Louis Wayne Ballard or "Honga-no-zhe," meaning "Grand Eagle" in Quapaw was born on July 8, 1931, in Devil s Promenade, Okla., near Miami. His mother was Quapaw; his father Cherokee. At 6, he was sent to the Seneca Indian Training School, where the goal was to assimilate him into white American culture.
Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith welcomed 1,100 supporters Dec. 9 to the Fort Smith Convention Center for the return of the first live Charity Ball since 2019. The black-tie optional ball helped the nonprofit organization raise more than $600,000 and included a champagne welcome, dinner, auction and direct appeal, live entertainment by Mitch Rossell and the After Party with Limelight presented by Emerald City Band.