The Lucinda Hickory Research Institute

The Board

We’re still here!

Mvskokvlke

FOUNDERS

TATIANNA DUNCAN – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tatianna “Tanya” Duncan’s journey is both inspiring and deeply meaningful. Having a strong connection to her Mvskoke/Cherokee roots, she carried the common lore of her family that their Native lands had been stolen. However, the specific details remained elusive to her until she discovered the work of a resident in the Maple Ridge neighborhood, where one of her family’s many allotments was located. This discovery ignited Tatianna’s determination to delve deeper into her family’s history and the broader history of the Mvskoke people. She is Nokosvlke (Bear Clan) and her Tribal Town is Quasarte. After serving in the United States Navy for twenty years and raising her family, Tatianna embarked on her research journey to understand the stories of her relatives and the experiences of the Mvskoke people. She recognized the importance in verifying and validating the oral histories and anecdotes, realizing the need for rigorous research and documentation to preserve and share this essential part of Oklahoma’s history. Founding The Lucinda Hickory Research Institute was Tatianna’s response to this calling. By establishing this institute, she aims to facilitate further research, seeking answers to profound questions about the fate of the Mvskoke lands that were once part of Indian Territory. Importantly, she seeks to understand the experiences and plight of her Mvskoke ancestors during the dispossessions of the very lands that the US had allotted to them. This mission reflects Tatianna’s commitment to preserving her heritage, honoring her ancestors’ stories, and shedding light on the broader historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities in the region. The work of The Lucinda Hickory Research Institute will undoubtedly contribute to a deeper and more accurate understanding of the past, paving the way for meaningful conversations about reconciliation, cultural preservation, and social justice. Tatianna’s journey serves as an exemplary model of how individuals can reclaim their history, embark on crucial research, and contribute to the greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures and histories. Through her efforts, she is making a significant impact on her community and beyond, ensuring that the stories and experiences of the Mvskoke people are not forgotten but rather understood and remembered for generations to come.

J.D. COLBERT – MEMBER AT LARGE

J.D. Colbert (Chickasaw/Muscogee-Creek/Cherokee, and Citizen Potawatomi) is a highly experienced and accomplished veteran banker with a remarkable career spanning 44 years. He has held various key positions, including being a former bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, a chief financial officer at a community bank, a commercial lender at a large regional bank, and serving as president and CEO of two banks. Additionally, he has served as a board member for five banks.

In the past decade, Mr. Colbert has owned and operated a financial consulting services firm called Holisso Hakv, Inc. Through his firm, he has made significant contributions to Indian tribes by assisting ten tribes in acquiring state or nationally chartered banks. Moreover, he has played a crucial role in helping numerous tribes establish Community Development Financial Institutions.

Mr. Colbert’s expertise in matters related to commercial banking and Indian tribes has earned him recognition as an expert in his field. He actively engages in legal, regulatory, and policy matters related to banking, economic and community development, and Federal-Indian policy. As an accomplished author, his published works have contributed to advancing knowledge in his areas of expertise. His expertise also makes him a sought-after speaker and presenter in various forums.

Mr. Colbert recently published his best-selling historical fiction book, Between Two Fires: The Creek Murders and the Birth of the Oil Capital of the World. His author website can be found at www.jdcolbert.com. 

Education-wise, Mr. Colbert holds an undergraduate degree in business management from the University of Oklahoma. Furthermore, he holds master’s degrees from both Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University, further enhancing his qualifications and insights in the field.

J.D. Colbert’s impressive career and dedication to promoting economic and community development among Indian tribes have made a significant and lasting impact on the banking industry and the well-being of Indigenous communities.

The Board

DeAnalisa Jones Phd – Vice-Chairman

DeAnalisa is a extraordinary individual with a diverse and impressive academic background. She belongs to the Muscogee Creek and Cherokee tribes. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the prestigious Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Currently, DeAnalisa is in the final stages of completing her medical training (M.D.) at the Icahn School of Medicine, a testament to her dedication and commitment to the field of medicine. During her journey, she has been supported by a prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Predoctoral F31 Fellowship from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which speaks to her exceptional talent and potential in the biomedical sciences.

Beyond her academic achievements, DeAnalisa is actively involved in various professional and advocacy roles. She serves as a member of the Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS) National Executive Board, showcasing her commitment to supporting Native American representation in the medical field. Furthermore, she is the Founder and President of the ANAMS Chapter at the Icahn School of Medicine, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within her institution.

DeAnalisa’s involvement in the Biophysical Society reflects her interest in exploring the intersection of biology and physics in advancing medical knowledge and research.

Notably, she has also served as a member of the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Student Section Committee on American Indian Affairs, advocating for the needs and interests of American Indian communities within the medical profession.

DeAnalisa’s academic excellence, combined with her active involvement in advocacy and community engagement, highlights her as a shining example of a future medical professional committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others, especially within underrepresented communities.

Gale Justin, PhD

Dr. Gale Justin is the Director of Instructional Technology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is a distinguished educator, known for her innovative work in the field of education. Dr. Justin’s academic background includes a B.A. cum laude from Vassar College, with graduate studies at Yale and the CUNY Graduate School. She holds a Masters of Philosophy in History and a dual Ph.D. in History and English Literature.

Throughout her career, Dr. Justin has held various leadership roles in educational technology and faculty development. She has been involved with institutions like the Pratt Institute, Open Online Academy, Manhattanville College, and Adelphi University. Dr. Justin has also been a faculty member at CCNY, Fordham University, and Manhattanville College, teaching a diverse range of courses, including Medieval History, American History, Women’s History, Native American History, and more.

Her contributions to curriculum development have earned her recognition, receiving awards from the US Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the New York State Council for the Humanities, and CCNY’s President’s Fund for Innovation and Excellence.

Dr. Gale Justin’s expertise and dedication to advancing teaching and learning have made her a valued figure in the field of instructional technology and faculty development.

ANNETTE ARKEKETA-VIDEOGRAPHER

Annette Arkeketa, a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and also of Muscogee Creek heritage, is an accomplished figure in the world of filmmaking. As a versatile talent, she is known as a producer, director, screenwriter, poet, and an advocate for American Indian filmmakers. She founded Hokte Productions Inc., an independent film production house, and has been instrumental in producing significant documentaries that shed light on native history, art, and repatriation. In academia, she has imparted knowledge as an adjunct professor at the Comanche Nation College and has co-founded a film festival that uplifts Native filmmakers. She possesses degrees in Business, English, TV-Film Communications, Marketing, and Digital Cinema Production. Currently, Arkeketa is working on documentary projects, a photography book for her tribe, and contributes as a freelancer to the Good Health TV channel.

Annette Arkeketa: Extended Bio

Background: Annette Arkeketa is an enrolled member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma and also possesses Muscogee Creek lineage.

Professional Expertise: A multi-faceted talent, Arkeketa wears various hats – producer, director, camera operator, screenwriter, poet, and staunch supporter of American Indian filmmakers.

Entrepreneurial Ventures: She is the brain behind Hokte Productions Inc., a renowned independent film and video production company. Here, Arkeketa dons multiple roles from producing, writing, directing, to editing.

Notable Productions: Some of her notable productions include documentaries such as “Chief George” (2009), “PAHDOPONY: See How Deep The Water Is” (2005), “MUH-DU ‘KEE: Put Them Back” (2004), and “INTRINSIC SPIRIT: The Artway of Jimmy Pena” (2002).

Publications: Arkeketa has contributed to significant publications like “Ghost Dance”, “Keepers of the Morning Star: An Anthology of Native Women’s Theatre”, and “Hokti, Stories of Our Way: An Anthology of American Indian Plays”.

Academic Endeavors: Annette has served as an adjunct professor at the Comanche Nation College teaching various courses. Additionally, she was pivotal in establishing and leading the Comanche Nation College Annual Invitational Film Festival for over a decade.

Educational Qualifications: Arkeketa is well-educated, holding a BBA from Central State University (1986), an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University (2002), and an AA in Digital Cinema Production (2018).

Current Projects: Annette is actively working on diverse documentary projects, a photographic chronicle for her tribe, and is freelancing for the Good Health TV channel.

Filmography & Awards: Her impressive filmography showcases her versatility in roles across various productions. She has been awarded the Best Director Native short Documentary at the International Cherokee Film Festival for “Chief George” in 2010.

GANO JIMMESEY PEREZ JR. – GIS/GNSS/GPR Cultural Specialist

Gano Perez Jr. is Kaccvlke (Panther Clan) of Little River Tulsa/New Tulsa & Seminole TP Band on his matrilineal bloodline and for his father’s Mvskoke bloodline he grew up going to Little Cussetah Indian Baptist Church in Sapulpa. His father’s Tribal Town is Locv Pokv-Talsi, Cussetah. Gano is a citizen of the Great Muscogee Nation. He is the GIS/GNSS/GPR Cultural Specialist for Muscogee (Creek) Nation- Historic & Cultural Preservation Department. He loves learning and utilizing the latest systems and methods of Geospatial Information Systems, Science & Technology and Geophysical/Remote Sensing Technologies such as Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) & Magnetometry, Metal Detection, and Archaeometry. He utilizes the collection of Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) or (GPS) Global Positioning Systems data with a Spectra SP20 decimeter accuracy and Post-Processes the data into a Shapefile and/or Geodatabase format within an organized hierarchy of files on a secure server. This data comprises of locations for tribal towns, Mvskoke churches, Mvskoke Cemeteries, Areas of Interest throughout the Southeastern Homelands, points of interest in Mvskoke country Indian Territory, battlefields and forts, and anything else that belongs on the Muscogee National Register of Cultural and Historic Places.

RUSSELL COBB, PhD – Associate Professor

Dr. Russell Cobb is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, known for his expertise in exploring repressed narratives of race, ethnicity, and religion. A prolific writer and radio host, his work has appeared in esteemed media outlets such as Slate, NPR, The New York Times, The Nation, and more.

Among his notable works is the book “The Great Oklahoma Swindle: Race, Religion, and Lies in America’s Weirdest State,” published in 2020, which delves into the complexities of race, religion, and deception within Oklahoma.

Dr. Cobb’s story titled “Heretics” garnered widespread acclaim when it was featured on the radio show This American Life, and later adapted into the Netflix film “Come Sunday.”

Adding to his list of accomplishments, Dr. Cobb received the prestigious 2021 Director’s Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries for his book “The Great Oklahoma Swindle.”

Excitingly, Dr. Cobb’s upcoming book, “The Ghosts of Crook County,” is a true account of a fictional Mvskoke allottee named Tommy Atkins. Set to be published by Beacon Press in the summer of 2024, this new work promises to captivate readers with its insightful exploration of historical themes.

Furthermore, Dr. Cobb is venturing into new territory with his radio show and podcast, “History X,” where he continues his journey of investigating and uncovering intriguing historical topics.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Dr. Russell Cobb’s remarkable endeavors in the world of academia, writing, and media.

The treatment of the Indian race in North America when traditions are handed down and when history is written, will be the most heartless, blackest, ungrateful and cruel pages ever penned by mortal man; it is a pity that our children may read it.

Isparhecher, Former Mvskoke Chief

The Voices of Our Mvskoke Ancestors