FAMILY

My family includes the Tinkers, Lesserts,  Revards, Roys, and Boulangers.  Sylvester Tinker and Lela Tinker (my grandmother) were first cousins, or “cuz” as  Sylvester would say. 

My cousin, Louis Burns, respected Osage historian, and my Aunt Patricia Littlebear,  helped teach me the responsibility we carry  to protect our people and traditions.  

As a teenager, I drove my grandfather, Willie L. Rogers, to Osage Council meetings listening to our elders passionately debating issues. They were not only protecting their future but fighting for future generations. That experience shaped my commitment to serve our Nation responsibly.