Cheyenne-Arapaho governor has heart attack
Cheyenne-Arapaho governor has heart attack

By Devona Walker
Published: January 15, 2008

Cheyenne-Arapaho Governor Darrell Flyingman had a mild heart attack Sunday while working on his farm in Fort Cobb.

Flyingman is the first elected governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Prior to his term, the Cheyenne-Arapaho operated under a business committee form of government. In addition to being its first elected governor, Flyingman helped the tribe ratify a new constitution.

“He was able to drive himself to an Indian clinic in Carnegie,” said Dana Attocknie, Cheyenne-Arapaho spokeswoman, adding that Flyingman is in the intensive care unit in stable condition.

It is unclear who will run the Cheyenne-Arapaho government in Flyingman’s absence. According to Attocknie, Flyingman attempted to continue conducting business by cell phone from his hospital bed, but staff forced him to turn it off.

Flyingman has no lieutenant governor. His executive assistant is on maternity leave.

“They are going to have to put him on rest,” Attocknie said. “We don’t know if he will go and stay with his wife in Arizona or if he will stay here and recuperate.”

A written statement released by the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribes said Flyingman’s doctors report he is doing well, and they expect a full recovery.

The governor’s wife and close family have joined him during his recovery period, which is expected to last the remainder of the week.

The family states they will be happy to answer inquiries regarding the governor’s condition and appreciate everyone’s concern in his recovery.

There about 11,000 members of the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma. The tribes run three casinos in Oklahoma.