The Outstanding Elders of 2015 are pictured immediately following the Outstanding Elders banquet on Oct. 13, at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant with Chief Gary Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. Thirty-two elders were honored from the 10 1/2 county area inside the Choctaw Nation.
2015 Outstanding Choctaw Elders Honored at Banquet
By Ronni Pierce
Choctaw Nation
Durant, Okla. - Linda Watson from District 3 was named the outstanding female elder and Walter Phelps from District 12 was named the outstanding male elder at the 2015 Outstanding Elders banquet on Oct. 13, at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant. In addition to the two overall selections, each district named its own outstanding elders.
The honored elders and their families were in attendance. Also at the annual event were Chief Gary Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., District Councilmen, and Tribal Chaplain Rev. Bertram Bobb.
Watson works part time at the Choctaw Nation Hospital. She helps with fund raisers to furnish water and fruit and to treat the children to a meal after the day is over. She is currently serving as the President of the Talihina Seniors.
Phelps was raised in Wilburton and served in the U.S. Air Force. He has been married to his wife Betty for 46 years. Together they have raised three children, a daughter and two sons. He and his wife are pleased to work with the Crowder Seniors helping in the kitchen and preparing meals.
The Choctaw Nation first officially started honoring its elders in 1999 when the first Outstanding Elders banquet was held. A male and female are nominated from each community center, either by fellow elders or their councilman. The biographies are then submitted to the Senior Nutrition Department which makes the final choice. The male and female winners, all the nominees, and the past Outstanding Elders winners since 1999 are honored with a banquet.
The winners are given a plaque and a framed picture of themselves with their Councilman and Chief Gary Batton.