Native American Rights Advocate. 'Uncle Joe Bruner' was the first baby born in Tulsa, Indian Territory (Oklahoma would not become a state until 1907). His parents, Lucy and John Bruner, both full-blooded Creeks came from Alabama when Tulsa was still just a settlement known among the Indians as Lokerbroker, or as they pronounced it, "Lochopoke," Turtle Clan. Ark-tar-yah-cho-chee was the Indian name given to the first baby, born Sept. 20, 1872. Joe Bruner was educated in the Creek national school in Wealaka, and later attended Bacone college at Muskogee. In 1887 he was elected to the "House of Warriors," took office and served in the old Council House in Okmulgee. For six years he was Creek councilman in the House of Kings, resigning in 1903. In 1892 he married Marguerite Elma Dart. They had one daughter, Josephine Esther (now Batese). The Indians call her "Lochochee." She had a son, Stanley. Joseph Bruner was an organizing officer of the American Indian Federation and on June 1, 1934, he became its first president. He not only fought for Indian rights but also was a valiant champion of old tribal customs and traditions. He was a constant battler for Indian self-expression, for a fair share of educational facilities for tribesmen, against discrimination of any kind and against any attempt to dictate financial policies for Indians, individually or collectively. He publicly advocated abolishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He made many trips to Washington on behalf of Indian rights and his relations with the Interior department often were less than cordial as he entered into warm debate with agencies governing tribal matters.
Native American Rights Advocate. 'Uncle Joe Bruner' was the first baby born in Tulsa, Indian Territory (Oklahoma would not become a state until 1907). His parents, Lucy and John Bruner, both full-blooded Creeks came from Alabama when Tulsa was still just a settlement known among the Indians as Lokerbroker, or as they pronounced it, "Lochopoke," Turtle Clan. Ark-tar-yah-cho-chee was the Indian name given to the first baby, born Sept. 20, 1872. Joe Bruner was educated in the Creek national school in Wealaka, and later attended Bacone college at Muskogee. In 1887 he was elected to the "House of Warriors," took office and served in the old Council House in Okmulgee. For six years he was Creek councilman in the House of Kings, resigning in 1903. In 1892 he married Marguerite Elma Dart. They had one daughter, Josephine Esther (now Batese). The Indians call her "Lochochee." She had a son, Stanley. Joseph Bruner was an organizing officer of the American Indian Federation and on June 1, 1934, he became its first president. He not only fought for Indian rights but also was a valiant champion of old tribal customs and traditions. He was a constant battler for Indian self-expression, for a fair share of educational facilities for tribesmen, against discrimination of any kind and against any attempt to dictate financial policies for Indians, individually or collectively. He publicly advocated abolishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He made many trips to Washington on behalf of Indian rights and his relations with the Interior department often were less than cordial as he entered into warm debate with agencies governing tribal matters.
Bio by: Wayne Sampson
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