Cherokee National Treasure Thelma Vann Forrest passed away at age 84 on Nov. 17, 2024. Originally from Chewey, Oklahoma, in Adair County, she was named a Cherokee National Treasure in 1992 for basketry. She learned the art of basketry from elders of the rural Cherokee community of Kenwood, and Cherokee National Treasure Jennie Sapp was her first teacher. She continued to learn from others and even visited Cherokee, North Carolina, to study techniques from Cherokee elders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

After mastering both flat and round reed basketry in a variety of forms and weaving patterns, Thelma served as a mentor to many others interested in preserving the art form, including her children and grandchildren. She would take them into the woods to gather basket-making materials, including bloodroot and walnut shells for dyes. Today, some of her grandchildren are receiving awards of their own for basketry.

Cherokee National Treasure Lula Mae Elk passed away at age 63 on Nov. 18, 2024. Lula grew up in the Rocky Mountain and Stilwell area, where her native Cherokee language was spoken and traditional medicine was still used in everyday life. She grew fond of the outdoors and its hidden treasures, often taking walks to explore and gather rocks. Lula met her life partner, James Mankiller, on Labor Day weekend at Stokes Ceremonial Grounds, and they spent 40 years together before her passing.

Lula was very involved in traditional Cherokee activities and ceremonies. At Flint Rock Ceremonial Grounds, she often wore her turtle shell shakers and participated in stomp dances, cleansing ceremonies, harvest dances and many other observances in the natural cycle of life. Lula took great pride in fishing, cooking, playing stickball, traditional crafts and sharing the customs of her ancestors with her children. She enjoyed being with her family on the ceremonial grounds. For her, it was more than traditions, ceremonies and rituals—it was a way of life.

Cherokee National Treasure Weynema Smith passed away at age 92 on May 12, 2025, just one day short of her 93rd birthday, surrounded by loved ones. Weynema was born May 13, 1932, in Notchietown, Oklahoma. She had six brothers and seven sisters. She grew up in Gore, within Sequoyah County, and early on began to nurture her love of Cherokee artistry. In 2023, she was recognized as a Cherokee National Treasure, an honor that meant everything to her.

She also loved teaching and working with students at Tenkiller School. She was a grandmother, a member of the DD Etchieson Methodist Church and a singer in the Cherokee Adult Choir.

Cherokee National Treasure Mary Rector Aitson passed away at age 93 on Sept. 19, 2025. She was born Nov. 11, 1931, in Adair County. Mary attended Whitmire School through eighth grade and then graduated from Stilwell High School before earning a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah. She met her husband, Lucius Weeks Aitson, at the university, and they married during their senior year on Valentine’s Day. Mary and Lucius were both educators. She retired from Woodward Public Schools in 1993 after teaching for 38 years.

Retirement for Mary meant returning to her roots and learning to weave Cherokee baskets. She participated in and received awards at various American Indian art markets and exhibits. She spent much of her time weaving traditional honeysuckle and buckbrush baskets with natural dyes. Her works are displayed in the Oklahoma Judicial Center and Cherokee Nation properties, and her baskets are held by collectors around the world.

Mary received numerous awards for her basket weaving, including the “Honored One” recognition from Red Earth in 2018. Most recently, she received the distinguished designation of Cherokee National Treasure in 2025.