RED ROCK, Okla.-- Otoe-Missouria tribal elder Joseph “Joe” Dent was recognized Tuesday evening during the 6th Annual AARP Indian Elder Honors held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
More than 700 family members, tribal leaders and honored guests from across the state attended the event which recognized elders from 30 Oklahoma tribes and nations. The AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors is the largest event of its kind bringing together all Oklahoma tribes and nations to recognize the contribution of elders to their tribes, communities, family and state, said AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons.
“Since its inception, we have been so blessed to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of elders from all walks of life,” said Lyons. “Some have led high profile lives and others have quietly passed on their gentle wisdom and culture. Collectively, this year’s AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honorees represent what is best about Native American people in Oklahoma: love of family, dedication to culture and respect for all people.”
Dent is the eldest child of Abraham Dent Sr. and Wilma Dailey Dent. He is the grandson of the last hereditary Otoe-Missouria Chief Ralph Dent and Madge Pettit Dent. He is the great grandson of Chief Hoke Dent (Chief Blue Hair) and Chief Dave Pettit (Chief Wach'ehi Manyi). He is descendant of Chief Big Soldier, Chief Harragarra and the great Chief Iatan (Chief Sųmanyikathi).
Dent was raised at the family allotment between Red Rock and Perry, OK with his nine brothers and sisters. As a descendent of chiefs, Dent was taught the traditions and ways of the tribe as a child. In the home he spoke Otoe with his family and retains much of the language today. He is recognized by many Otoe-Missouria people as a respected elder and a spiritual and cultural leader.
Dent is Bear Clan and observes all the responsibilities of being one of the head men of the Bear Clan. Today he is often called upon to advise others on the unique ways of Otoe-Missouria funerals and other ceremonies.
Dent is an air force veteran and was stationed in the South Pacific in the years following the Korean War. In 1959, he married his wife Rita (Taos Pueblo) in New Mexico and moved back to Oklahoma.
He became certified in automobile paint & body repair through Okmulgee Technical School and worked in that industry until he became ill from paint exposure.
Dent then became certified as an x-ray technician and worked a number of years at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic before retiring to Red Rock.
After moving back to Red Rock, Dent served as a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council in the capacity of Second Member.
Dent’s decades long friendship with many Kiowa elders including Nelson Big Bow, Tom Littlechief and Lincoln Tartsah was the catalyst for his membership into the Kiowa Tai Pai Society and the Kiowa Warrior Society. His friendship with the Kiowa people continues to this day and he & Rita make the journey to Carnegie as often as they can.
Dent held the position of Chairman of the Native American Church for 20 years. He learned the ways of the church from his grandfather and has kept his own fireplace for decades.
Dent recognizes his responsibility to his tribe and his people. He and Rita are present at as many Otoe-Missouria gatherings as their health will allow.
When Dent is not busy keeping his obligations to his people, he can be found at home enjoying his retirement with his wife of 55 years and spending time with is grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Other honorees:
Col. Louis (Buddy) Bedoka –Caddo
Jacob “Jake” Big Soldier, Jr., -Iowa
Sinah Manley Birdcreek -Alabama Quassarte
Lorene Blaine –Choctaw
Tony Booth –Shawnee
Jeraldine “Jerry” Brown –Chickasaw
Charlene Leading Fox Button –Quapaw & Pawnee
Rosa Carter –Cherokee
Clarence Deer–Kickapoo
Col. Ralph Dru –Cheyenne
Bill Duckworth –Chickasaw
Anita Fields – Osage
Sue Folsom –Choctaw
Keith Franklin –Sac & Fox
Chief John P. Froman –Peoria
Dennis “Jay” Hannah – Cherokee
Dawna (Riding In) Hare -Pawnee & Wichita
Jacque Secondine-Hensley –Kaw
Tom Holder – Delaware Nation
Dorothy Ice – United Keetoowah
Arthur K. James –Yuchi, Creek & Choctaw
Lewis Ketchum –Delaware Tribe
June Lee –Seminole
Mary Jane Lowery –Chickasaw
Honorable Philip Lujan –Kiowa and Taos Pueblo descent
Neal McCaleb –Chickasaw
Rebecca “Becky” Meyer –Cherokee
Susie “Sue” Morgan –Muscogee Creek
Winnie Guess-Perdue –Cherokee
Scott Roberts –Muscogee Creek
Marsha Rose –Wichita & Affiliated
Ramona Rosiere –Modoc
George A. Shannon –Osage
Jack Shoemate –Comanche
Carmelita Skeeter –Citizen Potawatomi
Crosslin F. Smith –Cherokee
Henry Smoke –Cherokee
Milton Sovo –Comanche
Moses Starr, Jr., -Cheyenne-Arapaho
Raymond “Red” Stone Calf, Jr. –Cheyenne & Arapaho
Lucinda Lou Lewis Tiger –Alabama Quassarte
Luke Toyebo, Sr., -Kiowa
Elizabeth Trickey –Thlopthlocco
Duke Tsoodle, Jr. –Kiowa & Apache
Neal L. Watson –Miami
Charlene Edwards-Whittington –Absentee Shawnee
Robin Woodley –Choctaw
Jackie Sine Young –Iowa
Red Rock resident and Otoe-Missouria tribal elder Joseph “Joe” Dent was recognized Tuesday evening during the 6th Annual AARP Indian Elder Honors held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.