Juanita L. Learned facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juanita L. Learned
|
|
|---|---|
Learned in 1970
|
|
| Born |
Juanita Howling Buffalo
September 6, 1930 |
| Died | August 26, 1996 (aged 65) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
|
| Other names | Juanita Lincoln Learned |
| Occupation | Cheyenne-Arapaho chair |
| Years active | 1965–1993 |
| Children | 10 |
Juanita L. Learned was a very important leader for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. She was the first woman to become their tribal chair. Juanita was a Southern Arapaho woman. She worked hard to protect the Concho Indian School. She also helped her tribe get back land and buildings at Fort Reno.
Juanita Learned's Early Life and Schooling
Juanita Howling Buffalo was born on September 6, 1930. Her birthplace was near Canton, in Blaine County, Oklahoma. Her mother was Rose Howling Buffalo. Juanita's family belonged to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma. They were part of the Southern Arapaho people.
She grew up on her grandparents' farm. Her grandparents were Howling Buffalo and Crazy Wolf. Juanita went to the Concho Indian School. Later, she continued her studies at the Haskell Institute.
After finishing school, Juanita joined the Women's Army Corps. While serving in South Carolina, she met John W. Learned. He was in the United States Marine Corps. They got married in 1953. After their military service, they moved back to Oklahoma. They had 10 children together.
Juanita Learned's Leadership Career
In 1965, Juanita Learned ran for a spot on the Cheyenne-Arapaho Business Committee. Her votes were not counted at first. She went to court to make sure her votes were included. The court agreed with her. A new election was held in 1966. Juanita and two other women won seats on the council.
She was re-elected in 1970. That year, she served as the tribal treasurer. She also represented Native Americans at a big meeting in Washington, D.C. This meeting celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the US Department of Labor's Women's Division.
Juanita helped start Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity. She founded this group with LaDonna Harris. The group worked to help tribes in Oklahoma deal with poverty. In 1971, Juanita became the director of this organization.
She returned to tribal politics in 1977. She was re-elected to the business committee. From 1982 to 1992, she served without a break. In 1982, she became the first woman to be the tribal chair. She served for two years in this important role.
During her time as chair, she led protests. These protests were against closing the Concho Indian School. She even got a court order to try and stop the closure. Even though they tried hard, the school closed in 1983. But in 1985, the school buildings were given back to the tribe.
Juanita became tribal chair again in 1988. She served until 1990. In 1990, she was also chosen to lead the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Commission. She went to Washington, D.C., with other tribal leaders. They worked to get back the land and buildings of Fort Reno. The military had left Fort Reno in 1948. The land was then given to the Department of Agriculture.
In 1991, Juanita was asked to join an advisory board. This board helped reorganize the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The next year, she joined the board of the Oklahoma Institute of Indian Heritage. This group helped develop Native American tourism in Oklahoma.
Juanita Learned's Later Life and Legacy
Juanita Learned passed away on August 26, 1996. She died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Many of her children followed in her footsteps. Two of her sons, Brent and Matt, became artists. Her son John helped start the Great Plains Indian Center. He became its executive director in Kansas City, Missouri.
