Enoch Kelly Haney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enoch Kelly Haney
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| Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma | |
| In office 2005–2009 |
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| Member of the Oklahoma Senate | |
| In office 1986–2002 |
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| Constituency | 50th, 28th districts |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office 1980–1986 |
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| Preceded by | Ronald G. Sheppard |
| Succeeded by | Jim Morgan |
| Constituency | 28th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1940 Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | April 23, 2022 (aged 81) Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Nationality | United States Seminole Nation |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Bacone College Oklahoma City University University of Arizona |
| Occupation | Artist, Politician |
Enoch Kelly Haney (born November 12, 1940 – died April 23, 2022) was an amazing American politician and a world-famous artist. He was a member of both the Seminole and Muscogee tribes from Oklahoma.
Haney served as the leader (called Principal Chief) of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma from 2005 to 2009. Before that, he worked in the Oklahoma Legislature, helping to make laws for the state. He also created a huge bronze statue called The Guardian that sits on top of the Oklahoma State Capitol building. Another one of his statues is at the Chickasaw Nation headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma.
Haney also ran for the job of Governor of Oklahoma in the 2002 election.
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Enoch Kelly Haney's Early Life and Learning
Enoch Kelly Haney was born on November 12, 1940, in Seminole, Oklahoma. His parents were William Woodrow Haney and Hattie Louise Haney. His father was a skilled craftsman who made flutes.
Enoch's grandfather, Willie Haney, was also important. He shared stories for the Smithsonian Institution's oral history project. He also served as Chief of the Seminole Tribe in the 1940s.
Haney finished Prairie Valley High School in Earlsboro, Oklahoma in 1959. He then earned a degree from Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Later, he got another degree from Oklahoma City University. He also studied at the University of Arizona with a special scholarship.
He served in the Oklahoma National Guard. In 1972, he was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America. Before he became a politician, he worked as a Methodist minister.
Enoch Kelly Haney's Political Career
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Before becoming the Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma in 2005, Haney was a state senator. He served in the Oklahoma Senate from 1986 to 2002. During this time, he led the Senate Appropriations Committee. This committee helps decide how the state's money is spent.
From 1980 to 1986, he was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. In his second term, he became the Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Enoch Kelly Haney was the first full-blood Native American to serve in either house of the Oklahoma Legislature.
Earlier in his career, he worked for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He was a tribal councilman and a band chief. He also helped the tribe as a business consultant and planner.
In 2002, Haney ran for governor of Oklahoma. He was part of the Democratic Party's primary election. He finished third in that election.
Enoch Kelly Haney's Artistic Career
Besides his work in politics, Haney was a famous Native American artist. He was known for his paintings and sculptures. He used oil, acrylic, and watercolor paints, and he also drew with pastels. He was also skilled at making sculptures from bronze.
Haney's art was shown all over the United States. It was also displayed in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Switzerland. The Five Civilized Tribes Museum recognized him as a Master Artist in 1976.
His most famous artwork is "The Guardian." This is a 22-foot bronze sculpture that sits on top of the Oklahoma State Capitol dome. Haney used his own family members as models for "The Guardian." It took him 10 months to create, weighs 4,000 pounds, and was put in place on June 7, 2002. Seven smaller copies of the statue are located around Oklahoma.
Other important sculptures by Haney include the "Chickasaw Warrior." This statue is at the Chickasaw Nation headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma. He also created the "Standing His Ground" sculpture at Seminole State College in Seminole, Oklahoma. A painting by Haney, called "The Earth and I are One," is also shown at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Other Accomplishments
Enoch Kelly Haney also had his own weekly television program, which he produced and hosted. He also worked on a 1993 TV show called "How the West was Lost" for the Discovery Channel. He narrated parts of the Seminole series and was a consultant for it.
He taught at Oklahoma City University. He also owned his own art gallery, called Haney, Inc.
See also
