AARP OK opens nominations for 10th annual Indian Elder Honors

AARP Oklahoma is accepting nominations for its 10 ^th annual Indian Elder Honors, celebrating 50 Native American elders who have positively impacted their communities, families, and tribal nations. Since its inception in 2009, AARP Oklahoma has recognized 450 elders from all 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma.

“The AARP Indian Elder Honors recognizes the extraordinary contribution of Indian elders – many of whom have never been recognized before,” AARP Oklahoma Volunteer State President Joe Ann Vermillion said.

Last year’s honorees from 33 Oklahoma tribal nations included teachers, veterans, nurses, artists, tribal leaders, language and culture preservationists, and even a champion archer and a 10 time world champion arm wrestler.

AARP State Director Sean Voskuhl said, “This event celebrates a lifetime of service from these distinguished elders. The common thread between the honorees, regardless of the contribution , is the commitment to community and service.”

This year’s Indian Elder Honors will be held October 2, 2018 in Oklahoma City. Nomination applications are online at https://aarp.cvent.com/2018IndianElders.  Nominations may be submitted electronically or mailed to AARP Oklahoma, 126 N. Bryant, Edmond, OK, 73034.  Nominees must be an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Oklahoma tribal nation, age 50+, and must be living. Nominees do not have to be AARP members. For more information, please contact Mashell Sourjohn at 405-715-4474 or msourjohn@aarp.org . The deadline for submitting nominations is April 30, 2018.