Former Second Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Dies

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The first female to serve as Second Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has died. Shelly Crow was 63 and had been battling health problems for some time.

She passed away on May 23, 2011 at a Tulsa hospital.

Crow served the tribe as 2nd Chief from 1992 to 1996 under the administration of former Principal Chief Bill Fife.

"She was a strong Lady," said Fife, "she always did what she felt was right, and was involved with a lot of health issues that helped our tribe."

Crow's service to the tribe during her tenure as 2nd Chief was not only to the Creek Nation but to Native Americans in general.

Crow had also served in the office of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission in 1993 and was also asked to assist former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in the position of Policy & Evaluation position on the Healthcare Reform Taskforce in the 90's after testifying before Congress on the disparities of American Indian Health.

Crow is survived by her husband John Crow III and one daughter, Leslie and preceded in death by one son, John Crow IV.

Services are pending.