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May 27, 2009

CHEROKEE CHAT — Remembering Clem McSpadden

By Cara Cowan-Watts, Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor District 7, Will Rogers

May 27, 2009 — This past weekend, I had the privilege of participating in the inaugural cattle drive honoring and remembering Clem McSpadden.

It is one of those days which I will never forget and talk about 50 years from now.

For more than five hours, I rode my paint horse, Tsu da da tli (More than one spot - in Cherokee), also known as Spot along Route 66 from Clem’s Bushyhead ranch to the Claremore Round-Up Club rodeo arena. Myself and approximately 50 other riders drove 66 longhorns about 12 miles.

By the time we reached our chuck wagon lunch, my body felt all 35 years of wear and tear. Makes you wonder how they used to fair when driving cattle across multiple states when it was a necessity.

Clem McSpadden meant a lot of things to a lot of people including the Cherokee Nation and myself. His family has a legacy of service to the Tribe including his brother, Bob McSpadden, who served on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council.

Clem’s wife, Donna, continues to serve us all in the community and remember her husband’s great works. After a brief moment of prayer, Donna opened the gates at Bushyhead where the rider less horse took the lead. The next five hours was a sight to see on Route 66 and the streets of Claremore which likely gave Clem quite a chuckle as he watched from up above. Special thanks to Donna McSpadden, the 63rd Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo Committee and Claremore Round-up Club who made the “only in Oklahoma” experience possible.

Donna’s gracious presence in the community we each grieve the loss of Clem and remember what he meant to us is appreciated by so many.

The tribute Saturday night at the annual rodeo which Clem so loved brought tears to my eyes. In many ways, Clem still lives on throughout the community. To learn more about the Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo and Claremore Round-up Club, go to willrogersstampede.com.

Many of our Cherokee citizens helped found and continue to participate in the club and rodeo. To contact the Tribe, call (918) 453-5000. The operator will connect you with the appropriate department.

Tribal programs and services are administered by the Chief’s staff at the Tribal Complex. Tribal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Save a trip to Tahlequah by using the Tribe’s Internet tools at www.cherokee.org.

Almost all applications are available online to print from home. If you have questions, issues or concerns about the Cherokee Nation government, please email me at cara@caracowan.com or write me at P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, OK 74018.

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