AARP Oklahoma Honors 48 Native American Elders

The 18th annual Native American Elder Honors ceremony recognized elders representing Oklahoma's tribal nations in Oklahoma City.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Native American

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a round bronze medallion on a red and cream woven textile above a prairie horizon. — AARP Oklahoma recognized 48 Native American elders at its 18th annual honors ceremony in Oklahoma City on October 28. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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AARP Oklahoma recognized 48 Native American elders at its 18th annual Native American Elder Honors ceremony, held October 28 at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Shoshana Wasserman also received the Dr. John and Tewanna Edwards Leadership Award.

Why it matters

The ceremony honors elders whose work has shaped tribal communities across Oklahoma, drawing together honorees, families, tribal leaders, and community members in the state's capital. Recognition of this kind highlights the contributions of older Native Oklahomans to culture, education, and community life.

AARP Oklahoma has recognized more than 900 Native American elders since 2009, representing all 39 of Oklahoma's tribal nations. This year's Dr. John and Tewanna Edwards Leadership Award features a work by Chickasaw Nation artist Brent Greenwood.

The players

AARP Oklahoma

The Oklahoma state chapter of AARP, the national nonprofit advocacy organization focused on issues affecting adults aged 50 and older.

Shoshana Wasserman

A citizen of the Muscogee Nation and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town who received the Dr. John and Tewanna Edwards Leadership Award for more than three decades of work advancing Native arts, culture, education, and community development.

Sean Voskuhl

AARP Oklahoma State Director who leads the state chapter's programs and outreach.

The details

Honorees received custom Native American Elder Honors medallions, presented by AARP Oklahoma staff and volunteers including Mashell Sourjohn, Charlie Swinton, Dana Miller, and Tewanna Edwards. The program included an invocation, an in-memoriam tribute, and a performance by the Redhorn Legacies Fancy Dance Troupe.

October 28, 2026: 18th annual Native American Elder Honors ceremony held at the First Americans Museum
2009: AARP Oklahoma began recognizing Native American elders

Culture Shift

The 18th annual Elder Honors ceremony continues a recognition series AARP Oklahoma began in 2009, now covering all 39 of the state's tribal nations. The award honoring Shoshana Wasserman and the featured artwork by Brent Greenwood place recognition of Native arts and leadership within the program's ongoing annual tradition.

Oklahoma City residents can attend public events at the First Americans Museum that celebrate Native culture and community. Families seeking to recognize Native elders in their own lives can look to the honors program as an example of how such recognition is organized.

The takeaway

Recognizing elders preserves the knowledge and leadership that sustain tribal communities across Oklahoma. Readers can support Native arts and culture by visiting cultural institutions like the First Americans Museum.