Black Swamp BSA volunteer makes history

A volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America Black Swamp Area Council just made history. Nina Dukes, of Findlay, is the first person in the 100-year plus history of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's honor society, to receive both the Distinguished Service Award and the Red Arrow Award, the order's most prestigious awards. The council serves the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert and Williams. The Red Arrow Award was created in 1967 to recognize service to the order by non-Scouters, or Scouters who are not members of the Order of the Arrow. Worthy service is exceptional in nature and occurs over a significant period of time. The Red Arrow Award is presented very rarely, so only those individuals whose service to the order is of the highest caliber are recognized. Only 58 Red Arrow Awards have ever been presented. Dukes' service to the order dates back decades, first as a nonmember of the order, and then as a member. Her nonmember service includes serving on three National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) American Indian Activities (AIA) staffs, the first OA Indian Village at the 1989 Jamboree, one National OA Indian Seminar, and various section conclaves throughout the Midwest. At each of these events, she shared her expertise with those in attendance through the teaching of American Indian crafts, demonstrating the wearing of women's regalia, and performing in women's dance. For her service to the Order as a nonmember, Dukes was awarded the esteemed Red Arrow Award in 1990. Dukes was inducted an as ordeal member in the summer of 1997. Since that time, she has served on staff at the last nine consecutive NOACs as an AIA instructor. She has also served on the staff of multiple OA Indian Villages at national jamborees, and she has served as an administrative officer during ArrowCorps, and at two OA Indian Summer events. Nina continues her servant leadership in the area of AIA at the lodge, section, territory and national levels, and serves as an expert resource helping to craft AIA guidelines for the participation of young women. Dukes was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2020. The Red Arrow Award is presented very rarely, so only those individuals whose service to OA of the highest caliber are recognized. Only 58 Red Arrow Awards have ever been presented.