Our Story

First off, I wanted to share some of the personal reasons for launching this

foundation.

 

My Mother (Joycetta Bear Elliott) was from the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma

and passed away in 2012 at the age of 79.  In 1943 she lost her Mother (my

grandmother, Joy Calisay Bear) when she was 8 years old.  My Grandfather

(William Bear) was not able to take care of 3 small children (my Mom, my

aunt Sandra and my uncle Henry), so they were sent to an Indian boarding

school –  Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Oklahoma.  Although it was

called a boarding school in many was it was an orphanage especially for

Mother who had lost her mom at a young age.  She spent 10 years at

Riverside; she was an excellent student and frequently participated in

leadership roles.  But she found a real passion and joy in participating in

sports (and she was really good!).  After graduating with her High School

diploma, my mother was invited to spent a summer with the Barker family,

who had just moved from Oklahoma to Southern California.  Mr. Barker

had been a beloved teacher at Riverside; now he was given an opportunity

become an Administrator at the Sherman Indian High School in Riverside,

California (from Riverside to Riverside!). The Barker family loved my

Mother; she used to babysit for their kids and included her in their family

events. Once my mom arrived in Riverside she worked for the Barker family

and enrolled at the local junior college. Another important thing my Mom

did was continue her participation in competitive softball and basketball.

 She joined several adult leagues and was by all accounts an accomplished

player. It was at a co-ed softball game that she met another athlete named

Bill Elliott (my Dad).  He often told a story of how impressed he was that

my Mom “was not only beautiful but she could steal any base and always be

safe.”  A few years later they married and started their family.  My brother

Van, sister Kellie and I were born in southern California; we eventually

moved to northern California, where my youngest sister Amy was born.

 

Even though we lived in California we made frequent trips to Oklahoma to

visit Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  My Mother made sure that “we knew

where we came from” as she taught us all about the beautiful culture of our

Native American people and especially about the Kiowa and Cherokee

tribes.  My Mother’s Indian name is “Doye-Tone,” which means “medical

water.” This name was passed down to my Mother from my great-

grandmother, Amy Bear.  It is a very special name and has now been passed

down to Emersyn Wondolowski (my first grandchild – Christopher and

Lindsey’s oldest daughter).   One of the primary goals of this foundation is

provide an annual scholarship to a graduating high school scholar-athlete

from either Riverside Indian school in Oklahoma or Sherman Indian School

(Institute) in Riverside, California.