By Cara Cowan Watts, Cherokee411.com
Honoring Missed One Society Founder
SALLISAW, Okla. The Missed One Society Inc. will host its first annual Feathers & Leathers Pow Wow Oct. 2-3 at 800 N. Walnut in Sallisaw, bringing together community members and visitors for a weekend of Native culture, community and connection. Sallisaw sits within the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdictional boundaries in Sequoyah County.
The event is held in memory of the nonprofit’s founder, Keely Goff-Birdtail, a Cherokee Nation citizen who died Sept. 14, 2025, at age 54. Goff, of Muldrow, was born in Tahlequah and worked as a digital creator before founding Missed One Society Inc. She was buried at Redbird Smith Cemetery in Vian following services at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw.
Her memory and Missed One Society Inc.’s work join a wider circle of Missing and Murdered Cherokee Persons (MMCP) advocacy carried by Cherokee Nation citizens, both within the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdiction and across Indian Country.
Cherokee411.com continues to document MMCP cases and awareness efforts affecting Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians citizens living anywhere in the world as part of its ongoing coverage.
Friday’s schedule opens at 5 p.m. on October 2 with a bike and car showoff in town, with organizers encouraging attendees to support local businesses. Saturday’s schedule on October 3 includes a bike and car show from 2 to 5 p.m., the pow wow beginning at 2 p.m., a 50/50 raffle and silent auction, and grand entry at 6:30 p.m.
Head staff listed for the event include Head Singer Sydney Toppah, Arena Director William Lasiter, Head Man Thorpe Sine, Head Lady Simone Toppah, Head Gourd Dancer Don Stroud and Master of Ceremonies Manny King. A color guard was also listed on the event program.
Organizers are seeking vendors for the pow wow. Interested vendors can contact Kirk at 812-705-3617 or Buck at 918-268-9996.
More information is available by emailing [email protected] or visiting www.missedonesocietyinc.com.
Wado.
Cherokee 411, 1827 W Reno St., Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Phone: (918) 401-0370 | Email: [email protected]
Sources
“Feathers & Leathers Pow Wow is Oct. 2-3 in Sallisaw,” Sequoyah County Times
Keely Dawn Goff-Birdtail obituary, Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service
Keely Goff-Birdtail obituary, Legacy.com / Sequoyah County Times
Missed One Society Inc. Facebook event page
