Chickasaw Nation announces 2026 Chickasaw Hall of Fame Inductees
ADA, Okla. — Five Chickasaws have been selected for induction into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame April 16. Inductees include a citizen important to the preservation of the Chickasaw language, a distinguished aviator for the United States Marine Corps, an artist and advocate, an athlete and an Air Force veteran who is also an accomplished attorney.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby will lead induction ceremonies.
Geneva Holman, Col. Jessica Owens, Jack Pettigrew, Carlin Thompson and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Deanna Tuley comprise the 2026 class of the Chickasaw Hall of Fame, the highest honor the Chickasaw Nation bestows.
Tuley will be inducted posthumously.
The Chickasaw Hall of Fame ceremony will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 16, in the Ataloa Theatre at the East Central University Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
The event will also be livestreamed at HOF.Chickasaw.net and the Chickasaw Nation Facebook page.
Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductees are:
Geneva Holman
1928 –
Geneva Holman has been integral in the preservation of the Chickasaw language. Through Holman’s work revitalizing the Chickasaw language, she has often been featured in video and audio recordings for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Culture and Humanities and Chickasaw.TV. In 2004, she received the Chickasaw Nation’s Silver Feather Award for her dedication to sharing Chickasaw language and culture. She has been a member of the Chickasaw Language Committee since its inception, and has served as a mentor for many language students and co-authored several books. Holman remains an active member of the Chickasaw Language Committee and her church, Boiling Springs United Methodist.
Colonel Jessica M. Owens, USMC, Retired
1978-
Jessica Owens is a trailblazing aviator and leader whose 24-year career is defined by historic firsts and unwavering dedication to the United States. She is the fifth woman in United States Marine Corps history to fly the AH-1W Super Cobra and subsequently the first to reach the rank of Colonel. Her distinguished combat service includes a 2004 deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom and a 2005-2006 tour in Iraq. Her accolades include the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal with bronze numeral nine, the Navy Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Jackson D. Pettigrew
1942-
Jack Pettigrew is an international artist and First American rights advocate. He was an equal opportunity specialist with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Division of Higher Education within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW) from 1973-1979. He also served as the vice-chairman of the Indian Advisory Council (IAC) from 1974-1979. His artwork includes sculpting, pastels, painting, silversmith work, flute, pipe making and other mixed media. As an artist, his work is featured in galleries and private collections in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as China, Japan, Germany, England and France. His craftmanship is also highlighted in a documentary titled “Spirit Flute: Healing the Heart.”
Carlin Thompson
1953-
Carlin Thompson is a Chickasaw speaker and remarkable athlete who ran track and field for Ada High School. Thompson won individual state championships for three consecutive years and led the team to four state championships. He met the Oklahoma state record with a time of 47.9 in the 440-yard dash. Thompson is an original member of the Chickasaw Language Committee. He has co-authored several books and served in many workshops in Oklahoma and the historic Chickasaw Homeland. Thompson is an inspiration to fellow athletes and consistently shares Chickasaw culture with others. He continues to carry his Chickasaw heritage forward by sharing his language and culture.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Deanna Marie Tuley
1953-2023
Deanna Tuley was a highly decorated Air Force veteran of 20 years, an accomplished attorney and a dedicated leader within the American Red Cross. She was admitted to the bar in four states, as well as the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Virginia and Supreme Court of Colorado. For her service, she received the Superior Service Medal as well as four Meritorious Service Medal awards. In retirement, she bred and trained therapy dogs and rewrote the national Red Cross guidelines for visitation programs. In 2022, she was honored with Fort Carson’s Exemplary Volunteer Service Award.