Tribe Opens Jim Proctor Elder Community Center

On May 16, over 250 people were present as the United Keetoowah Band dedicated their new Elderly Community Center at the UKB Complex just south of Tahlequah. The dedication of the new center was named in honor of the late Mr. Jim Proctor, former council representative for the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Mr. Proctor served as council representative in the 1980s and was very instrumental in keeping the United Keetoowah Band together. Mr. Proctor was one of the most significant people on the UKB tribal council; he never missed a meeting and worked very hard for the tribe. He was also one of the individuals who voted to purchase and begin Keetoowah Bingo.

"I knew Jim, he was on the same council with me, he served many years on the council, if it wasn't for these men keeping the tribe going, what they went through, we wouldn't be sitting here today, we probably still be passing the hat around trying to stay alive, trying to survive," stated Chief George Wickliffe. "That's hard work, and we're being rewarded right now, we're getting bigger. Let's be happy, let's always be Keetoowah." It was a common practice in the past to pass the hat around to help finance the meetings and for travel expenses. "I remember dad passing the hat around so they could buy coffee for their meetings," said Woodrow Proctor, Flint District Representative and son of the late Jim Proctor.

Former UKB Chief John Hair spoke to the audience and to the Proctor family. "Once in a lifetime as you go through life walking on this Earth, you meet a person that immediately makes an impression on you. That is the impression Jim made on me when I met him. That's when I said, as long as we walk this Earth, I want to be his friend. He was my councilor, every time I had a problem, or wanted to know something, who did I call on? My elder, Jim Proctor," said Former Chief Hair.

Woodrow Proctor, the eldest of the siblings, thanked everyone for attending and honoring his father. "I have a really good feeling in my heart today," stated Proctor. "When I was fifteen-years-old, my dad would meet with these councilmen under a shade tree by the front porch. Their main purpose at that time was to keep the Keetoowahs together. I remember my dad saying in Cherokee, 'One of these days people, one of these days, you're going to see it, your going to get help from the Keetoowahs some way, some how, your going to see it.' We are here today Keetoowahs, and I want to thank all of you for recognizing my dad and my family, brothers and sisters. Wado!"

Mr. Proctor accepted a plaque on behalf of his family from Assistant Chief Charles Locust dedicating the center as the Jim Proctor Elder Community Center. Immediately following the ceremony, family and friends along with Chief Wickliffe, Assistant Chief Locust and other council members participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony outdoors.

Entertainment was provided by the United Keetoowah Cherokee Youth Choir, the Kenwood Children's Choir and the Cherokee Baptist Choir. A traditional meal was also provided for the family, friends and dignitaries attending the event.

The center will house the UKB Title VI Nutrition Program, which provides free meals Monday through Friday for Native Americans 55 and older who have a tribal membership card. The May menu is listed on page 6. The Title VI Nutrition Program also delivers Meals on Wheels and sponsors Elders activities such as arts and crafts, fishing trips, theme dinners, and other special functions and events.