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AARP Oklahoma Native American Elder Honors celebrates 48 honorees

AARP

Updated October 29, 2026

AARP Oklahoma’s 18th annual Native American Elder Honors celebrated 48 Native American elders on Oct. 28 at the First Americans Museum, recognizing their service, leadership and contributions to their communities.

2026 Native American Elder Honors Program

AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl said the annual celebration brings together honorees, families, tribal leaders and community members to recognize Native elders and the lasting impact of their service.

“Our honorees play an important role in preserving cultures and traditions, building stronger communities and inspiring future generations. It is our privilege to honor them,” Voskuhl said.

The ceremony included an invocation, an in-memoriam tribute and a performance by the Redhorn Legacies Fancy Dance Troupe. Sr. Associate State Director of Community Outreach Mashell Sourjohn, AARP Oklahoma Volunteer State President Charlie Swinton, Executive Council member Dana Miller and longtime AARP Oklahoma volunteer Tewanna Edwards presented the honorees with custom Native American Elder Honors medallions.

The 47 Native American Elder Honors recipients represent a remarkable range of accomplishments, from military and public service to education, health care, tribal leadership and cultural preservation. Voskuhl said that their stories also reflect years of quiet sacrifice, mentorship and service to others.

Among this year’s honorees, Shoshana Wasserman, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, received the Dr. John and Tewanna Edwards Leadership Award, which recognizes her more than three decades of dedication to advancing Native arts, culture, education and community development. This year’s award features a work by renowned Chickasaw Nation artist Brent Greenwood, inspired by Wasserman’s leadership and service.

Since 2009, AARP Oklahoma has recognized more than 900 Native American elders representing all 39 of Oklahoma’s tribal nations.