CNO tribal member among 40 Native elders honored by AARP Oklahoma

The 14th annual AARP Oklahoma Native American Elder Honors event honored 40 Native American elders from 20 Oklahoma tribal nations for their achievements, community service and impact.

The ceremony was held in Oklahoma City at the First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd., November 12, 2022.

Choctaw tribal member Jacque Gray, Ph.D., was recognized during the event for her accomplishments.

Dr. Gray has worked with tribes throughout Indian Country for 40 years in health, education, counseling and program development.

Dr. Gray earned a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Technology from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate in applied behavioral studies from Oklahoma State University.

She also has experience in policy work and advocacy through testimony in Congress on suicide among American Indian youth, funding for Indian Health Service, addressing elder abuse in Indian Country, serving on the Health and Human Services Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages, and other health disparity related issues.

Dr Gray developed a rural crisis intervention program and an adolescent suicide prevention program in Oklahoma that have been adopted across the state and began the first viable divorced parent education program in Oklahoma.

These are only a few of Dr. Gray’s many accomplishments.