Phyllis Fife facts for kids

Phyllis Fife, born in 1948, is a talented artist and educator from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma. She is known for her beautiful paintings and her work in Native American education.

Early Life and Education

Phyllis Fife was born near Dustin, Oklahoma. Her parents were James Fife and Carmen Griffin Fife. She is part of the Raccoon clan and the Tukvpvtce Tribal Town, which are important parts of her Muscogee heritage.

Schooling and College

Phyllis first went to a local school in the countryside. Later, from 1963 to 1966, she attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. This school helps young Native American artists develop their skills.

She then studied at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1970, she moved to the University of Oklahoma. There, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in 1973. This degree is for people who study art.

Advanced Degrees

Phyllis continued her education. She earned a Master of Education degree from Northeastern State University. After that, she received her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from the University of Arkansas. This is a very high degree in education.

Family Life

Phyllis Fife has three daughters.

Art and Fashion Career

Phyllis Fife is a skilled painter. She has shown her artwork in Oklahoma and across the country. She also worked as a fashion designer.

The Fife Collection

Phyllis and her sisters, Sharon Fife Mouss, Sandy Fife Wilson, and Jimmie Carole Fife Stewart, are all artists. They started a fashion company called the Fife Collection. This company was based in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Their designs used styles and patterns from the Southeastern Woodland cultures.

Education Career

Phyllis Fife has dedicated much of her life to teaching. She taught at two universities in Oklahoma: Northeastern Oklahoma State University (NSU) and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Leading Tribal Studies

From 2003 to 2014, Phyllis was the director of the Center for Tribal Studies at NSU. In this role, she helped students learn about Native American cultures and issues. She also helped organize the Symposium of the American Indian for many years. This event brought people together to discuss Native American topics in Tahlequah.

Honors and Awards

In 2013, Phyllis Fife received a special honor. She was inducted into the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Muskoke Hall of Fame. This means she was recognized for her important contributions to her nation and community.