AARP honors Oklahoma Native elders

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OKLAHOMA CITY – On Nov. 6, the 16th annual AARP Oklahoma Native American Elder Honors celebrated 48 Native American elders, including 10 Cherokee Nation citizens.

Elders from 17 Oklahoma tribal nations were honored for their achievements, community service and impact. Since 2009, AARP Oklahoma has recognized over 700 Native elders from all 39 tribal nations. The honorees this year included educators, veterans, artists, tribal leaders, culture preservationists and everyday heroes.

The 10 Cherokees honored this year were Robyn Sunday-Allen, Billie Lou Anthony, Robert Backward, Sandi Bokovoy, Danny Callison, John Cockrum, Terry Lamar, Robert “Bob” Yahnah Lowrey, Betty Martin, and Robert “Rex” Earl Starr.

“It’s an opportunity to really shine light on some extraordinary people doing extraordinary things out in our communities,” AARP’s Senior Associate State Director of Community Outreach Mashell Sourjohn said. “It's really our honor to be able to work with all of our 39 tribal nations. As a citizen of Muscogee Nation and descendant of Cherokee Nation, it’s a passion for me, and we are very honored to be able to host it each year.”

Cherokee Nation District 15 Tribal Councilor Danny Callison was one of the honorees and said he was humbled.

“It’s humbling in my standpoint to share the stage with the people that I shared the stage with,” he said. “The years of service that these people have done, the many things they’ve done for their Native American tribes across the state of Oklahoma; it was truly an honor.”

Along with honoring elders, AARP also awarded the CEO of the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Robin Sunday-Allen with the Dr. John and Tewanna Edwards Leadership Award.

The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of elders through leadership and advocacy. This is one of many awards she has received.

“I thankfully have been awarded other awards in my tenure and professional career because I’ve been doing this for 29 years, but this one touches a little bit different,” she said. “I think it’s because elders are held in such high esteem. To be in the company of those that are the wisdom keepers, the language bearers, I mean, just the pillars of our community is quite an honor.”

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic just turned 50 years old, but they have big plans according to Sunday-Allen.

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