Frances Marie Oheltoint

Frances Marie Oheltoint passed away on August 27, 2025, in Oklahoma City, OK, at the age of 91. She was born on March 4, 1934, in Lawton, OK, to Frank and Cecilia (Belgarde) Jones. Frances lived a full life, one centered around love for her family and dedication to her work. She attended Riverside Indian School, where she made friendships that lasted a lifetime. Later, she attended Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C during the 70's where she received her paralegal degree.

Remembering Frances Oheltoint's advocacy for tribal sovereignty

1978 was a year to remember. Prior to that year a few Native Americans had graduated from law school and had begun working on tribal legal issues that plagued our people. From the lack of tribal self-government to no recognition of tribal jurisdiction, to questions about tribal authority - our sovereignty was essentially not recognized. Among those who were one of the first advocates in earnest was Kiowa Tribe member, Frances Oheltoint. Frances was not a licensed attorney, but she had a unique insight into tribal legal issues, and few know that she was instrumental in bringing about the restoration of tribal sovereignty for tribes in Oklahoma. Frances attended Antioch School of Law in Washington, DC and participated in its Indian Paralegal Program. She is the one who first recognized the facts and circumstances in a critical legal case, State v. Littlechief, which would ultimately become a bellwether decision reestablishing tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction for all the tribes in western Oklahoma. She contacted the defense attorney who was court appointed in the case after recognizing that it posed an opportunity to challenge the illegal jurisdiction asserted by the State of Oklahoma over Indian country trust lands in criminal cases involving Indians. Once the case was won, and tribal jurisdiction was re-recognized after it had been ignored since statehood, she did not stop there but went on to assist in establishing the Court of Indian Offenses or "CFR Court" system for the tribes. That court system had not been in operation since Quanah Parker, Lone Wolf, and Black Goose served as its judges in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The Court of Indian Offenses was the predecessor to many tribal courts and is still in operation today. Frances was the first Native female sworn in as a Tribal Court Advocate during that initial swearing in ceremony. She was an Assistant to the Prosecutor and in that capacity worked for the CFR Court system for many years. She continued her work as a legal advocate for the people and became the Kiowa Tribe's first employee in its Legal Aid program in the early 1980s. She assisted many tribal attorneys with cases supporting tribal sovereignty and challenging the state's illegal jurisdiction over tribes and their members. Frances was never one to want attention, but she definitely deserved it. Without her, modern tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma might still be in question and the tribal bingo halls, casinos, car tags, tribal police, tribal courts and other governmental authority that followed from that single case may just have been a dream. Her early work remains a lasting legacy. She was last employed and retired as a tribal government specialist with Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Frances was a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe and very proud of her Turtle Mountain Chippewa side of North Dakota and her French-Canadian blood as well.

More than anything, Frances was devoted to her family. She was happiest when surrounded by loved ones, and she will always be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and steady presence.

Survivors include:

Husband: Barney Oheltoint Jr of the home

Siblings: Nellie Garcia, Las Vegas NV

Children: Donna Ahtone & Late Terry Ahtone, Claudia Wheeler & Late Elwin Wheeler, James Coverdale & Anika, Kenneth Parton & Ida, Cecelia Tsatoke & Rani Lonewolf, Frank Oheltoint and Laura Oheltoint.

Grandchildren: Michael Gooday, Robin Davis & Bivin, Kenneth Boynton & Angie, Dustin Boynton, Wallace Ahtone, Joseph Parton & Myeasha, Herbert Blackbear and Angel, Matt Lonewolf, Joshua Lonewolf, William Lonewolf, Heath Poafpybitty, Jared Wheeler, Pearl Oheltoint, Mindy Poafpybitty, Eric Coverdale, Marita Hofmann and Kim Ahtone.

Great grandchildren: Michelle Josh & DaKoda, Alysia Vasquez & Austin Messner, Drew Vasquez, Taneya Lonewolf & Kayden Passi, Delos Lonewolf, Isaac Lonewolf, Laura Parton, Leia Parton, Whit'Lee Wheeler, Greyson Wheeler, Alex Boynton, Jacob Poafpybitty, Haylee Poafpybitty, Tyler and Tanner Blackbear, Eric Ahtone, Damon and Mouse Daily.

Great-great grandchildren: Adriel Messner and MacNeil Passi

Preceded in death: by her parents, Frank & Cecilia Belgarde Jones, two sons - William Henry Oliver Oheltoint and Buddy Tsatoke, two brothers - Matthew (Sonny) Jones and Thomas Jones and one grandson, Barney Oheltoint III

Frances was the paternal granddaughter of Tommy Jones (Guola) and Tomah Twohatchet and maternal granddaughter of Gilbert Belgarde and Sarah Premeau.

She had many friends but one special one was Ryland Rivas Sr. and Arvo Mikkanen,who she thought of as a son.

Per, our mother/grandmother's wishes there will not be a public funeral service.

A private family memorial will be held on September 11, 2025 at the homeplace by the immediate family.