Bloodlines: Tales of Indigenous Women

Julie O'Keefe, a wardrobe consultant and designer from the Osage Nation, has played a vital role in bridging Oklahoma's rich Native American heritage with the modern film industry. Most notably, Julie contributed to the wardrobe design for Killers of the Flower Moon, bringing the indigenous culture and history of the Osage people to life on screen. Julie’s deep connection to her Osage roots and her passion for preserving native traditions have shaped her career. 

Born in Puska, Oklahoma, Julie’s career path took her to Washington D.C. before eventually returning to Tulsa in 2018. Her love for history, culture, and storytelling has fueled her desire to share the stories of her people through film. “I’m a citizen of the Osage Nation,” she explains. “Growing up in Puska, I learned the importance of preserving our culture and heritage, and now I get to contribute to telling those stories on the big screen.” 

While working as a wardrobe consultant for Killers of the Flower Moon, Julie brought an invaluable understanding of the Osage culture, especially when it came to authentic costume design. Her involvement in the project is a testament to the importance of Native voices in the industry, as she helped guide the wardrobe choices to ensure accuracy and respect for historical details.

Osiyo! I’m Tara McCoin Gibson, a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. I was born and raised in Afton, Oklahoma, where I also raised my family. Growing up, I always knew I was Cherokee and heard stories from relatives about our ancestors, but it wasn’t until high school—when I received the Tsa-La-Gi Award—that my curiosity deepened and I began to explore what being Cherokee truly meant to me. For 22 years, I worked with the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations through Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. During that time, I had the honor of working alongside tribal members from across Indian Country and Alaska. Those years shaped me deeply, allowing me to form lifelong friendships and develop my identity as a Cherokee woman through the wisdom, strength, and shared experiences of Indigenous women from many nations. 

Today, I work with Indian Health Service at the Wewoka Service Unit. Although healthcare was not part of my original life plan, this work has shown me just how vital it is to the sustainability and wellbeing of our Native people. I primarily serve members of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and continue to learn through immersion in their culture and community. I am the proud mother of two children, Bryce Gibson and Natalie Gardenhigh, and I am blessed with “adopted” children, Gage Brenam and Natia Vester. I am also a grandmother—“Nammy”—to three of my greatest blessings: Clara Gardenhigh, Jaxon Vester, and Tyler Vester. Our family is a beautiful blend of Cherokee, Choctaw, and Modoc cultures. 

One of my favorite quotes, from Wilma Mankiller, reminds me why stories like ours matter: “Remember that I am just a woman who is living a very abundant life. Every step I take forward is on a path paved by strong Indian women before me.”

Pat Petsemoie is a Cherokee Native who is originally from NE Oklahoma and resides in SE OK. 

She is a Ventriloquist and has been sharing her monkey puppet for 26 years now this past July! “Pat & Perry” have shared the Good News all over OK and in NM, AR and SD. Singing since the age of 3, she serves as the SS Nursery Teacher and Worship Leader of the Ada First Indian Baptist Church where she planted the WinGs Group for the women. (Women in Gods Service). She currently serves on the Indian Falls Creek Board of Directors making this the 7th year as Director of Children’s Education and Assistant Business Manager/Treasurer.  

Pat has been a member of the Native Praise Choir for 16 years. The Choir wear their traditional dresses as they lift up the name of Jesus in 3 different Native languages. They represent 15 Tribes and 26 Churches all located in OK. Last summer they  returned from a ten day seven state bus tour as they celebrated 25 years of Ministry. 

From 2021-2023 Pat Directed the Native American Women Conference held in Rapid City, SD and in 2024 with the help of OKTeamJesus it was brought to Pawnee, OK and was a huge success with women coming as far as Albuquerque NM to attend. 

This November she and husband Roger will celebrate 39 years of marriage. Pat is a mother of 3 and has 7 grandchildren. Her heart and passion is in sharing Jesus through laughter, testimony, song and scripture with the help of 2 little monkeys named Perry & Piper. Piper was added in Feb. of 2025. 

Darla Howe Pierce is the creative director and owner of Artsy Designz. She is an inspired innovator, branding strategist, and graphic designer focusing on creative enthusiasm to inspire. She combines a broad range of creative visuals and development with B2B/B2C marketing. Her wish is to combine knowledge and experience designing creative aesthetic for clients and their audiences. She enjoys engaging customers with a collaboration of a memorable visual brand. Darla develops long term relationships with clients gaining their trust and respect receiving 100% referrals with a waiting list for future projects. Her earlier career includes roles as producer, editor, videographer, and writer on the television production of “This Generation”, and “Eastman Curtis Live”. 

Former director of Muscular Dystrophy Associations, and a Human Resources Generalist and Editor for Eagle Communications International. Darla continues her quest seeking knowledge as a Certified Administrator of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Darla is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, emphasis in Radio/Television/Film. She studied Graphic Design at Tulsa Community College. Darla is deeply proud of her Native American heritage as a tribal member of the Ottawa Tribe, honoring the legacy and resilience of her ancestors who have passed down rich traditions and culture. She is also a proud mom and brand new grandmother.

Her email is: [email protected]

Gena Price is a member of the Cherokee tribe and was raised in the Tulsa/Claremore, Oklahoma area.  She move to Houston, Texas in her Junior year of high school, where she met her husband Chris. Gena  and Chris have been married for 43 years. She is a proud mother and grandmother of two children, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  They moved their family to Cleveland,  Oklahoma in 1992  to follow a dream of owning and operating a restaurant. She has since owned two restaurants, and a Christian bookstore. Gena works for the John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and makes her home in Collinsville.

Her email is:    [email protected]

Sherri Mount, holds an A.A. degree in Accounting from NEO A&M College and a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Tulsa. She joined our team in January 1994. Sherri specializes in leasing and consumer/commercial loans.  Sherri is a proud grandmother, who loves spending time on her farm.   

Website: Welch State Bank | Community Banking Made for You

Email: [email protected]

Lynda Kay Sawyer is a multidisciplinary artist (photography, jewelry, writing, filmmaking), devoted to preserving and inspiring appreciation for First American Native history and culture, featuring her Choctaw heritage. She creates art based on stories handed down and extensive research.    

Her photography depicts the Chahta spirit in people, artifacts, nature, and historical places. She captures images from the mountaintops where the last strain of Choctaw horses roamed, to the faces of those keeping the spirit alive today. Her photos have been published in national magazines and on the book covers of Touch My Tears and Anumpa Warrior: Choctaw Code Talkers of WWI, and coincide with historical fiction books by author Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Photographing images across the United States, Lynda Kay views the world through her camera lens by the light of her Christian faith in the Creator. 

Inspired to preserve and honor the legacy and faith of her ancestors, Lynda Kay's jewelry designs tells their stories. With imagistic form, coordinate colors and creative stories, she journeys through the lives of her forebears. 

As a filmmaker, Lynda Kay had the opportunity of producing an artist profile documentary for the Artist Leadership Program of the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institute. Producing short films to hone her skills, she hopes to immortalize her ancestors' dedication to future generations by putting their stories on the big screen.

Lynda Kay Sawyer is a registered artist of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. You can discover her work at ChoctawSpirit.com

Lindsay Hickey is a proud member of the Quapaw Nation and has been with O-Gah-Pah Coffee for four years, where she manages operations with a focus on community and cultural pride. Lindsay is dedicated to creating an environment that reflects both her heritage and her passion for connecting people through quality service and genuine relationships. Known for her welcoming nature, she is always ready with a smile and a cup of coffee, ensuring that everyone feels like part of the community. 

Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, cherishing the balance and joy of family life. She loves participating in powwows, where she connects with herculture and community through traditional dance.

Lindsay is committed to contributing to the well-being of those around her, both at O-Gah-Pah Coffee and in herbroader community.

Email: [email protected]

Rosanna Dobbs is a Peoria Tribal citizen and currently serves her tribe as the Second Chief since 2021.  She is a wife, mother of 3, and a grandmother of 5. As a lifelong resident of Miami, Oklahoma, she has worked for local Native American tribes for 26 years in various capacities including grant writing, social services, and natural resources. Her focus as Second Chief of the Peoria Tribe is preserving the history, fostering the language and culture, and enriching the present for a future that not only serves but empowers the citizens for years to come.

Hollie Wall Dalenberg is a member of the Cherokee Nation. She was born in Tulsa, and went on to get her BS in Molecular Biology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO and then her MS in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a thesis focused on honey bee health. In 2021 she moved back to Tulsa, OK with her husband and two small children. Now she works at John 3:16 Mission as the entomologist on staff for the Refuge Farm and BeeLoved Trading Company. Her focus is on regenerative agriculture and sustainable beekeeping practices that benefit the most vulnerable members of our community

Email: Hollie Wall Dalenberg [email protected]