{"id":35958,"date":"2024-02-21T15:29:39","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T20:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=35958"},"modified":"2024-02-21T15:41:54","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T20:41:54","slug":"we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/21\/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Nex\u2019s death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people&#8217;: Choctaw Nation mourns loss of young student"},"content":{"rendered":" <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/21\/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student\/olympus-digital-camera-12\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-35970\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-attachment-id=\"35970\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/21\/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student\/olympus-digital-camera-12\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/21\/OwassoOklahoma.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Owasso, Oklahoma\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Owasso, Oklahoma&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A view of Owasso, Oklahoma. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/pixelpackr\/431278610\/&gt;Janice Waltzer&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/21\/OwassoOklahoma-1024x768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/21\/OwassoOklahoma.jpg\" alt=\"Owasso, Oklahoma\"   class=\"size-full wp-image-35970\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\"> A view of Owasso, Oklahoma. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/pixelpackr\/431278610\/>Janice Waltzer<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">&#8216;Nex\u2019s death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people&#8217;<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"h5-responsive sub\"> Choctaw Nation mourns loss of young student<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Wednesday, February 21, 2024<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nThe leader of the <a href=https:\/\/www.choctawnation.com\/>Choctaw Nation<\/a> is joining an outpouring of support for the family of a <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/heartbroken-leader-of-cherokee-nation-mourns-death-of-young-student\/\">16-year-old student<\/a> whose <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/teen-students-death-under-investigation-in-oklahoma\/\">death is being investigated in Oklahoma<\/a>.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nNex Benedict passed away on February 8, following a physical altercation at a high school the day prior. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ChiefGaryBatton\/\">Chief Gary Batton<\/a> confirmed that the young student&#8217;s mother is enrolled with the Choctaw Nation.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n\u201cThe loss of a child is always difficult for a community and a family to accept,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/indianz\/status\/1760389300946890925\">Batton said in a statement<\/a> on Wednesday.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n&#8220;Although Nex does not appear to be affiliated with our tribe, their mother, Sue Benedict, is a registered member,&#8221; Batton continued. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\n&#8220;Nex\u2019s death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people. We pray Nex\u2019s family and their loved ones will find comfort,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/indianz\/status\/1760389302469427319\">Batton concluded<\/a>.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;Nex\u2019s death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people. We pray Nex\u2019s family and their loved ones will find comfort,&quot; Chief Batton of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/choctawnationOK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ChoctawNationOK<\/a> concluded. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NexBenedict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NexBenedict<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Oklahoma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Oklahoma<\/a><\/p>&mdash; indianz.com (@indianz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/indianz\/status\/1760389302469427319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 21, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nNex&#8217;s death has directed widespread attention to Oklahoma, where Republican officials have increasingly adopted policies hindering the rights and freedoms of Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people.  Sue Benedict has embraced her child&#8217;s gender identity and has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/dagny-benedict\">vowed to donate funds<\/a> to other youth experiencing some of the same struggles.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nTwo Spirit and LGBTQ+ advocates incorrectly identified Nex as being a citizen of the <a href=https:\/\/cherokee.org\/>Cherokee Nation<\/a>, whose reservation borders that of the Choctaw Nation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/our-government\/executive-branch\/principal-chief-chuck-hoskin-jr\/\">Cherokee Chief Hoskin Jr.<\/a> expressed support for  the Benedict family on Tuesday. \r\n<P><\/P>\r\n\u201cAs Chief, the health and welfare of all children within the Cherokee Nation Reservation is of concern,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid0Bgrnf56ijst336oR8LvJ26JaXJSB8V3kkJtZhuwJ1z3YsXT1LGApXm6SxFzT9ojpl\">Hoskin said<\/a> in a statement.\r\n<P><\/P><div class=\"mt-1 mb-1\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8411603009680747\" data-ad-slot=\"6394965691\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div><P><\/P>\r\nNex attended Owasso High School in Owasso, located on the Cherokee Reservation.\r\nLocal authorities are investigating the death and have said they will forward the results of the investigation to prosecutors in Tulsa County for potential action.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nHoskin has offered the support of the  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/all-services\/marshal-service\/\">Cherokee Nation Marshal Service<\/a>  as the investigation continues. The Owasso Police Department indicated in a <a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid07hLK7R4WbSZ9TXq9ec2x2f8TE6ngk1gRbVNFG3zsweZ8PS5YtLiC2DGv2Ensf7nUl&#038;id=100064599824990>statement on Tuesday<\/a> that interviews would be taking place &#8220;over the course of the next two weeks.&#8221;\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<a href=https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/governor\/about\/governor.html>Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt<\/a> (R), a Republican who happens to be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has not spoken publicly about the death. He has repeatedly <a href=https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/governor\/newsroom\/newsroom\/2023\/december2023\/governor-stitt-signs-anti-discrimination-executive-order--takes-.html>derided efforts to address diversity, equity and inclusion as discriminatory<\/a>.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Every young person deserves to feel safe and supported at school. Our hearts are with Nex Benedict\u2019s family, their friends, and their entire school community in the wake of this horrific tragedy. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pNIkoCOD8T\">https:\/\/t.co\/pNIkoCOD8T<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PressSec\/status\/1760353387365781749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 21, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nBut  a senior official with President Joe Biden, a Democrat,  has weighed in.   White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre  offered a message of support from the administration in a <a href=https:\/\/twitter.com\/PressSec\/status\/1760353387365781749>post on social media<\/a>.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n&#8220;Every young person deserves to feel safe and supported at school,&#8221; Jean-Pierre   wrote on her official government account. &#8220;Our hearts are with Nex Benedict\u2019s family, their friends, and their entire school community in the wake of this horrific tragedy.&#8221;\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n&#8220;For many LGBTQI+ students across the country, this may feel personal and deeply painful,&#8221; Jean-Pierre   continued. &#8220;There is always someone you can talk to if you\u2019re going through a hard time. Dial 988 and press 3 to reach a counselor dedicated to serving LGBTQI+ young people.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nAccording to the  <a href=https:\/\/reports.hrc.org\/2023-lgbtq-youth-report>2023 LGBTQ+ Youth Report<\/a>, a project of Human Rights Campaign and  the University of Connecticut, more than half of  transgender and gender-expansive youth feel unsafe at school. In particular, nearly   a third  said  they feel unsafe in school restrooms.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n&#8220;All students, including trans and gender-expansive students like Nex, have the right to feel safe and protected while attending school,&#8221; Tori Cooper, the campaign director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative at the Human Rights Campaign, said in  a <a href=https:\/\/www.hrc.org\/news\/honoring-nex-benedict-16-year-old-non-binary-high-school-student-who-tragically-died-after-school-beating>statement on Wednesday<\/a>. &#8220;That Nex was only 16 years old compounds this tragic injustice and they should have lived to see a fulfilling and authentic life.&#8221;\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThe 2023 study was based on a survey of nearly 3,000 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18 nationwide, according to the organization. Some 0.6 percent of respondents identified themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_indianz-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/heartbroken-leader-of-cherokee-nation-mourns-death-of-young-student\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/14\/owassooklahoma.jpe\" alt=\"\u2018Heartbroken\u2019: Leader of Cherokee Nation mourns death of young student\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/heartbroken-leader-of-cherokee-nation-mourns-death-of-young-student\/\">\n\t\t\t\u2018Heartbroken\u2019: Leader of Cherokee Nation mourns death of young student\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/heartbroken-leader-of-cherokee-nation-mourns-death-of-young-student\/\">\n\t\t\t<p>The leader of the Cherokee Nation is \u201cheartbroken\u201d over the passing of a 16-year-old who died within reservation boundaries in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Indianz.Com\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tIndianz.Com\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nAccording to <a href=https:\/\/www.owassops.org\/apps\/news\/article\/1887342>Owasso Public Schools<\/a>,   a &#8220;physical altercation&#8221;  took place in a bathroom at the high school on February 7. The Owasso police responded to a local hospital on the same day of the incident. \r\n<p><\/p>\r\nPolice then said they were informed that a &#8220;juvenile&#8221; was taken back to  a hospital on February 8, the same day as Nex&#8217;s passing.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\"h4-responsive\">Related Stories<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/heartbroken-leader-of-cherokee-nation-mourns-death-of-young-student\/\" title=\"\u2018Heartbroken\u2019: Leader of Cherokee Nation mourns death of young student\">\u2018Heartbroken\u2019: Leader of Cherokee Nation mourns death of young student<\/a> (February 20, 2024)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/20\/teen-students-death-under-investigation-in-oklahoma\/\" title=\"Teen student\u2019s death under investigation in Oklahoma\">Teen student\u2019s death under investigation in Oklahoma<\/a> (February 20, 2024)<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The leader of the Choctaw Nation is joining an outpouring of support for the family of a 16-year-old student whose death is under investigation.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35970,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[18,13,1],"tags":[77,428,76,101,94,1257,1016,53,3498,511,104,4083,127,85,4669,105,102],"class_list":["post-35958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-law","category-national","tag-cherokee","tag-choctaw","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-crime","tag-democrats","tag-gary-batton","tag-gender","tag-joe-biden","tag-karine-jean-pierre","tag-law-enforcement","tag-lgbtq","tag-lgbtqia","tag-oklahoma","tag-republicans","tag-sue-benedict","tag-two-spirit","tag-youth","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/21\/OwassoOklahoma.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-9lY","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35958"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35974,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35958\/revisions\/35974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}