Did you know that Arigon is continuing her work on Native American superhero SUPER INDIAN? Oh, heck, yah! You can find out more info about the Rez Boy who ate commodity cheese and gained super powers at MAY 4, 2010
If you're a regular "Native America Calling" listener, you might have been tuned into today's live "Current Events" broadcast and heard our Diva talking about her latest project. It's a brand new play called "Indian Life."
"I've spent the past ten months researching and writing this piece," smiled Arigon. "Definitely another labor of love and a theater shout-out to my friends in radio. The play is about a local radio show and the impact the show has on the Native American community. However, the play is set in 1947 -- a time when most folks were trying to get back to normal after World War II and a time when Native Americans were nowhere to be found on the airwaves, except in cheesy 'Tonto' portrayals."
You can be part of the fun and success of "Indian Life" by attending the staged reading in Oklahoma City. Here's the information and we hope to see a bunch of you there!
THE NATIVE AMERICAN NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
MAY 25-27, 2010
The CitySpace Theater at the Civic Center Music Hall
201 Walker Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Tuesday, May 25 at 7:30pm -- "War Paint" by Bret Jones
Wednesday, May 26 at 7:30pm -- "Dirty Laundry" by Ranell Collins
Thursday, May 27 at 7:30pm -- “Indian Life” by Arigon Starr
Each of the plays will be a staged reading, meaning there will be few production values (lights, sound effects) and the actors will be reading from the scripts in their hands. All readings are FREE and the play that gets the best audience response will be fully produced next year.
For more information, contact the Oklahoma City Theater Company, Artistic Director Rick Nelson at (405) 290-8632. Their website: http://www.okctheatrecompany.org
Here's a brief synopsis of Arigon's play, "INDIAN LIFE" -- During a hot summer day in August 1947, the weekly broadcast of “Indian Life,” a two-hour radio program featuring news and traditional music from the Native American Indian community is scheduled to go on without a hitch until the arrival of a big city journalist, the femme-fatale station owner and a shady Native evangelist and his hillbilly bride. Further complicating the matter are an embittered Native veteran who haunts the station and a young Native nurse recently returned from duty. As their machinations grind the program to a halt, the station owner announces that “Indian Life” is cancelled. Longtime host Gene Okemah has to re-evaluate his commitment to program and whether he still has a place or status in the Indian community. With the help of his volunteer Native radio crew, Gene finds his hard work behind the microphone has had more impact than anyone ever imagined.
APRIL 30, 2010
Everyone here at Starrwatcher Online were saddened to learn that Gay's lovely sister, Gay Wahpecome Noble passed away on Monday, April 5th. She had been battling diabetes for many years. In summer 2009, she lost her right foot to the disease and was facing many difficult challenges in her recovery. Unfortunately, Gay lost the fight with diabetes and passed on. Services were held in Chula Vista, California on April 17th. Here is the obituary the family put together for the wonderful Gay.
GAY WAHPECOME
December 24, 1959-April 5, 2010
Gay Wahpecome Noble, 50, passed into the spirit world on Monday, April 5, 2010. She was a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and a resident of Chula Vista, California over thirty years.
Born on Christmas Eve in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Gay was the daughter of Ruth and Kenneth Wahpecome. Gay traveled with her Navy family across the United States and Subic Bay, Philippines.
After her father’s retirement from the Navy, the family settled in San Diego. Gay graduated from Patrick Henry High School, distinguishing herself as a flutist with the Marching Patriots High School Band and as a member of the school choir.
After graduation, Gay joined the Civil Service and worked in San Diego area activities including the Navy Public Works Center and Defense Contracts Management Agency.
She continued to be active in music as part of church choirs at the First Southern Baptist Church of Chula Vista and the College Avenue Baptist Church. Gay also toured across the U.S. as a part of her sister Arigon Starr’s band. The group performed at many colleges, universities and music festivals. Gay supplied back-up vocals and performed on flute and percussion during these performances.
Gay was also a member of the Harbor Lights Chapter #358, Order of the Eastern Star and Mecca Temple #34, Daughters of the Nile.
Known for her good humor, warm smile and engaging humor, Gay was a joy to everyone who encountered her. Whether they met her at work, school, church or at San Diego Sockers games or BR5-49 concerts, everyone knew they had a good friend in Gay.
She is survived by her husband, George Elliott Noble, Jr., her mother Ruth and sister Arigon.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the San Diego American Indian Health Clinic. Checks should be made payable to “SDAIHC” and in the memo portion write “Diabetes Program.” Checks should be mailed to Gay’s mother Ruth Wahpecome at 125 E. Naples St., Chula Vista, CA 91911.
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PASSING OF TIKE CHAPMAN -- Another tragic death occured to Arigon's family on April 23. Arigon's cousin, Tike Chapman lost his life in a traffic accident near Catoosa, Oklahoma. His family posted this heartfelt obituary for this amazing young man. Keep the Alford family in your prayers!
SPC TIKE DANSON ALFORD CHAPMAN
Born: June 30th, 1983
Died: April 23rd, 2010
His age at the time of death was 26 years, 10 months and 7 days.
Tike was a citizen of the Pawnee Nation (of the Kit-ke-hahk'-i band), and also Absentee Shawnee, Muscogee Creek and Seneca. His Pawnee name is: Kitka Hahkee-Ti-’Ke-Wa-Koo meaning “The Wolf that Howls in the Distant Night”.
As a graduate from Tulsa Central High School in 2002, he excelled in athletics and lettered in football, basketball and baseball, but basketball was his passion and was the lone Texas Longhorn fan in a family of OU Sooners.
In 2006, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Army. At the time of his death he was a SPC, in the 15th CS CO E FWD SPT 1ST CAV DIV, Fort Hood, Texas and had been reassigned to 94th Engineer Support in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Tike was honored to serve our Country and displayed this by serving two tours of duty in Operation Iraq Freedom in Baghdad and returned to the United States this past December 2009. He was scheduled to return later this year for a third tour.
Taking part in his Native Culture and Traditions was very important to him and loved to participate in gourd dancing, he was in the process of bringing his two young sons around the drum. Although he loved his career in the Army and being around his Native American culture his favorite role was being a Dad and spending as much time as possible with his sons Jeremiah and Isaiah.
One of Tike’s favorite sayings was “Family First”. Tike is survived by two sons Jeremiah age 6 and Isaiah age 4 of the home. Parents Yvonne Katherine and Dwayne Cahwee, and Charles B. and Lori Chapman, all residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He is survived by two brothers and three sisters: Ray Wildcat and Renee Alford of Glenpool, Justin Surridge of Oologah, Katherine Danene and Terry Smith, of Tulsa Marissa and Wayne Campbell of Pawnee and AtiraVonne Chapman of Tulsa.
Tike was an Uncle to Spc. Matthew D. and Alyssa Beaver currently stationed at Ft. Drum, New York, Mykel and Malik Smith, Maizy, William, and Lucas Campbell, Amie and Amanda Lee, and was a Great Uncle to Madison Beaver.
Maternal Grandson of the late Eugene R. and Davene S. Alford of Tulsa, and was a Nephew of Eugene R. and Martha Lee Alford of Phoenix, AZ, Dianne S. and Gary Guthrie, and Janene F. Alford all from Tulsa. Great nephew of Olelah Mae Morris of Lawrence Kansas, and Ruth Ann Wahpecome of Chula Vista, California.
He was also survived by his first cousins: Juanita Smith, of Stilwell, Adam and Margo Proctor, of Tulsa, Wesley and Torina Proctor, of Tahlequah, Amy and Bill Takacs and Jennifer Alford of Arizona.
Paternal Grandson of the late Basil and Alma Keys Chapman. And nephew to Richard Henry Chapman, of Yale, Wathena June and Larry Lawrence of Tahlequah, Liana May and Richard Teter of Yale. The late Basil Chapman had six brothers and 6 sisters and all brothers had served in the military. Tike was also a direct descendent to The Shunatona Family on his Otoe family side.
Materal Servicemen
His Grandfather, Eugene R. Alford Sr. was a Holocaust Liberator in Dachau, Germany WWII Era Veteran, Purple Heart receiptant, Bronze Star Medal with cluster and also a Silver Star recipient. His Uncle Eugene R. Alford Jr. Vietnam Era Veteran conflict and his brother Ray Wildcat Alford, a member of the 101st Airborne, and nephew SPC. Matthew D. Beaver is currently stationed at Ft. Drum, New York, Tike comes from a long line of soldiers who were committed to serving and protecting our Country and was a “True Warrior”. He was also 7th generation direct descendant to the Great Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee Nations.
Paternal Servicemen
Charles B (Chip) Chapman, United States Air Force-Served in the 14th Security Police Squadron Nha Trang, Vietnam and Rick Chapman served as Financial Clerk in Saigon, Vietnam and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, including lifelong family of members of Pawnee Scouts.
Great Grandfather Walter Keys served as the First President of the Pawnee Homecoming & Pow-wow which formed in 1946, which is now in it’s 64th year.
“A Son, Brother, Nephew, Grandson, Uncle, Father, Cousin, and Friend you loved and were loved by many. We love you Tike and we will miss you and will value every moment of your life, that you gave us in this life. We know you just went a head of us and we will see your smile again”
"INDIAN LIFE" COMES TO OKLAHOMA CITY THEATER COMPANY -- This winter, Arigon worked and researched a new play. "There was an amazing radio program that began in 1943 in Norman, Oklahoma. It was a two-hour program that ran once a week called "Indians For Indians" that brought community news, traditional language and songs to a wide area of central Oklahoma," said Arigon. "My dad, Ken Wahpecome was a big fan of the show as were many Native people in the area. They loved listening to the down-home friendliness of host Don Whistler, plus knowing where all the local Pow-Wows and dances were taking place."
This is the first year of the festival and three different plays will be read before a live audience. We'll have all the information for you next week! Mark your calendars for the reading of "Indian Life" on THURSDAY, MAY 27TH at 7:30pm.