Julia Harragarra-Leclair

Our beloved mother, Julia Nicole Harragarra-LeClair, Esta-Ni-Yemi (Standing Alone Buffalo Woman), peacefully passed away Friday morning at St. John’s Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was 49.

Julia “Nikki” was born the daughter of Vernon and Rosella DeRoin-Harragarra on May 15, 1970, in Los Angeles, California.  Nikki was a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians and the Buffalo and Bear Clans. Nikki was also a descendant from the Iowa and Kiowa Tribes. Nikki was descendent of Chief Corbett White, Chief Moses Harragarra and also a DeRoin descendent. She was a member of the Otoe Native American Church. The Otoe-Missouria people are recognized throughout Indian Country and she was very proud of who she was, always presenting herself in a dignified and respectful manner with the teachings that were handed down from generations previous. Nikki attended and graduated from the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. Until recently, she was employed with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and had plans to pursue her degree in Native American Studies at Northern Oklahoma College.  Nikki enjoyed traveling across Indian County, participating in cultural events and made many friends along the way. Nikki’s greatest joy was spending time with her beloved family and granddaughter, beading, and listening to peyote and war dance songs, mostly sung by her late brother, Perry Lee Botone, Jr.

Nikki is survived by her husband, James LeClair, daughters, Julia Harragarra and Xeneca LeClair; brothers, Quinn, Brian, and Isaac Harragarra; nephew and nieces - Marcus Neskahi, June Espinoza, Sasha Martinez, grandchildren, Athena Rose Collins, Tatum, Nevah, and Trevah Harragarra, Nalani, Alaina, Eugene Espinoza Jr., Nevaeh and Arayah Torres, and Emmett Martinez; Aunt Edna Poolheco, Aunt Kay Burrows, Grandma Delores Harragarra and family and friends.

Nicole is preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Rosella Harragarra; sisters, Angela and Bernadette Harragarra.

Casket Bearers will be Edward Hara, Blaine Hall, Eugene Espinoza, Sr., Little Bear Littlecook, Alex Hawzipta, and Derik Martinez. Honorary casket bearers will be Quinn Harragarra, Brian Harragarra, Marcus Neskahi, Lawrence DeRoin, and Franklin LeClair.

Services will be held at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Building nightly at 7 p.m. The traditional funeral feast will begin at noon on Monday, September 23, 2019, with burial services following at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery with Arlen Lightfoot officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Donations may be made in her memory to the National Kidney Foundation.