Chairman Cypress Selected For Induction in Chilocco Hall of Fame

Submitted by Jim Baker

TULSA, OK — The nomination of Mitchell Cypress, a 1966 graduate of Chilocco Indian School was one of two names who received unanimous approval of the Board of Directors for induction into the Chilocco Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremonies will follow the Annual Alumni Reunion banquet, Saturday, June 10, 2006 at the Raddison Hotel in Tulsa, Okla.

Chairman Cypress, a Vietnam War veteran, will be presented for induction by Chief Enoch Kelly Haney of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Chief Haney, a famous artist, is a former state senator who served the maximum term allowed by term limit laws in Oklahoma.

Chilocco Indian School was one of the largest and most diverse Indian schools in the U.S., with a peak enrollment of 1,200, before closure in 1980. Although a disappearing breed, its graduates live all across the U.S. and represent all professions. According to Jim Baker, president of the Chilocco National Alumni Association and a 1960 graduate himself, the youngest alumni is 42 years of age.

“You can subtract 42 from the average age of death for American Indians and calculate the approximate year the Chilocco graduate will be no more,” Baker said. “However, accomplishments of our graduates as educators, medical and legal professionals, engineers, entrepreneurs and Tribal leaders such as Chairman Cypress, created a Chilocco legacy. This legacy, combined with memories our own children have of the school, will continue to remind people for years to come that Chilocco had a significant impact on the American society.”

All Chilocco students, former employees and friends are invited to witness the Hall of Fame induction by attending the annual reunion. The class of 1956 will be the honored class of the reunion. The reunion begins on June 9 and closes on June 11.

Activities on June 9 include a golf tournament, Tribal clothing fashion show of all Tribes, talent show, presentation by the Cherokee Nation Children’s Choir and an evening Pow wow. June 10 activities start with a veteran’s breakfast, the annual general business meeting and elections, pool tournament, class meetings, banquet and ballroom dancing. The reunion will close on June 11 with intertribal worship services and Tribal hymnal singing.

The attraction at each reunion is the Memorabilia Room where all yearbooks, pictures, artifacts and other school items are displayed.

Craft vendor booth spaces are available and may be reserved by calling James Edwards at (918) 742-1549.