The Desk not the Table

Both the desk and the table have been part of the history of the rebuilding of the power of the Ottawa County tribal nations. I came to be in possession of one but not both, and regretfully not the most sought after one.

As we sat listening, we learned how tribal interests were devised around a table by visionary leaders who longed to get their nations power to determine their own destiny and find ways to provide for those amongst them who had the least and were most in need.

The names from the past were shared with us, I read quickly as the pages flashed before us. People long passed. And given back to us to remember but also, we were allowed to know they each had had pivotal roles in the growth and re-establishment of our tribal nations.

Sitting around tables was a thing that happened more in the past than occur nowadays. I have had opportunities to sit at many tables, but not at the one in the Whitebird house, but down the street at Pauline Whitebird’s friend, Midge.

What we did around that table was not the work of organizing the fate of the tribal nations, I was privileged to help fringe a newly constructed woman’s buckskin dress, as we did the closeup work of retaining cultural heritage, the old way, from the elders.

But around the table in Robert Whitebird’s home in Quapaw, as needs arose, and as opportunities arrived, the man with the typewriter, Ron Sparkman and his trusted assistants would prepare the applications and required documents that developed what became the Intertribal Council, the Northeast Tribal Health Clinic, the very first CHRs in the state. But before these great accomplishments, around that table they made decisions that helped Indian children. They chipped in and helped country kids raise pigs. Their investment in children later benefitted the newly established federally recognized Shawnee Nation when the interest from the bank came back to them!

Other children were at the Seneca Indian School, and those leaders around that simple table in Quapaw, Oklahoma started their own Foster Grandparents program, pairing a senior citizen with a child who was far away from their own family and even far from their own tribal community. The bonding filled the void many were feeling, both the elders and the children. That program continued long after the boarding school closed for some of these elders, like the ones who found their way into the Indian culture classes at Alexander Elementary in Commerce.

We sometimes think, what can I do? I am only one person. But if you had the opportunity many of us had this afternoon to listen to what Ron Sparkman did, you would agree that the Shawnee Nation has done him justice by honoring him by putting his name on their newly dedicated Council Chambers. He was not alone, he named names. People worked together and the tribes, their members and the whole county has benefitted from the efforts.

Once lands were found and the Intertribal Council constructed, the Shawnees gained their federal recognition, he was elected both to lead his tribe, but also came to be the president of the ITC. He worked there at a desk with a typewriter, continuing to complete applications and construct letters that provided services to tribal citizens.

Several years ago, when the Intertribal Council remodeled as a non-profit organization, they offered other non-profit organizations: chairs, file cabinets, tables and desks to make room for the new furnishing. LEAD Agency ended up with several items. One was the desk Ron Sparkman had used while working there.

I don’t have the table where so much happened, but I have been working at that desk for a good 2 decades and have now offered to return the desk to Ron. It has been part of building environmental activism in this county. I think there is more good to come from it, especially when he reaches into each drawer to find memories of his many successful efforts. Surely the table will find its way forward, too, and complete the story.

For myself, I will simply transfer over to John Micka’s desk. He taught chemistry at NEO for many years. Maybe the chemistry this place generates might start making more sense. Surely tucked in one of those drawers are answers we have been seeking. (His daughter, Jill had gifted his desk to us a number of years ago, so that is how it will be available as 2nd desk.)

Respectfully Submitted ~ Rebecca Jim

P.S. Ron really challenged us all to use the years we are gifted to do more with our lives. Fill yours, reach out and connect with a child, do more than sit out your years. I will suggest you find a table and gather your people around it and decide to change the world. (just like Ron and his people did)