Small Town News

Cline honored for work as Indian Elder

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A local resident has been honored by AARP Oklahoma for his work as a Delaware Indian elder.

Raymond Cline was among those recognized at the recent AARP Oklahoma 2010 Indian Elder Honors on Aug. 30 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

"I got a call from AARP a couple weeks ago wanting to know if 1 could attend the banquet in Oklahoma City, and 1 told them it depended on my health, but I'd try to come if J could, "said Cline.

"Next thing I know that (a packet-with the event's program, a medal, his name badge and letter) came in the

mail, lotal surprise and shock to me."

Although unable to attend, Cline, 61, was included in the event's program with a write up and photo.

"Raymond M. Cline, Delaware tribe, has served the Delaware tribe for more than 20 years, currently serving as trust board chairman and as tribal council treasurer. He has been chairman of the community service committee since the creation of the Delaware Trust Board and has implemented programs to assist Delaware tribal members, "the program states.

"In 1 §33, he was the Nowata Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year. Reserves on the board of directors for the Nowata City-County Library, is president of the Nowata Historical Society, Glass

Mansion Museum, chairman of the No'wata Educational Endowment Foundation and the Museum of the for the Shenandoah Valley.

"As chairman of the Nowata Industrial Foundation, Mr. Cline was instrumental in acquiring a location for the new Cherokee Nation Nowata Indian Clinic, "the program concludes.

Cline, who is a member of the Delaware and Cherokee tribes, is quick to point out that finding the clinic's location was an effort of the group and not an individual.

"I spent a lotnf time working on it on my own, sure, but it takes people working together to get things done. I 'm not one for getting sole recognition."

He also isn't sure what prompted the nomination or who submitted his name.

"I really don't have any idea. I just do my job as an elected official. I just try to treat everybody equally and don't fall into some little clique or group, and I do what's good for the whole tribe and not just certain ones, "he said.

"We have seven programs that we run through our trust fund judgments from the BJA. I oversee that, and we serve nationwide. We don't serve just certain counties. If they are a Delaware, we try to help them if they meet the qualifications. As long as they can prove documentation and enrollment, that they are a member of the Delaware tribe, which is headquartered in Bartlesville, we will assist them if they meet the guidelines."

For the tribal council, he serves as treasurer and is preparing to begin his campaign for re-election in November. Cline said he has been serving in an elected capacity for 20 years.

Cline is also a local philanthropist, frequently coming to the aid of causes such as the Nowata Animal Shelter, among others. And he's come full circle by serving as president of the Nowata Historical Society, which is located in the building that once housed the hospital where he was born.

Asked if his age was what put him in the running for AARP's recognition, Cline said he has no idea. But he began his involvement in tribal government when it became apparent there was a misunderstanding about the Delawares.

"It's headquartered in Bartlesville, and there was an administration going on that thought that all the Delawares lived in "Washington County. You known*;, 1 got involved and started going to meetings all the time. When there was a vacancy, I got appointed to the trust board in 1989. I started letting them know Delawares are not just in Washington County, they are all over. I guess I was the thorn in their side until they finally thought 'the only way we're going to get him to shut him up is to put him on a board.'"

Serving in an unpaid position is fine since it's "worthwhile" and "a great job." He also feels it's fun and an honor to serve others. Meetings now take place in Nowata, instead of Bartlesville, even though he misses the down time that came with the drive home from meetings.

"I really don't have any idea who submitted it, but I'm humbled and honored, "he said.

"I just wish I knew who to thank."



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© 2011 Nowata Star Nowata, Oklahoma. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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