thought it was
He said he’s glad to help keep the language going, and ning an honor that they chose me for that
believes all Cherokees should learn some or “a lot” of award.”
their language to save it. BY WILL CHAVEZ
He said he learned Cherokee as a young boy going Assistant Editor
HOMETOWN: MARBLE CITY
OCCUPATION: CHEROKEE TRANSLATOR
TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
SCAN
CODE
FOR
VIDEO
STACIE BOSTON
PHOTO BY JOSHUA
FOURKILLER
ELIZABETH REEVE
SERVICE
A
self-described servant, Cherokee Nation citizen encourage volunteerism in young women. doing something,” she said. “All my life, I’ve always
Elizabeth Reeve devotes her life to supporting and “Elizabeth Reeve has helped many individuals volunteered to do something. I’ve always had a love for
encouraging others through advocacy programs achieve their goals and dreams through education, animals. I also had a love for being able to serve. Every-
and volunteerism. service and leadership,” Alsup wrote, adding that Reeve body needs an opportunity to be a part of a community.
“Servanthood is my lifestyle,” she said. “Wherever my has been an advocate for individuals with disabilities If you’re able to serve others, that’s the best part of the
heart gets called to is where I get to be. I get to work with while also helping organizations obtain nonprofit sta- community you can be in.”
people and I get to mentor, and being a mentor is a big tus. “Elizabeth Reeve has a servant’s heart and helps in Reeve was taught aspects of the Cherokee culture by
job.” many ways within the community.” her grandparents. She later met Wilma Mankiller, the
Reeve, 48, of Oklahoma City, has a hand in many non- Reeve, who grew up in a military family, spent her first woman elected to serve as principal chief of the CN.
profit groups and has also earned a long list of accolades early years in Germany, then moved to Tah- “She left a bright spot on my heart,” Reeve said.
that include Central Oklahoma Elegant America’s Miss lequah in 1987. During the years, she’s “I got to talk to her and we got to go out to the
Agribusiness, Lifetime Queen at Today’s International earned two bachelor’s and two mas- Cherokee Heritage Center. Then we also got to
Woman Pageant, National Director and Lifetime Queen ter’s degrees. And while she uses a go to leadership camp one summer and got
at Today’s Extraordinary Queen, and American Majes- wheelchair for medical reasons, taught more about Cherokee ways.”
tics National Ms. Diversity Oklahoma. She has served as Reeve remains unhindered. A former special education teacher,
Oklahoma’s ambassador for the Foundation of Sarcoid- “Whatever you want to do Reeve is married and has many “four-
osis and on the State Independent Living Council, as you can do,” she said. “You legged children,” she said, including
well as the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Commission. don’t have to stop just cats, which she fosters.
“The work is great,” she said. “The workers are few. because somebody says “I sit and I love on them,” Reeve
We need to all be putting our heart into helping give you have to.” said. “Then we go up to PetSmart to
back to society.” She recalls volunteer- do adoptions. As we adopt them out,
Reeve has been selected to receive the service award ing in churches, for the we try to get more of the animals so
at this year’s Cherokee Phoenix Seven Feathers Gala, American Red Cross, they’re not on the street. Oklahoma
which will be held virtually at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 on the at her schools and at City has a big pet overpopulation.”
Cherokee Phoenix Facebook page. She was nominat- a veterinarian clinic
ed by CN citizen Vanessa Alsup, a volunteer for Ms. growing up. BY CHAD HUNTER
Propensity, a nonprofit organization created by Reeve to “I was always Reporter
I also had a love for being able to serve. Everybody
needs an opportunity to be a part of a community. If
you’re able to serve others, that’s the best part of the
community you can be in.”
Elizabeth Reeve, Seven Feathers recipient
HOMETOWN: OKLAHOMA CITY
OCCUPATION: VOLUNTEER
TRIBE: CHEROKEE NATION
SCAN
CODE
FOR
VIDEO
MARK
DREADFULWATER PHOTO BY STACIE BOSTON
8 CHEROKEE PHOENIX • DECEMBER 1, 2020 SEVEN FEATHERS AWARDS ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ • ᎥᏍᎩᏱ 1, 2020
You can also read
