"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Nation Honors Citizens

"Recipients of the 2008 Principal Chief’s Leadership Awards. Back row (LtoR), Harry Oosahwee, Billy Joe “BJ” Latta, Richard “Duke” Pickup, Don Mankiller, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and Stoney Humble. Front row (LtoR), Bonnie Kirk, Joe Fourkiller, Georgina Pritchett, daughter of Francis Pritchett, Donna Duncan, daughter of Francis Pritchett and Jay Hannah."

TAHLEQUAH, OK - In recognition of their dedication to Cherokee life, culture and people, the Cherokee Nation recently honored nine Cherokee citizens with the Principal Chief’s Leadership Award.

This year’s recipients were Don Mankiller, Francis Ross Pritchett (posthumously), Joe Fourkiller, Stoney Humble, Harry Oosahwee, Bonnie Kirk, Dennis Jay Hannah, Richard “Duke” Pickup and Billy Joe “BJ” Latta. The leadership awards are given annually in recognition of Cherokee citizens who demonstrate leadership and a giving spirit within the Cherokee Nation and its communities.

“These individuals were honored with the leadership award for their guidance and dedication to Cherokee heritage and communities,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “I commend each of these outstanding citizens for the contributions they have made to Cherokee communities and our great nation.”

Don Mankiller was born in rural Adair County to a full-blood Cherokee and a Dutch-Irish mother in 1937. Throughout the course of his life, Mankiller has overcome many challenges to become a successful rancher and investor. He has a strong sense of personal responsibility and a solid work ethic. From the time he was a young boy, Don helped to support his family, which grew to include 10 siblings. As a teenager, Mankiller moved from Adair County to San Francisco. Prudently investing his earnings, Don was able to retire in his mid 50’s. Don eventually moved back to Adair County with his wife Lavena, where both became active in community organizations and events such as the Stilwell Chamber of Commerce, the Bell Pow-wow and the Bell Community Organization. In 1990, Mankiller donated a kidney to his sister, former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller. Wilma would go on to dedicate a book to Don, and noted that he had given up much of his youth to support her and her siblings and had also given up a kidney.

Francis Ross Pritchett was born in 1951 to Frank and Polly (Vann) Ross in Tahlequah. She attended school at Greasy and Cave Springs. Francis had four children and a host of grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. A member of the Rock Fence Baptist Church, she was devoted to her church and community. When activities occurred in the community, Francis was quick to volunteer her time. She played an important part in the water line at Rock Fence. One of the first community members to show up, Francis was always one of the last to leave. Francis was a nurse’s aid until she became ill. She loved fishing, sewing, working in her garden and picking wild onions.

Joe Fourkiller was born in 1925. After graduating from Stilwell High School, Joe immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in active duty during World War II for three years aboard the aircraft carrier CVE Altahama. He took part in many battles in the Pacific. Upon completing his tour of duty, Fourkiller returned to the United States and worked for Boeing Aircraft for ten years. He returned to Stilwell and worked for the telephone company until he retired after 32 years of service.

Stoney Humble has lived in Bluejacket all of his life. He and his wife, Betsy, have two children, Sheena and Skylar. Humble operates his own lawn care service and is very involved with the community. He is the Chairman of the Bluejacket Cherokee Association.

Harry Oosahwee was born in Tahlequah and his first language is Cherokee. Married with four children, Oosahwee is a graduate of Bacone College and Northeastern State University (NSU). Today, he is the Student Coordinator and Cherokee Language Instructor for the Cherokee Language Education Program at NSU. Harry has devoted much of his time to working with other language instructors to design a teaching methodology geared toward teaching the Cherokee language to Cherokee students. He is also an accomplished artist in pottery, painting and stone carving.

Bonnie Kirk has lived most of her life in Marble City. She is married with two sons and two grandsons. A member of the Stokes Ceremonial Grounds, Bonnie comes from a traditional Cherokee family who all speak Cherokee. She is a volunteer for the Food Pantry and Youth Services.

Dennis Jay Hannah is a native of Adair County. A descendant of the Cherokee’s Beloved Woman, Nancy Ward, Hannah holds a Bachelor degree from NSU and a Master’s degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU). He is an active community member and has served as the Co-Chair of the Private Industry Council under Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, Commissioner and Custodian of Records of the Constitution Convention Commission, Chairman of the 1999 Constitution Convention and Secretary-Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation. Today, Hannah continues to serve the tribe as a member of the Cherokee Nation Business Board and Chairman of Cherokee Nation Enterprises. He has presented numerous papers and lectures at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Executive Sessions on American Indian Constitution Reform and other topics. Hannah is a Seminarian descendant and serves as Trustee for the NSU Foundation. He is also the Vice President of Financial Services for BancFirst Corporation in Oklahoma City.

Richard “Duke” Pickup was born in 1947 to Johnson Pickup and Daisy (Cochran) Pickup in Salina. Pickup has five brothers and three sisters, and graduated from Sequoyah High School in 1965. In 1968, he married Charlene Sands. He has three sons, one daughter, and eight grandchildren. Richard is an ordained minister and is a full-time evangelist.

Billy Joe “BJ” Latta was born in 1978 to Bill and Theresa Latta. He attended Cave Springs High School and attended Connors State College for two years. BJ married Adrienne Wood in 1998 and has four children. Throughout his life, BJ has volunteered many hours of community service to Adair County. He worked in the mission field for two summers as a clown and is one of the individuals responsible for the Matthew 25 House, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance.

The Cherokee Nation is proud to honor each of these men and women for their contributions to the customs and traditions of the Cherokee way of life.

“These honorees would not go out and seek recognition for the good things they do,” said Smith. “But they deserve to be acknowledged and honored for their commitment and hard work. I am humbled by their example of service, and am proud of the work that they do for the Cherokee people.”