We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of our friend Mae Murry Sine. We had the privilege of interviewing Mae for "Lost Nation: The Ioway 1" in 2006, and again in 2012 for Parts 2 & 3. We are very grateful for her wisdom and kind counsel as we produced these documentary films. She cared deeply for her people and their ways, and was an unceasing advocate for the history and culture of the Ioway people.
Mae Murray Sine (second from the left) and others attend a showing of "Lost Nation: The Ioway 2 & 3" in Miami, Oklahoma in December 2013.
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Loses Their Eldest Member, Mae Murray Sine ÑíkigreMi (Where Waters Meet Woman), Bear Clan.
Iowa Tribal member Mae Murray Sine passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the age of 92. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at the Iowa Tribal Cemetery in Perkins.
Mae was born in Poteau, Oklahoma to Franklin M and Martha McGlashin Murray on September 5, 1929. She married Riley “Papa” Sine in Stillwater and was a tribal leader. As a member of the Native American Church, she was in service to others and enjoyed growing beautiful flowers.
She was raised in Ioway Indian Country. The Ioway traditional, spiritual, and cultural values instilled in her early childhood provided points of reference, balance and harmony in our way of life.
Mrs. Sine comes from a family of Tribal leaders. Her interest and contributions have been in Tribal government, and the interest and welfare of the Ioway People. Her six elected terms of Office to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Business Committee has provided her the opportunity to serve her people. In 2002, during an interview, she was quoted as saying:
“Our traditional ways, cultural values and spirituality has given us strength and created a balance and harmony in our way of life. The Iowa people had a traditional and social structure of understanding, respect, compassion, humility, caring and generosity for one another. Some may say the tradition is of times past, and that is right for them. For others it is the oral history of who we are as Iowa people. To disregard these teachings could lead to the disorder of the balance and harmony. The language is almost extinct. Eventually, we may become a society with no power and authority.”
Mrs. Sine was an active participant in strategic planning efforts of Iowa Tribal business programs, and in developing educational, health, cultural, and Tribal Assistance Programs.
In 1977, she assisted her father, Franklin M. Murray in preparing his Ioway language classes and booklet titled “IOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA LANGUAGE.”
In the “Year of the Indian 1992” she was one of Native American Indian women recognized by the State of Oklahoma and was presented a Citation of Recognition for “Indian women who serve as elected tribal officials in tribal government.”
In addition, Mrs. Sine was selected as the first Iowa Tribal woman to receive a Medal of recognition in 2009 at the 1st Annual AARP American Indian Elder Honorees banquet.
Survivors include children Jackie Nell Young-Daugherty, Rickford Ross Sine (Kaye) and Gabrielle Sine; nephews Perri Ahhaitty, Frank J Murray; niece Donna Murray Reichanbac; grandchildren Patrick Rosse Daughtery (Tracy); great granddaughter Paige Riley Daugherty; and adopted daughter Jill Primeax-Hunter.
Serving as pallbearers will be Patrick Daugherty, Perri Ahhaitty, Frankie Jo Murray, Curtis Washington, Eagle McClellan, and Deon Joseph. Honorary pallbearers are Rickford Sine and Elwood McClellan, Jr.
The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to friends, Strode Funeral Home and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma for their care and concern during this difficult time. And a special thank you to sister Noel Gover and niece Ashlee Jacobsen.
