Meet the Aunties

Francene Monenerkit (Comanche, Crow)

Francene retired from the University of Oklahoma Department of Athletics in 2016 and continues her employment part time.   She has been involved in Indian education since 1976.  She is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, etc and a former tribal official.  She is concerned about the health and  welfare of all people of all nation, and especially those in the Native community.  Her great grandparents and grandparents were products of being removed from their parents and placed in boarding schools where they were forced to give up many of their traditions.  

“I want to be engaged and be relevant in the lives of our indigenous children in their successful quest for a meaningful education, as well as retaining their cultural values.”