AARP Oklahoma seeks nominations for Indian honors

AARP Oklahoma is seeking nominations for its Indian Elder Honors, an annual recognition of 50 elders who have impacted their tribe, family or community.

Since its inception in 2009, AARP has honored 250 elders from all 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma, according to state President Marjorie Lyons.

“The AARP Indian Elder Honors is all about celebrating the extraordinary contribution Indian elders — many of whom have never been recognized before — have had on their communities and the people around them,” she said. “For one night, all the tribes and nations come together in a spirit of unity and harmony to acknowledge and honor elders who have given of themselves.”

This year’s Indian Elder Honors will be Oct. 7 in Oklahoma City.

Among last year’s honorees was one of the pre-eminent powwow dancers in the nation, a master bead work artist, a renowned chef, a respected minister and several distinguished American Indian veterans.

All nominees must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Oklahoma tribe or nation and must be living.

To submit a nomination, go to www.aarp.org/okindiannavigator or email an essay detailing how the nominee impacted a tribe or community, along with a nonreturnable photo, to AARP Indian Elder Honors, 126 N Bryant, Edmond, OK 73034. Deadline for nomination is June 30.

For more information, call Mashell Sourjohn at 715-4474.