Saturday, January 27, 2007
Mamie D. Bohay (Boosay-Tahn-mah) 1931-2007
These children all are great grandchildren of Mamie Bohay. This picture was taken during the 2006 Exposition. I will be posting more pictures that touch on Mamie.Mammie Daugomah Bohay, 76, Anadarko, Oklahoma was born January 7, 1931 in Carnegie, Oklahoma. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, January 18, 2007 in Anadarko, OK, with her family at her side. Mamie was born to Celia Lonewolf and James W. Daugomah, who preceded her in death. She married Phil Ragan Bohay, Sr. on June 22, 1953 in Los Angeles, CA., and he preced her in death on July 3, 1983.
Mamie was a full-blood member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and attended Cedar Creek United Methodist Church in Carnegie. Mamie atended schools at Riverside Indian School and Haskell Institute and graduated from Carnegie High School in 1948. She attended Cal State-Los Angeles and received her bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1985. She and Phil Lived in Los Angeles from 1953 to 1983. Mamie served as the Chair Of The National Congress of American Indians Rules and Credentials Committee, which oversees and determines tribal eligibility for the national tribal membership in the organization.
Her commitment was in honor of her father, Mr, James Daugoma, who served on the Kiowa Comanche and Apache Tribal Council and was a founding member of the organization. She served on the Board Of Directors of the Los Angeles Indian Center, Treasurer of the AMerican Indian Exposition Board, Kiowa Housing Authority Comomissioner, Two terms as Secretary of the Kiowa Business Committee, National Congress of American Indians Tribal Delegate to the White House Conference on the National Indian Education Association and was a member of the American War Mother's Kiowa Chapter 18.
Mamie received many recognitions and honors for her community involvement. She was selected for the Native American/Alaskan Women's Resource Guide, received the Outstanding CETA participant National Award, Title II, Anadarko Agency Employee Awards, State of Oklahoma Award of Recognition, Women in Tribal Government and Women in Indian Country 2006.
Great Grandma Bohay is and always will be loved by our granddaughter, Iris Beth Traughber-Hill. At the time of Mamie's death, Iris and her mother, Ragan, were living with Mamie. Iris read her personal thoughts at the traditional prayer service in Carnegie. We all miss Mamie forever as she has touched all of our lives.
In Honor of
Mamie Daugomah Bohay
8 - Children
Dawn Cecille Toyekoyah, Anadarko, OK
Beth Anne Gooday, Anadarko, OK
Russell Bohay, Anadarko, OK
Bennett Earl "B.E." Daugomah, Anadarko, OK
Dina Mattie Gooday, Apache, OK.
Debra Campos, Norwalk, CA.
Steve James Bohay, Long Beach, CA.
Steve James Bohay, Jr. Fresno, CA.
one daughter-in-law
Mary Alice (Kaulity) Bohay, Lawton, OK
two Adopted daughters:
Dr. Maria Mithlo, Cache, OK
Ms. Kim Pecore of Stockbridge Muncie Community Wisconsin
And one adopted son,
Gene Ray Ahboah of California
Two sisters:
Juanita Mae Ahtone, Carnegie, OK
Vena Mattie Beaver, Carnegie, OK
One brother,
Ronald Dawes Twohatchet, Lawton, OK
36 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Marcella and I attended the prayer service, the night before Grandma's funeral. What stood out to me was that all of her children knew the importance of an education. We moved back down to Anadarko in 1978, so Mamie moved back in 1983, which, of course, is five years earlier. I point that out because it is significant.
The year I moved to Anadarko, I was the 5th and 6th grade counselor, and, the only elementary counselor. Our Media Center lady wanted to do something special in November for American Indian month, ... with Thanksgiving. I suggested that we could use the library corners as 4 stations where some part of the American Indian Tradition could be taught, eg. metal works, wood carving, rock carving, pottery, ... etc.. There were those teachers in our building who suggested that it would never work, because the presenters would expect to be paid. But, it was worth a try since I had been involved in several Career Education Fairs in Kansas.
I quickly had 4 displayers, but then I began to get calls from others willing to get involved in the prospect, and as I received others, they would give me knew names. Within 2 days, I realized that only our gymnasium could hold the displays, and I had a commitment from the high school American Indian Club to spend the day at the gym presenting dances. I realized, too, that as the commitments started piling up, this first-ever Indian Heritage Fair had burgeoned so fast that it was an event that had already out-grew our two grades. We needed to open it up to all schools in Anadarko and invite the surrounding schools. Steps done.
The invitations to other schools, and I even sent an invitation to all the TV stations in Oklahoma City. The day before the event, I received a call from Channel 9 and wondered when was the best time to come down. I suggested 1:30 to 2:00. The doors opened the next morning and we waited to happens.
I made guest book for all presenters as well as schools outside of Anadarko, in case they showed up. With invitation time scheduled at 9:00, we had exhibitors setting up just after 8 PM. By 11:00 AM, we had 35 exhibitors and children from other schools either walked down or brought buses on a pre-arranged schedule. The event was a huge success. Nearly 2,000 students showed up and 10 represented school systems had sent their students. The amazing thing is that once our Indian community became involved, I became secondary. Dixon Palmer and the high school Indian Club took over the event and Dixon quickly became the spokesman. Dancers were scheduled every hour, and men with big cameras came in ready to film - Channel 9!
The news anchors asked Dixon to step outside and answer questions about Indian Heritage. All I did was sat back and was blown away. By 2:30 it was over and my head was dizzy from watching the event happen. Now, you might ask what this has to do with Mamie. Well, ... lots.
Mamie moved back to Anadarko in 1983, and that could have been the next to the last year we held one. Mamie would have supported it. She would have had her own table, with a lawn chair sitting next to her display and talking to all the students as they passed by. I had nothing to do with the fair happenings. Some of the exhibitors would ask the classes to sit down in front of them as they talked. Other exhibitors had brought dollar items to sell. By 2:00 PM, they had sold out. Exhibitors showed up, who weren't even invited.
Marcella says that Mamie had her "ways?" She could discern what Marcella was thinking about before she asked a question. All of her children are educated and intelligent. Mamie didn't have to tell her children to become successful, it was inbedded in her DNA. The times I talked to her the most, was at July 4th gatherings at Carnegie. The Bohays had their own tent, and Beth, Iris's grandma jumped right in from the day Iris was born, began learning about Indian heritage. Iris was dancing with her own dress just after she learned to walk. You can see pictures at my website www.dalehill.us. Iris was always in the Exposition Parade.
Darrin and Jill take an active parental role with Iris, as does Ragan, her mother, and Grandma Beth. As I stared at the leaflet handed out, I was shocked to see how much Iris's grandmother looks like her mother at the same age.
In Honor of
Mamie Daugomah Bohay
8 - Children
Dawn Cecille Toyekoyah, Anadarko, OK
Beth Anne Gooday, Anadarko, OK
Russell Bohay, Anadarko, OK
Bennett Earl "B.E." Daugomah, Anadarko, OK
Dina Mattie Gooday, Apache, OK.
Debra Campos, Norwalk, CA.
Steve James Bohay, Long Beach, CA.
Steve James Bohay, Jr. Fresno, CA.
one daughter-in-law
Mary Alice (Kaulity) Bohay, Lawton, OK
two Adopted daughters:
Dr. Maria Mithlo, Cache, OK
Ms. Kim Pecore of Stockbridge Muncie Community Wisconsin
And one adopted son,
Gene Ray Ahboah of California
Two sisters:
Juanita Mae Ahtone, Carnegie, OK
Vena Mattie Beaver, Carnegie, OK
One brother,
Ronald Dawes Twohatchet, Lawton, OK
36 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
I will find more pictures to put up. This blog is dedicated to Mamie Daugomah Bohay. Grandma, we already miss you. All I ask of my 4 kids is to make a difference, and they have grabbed the golden ring, just as Mamie's family members have. All of them.
(I will be adding a more complete biography as my back gives me time. Also, other pictures will be placed on this blog in Mamie's honor.) - okharpman
# posted by Papa Dale @ 8:41 PM 
