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AARP Oklahoma seeking nominees for 2025 Native American Elder Honors

Since 2009, the annual event, previously known as AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors, has recognized more than 700 elders from Oklahoma tribal nations.

AARP Oklahoma is now accepting nominations for its 17th annual Native American Elder Honors which celebrates elders who have positively impacted our country, state, communities, and Indian Country.

Those wishing to nominate an elder honoree have until March 31 to submit an application to AARP Oklahoma. 2025 is the 17th year for this honoree program recognizing Native elders from Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations for their accomplishments including professional work, military service, public service, arts and crafts, language and culture preservation, education and leadership.

Nominations will be accepted online at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/aD7QqKk0XL

In 2024, a total of four Osage elders were among the 48 Native elders from across the state recognized at an awards banquet held on Nov. 6 in Oklahoma City.

According to a news release, Nominees for the AARP Oklahoma Native American Elder Honors must meet the following eligibility requirements:

–  Nominees must be 50 or older.

–  The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nominations are based must reflect AARP’s vision and purpose (see below).

– Must be a citizen of an Oklahoma tribal nation.

–  Candidates currently campaigning for an elected office are not eligible.

–  The recipient does not need to be an AARP volunteer or an AARP member.

–  AARP staff members are not eligible.

–  Must be living at the time of nomination. This is not a posthumous award.

–  Previous selected honorees are not eligible.

AARP’s Vision: A society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.

Since 2009, the annual event, previously known as AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors, has recognized more than 700 elders from Oklahoma tribal nations. AARP Oklahoma state director Sean Voskuhl said in a statement: “AARP Oklahoma seeks to recognize elders who embody AARP’s mission and vision and inspire others to serve. We honor Native American elders who positively impact their communities.”

For more information or questions, contact Mashell Sourjohn at (405) 715-4474 or email msourjohn@aarp.org

Author

  • Benny Polacca

    Title: Senior Reporter

    Email: bpolacca@osagenation-nsn.gov

    Instagram: @bpolacca

    Topic Expertise: Government, Tribal Government, Community

    Languages spoken: English, basic knowledge of Spanish and French

    Benny Polacca (Hopi/ Havasupai/ Pima/ Tohono O’odham) started working at the Osage News in 2009 as a reporter in Pawhuska, Okla., where he’s covered various stories and events that impact the Osage Nation and Osage people. Those newspaper contributions cover a broad spectrum of topics and issues from tribal government matters to features. As a result, Polacca has gained an immeasurable amount of experience in covering Native American affairs, government issues and features so the Osage readership can be better informed about the tribal current affairs the newspaper covers.

    Polacca is part of the Osage News team that was awarded the Native American Journalists Association's Elias Boudinet Free Press Award in 2014 and has won numerous NAJA media awards, as well as awards from the Oklahoma Press Association and SPJ Oklahoma Pro Chapter, for storytelling coverage and photography.

    Polacca earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and also participated in the former American Indian Journalism Institute at the University of South Dakota where he was introduced to the basics of journalism and worked with seasoned journalists there and later at The Forum daily newspaper covering the Fargo, N.D. area where he worked as the weeknight reporter.

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Benny Polacca
Benny Polaccahttps://osagenews.org

Title: Senior Reporter

Email: bpolacca@osagenation-nsn.gov

Instagram: @bpolacca

Topic Expertise: Government, Tribal Government, Community

Languages spoken: English, basic knowledge of Spanish and French

Benny Polacca (Hopi/ Havasupai/ Pima/ Tohono O’odham) started working at the Osage News in 2009 as a reporter in Pawhuska, Okla., where he’s covered various stories and events that impact the Osage Nation and Osage people. Those newspaper contributions cover a broad spectrum of topics and issues from tribal government matters to features. As a result, Polacca has gained an immeasurable amount of experience in covering Native American affairs, government issues and features so the Osage readership can be better informed about the tribal current affairs the newspaper covers.

Polacca is part of the Osage News team that was awarded the Native American Journalists Association's Elias Boudinet Free Press Award in 2014 and has won numerous NAJA media awards, as well as awards from the Oklahoma Press Association and SPJ Oklahoma Pro Chapter, for storytelling coverage and photography.

Polacca earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and also participated in the former American Indian Journalism Institute at the University of South Dakota where he was introduced to the basics of journalism and worked with seasoned journalists there and later at The Forum daily newspaper covering the Fargo, N.D. area where he worked as the weeknight reporter.

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