Sally Tuttle, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, was shocked when she moved to Indiana and found out there was no local Bureau of Indian Affairs office.

So she set to work on raising awareness of Indians and their issues in the state. Now, 30 years later, she is celebrating the creation of the first Native American Indian Affairs Commission, a 17-member body recently appointed by the governor.

Tuttle isn't a member of the commission but she is hosting a pow-wow to thank the lawmakers who supported it and to continue to educate others about Indians.

Get the Story:
American Indian women's contributions often overlooked (The Indianapolis Star 9/14)

Relevant Documents:
Executive Order on Native American Indian Affairs Commission (October 2003)