Margaret Roach Wheeler
Colbert Franklin Hackler
Piomingo
An award-winning textile artist, a music educator, and a protector of tribal sovereignty will be inducted into the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, August 19, at Riverwind Casino in Norman, Okla.
Neal McCaleb will serve as emcee for the event and Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby will participate in the induction ceremonies.
"Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to the Chickasaw Nation and to the larger community," said Gov. Anoatubby. "It is our privilege to honor these individuals who have dedicated their lives to educating and serving others."
Mr. McCaleb, a Chickasaw, is a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs, and former Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation.
An award-winning weaver, fiber expert, textile artist and designer, Margaret Roach Wheeler, was one of four Native American fashion designers chosen to speak at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York.
She was also an NMAI Artist in Residence. Ms. Wheeler has exhibited works at the Museum of Art and Design in New York, the National Museum of the Indian in New York, and the Institute of American Indian Arts, among many others. She has won numerous awards, including the President's award at Red Earth Festival and Eiteljorg Indian Market Purchase award for the feather cape and kilt she designed for the Chickasaw Nation original production, "Lowak Shoppala." She also won "Best of Class" at the Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market and placed first and second in textiles and the 2009 Southeastern Art Show and market.
Formerly an educator, Margaret is now owner/operator of her company, Mahota Handwovens, designing and marketing hand woven contemporary fashion, costumes, and traditional Native American regalia. She actively participates in Chickasaw Nation events and generously offers her time to teaching Chickasaw youth in the Chickasaw Nation Summer Arts Academy.
Colbert Franklin Hackler received his first fiddle as a Christmas gift at the age of six and it was a gift that opened doors to a career and a lifetime passion for music and teaching.
Born in 1918 in Mannsville, Okla. to Charles Franklin Hackler and Eva Lou Colbert, Mr. Hackler graduated from Ringling (Okla.) Public Schools in 1935. 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.
Mr. Hackler worked as Elk City (Okla.) Schools music educator for 23 years.
He also worked with the Methodist church choir.
In 1960, he was invited to teach music at the OU Laboratory School in Norman, Okla. He went on to receive his tenure from the University and when the laboratory school closed in 1972, he was transferred to the music school on the main campus. He continued to teach until his retirement in 1981.
Along with his late wife, Mary Jean, Mr. Hackler has two children, Sally Rice and Mary Ann Tullius; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Mr. Hackler was one of 24 Chickasaws honored in Mike Larsen's exhibit, "I Am Very Proud to be Chickasaw." Other honors and awards Mr. Hackler has received include: Oklahoma Music Educators Hall of Fame; Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame; Oklahoma City University Distinguished Alumni Award and Elk City Alumni Hall of Fame.
Chickasaw Piomingo served his people during the last half of the 18th century- a time of devastating warfare from many fronts both Native and European. Piomingo was born about 1750 in a settlement now located north of Tupelo, Miss.
Piomingo was a pre-removal chief who provided strong leadership during the time Chickasaws lived in the homelands. He successfully protected the Chickasaws sovereignty.
Piomingo, along with other Chickasaw leaders, acted as a statesmen and diplomat. He suffered and survived many personal hardships as he resolved and settled threats to tribal survival both internally and externally through diplomacy.
His vision, resolve, intelligence, respect and leadership led to the Chickasaw people surviving today through many challenging decisions in war and in treaty making. Piomingo met with other southeastern tribes, with Chickasaw factions, governors of states, with president Washington and the Secretary of War, reaching agreements that benefitted his people.
It has been documented that Piomingo was married and had one son and one daughter. He died in approximately 1799 and was buried with his favorite possessions under his house.
Reservation Information
There is no charge to attend, but reservations are required for the event, which is expected to accommodate approximately 525 guests. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first –served basis.
Reservations are now being accepted. To make reservations, contact Nick Martinez at 580-310-7903 or email nick.martinez@chickasaw.net.
Hall of Fame inductees will make a red carpet entrance at 6 p.m. and the banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m.
For more information about the Chickasaw Hall of Fame visit www.chickasaw.net/hof.
