Cherokee Phoenix, April 2006

Transcription

Native roots
Premiere
Repeat
Robert J. Conley to speak at the 34th
Symposium of the American Indian.
Trail of Tears documentary
premieres in Tahlequah.
Lady Indians win the state
championship a second time.
News Page 8
Arts & Culture Page 29
Sports Page 20
Volume XXX, No. 4
•
Celebrating 178 Years of Native American Journalism
•
April 2006
Tornado strikes Cherokee, Delaware counties
Minor injuries are reported, but up to 75 homes and businesses are damaged.
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and U.S. Rep. Dan Boren inspect a damaged home in Twin
Oaks during their tour of storm-ravaged Delaware County. (Photo by Bryan Pollard)
INSIDE
News
Council
In Memoriam
Health
Pg. 1
Pg. 6
Pg. 14
Pg. 16
Sports
Education
Arts & Culture
Opinion
Classifieds
Voter Registration
Pg. 20
Pg. 26
Pg. 29
Pg. 33
Pg. 34
Pg. 35
TWIN OAKS, Okla. – About 40 homes
were destroyed and an another 30 homes
and five businesses were damaged when a
tornado swept through northern Cherokee
and southern Delaware counties around
9:10 p.m. on March 13.
With winds speeds of more than 115
miles per hour, the tornado touched down
near Peggs in northern Cherokee County
before moving north to Leach in southern
Delaware County and traveling east along
U.S. 412 to Twin Oaks. It shifted northeast
toward Colcord before crossing into Benton
County, Ark.
Gary Metcalf of the Delaware County
Emergency Management Team said the tornado left a damage path 25 miles long and
up to a mile wide in some areas. He said the
tornado stayed on the ground for about 30
minutes.
Emergency management officials said at
least 10 people were injured, mostly from
cuts and bruises. However, Bill Sooter of
Colcord’s EMT said a Colcord girl received
a broken nose. Officials also said two missing teenage boys were found safe.
Metcalf said crews were marking houses
with spray paint as they checked them for
injured people. Damage assessments were
still being conducted to determine if the
area qualified for federal aid and Gov. Brad
Henry declared the county a state of emer-
gency, the first step toward receiving federal
aid. Henry toured some of the damaged
areas with U.S. Rep. Dan Boren and
Principal Chief Chad Smith on March 17.
Leach, Twin Oaks and Colcord received
most of the damage. Many mobile homes,
barns and outbuildings were flattened or
knocked off their foundations. Roofs were
blown off houses and windows knocked
out. Grounded trees, telephone and electric
poles were strewn about on roads, fields,
homes and vehicles as county residents,
emergency responders, volunteers and electrical crews worked to clean the damage.
In Twin Oaks, eight chicken houses located near the Cherokee Turnpike were leveled
as was a house about 100 yards away. The
community’s post office roof was lifted off
and landed intact nearby.
The turnpike and many county roads
were closed because of downed power lines.
Turnpike traffic was detoured parallel to the
turnpike on Scenic U.S. 412.
About 3,000 customers were without
power for nearly 48 hours, Northeast
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative officials
said.
The tornado was part of a series of severe
storms that moved through northeast
Oklahoma. Reports show more than 100
twisters touched down in the March 11-13
weekend across five states from Oklahoma
to Illinois.
Immediately after the tornado, county,
See Tornado Page 8.
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2
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • APRIL 2006
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Freedmen win citizenship rights
By Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee
Freedmen will now be able to enroll as
citizens of the Cherokee Nation after a
March 7 decision from the Judicial
Appeals Tribunal.
The court ruled that the Cherokee Nation
law requiring citizens to trace their ancestry
to a person on the Dawes Roll with
Cherokee, Shawnee or Delaware blood was
unconstitutional. The ruling means that the
tribe’s citizenship roll is now open to the
descendants of Freedmen who were included
in the Dawes Rolls of the Five Civilized
Tribes.
“In holding that Freedmen descendants are entitled to be citizens of the
Cherokee Nation, our supreme court,
the JAT, … reversed its earlier decision
in the Riggs case in which it had
reached the opposite decision,” Diane
Hammons, CN general counsel, said.
“Although the 1975 Constitution makes
no specific mention of Freedmen
descendants, the court ruled that they
were included in the wording ‘by reference to the Dawes Commission Rolls,’
and that if the 1975 framers intended
to exclude the Freedmen descendants,
they would have more explicitly stated.”
The CN Registration Office will fully
implement the orders of the court, officials
said. Freedmen descendants who can show
proof of an ancestor on the CN Freedmen
Roll are eligible for citizenship.
“We are a strong tripartite government
that respects the rule of law,” Hammons
said. “Our court has announced its decision,
and we accept that as the law of the land.”
Some believe the decision could include
descendants of inter-married whites that are
also listed on the Dawes Rolls, but
Hammons disagrees.
“Based upon the U.S. Supreme Court’s
ruling in the Redbird case that there were
very few inter-married whites entitled to
citizenship in the Cherokee Nation, and that
all such rights ceased in 1877, taken together with the 19th century Cherokee laws
restricting the rights of inter-married
whites, we believe that there is, in all practicality, no application of the JAT’s freedmen
decision to any of the descendants of intermarried white citizens of the 19th century.”
With 4,982 Cherokee Freedmen listed on
the Dawes Rolls it is unknown how many of
their descendants exist today. Melanie
Knight, CN executive officer, said because
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of the unknown number it will be difficult
to know how the JAT’s decision will impact
programs and services.
“It would require a lot from the (Cherokee)
Nation to make sure the court’s decision is
carried out properly,” she said.“Obviously
what the court says we will do, but it’s hard to
guess what the impact will be on operations.”
Knight said just because the CN’s enrollment numbers rise doesn’t mean there is an
increase in federal funding.
“I think everybody assumes there is an
automatic tie,” she said. “There is an indirect
tie certainly. At some point in time when
funding was provided, the numbers were
certainly considered. In my lifetime however, it’s been historic amounts appropriated
that drive future appropriations more so
than citizenship numbers. I think in all
practical terms it does not necessarily translate into money and that’s unfortunate.”
Lela Ummerteskee, CN registar, said currently the Registration Office is backlogged
so those applying for citizenship should
expect a wait of seven months or longer.
Application packets and a list of required
documentation are available at www.cherokee.org or at the Registration Office.
gregg-simmons@cherokee.org • (918) 453-5351
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3
Trail of Tears segment commemorated in Arkansas
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK, Ark. – The
Cherokee Nation, the National Trail of Tears Association
and its Midwest Region Chapter along with the National
Park Service commemorated a two-mile segment of the
Trail of Tears March 11 at the Pea Ridge National Military
Park.
The afternoon ceremony began under an overcast sky
with the Cherokee National Color Guard posting the U.S.,
tribal and the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags and
was followed by the Cherokee Adult Choir singing the
national anthem.
John Scott, park superintendent; Jack D. Baker, president
of the NTTA; and Ernie Quintana, the TTA’s Midwest
Region Chapter director, welcomed the crowd of nearly 100
and introduced the attending local, state and tribal dignitaries.
“Today, we honor the memory of thousands of Cherokee
people who passed through here by dedicating this segment
of the northern route of the Trail of Tears,” Quintana said
referring to the approximately 12,000 Cherokee citizens
who traveled the area 168 years ago. “The Trail of Tears
National Historic Trail
commemorates the
tragic and sorrowful
experience of the
Cherokee people who
were forcibly removed
from their homelands
in the southeastern
United States by the
United States government in 1838 and 1839.”
Quintana said in
1987 Congress dedicated the Trail of Tears
National Historic Trail
that covers approximately 2,200 miles of
land and water routes.
Troy Wayne Poteete
Pea Ridge’s refurbished
two-mile segment is
now part of the national historic trail.
An emotional Troy Wayne Poteete, a former Tribal
Councilor, then spoke of the significance of why Cherokees
should remember and honor the Trail.
“They (Cherokee ancestors) were victims of the
American settlers’ lust for property and land … of Andrew
Jackson’s lust for power. They did suffer a horrible holocaust because they put too much faith in the rule of law, too
much faith in the Americans’ institutions,” he said. “But as a
people, when we look at this Trail of Tears generation, we
don’t remember or perpetuate that victimization … to ourselves. We study the Trail of Tears and we commemorate it
and think about it so we can learn lessons from that history
that we can apply, collectively as a people and a nation.”
Miss Cherokee LaShawna Fields followed with comments
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on the amount of self-confidence Cherokees, who were
ment and bring about
forced to march the trail, must have had to journey from
its dedication into the
their eastern homelands to Indian Territory.
national historic trail.
Fields was followed by the adult choir singing “One Drop He spoke about the
of Blood” before Principal Chief Chad Smith spoke to the
ground from a
crowd about having an automatic and spiritual understand- metaphorical stance
ing from being on the trail.
rather than a historical
“It’s an odd feeling, but it’s a very real and sincere feeling. one.
That's what we have here today knowing that the grounds
“We gather with the
behind us were the grounds that our ancestors walked so
descendants of some of
many years ago,” he said.
the Cherokees whose
Chief Smith went on to speak about the irony the
feet, whose wagons and
grounds presented. Twenty five years after the Removal,
whose animal hooves
Cherokees returned to the grounds to fight for both sides
helped carve this road
in the American Civil War. He spoke of an “outrage” raised
into the face of the
by Northern newspapers during the Civil War concerning
earth, let us hope that
Cherokees scalping Union soldiers and wondered why
anyone who walks on
Northerners got so upset.
this road recognizes it Dr. Dan Littlefield
“Why would people get so upset, when our people, who
for what it is – a symjust 20 years before had been betrayed by the federal govbol of strength and endurance of the Cherokee people that
ernment?” he said. He spoke of the modern-day irony also, brought them past their Trail of Tears to a new place and
how American Indians still fight for the U.S. military at a
there rebuild their lives,” he said. “Let us hope they recoghigher per capita rate than any other race. “And today, we
nize this road as a link between the past and the present – a
can look at the irony of all these grounds … because the
physical link between the Cherokee people of time in
Cherokee Nation has had seven of our citizens die in the
memorial and the citizens of the great sovereign Cherokee
Middle East in the last three years serving the United States Nation of today.”
government.”
The choir then led the crowd in singing “Amazing Grace”
He also remarked on the tribe’s accomplishments since
before the Color Guard retired the colors. Chief Smith and
the Trail, such as the CN’s Golden Age, its sophisticated
Deputy Chief Joe Grayson closed the ceremony by leading
government, its adult and youth choirs and the success of
the audience on a commemorative walk on the newly dediSequoyah High School and its athletic programs.
cated trail.
“Even though this was a ground of misery, apprehension
travis-snell@cherokee.org • (918) 453-5358
and despair … we as a
Cherokee people have a
great legacy. And that legacy
is this: we face adversity, and
we survive, adapt, prosper
and excel.”
Smith’s comments were
followed by the choir singing
“Orphan Song.” Afterwards,
the group of dignitaries dedicated the wayside markers
and artwork created by
Cherokee artist Sam WattsScott. The wayside markers,
which feature Watts-Scott's
artwork, will be posted on
the trail to inform visitors of
the historical significance.
The choir then performed
“God’s Children” before giving way to Dr. Dan
Littlefield, director of the
American Native Press
Archives, Sequoyah Research
Center at the University of
Arkansas in Little Rock, who Deputy Chief Joe Grayson and Principal Chief Chad Smith lead the audience on a commemhelped research the trail seg- orative walk down the newly dedicated section of the Trail. (Photos by Lisa Hicks)
• Day tours to Cherokee Nation
historic sites
• Places where “Indian Territory” was made
• Homes and final resting places of
prominent leaders
• Let us customize a tour for your group:
Senior citizens, reunions, museums, etc.
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4 CHEROKEE PHOENIX • APRIL 2006
April 2006
Vo l . X X X , N o . 4
Tribal officials angry over transportation bill
Dan Agent
Editor
( C h e ro k e e / C h o c t aw )
B r y a n Po l l a r d
Assistant Editor
( C h e ro k e e )
Trav i s S n el l
Staff Writer
( C h e ro k e e )
Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
( C h e ro k e e )
Lisa Hicks
Advertising & Graphics
( C h e ro k e e )
D e n a Tu c k e r
A d m i n i s t r at i v e A s s i s t a n t
( C h e ro k e e )
Joy R e e d
Secretary
( C h e ro k e e )
Editorial Advisory Board
George Benge
(Cherokee)
John Shurr
(Cherokee)
G e r a l d Wo f f o r d
(Cherokee)
Cherokee Phoenix
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the proper place for the amendment to be
debated, but because Inhofe chairs the
Senate’s Transportation and Works
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Principal Chief
Committee, he has the power to slip the
Chad Smith has a bitter taste in his mouth
rider in the bill without any discussion.
when discussing a rider that was attached to
“It was really a midnight rider,” Smith
the Transportation Reauthorization Bill
said. “It avoided all the process of good poliPresident Bush signed into law in 2005.
cy and legislative development. Inhofe was
The rider is a blatant attack on tribal sov- friendly to us with the roads part of the bill.
ereignty by Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, RWe worked with his office and got some
Okla., and the Oklahoma Independent
good things for roads, but the rider was a
Petroleum Association, Smith said.
slap in the face and a stick in the eye.”
Attached at the OIPA’s urging, the rider
Smith said Cherokee Nation had an envistrips Oklahoma’s tribes of their “same-asronmental application similar to the
state” status with environmental issues on
Pawnees pending at the time of the transtrust land unless Oklahoma officials conportation bill’s passage.
sent to it.
Smith said CN’s application to oversee
“On its face, it suggests that it’s promoting environmental issues on its 160,000 acres is
some kind of cooperation between the
still pending. He said tribes can still develop
tribes and states. But the actual impact of it environmental regulations for their respecis it transfers jurisdiction over Indian
tive trust lands, but enforcing them is the
Country for environmental purposes to the issue. The EPA still has to interpret the rule
state and prohibits the tribes from exercisalong with many unanswered questions
ing same-as-state status without state conraised by the rider.
sent. Both are extremely impingent upon
The OIPA asked Inhofe to add the rider
our sovereignty. It’s the most blatant attack
because it feared the state’s 38 tribes would
in modern times. It takes jurisdiction over
impose separate and stricter environmental
our lands away,” Smith said.
rules on trust lands, Smith said.
Inhofe attached the rider to the bill sever“His (Inhofe) official stance was that it
al months after the Environmental
was good for Oklahoma, but he acknowlProtection Agency approved the Pawnee
edged that the OIPA and the oil and gas
Tribe’s application to administer certain
industry asked him to do what he did. It’s
environmental programs on trust land.
obvious that he has a political kinship to
Smith said he believes the rider affected the them,” Smith said. “The fear, which we
Pawnees’ application because it was in an
believe is unfounded fear, promoted by the
appeal process at the time of bill’s signing.
oil and gas industry is that the tribes would
The rider also bypassed the Senate Indian have 38 regulatory schemes making it diffiAffairs Committee, which would have been cult for the oil and gas industry and other
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
businesses to work with Indian Country,
and that premise is patently false. To alleviate that fear (CN Environmental Program
Administrator) Jeaninne Hale and a consortium of tribes are developing a uniform
tribal environmental code.”
Smith said tribes have no interest in scaring off businesses or the oil and gas industry because tribes have an interest in promoting royalties for landowners and themselves.
“It was an irrational effort by the oil and
gas industry to curtail tribal regulation of
their lands,” he said. “If the oil and gas
industry had a little bit further foresight, the
tribes were in position to help the oil and
gas industry to streamline regulatory obstacles. Instead they took a very adverse and
hostile position.”
Chief Smith said the tribe has met with
Inhofe and he agreed to meet with all concerned parties to see if there could be reconciliation.
Mike Miller, CN communications officer,
said CN citizens should consider how
politicians treat the tribes when they vote in
state and national elections, and Smith
urged citizens of all state tribes to write
Inhofe and other Oklahoma delegates in
hope of changing the law.
“One intelligent straight-forward letter
with no hyperbole has a lot of impact. If
you get one, it makes you wonder. If you get
five, it makes you nervous, and if you get
15, you pay attention to them,” Smith said.
tsnell@cherokee.org • (918) 453-5358
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Contact:
Sen. Jim Inhofe
453 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3603
Phone: (202) 224-4721
Fax: (202) 228-0380
http://inhofe.senate.gov
Sen. Tom Coburn
172 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5754
Fax: (202) 224-6008
http://coburn.senate.gov
Oklahoma’s 1st District Rep. John Sullivan
114 Cannon House Office Building
Phone: (202) 225-2211 • Fax:(202) 225-9187
http://sullivan.house.gov
Oklahoma’s 2nd District Rep. Dan Boren
Phone: (202) 225-2701 • Fax: (202) 225-3038
http://www.house.gov/boren
Oklahoma’s 3rd District Rep. Frank Lucas
2342 Rayburn House Office Building
Phone: (202) 225-5565 • Fax: (202) 225-8698
http://www.house.gov/lucas/zipauth.htm
Oklahoma’s 4th District Rep. Tom Cole
Phone: (202) 225-6165
Fax: (202) 225-3512
http://www.house.gov/cole/contact.htm
Oklahoma’s 5th District Rep. Ernest Istook
2404 Rayburn House Office Building
Phone: (202) 225-2132
Fax: (202) 226-1463
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Tar Creek metals reach Grand Lake
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – Heavy metals
from the Tar Creek Superfund site and
other former mining areas are reaching the
entrance of Grand Lake during high flows
on its feeder rivers, according to a study
discussed at a meeting of geologists in
March.
Lead and zinc levels in the Neosho and
Spring rivers varied wildly in samples taken
during rains at the point where the rivers
converge into the recreational lake near
Wyandotte, Okla., U.S. Geological Survey
hydrologist Kelli DeHay said.
In most samples, lead levels were too low
to report.
But during some high flows in 2004 and
2005, zinc levels jumped to as much as 100
tons of zinc per day in both rivers and
seven tons of lead per day on the Spring
River, she said.
USGS officials did not know how the levels of lead and zinc reaching the lake’s
entrance compare with loads on water bodies of similar size. More study of bed sediments also is needed to determine how far
the metals might be carried into the lake,
DeHay said.
Giant piles of mining waste and open
mine shafts dot the former Tri-State
Mining District drained by the GrandNeosho River Basin, raising the potential
for metal contamination.
The study focused only on high-flow
events in which runoff was likely. The state
Department of Environmental Quality has
been studying metal concentrations on the
headwaters during normal flows.
The USGS study, which has not been
published, was discussed at a regional
meeting of the Geological Society of
America during a forum on the host of
problems plaguing the Superfund site.
The government has spent more than
$150 million since 1983 to address problems in the 42-square-mile site, one of the
oldest Superfund sites in the country.
Tainted water, open mine shafts, lead-contaminated soil and cave-ins are all potential
hazards to the people who live there.
A report by a team of scientists assembled by Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., identified
286 undermined areas threatened by collapse, including a park and school playground in Picher, Okla.
A closer look at 133 of those sites found
the probability of collapse at about 117 of
them to be 20 percent or less, said Jim
Martell, who served on the team for the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Sixteen had
a greater than 20 percent probability of collapse.
Inhofe, who is chairman of the Senate
Environment and Public Works
Committee, said after the report’s release
that some relocation of Picher and Cardin
residents might be necessary.
5
Natural Resources
staff fights fires
residential area. The team thought they
had time to set up and could save the
structures quickly, but the fire spread
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Drought-like
across a field in a matter of seconds.
conditions, warm weather and high winds
“We did what we could for the first
have some Cherokee Nation employees
trailer which wasn’t much because in 15
working overtime. Outbreaks of fire
seconds we didn’t have time to develop
throughout the state have kept members
much of a plan for it,” Gipson said.
of CN Natural Resources busy saving
“Fortunately in was an abandoned trailer
homes and lives.
that had been stripped and no one was
Pat Gwin, Natural Resources supervisor,
residing in it.”
and two members of his team, Simeon
Although the trailer was destroyed, the
Gipson and David Rabon, have worked
team was able to save the structures peomany hours fighting fires in Oklahoma.
ple were residing in.
“We’ve been working an average of six
Gwin said there are many things people
days a week for the last three months,”
can do to prevent fires.
Gipson said. “Sometimes we work seven
“Any type of burning just has to be curdays a week, but we have to get some rest tailed,” he said. “A lot of times people don’t
some time.”
realize that welding is burning and that
They were putting in 16 to 20 hours per grinding can start fires.”
day and are on call 24 hours a day. Gwin
He said cigarettes are also a major consaid the team has missed holidays, birthsideration.
days and other family celebrations.
“Cigarettes generally don’t start forest
“Things have kind of slowed down
fires,” Gwin said. “However, we have
from a month ago,” Gipson said. “I think
evolved into such a drought condition
because so much has burned the fires
with our vegetation having such low
don’t have anywhere to go now.”
moisture content, the weather being so
The team has been assisting the
warm and the winds being so high that
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture,
they actually will start fires right now. Just
Food and Forestry and has been disa single spark can start a fire and you
patched in many areas of the state, but
usually don’t see that.”
has helped with fires locally as well.
A state-wide burn ban has been in
When a fire broke out near the Stokes
effect since November and was amended
Ceremonial Ground in Sequoyah County in January to include campfires, welding
they were dispatched to the area.
and other activities.
“When we pulled up on scene, the fire
For more information visit
was on one side of the road and it had
www.oda.state.ok.us/redflag/forred.html.
just jumped the road,” Gipson said.
He said the fire was heading toward a
By Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
Practice Cherokee - Basics
4 n c q Hi
4 c c q Hi
Doh - nah - dah - goh - hv - ee
Doh - dah - dah - goh - hv - ee
Goodbye (singular)
Goodbye (plural)
HUD-184 Native American
Mortgage Program*
Need Cash Refinance*
Other programs also available • 100% financing / no money down*
Good credit or bad credit, we can help.
Special Native American Financing Department
Bilingual. Call today to qualify. Ask for a 184 Loan Officer.
* W.A.C.
Office: (918) 456-5599
Cell: (918) 348-1074
Toll Free 1-800-259-2455
Council limits retail-to-retail
tobacco sales
Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
(918) 207-3900 or 1-800-995-9465
Linda Hughes O’Leary • Linda-Hughes-OLeary@cherokee.org
Melvina Shotpouch • Melvina-Shotpouch@cherokee.org
District 6 – Mayes • Mayes County
District 1 – Cherokee • Cherokee County
Meridith Frailey • Meridith-Frailey@cherokee.org
Bill John Baker • Bill-Baker@cherokee.org
Johnny Keener • John-Keener@cherokee.org
Audra Smoke-Conner • Audra-Smoke-Conner@cherokee.org
By Travis Snell
District 2 - Trail of Tears • Adair County
District 7 – Will Rogers • Rogers County
Staff Writer
S. Joe Crittenden • Joe-Crittenden@cherokee.org
Cara Cowan • cara@caracowan.com
amended “Tobacco Tax” law also creates a
fund not to exceed $1 million to make loans
available to tobacco retailers who are
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Tribal
adversely affected. The law states that CN
Council amended the Cherokee Nation’s
will be repaid for such loans through the
“Tobacco Tax” law to establish a surtax on
rebate amount the OTC sends to the tribe.
retail-to-retail sales in order to limit them
Also at the meeting, councilors unaniand to reduce smoking rates within the
mously sent a lobbying-related act back to
tribe’s jurisdiction at its March 13 meeting.
its Rules Committee to better define lobbyEleven of the 13 councilors present at the ing and lobbyist.
meeting voted to amend the law. Dist 3
The act known as the Corporation
Councilor (Adair County) David Thornton Lobbying Act of 2006 would have amended
and Dist. 6 Councilor (Mayes County)
a related act passed in 1996 by requiring
Johnny Keener voted against the amendCN-owned corporations to acquire approval
ment citing the surtax would drive smaller
from the council before obtaining lobbying
CN-licensed smoke shops located near bor- services.
der smoke shops out of business.
Councilors also unanimously amended
According to the act, the surtax is intend- the tribe’s fiscal year 2006 budget by adding
ed to reduce smoking rates in order to
more than $2 million for a total budget
lower overall CN health care costs, and rev- authority to $345 million.
enues from the surtax will be earmarked for
The amendment added $1.8 million to
diabetes and cancer programs.
the General Fund to fund new initiatives
Thornton said one reason he voted
and government projects and $101,300 to
against the act is because he doesn’t know
the Self-Governance Fund to subsidize the
how revenues would be spent.
tribe’s Johnson-O’Malley Program. It also
“I haven’t really understood whether this added $92,023 to the Native American
money is for our (existing) clinics or to
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination
build a diabetes clinic. It’s not real clear in
Act Fund for carryover spending of certain
there, and I certainly want to keep that
activities contained in CN’s 2005 Indian
money in the Cherokee Nation.”
Housing Plan and $55,000 to the Motor
However, the bigger issue for Thornton is Fuels Tax Fund for carryover spending of
the limiting of retail-to-retail sales.
the Veterans Office’s Warrior Memorial
When the state government abandoned
prior year’s funding.
the tobacco compact with CN in 2005,
In a time-saving move, 12 councilors
many Indian smoke shops bought less
voted to approved Wathene Young, Jim
expensive cigarettes from smoke shops
Carson, William Grass and Tammy Keeterlocated near state lines to resell them in a
Miller to the Cherokee Nation Industries
higher-tax market to maintain a price
board of directors. Dist. 1 (Cherokee
advantage over corporate tobacco retailers.
County) Tribal Councilor Audra SmokeThe Oklahoma Tax Commission has also Connor abstained from the vote because
adopted rules to eliminate retail-to-retail
she works for Young.
sales.
The council also unanimously passed:
CN councilors voted to apply the new
a resolution authorizing the Bureau of
surtax on retail-to-retail cigarette transacIndian Affairs to update CN’s inventory of
tions if the tribally licensed retailer is selling Indian reservation roads,
to other tribal retailers within the CN. The
a resolution allowing CN’s Department
new surtax will add 15 cents for each pack- of Children, Youth and Family Services to
age of cigarettes and $1.50 on each carton.
apply for $150,000 in transitional living
In order to help prevent some smoke
services from the U.S. Family and Youth
shops from going out of business, the
Services Bureau for runaway and homeless
youth,
a resolution authorizing the adminisTribal Council meetings are
tration to seek $500,000 in funds from the
held at 6 p.m., the second
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Monday of each month in the
Services for the operation of the Program of
All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE),
Tribal Council Chambers of the
which aims to provide elders economic and
W.W Keeler Tribal Complex.
social self-sufficiency via community-based
Meetings can be viewed live on organizations,
the Cherokee Nation Web site at
www.cherokee.org.
a resolution endorsing a self-governance compact with the HHS and the
Indian Health Service, which allows the
Jackie Bob Martin • Jackie-Martin@cherokee.org
District 3 - Sequoyah • Sequoyah County
David W. Thornton Sr. • David-Thornton@cherokee.org
Phyllis Yargee • Phyllis-Yargee@cherokee.org
District 4 – Three Rivers
McIntosh, Muskogee & Wagoner Counties
District 8 – Tulsa • Washington County
Buel Anglen • buelanglen@sbcglobal.net
Bill Johnson • Bill-Johnson@cherokee.org
District 9 – Craig • Craig & Nowata Counties
Charles “Chuck” Hoskin • Charles-Hoskin@cherokee.org
Don Garvin • Don-Garvin@cherokee.org
District 5 – Delaware • Delaware & Ottawa Counties
tribe to enter annual funding agreements
with the IHS,
a resolution authorizing a proposal to
the Administration for Native Americans to
seek funding to help save the Loyal
Shawnee language from extinction,
resolutions allowing right-of-way easements over tribal trust land in Adair County
to allow tribal citizens use of a road and in
Delaware County between the tribe and
Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative
for an electricity distribution line,
resolutions approving an oil and gas
lease on tribal fee land in Red River County,
Texas to Bartlett Resources for five years
with a royalty rate of 16.67 percent and a
sand and gravel lease on the Arkansas
Riverbed to Arkhola Sand and Gravel
Company in Fort Smith, Ark., for five years
with a royalty rate of 20 cents per ton for
sand and 25 cents per ton for gravel,
a resolution allowing CN’s
Environmental Programs to apply to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for
funding to establish a water program council to raise awareness on health-related
issues in tribal communities and on aquatic
resources and watersheds,
a resolution allowing Environmental
Programs to apply to the EPA for a tribal
solid waste management assistance grant.
tutional question to determine citizenship
and especially whether to exclude
Freedmen… may be placed on the next
general election ballot by a referendum
petition or by a constitutional question
authorized by resolution of the council.”
Smith said many Cherokees believe that
Cherokee voters in 1975 understood that
voting to approve the 1975 Constitution
would exclude Freedmen from citizenship.
He said other Cherokees believe that citizenship should include the five culture/ethnic groups such as they were before
Oklahoma statehood – Cherokees by blood,
Delawares by blood, Shawnees by blood,
inter-married whites and Freedmen. But
regardless of one’s viewpoint, Smith said, the
decision re-enforces the principle that the
CN is the same constitutional government
formed in 1839.
“It properly destroys the falsehood that
there is a new Cherokee Nation of
Oklahoma created in 1975 and an older
Cherokee Nation with a constitution dated
in 1839,” he said. “There is only one constitutional government of the Cherokee people
since 1839 and that simply is Cherokee
Nation.”
Smith also honored Air Force veteran
Dennis Groundhog Ogan as the month’s
sole veteran honoree. Born near Stilwell in
1917, Ogan joined the Air Force in 1941
In his State of the Nation address,
after graduating Sequoyah Orphans
Principal Chief Chad Smith spoke about the Training School (now Sequoyah High
Judicial Appeals Tribunal’s March 7 ruling
School) and attending Bacone Junior
in the case of Lucy Allen vs. CN Tribal
College in Muskogee. He served in World
Council, where the JAT ruled that descenWar II in the Pacific Ocean Theater as an
dants of Cherokee Freedmen on the Dawes administrative and technical inspector.
Rolls could enroll as CN citizens. The ruling
Ogan was honorably discharged from
states that the 1975 Constitution wasn’t
active duty in 1948 and worked for the BIA
clear enough when Cherokees voted by a
for 35 years before retiring. He currently
ratio of 6-to-1 to exclude Freedmen, he said. lives in Oregon with his wife Katherine. His
Smith said CN voters would probably
niece Toxie Hamilton accepted a plaque in
have the opportunity to vote in 2007’s tribal his honor.
elections to see if the Freedmen descendants would remain citizens of the tribe.
Smith also honored the SHS basketball
“The issue at hand is what classes of peo- teams for making it to the Class 3A state
ple should be citizens of the Cherokee
playoffs for the 2005-06 season and introNation, and who should make that decision, duced SHS girls basketball coach Bill
the courts or the Cherokee people themNobles, who coached the Lady Indians to
selves,” he said. “The process to decide the
their second straight state title.
issue of Freedmen citizenship is a constitutional amendment at the polls. The constitravis-snell@cherokee.org • (918) 453-5358
Tribes to negotiate recognition
By Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Representatives
from the Cherokee Nation and the
Delaware Tribe of Indians met Jan. 18 to
discuss strategies to help the Delaware
regain federal recognition.
Melanie Knight, CN executive officer,
said the purpose of the meeting was to
find the interests of each party so they can
work on the terms on an agreement.
In February 2005, the 10th Circuit
Court of Appeals ruled the Delaware were
not a federally recognized tribe.
The Federally Recognized Indian Tribe
List Act of 1994 provides Indian tribes
may be recognized by an act of Congress,
the administrative procedures set forth in
Part 83 of the Code of Federal Regulation
or a decision of a U.S. Court.
Since 1866, when both tribes signed
treaties with the U.S., each has repeatedly
been in the courts to interpret the treaty
incorporating the Delaware into the
Cherokee Nation. Knight said since 1996
hundreds of thousands of dollars had
been spent on attorney fees surrounding
this issue.
In 1866, the U.S. agreed to a treaty with
the Delaware for the sale of lands in
Kansas in exchange for removal to Indian
Territory. They were guaranteed rights to
participate in any general council or territorial government and peaceable possession. The treaty also allowed for two pay-
ments, one for the preservation of their
tribal laws, customs and usages not inconsistent with those of the CN and a second
payment to settle within the Cherokee territory and become native Cherokees.
“We entered into this agreement in 1866
that now we may be agreeing to somewhat
modify,” Knight said. “I think both parties
are open to negotiating that and seeing
what the agreement looks like while at the
same time making sure that their own
interests are protected.”
When an agreement between the tribes
is reached, the CN would consent to jointly seek congressional approval.
The two tribes have already found some
common interests and are developing
positions on a number of issues before
they meet again to begin negotiating the
terms of the agreement.
“Where it presents some difficulties is
that when we made the agreement in 1866
it was for the Delaware to come live in
Cherokee Nation,” she said. “So they have
made their home here, and now it presents
some challenges with regard to programs
that operate based on a geographic representation.”
Knight said the CN is negotiating with
an open mind.
“I think we are going to be able to identify
those areas where we readily agree and we
can set those items aside and concentrate on
the items that are going to take more work.”
Attention Readers
Due to increased costs of printing and mailing the Cherokee Phoenix to more
than 90,000 Cherokee households, we must downsize our free mailing list.
Beginning with the June 2006 issue, the Cherokee Phoenix will only be
mailed to registered Cherokee voters and those households that contact us
via letter, post card, phone or email and request to remain on the mailing list.
Paid subscribers and each household with one registered voter residing within
that household will not be affected. All others will be deleted from the list.
Readers who wish to remain on the list may clip the form below and mail it to
us, send an email to phoenixsubscriptions@cherokee.org, call us at (918)
453-5269, or register to vote in tribal elections with the Cherokee Election
Commission by mailing in the form provided on page 35 of this issue. You
must respond by May 1 to continue to receive your free copy.
Name:
Mailing Address:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Cherokee Citizen Number:
(from blue citizenship card)
Mail to: Cherokee Phoenix Mailing List, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465-0948
7
Native roots run deep at annual symposium
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State
University will feature four days of scholars,
authors, artists and cultural activities April 5-8
at its 34th annual Symposium of the American
Indian: Native Roots Run Deep.
Dr. Phyllis Fife, director of NSU’s Center for
Tribal Studies, said the symposium’s organizers
are excited about this year’s lineup.
“This year, for the first time, I think our electronic communication is working well for us in
getting the word out and we’ve gotten a lot of
response from people all over. We do expect to
have a nice symposium and we got some good
speakers lined up as well as a good variety of
topics.”
She said the theme – Native Roots Run Deep
– refers to the fact that an Indian nation can be
found when traveling from border to border in
Oklahoma because many tribes from all over
the United States were relocated to Indian
Territory, which later became Oklahoma.
“This is where so many tribes ended up. We
still have the largest diversity of Native
American tribes of any state, and we just kind of
latched on to that for this year.”
The symposium, which is free to the public,
begins April 5 with a 9:30 a.m. opening ceremony hosted by the university’s Native American
Student Association, the crowning of Miss
NASA 2006 and comments from Muscogee
(Creek) poet Joy Harjo.
The rest of the day will include lectures, a
stickball game, hearing tests, reception for Miss
NASA 2006, a traditional dance exhibition and
an evening feature film session.
The next day’s events feature a 9:30 a.m. general session that includes a lecture by
Osage/Cherokee author Dr. Rennard Strickland.
Former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller will
host a luncheon at 11:30 a.m., which will lead
into afternoon events such as a field trip to
Cherokee Nation’s Language Immersion School.
The evening sessions will cover Native
American language lectures and animated films.
Wilma Mankiller
Tornado
from Page 1
state and Cherokee Nation emergency officials took over to help with the recovery
efforts. Martin Webb of the CN Emergency
Management Service said his crew began
working the scene that night. He added that
the Oaks Mission gymnasium was established, with help from the American Red
Cross, as a center for displaced people to
stay, eat and recover from the storm.
CN EMS’s Tamara Copeland said about
75 entities within the CN responded to the
emergency.
Chief Smith said the tribe also stepped
up to help tribal citizens in need. He said
the Housing Authority of the Cherokee
Nation was helping people find temporary
shelter by putting them in rental units and
giving out rental assistance vouchers.
Residents of Twin Oaks run past a damaged recreational vehicle near Scenic U.S. 412.
(Photo by Travis Snell)
Friday’s events begin with an 8:30 a.m. Native
American language education seminar led by
Dr. Akira Yamamoto. The American Indian
Science and Engineering Society will host the
9:30 a.m. general session that includes a
Cherokee music performance by Jim Carey of
Sequoyah High School.
The afternoon sessions include lectures by
United Keetoowah Band author Robert J.
Conley, Choctaw/Cherokee author Dr. George
Ann Gregory, Eastern Band Cherokee Roseanna
Belt and Muscogee (Creek) author Carole
Stewart. The scheduled evening highlight is the
annual NSU powwow.
Joy Harjo
The symposium’s last day includes a traditional art sale at 3 p.m. along with gourd dancing and a dinner. Another powwow is slated to
begin at 7 p.m. to honor longtime NSU employee Carol Young.
Fife said the symposium provides Natives and
non-Natives a place to gather to learn about
American Indian topics.
“It has really gotten a national reputation,
which we enjoy,” Fife said. “It’s important
because the agenda we have is something that
would be valuable, not only for students, but
also for researchers, Indian communities and
the general public.”
HACN Director David Southerland said
the HACN had apartments in Delaware
and Mayes counties for displaced citizens
to use.
Human Services was also helping find
clothes and coats for citizens in need and
Cherokee Nation Enterprises supplied several days worth of food and water for work
crews and citizens.
Dist. 5 (Delaware County) Tribal
Councilors Linda Hughes O’Leary and
Melvina Shotpouch also helped with the
relief efforts. Shotpouch said she and
O’Leary spent several days getting food and
water to citizens and work crews as well as
directing people to the Oaks Mission gym.
“I put some signs at Colcord, Kansas
(Okla.) and Twin Oaks telling them where
to go,” she said. “We’re just sending them all
to Oaks to the school and letting them
coordinate from there. We also got a place
set up at Twin Oaks Church and we were
taking food to the workers, firefighters and
whoever was helping.”
One Cherokee family who may end up
using the relief services is the Snails. Regina
Snail said her father Woody of Twin Oaks
lost his home in the storm and will have to
look for a new one.
“One of his friends came and got him
and took him to Oaks,” Regina said. “They
tried to outrun it. He said he saw some surrounding buildings go up and that's when
they took off.”
She said her father’s home received heavy
Robert J. Conley
damage to the walls and ceiling and that he
and his wife Lucille would probably stay
with family in West Siloam Springs.
Cherokee citizen and Twin Oaks resident
Matt Rogers was luckier. He said his house
received no damage, but he couldn’t say the
same for his car.
Rogers was in his car with a co-worker
driving to work east of Kansas when they
turned around minutes before the tornado
touched down.
“We turned the corner by the (Twin
Oaks) Conoco right as it was coming
through. The tornado and my car were at
the intersection at the same time, and my
car started shaking back and forth.”
He said as they raced the car north
toward the turnpike’s overpass, his car
started shaking and the (back passenger)
window got sucked out.
Rogers said he was lucky to sustain only
minor repairs to his car, but realizes that
many in the area weren’t so lucky. And with
all the damage caused to area homes, infrastructure and livestock, some residents said
it would take time for things to get back to
normal.
“Maybe a month or longer,” Sooter said,
“but it will be a while.”
For more information or to seek CN
help, call (918) 453-5000 or the HACN at
(918) 456-8374 or (918) 253-8315 for the
Delaware County office.
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • APRIL 2006 9
Marshals plunge for Special Olympics Cherokee
Nation
Directory
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Thirty members of the Cherokee Nation
Marshal Service braved the frigid waters of the Illinois River in
the Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Camp Feb. 25 to raise money
for the Special Olympics.
The Polar Bear Plunge, sponsored by CNMS and Cherokee
County Special Olympics, has become an annual event for the
CNMS through which they get donations from family, friends and
co-workers to benefit people with developmental disabilities.
Sharon Wright, director of the CNMS, and others competed to
see who could tolerate the waters the longest. After 20 minutes
CN EMS urged the participants to exit the water. Tonya Wright
stayed the longest with Sharon Wright coming in a close second.
This year’s Plunge raised a total of $4,153 and the CN Marshals
led the effort with $2,900 of the total. Sharon Wright was the top
individual fundraiser bringing in $1,350.
Previously, the Plunge has taken place in the Oklahoma City
area. This was the first year the event was held locally.
“It moved here this year because for the last two years we were
the top fundraisers,” Wright said. “Cherokee County Special
Olympics approached the people in Oklahoma City to see if they
could sponsor it here. We are trying to get more Eastern
Oklahoma Law Enforcement involved.”
Special Olympics area representative Debbie Winburn said the
funds are a big help to the organization.
“Law enforcement is a huge benefactor of the Special Olympics
all over the nation,” Winburn said. “I'm proud to say Cherokee
Nation Marshals are among the top fundraising groups in
Oklahoma. The Polar Bear Plunge gets a lot of attention because
it's fun.”
Winburn said the money will help fund the area track meet on
April 22 in Muskogee. Nearly 500 athletes are expected to compete on the local level.
Law enforcement officers and volunteers from throughout the
state attended.
The 30 CNMS employees that made the plunge were Antonio
Aguilar, Darin Allen, Jess Anderson, Donnie Bowin, Dwight
Bryant, Shannon Buhl, Scott Craig, Danny Doolin, Franky
Dreadfulwater, Shawnna Eubanks, Lori Frank, James Harper,
Bodee Jimerson, David Johnson, Jon Ketcher, Rodney Kingfisher,
Catherine Leston, Chad McCarter, Faron Pritchett, Doug
Ragsdale, Joe Rainwater, James Redcorn, Mike Reese, Steve Shelby,
Vinnie Smith, Gina Sourjohn, Danny Tanner, Garland Thompson,
John Timothy and Sharon Wright.
For more information about the Special Olympics or to make a
contribution, call Winburn at (918) 684-3700, ext. 1641.
Chad McCarter and John Ketcher plunge into the Illinois River as
quickly as possible Feb. 25. (Photo CN Communications Office)
Granite tiles fall from Warrior Memorial
storm system that swept through the area
that weekend.
“We’re looking into what caused the failTAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Just months after ure and are going to spearhead the resoluits dedication in November, nine black
tion to that failure,” he said.
granite tiles fell from the Cherokee Warrior
The memorial is nearly 100 feet across
with a 50-foot CN seal in the center. The
Memorial wall and shattered during the
weekend of March 11-12.
seal’s seven-pointed star represents the
Barry Boswell of Cherokee Nation
seven Cherokee clans. About 2,000 engraved
Industries’ Construction Management said
bricks honoring Cherokee veterans surhis office was looking at several different
round the seal.
reasons why the tiles fell. He said the damA 12-foot-by-20-foot black granite cenage may have been caused by a powerful
terpiece, where the tiles fell from, inscribed
in both Cherokee and
English read: “A grateful
Cherokee Nation dedicates this memorial to all
Cherokee men and
women, both living and
dead, who have defended
their families, their people, and their homeland,”
faces the seal and bricks.
The inscribed message is
now incomplete because
of the incident.
On the memorial wall’s
other side, the inscription
reads: “These names are
carved in stone forever so that we and our children can learn and
The Cherokee Warrior Memorial wall lost nine black granite
remember. POW-MIA,
tiles during the weekend of March 11 possibly due to severe
you are not forgotten.”
weather. (Photo by Bryan Pollard)
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
None of those tiles have fallen, but
Boswell said there have been troubles with
their attachment as well.
“We’ve had none of them fall as of yet
and we’re going to take steps, now that the
tile people have visited the site, to secure the
tiles that are there to keep them from falling
because we believe that they are at the same
risk.”
He said his office, along with the company that attached the tiles to monument –
Creative Edge from Iowa – have taken steps
to secure the tiles. Boswell said the tile company has been “very cooperative” and feels
that in time, the memorial will be back to
its original appearance.
He said his office had no timetable on
how long it could take to make the repairs.
When the memorial was officially dedicated on Nov. 10, about 200 people, including veterans of all military branches, attended the ceremony. Officials said the memorial cost nearly $100,000 to complete, and the
Tribal Council contibuted more than
$50,000. The other half came from veteran
brick sales.
The Veteran Affairs Office continues to
sell bricks for $25 to be placed at the
memorial. For more information, contact
Rogan Noble at (918) 453-5695 or RoganNoble@cherokee.org.
Tribal Complex Main:
(918) 453-5000
(800) 256-0671
Accounting • 453-5354
Administration • 453-5618
Adult Education • 458-0484
Ambulance Services • 453-5200
Behavioral Health • 458-6285
Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection • 458-4491
Burial Assistance • 453-5366
Career Services • 453-5555
Cherokee First; Information Center • 207-3936
Cherokee National Holiday Office • 453-5536
Cherokee Phoenix • 453-5269
Child Care Resource Center • 453-5300
Child Care Subsidy • 453-5060
Child Development Center • 453-5070
Clinic: Bartlesville Clinic • 336-0823
Clinic: Claremore Clinic • 342-6200
Clinic: Jay Clinic • 253-4271
Clinic: Muskogee Clinic • 687-0201
Clinic: Nowata Clinic • 273-0192
Clinic: Salina Clinic • 434-8500
Clinic: Sallisaw Clinic • 775-9159
Clinic: Stilwell Clinic • 696-8800
Clinic: Vinita Clinic • 323-0191
Commerce • 453-5536
Communications • 453-5006
Community Development • 431-4177
Community Services Administration • 453-5233
Contract Health • 207-3968
Crisis Assistance • 453-5422
Cultural Resource Center • 453-5151
Education • 207-3865
Elderly Assistance • 453-5241
Emergency Loan Program • 453-5524
Energy Assistance • 453-5241
Environmental Health-Water & Sanitation • 453-5111
Environmental Services • 453-5005
Food Distribution-Tahlequah • 453-5700
General Assistance • 453-5366
Head Start • 458-4393
Health Admin • 453-5246
Health Services • 453-5657
Healthy Nations • 453-5600
Higher Education • 453-5465
Home Health Agency • 458-6102
Housing Authority • 456-5482
Human Resources • 453-5050
Indian Child Welfare • 431-4115
Jack Brown Center • 453-5500
Johnson O'Malley (JOM) • 453-5250
Lanuage & History Classes • 453-5151
Learn & Serve • 453-5203
Loan Programs • 453-5536
Marshall Services Drug Hot Line • 207-3801
Marshall Services Fraud Waste & Abuse • 207-3802
Marshall Services Main Number • 207-3800
Natural Resources Bull Hollow • 868-2730
Natural Resources Complex • 453-5671
Natural Resources Dahlonegah • 696-3317
Personnel • 453-5050
Purchasing • 453-5214
Realty • 453-5350
Registration • 453-5575
Roads • 453-5396
Sequoyah High School • 453-5400
Small Business Assistance • 453-5536
Tax Commission-TAG Office • 453-5100
Tribal Council • 207-3900
Tribal Citizenship • 453-5575
Veterans Affairs • 453-5693
Vocational Rehab • 453-5004
Youth Services (Community) • 453-5483
Youth Shelter • 458-4440
Cherokee Heritage Center
receives financial support
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee
Heritage Center and the Cherokee Nation
reached an agreement recently that will
allow the CHC to concentrate on programming.
and getting support for that. They are also
getting support from facilities. We are
doing some facilities repair over there and
getting them into our capital improvement
planning for the next five to 10 years.”
Melanie Knight, CN executive officer,
said finances have been a challenge for the
CHC for several years.
The CHC will also have access to CN
central systems such as human resources
and accounting.
“We wanted to provide a level of financial stability so they can focus on fundraising and programming activities and other
things they would like to do without worrying about how they are going to make
payroll,” Knight said.
“We were doing some cultural programming and they were doing some cultural
programming and many times it was similar kinds of work that could really get the
benefit of some synergy if we worked
together on them,” Knight said. “Another
objective was the work and coordinating –
what they are doing with what we are doing
with the Cultural Resource Center.”
The CN will provide more financial support and allow the CHC to take advantage
of other tribal services.
“Many of the operational employees have
become employees of the (Cherokee)
Nation in order to get them a consistent
employment package with fringe benefits,
insurance, a 401(k) – access to things they
didn’t have,” Knight said. “They also have
access to our internal systems like IS
(Information Systems), getting a Web page
Cherokee Nation Enterprises is also
involved.
“The part of the agreement that involved
CNE has to do with the retail operations,”
Knight said. “CNE’s being able to provide
support there in regard to marketing, in
regard to point of sales systems and the
technology they will use in the gift shop.”
Cherokee awarded EPA Fellowship
to research ozone, air quality
TULSA, Okla. – With summertime
ozone alerts a distant memory, one
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa student’s
research heated up during the winter.
Cherokee citizen David Williams, a civil
engineering doctoral student at OSUTulsa, has been collecting data on Tulsa’s
ozone since May 2005. Now Williams is
analyzing that data and studying the
effects of the ozone on Tulsa’s air quality.
Williams was awarded a fellowship of
$37,000 by the Environmental Protection
Agency to complete the study.
“OSU is committed to research efforts
that will make beneficial impacts in our
community and nationally,” said OSUTulsa President Gary Trennepohl. “David
Williams’ research is a great example of
combining rigorous academic research
with practical application to real-world
issues.”
The EPA’s Greater Research
Opportunities Graduate Fellowship
Program will fund Williams’ research for
three years. The GRO program sponsors
master’s degree- and doctoral-level students in environmentally related fields of
study. More than 1,300 applicants compete
each year for approximately 100 fellowships.
Williams said he is honored to receive a
fellowship for his research that could benefit state and national environmental
agencies.
“When choosing a Ph.D. project, I wanted to focus on an issue that was relevant
to the local area,” Williams said. “I think it
is important for state universities to
research topics that affect the local population.”
Williams said the purpose of his
research is to get a measurement of how
much ozone is locally produced during an
entire ozone season, which typically
begins in May and ends in October.
“I’ll be trying to determine if the ozone
is solely locally generated or if transported
ozone is significantly affecting the air
quality in Tulsa,” Williams said. “Tulsa’s
amount of ground-level ozone is one of
the pollutants that determine the EPA’s
designation of our city.”
David Williams
According to the EPA, a city or area
may be designated as “attainment” or
“nonattainment” based on the number of
violations of the national eight-hour
ozone standard over a three-year period.
“The outcome of this research could ultimately impact Tulsa’s status on attainment,”
Williams said.“It could certainly assist the
Oklahoma Department of Environmental
Quality when it considers and implements
strategies on tackling ozone problems.”
ODEQ donated two analyzing instruments to OSU for the purpose of this
study. Williams said the units, which are
the same instruments used to measure
data to determine “ozone alerts,” were
placed on the roof of the Bank of
Oklahoma Tower in Tulsa in May to collect data. The City of Tulsa provided the
space and power for the instrumentation.
Williams also launched an ozone analyzer-equipped research balloon, known as
an “ozonesonde,” for additional data collection. He plans to present his research at
the EPA’s national conference in
September 2006.
“While at OSU-Tulsa, I’ve had the
opportunity to study with world-class faculty,” Williams said. “I’m excited about
applying that knowledge as emphasis continues to be placed on protection of the
environment.”
Williams is the son of Thomas and
Nedra Williams, and the grandson of the
late Hubert and Ruth (Cochran) Williams
and Irene and the late Alvie McMillan, all
of Catoosa.
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Women move to dismiss The Cherokee Nation
History Course
third legal challenge
a person must prove individual harm
before proceeding with litigation.
“She (Fields) has not identified any
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Two women con- ‘injury of fact’ or pointed to any way in
sidering having their same-sex marriage
which she has suffered a threatened or
validated by Cherokee Nation filed a
actual injury resulting from the
motion to dismiss a third challenge on
Respondents’ (McKinley and Reynolds)
March 8 in tribal court.
marriage,” Ayoub wrote.
Cherokee citizens Kathy E. Reynolds and
She also states Fields’ job doesn’t give her
Dawn L. McKinley filed a dismissal motion standing to file suit and argues the JAT and
against a petition asking the Judicial
federal courts have clarified that the
Appeals Tribunal to hear the case.
requirement of standing applies to every
CN Court Administrator Lisa Fields filed litigant.
the Jan. 26 petition asking the JAT to
“Simply alleging that one is a citizen, a
instruct her “how to direct the court clerk” taxpayer, a legislator or a public official is
to treat a marriage certificate issued to the
not sufficient … a person who is invoking
women on May 13, 2004.
… this Court must demonstrate that she
Fields’ petition states her job includes
has suffered or is threatened with suffering
supervising the District Court clerk, who
some individualized harm.”
records tribal marriage certificates, and she
Ayoub contends Fields’ fear of oath violaneeds to know if accepting the certificate
tion doesn’t stand because the CN law
would violate her oath of “properly record- Fields cites has no bearing. The law states
ing official records and documents” since
that anybody who … procures or offers
the council changed the marriage law to
“false or forged” documents to be filed in
prohibit same-sex marriages.
CN is guilty of a crime.
When the couple received its certificate,
“Although (Fields) does not say so, she
tribal law defined marriage as a union
appears to suggest that either she or the
between a “companion” and “cooker.” A
Clerk might be liable under the statute if
month later, it was changed to state marthey recorded the … marriage certificate,”
riage could only occur between man and a Ayoub wrote. “By its plain terms (the
woman.
statute) applies to ‘a false or forged docu“After the issuance of the marriage cerment.’ The marriage license does not fall
tificate … the Tribal Council removed any
into either one of these categories regardpossible ambiguity in tribal law when they less of whether it is or is not valid.”
expressly prohibited marriage between two
Ayoub states that even if the certificate
people of the same sex,” Fields’ petition
was void, as Fields argues, it simply would
states. “Unless … ordered by the tribal
be an invalid document issued in good
courts to accept and file the marriage …
faith by the court clerk and obtained in
this office’s position is that the marriage
good faith by the couple based on a belief
certificate between the two women is void- that they were legally entitled to marriage.
able … and that a judicial determination on
Two previous challenges to the marriage
the merits would conclude the marriage
have failed because the JAT stated chalcertificate void.”
lengers did not demonstrate “specific parFields also cited a June 2004 legal opinticularized harm” caused by the marriage.
ion by the late and former CN General
The first one came from Tribal Council
Counsel Julian Fite that stated CN laws
attorney Todd Hembree acting as a private
“reflected” marriage as a union between a
citizen. The JAT dismissed it on Aug. 3,
man and woman. Fields’ petition also states 2005.
she and her lawyer John G. Ghostbear
The second challenge came from nine
researched tribal law and history and deter- Tribal Councilors who stated since they
mined gay marriages were “never contemamended CN's marriage law forbidding
plated or recognized.”
same-sex marriage in June 2004, they had
In the motion to dismiss, the couple’s
standing to contest the couple’s certificate.
counsel, Lena Ayoub of the National Center The JAT dismissed it on Dec. 22, 2005.
for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, cites
several reasons, including that Fields hasn’t
shown individualized harm. Under CN law,
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
“The Cherokee History class answered questions my family has
had for many years. Our children deserve their true history and
this heritage must be available to all generations to come.
The sense of pride and fulfillment these classes give is priceless.”
- Tahlequah course participant
The Cherokee Nation History
Course, part of a new
initiative to rejuvenate our
knowledge of language,
culture, and history, is being
offered to citizens of the
Cherokee Nation as well as
the general public.
• Awarded “Honors” as
a national finalist in
Harvard University’s
“Honoring Nations”
project recognizing
tribal initiatives in
self-government and
self-determination!
• Over 5000 Cherokee
Nation employees and
community people have
attended this course.
• Participants will receive a
compilation text, Cherokee
Nation History, as part of
this course!
Cherokee Nation: (918) 453-5000 or 1-800-256-0671
Tribal Council: (918) 207-3900 or 1-800-995-9465
Cherokee Nation Tax Commission: (918) 453-5100
Cherokee Phoenix: (918) 453-5269
Saturdays and Sundays • April 8-9 and April 22-23
9 am to 6 pm each day
(This is a four day, thirty-two hour course)
Mitchell Hall, Room 202 • University of New Mexico
Sponsored by the Cherokee Nation in conjunction with
UNM’s Native American Studies Department
and the Cherokee SouthWest Township
Registration is $10 per person • Please use form below
Tahlequah, OK
May 8-12 • 8 am to 5 pm each day
Osiyo Training Room • Cherokee Nation Complex
Hwy 62 • Sponsored by the Cherokee Nation
Registration is free • Call Caleen Bolin (918) 453-5559
Portland, OR
June 10-11 and 24-25 • 9 am to 6 pm each day
(This is a four-day, thirty-two hour course)
Portland State University • Cramer Hall, Room 53
Sponsored by the Cherokee Nation in conjunction
with the Native American Studies Department,
Portland State University
Registration is $10 per person • Please use form below
Pre-registration is required in all courses.
Enroll by calling or mailing in the form below.
Please register me in the Albuquerque, New Mexico course
Enclose $10 per person • Make check or money order payable to the Cherokee Nation and mail to:
Cherokee Nation • Attn: Caleen Bolin, OEDC • P.O. Box 948 • Tahlequah, OK 74465
Please register me in the Portland, Oregon course
Enclose $10 per person • Make check or money order payable to the Cherokee Nation and mail to:
Cherokee Nation • Attn: Caleen Bolin, OEDC • P.O. Box 948 • Tahlequah, OK 74465
Name:
Mailing Address:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
New Phone Numbers Albuquerque, NM
Additional Guests:
E-mail:
Tribe donates to single-mom center
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.–The Cherokee
Nation recently donated $20,000 to the
Zoë Institute Inc., a single-mom resource
center in Tahlequah.
Founded to improve the overall quality
of life of individuals, Zoë’s unique Single
Mom Resource Center was established to
assist women, whether widowed or
divorced, raise their children, take care of
their homes and automobiles and learn
financial independence.
Zoë is a Greek word that means higher
life, spiritual life or life the way it was
intended to be.
Tribal Councilors Bill John Baker, Audra
Smoke-Connor and Don Garvin also
made individual donations of $250 each to
the organization.
The Zoë Institute offers multiple services including the Hands of Grace
Warehouse, which provides household
cleaning items and paper products, clothing, shoes and toys, and some furniture
and appliances; monthly distribution of
reduced cost food boxes; DivorceCare, a
13-week divorce recovery program; Safe
Relationships, a course that teaches
women how to make good relationship
choices; PREP, premarital and marriage
education courses; 24/7 Dad, a fatherhood accountability course; various single
mom seminars such as car care clinics,
mortgage clinics, smoking cessation clinics, and basic life skills courses; and access
to counseling and professional services.
“This donation is huge. I am speechless,”
Rhonda Clemons, executive director of the
Zoë Institute, said. “It is so rewarding to
see the community come together and to
see Cherokee Nation be part of the community.”
Current statistics show that single
mothers are currently raising 58 percent of
all children in Cherokee County.
For more information visit www.zoeinstitute.us.
Judge orders former councilor
to repay tribal funds
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
OKMULGEE, Okla. – A U.S. judge has ordered former Dist. 3
(Sequoyah County) Tribal Councilor Mary Flute-Cooksey to
repay Cherokee Nation more than $3,000 in tribal funds she
used to hire an attorney in 2003.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Tom R. Cornish issued a Feb. 22 ruling stating Cooksey must repay CN the $3,482.37 she used
when she and two other former councilors hired Tulsa attorney
Mary Flute-Cooksey
Richard Toon to challenge the tribe’s 2003 election results.
Cooksey’s amount is one-third of the $10,447 used to pay Toon.
According to tribal documents, in June 2003 Cooksey along with former Dist. 1
(Cherokee County) Tribal Councilor Don Crittenden and former Dist. 6 (Mayes County)
Tribal Councilor Stephanie Wickliffe-Shepherd signed a contract with Toon and agreed
to reimburse him for expenses incurred during the tribal case. The three lost their council
seats during the election and later lost the case. In July 2003, the Toon Law Firm was paid
using CN funds.
Title 26, Section 102(A) of the tribe’s codes prohibits the use of public funds to pay an
individual’s attorney fees to contest a tribal election. However, accounting documents
show each of the three councilors expended $3,482.37 of their own Tribal Council legal
expense fund and they filed the election appeal petition as “a current council representative.”
Cooksey’s case was heard in U.S. Bankruptcy Court because she filed for bankruptcy
and included her tribal debt.
According to the bankruptcy ruling, Cornish ordered Cooksey to repay CN because
she was in a “position of fiduciary as an elected officer” when she converted tribal funds
for personal use and because she had earlier entered a plea of no contest in CN District
Court to criminal charges of making a fraudulent claim against the tribe and conspiracy
to make a fraudulent claim.
In September 2005, Crittenden and Wickliffe-Shepherd also pleaded no contest to the
charges.
CN District Court officials said Cooksey is repaying her share of the $10,447 via
monthly payments of $50 and that the case is set for an April 22 review in District Court.
Officials also said both Crittenden and Wickliffe-Shepherd have repaid their amounts in
full. According to court documents, the three do not admit guilt to the charges by pleading no contest, and they were to be placed under unsupervised probation for six months.
Upon completion of six months without probation violation, the no contest pleas would
be expunged from their records and the charges shall be dismissed, court records state.
Descendants of Cherokee seminaries reunion set
By Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The
Descendants of Cherokee
Seminaries Students Organization
will have its annual reunion May 7
at Northeastern State University in
Tahlequah. Registration will begin
at 10 a.m. in the Branscum
Alumni Center. A fee of $25 will
be collected and will cover membership dues and lunch.
The date is significant because
Marion Hagerstrand, front center, visits with other
the Cherokee National Female
descendants at the 2005 reunion.
Seminary reopened May 7, 1889.
school, except on May 7,” Marion
The seminary was destroyed by fire two
years before. Female and male seminaries Hagerstrand, Jack Brown’s daughter, said.
“I again want to emphasize the imporopened in 1851 at Park Hill, 12 years after
tance of continuing our campaign to raise
Cherokees were removed to Indian
funds for Cherokee students,” Rick Ward,
Territory, now Oklahoma. The state
DCSSO president said. “Since education is
bought the female seminary in 1909,
the foundation of this organization, I feel
which is now Seminary Hall, the centerthat this is a very important cause. I want
piece of NSU.
to especially thank Dr. Ed Pointer and his
The descendants meet each May 7 to
wife Alorthene for their contribution last
honor their ancestors.
year to help establish our program.”
Jack Brown established the DCSSO in
Tax deductible donations for the schol1975. He had served as executive vice
arship can be mailed to the NSU
president of the Cherokee Seminaries
Foundation, 812 N. Cedar, Tahlequah, OK
Alumni Association for many years. Due
74464. Indicate the donation is for the
to the number of former seminary stuDescendants Scholarship.
dents passing away, he wanted to get the
For more information contact Ward at
descendants of the alumni to participate
(918) 458-4415 or (918) 772-2713.
in the activities of the association.
“My father, being a school superintendgregg-simmons@cherokee.org • (918) 453-5351
ent, always said every child needs to be in
NATIVE AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Become part of an exciting new project designed to increase the number of Native journalists in
mainstream media. The Native American Journalists Association is accepting applications for the
position of Education Director with NAJA’s headquarters housed at the Al Neuharth Media Center
on the University of South Dakota campus. This position is partially funded through a two-year
grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Responsibilities include:
• Conducting a feasibility study on high schools
serving Native Americans in South Dakota.
• Developing a journalism curriculum for students
with an emphasis on teacher training for high
schools serving Native students in South Dakota
and surrounding states.
• Providing oversight of NAJA journalism education
programs.
• Serving as lead coordinator for NAJA’s annual
student projects and scholarships.
• A future opportunity to teach 12 credit hours per
academic year in USD’s Department of Contemporary
Media and Journalism, inclusive of summer
sessions, and teaching duties for the American
Indian Journalism Institute. Primary teaching
responsibilities will include courses in the journalism
emphasis areas. USD’s Department of Contemporary
Media and Journalism offers the Bachelor of Arts and
Bachelor of Science in mass communications and is
accredited by ACEJMC.
For more information about the University and the
Department, visit the following Websites:
www.usd.edu and www.usd.edu/cmj.
The selected candidate must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in journalism, mass communication or related field. Master’s degree candidates with significant professional background and previous teaching experience are strongly desired. Candidates with experience in American Indian
education will be given special consideration. We are seeking an individual with expertise in journalism that has the ability to work with students and conduct research. Excellence in teaching is
also a plus -- both in the classroom and in mentoring students outside the classroom.
Send a letter of application, resume, a transcript showing highest degree and three references to:
Kim Baca
Interim Executive Director
Native American Journalists Association
555 Dakota St. • Al Neuharth Media Center • Vermillion, SD 57069
Review of applications will begin February 2006 and will continue until the position is filled.
A Union Magic, the No. 7 horse, wins the opening race on Feb. 24 at Will Rogers Downs in a photo finish. (Photos by Lisa Hicks)
Will Roger Downs opens live racing schedule
A Union Magic is the first horse to win a live race at WRD in almost five years.
facility will make a significant impact on
the economy in northeastern Oklahoma,
which in turn will further assist in funding
CLAREMORE, Okla. – In a photo finish, education as well as creating jobs in rural
A Union Magic was the first horse to win a Oklahoma's horse racing industry.”
Smith said he was glad to see the horse
live race at Will Rogers Downs in almost
track employ about 100 people, with about
five years as Cherokee Nation Enterprises
ushered in a new era of racing Feb. 24 at the 90 of them tribal citizens, as well as help
Claremore track.
create partnerships with surrounding areas.
With more than 100 spectators in atten“We are very anxious in developing this
dance, live horseracing returned with 11
partnership with the community of
races that included thoroughbred, quarter,
Claremore and with northeastern
appaloosa and paint horses.
Oklahoma as part of our overall initiative to
create employment,” he said. “The formula is
“We are excited to offer live racing at
very simple. When we can create jobs, we
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs,”
Principal Chief Chad Smith said. “This
can keep our people home, which allows us
to keep our language and culture alive and
improves our quality of life.”
Tribal officials were not the only ones
happy to see live horse racing return to
Claremore as Joe Lucas, Oklahoma Quarter
Horse Association president, and members
of the Oklahoma Horse Racing
Commission attended a press conference
held before the day’s first race.
“I want to thank the Cherokee Nation for
investing in our industry by bringing live
racing back to Will Rogers Downs,” Lucas
said. “I want to thank them for the improvements that they have obviously made to it
Joyce and Floyd Hambrick, who attended
since the time they have purchased this
opening day for WRD in 1987, watch the
place. It’s tremendous and the horse indusreturn of live racing on Feb. 24.
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
CHEROKEE LANGUAGE INFORMATION
For information about online language classes, contact Ben Phillips at (918) 4533869 or e-mail bphillips@cherokee.org or visit www.cherokee.org.
For information about pre-school language immersion classes, contact Sherry
Holcomb at (918) 458-5504.
For information about the Cherokee languagedegree program at Northeastern State
University, contact Phyllis Fife at (918) 456-5511, ext. 4350, or e-mail
fife@nsuok.edu.
try thanks you for it.”
Others elated to see racing action return
included people laying down wagers.
“I’m tickled to death,” Joyce Hambrick,
who attended the opening day with her
husband Floyd, said. “I love horse racing,
and I came here when it opened as Will
Rogers Downs in 1987. I think more people
will come in and it should provide more
jobs.”
The track’s 42-day mixed meet offers live
horse racing every Friday, Saturday and
Sunday until May 28 and will include eight
thoroughbred races per day. For the first
time in the history of the 236-acre track,
two or more quarter horse, paint and
appaloosa races will be held each day.
The purses for Thoroughbred races will
total $80,000 per day with an additional
$21,000 allocated for other races. The purses will come from revenue generated by
gaming machines and a pool of money
compiled from racetracks across Oklahoma.
CNE officials said nearly $4.5 million has
been spent renovating the track, which
includes resurfacing the one-mile track.
Other improvements include adding 200
horse stalls to the 456 stalls that were at the
track when CNE bought it two years ago.
The outdoor grandstand has been renovated and is free to the public. Restrooms, concession stands and back-of-house areas have
also been improved. The track’s indoor
gaming facility, the Turf Club, is under renovation and has an entry fee of $5 per person.
The new Dog Iron Saloon features a variety of made-to-order items such as hamburgers, chicken wings and fresh salads. The
facility also features an entertainment stage
offering live acts every Thursday, Friday and
Saturday nights.
Two new simulcast rooms are also available for betting on horse races held across
the country. Dozens of television screens
line the wall for easy viewing for simulcast
wagering on days when no live races are
held at WRD.
The track’s adjoining casino will also feature newer, skill-based games for a better
variety as part of the 250 gaming machines
allowed at the track via a state compact.
The track is also home to the largest
recreational vehicle park in Oklahoma with
more than 400 full hook-up rigs and a separate clubhouse for recreational vehicle
guests.
Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 1
a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m.
to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The track
is located three miles east of Claremore on
Highway 20.
Cherokee Nation Tag Offices:
Tahlequah
17675 S. Muskogee Ave.
Tahlequah, Okla.
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(918) 453-5100
Adair
301 W. Main
Adair, Okla.
Located next to the Oklahoma Tag Agency
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(918) 207-2495
Gore
206 S. Main • Gore, Okla.
Located within the Southlake Insurance
agency and Oklahoma Tax Agency
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • (918) 489-5175
For information online:
www.cherokeetags.org
Applicants sought for Miss Cherokee competition
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Every year, a
highlight of the Cherokee National Holiday
is the Miss Cherokee Leadership
Competition. Young women from across
the Cherokee Nation vie for the opportunity to represent the tribe as a goodwill
ambassador and messenger who promotes
the government, history, language and culture of the Cherokee people.
LaShawna Fields, the current Miss
Cherokee, has appeared at the opening ceremonies of the National Congress of the
American Indian convention in Tulsa Oct.
31 and spoke at the opening of the
Cherokee Warrior Memorial Nov. 10. On
March 11, she joined Principal Chief Chad
Smith in a commemorative walk down a
newly certified segment of the Trail of
Tears in Pea Ridge, Ark. In between public
appearances and speaking engagements,
Fields visits local school children and
entertains them with traditional stories.
“I encourage all young Cherokee women
to participate in the competition. Not only
have I had the privilege of traveling, meeting people and making new friends, I also
had the honor of representing the
Cherokee Nation. Being a representative of
the second largest tribe in the nation is
truly an honor,” Fields said.
The competition will be held Aug. 26 and
the winner crowned in a ceremony during
the Cherokee National Holiday Sept. 2.
Applications will be accepted through July
21.
Contestants must be between 17 and 22
years of age before Aug. 26, 2006, and a
tribal citizen with at least one-fourth
degree Cherokee blood. Contestants must
also be high school graduates or have a
Tribe announces call to honor military personnel
Miss Cherokee LaShawna Fields speaks
Nov. 10 during the opening ceremony for the
Cherokee Warrior Memorial at the Cherokee
Nation tribal complex. (Photo by Lisa Hicks)
GED equivalency.
A contestant must not be married or
have ever cohabited. Contestants cannot
have children, have previously served as
Miss Cherokee, have been convicted of any
crime nor have any criminal charges pending. All contestants must be able to physically fulfill the duties of the position.
“We hope every eligible young woman
will participate in the Miss Cherokee competition this year. This event is a win-win
situation for everyone involved since it
requires leadership skills to apply for and to
follow through with the competition. No
matter the outcome, everyone wins,”
Principal Chief Chad Smith said.
For more information, call Nancy Scott
at (918) 453-5257 or visit www.cherokee.org.
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than July 21, 2006. Handcarried or faxed applications will not be
accepted.
Road construction funded in Muskogee County
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation gave $116,754 to Muskogee County for
upgrades and repairs to three roads – South Country Club Road, South 25th St. East and
South 55th St. East.
District 4 (McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner counties) Tribal Councilor Don Garvin
presented the check to Gene Wallace, Dist. 1 Muskogee County Commissioner, who
accepted the donation on behalf of the county.
“This check represents a commitment of Cherokee Nation to date of more than $4 million in Muskogee County,” Wallace said. “With Don’s cooperation, we have received
approximately $500,000 in road money. Participation with Cherokee Nation in Muskogee
County is invaluable. Our county could never improve without Cherokee Nation and
Councilor Garvin. The Cherokee population in Muskogee County is extremely grateful
for the tribe’s involvement.”
More than 35 miles of new roads have been built in the past four years as a result of the
funding, Wallace said.
Traffic in Muskogee County is increasing rapidly on roads designed for 1930s traffic
flow.
“Cherokee Nation District 4 is a large district stretching from Wagoner to McIntosh
counties,” Garvin said. “People we help in the district are always very appreciative. We are
glad to partner with and be part of the Muskogee County Commissioners’ work.”
– CN Communications Office
In Memoriam George T. Ross, 91
Nov. 24, 1914, Akins Community, Okla. –
Feb. 22, 2006, Ft. Smith, Ark.
Brick mason
News Briefs
Ruby Marie Kincaid, 77
June 7, 1928, Nicut Community, Okla. –
Jan. 6, 2006, Sallisaw, Okla.
Homemaker
Nation recently called for all Cherokee citizens in active military service and veterans
from all branches to participate in a new
program to honor their service.
The program was started in 2005 by
Deputy Chief Joe Grayson to honor one
active service individual and one veteran
each month at council meetings. Veterans of
WWII will be recognized first, and honorees will progress to most recent service.
Council meetings are held the Monday after
the second Saturday each month.
To nominate a Cherokee citizen or for
more information call (918) 453-5541 or email pthomas@cherokee.org.
Woman indicted in theft from Cherokee Casino
MUSKOGEE, Okla. – An Adair County
woman who is accused of embezzling
more than $11,000 from the Cherokee
Casino in Tahlequah was indicted Feb. 15
by federal grand jurors, officials said.
Sonya Webster, 38, of Watts, Okla., was
indicted on one count of embezzlement
by an employee of a tribal organization, a
press release from Eastern District U.S.
Attorney Sheldon Sperling stated.
Webster allegedly embezzled funds and
credits belonging to the casino with the
intent to convert them to her use and the
use of others, according to authorities.
Punishment for the crime is not more
than 20 years imprisonment and up to $1
million in fines or both.
Oklahoma tribes doing better than counterparts
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Citizens of
three Oklahoma Indian tribes have
attained greater prosperity than Indians in
other states, but still lag behind the general population in some areas, statistics
show.
A U.S. Census Bureau report released in
February was based on 2000 Census data
for Indians and Alaska Natives. It included
numbers for 14 tribes, including the
Oklahoma-based Apaches, Cherokees,
Choctaws and Creeks.
According to the report, the Cherokee,
Choctaw and Creek tribes had higher
educational attainment, home ownership
and median incomes than Indians generally, but were below national averages. The
Apache had lower educational attainment,
home ownership and median incomes
than Indians in general.
While 52 percent of the U.S. adult population has at least some college credit, the
number among American Indians is 44
percent. The Creeks matched the general
population in that measure, while the
Apache rate was 40 percent.
Cherokee Nation hosting vendor fairs
Nation One-Stop Business Assistance
Center will host two vendor fairs and
workshops for Cherokee Nation Indian
Certified businesses and vendors to market their products and services to multiple
purchasing departments and buyers within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional
area.
One fair will be held on from 9 a.m. to
12 p.m., April 29, in the Tsa-La-Gi
Community Meeting Room down the
hallway from the Restaurant of the
Cherokees, located next to the main tribal
complex.
The other is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7
p.m., June 29, in Salons B, C and D at the
Cherokee Casino & Resort in Catoosa.
For more information or to pre-register,
contact Heather Overacker at (918) 2073939 or by email at cn-business-assistance@cherokee.org.
Cherokees grant casino expansion
CHEROKEE, N.C. (AP) – The Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council
recently gave its Tribal Casino Gaming
Enterprise Board permission to seek $254
million to pay for expanding the casino’s
showroom and hotel on the reservation in
western North Carolina.
Plans also call for a new spa and a
1,000-car parking deck and could result in
the creation of as many as 1,200 jobs at
the casino, said Harrah’s Cherokee Vice
President Ray Rose. The casino now
employs about 1,770 people.
“Business has been good, but gaming is
very competitive, very capital-intensive,
very dynamic. This is about maintaining
our competitive advantage and positioning the business for longtime success,”
Rose said. “We want to become a destination resort.”
The casino, about 50 miles southeast of
Knoxville, Tenn., is owned by the Eastern
Band and managed by Harrah’s. It earns
about $155 million annually for the tribe.
TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Why apply at the
Cherokee Nation?
It’s a great
place to work!
We are
currently
seeking:
Dentist
Cherokee Nation Enterprises is the premier
entertainment company in Oklahoma. We
operate five Casinos and numerous retail
establishments in northeast Oklahoma, with
corporate offices in Tahlequah and Catoosa.
Our most recent expansion, Cherokee Casino
and Resort in Tulsa, is Oklahoma’s first resort
gaming destination. The resort features a 150room hotel with four restaurants, three nightclubs, meeting space, a gift shop, and
championship golf course.
In operation since 1990, CNE employs more
than 2,000 people who reside within the
14-county boundary of the Cherokee Nation.
Physician Assistant
Residential Advisors
Controller
Teachers (Head Start)
Substitute Teachers
We seek candidates who have a great customer
service attitude, who are motivated to perform
at high levels, and have the capability to
progress in a hospitality or retail environment.
If you are motivated to provide outstanding
customer service and be part of a dynamic
atmosphere, we hope you will apply for a
position with us.
EMT-Basic
EMT Paramedics (Part-Time)
Senior Program Analyst
Certified Secondary Education Teachers
Complete list of
jobs, descriptions
and applications
are available
online
www.cherokeejoblist.org
Cherokee Nation
Human Resources • P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
(918) 453-5605
Submit application & supporting documents to:
Loretta McNac
lmcnac@cherokee.org
Fax: (918) 458-6253
We currently have employees in more than 30
states and several countries.
We offer:
Dental Hygienist
Nurse Practitioner
CNI was founded in 1969 and is a diverse
company that provides aerospace, defense
and telecommunications products to customers
in both the public and private sector. CNI also
offers governmental agencies medical and
engineering professional services.
We also supply manufacturing and
distribution services.
• An Employee Assistance Program
• A Flex Spending Account Plan
• Competitive Wages
•Paid Holidays
• 401(k) plan
We offer:
• Paid Vacation Time
Paid Holidays • 401(k) plan
• Paid Sick/Personal Time
Medical Insurance with prescription drug plan
• Company Paid Insurance Plan
Health
Dental
Vision
Life
Disability
Prescription Medication
Flex Benefits Spending Plan
Paid Vacation Time • Paid Sick Leave
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Group Term Life & more
Visit our Website for current job listings
www.cherokeecasino.com
Cherokee Casino ¥ 918-384-7800
P.O. Box 399, Catoosa, OK 74015
Roland ¥ 918-427-7491
P.O. Box 1000, Roland, OK 74954
Siloam Springs ¥ 918-422-5100
P.O. Box 1046, Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Tahlequah ¥ 918-458-1696
P.O. 179, Tahlequah, OK 74465
www.cnicnd.com
Cherokee Nation Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 860
Stilwell, OK 74960
(918)696-3151
Submit a resume to:
ncollins@cnicnd.com
Fax: (918) 696-3160
Cherokee Nation WIC offices
Wellness Program receives award
Claremore Indian Hospital
101 S. Moore Ave.
Claremore, Okla.
(918) 342-6372
(918) 342-6371
(918) 342-6370
W.W. Hastings Hospital
100 South Bliss
Tahlequah, Okla.
(918) 458-3253
(918) 458-3180
(918) 458-3126
(918) 458-3243
Sam Hider Jay Community Clinic
P.O. Box 350
Jay, OK 74346
(918) 253-4271 ext. 275 or 274
A-MO-Hi Salina Community Health Center
900 Owen Walters Boulevard
Salina, Okla.
(918) 434-8512
(918) 434-8500 ext. 7615
Redbird Smith Health Center
301 South J.T. Stites
Sallisaw, Okla.
(918) 774-1413
Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center
Hwy 51 East
Rt. 6 Box 840
Stilwell, OK 74960
(918) 696-8832
Indian Health Care Resource Center
1628 S. Main
Tulsa, Okla.
(918) 382-1290
(918) 382-1291
Nowata Primary Health Clinic
202 East Galer
Nowata, Okla.
(918) 273-0192
Muskogee Health Center
1805 N. York
Muskogee, Okla.
(918) 687-0201 ext. 227, 229 or 228
Westville WIC Office
Bushyhead Heights Community Building
(918) 723-4920
Warner WIC Office
Houston Johnson Housing Addition
Contact Muskogee Health Center to make
an appointment
(918) 463-3694
Kansas WIC Office
Kansas, OK 74347
(918) 868-2010
Hulbert WIC Office
123 E. Main, Suite 1
Hulbert, Okla.
(918) 772-2879
(918) 772-3471
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation
was recognized as one of Oklahoma’s
Certified Healthy Businesses by the
Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the
Oklahoma Turning Point Council, the State
Chamber and the Oklahoma State
Department of Health.
This award honors the health and wellness opportunities CN offers its employees.
The award also cites CN for setting an
example for other businesses to emulate.
“It is important to provide information
and fitness activities for our employees so
that they can make wise choices and
improve their quality of life. Our Wellness
Program is very successful, and I commend
the staff for their efforts. It is quite an
honor to receive this award for the third
year in a row,” Principal Chief Chad Smith
said.
The Wellness Program currently offers an
exercise and fitness video library and free
health pamphlets.
“I feel very honored that Cherokee
Nation has received the Certified Healthy
Business award this year. I hope the award is
more encouragement for employees to keep
striving for good health. The Wellness
Program has lots to offer for employee
health through education, wellness activities
and local fitness centers,” Wynema Bush,
CN wellness coordinator, said.
This is the third year the Cherokee
Nation received this award. Only 108 businesses in Oklahoma were honored this year.
For more information, call Bush at (918)
453-5561.
Dietitian’s Corner
Use spices and herbs to bring zing to taste buds
By Rachel Rhodes
Registered Dietitian
April is National Gardening Month and time to plant herbs
which are easy to grow, especially for beginning gardeners.
Substituting herbs for salt and butter allows you to add flavor in
healthy ways to your homegrown vegetables and other meals.
Herbs are fresh or dried leaves of the plants while spices are
ground seeds, roots, fruits, flowers or bark of the plant. Many
flowers of the herb plants are also edible. Spices generally add a
stronger flavor to dishes and herbs add subtler flavors. Fresh
cooking herbs can be dried, frozen and preserved in vinegars and
oils for enjoyment all year long. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor than fresh, so use less in your recipes.
Some herbs that grow well in Oklahoma include thyme,
cilantro, basil, oregano, rosemary, fennel, mint, lavender, sage, dill
and chives.
Thyme, an aromatic herb, compliments soups and poultry and
can be easily substituted in dishes. Thyme pairs well with parsley
and bay herbs. Add chopped lemon thyme to your salad and
refrigerate for 30 minutes and you won't need to add dressing
because the tangy lemon flavor will get the job done.
Sage is a hardy herb that enhances poultry, beans, corn, sautéed
mushrooms, stewed tomatoes, salads and breads.
Oregano, another hardy herb, highlights Mexican and Italian
cuisine and pairs well with meat and poultry dishes. Try oregano
with green beans, onions, potatoes and scrambled eggs.
Rosemary, a deliciously fragrant herb, works fine with meat,
seafood and poultry dishes, but also with dressings. Add crushed
rosemary to homemade bread recipes for melt-in-your-mouth
flavor.
Dill, a tangy herb, used to season hot or cold soups, seafood,
dressings or dips adds unique
flavor to many foods. The leaves
go well with fish, cream cheese
and cucumber. The seeds can be
used in baked products like
breads as well as potato salads,
salmon dishes and bean soups.
Dill can also add interest to
condiments like mayonnaise and
mustard.
Rachel Rhodes
Fennel, another hardy herb,
adds a mild sweet licorice flavor
to foods and compliments chicken, fish and meat recipes. Stuff
the leaves into oily fish or sprinkle finely chopped on salads,
cooked vegetables and Italian dishes. The fennel bulb also can be
sliced and eaten raw or cooked.
Basil boosts flavor in a variety of fish and meat dishes, but
especially Italian dishes like homemade pizza, pasta sauces and
tomato-mozzarella cheese salads. Sprinkle leaves over a fresh
green salad for a concentrated flavor. Preserve fresh leaves for
longer-lasting flavor in oil or vinegar dressings.
Chives, a flowering onion, add a mild onion flavor and work
with fish and vegetable dishes. Try chopped chives in salads or
use as an ingredient replacement for green onions.
Experiment with different combinations and varieties of herbs
to add zing to your meals.
JBC fights fetal alcohol syndrome
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee
Nation recently helped launch an awareness
campaign about the effects of alcohol abuse
in expectant mothers.
The Jack Brown Center, an adolescent
treatment center, was awarded a grant from
the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome for educational materials to be
developed and distributed within the CN.
“We hope to raise awareness on the
symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome,” Mike
Fisher, regional treatment center director
for JBC, said. “This is a 100 percent prevent-
able birth defect that can be avoided completely by the mother choosing not to consume alcohol during pregnancy.”
An art contest was held last year to help
develop the media materials. The contest
was open to anyone in four age categories
residing within the CN.
The winning artwork was featured on
campaign posters and brochures.
The artwork was judged by NOFAS representatives with awards going to Taleah
Stand and Dallas Thompson.
“Their artwork, through these posters and
brochures, will not only be seen at each of
our clinics, but also the entire Oklahoma
City Indian Health Service area,” Fisher
said. “NOFAS will also distribute materials
nationwide through the Centers for Disease
Control out of Atlanta.”
Framed sets of each poster will be presented to each clinic beginning this month.
For more information, visit
www.nofas.org or call the Jack Brown
Center at (918) 453-5500.
HEALTHY
Community Events
DELAWARE COUNTY
Healthy Heart Awareness Walk
On Friday, February 24, 2006, 28
employees of the Sam Hider
Community Clinic participated in a Healthy Heart Luncheon and
Awareness Walk in honor of Healthy Heart Month in February.
Employees submitted recipes to Reba Thompson, Clinic Dietician,
who made suggestions as to how to make the recipe healthier.
Employees prepared these dishes with the healthier modifications
and brought them to the luncheon for all to enjoy. Reba also presented nutrition information during the meal. Afterwards, employees participated in a 11⁄2 mile around the clinic neighborhood.
Thanks to all who participated and made this event successful!
SEQUOYAH COUNTY
Marble City Health Fair
NATION
ADAIR COUNTY
Spring Fitness Camp
Thirty-three students in Adair
County attend the Healthy Nation
Spring Youth Fitness Camp
March 13th - 15th at Stilwell
Middle School.
April Up Coming Events
Aerobics classes
M/W/F Maryetta Gymnastics Center 5:00pm-5:45pm
T/TH Zion Old Gymnasium 5:00 pm-5:45pm
Contract Julie Kimble at 918-696-8852
Walking Club
Wilma P. Mankiller Clinic, beginning April 13
Contact Julie Kimble at 918-696-8852
National Kick Butts Day (Day to stop smoking)
3 on 3 basketball tournament, April 7& 8
Contact Toney McGee at 918-696-8835
Facts About Tobacco use in Oklahoma
Every year 5,827 Oklahomans die because of the effects of smoking.
• 2,231 die from cancer (43 each week) caused by smoking
• 2,078 die from cardiovascular disease (40 each week) caused by smoking
• 1,518 die from respiratory disease (29 each week) caused by smoking
Smoking-attributable direct medical expenditures in Oklahoma during
1998 were $907,000,000.
• $290,000,000 in ambulatory costs
• $230,000,000 in hospital costs
• $80,000,000 in prescription drug costs
• $232,000,000 in nursing home costs
• $75,000,000 in other costs
Between 1997 and 2001 the average annual smoking-attributable productivity losses in Oklahoma were $1,462,187,000. This does not include
expenses due to cigarette-caused burns or secondhand smoke deaths.
Seventy-nine percent of Oklahomans report that smoking is not
allowed at their work-site. Eighty-seven percent report smoking is not
allowed in work areas and eighty-two percent report smoking is not
allowed in public
About one in four Oklahoma adults smoke.
Most want to completely quit smoking.
Healthy Nation Mission Statement
CHEROKEE COUNTY
ATTENTION BOYS & GIRLS
Residential Youth
Fitness Camp
Session I May 22 - May 29
Session II May 29 - June 01
For more information
about the camp, call Margie
Burkhart 918-453-5440.
Cherokee County
Smoking Cessation
Classes
Cherokee Nation
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
Phone 918-453-5615
Contact Person: Bunner
Gray or Regina Christie
Cherokee County Smoking
Cessation Classes
Cherokee County Health Dpt
912 South College
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Phone: 918-456-3331
Contact Person:
CarolMcKeil
Bill Willis Mental Health
1400 Hensley Drive
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Phone: 918-207-3038
Contact Person: Louise
Micolites
W.W. Hastings Hospital
100 South Bliss
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Phone: 918-453-5617
Contact Person:
June Maher
We promote healthy communities through increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and preventing tobacco abuse.
4h
19
axl
Upcoming Runs/Walks
April 1
Wish Lemons Run
12th & Boulder, Tulsa
April 8
Red Hot Chili Run, Muskogee
April 15
Flower Power Run, Muskogee
April
Wings Member Spotlight
Name: Billy Holt
Age: 46
Hometown: Westville, Okla.
Favorite workout: Either a good mountain bike ride or interval running/walking. Indoors I like to get a good stretch with yoga or I do
conditioning with light weight or pilates.
How you got started: In college, I ran and did a lot of dance and
roller skating. Then I married a cycling enthusiast and fell in love
with road cycling. We got into mountain biking in the late 80's.
Personal benefits of exercise: I was diagnosed with lupus a few
Billy Holt
years ago and many people in that situation tend to stop a lot of
physical activity, but a good modified exercise program is highly beneficial for anyone with a
chronic illness or disability. Exercise at an activity level suited for you can do wonders in relieving
physical or mental stress.
Long term fitness goal: To still be riding my bike and running with
a big smile when I am 100 years old.
Billy Holt with Special Olympics
student Johnathan Sands
April 30 • Sunday
OKC Memorial Marathon
(sponsoring teams only)
May 6
Loyalty Day Run, Westville
May 13
Jenks Aquarium Run, Tulsa
May 13
Strawberry Festival 5K, Stilwell
June 10
WINGS Invitational, Delaware County
June 17
WINGS 8K, 5K & 1K, Tahlequah
July 1
Huckleberry Festival 5K, Jay
July 10
Josh Hatzell Memorial Ram Run, Owasso
To request an entry form call:
Healthy Nation (Wings Sponsor) 1-800-850-0298
Fitness advice to others: Think of exercise as a gift you give yourself and don't pass up a chance for a good nap.
WINGS EVENTS CONTACTS
Wings member since: 2000
Trina Jackson at 918-207-3913
Billy enjoys helping out with the Special Olympics
Solving the Mealtime Challenge
It’s 7 p.m. on a weeknight. You’ve just had a
long, busy day. You and other family members
have finally made it home. Everyone’s hungry –
do you head for the telephone or the kitchen?
It’s possible that your lunch was purchased ready-made. One
study shows that 24 percent of Americans eat commercially prepared lunches at least five times a week. If you add dinners to
that, it's plain to see that we’re eating a lot of meals prepared by
the food industry. Unfortunately, meals purchased away from
home tend not to contain enough foods like vegetables, fruits,
whole grains and beans that help protect our health from cancer
and other serious diseases.
So what do you do? Here are some possible solutions to
daily barriers you may encounter for eating more healthful,
homemade meals.
Problem: “I don't have enough time to cook.”
Solution: Buy frozen, chopped vegetables and fruits to defrost in
the microwave. Or buy bags of pre-cut and pre-washed fresh
vegetables to mix into a salad. Over the weekend, take an hour
to cook a large batch of a healthy dish. You can divide it into
individual portions and freeze them. You can defrost a meal in
the microwave on days you don't have time to cook. Stock a
variety of home cooked items in you freezer for later use.
Problem: “After a hard day, I prefer to relax by watching TV.”
Lu McCraw at 918-453-5260
http://steps.cherokee.org
Solution: Put a small TV in the kitchen so you can watch your
favorite show while you cook.
As you eat more healthful foods you prepare yourself and
less take-out fare, you'll find your taste for salty, high-fat and
sugary foods will decline in a couple of weeks.
Studies of people on healthful diets have found that the
longer they avoid such foods, the less they want them.
To guide you and your family for health-smart supermarket
shopping, preparation and meal planning go to www.aicr.org to
review the Homemade for Health brochure. The guide will
empower you with the knowledge that when you prepare more
of your own food, you can eat for good health and lower risk of
chronic diseases. You'll save money, too.
Excerpt from Homemade for Health, American Institute for
Cancer Research
20
Lady Indians repeat as 3A State Champions
defeat Verdigris 60-45 in the championship
game March 11 at the Oklahoma State
Fairgrounds Arena. Sophomore guard Angel
OKLAHOMA CITY – As the final seconds of the girls
Goodrich led all scorers with 21 points, as
3A State Championship game ticked off the clock to secure well as eight rebounds, four assists, two
the Lady Indians second consecutive state title, the
blocked shots and five steals. Senior forward
Sequoyah High School fans began to chant, “Repeat,” and a Shawna Singleterry added 12 points, six
few were calling for a “Three-peat.”
rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Lady Indians relied on their usual strong defense to
Goodrich, who scored 63 points in three
games, was selected as the 3A tourney
Most Valuable Player.
Sequoyah Lady Indians
“It’s great winning again and
hopefully we can come out and win
No.
Name
Position Height Class
again next year,” she said.
Goodrich returns, along with
01
Terranne SpottedBear
Guard 5-7
Junior
starters Lorin Hammer, Cassie
03
Angel Goodrich
Guard 5-3
Sophomore
Moore and Brea Brewer.
10
Britteny Keys
Guard 5-2
Sophomore
Ranked No. 1 all season in the
11
Jamie Loy
Guard 5-9
Senior
CoachesAid.com poll, the Lady
15
Shawna Singleterry
Forward 5-7
Senior
Indians finished with a 12-game
20
Lorin Hammer
Guard 5-4
Sophomore
winning streak for a school-record
21
Sadé HorseChief
Forward 5-9
Senior
27-2 season.
22
Brea Brewer
Forward 5-9
Sophomore
The Lady Indians overcame a
23
Cassie Moore
Center 6-0
Sophomore
determined Marietta team in the
24
Tiffany Teehee
Forward 5-7
Senior
March 10 semifinals to get to the
25
Sukey Deere
Forward 5-9
Freshman
championship game. Marietta,
30
Hannah Cornell
Guard 5-6
Junior
ranked No. 5 in the state, led 57-55
32
Karen Hammer
Center 5-10
Sophomore
with 1:45 to play, but the Lady
Indians went on a 7-2 run in the last
Head coach, Bill Nobles; Assistant coach, Jay Herrin; Managers, Maresa 100 seconds to win 62-59.
Beason, Kandee Stopp, Mercedes Pigeon and Miranda Witte.
“It was a tough game,” Goodrich Senior forward Tiffany Teehee receives the State Champion Class 3A trophy
said. “We didn’t come out and play from Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith at the Oklahoma State
like we were supposed to but we
Fairgrounds Arena. Teehee scored two points in her final game with the
pulled it off.”
Lady Indians but averaged three points, three rebounds and one steal per
“I knew Marietta was good, and I knew
game on the season. (Photos by Bryan Pollard)
this (Verdigris) basketball team was good,”
ing schedule – Coweta twice, we played Frontier twice,
head coach Bill Nobles said.
Metro Christian twice, Victory Christian twice, Bixby, Tulsa
The 12-0 run against Verdigris at the end of the second
East Central. We played a heck of a schedule. Our kids just
quarter was pivotal, he said.
gutted out this weekend. We had some people sick. We did“That was the key to the game. We were able to find a
n’t know if Angel was going to play until four hours before
little defensive mix and get some steals, and clearly, that's
Thursday’s game due to some back spasms and some neck
the key to the game.”
problems. Lorin Hammer has been sick, but kids just did
Nobles praised the contributions of all his players.
fantastic this year; they really did.”
“You know everybody focuses on Angel, but we’ve got a
When asked about the possibility of a third consecutive
lot of people that contribute and they did a great job this
championship, Nobles said, “I don’t even want to think
weekend.
about it, I’ll let you guys deal all about that crystal ball,” he
“Shawna Singleterry averages 18 points a game. When
said. “Like I said we had to go out and earn this one.”
they (Verdigris) went to the zone defense and we went to
Singleterry, who played her last game as a Lady Indian,
our zone offense she got to go one-on-one post with her
was optimistic about their chances.
back to the basket. It’s hard to stop her. They got out of
“They’ve still got some good players. I think they can get
that real quick because I think she scored six points in a
it.”
row.
“If Cassie Moore doesn't score eight points in the
All-tournament team
fourth quarter last night against Marietta, we’re not here.”
“I can’t say enough about Lorin Hammer. Lorin
Angel Goodrich, who scored 63 points in three
Hammer is a rock steady kid. She does all kinds of things
games, was named Most Valuable Player at the
that we need her to do. Sadé HorseChief can guard the
Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association
post. She gets rebounds, she does it all on defense so we
Basketball Championships by Coachesaid.com. It’s the
got a lot of tools.”
second consecutive MVP award for Goodrich, who
HorseChief and Singleterry are two of four graduating
scored 74 in the three games of the 2005 tourney. She
seniors.
averaged 21 points, six rebounds, seven assists and six
“We’re going to miss Sadé, Shawna, Tiffany Teehee and
steals during the season.
Jamie Loy, but we'll find a way to replace them.
Our kids just worked so hard for this all year,” Nobles
Shawna Singleterry was named to the all-tournament
said. “I'm just so happy for our fans. I’m happy for our
team and Lorin Hammer was an honorable mention
Sophomore center Cassie Moore, left, and senior forward
kids. Last year it was 4kind of like getting a Christmas
selection.
Shawna Singleterry trap a Marietta player after an inbounds
present you didn’t expect. I knew we were going to be
pass. Singleterry scored 21 and Moore scored eight in the
good, but I didn’t know if we were going to be good
Senior guard T.J. Hooper of the Sequoyah Indians was
semifinal game. Singleterry averaged 17 points, six rebounds, enough to do what we did, but we kind of took everybody
an honorable mention selection for the boys all-tourney
three assists and three steals while Moore averaged four
by surprise. This year we really had to earn it. The kids
team. Hooper scorched the net for 37 in his final game
points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal
really went out and dug deep to earn it this year.”
against Adair.
per game on the season.
“We had a big bulls-eye on our back. We played a gruelBy Dan Agent
Editor
Indians’ quest for gold falls short
A low-scoring second quarter led to a 34-24 Adair lead at
halftime, but Sequoyah got back into it in the second half
with 21 points in the third quarter thanks to some timely
shooting and a seven points by Hooper. The Indians led 44MOORE, Okla. – It was one and done for the Sequoyah
High School Indians at the Class 3A state basketball tourna39 at one point in the third, but Adair responded with a 12-0
ment losing, 79-72, to the Adair Warriors despite a huge effort run to take a 51-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
from senior guard T.J. Hooper.
In the fourth quarter, Hooper got the Indians back to withOpening the tournament on March 9 at Moore’s Frederick in two after scoring six straight points, but the Warriors
Sports Complex, Hooper led all scorers with 37 points includ- answered again with a 5-0 run. Clutch free throw shooting by
ing seven three-pointers to end his SHS career, which includ- Littlehead trimmed Adair’s lead to 60-55 and Hooper cut it
ed a state title his freshman year.
even more when hitting his seventh and final three-pointer of
the game.
Lance Soap finished with 22 points for Sequoyah as teamMike Soap added a basket with 3:50 left in the game that
mates Kyle Littlehead and Mike Soap added seven points and
six points respectively. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the
gave SHS the lead, 62-61, which they would hold for the next
two minutes. But Adair’s White was fouled while shooting at
Warriors who were led by Spencer White’s 27 points and
Drew Crawford’s 24 points.
the 1:55 mark. White's shot counted for two points and then
he made his free throw as the Warriors took the lead 68-66.
SHS head coach Larry Grigg said going into the game he
Adair went on another 5-0 run to go up 73-66 and then on to
knew the No. 1-ranked Warriors would be tough.
“We played a team that I thought going into the game
win 79-72.
“We had to use a lot of energy to get ahead, then we got
was 50-50, if we won or lost,” he said. “It was a huge disapbehind again, then we had to use a lot of energy to regain the
pointment to lose, but when you get that far anything can
lead again,” Grigg said.“(It) seemed like the difference was the
happen. If we would have played the way we played in the
first half. We shot the ball 37 times, but shot 22 percent. I
previous game (a 20-point win over Spiro on March 3 in
knew we’d get shots and we didn’t get much help out of our
the Area IV Championship game), we would have a better
bench and a lot of that was inexperience. I thought we were a
shot at winning.”
little nervous.”
The Indians opened the game with a 4-0 lead, but Adair
The Sequoyah Indians finished the season 18-9 and winresponded with a seven-point run that was ended by a Lance
ning District, Regional and Area titles during the playoffs.
Soap jumper. Adair outscored SHS 11-2 over the next three
The team will graduate only three players - Hooper, guard T.J.
minutes to pull ahead 18-8. Hooper drained consecutive
Scott and guard Neal Ponkilla.
threes to cut it to 18-14. He scored 10 of the Indians first 14
“He (Hooper) was a prolific scorer, and he averaged more
points, but still trailed at the end of the quarter 22-14.
points (18) through a season than any kid I’ve coached,” Grigg
said.“It’s going to hurt to lose him, but we’ve got some real
Sequoyah Indians
good kids coming back, and they’ll step up to take care of those
No. Name
Position Height Class
Senior guard T.J. Hooper looks to pass the ball against an
18 points we’re losing.”
Adair defender. Hooper led the team with 37 points in his
01 T.J. Scott
Guard 5-10
Senior
last game with the Indians. (Photo by Bryan Pollard)
03 Zach Goodrich Guard 5-6
Junior
11 T.J. Hooper
Guard 5-9
Senior
15 Chris Little
Forward 5-11
Sophomore
(Hooper 14, M. Soap 12, L. Soap 11,
WHS
09 04 09 14 - 36
21 Lance Soap
Guard 6-0
Junior
Littlefield 9, Little 6, Goodrich 3, Travis 3,
SHS
15 17 13 09 - 54
22 K.C. Quinton Guard 6-2
Junior
Morrison 3, Factor 3, Ponkilla 3, Scott 2,
(Hooper 14, J. Travis 11, M. Soap 9, Ponkilla
23 Kurt Rogers
Forward 6-3
Junior
McDonald 1)
5, Stanley 3, L. Soap 2, Winney 2, Littlefield
24 Michael Soap Guard 6-3
Sophomore
Boys quarterfinals, 3A Playoffs at Moore,
2, Morrison 2, Factor 2, McDonald 2)
25 Kyle Littlehead Forward 6-1
Junior
March 9 • (18-9) vs. Adair
Area IV regional championship at
31 Dallas Morrison Center 6-4
Junior
SHS
14 10 21 27 - 72
Muskogee, Feb 25 • (17-8) vs. Keys
District Championship at Muskogee, Feb.
33 Jesse Factor Forward 6-5
Junior
AHS
22 12 17 28 - 79
KHS
10 04 11 14 - 39
20
34 Dale Winney Forward 6-0
Junior
(Hooper 37, L. Soap 22, Littlehead 7, M.
SHS
15 17 16 19 - 67
• (15-8) vs. Vian
35 Neal Ponkilla Guard 6-0
Senior
Soap 6)
(Hooper 18, Morrison 10, Travis 9, Little 8,
VHS
13 10 17 14 - 54
40 Nathan Stanley Forward6-5
Sophomore
Factor 8, Littlehead 6, Goodrich 3, M. Soap
SHS
27 27 12 15 - 81
44 Guy McDonald Center 6-5
Junior
Area IV championship at Muskogee Civic
3, L. Soap 2)
(Little 17, L. Soap 10, Scott 9, Travis 8, M.
55 Jason Travis
Guard 6-0
Sophomore
Center, March 3 • (18-8) vs. Spiro
Soap 7, Hooper 6, Morrison 6, Stanley 6,
Head coach, Larry Grigg; Assistant coach, Jay Herrin;
Spiro
16 09 11 14 - 50
Area IV regional game at Muskogee, Feb.
Quinton 3, Littlehead 3, Goodrich 2,
Managers, Brandi Walker, Raven Springwater and Bryan Vann.
SHS
13 18 23 16 - 70
23 • (16-8) vs. Wilburton
Ponkilla 2, McDonald 2)
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
SHS Indians
SHS Lady
Indians
Girls Class 3A State Championship at OKC
Fairgrounds, March 11
(27-2) vs. Verdigris
SHS
13 21 12 14 - 60
VHS
09 09 12 15 - 45
(Goodrich 21, Singleterry 12, Hammer 8,
Brewer 8, Moore 5, HorseChief 2, Teehee 2,
Loy 2)
3A Semifinals at SNU Sawyer Center, March 10
(26-2) vs. Marietta
SHS
13 12 14 23 - 62
MHS
08 12 20 19 - 59
(Goodrich 22, Singleterry 21, Moore 8, Hammer
8, Brewer 3)
3A Quarterfinals at SNU Sawyer Center, March
9
(25-2) vs. Perkins-Tryon
SHS
18 21 17 11 - 67
PHS
10 09 10 14 - 43
(Goodrich 20, Singleterry 18, Hammer 8,
HorseChief 7, Teehee 6, Brewer 5, Moore 2,
Deere 1)
Area IV championship at Muskogee, March 3
(24-2) vs. Bethel
SHS
22 20 20 19 - 81
BHS
09 17 16 13 - 55
(Singleterry 19, Goodrich 18, Hammer 14,
Brewer 11, Teehee 6, Moore 5, Deere 2,
HorseChief 2, Keys 2, Loy 2)
Area IV regional game at Muskogee, Feb. 23
(22-2) vs. Wilburton
SHS
19 12 21 10 - 62
WHS
09 10 04 06 - 29
(Singleterry 20, Goodrich 20, Hammer 5,
HorseChief 5, Loy 3, Teehee 3, Keys 3,
SpottedBear 3)
Area IV regional championship at Muskogee,
Feb. 25
(23-2) vs. Atoka
SHS
16 19 11 22 - 68
AHS
09 08 11 05 - 33
(Goodrich 30, Singleterry 14, Keys 11,
HorseChief 4, Hammer 3, Moore 3, Teehee 2,
Deere 1)
Districts Championship at Muskogee, Feb. 20
(21-2) vs. Vian
SHS
09 20 16 18 - 63
VHS
02 02 09 22 - 35
(Goodrich 19, Keys 11, Deere 10, Singleterry 7,
Hammer 6, Moore 5, Deerinwater 2, HorseChief
2, SpottedBear 1)
THE
CHEROKEE NATION CONGRATULATES
BRYAN POLLARD - C HEROKEE P HOENIX
Sequoyah High School
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
22
2006
State
Champs!
3 - A
G I RL S
Thanks for an Outstanding and Exciting Season!
School of Choice
Administered by
Cherokee Nation
Track teams begin season against 5A competition
Ashley Ross placed sixth in the 800meter run with a time of 2:38.55 while
Andrea Walkingstick finished 11th at
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. – The
2:45.41. That race preceded the 1600Sequoyah High School track teams had a
meter run where Riddle placed sixth at
rough start for the 2006 season March 3 in 5:56.31.
Broken Arrow facing Class 5A competition.
In the 3200-meter run, Nicole
The Class 2A SHS boys and girls teams
Laconsello placed just outside of the points
finished last at the meet, but the girls faced in the seventh spot with a time of 13:31.16
eight 5A teams, one 4A team and one
while teammates Courtney Reeder and
other 2A team. The boys competed against Kellie Brown finished 11th and 12th
nine 5A teams and one 4A team. Coupled respectively at 14:59.79 and 15:12.16.
with the fact that the teams didn’t have
During the field events, Kate Scott fintheir full rosters, assistant track coach
ished fifth in the girls high jump with a
James Nells said he expected the finishes.
jump of 4-08 while teammate Sara
“We don’t have everybody here,” Nells
Holcomb tied for eighth place at 4-04.
said.“We definitely could have scored
Nells said he expected Darcy Scraper, who
more points if we had (girl basketball play- qualified for the 2005 state meet, to return
ers) Jamie (Loy) and Sadé (HorseChief)
to the team soon. Holland Riddle earned
and a few others. It sure made a difference, two points for SHS at fifth place in the
but we’re not too worried about it because shot put with a throw of 32-01 while teamthe season is just starting and we’re trying mate Chrissy Flynn threw 27-03 for a
to see where everybody is going to match
ninth-place finish.
up and get them running.”
“They performed about what we (he
For the Lady Indians, Kayla Sequichie
and track coach Sam HorseChief) thought
and Jessica Tabor led things off in the 100- they were capable of at this point,” Nells
meter dash as Sequichie placed 24th at
said.“They did quite well, and they knew
14.85 seconds and Tabor finished 32nd at
the competition was going to be tough.
16.92. Brittany Ummerteskee finished 30th They basically were looking at larger
in the 200-meter dash before Alisa Riddle, schools, and larger schools have more athSequichie and Raenell Wilson stepped on
letes they can choose from whereas we're
the track for the 400-meter dash. Riddle
limited.”
ran well enough for fourth place at 1
For the boys, Dion Francis ran a 15.07
minute, 2.53 seconds while Sequichie fin100-meter dash, which placed him 39th
ished 11th at 1:09.15 and Wilson finished
overall as he kicked things off for
21st at 1:18.24.
Sequoyah. He also finished 40th in the
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
Sequoyah runner Courtney Reeder turns the corner
during the 3200-meter run at Broken Arrow High
School’s March 4 track meet in Tulsa, Okla. Reeder
finished 11th in the race with a time of 14:59.79.
(Photo by Travis Snell)
200-meter dash at 29.04.
In the 400-meter dash, Jerrad Dry ran a
1:01.03, which put him at No. 33 overall.
However in the 1600-meter run, SHS had
a strong showing as three runners finished
in the top 12. Ryan Doyeto finished eighth
at 4:54.97, Bryan Vann finished 10th at
4:57.93 and Travis Wickliffe finished 12th
at 5:08.46.
Doyeto and Vann also competed in the
3200-meter run with Doyeto beating out
Vann for sixth place at 10:28.29. Vann finished at 10:39.73 for seventh place. Lee
Chouteau also ran an 11:05 two-mile race
in the second heat.
“Ryan and Bryan, they are picking up
where they left off last year as is Lee,” Nells
said.“Last year, Lee’s PR (personal record)
was an 11:01, and I’m quite happy with
Ryan and Bryan with their two-mile
times.”
Overall, Nells said he thought the boys
team performed well for its first outing
and the coaches now know what the team
needs to concentrate on to get better. He
also said that if everything turns out the
way he and HorseChief plan, the boys
team should have another strong 2-mile
relay team if it gets (basketball players)
Brett Littlebear and Chris Little to go along
with Doyeto and Vann.
The teams were slated to finish out the
month with a March 17 trip to Tulsa
Union before hosting the Sequoyah
relays a week later.
ORES basketball tournament features CN-jurisdiction schools
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
SEMINOLE, Okla. – Several elementary
schools located within the Cherokee
Nation’s jurisdiction recently competed in
the Organization of Rural Elementary
Schools state basketball tournament, with
two schools winning state titles.
The ORES state basketball tournament
features schools with grades kindergarten
through eighth. ORES was founded in 1984
as the Oklahoma Organization of
Dependent Schools. ORES is the oldest
rural school organization in Oklahoma and
has maintained as its primary goal the promotion, protection and preservation or
rural elementary schools.
In the Division III Girls Division,
Dahlonegah (Adair County) defeated
Nashoba 35-21 in the Feb. 23 quarterfinal
round at Varnum High School. Also in that
round, Kenwood (Delaware County) lost to
Haywood 34-42. Dahlonegah was eliminated the next day in the semifinals 35-47 by
Fanshawe, which went on to win the
Division III state title held at Seminole State
College.
In the Division III Boys Division,
Dahlonegah lost 35-51 to Tom in the quarterfinals Feb. 23 at Varnum. Kenwood’s boys
also lost 42-46 to Bell (Adair County) in the
quarterfinals. Bell would lose the next day
in the semifinals to Bearden 39-60 at
Varnum.
The Division II Girls Division featured
Peggs (Cherokee County) beating Liberty
(Sequoyah County) in the Feb. 23 quarterfinals 36-32 at Seminole State College.
Moseley (Delaware County) defeated
Peavine (Adair County) 33-27 in the quarterfinals at Seminole and Hodgen the next
day 28-27 in the semifinals before losing to
Twin Hills 30-41 in the state finals at
Seminole. Twin Hills made it to the finals
by beating Peggs in the semifinals, 28-27.
In the Division II Boys Division, Peggs
beat Hodgen 55-37 in the Feb. 23 quarterfinals held at Seminole State College. Rocky
Mountain (Adair County) beat Pioneer 4732 in the same round at Seminole. Liberty’s
boys lost to Oak Grove 40-30 in the quarterfinals, and Cleora (Delaware County) lost
to Justice (Rogers County) 38-40. In the
semifinals, Rocky Mountain beat Peggs 4834 before going on to win the state championship 57-31 over Oak Grove. Oak Grove
advanced to the finals by beating Justice 5039.
The girls’ Division I quarterfinals featured
Zion (Adair County) beating FrinkChambers 36-30 on Feb. 23 in Shawnee,
Okla. Maryetta (Adair County) beat
Whitebead 39-15 in the same round. The
two teams met the next day in the semifinals with Maryetta winning 52-28. Maryetta
went on to win the Division I state title over
Oakdale 46-37 the next day at Seminole.
The boys’ Division I bracket saw JustusTiawah (Rogers County) beat Oakdale 3026 in the Feb. 23 quarterfinals at Shawnee.
Briggs (Cherokee County) lost to North
Rock Creek 32-34 in the same round.
However, Cherokee County was well represented with Woodall beating Maryetta 3832 in the quarters. The next day in the
semifinals at Seminole, Frink-Chambers
beat Justus-Tiawah 45-41 and Woodall beat
North Rock Creek 31-28 in overtime.
Woodall lost the next day in the championship round 31-20 to Frink-Chambers at
Seminole State College.
Briggs Elementary School’s basketball includes front row, from left, Travis Fuentes,
Jeremy Dry and Kenlee Stopp. Middle row, from left, Taylor Murphy, Jordan Howard, Matt
Santana, Trent Johnston and Justin Ford. Back row, from left, Coach Mickey O'Donnell,
Dillion Towie, Josh Hamilton, Trey Berryhill, Jaron Tsosie, Rusty Peace, Jeremy Sixkiller
and assistant coach Eugene Stopp
24
Sports Briefs
Sequoyah football players earn postseason honors
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Sequoyah High School football team had several players
receive postseason honors for their performances during the 2005 season.
Running back Travis Boswell was named the District 2A-7 Most Valuable Player
along with being selected to the All-District Team and All-Area Team. Quarterback
Nathan Stanley was named the district’s Newcomer of the Year and was named to the
All-Area Team. Other Indians who were named to the All-District Team included Nate
Cline, Derek Foreman, Ryan Sierra and Justin Marshall.
Haskell University to host 12th annual softball tournament
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Haskell Indians Nations University will be hosting its 12th
annual Haskell Commencement Indian Men's Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament May 1314 at the Clinton Lake Sports Complex.
Tournament directors are accepting team entries. Fees are $180 (money order only)
and will be accepted until May 8.
The championship team will receive $700 and commemorative pullovers while the
second-place team will get $500 and T-shirts. The third-place team will receive $300
and T-shirts. Players selected to the All-Tournament Team will receive T-shirts and the
tournament’s most valuable player will get a bat bag and a jacket.
For more information, contact Angela Barnett at (785) 749-8402 or
abarnett@haskell.edu, Kerry Girty at (785) 832-6600 or kgirty@haskell.edu, or Robert
Berryhill at (785) 841-1292 or robertberryhill@hotmail.com.
Cherokee citizen competes in Cross Country Championships
NEW YORK – Cherokee citizen Clay Mayes III recently placed 41st out of 66 runners at the 2006 USA Cross Country Championships as part of the Wings of
America/Circle Earth all-Indian Junior Cross Country Team.
Mayes ran the junior men 8 km (4.96 miles) race course Feb. 19 through the Bronx’s
Cortland Park hoping to place in the top six in order to represent the U.S. at the World
Cross Country Championships, which will be held in April at Fukuoka, Japan.
The 18-year-old from Claremore, Okla., was the only Cherokee citizen named to the
Wings junior mens team. The other four members consisted of three Navajo citizens
and one Crow citizen. The Wings junior womens team consisted of five Navajo runners.
Mayes finished the race in 26:08 for 41st place individually and second best on the
Wings team behind Navajo citizen Dustin Martin. Martin, 16, ran a 25:31.
The mens junior Wings team won the team competition with a low-score of 13
points, beating the second-place team by 14 points.
Catoosa casino to host NAC-qualifying tournament
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Native American Cup officials and the Cherokee Casino
and Resort in Catoosa, Okla., recently announced a partnership resulting in the opportunity for Native American golfers from Oklahoma to play in the 2006 Native American
Cup.
Cherokee Hills Golf Club, owned and operated by the Cherokee Casino and Resort,
will host the 2006 Cherokee Casino Resort Oklahoma Golf Classic to be held May 8.
The event, a 36-hole scratch tournament, will send the top 13 finishers to Michigan
in the fall to compete in the Tribal Division or the Association Division as Team
Oklahoma.
The golf classic is open to all citizens of a federally recognized Indian tribe. Women
are eligible to play and will play from the women’s tees. The tournament fee is $75 per
golfer, which includes green fees and cart fees. The event will be limited to the first 100
golfers that pay and have their eligibility verified. Registration and payment will only be
available through the NAC Web site at www.nativeamericancup.org.
Sacred Run makes way through Oklahoma, CN
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Indian activist Dennis Banks is leading the 28th Annual
International Sacred Run, which made its way in March throughout Oklahoma and the
Cherokee Nation.
Banks is leading the 71-day run that began Feb. 11 from San Francisco and crossed
into Oklahoma from March 1 to March 14. It covered parts of Cherokee Nation on
March 14 when it made its way from Tulsa to Fort Smith, Ark. The 4,081-mile run
should be completed in Washington, D.C., on Earth Day – April 22. The Sacred Run
team includes international long-distance runners and walkers who are running and
walking shifts to cross 12 states and nearly 4,000 miles.
For more information call Linda Rose at (415) 258-4844 or visit www.sacredrun.org.
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TRAIN FOR YOUR FUTURE
Medical Office
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For more information call
Outreach & Admissions
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Information online at:
http://talkingleaves.jobcorps.gov
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
B RYAN P OLLARD - CHEROKEE PHOENIX
2006 3-A BOYS BASKETBALL AREA CHAMPS • 5-TIME STATE QUALIFIER
CONGRATULATIONS
Sequoyah High School
POWER LIFTING TEAM MEMBERS QUALIFY FOR STATE
Hunter Cunningham, Micah O’Field, and Anthony Beaver, qualified to compete in the state power lifting competition. All three
finished in the top 10 in the state. All three are sophomores and this is only the second year for SHS to have a power lifting team.
Pictured above - several team members show their skills at a meet.
FROM THE
School of Choice
Administered by Cherokee Nation
26
Immersion Program increases Cherokee fluency
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – A classroom door leading to the
Cherokee Nation’s Child Development Center has a small
plastic stop sign with multi-colored Cherokee letters around
it. The letters spell the words “Immersion Class,” “English
Stops Here” and “Cherokee Only.”
Its message is exactly that for students and teachers who
pass through the door – only Cherokee is spoken in the classroom.
Each school day, 3- and 4-yearolds and kindergarteners are
immersed in the Cherokee language by their Cherokee-speaking
teachers. The goal is to teach the
children to speak, understand and
write Cherokee as part of the
tribe's language revitalization
plan.
Sherry Holcomb, an Immersion
Program curriculum specialist,
said the first immersion class
began in 2001 for 3- and 4-yearolds. The kindergarten class is less Sherry Holcomb
than two months away from
wrapping up its first year. And
later this fall, those kindergarten
students will become the program's initial first-graders before
moving on to the initial secondgrade class in 2007.
Wyman Kirk, coordinator of
Northeastern State University’s
Cherokee Education Degree
Program, said this idea stems
from the tribe’s language plan.
When Principal Chief Chad
Smith came into office, he
charged CN employees Dr. Gloria Wyman Kirk
Sly and Margaret Raymond to
begin the language revitalization. Sly and Raymond soon
adopted a method from the Hawaiians who had been using
language immersion for more
than 25 years and getting positive results.
“They looked at what the
Cherokee Nation had done in
the past such as community
classes,” Kirk said.“It never produced a fluent speaker.
Throughout 20-plus years of
language work in those venues,
no fluent speaker had ever been
produced, not one to our
knowledge.”
So in 2001, the tribe got a
language grant to survey
Cherokee citizens about the
language. According to the survey, the people wanted to focus
on Cherokee youth learning the
language starting at pre-school
age and move to upper-elemen- Immersion school teacher Eddie Bird works on a project with kindergarten students. (Photos
tary age.
by Travis Snell)
“From that data, a plan was
public schools and lost what the language they learned here,”
put together on how to meet these needs people had and the
needs of our language revitalization,” he said.“The immersion she said.“A lot of those students when we talk to them now,
just look at us and they don’t understand what we are saying.”
classroom had already been going on during this period, but
The program accepts applications year round from parents
nobody had really sat down and figured out what our real
who want their children in the immersion classes, she said. As
goal was. And the plan really solidified what our strategy is
a student leaves the program, the applicant next in line takes
and what we were trying to do. Essentially that is to have a
the former student’s spot. She said the program is currently
Cherokee immersion school from pre-school to sixth grade.”
accepting applications for the pre-school, kindergarten and
The goal is to establish an education system where somefirst grades.
one could enter the immersion program at pre-school level
Along with an application, parents must submit their chiland graduate with a Ph.D. speaking nothing but the Cherokee
dren’s birth certificate, immunization records and Certified
language, Kirk said.
“We want these kids to have Cherokee as their language of Degree of Indian Blood card. However, Holcomb said the
communication,” he said.“We want it to be the language they child doesn’t have to be Native American to attend. The
school is open to anyone interested.
prefer to speak in.”
Attendance for the kindergarten and first-grade class is free
Holcomb, a fluent Cherokee speaker, said adding grades
but a $52 monthly fee accompanies attendance in the preeach year is needed because when children who left the
Immersion Program’s pre-school class entered public schools, school class.
For more information contact Sherry Holcomb at (918)
they forgot what Cherokee they learned.
“Before we started the kindergarten class, the children who 207-3863 or sherry-holcomb@cherokee.org.
finished our 3- and 4-year (old children’s) program entered
Program makes difference in Indian education
longest running Indian education program.
“It began with the Snyder Act in 1934 and
it continues to provide special supplemental
funding for the unique educational needs of
Nation Johnson–O’Malley Program educates Indian students 3 (years old) through 12th
and assists nearly 22,000 students within the grade.”
tribe’s 14-county jurisdictional area.
She said the program helps students in
Introduced Feb. 2, 1934, in the U.S. Senate many ways.
by California Sen. Hiram W. Johnson as the
“Our big emphasis in JOM is to promote
Johnson–O’Malley Act, the bill supplemented and revitalize the language with all of the
local school funds with federal assistance to
special projects we do.”
educate Indian children in public schools.
The program also helps students with
U.S. Rep. Thomas P. O’Malley had authored a schools supplies, ACT testing, cap and gown
similar resolution for federal funding for
fees, student fees for designated memberIndian children that was incorporated into
ships within the school and educational
the act.
incentives that are tied to academic progress.
JOM also provides other activities for stuShelley Butler-Allen, associate director of
CN Education Services, said JOM is the
dents.
By Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
“We have a cultural component where we
provide dollars for cultural and language
instruction,” Allen said.“We provide for culturally appropriate books in libraries. We pay
for schools that are interested in being
involved in our competitions like language
bowl, challenge bowl and activities and supplies to prepare for those.”
JOM pays for cultural presentations and
involvement in other groups.
“We pay for memberships into Indian student organizations such as the Oklahoma
Indian Student Honor Society, or any kind of
Indian club they have within their school
system.”
JOM helps students attend competitions in
Indian identified activities and JOM student
awards banquets or assemblies.
JOM also funds the Youth Leadership
Institute that takes students on a two-week
history learning experience during the summer.
“We focus on learning the Cherokee
Language culture history and government.
We travel to historic sites of the Cherokee,”
Allen said.“The main emphasis for this historic journey is that we feel like our children
have only heard Trail of Tears and beyond.
We want them to know that there was one
Cherokee people originally. There are three
federally recognized tribes now. Knowing
where they came from helps them know who
they are now and where they are going in the
future.”
27
Budget cuts could end education program Scholarships available to Cherokee citizens
By Gregg Simmons
Staff Writer
Nation Johnson-O’Malley Program
received discouraging news when
President Bush’s 2007 proposed budget
was released. JOM’s proposed budget was
$0.
Shelley Butler-Allen, associate director
of CN Education Services, said the proposed budget was zeroed out once in the
1980s and cut by 50 percent last year but
funding was restored both times.
If the budget is not restored this year
she said it will have a huge impact in the
CN’s 14-county jurisdictional area.
“It will affect communities because it
will affect those people who are directly
working within those school systems,”
Allen said. “It will dismantle the community IECs (Indian Education Committees),
all of our 73 currently funded sub-grant
programs and will eliminate all of our
programming including special projects,
language and cultural programs within
their schools. It will eliminate direct services for 22,000 students.”
She said the current sub-grant funding
to local schools is approximately $1.2 million. “When you speak of total elimination
you speak of elimination of the jobs not
only at some of the schools but within the
Cherokee Nation, too,” Allen said. “We
won’t have a department. It will no longer
exist.”
Allen said new school construction was
one of the reasons for the proposed budget cut.
“They needed to find more monies for
BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) school
construction,” she said. “They are placing
more monies into the BIA-controlled
schools. BIA-controlled schools have
48,000 students on their roster versus
325,000 JOM students that attend public
schools.”
She said she does not agree with another justification.
“BIA and the administration are saying
it is duplicative in services,” Allen said. “It
is not duplicative in services. There is a
Title 7 program through the Department
of Education but they have to strictly
adhere to No Child Left Behind where as
JOM, which is funded by the BIA, does
not. We do not provide the same services
as the Title 7 program.”
She said she has found some support for
the program in Washington D.C.
“We have some congressional support
but it's from the people we always have
support from – the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs,” Allen said.
Allen said people can help by urging
congressional support for JOM budget
restoration by writing U.S. senators and
representatives, Senate Indian Affairs
Committee and the Interior
Subcommittee.
Nation’s Higher Education Office awards
scholarships to selected CN citizens attending accredited colleges or universities. To
apply for these funds, new and continuing
students must mail or hand-deliver a complete application to the Higher Education
office. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than June 14, 2006. No late
or emergency applications will be accepted.
CN Pell Supplementation Scholarship
For tribal citizens eligible for the CN Pell
Scholarship who live within the CN service
area, a formula is used to calculate supplemental funding – CN Pell Scholarship
award plus federal Pell Grant must be less
than $1,000 to qualify for the supplemental
funding. Students will be funded the difference to bring the total to $1,000. If funding
is equal to or greater $1,000 then no supplement will be awarded. Verification from
the financial aid office will be required.
Contact:
Local U.S. senators and representatives
and the following:
Sen. John McCain, chairman
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
836 Hart Senate Office Building
Fax (202) 228-2589
Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, vice-chair
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Fax (202) 224-1193
Sen. Charles H. Taylor, chairman
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment,
and Related Agencies
Room B-308 Rayburn House Office Bdg.
Sen. Norman D. Dicks, ranking member
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment,
and Related Agencies
Room B-308
Rayburn House Office Bdg.
CN Pell Scholarship
All CN tribal citizens who qualify for a
Pell Grant are eligible for Bureau of Indian
Affairs scholarship funding. This funding is
divided equally among all Pell-eligible students who complete the application
process.
Haskell Indian Nations University
Scholarship
CN citizens who are not eligible for Pell
grant funding may apply to attend Haskell
Indian Nations University in Lawrence,
Kan. The CN will fund enrollment fees at
Haskell. This is the equivalent of a full
scholarship including room and board to
any Cherokee who wishes to attend Haskell.
CN Undergraduate Scholarship Program
CN citizens who are permanent residents
of Oklahoma and who are not qualified for
Pell funding can apply for CN Scholarship
funding to the accredited college of their
choice. Funding is not available to CN citizens living outside Oklahoma.
CN Graduate Scholarship Program
Scholarships of $1,000 per semester are
awarded to students enrolled in six or more
credit hours-per-semester and $500-persemester scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in less than six credit hours
per semester. These scholarships are competitive and awarded based on eligibility
criteria and preferences.
Coffeyville Community College Native
American Leadership Program
Coffeyville Community College in
Coffeyville, Kan., is introducing a new
Native American Leadership Program
beginning with its fall 2006 semester. This
program will provide a curriculum to
Native American students focusing on
courses to help build future leaders and
mentors in the Native American community.
Program scholarships are available for
members of federally recognized tribes.
This scholarship provides tuition and loans
of books for qualified students. Students
who qualify for a Presidential Scholarship,
awarded by the college president, will also
receive a $500-per-semester stipend to
assist with dorm expenses.
The Native American Leadership
Association is an additional source to provide students with fellowship and support
and serves as an extra-curricular organization. NALA members coordinate and host
cultural events and activities for the college
and provide cultural opportunities to the
Coffeyville community.
For more information, visit www.coffeyville.edu. or contact Native American
Program Recruiter Bethany Murrell at 1800-782-4732, ext. 2092, or bethm@coffeyville.edu.
The Northeastern State University Native
American Scholarship Resource Center, in
Tahlequah, Okla., assists American Indian
students in locating scholarships, grants
and other financial aid. Information is
available through the NSU Center for
Tribal Studies at (918) 456-5511, ext. 4350.
Other universities and colleges provide
scholarships or special incentives for Native
Americans or Cherokee citizens. For more
information contact the CN Higher
Education Office at (918) 453-5000, exts.
5465 or 3948, or 1-800-256-0671, Option 5.
Practice Cherokee - Animals
GsQ
\y
aW
Ji
Wa - ya
A - wi
Bird
Wolf
Deer
Yn
A] l
{l
Yo - na
Sa - lo - li
Su - li
Bear
Squirrel
Buzzard
-s-
gwa
28
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a leader in the aerospace and
telecommunications industry
because quality people, making
quality products, make the
difference for companies like…
NASA • Boeing
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We also supply medical personnel
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For more information
about CNI call us at
(918) 696-3151 or visit:
www.cnicnd.com
29
‘Trail of Tears’ documentary to premiere in Tahlequah
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – “Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy,”
the two-hour documentary just released by Rich-Heape
Films Inc. of Dallas will have its public premiere on April 14
at the Dream Theatre, 312 Muskogee Ave, in Tahlequah.
A private reception and showing for the cast and filmmakers, sponsored by the Cherokee Heritage Center and the
Cherokee Casino, will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
Actors, actresses, extras, stand-ins and volunteers who participated in the production of the film are invited to celebrate
at the premiere. Reservations are required for the reception.
To make reservations, call (888) 999-6007, ext. 228.
The first public showing is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. after the
private showing. Beginning April 15, the film will be shown
at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., with matinees at 4 p.m. on Saturday
and Sunday through April 20.
The high definition film, now available on DVD, documents the forced removal in 1838 of the Cherokee Nation
from the southeastern United States to Indian Territory, now
Oklahoma.
Wes Studi, Cherokee actor known for his role as Geronimo
in the film of the same name, as well as performances in
“The Last of the Mohicans” and “Dances With Wolves,” presents the film on camera in Cherokee with English subtitles.
Famed actor James Earl Jones narrates. Additional celebrity
voices include actor James Garner, singer Crystal Gayle, actor
John Buttram and former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, who
read diary and journal excerpts. On-camera interviews
include numerous historians from major universities.
“A Cherokee (Studi) recounts this shameful chapter in
American history,” said Steven R. Heape, executive producer
and CN citizen.“This is no ‘Hollywoodization’ of an
American holocaust. The Trail of Tears actually drove the
Five Civilized Tribes – Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole,
Chickasaw and Muscogee Creek – from their native lands.”
Heape and his partner, Chip Richie, who co-produced and
directed the film, spent seven years researching and developing the story. It took another three years to raise funding to
produce the chronicle of an event often referred to as
“America’s darkest hour.”
“My reason for wanting to accurately tell this story goes
back to the day in 1985 when I received my tribal citizenship.
My uncle Gene Heape of Dallas sat me down and told me
the story of the Trail of Tears. In proper Cherokee culture,
this was his responsibility and is ‘the way’ in which younger
Cherokees learn the true story of our people.”
The documentary is endorsed by the Cherokee Nation,
headquartered in Tahlequah, and the Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, N.C.
“Special acknowledgement should go to Principal Chiefs
Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation and Michell Hicks of
the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for their vision and
Washington University powwow
to showcase Cherokee’s artwork
sen by the university as its main artwork
for the 2006 powwow.
“We were all so happy for her, and she
KEYS, Okla. – Washington University’s
was happy because that’s a huge honor,”
American Indian Student Association in
Dana said.
St. Louis recently selected a Cherokee girl’s
At Keys, Christie is part of the Cherokee
painting as its showcase artwork for the
language and challenge bowl teams, which
school’s 16th annual powwow.
compete annually in knowledge of
Hvresse Christie Blair Tiger, a sixth
Cherokee history and the syllabary. She
grader at Keys Public School, is the daugh- also represented the school in February’s
ter of Native American artist Dana Tiger
Cherokee County Spelling Bee, is on her
and Donnie Blair. The 12-year-old
school’s academic team and even plays the
Cherokee/Creek/Seminole girl is also the
coronet in band.
granddaughter of famed Indian artist
In 2005, Christie won first place for her
Jerome Tiger.
painting “Kamama Beautiful Butterfly”
The university chose Christie’s painting and second place for “Selu” in a nine“Powwow Time” as its main piece of art to county art competition. Like other
headline and advertise the April 8 powCherokee artists, she knows and uses the
wow in St. Louis.
Cherokee syllabary in her artwork.
Dana said she and her daughter would
Despite being only 12, she has also
attend the powwow to sign T-shirts the
taught a few classes. Former Principal
painting adorns and to sell other pieces of Chief Wilma Mankiller enlisted Christie’s
Christie’s art.
help to teach a Topeka, Kan., school about
“She has some originals, and I’ve repro- Cherokee culture, and Christie and her
duced some of her award-winning artbrother Lisan also facilitated art classes on
work into cards, note cards and small
Muscogee Creek Day at the Five Civilized
prints.”
Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Okla.
Dana added that Christie got into art by
In her free time, Christie likes to take
picking up art supplies that were strewn
hip hop dance lessons, tend to her 15 cats
around the house because of her own artand research Manga art, the artwork used
work.
in Japanese comics.
“I remember Christie, not even 2 years
AISA’s 16th annual powwow is schedold, sitting at my art table and finger
painting for the longest time – for hours.” uled for 10 a.m., April 8 in the University
She said Christie was excited when she
Field House on the Washington University
found out that “Powwow Time” was chocampus.
By Travis Snell
Staff Writer
dedication to educating
people about tribal history and the Trail of
Tears,” Heape said.
“And our appreciation
is manifold for hundreds
of Indians, actors, military re-enactors, volunteers, film crew members
and the civil servants
and citizens of dozens of
towns that contributed
to this movie,” Heape
said.“They, too, deserve
recognition for their
patience and passion for
this historic project.”
James Neel of James Neel Music House in Dallas composed the original score with music contribution by the
musical group “Walela” (Hummingbird in Cherokee) – Rita
and Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield.
For information about tickets to the premiere, call (918)
453-2822.
“The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy” DVD can be
ordered online at www.richheape.com by calling toll free
888-600-2922.
Find past issues of the Cherokee Phoenix online
www.cherokee.org
Your Cottage Hideaway
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30
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
April 1
April 10
Cherokee clothing reproduction class
Tribal Council meeting
Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah, Okla.
$30 • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Call (918) 456-6007
W. W. Keeler Tribal Complex, Tahlequah
6 p.m.
April 22
April 6, 13, 20 and 27
Cherokee pottery class
Adult Education Classes
Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah
Cost is $40 and includes materials
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Call (918) 456-6007
Wheeler Estates Housing Authority, Porum, Okla.
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Call (918) 776-0416 or (918) 458-0484
John F. Henderson Public Library, Westville, Okla.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Call (918) 696-3124 or (918) 458-0484
Trail of Tears Association Oklahoma
Chapter meeting and Reception
April 6
Food Handlers Class
115 W. North St., Tahlequah
3 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Free class, must register to attend, limited to 12 participants
Call Lisa West (918) 453-5134, Lovetta Phipps (918)
453-5130 or Jerry Bigfeather (918) 453-5123
April 6, 7 and 8
34th Annual Symposium on the American
Indian
Northeastern State University, Tahlequah
Call (918) 456-5511, ext. 4350
Tsa La Gi Community Room, behind Restaurant of
the Cherokees • Meeting at 10 a.m.
Reception at 2:30 p.m., Cherokee Heritage Center
(918) 341-4689
Rev. Steve Foreman Grave Marking and
Honoring Ceremony
Park Hill Cemetery • 2 p.m.
Trail of Tears Association Oklahoma Chapter
(918) 341-4689
To have an event or meeting listed, fax
information to (918) 458-6136 attention
“Community Calendar.” Deadline is April 9
for May events.
Read the Cherokee Phoenix online at:
www.cherokeephoenix.org
Vinita, April 22nd • Kansas, Okla. May 27th
Claremore, June 17th • Sallisaw City Park, July 22
Bell Powwow, Aug. 5th
Winners receive T-shirt & invitation
to compete in the community vs. community
play-off games Sept. 3rd during the 54th
Cherokee National Holiday, west of the complex.
Open to the public
No cost to participate
To register or for more information contact:
Horseshoe Competition
Jody Reese, (918) 822-2428
Corn Stalk Shoot
Debra Grayson, (918) 207-0796
Stickball and Children’s Games
Sharon Dry, (918) 453-5483
Cherokee Marbles
Darrell Dry, (918) 434-8622
Blowgun Competition
Danny McCarter, (918) 456-2782
Hatchet Throwing
David Boyd, (918)774-7234
Traditional Games Coordinator: Lou Slagle (918) 453-1689
Bookshelf
Books by, about and
including Cherokees
UPCOMING
(Ronald Wright, Mariner Books, 464 pp.,
paperback - $17)
STOLEN CONTINENTS is a single-volRABBIT PLANTS THE FOREST.
ume report that tells the stories of the con(Deborah L. Duvall with Murv Jacob as
illustrator, University of New Mexico Press, quest and survival of ﬁve great American
cultures – Aztec, Maya, Inca, Cherokee and
32pp., hardcover - $18.95)
Iroquois. Their words tell their strange,
RABBIT PLANTS THE FOREST is a
tragic experiences including incidents up
story based on characters from Cherokee
to the 21st century.
tradition including Jistu (Rabbit) and his
Wright was born in England to a
friends Otter, Saloli (Squirrel) and the
Canadian father and an English mother
mysterious Wampus Cat.
Based on the ancient Cherokee teaching and now lives in British Columbia,
Canada. His nonfiction book includes the
that squirrels keep the woods alive and
bestseller TIME AMONG THE MAYA.
should not be hunted, RABBIT PLANTS
(2005)
THE FOREST combines Jacob’s color
paintings and a blending of Cherokee tales
GENOCIDE OF THE MIND: New
with scientific facts about animals and
Native American Writing. (Edited by
their places in our world.
Author Deborah L. Duvall was born and MariJo Moore and forward by Vine
Deloria Jr., Nation Books, 352 pp., paperraised in Tahlequah, Okla., where she has
back - $12)
lived and worked on numerous projects
After five centuries of Euro-centrism,
and cultural endeavors over the years.
many people have little idea that Native
Jacob, a descendant of Kentucky
Cherokees, is known for his intricate paint- American tribes still exist or which tradiings of Cherokee village scenes, people and tions belong to what tribes. America’s
Indigenous peoples have been stereotyped
animal dances. His illustrations for these
books are as detailed and rich as any of his as spiritual gurus, pagan savages, Indian
princesses or pitiful burdens on society.
award-winning paintings. (April)
However, there has been a movement to
accurately describe Native cultures and
RECENT
histories. In particular, writers have
explored the experience of urban Indians –
THE QUOTABLE WILL ROGERS.
individuals who live in two worlds strug(Joseph Carter, Gibbs Smith Publisher, 96
gling to preserve traditional Native values
pp., hardcover - $12.95)
within the context of an ever-changing
Will Rogers is one of the most oftenquoted people in the world. Joseph Carter modern society. GENOCIDE OF THE
MIND is a collection of essays that record
has compiled a collection of the best of
the determination of people from more
what Will Rogers had to say in a 96-page
book. Each page of the book of Rogers’ life than 25 different tribes to bring the Native
as an entertainer, humorist, radio personal- American experience into the 21st century.
(2003)
ity, actor and newspaper columnist contains a Rogers quote.
RADIO ON: A Listener’s Diary. (Sarah
Carter has gathered many never-beforeVowell, St. Martin's Press, 256 pp., paperpublished photographs and quotes from
Rogers’ many years of writings, some well- back - $13.95)
There are approximately 502 million
known, others not often heard or seen in
radios in America. For this savvy, farprint.
Carter and his wife Michelle manage the reaching diary, celebrated journalist and
author Sarah Vowell turned hers on and
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in
listened – closely, critically and creatively Claremore and 400-acre 1879 birthplace
ranch near Oologah, Okla. Carter, a former for an entire year.
Her series of impressions and reflections
White House speech writer, university vice
regarding contemporary American culture
president and newsman, wrote NEVER
are an extended meditation on media and
MET A MAN I DIDN’T LIKE: The Life
society.
and Writings of Will Rogers, consulted in
Vowell, Cherokee, originally from
the opening of the Broadway musical “The
Oklahoma, is a contributing editor for
Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue” and
public radio’s “This American Life” and is
assisted the University of Oklahoma in
the author of TAKE THE CANNOLI,
publishing the scholarly five-volume
PARTLY CLOUDY PATRIOT and ASSASPAPERS OF WILL ROGERS. (2005)
SINATION VACATION. (1997)
STOLEN CONTINENTS: 500 Years of
– Travis Snell
Conquest and Resistance in the Americas.
31
Trudell documentary premieres on PBS’ Independent Lens
Tina in Tulsa were used in the film without credit to the
photographer, I still recommend viewing and/or purchasing
the DVD of “Trudell.” For anyone who lived through the
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - “Trudell,” the documentary film
period of political activism of the 1960s and 1970s or who
portrait of Santee Sioux poet/activist John Trudell, will prehas an interest in that period,“Trudell” is a must see. (By the
miere at 10 p.m. EST, April 11, on the PBS' Independent Lens way, producer/director Heather Rae apologized for the uninprogram. Check you local schedule for telecast time.
tentional failure to give credit for my photo and assured me
As a political activist in the late 1960s and 1970s, Trudell’s that credit would be added to the DVD when sale to the
life was marked by extremes public begins.)
of political conflict, joy and
Using historical footage from various sources, as well as
sorrow, sacrifice and death,
recent interview and concert performance footage, Rae docyet he has emerged and suruments Trudell’s life from the Alcatraz occupation through
vived through wordsmithing. the tragic loss of his family, followed by his emergence as a
I met Trudell in the sumpoet and entertainer in the late 1980s to the present.
mer of 1971 in Tulsa, a few
On Jan. 10, 1979, the Leonard Peltier Legal Defense
years after the occupation of Committee began a vigil led by Trudell and other AIM leadAlcatraz Island in 1969 when ers outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D. C., that
he had begun to be recogcontinued for 55 days through some of the most brutal
weather in the city’s history. Throughout the vigil the activists
nized as one the most eloquent and compelling
had carried a United States flag, which was displayed upside
spokesman for the American down on the staff, symbolic of a disaster in the United States
government – in this instance what was considered the
Indian rights movement.
Tina Manning, a
unjust and illegal conviction and incarceration of Peltier. On
Feb. 11, 1979, Trudell said the United States Constitution is
Shoshone/Paiute woman I
had met when she was a stu- dead and burned the flag on the steps of the FBI building.
dent of anthropology at the
Subsequent events were reported in the late winter 1978University of Tulsa and who 1979 issue of Akwesasne Notes: “In the early morning hours
became John’s wife, introof Feb.12, 1979, a fire swept through an isolated home on the
Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Reservation. Killed in the fire
duced us.
Although a bit perturbed were activist Tina Manning-Trudell, her mother Leah
Manning and Tina’s three children, Eli, age 1, Sunshine, age 3,
John Trudell and Tina Manning- upon viewing the film and
and Ricarda, age 6. Tina’s father, Arthur Manning, was
learning that a couple of
Trudell (Photos by Dan Agent
severely burned. Tina, wife of American Indian Movement
photos I shot of John and
from the film “Trudell”)
By Dan Agent
Editor
National Chairman John Trudell, was an active member of
the American Indian Movement, a warm person well-known
for her generosity and hard work on behalf of her people.”
Arson remains the suspected cause by many. Following
that tragic loss and a sabattical from political activisism,
Trudell began writing poetry and released his initial recording in 1983 titled “Tribal Voice.”
It was followed in 1986 by “aka Grafitti Man” with the late
Kiowa guitarist Jesse Ed Davis of Oklahoma City. Bob Dylan,
in an interview in the July 17, 1986, Rolling Stone Magazine,
called it “the album of the year.” Although it received no
awards, it was a pivotal work from a new venue for Trudell's
perception and poetry that very likely has had more influence than his political oratory.
The film includes interviews with supporters from the
entertainment industry such as Jackson Browne, who has
produced most of Trudell’s recordings, Robert Redford, family, friends from the Indian movement days and former
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, along
with television news footage from the occupation of Alcatraz
and Wounded Knee.
Producer/director Rae began working on “Trudell” in
1992.“Trudell” has played in more than 40 film festivals
worldwide, garnering accolades such as Best Documentary
Feature at the 30th annual American Indian Film Festival
and a Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Seattle
International Film Festival.
In addition to “aka Grafitti Man,” Trudell has released nine
recordings of poetry and music. The latest, titled “Bone
Days,” was executive produced by Angelina Jolie. All are
available at the Web site - www.johntrudell.com.
For more information and a schedule of showings, visit the
Web site at www.trudellthe movie.com
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Social Services
Micro Vas
Wound VAC
Case Management
Respite Care
Respite Care
Spiritual & Bereavement
32
Tribe donates to Muskogee’s
Five Civilized Tribes Museum
MUSKOGEE, Okla. – For the second
consecutive year, the Cherokee Nation has
contributed $10,000 to the Five Civilized
Tribes Museum in Muskogee.
Located in the historic Union Agency
Building built in 1875 by the federal government to house superintendents of the
Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and
Seminole tribes, the museum celebrates its
40th anniversary in 2006 and has planned
a series of events that will include
Cherokee arts, crafts and history.
“The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is
thrilled to receive this large donation from
the Cherokee Nation. It will help the
museum continue to fulfill its mission,”
Mary Robinson, executive director of the
museum, said. “Funds from this gift will
help us continue to educate and inform
the general public about the past and the
present of the Five Tribes.”
“Cherokee Nation is pleased to assist the
Five Civilized Tribes Museum in underwriting and sponsoring the Art Under the
Oaks Indian Market and Festival and
‘Celebrating Cherokee Traditions Week,’ ”
Principal Chief Chad Smith said. “It is
important that visitors to Oklahoma hear
Cherokee perspectives, voices and history.
We are happy to help the Five Civilized
Tribes Museum tell our story and showcase some of our contributions.”
During the weekend of April 22-23 the
museum will hold its annual Art Under
the Oaks Indian Market and Festival. The
Cherokee National Youth Choir is scheduled to perform at 2 p.m. April 22.
“I think it is tremendous that the
Cherokee Nation can donate to such a
good cause and that we can join the other
four tribes to help preserve our art and
culture,” Dist. 4 Tribal Councilor Don
Garvin said. The museum is located in
Garvin’s district.
In September, the museum will hold its
annual Celebrating Cherokee Traditions
Tribal Week to spotlight Cherokee art and
artifacts in its permanent collection.
Throughout 2006, the museum will feature art shows and showcase the artwork
of Cherokee artisans who will also teach
classes about basket-weaving, potterymaking and beading.
Arts Briefs
Trail of Tears Art Show to begin in April
PARK HILL, Okla. – The Cherokee National Historical Society will hold its annual
Trail of Tears Art Show at the Cherokee Heritage Center beginning April 29. The show
will run until May 28.
This art show features competition in seven categories as artists from across the
country compete for more than $10,000 in prize money. The categories are painting,
graphics (photography, charcoal, pencil, ink, etc.), sculpture, miniatures, pottery, basketry and Trail of Tears theme. All entries will be available for purchase. The CNHS will
host a members-only reception April 28 and then an awards reception for the public
April 29 at the CHC.
The CHC is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday until December. It is closed in January. Admission for adults is $8.50, $5 for
children and $7.50 for seniors and college students. Admission includes access to the
Cherokee National Museum, villages and genealogy center. For more information call
(918) 456-6007 or toll free 1-888-999-6007.
Five Tribes Museum to hold Art Under the Oaks
MUSKOGEE, Okla. – The Five Civilized Tribes Museum, located at 1101 Honor
Heights Drive in Muskogee, is slated to hold its Art Under the Oaks Show April 1-30.
The show is a competitive show for two- and three-dimensional arts and crafts. All
entries will be for sale and an awards reception will be held at 2 p.m. April 2. The
accompanying Art Under the Oaks Indian Market and Festival will run from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. April 22-23.
The museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1.50 for students. Special
group rates are available, and tour groups are asked to schedule their visits at least 48
hours in advance. For more information, call (918) 683-1701 or toll free 1-877-5874237.
Mankiller awarded ‘Circle of Honor’
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – As founder of the Cherokee Nation’s Community Development
Department, former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller worked in the ditches to build
water lines for CN citizens. Because of those efforts, among others, she received the
“Circle of Honor” award March 11 at Tulsa’s Central Library.
Mankiller said it was OK for her to do those tasks, but when she wanted to move
into leadership then people suddenly had problems.
“I was trying to talk about issues and people were trying to destroy my own sense of
self by making comments about my being a woman.”
Sponsored by the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Tulsa City-County
Library’s American Indian Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust, the award consisted of a $5,000 honorarium and a bronze medallion.
The “Circle of Honor” recognizes American Indians for their achievements by
acknowledging contributions that have enriched others’ lives and celebrating their
action in the face of adversity, commitment to the preservation of Native culture and
legacy for future generations.
CHC has certified Cherokee genealogist
PARK HILL, Okla. – The Board of Certification for Genealogists announced in
February that Cherokee Heritage Center employee Gene Norris has been named a certified genealogist.
Norris, who has been the genealogist for the Cherokee Family Research Center's
genealogy library at the CHC since 2003, is one of only two board-certified genealogists in Oklahoma and the only certified genealogist specializing in Cherokee ancestry.
“Norris worked hard for over a year’s time to complete the application process,
research and document his work, pass the scrutiny of three board judges and deserves
to enjoy his new title and respect from genealogists around the world. He is uniquely
qualified as a Cherokee genealogist,” Lynn C. McMillion, genealogists certification
board director, said. “I am delighted to at last be able to tell Gene he is a certified
genealogist.”
Norris has more than 20 years experience in genealogy and more than 10 years specializing in Cherokee genealogy. He has written several articles for genealogical and
historical society publications and assisted in research for several books. He has also
written several family history publications.
Norris is available for consultation 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The fee
for consultation is $20 per hour for non-members of the Cherokee National Historical
Society Inc. and $10 per hour for society members.
For more information, call (918) 456-6007.
33
Opinion
Citizen views fall on both sides of Freedmen issue
Cherokee vote ratio of more than 6-to-1.
Although the interpretation of Article III is
controversial, it is clear that the determinaBackground
tion of who may or may not become a citiRecently, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal,
zen is a question reserved for Cherokee votthe Cherokee Nation’s Supreme Court, held ers.
in the case of Lucy Allen vs. Cherokee
As chief of the Cherokee Nation, citizens
Nation Tribal Council that a 1983 Cherokee come to me daily to tell me how they feel
Nation law that limited citizenship in the
about government policies and programs.
Cherokee Nation to Cherokees, Shawnees
The same is true of the Freedmen issue.
and Delawares by blood was unconstituOur citizens have let me know their views
tional because it excluded Freedmen. The
on the issue of Freedmen citizenship, and I
JAT considered this same issue in 2001 in
am duty-bound to listen and represent these
the case of Riggs vs. Ummerteskee, and at
citizens by providing them with informathat time the JAT held that the law was con- tion on how they can work within our govstitutional. Freedmen were former slaves of ernment to make their voices heard. Below
Cherokees by blood and were emancipated is a synopsis of some of our citizens’ views.
and given Cherokee Nation citizenship by
an 1866 amendment to our 1839
Some Cherokees Believe an Indian Tribe’s
Constitution after the American Civil War.
Citizens Should be Indians.
In the case of Allen, the JAT reversed
Some Cherokees, including those who
itself by ruling that Article III of our 1975
wrote the 1975 Constitution, believe that
Constitution was not specific enough to
Cherokee voters understood that a vote to
exclude the Freedmen.
approve the 1975 Constitution would
Article III provided that Cherokee Nation exclude Freedmen from citizenship. Many
citizens were descendants of the Dawes
of those voting to exclude the Freedmen
Rolls, including Shawnees and Delawares.
believe that an Indian nation should be
The 1975 Constitution was adopted by a
composed of Indians, that Freedmen were
By Chad Smith
Principal Chief
compensated with allotments, unlike freed
slaves in the South after the American Civil
War. These Cherokees believe the Freedmen
did not help during the last 100 years to
rebuild the Cherokee Nation and should not
reap any benefits that Cherokees have
earned.
Some Cherokees Believe the Cherokee Nation
Should be a Nation of Citizens Regardless of
Race.
Others believe the Cherokee Nation
should be an Indian republic, as it was
before Oklahoma statehood, when it had 7
million acres of exclusive land and was
composed of five cultural/ethnic groups,
including Cherokees by blood, Delawares by
blood, Shawnees by blood, intermarried
whites and Freedmen. These people believe
this historic citizenship should be continued
into the future.
Some Seek a Political Benefit.
Of course, there is another class of people
who see some political benefit in exclusion
or inclusion of the Freedmen.
Since 1839, There Has Been Only One
Cherokee Nation.
Regardless of one’s point of view, the
Allen case reinforces the principle that the
constitutional government of the Cherokee
Nation is the same government formed in
1839. It destroys the falsehood that there is
a new Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma created in 1975 and an older Cherokee Nation
with a constitution dated 1839. There is
only one constitutional government of the
Cherokee people since 1839 and that is the
Cherokee Nation. The claim of Freedmen
citizenship goes back to the 1866 amendment to the 1839 Cherokee Nation
Constitution.
The other thing that is clear is that the
Cherokee Nation Constitution is not based
on race. People of many different ethnic
backgrounds – African-Americans, white
Americans and Hispanic-Americans – have
Cherokee ancestors on the Dawes Roll; and
they are unquestionably entitled to
Cherokee Nation citizenship. However,
someone will undoubtedly play the race
card in this debate. The issue at hand is
what classes of people should be citizens of
the Cherokee Nation and who should make
that decision, the courts or the Cherokee
people.
Who Should Decide Citizenship?
To put the Allen case in perspective, the
court acknowledged that Cherokee citizens
may decide who are entitled to citizenship.
Many Cherokees believed that issue was settled in 1975 with the passage of the
Constitution and the exclusion of
Freedmen. By a 2-to-1 vote, three people
essentially changed the last 30 years of
Cherokee Nation governance. The court
reversed itself and changed the way the
Cherokee Constitution was interpreted.
The process to decide the issue of
Freedmen citizenship is a constitutional
amendment at the polls. The constitutional
question to determine citizenship – and
especially whether to exclude Freedmen and
intermarried whites – may be placed on the
next general election ballot by a referendum
petition or by a constitutional question
authorized by resolution of the council.
Even the council is divided on this question.
Bill John Baker, Joe Crittenden, Chuck
Hoskins, David Thornton, Melvina
Shotpouch and Johnny Keener all voted
several months ago to prohibit the
Cherokee Nation from contesting a federal
lawsuit brought by Freedmen to gain citizenship.
Although many disagree with the JAT
decision to include Freedmen as citizens, I
believe everyone understands that it is a
question specifically reserved to the
Cherokee people. Since the JAT ruled the
question was not resolved in 1975, I believe
the Cherokee people should answer the
question once and for all of who should be
entitled to Cherokee citizenship.
Practice Cherokee - Greetings
oRY
oR@
osc
Oh - see - yoh
Oh - see - gwoo
Oh - s - dah
Hello.
I am fine.
Fine.
4h#
/Un
Toh - hee - joo?
Nee - hah - nah?
How are you?
How about you?
34
CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seeking copy of April 26, 2002 Oklahoma
Legend newspaper legal section. Lost
daughter because of legal notice not seen
and need closure. Reward. (918) 4575812.
1st Family Reunion - Seeking relatives of:
WILLIAM THOMAS YOUNG AND BETSY
BROOM YOUNG; THOMAS WILLIAM
YOUNG AND MAUD SUTTEER YOUNG;
GEORGE SUTTEER AND NANCY SUTTEER; HOUSTON YOUNG; ELI YOUNG
JOHN YOUNG; ESTHER YOUNG AND
MINNIE YOUNG ROSSER
DATE:
MAY 14, 2006
PLACE: DWIGHT MISSION
LOCATED NEAR MARBLE CITY, OK
For additional information, please call or
write: Mag Fletcher P.O. BOX 295,
Warner, OK 74469.
HOME TELEPHONE: 918-463-2430. If no
answer, please leave a message. I will
return your call.
OPC AISES Seeking Members! The
Oklahoma Professional Chapter of the
American Indian Science and Engineering
Society is rebuilding. If you are interested,
email Cara Cowan Watts at cara@caracowan.com. To learn more about AISES,
visit www.aises.org.
Weekend traditional Cherokee Pottery
workshops offered. Friday evenings 6-8 pm
and Saturdays 10 am-4 pm. Cost is $80.
Students will complete two pots using coil
building techniques and learn
to stamp designs with carved paddles. Sun
Circle Arts, 17950 South Muskogee (next
to Big Bellies Deli). Call Jane Osti at 918
453-0449 for details.
Trying to locate SMSgt Chester Camron
(may be spelled Cameron), USAF Ret, or
his family. I served with SMSgt Camron at
Kadena AB, Okinawa in 1971-72,in the
824th Trans Sq. He retired in 1972 moved
back home to Oklahoma. Please call me
collect at (601) 679-5055; or email me at
Bvj1101@bellsouth.net. Victor Jerone
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Only Native American owned art gallery
in St. Augustine, Florida, for sale by CN
member owner. Chronicles artworks of
American Indian race and culture, and a
community base for urban Natives. Contact
Joyce Campbell (904) 687-9698 email:
injunstreet@gbso.net
GENEALOGY
Seeking people interested in reprint of
George Bell’s 1972 book Genealogy of Old
& New Cherokee Indian Families. Would
sell for $50.00 plus S&H. Write Watie Bell,
1808 Crescent Dr., Bartlesville, OK 74006
FOR SALE
Diabetic or just need to lose weight?
Get help improving your eating habits
today! Order my kitchen-tested cookbook
filled with easy guidelines for healthy eating
and over 160 simple and tasty recipes.
Sugar-free, low-fat, low-salt and low-carb
isn't a diet, it's a healthy lifestyle. Over
1,000 sold! Send $24.50 to June Rolston,
1117 Green St., Sallisaw, OK 74955 (we’ve
moved) or call (918) 235-0893.
1973 Oldsmobile 88 convertible. Yellow.
In good shape but it has been sitting for
several months. As is. Best offer over
$4,000. (918) 458-0012.
REAL ESTATE
Rock home on nearly four acres. Three
bedroom, two full baths, custom built
kitchen cabinets, breakfast bar, hardwood
floors, and den with fireplace. Beautifully
landscaped with deck, gazebo, flowers and
fruit trees. Contact Lucille Gossett,
Century 21 Clinkenbeard Agency,
(918)773-5680 or (918)527-6145.
Seeking picture of ancestor Alvis Gatson
Lewis 2nd Lt. Adair's Cherokee Mounted
Rifles. Greig Lewis, 9005 Moye, El Paso,
TX 79925 or flewis1@elp.rr.com
Ideal “mother-in-law” set up! Seven
acres, two homes. Frame house and a
double-wide mobile with fireplace and carport located north of Gore close to the
Illinois River. Nice pasture and garden in a
pretty location. Contact Lucille Gossett,
Century 21 Clinkenbeard Agency,
(918)773-5680 or (918)527-6145.
Seeking info on Ruth Marie Bray born in
1908 or 1907. Believed to be from the
Claremore area. Please call Diane at (580)
889-3511 or email: youngbloodlaw@sbcglobal.net
Lovely two story home with highway
frontage set back in a grove of trees west
of Vian. 3 bdrm, 2 full baths & 2 half baths,
large master bdroom, deck, two car
garage, plus detached workshop/garage.
Covered front porch, breakfast bar, country
kitchen, fireplace, home office, lots of closet space and attic storage. One owner, well
kept home.
Contact Lucille Gossett, Century 21
Clinkenbeard Agency, (918)773-5680 or
(918)527-6145.
EMPLOYMENT
150 Job Opportunities
WITH
Two Hawk Employment Services
Currently accepting applications for
the following positions in the Frozen
Food Industry in Stilwell OK.
Production Workers
Forklift Drivers
Sanitation Workers
All SHIFTS available
If you need to work WEEKENDS ONLY,
we’ve also got a job for you.
Apply in person ASAP:
Two Hawk Employment Services
11 North 1st Street
Stilwell, OK 74960
Phone: 918-797-2243
Fax:
918-797-2011
E-mail: twohawkok@alltel.net
The Cherokee Phoenix publishes classified ads in
good faith. However, we cannot guarantee the
integrity of every ad. If you have doubts concerning
a product or service, we suggest contacting the
Better Business Bureau and exercising proper caution.
NEW GOVERNMENT
Looking for Housing?
HOME BUYERS PROGRAM One Bedroom
Apartments
0% down & low payments Available Now*
Bring this Ad and
Your C.D.I.B. Card
- Get $1,000 Discount Show your C.D.I.B. card with your new home purchase and get $1,000 off the price of your home!
Stilwell Senior Housing
400 North Eighth Street • Stilwell, Okla.
(918) 696-3050
Toll Free (866) 652-8885
Choose your home, arrange your financing and get insurance all in one place.
Call Jim at (918) 857-6139
HUD Section 184 Approved • New or Repo, Single or Doublewide Homes
Rental Assistance Available*
*Must be 62 years or older and meet income guidelines.
35
36

Cherokee Phoenix, April 2006

Transcription

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