2020 Chickasaw Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement
July 2, 2020
7 p.m.
VOICEOVER
Renick has the ball, he shoots, it’s good! USA wins! USA wins the gold!
[Chanting]
VOICEOVER
On this day, we hereby dedicate the mural Flight of Spirit by Chickasaw Artist, Mike Larson.
[Singing]
VOICEOVER
Five, four, three, two, one, lift off! John Herrington is now the first Native American to fly to space!
NARRATOR
The accomplishments we have made and the greatness we have yet to achieve are connected by the strength of our people. We never give up. We look ahead. We progress. We conquer our fears and make the most of our talents and ability. We will continue this greatness through the legacy of the persevering Chickasaw Spirt for generations to come.
GOVERNOR ANOATUBBY
Chokma! Induction into the Hall of Fame is a great honor. Due to recent events we were not able to come together for our planned ceremony. However, we want to take the time to honor these remarkable individuals. We look forward to celebrating their achievements in person when it is the right time to do so. Every year our inductees demonstrate a wide range of personal and professional accomplishments. This year, in particular, our inductees demonstrated a life-long practice that is at the very heart of our Nation’s mission. A philosophy so important that it is one of our core values. We’re speaking of servant leadership. True servant leadership is born from a desire to help those around us and to put the needs of others above our own and that is exactly what this year’s inductees have demonstrated in their lives. From Mr. Colbert’s 12 terms in the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature to Ms. Fowler’s foundation work in our CHR program from Mr. Hilton’s years serving as president of the Indian Tribes Community Development Association, to Admiral Meeks 32 year career in the Public Health Service and Mr. Parker’s amazing work in the Chickasaw Nation Reentry Program, all of this year’s inductees put the principles of servant leadership into practice in their own lives to the benefit of those around them. For their years of servant leadership, they deserve our respect, our admiration and our praise. This year’s inductees represent what it means to be a leader and what it means to live a life of service. It is important that we recognize how inspirational out 2020 Hall of Fame inductees are to the future generations of Chickasaws. These future generations will grow up seeing the example of our inductees and knowing that they can live a life of service. A life to be proud of. A life that is both fulfilling and beneficial to society. This is the type of life our inductees all exemplify and it is the type of life we should all aspire to emulate. Thank you again to our inductees and their families and friends. We are eagerly planning an event at which you will be honored at a time where can celebrate and gather together safely. Thank you all for joining us to honor these outstanding Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductees!
EMCEE
Now it is time to introduce the 2020 Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductees. We will begin our induction announcement with Tim Colbert. Mr. Colbert served in the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature representing Chickasaw people in the Tishomingo District for an unprecedented 12 consecutive terms, spanning four decades.
NARRATION
Born April 9, 1950, in Oklahoma City, to Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductee, the Honorable George Dixie Colbert, and Ruby Colbert, Tim Colbert was raised in Sulphur, Oklahoma and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1968. He attended the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University earning his juris doctorate in 1976. Accepted into the Oklahoma Bar Association that same year, he also became a charter member of the Chickasaw Bar Association. Just three years later, Mr. Colbert was elected to the Chickasaw Tribal Council District Five. In 1983, he was elected into the new Chickasaw Tribal Legislature. As a member of the legislature, he served on the tribal health care and commerce committees. He retired in 2019, a culmination of 40 years as a Chickasaw legislature.
SCOTT COLBERT
Very proud and honored to be a part of The Chickasaw Nation and he’s honored to be a part of all members of The Chickasaw Nation and he’s he is a part of the history and tradition of all the members, of all the numerous people that have come and gone over the past 40 years. He has been there with them along the way and he was on the first tribal legislature under the constitution and he was also on the last tribal council of the last constitution and that can never be repeated.
BILL LANCE
I think he had I think Tim Colbert has incredible legacy. I think when people see Tim they respect him obviously his work on the bench as a district judge for many years. I think the broader community always respected Judge Colbert. I think the broader Chickasaw community very much respects him and appreciates, I mean, 40 years of public service I mean that’s incredible and you know you got to get elected to have those forty years. I think when people see Tim Colbert, they see a man of stature and they see a person that they deeply respect.
EMCEE
Our second inductee is Lillian Blackwood Fowler. Ms. Fowler faithfully served the Chickasaw Nation as a pioneer for vital programs that became benchmarks of the tribe’s commitment to its citizens.
PAT WOODS
Lillian Fowler was one of the first CHRs. She was a trailblazer and an example of what our CHRs are supposed to be: kind, caring and willing to do whatever job needed to be done.
NARRATOR
Lillian Fowler was born in Antioch, Oklahoma, the eldest daughter of Bryant Blackwood and Malinda Blackwood (Gibson), an original Dawes enrollee. After attending Bloomfield Academy and Chilocco Indian School, she put her education on hold to pursue work, but returned to earn her GED in 1977 at the age of 57. Given the opportunity to serve as a community health representative, one of only three at the program’s founding in 1969, Lillian’s dedication proved vital to the program’s success. She experienced firsthand the needs of Chickasaw citizens, especially Chickasaw elders.
TRISH HAYES
If people didn’t have food, she would go out and buy some and she would take it to the people that needed it. She never spoke of it, she never told anybody about it, but we knew it happened because we observed it.
NARRATOR
Ms. Fowler was proud of her service and her tribe. Her spirit of giving has been embodied in the Chickasaw Foundation’s Lillian Fowler Memorial Scholarship. Her service to the community was recognized in 2005 with the dedication of the Lillian Blackwood Fowler monument at the Pauls Valley Senior Center.
TRISH HAYES
She didn’t express it that much, but she had a service heart. She wanted to help anybody that needed help. I think it was her calling.
EMCEE
Our third inductee, John L. Hilton, dedicated his life to the service of the Chickasaw people and the growth of The Chickasaw Nation. He was instrumental in the execution and growth of many programs that still benefit Chickasaws every day.
MELISSA GREEN-WHIPPLE
I believe John Hilton belongs in the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame. I am proud that The Chickasaw Nation is honoring him. John loved the Chickasaw people. Not just one, he loved all Chickasaw people. He showed it in his actions each and every day.
NARRATOR
Born in 1952 in Ada, to John Mitchell Hilton and Ruby Lee Miller Hilton, John Hilton attended Byng High School, graduating in 1970, and continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from East Central University. His career with The Chickasaw Nation began in 1979 as a grant writer then as a planner for grants and contracts, section head and finally director of planning. John’s resourcefulness and compassion were hallmarks of his career, as he assisted Chickasaws with direct services including disaster relief, home repairs and emergency aid, always working to ensure proper funding was available to meet the needs of the people. In 1987, Mr. Hilton was appointed as a special assistant to Governor Bill Anoatubby, a position Mr. Hilton maintained until he passed away.
PAT WOODS
John was one of those people that he definitely cared about people. I used to work with John because we would sometimes have problems that he would help us with because he worked directly for Governor Anoatubby. John was a sweet person. I liked him and admired him because he was such a kind and giving person but he had a good sense of humor. He could make you laugh when you thought it was raining and you didn’t have a happy thought. He could make you laugh and feel good, and so to me he was very special.
EMCEE
Our next inductee is Retired Rear Admiral Kevin Meeks. Mr. Meeks was instrumental in the management and improvement of Indian Health Service (IHS) in Oklahoma and across the country during his 32 year career in the United States Public Health Service.
NARRATOR
Retired Rear Admiral Kevin Meeks was born in 1958 and raised in Byng. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Central University, as well as a master’s degree in public health from the University of Oklahoma. Beginning a career with Indian Health Services in 1987 in South Dakota, Meeks later relocated to Alaska.
DR. GRIM
I would say that he would try to do everything that he could to allow the people to get the mission of our organization, the health care, the delivery of public health services, of water and sewer services. He did whatever he could to try and get rid of barriers, break down barriers, rules and regulations so that we could really take care of the people that we needed to take care of for whatever program that was.
NARRATOR
Admiral Meeks was promoted to Oklahoma City area director in 2009, serving until 2017, being given the responsibility for providing comprehensive health care services to one of the largest and most diverse service populations in IHS.
TRAVIS WATTS
Admiral Meeks’ influence on Indian health and the IHS was nationwide. The work that he did and the impact he had all helped all American Indians throughout the nation. Admiral Meeks never let a position or boundaries hold him back whenever he knew that work needed to be done. He was a fierce advocate for the healthcare for the beneficiaries that we served.
DR. GRIM
He’s had roles at the regional level here in Oklahoma and also at the national level that has left an impact from a health standpoint on people all over the country. He is a proud Chickasaw citizen and he’s led a very impactful life for the health of our people.
EMCEE
Our final inductee is Ron Parker, a judge, statesman, businessman and civil servant for the Chickasaw people. His 26 year career with The Chickasaw Nation was marked by compassion and dedication to helping Chickasaws.
DAVID WOERZ
I think his legacy belongs to the people, it belongs to the families that he served, the grandmothers, the grandbabies, the children. They all know him, they still remember him and that legacy won’t go away.
NARRATOR
Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Ron Parker spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, worked in the apparel business and attended school at both OU and Murray State. In 1991, he found his calling with The Chickasaw Nation, first being elected as Chickasaw Nation judge, and then a tribal legislature in 1992. Returning to public service, Mr. Parker became a community advocate for the Ardmore area and later served as area director.
JANEEN PEERCY
If you ask, you know, what would he do for the citizens, it would be a lot shorter answer if you said what would he not do?
NARRATOR
Mr. Parker was a leader in starting The Chickasaw Nation Reentry Program, a service designed to assist previously incarcerated Chickasaws in obtaining skills and employment to successfully transition back into the community. He faithfully led this program from 2007 to 2017.
LINDA BRIGGS
He’s got such a big heart and if somebody has a hard time or a hard life, I think he sees it as his role to show them that it can be better.
JANEEN PEERCY
I think that The Chickasaw Nation embodies, you know, with our core values and mission and vision. I think he’s taken that out into the Ardmore area and shown them what it’s actually like to be a representative of The Chickasaw Nation and help so many people.
EMCEE
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the great accomplishments of the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees. This year’s inductees have shown commitment to the Chickasaw people and their dedication to servant leadership is an example for all of us. Once again, congratulations to our inductees, their families and friends!