View the Hall of Fame banquet slide show
More than 650 people were on-hand for the 2012 induction ceremonies of a Native American preservationist, an honorable state and tribal judge, a tribal peacemaker and historic governor into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame.
Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Designate T.W. Shannon, a Chickasaw, served as master of ceremonies for the May 3 banquet conducted at Riverwind Showcase Theatre in Norman, Okla.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby took part in the induction of Towana Spivey, Charles Tate, Levi Colbert and Cyrus Harris. Mr. Colbert and Mr. Harris were inducted posthumously.
"Each inductee, past and present, is an inspiration to future generations of Chickasaws. It is our privilege to honor these individuals for their amazing accomplishment and significant contributions toward developing greater understanding and unity between the people of the Chickasaw Nation, other tribal nations and the United States," said Gov. Anoatubby.
"Their commitment to preserving peace, protecting sovereignty, safeguarding our heritage and history and serving others epitomizes the spirit and dedication of the Chickasaw people. They are an inspiration to all of us."
Bill Duckwork, a descendant of Levi Colbert, accepted on behalf of the early tribal leader known as Itawambe Miko (Bench Chief).
Mr. Duckworth said that Levi Colbert was a "patient, thoughtful and planning man" who met with the U.S. president and government officials regarding treaties and removal.
"It is indeed my honor to accept such a prestigious honor for a man who is so well deserving of this award. Thank you for all who gave a vote of confidence to elect this man to the Hall of Fame."
Born in 1759 east of the Tennessee River, Mr. Colbert was a prominent Chickasaw negotiator and bargained shrewdly for as much compensation as possible for the Chickasaw homelands.
Throughout his life, Mr. Colbert strived to maintain peace with the U.S. government while also maintaining the integrity of the Chickasaw people and culture.
Mr. Duckworth expressed his gratitude to the Chickasaw Nation for establishing the Chickasaw Hall of Fame.
"What a great thing that Gov. Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation have done to provide a place to honor these great men and women who have given a portion of their lives helping the Chickasaw people overcome horrendous hardships and obstacles. We should be thankful for men like Gov. Anoatubby for providing great leadership for the success of the Chickasaw people."
Mr. Colbert died June 2, 1834 at Buzzard Roost, Colbert County, Ala. at the age of 74.
Mrs. Janey Polk-Dutnell, great-great granddaughter of Cyrus Harris, accepted the honor on his behalf.
"My family always took great pride in Cyrus Harris being the first elected governor of the Chickasaw Nation. He left such a wonderful legacy of being an honorable and trustworthy governor."
The first elected governor of the Chickasaw Nation after the 1856 adoption of the Chickasaw constitution, Mr. Harris was subsequently elected Governor for five different two-year terms.
During his time as governor, Mr. Harris was a strong advocate for education and signed numerous pieces of legislation leading to the establishment and maintenance of boarding schools in the Nation.
"Even as a young man he always had shown an interest in the political affairs of his people. He had the desire make the Chickasaw a strong self-sufficient tribe," said Mrs. Dutnell.
Fluent in both Chickasaw and English, a young Mr. Harris served as an interpreter at councils conducted to arrange the Chickasaw’s removal to the West.
He died in 1888 in Mill Creek, Indian Territory. He is buried in Drake Cemetery in Murray County, Okla.
After receiving a standing ovation, historian Towana Spivey, Madill, reminded the crowd to remember and learn from the past.
"Our past is always there, our past is broader and more in-depth than we realize. We have only to seek it, look at it and think about it in ways we are not used to thinking about it."
Throughout his life and career, Mr. Spivey has been involved in preserving the history, language and culture of many Oklahoma tribes, including his own.
He said his pride in his Chickasaw heritage led him to his life-long mission of preserving tribal history.
"The Chickasaw people lost almost everything, but the Chickasaw spirit and tenacity was never conquered."
"I have always been proud of my Chickasaw ancestry; it has had a major impact on my life, from my earliest childhood until the present time."
Mr. Spivey served as curator for the Chickasaw White House, Emet, working to restore the home and the preservation consultant for the 1855 Chickasaw Council House, Tishomingo. He has also conducted archaeological investigations at military posts and historic sites.
He served as director/curator of Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum in Lawton, Okla. and as senior curator for the U.S. Army Museum System.
A foremost authority on frontier history, Mr. Spivey has served on numerous boards and has authored several books about the subject. He has been featured in many documentaries and worked as a historical consultant to movie productions, such as "Windtalkers" and "Dances with Wolves".
Mr. Spivey is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Anthropology/Archeology and Museum Studies.
He was born in Madill, Okla., and still lives on the original 140-acre Chickasaw allotment of his grandparents.
He said he was honored to be inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame.
"To say I am greatly honored seems like understatement."
Hall of Fame inductee Charles Tate, Ardmore, reminded the crowd of the importance of family, something his late mother Juanita Keel-Tate, also stressed when she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
"Family is the core, it is the thing that is central, we should hold on to that."
A life-long protector of Native American rights and a prominent defender of Indian law, Tate said he was grateful to be inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame.
"I accept this award based on the fact it implies I am worthy and I will cherish it from now until the day I die."
He reflected on the past 100 years and how the Chickasaw Nation had thrived.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Tate, began his service to tribal nations soon after he earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He worked for the Legal Aid Society and the All Indian Pueblo Council. He later worked as a staff attorney for Oklahomans in Indian Opportunity, a nonprofit organization.
He joined his father, Ernest, in a law partnership in Ardmore in 1974.
Mr. Tate was elected as a tribal judge for the Chickasaw Nation and contracted with the Chickasaw Legislature to provide legal counsel.
Mr. Tate also served on the Court of Indian Offenses and in various positions in the tribal court for several Oklahoma tribes. He was appointed as a visiting judge to cases in the Winnebago Tribe in Nebraska and in 2011, he was appointed as Supreme Court Justice for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma.
He was appointed in 1995 as Special District Judge for Carter County, Okla., and served in that position until his 2009.
Mr. Tate now works with the Chickasaw Nation to locate, identify and retrieve historical materials that will be archived at the Holisso Research Center, at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.
Born February 9, 1940 in Ardmore, Okla., Mr. Tate is a descendant of Edmund Pickens, first elected Chickasaw chief in Indian Territory, and Cyrus Harris.
