In answer to your question, Lori, let me provide some background on the exposition organization first. It is completely Native American owned and operated, as the result of a nonprofit organization formed in 1935 and chartered under the laws of the state of Oklahoma at that time. Each year the committee of Directors meets ahead of the exposition to consider nominations for the awards, submitted by various sources. Tribal members and others may submit names to the committee, with documentation on the individual's accomplishments.
Nominations are open throughout the year to anyone who wishes to make one.
The committee's address is P.O. Box 908, Anadarko, OK 73005. Committee members contact those making nominations for more information as necessary. Then the committee votes on the two awards. Below is a list of former winners of the Outstanding award. A list of the celebrity awardees was not immediately available.