Remembering Chief Ethel Cook
The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma Announces the Loss of Chief Ethel Cook
With great sadness and sorrow, we, the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, announce that our beloved Chief Ethel Cook has departed. Chief Cook passed peacefully Sunday evening while surrounded by her family and friends. Until the moment her body could no longer physically or mentally work, she continued to serve her tribe and community, working to leave us with the legacy to continue forth. She never gave up on her battle with cancer. Chief fought it with the same strength and commitment that she made to her people. It is an understatement to say that she will be missed. All of our tribal entities and businesses will feel this loss in the coming time but will be comforted by the example that she has left us all to follow. We will continue where she has left off, and the work will continue by the hands and hearts she touched while here. There is no greater way to honor her legacy than to continue the work to make our community better.
Sincerely,
The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma
Chief Ethel Cook
Aug 9, 1951 - Sep 17, 2023
Chief Ethel Cook, beloved Chief of the Ottawa Tribe, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at her home at the age of 72. As a direct descendant of Chief Joseph Badger King, Ethel was born and raised in Miami, Ottawa County, OK. She married her high school sweetheart, Sam W Cook III, 53 years ago, who served in the Air Force and one year in Vietnam. They welcomed three daughters, Tonya Cook, Samantha Cook, and Sherrise Starkey, with husband Andrew. She also has three grandchildren – Levi, Sam, and Casidee.
She became actively involved in the Ottawa Tribe by being on the Election Committee, and in 2003, she and Sam moved back to Miami to spend time and be closer to aging parents. Their relocation allowed Ethel to become even more involved with the Tribe by becoming the Election Committee Chairperson. In addition, she continued to serve the Tribe on the Gaming Commission for High Winds Casino. Ethel also used this time to attend classes in the Ottawa Tribal Language while learning more about the history of the Tribe and its people. She ran for Second Chief in 2007 and was elected for a term of three years to become the first female Second Chief in the Ottawa Tribe's history. Shortly after becoming Second Chief, the late Chief Charles Todd became ill, and Ethel was able to fulfill his duties as Chief. In May 2011, she was elected Chief and became the first female to hold the position of Chief in Tribal history. Cook served as Chief for the past twelve years (four terms).
During this time, Chief assisted and watched the Tribe build a successful High Winds Casino, Otter Stop Convenience Store, Adawe Travel Plaza, and the most recent addition, Otter Cove Diner. In addition, our tribal businesses have continued to progress in their public awareness to promote each business better and become known locally and nationally.
She was awarded, in 2019, the Modern-Day Warrior award by the Oklahoma NIGC for her tireless efforts to support the Tribal Gaming Government, and the NEO A&M American Indian Center awarded her the Distinguished Leader Award for service to their organization.
In 2021, the Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce presented Chief with the Impact Award,
Then, in 2022, she received the #LoveLocal Award, continued to serve on the Claremore Indian Hospital Executive Board, was nominated and elected Inter-Tribal Council (ITC) President by the other nine local Chiefs for four years, and was Chairperson of the Miami Chamber Board as well as the Miami Area Economic Development Services Board (MAEDS). Chief also served on the EPA Region 6 Tribal Operations Committee as Tribal Co-Chair.
Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Chief Cook's Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.