AISES Mourns Passing of Respected Member and Former Ely S. Parker Recipient Cheryl McClellan

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AISES Mourns Passing of Member and Former Ely S. Parker Recipient Cheryl McClellan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Montoya Whiteman

Office: 720.758.9706

Cell: 303.829.7501

Email: mwhiteman@aises.org

AISES Member and Former Ely S. Parker Recipient Cheryl McClellan Passes Away

BOULDER, Colo., January 9, 2021 – It is with great sadness the American Indian Science and Engineering Society announce the passing of longtime friend and ally, Cheryl McClellan. A Sac and Fox tribal member, McClellan passed away unexpectedly on January 6, 2021, in Norman, Oklahoma after a brief battle with the coronavirus, according to family.

In 2018, Cheryl was awarded the highest honor bestowed by the AISES family, the Ely S. Parker Award, which she was extremely proud of because of her lifetime service to the AISES community since 1976. The Ely S. Parker Award recognizes outstanding Indigenous scientists and engineers and their innovative contributions in the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) or in the workforce.

“AISES extends our sincerest condolences to Cheryl’s family, Boeing community, and the Sac and Fox Nation to which she belongs,” said Gary Burnette, AISES Board Chair. “Cheryl grew up with AISES as a student at the University of Oklahoma. She helped AISES to grow, evolve, and prosper. Her friends and relatives at AISES will miss her warm smile, her leadership, and we are deeply grateful for her decades of advocacy and achievements in promoting Indigenous North Americans in STEM.”

For McClellan, AISES gatherings are opportunities for mutual support, mentoring, networking, and inspiration that sustain individual members – the heart of the organization. In the spirit of thanking the countless mentors she met through those gathering along with the traditional teachings and knowledge, she observed, “It’s AISES events, functions, and meetings that provide the basis for our strength.”

Many at AISES were lucky to have Cheryl’s friendship, love, and experience her passion to STEM. She will be greatly missed by the entire AISES family.

McClellan attained 35 years of professional experience and 45 years serving the AISES community. Family was her foundation upon which her professional and community life was built upon.

All of McClellan’s experiences guided her as a role model to her family, students, and Native and non-Native peers. She was inspired by her mother’s perseverance in obtaining her nursing degree and purchasing a home, despite being a single parent raising six daughters. Seeing her father set the example of leadership in tribal government, Cheryl took on similar leadership positions in her tribe. From 2007 to 2013, she was elected Second Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation, and was also the tribe’s Liaison to Housing Authority, representing the economic welfare of over 3,800 members.

Her mentors, Kenneth Anquoe (Kiowa) and Andy Anderson (Mohawk), encouraged her to excel in a professional career while being immersed in her Native culture. At the University of Oklahoma, McClellan started the student organization, American Indian Engineers, in 1976. The next year, when AISES was created, she was elected president of the university’s AISES College Chapter, paving the way for future Native engineers. Over the next 40 years, she took on various roles in AISES such as mentoring students at the University of Minnesota to start their own AISES chapter, planning conferences, chaperoning high school students at AISES science fairs, and chairing the board of the AISES Foundation.

McClellan worked at The Boeing Company as a supplier quality specialist. She played a role in the country’s defense in educating Boeing parts suppliers on quality requirements of military aircraft and maintaining contractual requirements to support presidential aircraft. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.

At Boeing, she was an officer of the Boeing Native American Network since 2013 and served as its president. She was a key participant during the discussion of changing the name from American Indian Society to Native American Network. Cheryl expanded her role in inclusion through her involvement with several organizations such as Boeing Oklahoma Leadership Association, Boeing Group Enterprise Mentoring, and Boeing Resource Group Leadership Development.

“I do not join a team, a committee, a work group with the intention of being the role model. I enjoy learning, expanding my knowledge base, and meeting new people, ”said Cheryl. “As a change agent, I share diversity training with my program teams, my volunteer groups, and my tribal government peers.” She was recognized by her fellow Boeing Company employees for outstanding performance.

Throughout her career, McClellan garnered professional accolades such as the Honeywell Individual Achievement Award (1989 and 1990), and the McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Superior Quality Performance Award (1994), leading the way for the next generation of engineers. She was committed to her continuing education, earning several Quality certifications.

A member of the Sauk Bear Clan, Cheryl also belonged to the Creek, Seminole, Seneca-Cayuga, and Wyandotte Nations. She danced at powwows in Southern Women’s cloth and was a world-renowned champion dancer. She was a culture keeper who maintained her strict upbringing in the Sauk culture, foods, language, and traditions weaving them into all aspects of her life. Her Sauk name, Wa Ko Se, which means "Suddenly Appears," will be returned to her community as part of her family services.

Cheryl is survived by daughter Lyndee McClellan and companion Joe Jourdain of Cass Lake, MN, and her son Timothy Lynn (Tahlee) Redbird of Norman Oklahoma. She loved her three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren wholeheartedly. She would do anything for Wynema Hernandez and her companion Adam Hernandez of Kingman, AZ, Joseph Lee Jourdain Jr., and Joslyn Lou Jourdain of Cass Lake, MN, Lilyanna, and Marcello.

Cheryl was proud of Lyndee Jon’s gymnastic career. For 14 years, Lyndee participated in competitions throughout the South and Midwest winning many medals. Cheryl drove Lyndee to her meets enthusiastically supporting her.

Other family includes sisters Pamela McClellan and Guy Burris of Claremore, Marilyn McClellan of Grove, Jerri McClellan-Waldrup and Larry of Claremore, and Patricia Bucktrot and Alvin of Bixby; aunt Norma Ross of Joplin, MO; uncle Walter Emarthla, Jr., of Guthrie, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and adopted family.

A small, private Sauk funeral service and ceremonies will be held on January 9 and January 10, 2021, for immediate Sauk family members only. The family hopes to honor and celebrate Cheryl at a future AISES event.

To send cards, flowers, or financial assistance, visit Parks Brothers Funeral Services in Stroud, OK. Memorials may be made in Cheryl’s name to AISES to continue her legacy to STEM careers and education.

About the American Indian Science and Engineering Society

Founded in 1977, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers. With a rapidly expanding membership of over 6,000 individualmembers, AISES sustains 196 chartered college and university chapters, 19 professional chapters, 227 affiliated pre-college schools, and three tribal chapters. AISES has awarded over $11 million in academic scholarships to Indigenous students in STEM.

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American Indian Science and Engineering Society

4263 Montgomery Blvd NE, Suite 200

Albuquerque, NM 87109

(505) 765-1052 | www.aises.org

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