Elders

These are the matriarchs, dynamic leaders, and modern-day Chickasaw warriors – serving as the guardians of Chickasaw tradition.

20 Items

Bill Scott

His selfless sacrifice is a reflection of the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw warrior spirit
Born in 1933, Bill Scott is a proud Korean War veteran and member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Brenda Kingery

Award-winning contemporary artist dedicated to women in the indigenous arts
Brenda Kingery is a professional artist who uses the experiences she has had to influence the subject matter for her visual stories.

Catherine Pickens Willmond

A passionate preserver of the Chickasaw language
An author and professor, Catherine Willmond is a prominent Chickasaw who teaches the language of her tribe.

Colbert F. Hackler

Cherished elder who used his talents and passion for music to pursue a career in music education
He is a Chickasaw music educator and performing violinist musician whose career spanned over 60 years.

Colbert Latimer "Bud" Baker

Embodied the entrepreneurial spirit of his heritage by leading his family-owned company
He is the founder of Chickasaw Distributors, Inc., an officially recognized Native American company.

Daniel Worcester

Combining the ancient craft of metalworking with creative self-expression
Renowned Chickasaw bladesmith whose family heritage inspired him to become a part of the Native American art community.

Gene "Nashoba" Thompson

A patriot for the United States and for the Chickasaw Nation
Eugene "Nashoba" Thompson is a patriot for the United States and for the Chickasaw Nation.

Gene Underwood

A former tribal legislator and proud Chickasaw
Underwood played a part in the ratification of the Chickasaw Nation constitution in 1983 and went on to serve as a tribal legislator.

Geraldine Factor Greenwood

The "Original Dynamic Woman" of the Chickasaw Nation
With a dynamic career filled by teaching and giving to others, Geraldine Greenwood touched the lives of many.

Joe F. Moore

A computing pioneer for the petroleum industry
Mr. Moore applied his knowledge of computer modeling to the process of oil refining.

Jerry Brown

A patriotic WWII veteran with deep Chickasaw roots
Jeraldine "Jerry" Brown said it was her Chickasaw family members who taught her how to love life.

Linda Briggs

A dedicated public servant to her hometown, state and the Chickasaw people
Linda has served as the Pickens District Representative to the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature from 1994 to 2000, and then from 2001 to the present.

Margaret Roach Wheeler

Award winning artistry using modern technology to help her with an ancient pastime
As an award-winning weaver, Margaret Wheeler balances fashion with art and her weavings have been features in museums across the United States.

Marvin E. Mitchell

A lifelong commitment to his country and the growth of the Chickasaw Nation
Marvin E. Mitchell was born in 1946 and graduated from McLish School in Fittstown, OK, in 1964. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Central State.

Nathaniel Thomas

A Navy Veteran Following God's Path
After WWII, Chickasaw citizen Nathaniel Thomas answered God's call and became a minister.

Neal McCaleb

More than 50 years dedicated to Oklahoma and the Chickasaw people
Neal McCaleb is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation that has served the national and Oklahoma state government.

Pauline Carpenter Brown

Fluent speaker of the Chickasaw language and notable historian of the Chickasaw culture
Brown grew up in the Goodland Indian Orphanage but did not let this deter her from growing up to be a fluent speaker of the Chickasaw language.

Rose Shields-Jefferson

Treasured elder and preserver of the Chickasaw language
Rose Shields-Jefferson was born in 1944 in Talihina, Oklahoma, and is the oldest of 13 children.

William G. Paul

Leading Chickasaw legal mind and devoted philanthropist
Honored by some of the most prominent people in the world, William Paul has a history rich in law and justice.

Zane Browning

Public servant who returned the official seal of the Chickasaw Nation back to the tribe
Browning began his career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and served as superintendent of a local BIA agency from 1979 to 1993.