STROUD, Okla. – Oce Vpofv Ceremonial Ground Mekko George Thompson was recently honored with the Outstanding Tribal Leader of the Year Award at the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma’s (UINO) annual November meeting. Deborah Parker (Tulalip) from the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) was honored as the National Tribal Leader of the Year. Director of the Office of American Indians in Medicine and Science at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Jacque Secondine Hensley (Kaw) was honored as the Outstanding UINO Member Award. The meeting was hosted by the Sac and Fox Nation.
November’s meeting discussed issues pertaining to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) movement, Indian Boarding Schools (IBS) and new leadership in the Oklahoma State Congress and the United States Congress. These issues were taken into consideration moving forward with the UINO’s 2025 strategic plan. Margo Gray (Osage) was re-elected as executive director, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill was re-elected as secretary.
The UINO encouraged Oklahoma residents to call their incoming federal congressional leaders to take action on Senate Bill 1723/House of Representatives Bill 7227, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. If adopted by congress, the bill would establish a commission to seek answers on the number of Native children forced to attend government-sanctioned boarding schools, as well as how many children were abused, died or went missing. The act would give the commission the power to subpoena all records on Indian Boarding Schools from federal, state and local governments, as well as churches, religious institutions and private organizations.
On MMIP issues, Ida’s Law, which has been in effect since 2021, was discussed in regard to how it has helped Indigenous families receive justice for missing loved ones. The law created two positions within the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, both occupied by citizens of a tribal nation. The law was named after Ida Beard, a Cheyenne and Arapaho citizen who has been missing since 2015. It was designed to improve collaboration between tribal, state and federal agencies in cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people.
Hickory Ground Efforts Honored
Mekko Thompson’s award was presented by Muscogee Creek National Council McIntosh District Representative Galen Cloud. Although the award is a great honor, Rep. Cloud remarked that Mekko Thompson is not a leader who seeks attention.
“I was honored and humbled to present the Outstanding Tribal Leader of the Year award to Mekko George Thompson.” Rep. Cloud said. “Thank you to the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma for recognizing a remarkable man for his unwavering commitment and leadership.”
“Alongside with his family and the warriors from Oce Vpofv Mekko Thompson accepted the award. Mekko Thompson is a humble man who doesn’t look for recognition or the spotlight but life has put him in a position to fight for his elders of Hickory Ground back in the homelands in the southeast,” Cloud Said “As Mekko said in his words today ‘United as we all fight as one’ His words are a beacon of hope for all.”
The fight for Oce Vpofv continues through litigation in the Eleventh Circuit court. To learn more about the UINO and their efforts in protecting tribal sovereignty, visit their website, uinoklahoma.com.
