The Legacy of Monetta Trepp
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any who remember the life of Monetta Trepp think of her impact on Native American culture and art. Some folks think of her ties to the Perryman Ranch near Jenks, Okla. For others, the recent passing of Monetta Delores Trepp brings memories of cook-outs, laughter and drinks at the Summit Club, and the numerous donations and gifts she bestowed on organizations and charities. It is only fitting that we pause a moment to review the noteworthy deeds of this incredible woman. Monetta Delores Trepp was born in Evanston, Il. in 1923, and later moved to Oklahoma City with her family. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Monetta moved to Tulsa after her marriage to John Trepp, with whom she had three sons - Robert,Wally, and Tom. Monetta worked for the IRS for a number of years, but later found her calling through her roots as a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and how her family played a pivotal role in establishing and settling the Tulsa area. Her great-grandparents, George and Rachel Perryman, were considered Tulsa’s “First Family” after George signed the original town charter in 1898. Her grandfather Mose, son of George and Rachel, settled the Perryman Ranch from his original Creek allotment, before Oklahoma’s statehood. Monetta often
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reminisced about long, hot summers at the ranch and enjoying the shade of the historic home’s covered porch with her family. The ranch held a special place in Monetta’s heart and according to her son, when family members proposed selling the property, she bought their shares from them in order to keep and maintain the family land. (Ownership of the ranch was transferred to her sons in 2012.) She founded the National Indian Monument and Institute (NIMI), a non-profit organization created to honor, preserve, and celebrate the history, art, and culture of American Indians. NIMI is the parent company of the American Indian Theatre Company of Oklahoma, the Tulsa Indian Art Festival and the American Indian Arts Association.
The Tulsa Indian Art Festival was established more than 25 years ago to promote and preserve Native American art and culture.The festival holds one of the nation’s most prominent juried native art competitions, and encourages student artists by holding a separate student competition where the winners receive scholarship awards. Trepp’s list of personal achievements and awards is extensive. She was the founder and CEO of the National Indian Monument & Institute, co-founder of the Tulsa Indian Art Festival, Board Chairperson of the American Indian Theatre Company of Oklahoma, and the founder of the American Indian Arts Association. She volunteered her time to many local associations including John Knox Presbyterian, Tulsa Boys