Quapaw Nation Donates Bison To Owasso Couple After Theirs Were Found Murdered

An Owasso couple is thrilled after the Quapaw Nation donated them three bison after two of theirs were killed.

The couple says this is a rare gift since the Quapaw don’t sell any of their bison but instead use them as food for the tribe.

When Bill Rethke and Tilda Hensley got the call that someone was willing to donate three bison to them, they couldn’t believe it.

Someone shot and killed two of their bison two weeks ago- which was devastating for Rethke and Hensley.

They say since it happened, people have been offering their support.

"The support's been crazy,” said Rethke. “We've had so many people stop by and give us cards, little jars of candy and stuff, it's been pretty cool."

The Quapaw Nation took that support a step further and decided to donate three of their bison to Rethke and Hensley.

Hensley says she cried because she was so happy and grateful.

"After something like this, you tend to look at all the bad,” said Hensley. “You seek out the bad things because that's what's there in front of you. But for somebody to reach out with an act of kindness like that, like, hey, we understand you're going through this horrible thing, let us help you."

They say it’s pretty rare for the Quapaw Nation to do something like this since they don’t buy or sell their bison.

"I was flattered, I can't believe,” said Rethke. “I ain't ever had anything given to me. For this, it was pretty cool. Cloud nine right now."

"They've had to build up to that,” said Hensley. “So they're not adding into that either. So to take away three from that, it's a huge deal."

To honor where the bison came from, Rethke and Hensley have decided to give them Quapaw names.

"We do have a name for one of them,” said Hensley. “One of the females we picked up, we are going to call her Seeka, which is 'baby girl,' or 'pretty girl,' in Quapaw. So, that's going to be her new name. They're from the Quapaw Nation, they might as well have their names. Make them proud. In a few months, when Bill can feed them out of his hand, they'll have those names, and he'll be standing out there with a big smile."

The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office says no arrests have been made in this case.

Rethke and Hensley are offering a $1,000 reward for information that can lead to an arrest.