01-06-2025
Native American Veteran reunited with gifted artwork after more than 30 years
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As storms pass and years roll by, some stories wait to unfold until all the right paths cross.
After 30 years, a veteran is reunited with a painting gifted to him by an Oklahoma Native American Icon, after it was discovered in a damaged storage unit by an Oklahoma lawmaker.
'It says, 'To Eugene Big Soldier' said Senator Mary Boren (D-Norman).
Senator Boren stumbled upon this work of art created by a legend.
'And then it says 'Senator Kelly Enoch Haney,'' said Boren.
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You know the late Haney as a former Oklahoma Senator, Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation, and, of course, an artist.
His statue, 'The Guardian,' stands on top of our state's capitol.
'I felt like it was a responsibility,' said Boren.
Boren's late mother was also an artist. She collected pieces of meaning.
After a move to Norman, her treasures were put into a storage unit, only to be hit by a tornado. A crack in the glass on the frame serves as evidence of the storm.
While Boren's family sifted through the rubble, this painting emerged.
'My sisters asked me, 'Do you know who this artist is?' And I said, 'Absolutely!'' said Boren.
This gift was to Eugene Big Soldier. But, who was that?
'I put a post on social media saying, 'Does anyone know who this person is?'' said Boren.
That's where the third artist in this story enters, Marci Black, Big Soldier's sister.
While working on a painting of her brother, she searched his name on Facebook and stumbled upon Boren's query.
That led to Thursday's surprise reunion.
'Oh, my gosh!' said Big Soldier as he entered the room.
'My mother was an artist, and she found this,' said Boren.
'Wow!' said Big Soldier.
Big Soldier said the painting was a gift from Haney after he returned home from the Gulf War in 1991.
'I can remember this day vividly,' said Big Soldier.
He hasn't seen it since.
'I had a lot of a lot of problems transitioning,' said Big Soldier.
'I'm just really thankful that I made it home. I'm really grateful to you all and your mother in particular,' said Big Soldier to Boren.
'She's in Heaven now, with Kelley Haney. I bet they both concocted this, looking down and smiling,' said Boren.
Two paths meant to cross and to celebrate a man who lives up to his family name of Big Soldier.
'If we moved and were going on a buffalo hunt, they would be in the back making sure no one was left behind,' said Black.
Also celebrating a connection that a storm could not silence.
'He deserves all the goodness in the world,' said Black.
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