Inductees 2010

Colbert Franklin Hackler was born in 1918 in Mannsville, Okla. He received his bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Oklahoma City University and obtained his master and doctorate degrees in music education at the University of Oklahoma. Hackler worked as Elk City Schools music educator for 23 years. He began teaching at the University of Oklahoma Laboratory School in 1960 and in 1972 he moved to the main campus to teach. He retired in 1981, but returned to teaching and performing music soon after.

Piomingo served Chickasaws during the 18th century. He was born about 1750 in a settlement in Mississippi. Piomingo was a pre-removal chief who provided strong leadership. He acted as a diplomat in order to protect Chickasaw sovereignty. Piomingo met with other southeastern tribes, governors of states and President George Washington to reach agreements that benefitted his people. One of his greatest achievements was the signing of the Treaty of Hopewell in 1786, which formalized the tribe’s alliance with the U.S. government.

Margaret Roach Wheeler is an award-winning weaver, fiber expert and textile artist. She served as the artist-in-residence at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York. Wheeler exhibited works at the Museum of Art and Design and the Institute of American Indian Arts, among others. She won numerous awards including the President’s Award at Red Earth Festival and textile awards at the 2009 Southeastern Art Show and Market. Wheeler is the owner of Mahota Handwovens, where she designs contemporary fashions and traditional Native American regalia.