Inside This Issue... (2014)

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Text

The

Absentee

Shawnee

News

March 2014

Vol. 27 No. 26

Inside This Issue...

Page 2-7

Executive Committee Reports

Page 8

Spotlight Employee

Page 9

Finance Reports

Page 11

Resolutions &

Cultural Preservation

Page 14

Title VI Menu

Page 15

Horse Shoe Bend

Page 16-17

February Birthdays

Page 20

Big Jim Youth Award Application

Page 21

Music

Page 24

Realty Department

Page 25

Valentine’s Day Bingo

Page 26-28

Campaign Letters & Ads

Page 29

Foster Care

FROM THE ELECTION COMMISSION

The Primary Election will be held on

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Voting Polls will be located at the Little Axe Resources

Center located Tear Off F

on Peebly Rd. BALLOT

and in the Police

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

PRIMARY ELECTION

Department

MARCH 15, 2014

building on the

INSTRUCTIONS: Cast your vote by placing a [X] or [ü] mark in the box next to the candidate of your

Tribal Complex VOTING

choice.

in Shawnee, OK. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION COMMISSION

The polls

will be open

from 8:00

a.m. to 6:00

p.m. at both

locations.

LT. GOVERNOR

TREASURER

GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 5, 2014

10:00 AM

THE TEC IN LITTLE AXE

John Al Little Axe ¨

Isaac Gibson, Jr. ¨

Isaac Bettelyoun ¨

Diane Ponkilla ¨

Wynona Coon ¨

Betty Watson

¨

Kathy Deere

¨

Ewell Longhorn ¨

Sharon Ponkilla ¨

Leah Bates

¨

REPRESENTATIVE

Jeff Gibson

Sample ballot:

¨

Sherman Tiger ¨

Dewayne Wilson ¨

Kenneth Blanchard¨

ELECTION COMMISSIONER

COMMISSION MEMBER #2

Alicia “Aly” Edwards Miller ¨

Retha A.Wilson-‐Pearman ¨

Briana Ponkilla

¨

Mary Birdtail

¨

Executive Committee

Edwina Butler-Wolfe

Governor

Issac Gibson

Lt. Governor

Vera M. Dawsey

Secretary

Kathy Deere

Treasurer

Jeffrey Gibson

Representative

Governor’s Report

Hello my Absentee Shawnee people!

The weather continues to change as does the political atmosphere here

on the campus. This month we were forced to close the campus several days

due to the bad weather conditions. This was and is a costly event when the

Tribe closes even for a day as it impacts services and revenue generating. As

for the political climate within the tribe – well, that is ever changing just like

our Oklahoma weather. It takes a team effort to make positive changes and

strategically approach short and long term issues and right now our elected

body isn’t acting as a team. I have and will continue to make concentrated

efforts to work with my fellow officials to the best of my ability but they

too must make that effort. In public forums and in our Regular Executive

Meetings when these officials deem it a good day to make an appearance they

state ‘we need to work together’. But enough about internal tribal politics

and the weather which are two of the most common themes talked about in

Oklahoma and with our Tribal people. Only your prayers and your steadfast

support can and will make a difference.

Let me explore another issue with you that you may have seen in the

news recently. The City of Shawnee sent a letter to me and the three other

Tribal leaders in the Shawnee service (Sac and Fox; Kickapoo and Citizen

Potawatomi) area to ‘instruct’ us that we need to pay a 3% tax on any non-tribal

person who shops in our tribal properties. Our Tribe currently doesn’t have

any businesses in the City of Shawnee that would potentially be impacted by

this act. However, this is a major concern to us as a sovereign nation as it is an

effort to exert local government authority over us. I work with many of the

businesses in the downtown Shawnee area and serve on the Safe Events for

Family Committee and discussions I have had with these individual business

owners has led me to believe this is the Mayor and City Commissioners at

work as they passed the action during one of their meetings. If you have

communication with them I suggest you ask the following: Can you educate

me on why you would want to support non-Indian, non-member (meaning

other Tribal) people being taxed as these are your constituents (voters)? We,

the Absentee Shawnee Tribe, are a major employer as are the other three

tribes in this area. In the Shawnee and Tecumseh area we employee over

433 people. Of these we have approximately 150 from our Tribal programs

that reside in the Shawnee-Tecumseh area with approximately $11.5

million in salaries being paid to Tribal employees. Last year our Tribe alone

contributed $5,000 to the municipal pool; $16,039 to area public K-12 schools;

paid $10,987 to Shawnee utilities; $114,875 to area colleges; and we do as much

area purchasing as possible and utilize local businesses for these services.

These contributions and/or expenditures I just mentioned don’t include

our corporations (casinos, clinics and housing). We provide sponsorships for

baseball; basketball; football; volleyball, soccer and after school programs as

funds allow. We take part in the Rotary Club, contribute to the Kiwanis Club

and many other organizations locally. For the City of Shawnee to erroneously

state that it has seen its ‘sales tax revenues decrease significantly in recent

years’ and imply it was due to Tribal enterprises not taxing non‘sales tax

revenues decrease significantly in recent years’ and imply it was due to

Tribal enterprises not taxing nonmembers and non-Indians -this is a major

concern to us. This implies to me that over the years the City looks at the

Tribes as being part of the issue instead of a valued resource who employs

staff; purchases equipment and supplies locally; participates in economic

development and contributes to the communities at large – we are, in my

opinion, part of the solution, not a problem. Our Tribal staff already pay extra

taxes as each non-contracted Tribal employee pays a Tribal tax then taxes

are paid to both the state and to the federal government. The AST Tobacco

Compact taxation helps the state offset state educational costs yet we receive

no thanks or mention to the general public. Our AST Housing Authority pays

PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) each year to the City of Shawnee. When our

Tribal members make purchases in local businesses they get taxed and we

don’t ask them to tax on our behalf. That approaches the issue of taxation as

a discriminatory practice. We are a sovereign nation and should be treated as

such. Not a local government, not a state government but at the same level as

other nations so why does the City of Shawnee want to do this? Only they can

truly answer that. Did we cause the City’s revenues to decline? No.

The records we have seen shows no such decline in the City’s taxes

and we along with the other tribes in the area are now in the process of

seeking further clarification. It would seem we need to work on leveraging

our position in the City, County and State government by seeking to place in

these elected positions those who understand and can aptly represent our

Indian issues. There are over 640 eligible AST voters in the City of Shawnee.

Your vote can make a difference – at the Tribe; in the City; in the County; State

and in national elections.

We need to become pro-active to ensure our concerns are heard and our

issues represented. Discussions will take place with City of Shawnee officials

about the 3% sales tax on March 24, 2014, 10:00 a.m., at the Cultural Heritage

Center of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. These discussions will be held with

Tribal leaders and key staff from the Absentee Shawnee, Kickapoo Tribe, Sac

and Fox Nation and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

On another note this

month I met with Rear Admiral

(RADM) Kevin Meeks, the

Oklahoma City Area Indian

Health Service Director, and

it was an informative and

productive

meeting.

spoke of our concerns for the

continuation of the funding for

the Methamphetamine Suicide

Prevention Initiative that is set

to end in August and who and

Treasurer Kathy Deere, Governor Edwina Butler-Wolfe, & how those funds were being

given and distributed; we spoke

RADM, USPHS Area Director Kevin Meeks

Continued on page 6

Treasurer’s Report

Dear Tribal Members,

Hope you had a good Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. AST Voting Day

is Saturday, March 15, 2014. Please take time to vote for the best candidate for

the positions of Lt. Governor, Treasurer, and Representative on the Executive

Committee. This is your time as tribal members to exercise your right to

support and elect the best candidate for these positions.

As always, our prayers and thoughts go out to our AST families, who have

lost loved ones this past month!

• ASTHA and LSWN Health Board Meeting. The two health boards

concurrently meet every third Tuesday of the month. They have newly

appointed ASTHA board members: Melpherd Switch, Sandra Vaughn,

Lancer Stevens, Lisa Johnson-Billy, and Dr. Surya Pierce. Mr. Mark

Rogers, Health Programs Director, gave his monthly report updates on

Affordable Care Act, Veteran’s MOA, Customer Service Line, patient portal,

AST Health programs website (http://www.asthealth.org ) to educate

tribal and community members on health insurance options. Reports

on financials, business office-third party collections, credentialing and

privileges, contracts, and other reports.

• Financials for Health Monthly Mtgs, Monthly tribal finance, business

officer manager, health finance, Shawnee Clinic Administrator, and Health

Programs Director meet to review monthly financials and collections of

the health clinics in Little Axe and Shawnee.

• Monthly Program/Departmental Directors meeting. We had to

postponed February meeting due to holiday (President’s Day).

• REGULAR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, meet every third

Wednesday of the month to decide on executive and legislature

resolutions for the advancement and betterment of the tribe.

• Elders’ Council Monthly meetings are held every third Saturday, either

at AST Resource Center, Thunderbird Casino, 10 am. If you are 55 years

and older, please come join us for fellowship, food, and fun times together.

Amendments to Bylaws were presented to the Elders Council for vote on

February 15, 2014 and passed. Fund raisers, outings, and cultural activities

are planned monthly. Activities and Events the Elders have hosted

are: Veterans’ Pow Wow in November, Inaugural Ball, attended various

cultural events in Canada, Iowa, New Mexico, South Dakota, etc., in and

around the state of Oklahoma. The NEW officers are Dan Little Axe,

President, Wynona Coon, Vice-President, Mary Birdtail, Secretary, and

Emily Longman, Treasurer. Next meeting is March 15, 2014. If you would

like more information about the Absentee Shawnee Elders Council,

please call Mary Birdtail, 405-386-7851.

• Thunderbird Casino Monthly financial meeting with General

Manager, Dillon Byrd, Controller, myself, and/or other Executive

Committee Member, who are available, to go over the monthly financials

of both casinos in Little Axe and Shawnee.

• Internal Revenue Service, AST VITA (Volunteer Income Tax

Assistance). AST VITA is a service for free tax preparation for tribal

members, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit

components, targeted toward low-income families with children

(Adjusted Gross Income Limit-AGI=$52,000) and tax counseling for elders.

This is our first year and we hope to be successfully and continue to

have this service for our tribal members and eventually be community

wide. Appointments started February 12– April 12, 2014 (Wed, Thurs, and

Sat), 3-7pm and 9-2pm. Our first week, we had 12 appointments, with 3

no shows, total savings about $2,430+ for AST tax payers and year to date

refunds, $12,400+. We have a total of 12 volunteers including tax preparers,

quality reviewers, and greeters/scanners. Appointments only, please call

405-275-4030 x 241 to set up an appointment and forms will need to be

filled so you will be asked to come at least 20-30 minutes early. If you have

questions, please call Eddie Brokeshoulder, 405-275-4030 x148, or email

eddieb@astribe.com

• CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Native

American CDFI Assistance (NACA). Board directors will be meeting in

the near future to begin implementing bylaws, incorporation, 501(c) and

our two products: credit building, and small business loans. We are need

tribal members to serve on the AST CDFI Board of Directors. Near future

we will be advertising for an executive director of AST CDFI. If any tribal

member is interested in being on steering committee, board of directors,

or loan committee, please contact Eddie Brokeshoulder, 275-4030, Ext. 148

or email eddieb@astribe.com

• Constitutional Revision Committee (CRC): Next meeting for the CRC

was February 20, 2014, AST resource center, to discuss the last few Articles

on the constitution. They appreciated all your inputs and commitment

to update our constitution. If you have questions or would like more

information, please contact Eddie Brokeshoulder, 405-275-4030 Ext. 148.

Or contact Briana Ponkilla, her email address: brianaponkilla@yahoo.com

NEWS FLASH

Cobell Update (http://www.indiantrust.com): Have questions call the

Info Center: 1-800-961-6109.

TRUST ADMINISTRATION CLASS PAYMENTS EXPECTED IN 2014

Important Update: Trust Administration Class payments are expected to

be mailed in 2014.

The SettlementAgreement approved by Congress and the Courts requires

identification of all Trust Administration Class Members and calculation

of their respective pro rata shares before the Claims Administrator for the

Cobell Settlement can mail Trust Administration Class payments. That work

is ongoing and is nearly complete.

After the membership of the Trust Administration Class is finalized, it

will take approximately a month to complete the calculations for the over

500,000 Trust Administration Class Members. Once the Claims Administrator

receives those calculations and the Court approves the Second Stage

Distribution, the Claims Administrator will quickly prepare and commence

distribution within three weeks.

Please be assured that all parties are doing everything possible to issue

the Trust Administration payments as soon as possible. Any questions can be

directed to the below:

Indian Trust Settlement

P.O. Box 9577

Dublin, OH 43017-4877

By Phone: 800-961-6109

By Email: Info@IndianTrust.com

Reading to Succeed

By Janet Barresi, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

As the third-grade reading law takes effect this school year, I have been

contacted by a number of parents and teachers worried about the possibility

that their child or pupil might be retained.

The question often posed to me is: How can we consider holding back a

child from moving on to the next grade?

The question I pose to them is: How can we consider promoting a child

who can’t read?

We do no favors for students who are passed on to the next grade

without their having this most fundamental skill. Reading isn’t just a subject;

it is a skill that is the foundation of all learning.

Education experts have noted that being unable to read at an appropriate

grade level can lead to an array of other problems. According to the Annie E.

Casey Foundation, 88 percent of 19-year-olds who dropped out of high school

were unable to read proficiently by third grade. Seventy percent of U.S. prison

inmates cannot read above a fourth-grade level.

But research has shown that with enough time on task and the right

intervention, 95 percent of children can learn to read on grade level. We owe

our students this chance to succeed.

It is important that I clearly communicate two important points. First,

this is not one test on one day to determine if a child is promoted. Second,

retention is a last resort.

I can’t stress enough that retention, as a requirement of the state law,

is absolutely a last resort. Retained students would be limited to only those

students who score Unsatisfactory in the reading assessment of the thirdgrade Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test (OCCT) and who don’t qualify for one of

the state’s six good-cause exemptions. If a child demonstrates what typically

would be deemed a second-grade reading level or higher on this assessment,

the child will be promoted.

A student who scores Unsatisfactory on the state assessment, however,

will still have the opportunity to take alternate tests; a teacher can still show

a portfolio of the child’s work to demonstrate grade-level performance. There

are other good-cause exemptions as well, for English Language Learners,

for children on Individualized Education Plans who have been previously

retained and others.

Some schools are considering transitional grades for retained students.

There is nothing to stop a school from offering a transitional grade earlier

than third grade.

In addition, no one, including the parent, should be surprised if a child

scores Unsatisfactory. Under the law, schools are required to use benchmark

assessments at the beginning of each year for students from kindergarten

through third grade to identify children at risk of retention for reading.

Schools must implement individualized reading plans for these children, and

Annual enrollment numbers

come from the Oct. 1 enrollment

Average Race/Ethnicity of Student Population, October 1, 2013

count taken annually by every

public school district and charter

school site in the state as received

52%

by the State Department of

Education’s accreditation office.

Asian, Hawaiian or

Pacific Islander

Results are then certified.

Two or More Races

Oklahoma’s

student

population is 52 percent white,

15%

15 percent Hispanic, 15 percent

15%

American Indian or Alaskan

Native, 9 percent black, 7 percent

“two or more races” and 2 percent

Asian, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, according to the 2013-14 data.

The three largest school districts in the state remain Oklahoma City

Public Schools with 45,717 students, Tulsa with 41,115 and Edmond with 23,020.

Moore, Putnam City, Broken Arrow, Norman, Union, Lawton and Midwest

City-Del City round out the top 10. All 10 districts made up the same list last

year, although some have changed ranking.

See enrollment figures here:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-02-13/state-student-public-enrollment-2013

parents must be notified in writing about the intensive intervention.

To help ensure success for the Reading Sufficiency Act, the Oklahoma

State Department of Education is requesting an additional $16 million in

funding for the law.

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering a summer

undergraduate internship opportunity in 2014 for students of

underrepresented minorities interested in science, technology,

engineering and mathematics fields (for example, agricultural science,

economics, environmental engineering). Interns will be involved in handson activities related to climate research that will allow them to see the

direct impacts of climate variability and change on forest ecosystems in

Oklahoma, coastal areas in Louisiana, and the Texas Hill Country. Internship

participants will travel across the South Central United States to visit

university campuses and field locations and interact with faculty conducting

cutting edge research.

The internship will take place from Sunday, July 20, 2014 to Saturday,

August 9, 2014. Interns will spend one week with the University of Oklahoma

and Oklahoma State University, one week with Louisiana State University,

and one week with Texas Tech University. All meals, lodging and travel will

be provided during the three week period. In addition, interns will receive

a $200/week stipend for the duration of the program. The program will not

cover local travel between the participant's home to their closest airport,

personal equipment (clothing, cameras, etc.), or other personal expenses.

The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM Central Time on Friday, March 14, 2014.

For eligibility requirements and to access the application form, please see:

http://goo.gl/ZXjkZL

The South Central Climate Science Center is committed to encouraging

diversity in the sciences. Please encourage your scientifically minded

students to apply for this unique opportunity to experience climate

research hands-on.

Established in 2012 by the Department of Interior, the South Central

Climate Science Center provides decision makers with the science, tools,

and information they need to address the impacts of climate variability and

change on their areas of responsibility. The Center supports big thinking,

including multi- institutional and stakeholder-driven approaches to climate

variability, change, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation research. For more

information:

Aparna Bamzai

Technical Coordinator

South Central Climate Science Center

Phone: 405-325-0539

Web: http://southcentralclimate.org/

Editors, Reporters: This release contains a corrected chart of the 10 largest

school districts. Enrollment figures for 2012 were incorrect for some districts

on the original.

Enrollment in Oklahoma schools increases sharply in past five years

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 14, 2014) — The number of students enrolled in

Oklahoma public schools has increased for the 2013-14 school year. The total

enrollment of students attending public schools in pre-kindergarten through

grade 12 is 681,578. That is an increase of 8,388 students from 673,190 in 2012-13

enrollment and 27,036 more than in 2009, five years ago.

"Because of this sharp growth in enrollment over the past five years," said

state Superintendent Janet Barresi, "I have asked for additional funding for

schools from the state Legislature. I'm pleased that even in a tight revenue

year, Gov. Fallin has proposed a significant increase for K-12 education.

"Additional funding certainly isn't the sole answer, but we are working to

ensure that common education receives as much funding as possible given

fiscal realities. I also continue to ask local school boards and administrators

to do their best to get dollars to the classroom so our teachers are better

equipped to teach this growing number of students.”

Oklahoma Public School Enrollment

White

Black

American Indian*

Hispanic

*American Indian subgroup

includes all students identified

as Native American or Alaskan

Native.

SOURCE: State Department

Education, Accreditation

Standards/Data Services from

public school Applications for

Accreditation for 2013/14.

The Finance Department employees, very much deserve special

recognition as they daily continue the never ending processes for the

financial side of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Without their tireless diligence,

dedication, and commitment we could not keep the financial transactions

processes flowing! Also, appreciation to the Financial Consultant, Eddie

Brokeshoulder, who continues to assist me with numerous projects,

recommendations/suggestions, attendance at meetings where I cannot

attend, and consulting decisions in the office of Treasurer! Very special

thanks to Arlene Herrera who serves as Administrative Assistant in the office

of treasurer and secretary.

We appreciate all your phone calls, emails, and visits. May God continue

to bless you and yours! See below articles from Finance Department and

Financial Consultant, Eddie Brokeshoulder.

Respectfully,

Kathy Deere

Tribal Treasurer

‘‘TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE, WE MUST REALIZE THAT WE ARE

ALL DIFFERENT IN THE WAY WE PERCEIVE THE WORLD AND USE THIS

UNDERSTANDING AS A GUIDE TO OUR COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS.”

~ANTHONY ROBBINS

If you’d like to submit an ad

or article:

Give us a call at

(405) 598-1279 or (405) 481-0558

or send us an e-mail to

stiger@astribe.com

Annual Enrollment

Oklahoma Public Schools

Statewide fall enrollment count from the annual Oklahoma

Public School Applications for Accreditation (2008-2013)

All articles for the next month’s issue are

due by the 20th of the current month

Unfortunately, we can only accept one picture per birthday person, not

per birthday wish.

SOURCE: Oklahoma State Department of Education, Accreditation and Data Services as of October 1, 2013.

Complex campus. We are working on the guidelines and policies that could

work best to meet the needs of the Tribe and community. We will inform the

public as soon as our plans are finalized.

By the end of February we will have job postings for the new BBIII in

Little Axe. We are still accepting applications for the waiting list for our new

BBIII facility in Little Axe. We will update you on any new developments to

the new center as they happen. We look forward to all the developments and

strides we are making at Building Blocks II and III.

Governor’s Report - Cont. from page 2

on our concerns on the Contract Support Cost claims and how they were

being processed; we spoke about our own growing disease burden and health

budget needs. We have forwarded a letter to address these concerns and look

forward to continuing our dialogue with RADM Meeks and his staff on those

issues and other related health initiatives.

We have been seeing and hearing many things about our Casino, its

operations and staff. In my recent attempt to learn about the Thunderbird

Entertainment Center I asked for specific information. As-to-date I have

received limited information. It’s not even clear to me who is on the

Thunderbird Entertainment Center, Inc. Board. It seems that the General

Manager is one of the Board members and one of the other Board members

is his employee. I’m sure there must be more members than that but without

specific information I don’t know the whole picture. Let me re-state what

I have said before - We need to look at the composition of our Boards and

Commissions and get Absentee Shawnee people on them that are part of

our local communities, involved in industry, who understand the needs of

our people and are willing to assist the Tribe to make progress. It appears

we have an array of internal operational problems and the issues instead of

being resolved are growing. This statement is based on Gaming Commission

reports whom are tasked to report concerns to the Casino who in turn is

expected to resolve them so that our Casino’s aren’t shut down or penalized

by the National Indian Gaming Regulatory Authority (NIGRA).

We have had a busy month in my programs and I would like to share

with you what they have advised they are doing within them: Emergency

Management This month our Emergency Manager did the following:

1. Attended emergency manager orientation given by the

Oklahoma Emergency Management and took a tour of the

Emergency Operations Center.

2. Met with Red Cross to discuss establishing MOU for assistance

during disasters. These documents will be reviewed by legal

and Governor and submitted to EC for consideration.

3. Attended National Summit in OKC to network with

reconstruction experts, viewed the latest safe rooms and heard

from national weather experts on updated data about recent

tornado events. This was found to be informative with good

resource materials.

4. Attended Intertribal Emergency Coalition hosted by the Iowa

Tribe. FEMA reviewed comments from Tribes acquired during

the tribal consultation policy comment period and discussed

disaster related permanent work projects.

5. Attended Preliminary Damage Assessment Training hosted

by Cherokee Tribal Emergency Management. Linda Day is the

Emergency Manager and is located at the new police substation

in Little Axe. Ms. Day is the contact for this program and may be

reached at 405-275-3432. If she is unable to resolve your concerns

please communicate with my office.

Building Blocks

This month has been quite challenging with regards to weather. Because

of this, Building Blocks was closed for 4 days in the first week of February.

We understand that this can create somewhat of a hardship on working

parents. In an effort to listen to the concerns of parents, but still consider the

safety of the children and staff, we reviewed our inclement weather closing

policy with Governor Butler-Wolfe and decided to update it. Our former

policy stated that Building Blocks would close ‘if Shawnee Public Schools close

OR the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Complex closes.’ Our new policy states that

‘Building Blocks will ONLY close when Shawnee Public Schools close.’ We hope

that this will alleviate any more confusion about when we close and decrease

future hardships on parents.

Our Valentine’s class parties were a huge success! The children had such

a wonderful time sharing treats with others and eating all of the yummy

snacks. Thank you to all of the parents who contributed snacks and/or

attended. Also, thank you to the teachers for putting together such wonderful

parties for the children.

We have been working on increasing our enrollment. We currently have

63 children enrolled. Eight of those are new children. Currently, there are two

(2) immediate openings in our toddler room and one (1) immediate opening

in the two-year-old room. If you are interested, please contact us at (405) 8780633. All other age groups have a waiting list. However, we accept applications

for our waiting list at any time. Building Blocks Child Development Center

now has a Facebook page!! Please look us up and LIKE us!! This is where we

will post events, closings, child development topics, and any other relevant

information. This is a great way for us to reach our parents and the

community. Building Blocks is a wonderful center and we want to share all of

the great things that we are doing here!!

Dates to remember:

Law Enforcement

During the month of January the Police Department responded to 99

calls for service and hosted the COPS Native American Training Series IV

from the 28 Department responded to 99 calls for service and hosted the

COPS Native American Training Series IV from the 28th to the 30th. The

training series addressed community issue topics such as underage drinking,

disorderly youth in the community and Domestic violence just to name a few.

The training series also covered school violence/shootings, bullying and a

variety of school safety issues. In addition to the previously mentioned topics

the training series provided instruction and material to prepare tribal police

leaders to address today’s law enforcement challenges in Indian Country.

This training series made presentation and educational materials available

to both the Governor’s Office and the Police Department that may be used for

community awareness.

The point of contact for this program is Police Chief, Brad Jackson, and

he may be reached at 405-275-3200. If he is unable to resolve your concern

communicate with my office.

Building Blocks & CCDF

CCDF

The CCDF Subsidy program held a meeting for parents on January 30th

to discuss the BBII rate changes and the provider reimbursement changes.

These rate changes became effective February 1. Currently we have 25 children

who receive child care assistance through the subsidy portion of the CCDF

grant.

The AST CCDF Coordinator and BBII Director have been working with

the Governor’s Office on implementing an afterschool program on the AST

March 3:

We wil celebrate

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

with green eggs &

ham and birthday

cake!

The point of for

contact for

the Building

Blocks program

is Billie Thompson

at 405-s

The point of contact for the Building Blocks program in Shawnee is Billie Thompson at 405-878-0633. The contact

the

Little

Axein Shawnee

Building

Block’

878-0633. The contact for the Little Axe Building Block’s program and/or CCDF is Brianna

program and/or CCDF is Brianna Ponkilla also at 405-878-0633. If they are unable to assist you with your questions contact

office.

Ponkilla also

at 405-878-0633.

If they are unable to assist you with your questions contact

my office.

Education

The Education Department is accepting applications for the Big Jim Youth Award Program

The Education Department is accepting applications for the Big Jim Youth Award Program 2014. Please nominate

Absentee Shawnee High School

2014. Please nominate Absentee Shawnee High School Seniors. We are still accepting

applications for the spring 2014 term for tribal members interested in educational assistance.

Seniors. We are still accepting applications for the spring 2014 term for tribal members interested in educational assistance.

Tresha Spoon, Director, attended

Tresha Spoon, Director, attended a Budget and Finance Committee meeting for the

a Budget and Finance Committee meeting for the Oklahoma Council on Economic Education on February 12th and a Board

meeting

on February

19th.

Oklahoma Council

on Economic Education

on February 12 and

a Board meeting on

February 19 .

The Camp Nikoti-After School Program at the Little Axe Resource Center continues to serve Tribal members Kindergarten

through 12th grade. The point

The Camp Nikoti-After School Program at the Little Axe Resource Center continues to serve

of contact for this program is Tresha Spoon, Education Director, 405-275-4030, Ext. 121. Please feel free to communicate

with

her and

Tribal

members Kindergarten

throughif

12 she

grade. is unable to assist

you then contact my office. 405-275-4030, Ext. 121. Please feel free to communicate with her and if she is unable to assist you then contact my office.

Health

This month Mr. Mark Roger, Health Director, worked on the Veterans Administration Agreement. He indicates it will be completed soon, and we will be

able to begin seeing our AST Veterans in both the Shawnee and LittleAxe locations and bill the VA for these services. An open house enrollment and seminar

will be held jointly with the VA just prior to the official roll out to educate all of our tribal veterans and serviced VA patients from other tribes receiving

services at our area clinics.

The AST Health System has implemented its new Customer Service Line. Please direct all complaints or compliments to (405)-701-7623. Please be assured

that this is the best way to have each situation addressed, with consistent updates from our Health Staff. After the investigation of all issues is complete,

our Health Director or a Clinic Administrator will personally contact you with updates, decisions, or question pertaining to your case. Pharmacy After

Hours Process: After hours and weekends/holidays, did you know you can go to Walgreens in either Shawnee or Norman, and have a five-day limited fill on

prescriptions? All you have to do is submit your prescription, identify yourself with your AST CDIB Card and other appropriate ID, and then they will fill your

prescription! Upon the first workday, you can have the remaining balance of your prescriptions transferred to your pharmacy in either Shawnee or LittleAxe,

and they will fill your remaining balance. This is an emergency convenience for your benefit and to save the contract health dollars as well, so please be aware

of this and other benefits your tribe provides you. See the website for health at: www.asthealth.org including actions for your compliance with the ACA using

the decision support tool.

If you have questions for the Health area, please contact Mark Rogers, Health Director, at 405-447-0300 (Little Axe) or 405-878-5850 (Shawnee). If you are unable

to get a response on your issue please contact my Office.

Media

If you should have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Sherman Tiger, Media Director, at 405-598-1279. If you continue to have questions and/or

concerns contact my Office at 405-275-4030, Ext. 188.

Conclusion

In conclusion – I have 16 months to go and we have many unmet needs that I hope that we can address in

the near future.

Some of my top priorities over the next few months will be looking to educate the Health Board(s) on our

concerns. This month the Health Board placed the former law firm we have been working so hard as a Tribe to

remove from our system back in for another year. This Board and its members have the same mentality as the

Bureau of Indian Affairs – ‘big brother knows best what you need’ attitude. I am very disappointed and frustrated

with both Board(s) actions. If they truly want to help the Absentee Shawnee people then they need to LISTEN to

us. I now believe in order to resolve the issues with the Board(s) that we must look at placement of individuals

on the Board(s) that will hear our concerns and act accordingly. This Board’s actions are an affront to the Tribe.

Another priority is to assist the Treasurer as she and her MIS department endeavor to complete a

Communications Policy. This will assist in safe communications being provided by AST and make it available to

users for the purposes of the business functions of the tribe. In looking to future I believe there are opportunities

and challenges ahead of us as a Tribe and we need to move forward together as a Tribe to ensure they happen. I

believe I can make a difference for all of our people with your help.

Help me to make that difference – stand beside me and Let’s Build For the

Future (BFF) united and together!

Thank you again for your support.

SPOTLIGHT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Sherman Tiger

This month my Spotlight features Mr. Sherman Tiger,

Media Director, as the employee of the month. Sherman

is an enrolled Absentee Shawnee Tribal member who

does a great job on keeping within his limited budget,

getting projects done, utilizing local resources to

promote programming and creatively reaching goals

that are established with and for him. Mr. Tiger came

on board in 2011 as the Tribe’s Media Director and since

then work products have been enhanced and creative

projects have come from his department. Formerly, Mr.

Tiger, worked in the Cultural Preservation Department,

has served on the Election Commission and is active in

local events, fundraisings and Stomp Dances.

We appreciate all of the services that you bring to

the Tribe.

Thank you , Sherman.

Let’s Build

For the

Future

(BFF)!

GOVERNORS SPOTLIGHT EMPLOYEE

Governor Edwina Butler-Wolfe will be working with the six program department that she has oversight over and will monthly select an employee that is deemed to have

contributed to their program and to the Absentee Shawnee tribe. The attributes to be considered are: Contributions to the community and the Tribe; leadership; performance

and work ethic; teamwork. It is the intent of the Governor to recognize tribal employees who do a remarkable job and might not otherwise get recognized for their contributions.

This special employee recognition program will be highlighted under my Office as the SPOTLIGHT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH program.

Come join us at the AST Resource Center!!!

Free Tutoring in all subjects!

Games and activities!

Delinquency Prevention!

Healthy Lifestyles!

And Much More!

FREE GIFT CARD & GOODY BAG

OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS

We are looking for participants to join us in a discussion over our community’s prescription drug use and

underage drinking issues. We are looking for adult community members as well as youth community

members ages 15-19. There will be 3 sessions, one for adults, one for male youth and another for female

youth. Each participant will receive a free gift card and goody bag! To sign up to join in on this community

discussion send me your contact information and add your name to our list! This is first come first serve!

Limit 10 per group.

Everything is offered with no charge….Little Axe bus will transport

students to the AST Resource Center on Peebly Road and parents are

responsible for picking students up at 6:00pm.

Duration: Starts October 7th and will run through the school year.

Monday-Thursday, 2:45pm-6:00pm

For more information and sign up please contact Blake

Goodman at (405) 364-‐7569

Kasey Dean – LA Behavioral Health Department 405.701.7993

Kdean@astribe.com

•

Finance Department

Brothers Bottling Company, LLC a Native American owned water bottling company,

owner John

Fryrear, Company,

of El Reno, OK.

Fryrear

gave a presentation

on thebottling

bottling

Brothers

Bottling

LLC aMr.

Native

American

owned water

company.

company, owner John Fryrear, of El Reno, OK. Mr. Fryrear gave a presentation

on the

bottling

company.

ASEDA

welcomes

tribal

members and elected officials to attend our monthly board meetings

ASEDA

welcomes

tribal members

and 10:00

elected

to attend

our

scheduled

every

second Thursday

of each month,

a.m. officials

tribal complex

Governor’s

monthly

conferenceboard

room. meetings scheduled every second Thursday of each month, 10:00

March 2014

a.m. tribal complex Governor’s conference room.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

(Article Written 2/13/2014)

The Finance office continues our efforts in keeping the day to day activities

flowing effectively and efficiently through communication between the Finance

office and Programs. In working together, we have found the most time effective

and cost effective processes for transacting business.

The Tribe’s 2010, 2011, and 2012 Audits are “unmodified” opinion; which when

compared to an educational grading scale is an A. The 2014 Indirect Cost Proposal

has been submitted to the Interior Business Center (IBC) and I was notified on

September 17, 2013 that it is ready to be assigned to a negotiator. The proposal has

been assigned to a negotiator and I have answered the questions posed. Our rate

AST

INCOME TAX

TAX ASSISTANCE

(VITA)

AST VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER INCOME

(VITA)

is up from 17.74% for 2010 to 21.98% for 2011 to 22.35% for 2012 and 27.39%

for 2013;

I would

like The

to give

much

needed

special

thank-you

toASSISTANCE

our

VITA

Volunteer

Certified

AST

IncomeIncome

Tax Assistance

(VITA)

program

which

started

February

12th B

TheaVolunteer

AST

Volunteer

Tax

Assistance

(VITA)

program

which

started

with 2014 being undetermined until negotiations during 2014.

continues to12th

prepare

free basicto

taxprepare

returns for

low-to-moderate

incomefor

Tribal

members. At the

February

continues

free

basic taxGonzales,

returns

low-to-moderate

We are preparing for the 2013 Audit which will begin early 2014Preparers:

for all of Belinda

Collins,

Genevieve

Foster,

Jessica

Jennifer

Hernande

time

this

writing

our

VITA

tax

program

has

refunded

over

$12,500

dollars

and a valuehas

the Tribe’s entities [Casinos; Store; Restaurant; Smoke Shop’s; ASEDA, Inc.; ASEDA, income Tribal members. At the time of this writing our VITA tax program

services provided at $2,430.00 in savings. A final report of program success will be provided to

Deer,

Spoon,

Brenda

Claw

and

Mark

Rogers.

Also

the

following

certified

Enterprises; ASTHA & LSWN which makes up Absentee Health Systems;

and Tresha

the refunded

over $12,500 dollars and a value of services provided at $2,430.00 in

Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) and May newsletter. As site coordinator, Eddie Brokeshoulder

Tribal Government.] All of the tribe’s entities must be audited first and then they savings.

A final report of program success will be provided to Internal Revenue

greeters: Treasurer

Deere,

Bettelyoun,

Novadeen

Hood,

andBrokeshoulder,

Stella Little.

are combined with the Tribe’s Governmental Audit.

Service Kathy

(I.R.S.) and

MayLeah

newsletter.

As site

coordinator,

Eddie

The finance department is completing accounting by the 10 day of the I would like to give a much needed special thank-you to our VITA Volunteer

month. Financial reporting for the Tribe, Health Authority and Li Si Wi Nwi, Health Certified Basic Tax Preparers: Belinda Collins, Genevieve Foster, Jessica

Inc. boards and the Executive Committee for Absentee Health Systems,Our

Shawnee

program

continues

appointments

through

April

. Please

Gonzales,

Jennifer

Hernandez,

David Deer,

Tresha Saturday,

Spoon, Brenda

Claw

and

Mark

and Little Axe (LSWN) continues monthly. The Finance staff has completed the

Rogers.

Also

the

following

certified

volunteer

greeters:

Treasurer

Kathy

Deere,

January reconciliations and financials. It is imperative the accounting

4030 staff

x 241, for an appointment, do not wait until April 15 , the last day to file. Should

continue to stay ahead of all of the accounting so that audits go smoothly, and Leah Bettelyoun, Novadeen Hood, and Stella Little.

programEddie

continues

to accept appointments

through Saturday,

April x

Indirect Cost rates stay up to date. Indirect cost proposals cannot be questions,

submitted pleaseOurcontact

Brokeshoulder,

Site Coordinator

at 275-4030

without completed audits as the audit is used to calculate the proposal. There 12th. Please call 275-4030 x 241, for an appointment, do not wait until April 15th, the

eddieb@astribe.com.

are many processes in place in your Tribe’s accounting department that

ensure last day to file. Should you have questions, please contact Eddie Brokeshoulder,

we keep accurate records of transactions. The Tribe’s accounting processes must Site Coordinator at 275-4030 x 148 or eddieb@astribe.com.

be in compliance with GAAP; (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and

GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) and these rules are updated

annually.

The Tribe currently has compact funds of BIA, I H S, and approximately

51 Grants. In addition, the Tribe operates a General Fund and an Indirect Cost

Fund. The new clinic building payments are current and have not been late and

projections are that they will continue to be current going forward.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s Finance Department has very hard working

group of people and it is an honor to work with them, the Treasurer’s office and

at the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. The Finance Department employs 14: with 6

Absentee Shawnee Development Corporation

(43%) being AST Tribal Members, 2 (14%) non-AST tribal members, 6 (43%) being

non-natives.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe filed for a Not For Profit Certification of

This department would like to extend a special thanks and note of IncorporationAbsentee

with StateShawnee

of Oklahoma

on August Corporation

2013, now named Absentee

Development

appreciation to the Executive Committee for providing the tools, resources, Shawnee Development Corporation (ASDC). A recent meeting with Kristi CokerTheand

Absentee

Shawnee

Tribe filed

for aCorporation,

Not For Profit

Certification

Incorporation

and support to enable the finance staff to reach its accomplished goals

to Diaz,

of First Nations

Oweesta

provided

attendeesof

Treasurer

Kathy w

continue with this effort. A special thanks and note of appreciation to Program Deere, Glenna Jones and I information on steps we need to take to assemble board

of Oklahoma

on August

2013, now named Absentee Shawnee Development Co

Managers and Employees of the Tribe for their assistance and dedication

in our of directors,

implementing Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and advertise for

continued group effort toward accomplishing our goal.

executive

director.

TheKristi

ASDC isCoker-Diaz,

in need of a volunteer

has a financial

recent

meeting

with

of Firstwho

Nations

OweestaandCor

If you have any questions or needs, please call 405-275-4030 ext 162(ASDC).

and I will A an

business ownership background to serve on our board of directors. If you are

be glad to assist you.

provided attendees

Treasurer

Kathy Eddie

Deere,Brokeshoulder

Glenna Jones

and I information

interested,

please contact

at 405-275-4030

x 148. on steps w

Respectfully,

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& Creditimplementing

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Belinda Collins

take to assemble

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ArticlesA free

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need inof Native

a volunteer

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webinar will assist our Absentee Shawnee Development Corporation by

business ownership

to inserve

on our

board

directors.credit

If you

providingbackground

best practices

raising

capital

andof

improving

for are

our intereste

Tribal

community.

you

would

information

the

development

this

contact Eddieopportunity

Brokeshoulder

at 405-275-4030 x 148.

more articles will be presented in our upcoming newsletters.

Contact Eddie Brokeshoulder if you have any questions at 405-275-4030 x 148.

Greetings Tribal Members,

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