Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Tahlequah, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Honor Society makes its third annual presentation of the Cherokee Medal of Honor to ten honorees on Saturday, October 6, 2001. The ceremony returns to the Center for Performing Arts at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Admission for the event, which begins at 7:00 P.M., is $10 per person.

Tommy Lee Jones

Keely Smith

Tommy Lee Jones, Academy Award winning actor and star of hit movies "The Fugitive" and "Men in Black", will appear and accept the medallion. Another famed Cherokee entertainer, Ms. Keely Smith, will receive the prestigious award. Keely, who began her singing career at age 16 with band leader Louis Prima, is enjoying new notoriety with the resurgence of big band swing.

Archie Dunham

Diane Glancy

The Society awards individuals of Cherokee heritage whose achievements bring pride and esteem to the Cherokee community. One such individual is Oklahoma’s own Archie Dunham, president and CEO of Conoco, Inc. Joining him is critically acclaimed Cherokee novelist, poet and playwright, Diane Glancy.

Bill Rabbit

Lena Blackbird

The Cherokees boast numerous talented artisans. Perhaps the best known is painter Bill Rabbit of Pryor, Oklahoma, who will appear along with Cherokee Living Treasure Lena Blackbird, a specialist in weaving exquisite hand-made baskets.

Marie Wadley

Wilson Vann

Cherokee patriot Marie Wadley, born in Indian Territory, has worked with and for her beloved Cherokee Nation since it regained its own governmental control in 1948. She will be honored for her years of achievement as will martial arts master Wilson Vann. Now retired, Mr. Vann teaches his self-esteem building skills to Cherokee students in Tahlequah and the surrounding area.

Dan Agent

Cherokee Ballard

Communication is an important aspect of Cherokee history and culture, and the tribe continues to publish the oldest Native American newspaper in existence, the Cherokee Phoenix and Indian Advocate. Its editor, Dan Agent, is dedicated to the establishment of a free press for all tribal peoples, a goal he helped achieve for his own publication. Dan will be honored along with fellow journalist Ms. Cherokee Ballard. Cherokee is an award-winning news anchor with KOCO Channel 5 in Oklahoma City whose in-depth news reporting and concern for her fellow Oklahomans has won her this distinctive honor.

The Master of Ceremonies will be the Society’s official spokesperson, Gregg Howard, a Cherokee linguist, actor and storyteller. Along with appearances by each honoree, the celebration will feature five Cherokee entertainers, including singer-songwriters Greg Jacobs, Kathleen McCay and Eddie Glenn, composer Jeff Parker, Flutist Choogie Kingfisher and story-teller S.D. Youngwolf.

Greg Jacobs	Kathleen McCay	Eddie Glenn
Jeff Parker	Choogie Kingfisher	S.D. Youngwolf