Absentee ShawneeNews

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January 2012

Vol. 27 No. 1

The

Absentee ShawneeNews

Li-Si-Wi-Nwi

“Among the Shawnee”

www.astribe.com

Season’s Greetings

Inside this issue. . .

Executive Committee

Reports. . . . . . . . . 2-6

Resolutions. . . . . . . . . 6 & 28

Employee of the Year/

Employee of the Month . . . 7

YTD Tax Collections. . . . . 7

Education Department . . . 10

Elders Report . . . . . . . . . . 12

Health News. . . . . . . . 13-15

December Birthdays. . 16-17

Title VI Menu. . . . . . . . . . 20

Horseshoe Bend. . . . . . . . 24

White Turkey Band. . . . . . 25

Santa’s Mini-Me!

Executive Committee

L to R: Representative Jeffrey Gibson, Lt. Governor Isaac Gibson, Governor George Blanchard, Secretary Teri Reed,

and Treasurer Kathy Deere

AST Children’s Christmas Party - December 4, 2011

Musical Talents of Phil Bradley

Santa stopped in to pose for some pictures

The children loved their bags

of goodies

Governor’s

1. Walk faster

Ki-me-lo

Greetings fellow Tribal members.

2. Don’t be late

Te-ke-ya-na-ki-fe

Corner

All of us at Tribal Headquarters

hope everyone had a happy and

safe Christmas and New Year.

As you will see from the other Executive Committee reports, this has

been a very busy end of the year

for all of us. We all think we’ve

done some good things for you, the

Tribal members with the resources

available to us and we all hope to

improve on all services this new

year, 2012. I’ll be more able to

give you all a projection on projects for this year after all budgets

are complete, and notification of

funding is available. Rest assured,

that we, the Executive Committee

are committed to moving our Tribe

forward in regards to economic

viability as well as increasing the

services to you all.

LT. GOvernor’s

3. Hurry get dressed

Hi-pa-ge-ni-ni-helo

4. Everyone will be

here soon

Lo-ge-he ge-yi-ke

we-ya-fi

wa-pe-ya-wa

5. What’s your name?

Na-he-wa ke-ta

se-fo

George Blanchard, Governor

6. I don’t hear very

well

SHAWNEE ALPHABET

mi-ti ne-ho-wa-se

(spelling)

no-ti-ka

bah bay bee

(pronunciation)

thah

sah

nah

mah

kah

wah

tah

thay

say

nay

may

hay

way

tay

thee

see

nee

mee

kee

wee

tee

tho

toe

jay

lay

hay

yay

qay

jee

lee

hee

yee

qee

(F has a TH sound as in thump)

jah

lah

hah

yah

qah

(G has a “J” sound)

7. My hearing is bad

Ne-ki ke-ya-pa-sa

8. Don’t get your

children cold

Te-ke-ya

ko-se-mi-ke

ke-na-ge-yi ni-ke

9. Write your name

here

Ka-hi-we-ki-ti

ke-we-fo-wa

mi-ti-se

10.Some one came

We-ya-fi-pe-ya-wa

Report

I hope all of you had a Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Brendle Corner Project is almost complete. This project didn’t

take long once we got it started.

They are laying the asphalt this

week and setting the bases for the

lighting. The project may be complete as early as Friday.

The next project that we have lined

up is Kings Road. I know you

have heard this over and over but

when you have to go by federal

guidelines it takes time. You have

to go by their time frames and it

turns short jobs into long ones.

SECRETARY’s

Greeting Tribal

Members:

Report

The beginning of the new year is a

great time to reflect on past accomplishments, consider the lessons

learned from the past year, and to

make plans for a better future.

This past year we made a lot of

progress on two projects that have

been in the works for quite some

time. The new casino in Shawnee

was opened, and we made a tremendous amount of progress on the

new health clinic. The grand openWe are assisting Cleveland County ing for the new clinic is scheduled

with Pebbly Road and this project for the end of March.

is moving right along.

Thunderbird Entertainment Center,

Inc. is working with a company

I know that we have not been able to

called I-5 Design & Manufacture

do any major projects for individuto update the Norman casino inals; however, we have been able to

side and out. The 25 year old faassist quite a few tribal members

cility will also be getting a new air

in different areas. I’m glad that

handling system to help with the

we were able to accomplish what

smoke. The new fresh air system

we did. The Tribe is on an uphill

should be installed by mid-Februclimb, I feel that next year things

ary. After the completion of these

will even get better. The national

updates, there are plans add a live

deficit is making it look tough but

entertainment venue on the south

we are our own sovereign nation

end that will be open to the public.

and if we handle things in a proper

We are looking forward to seeing

manner we can continue to gain

the upcoming changes. Our new

and move forward.

casino in Shawnee has been open

about four months and is developI appreciate the staff and their hard

ing a strong customer following. It

work and dedication, without them

is a great addition to our gaming

the Executive Committee mementerprise and Tribe.

bers would have a very difficult

time achieving their goals. We’ve We have a number of grant opporall worked together in a positive tunities that we currently taking

manner and it has paid off.

advantage of, including:

It has been a busy year but I have

enjoyed every bit of it. I look forward to working with all of you

next year.

Respectfully,

/s/

Isaac Gibson, Jr.

Lt. Governor

Happy New Year

• CCDF Child Care grant: $1.4

million dollars (awarded 2011)

which operates the

Building Blocks Child Care Facility

and the Horseshoe Bend After

School Program. Some of this

funding will be used to help

construct the building of a new

child care facility in Little Axe.

The engineering and design is

done and we are waiting on con-

struction bids.

• Camp Nikoti — TYP Tribal Youth Program: $99,000

awarded which provides an

Afterschool Program, Monday

through Thursday in Little Axe

at the Little Axe Resource Center for Middle-School and HighSchool youth. The afterschool

program offers tutoring, snacks,

and physical activities. The

program also facilitates an AST

Youth Council.

• Violence Against Women Grant:

$850,000 (awarded 2011). We

can provide emergency assistance to victims needing transportation, food, clothing and

other concrete client needs.

• Transitional Housing Grant is

for victims once they leave an

emergency shelter. The Transitional Housing Program is the

next step to help victims and

their children enjoy independent living. The program allows

victims and their children to get

help with living costs, financial

guidance, and counseling.

• Sexual Assault Grant is for those

affected by relationship violence and/or sexual assault. The

Sexual Assault Advocate works

to provide case management,

needs assessment, goal planning

and referrals, and accompany

clients to law enforcement and

court hearings, and/or hospital.

• Family Violence Prevention

Grant:

($100,000 awarded

2011) has an advocate available to assist victims with the

intake process, crisis intervention, safety planning, legal assistance (i.e., protection orders),

referrals to tribal and community resources, transportation, and

emergency child care costs.

Grants we are applying for in January 2012 include:

• Youth Camp – We are applying

for $800,000. $50,000 will be

used to develop a master plan

for the selected site. Funding

will drill a water well and provide a water tower. It will also,

provide sewer infrastructure including septic tank construction.

Construction of six building: 4

cabins, a shower facility and a

dining/activity hall. The master planning phase will have a

lot of community input into the

development of the camp from

parents and youth.

• Economic Development - We

are applying for $400,000 to

hire full-time staff in the area of

Job Development. The end result of this grant will be remodeling of the little white building

at Brindle Corner and staff to

work on the following types of

projects for the next two years:

developing new businesses at

Little Axe near the clinic; exploring the need for senior adult

housing; and a c-store construction project. This grant will also

help AllNations Bank become

certified to establish a revolving loan fund in Indian Country

to help start new businesses by

Tribal members.

1. Health Careers Education

and Scholarship (deadline

1/13/12)

2. Big Jim Academic Achievement Award (deadline 3/1/12)

3. Big Jim Athlete of the Year

Award (deadline 3/1/12)

Information about these new

scholarships/awards is included

elsewhere in this newsletter and on

the website. You can contact the

Education Department for more

information on these scholarships

and awards.

As mentioned in the previous

newsletter, I would like to see us

be more proactive and involved in

2012 in developing some strategic

planning for 5 to 10+ years down

the road. We are looking at some

options for making this happen.

You will be provided with more information on this when the details

are worked out.

On a national level, the Obama administration has been very open to

Teri Reed – Secretary

paving the way for better services

teri@astribe.com

to Indian tribes for the future by

405-275-4030 Ext 104

removing roadblocks and establishing initiatives. He has primarily focused on the areas of crime

prevention in Indian country, the

health care improvement act, and

the settlement of the class-action

Cobell lawsuit over the federal

Happy New Year, Tribal Members,

government’s mismanagement of

royalties for oil, gas, timber and Hope you have enjoyed your holigrazing leases. Last month, he days with your family and friends.

announced the signing of an ex- Welcome to 2012! As we start

ecutive order establishing a White the New Year, we, the Executive

House initiative on American In- Committee, will continue to work

dian and Alaska native education. together as a team. We still want to

The initiative will be overseen by continue toward progression in the

an executive director appointed by areas of economic development,

the interior and education secretar- educating our tribal members, and

ies. Their job will be to improve services for the tribal members.

education services and to remove • ASEDA Board Monthly meetroadblocks for Native Americans

ing, as Ad Hoc non-voting

in seeking a higher education.

member

It will be sometime before we real- • Executive Committee had a

ize the benefits from this initiative

regular scheduled meeting. See

but at least the ground work has

Resolutions Page.

been laid for improvements to Na- • Congratulations to Executive American education. We are

tive Committee’s Employee of

aware of the importance of higher

Month December Winner, Phil

education for our tribal members

Bradley

and recently announced three new • We, as the Executive Commitscholarships/awards geared totee, selected an Employee of the

wards encouraging continued eduYear for 2011, Gary Wabaunsee,

cation.

Executive Director of the AST

TREASURER’s

Health Services. See Article.

• Monthly Volunteering time for

Reading to two groups of (4-8

students) at Jefferson Elementary, Title VII Indian Education on

the 3rd Thursday of each month

and encourage them to read on

their own.

• Monthly Redstone Investment

meeting and investments are doing, as well, as can be expected

in these up and down times.

• Attended All Nations Bank customer appreciation holiday open

house in Shawnee.

• A “Thank You” Luncheon from

the Absentee Shawnee Housing

Authority

• Pottawatomie Alliance Toward

Community Health (PATCH)

breakfast

which

promotes

healthy choices and healthy

lives. Working to bring health

to Pottawatomi County and to

prevent nicotine addiction and

to help people stop smoking.

Sponsors Students Working

Against Big Tobacco. hgordon@gatewaytoprevention.org

to get on mailing list.

• Attended the Annual AST Elders

Christmas Dinner in Tecumseh,

Ok at the American Legion.

• Governor and I took 41 elders to

see Christmas lights in Midwest

City and Oklahoma City and

dinner at Golden Corral.

• Attended a luncheon at Will

Rogers Theater, Oklahoma City,

OK to promote a new website

for Indian elders from any Oklahoma Indian tribe can go to find

the service or resource that best

fits their needs. The AARP Indian elder Navigator is designed

to be a resource center where

tribes can list their contact information and resources. Also,

AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder

Navigator provides a single

place of resources available to

help older Indians in Oklahoma

such as food programs, housing, transportation, and health.

New and updated information

and links will be added as the

page grows. If you know of additional resources, please email

the AARP Oklahoma State Office at ok@aarp.org so they can

be added to AARP Oklahoma

Report

Happy New Year

Indian Elder Navigator

• Budgets for 2012 have been approved and based on estimation

derived from actual 2011 revenue. IHS, BIA, Indirect Cost

and General Fund combined

budgets are approximately $20

million for 2012; which is an increase from last year’s budgets

of $16 million.

FUTURE GOALS FOR 2012:

• Being your elected official, I

want to continue to have accountability, communication,

working relationships that foster

leadership development, implementing new programs and strategic planning for 2012.

• Continue to search for grants

that can advance economic activity and create jobs within the

tribal communities through our

business arm Absentee Shawnee

Economic Development (ASEDA).

• Continue to have clean audits.

For the past three years, we

have been given clean audits

and my goal is to continue this

into 2012.

• Continue to work with Finance

Department to continue to increase revenue and reduce expenditures, but not hinder tribal

member services.

• Year 2012 looks to be a continued progression for our tribe

and the tribal members.

Sincere appreciation goes out to

the ladies of the Finance Department and the Controller, Belinda

Collins, as they daily continue the

never ending processes for the financial side of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Without their tireless

dedication and commitment we

could not keep the financial transactions processes flowing!

tinue to bless you and yours! See

below articles from AllNations

Bank; Financial Consultant, Eddie

Brokeshoulder; and Finance Department.

Respectfully yours,

Kathy Deere, Treasurer

Finance Department

December 2011

The Finance office continues our

efforts in keeping the day to day

activities flowing efficiently and

effectively 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 Indirect Cost Proposal for

2012 has been signed and mailed

to the National Business Center

for approval. Our rate is up from

17.74% for 2010 to 21.98% for

2011 and we expect our rate to increase; however that is just an estimate. This estimated increased is

We have begun Audit Preparation

based on the influx of activity defor the 2011 Audit. Plans for the

riving from the new clinic opening

Audit will be approximately in

in 2012.

March 2012. All the Tribe’s entiBudgets for 2012 have been ap- ties will be audited first and those

proved and based on estimation will roll up into the Tribe’s Govderived from actual 2011 revenue. ernment wide financials; (ASEDA;

We expect revenues to increase ASEDA Fleet, AST Counseling

based on the new Casino (esti- Services, Store, Harrah Smoke

mated at approximately $600,000; Shop; and Restaurant: AllNations

which is a very conservative es- Bank: and Thunderbird Casino’s

timate). We based revenues for Locations 1 & 2). The Audit will

2012 from the first ¾ of the year include the MD&A (Management

for past revenues. (Calculate rev- Discussion and Analysis). The

enues through September 30, 2011 MD&A report is an informative redivide this number by 3 then times port within the 2011 Audit; which

it by 4 to get an annual estimate is a brief review and explanation of

based on actual revenues for three- the Audit. The 2010 Audit was an

quarters of the year). The estimate “unqualified” audit; which when

for expenses will be calculated the compared to an educational grading scale is an A; and it is my goal

same.

that the 2011 will be unqualified as

BIA $2,219,027.00

well.

I.H.S $9,282,126.00

Also, would like to extend my appreciation to the Financial Consultant, Eddie Brokeshoulder, who

continues to assist me with nuIndirect Cost $5,081,668.00

merous projects, attend meetings

General Fund $3,319,404.00

where I cannot attend, and consulting decisions in the office of Trea- The finance department continues

surer!

to complete accounting by the seventh day of the month and have

We appreciate all your phone calls,

been since August 2010; so that

emails, and visits. May God con-

financial reports can be created for

the Health Authority and Li Si Wi

Nwi, Health Inc. boards for health

programs both Shawnee and Little

Axe. The Finance staff will begin November reconciliations for

financial reporting on the first of

December. It is imperative the accounting / bookkeeping continue

to stay ahead of all of the accounting so that audits go smoothly so

that Indirect Cost rates will stay up

to date as well. Indirect cost proposals cannot be submitted without completed audits as the audits

are used to calculate the proposal.

We continue to explore avenues

that will make accounting for the

tribe’s finances a smooth process including billing package for

health programs. There are many

processes in place in your Tribe’s

accounting department that ensure

we keep accurate records of transactions. The Tribe’s accounting

processes must be in compliance

with GAAP; (Generally Accepted

Accounting Principles) and GASB

(Governmental Accounting Standards Board).

The Tribe currently has compact

funds of BIA and I H S, 51 Grants,

and the new Clinic business. In

addition, the Tribe operates on a

General Fund and an Indirect Cost

Fund.

Happy New Year

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

11; with 7 (64%) being AST Tribal

Members and 4 (36%) being nonnatives.

This department, as always, would

like to extend a special thanks and

note of appreciation to the Executive Committee for providing the

tools, resources and support to enable the finance staff to reach its

accomplished goals and to continue with this effort. A special

thanks and note of appreciation to

Program Managers and Employees of the Tribe for their assistance

and dedication in our group effort

toward accomplishing our goal.

Now that we are caught up, we are

dedicated to continue our efforts in

this direction.

If you have any questions or needs,

please call 405-275-4030 ext 162

and I will be glad to assist you in

any way I can.

Respectfully,

Belinda Collins, Controller

Financial

Consultant

Hello Tribal Members,

Hope everybody had a very Merry

Christmas and each of you hoping

for a prosperous 2012 New Year!

The office of Treasurer will continue to provide transparent and

sound financial reporting.

The following activities I have

been involved and participated.

General Fund: Reviewed and

analyzed Treasurer’s monthly general fund encumbrance report.

Indirect Cost: Reviewed and analyzed Treasurer’s monthly Indirect

Cost encumbrance report.

Absentee Shawnee Economic

Development Authority, Inc.

(ASEDA):

Attended monthly

board meeting to discuss current

business operations and future

business opportunities.

Redstone Investments: Attended monthly financial investment

meeting discussing current investment strategies as well as future

investment options.

AARP Oklahoma:

Treasurer

Deer, Doss Owings and I attended

AARP Oklahoma luncheon at Will

Rogers Theater, Oklahoma City,

Oklahoma. Various Tribal, City,

State and local AARP representatives were in attendance.

The purpose of luncheon was the

formal launch of the AARP Oklahoma Indian Navigator Website.

The AARP Oklahoma Indian Navigator Website will be used to promote resources and programs such

as food programs, housing and

health for Tribe’s in Oklahoma.

The website is www.aarp.org/indiannavigator.

First Nations Oweesta: I was selected to receive a scholarship to

attend First Nation Oweesta-sponsored NeighborWorks Training Institute training in Los Angeles, CA,

February 27, and March 2, 2012.

Attending a Native American Development course at a NeighborWorks Training Institute will offer

participants the opportunity to gain

practical tools, new ideas and fresh

solutions, while networking with

peers working across Indian country.

The training will provide an opportunity to learn Native Financial

Education Instructor Training and

Native Community Development

Financial Institutions: What is

Your Role?

Once again, the office of Treasurer

looks forward to working for you,

and providing financial information that leads the Tribe to a prosperous New Year.

Respectfully,

Eddie Brokeshoulder

Financial Consultant

ASEDA Fleet

cess of submitting for our 8(a)

your information.

application, which will take 4-6 • POP-UPS and VIRUSES: As

months to process. In the meananyone who has e-mailed or

time, we will be pursuing consurfed the internet has expetracts through our Government

rienced, there is no end to the

contracts.

traps set up by online thieves.

Clicking on a pop-up could trigWe are in the process of working

ger your computer to download

on six (6) other projects. Once dea nasty virus or spyware. The

veloped, we will then be able to

same goes for attachments or

announce those endeavors. We

links that come in unsolicited elook at 2011 as a re-building year

mails.

and 2012 is promising. We are • CREDIT CARD SKIMMING:

very blessed and pleased to be on

At retail stores and restaurants

this Board. Our hearts and prayers

some workers have been caught

go out to everyone this Holiday

recording information off cusSeason and Happy New Year!

tomer credit cards. If at all possible

keep your credit card in

Dan Little Axe,

sight or swipe it yourself if posPresident, ASEDA Inc.

sible.

• ADVANCE FEE FRAUD: This

con comes in many forms. You

AllNations Bank

are asked to pay in advance for

something in anticipation of receiving a greater reward. The

Good day to our friends from all of

CATEGORY

Outstanding employees for 2011

MARCH

APRIL

He is a compassionate, humble, and multitalented man. He has shown so much patience

with the kids and adults he teaches in learning

musical instruments, and voice lessons. He

makes learning music so easy, enjoyable, and

fun. He is willing, to go the extra mile to help

anyone that wants to learn music, works beyond normal duty hours just to

make it convenient for students and has evoked many favorably comments

from tribal members. He has contributed significantly to the successful

accomplishment of the MSPI program. We are privileged to have him

working for us and with us.

FY-2011

YTD TAX COLLECTIONS

(thru )November

December 2011

MAY

PHIL BRADLEY

JULY

AUGUST

Employee of the Month

$10,465.58

$102,200.00

$15,754.96

$888.64

$12,422.54

$18,501.65

$160,233.37

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

TOTAL

He has demonstrated outstanding leadership, managerial ability and has contributed in large measure to the

success of the Absentee Shawnee Health Program Services in the few short months he has been here. Through

his dauntless determination, distinguished manner, and

remarkable foresight he effectively planned and supervised the implementation of major organizational changes which resulted

in greater efficiency and more economical utilization for health services for

tribal members.

By his broad background in working with tribes he has been able to seek

out problem areas and establish positive solutions. We are honored and

privileged to have Mr. Wabaunsee working for the Absentee Shawnee Tribe

of Indians of Oklahoma. Thank you.

Sales (6%)

Gaming

Employee (1%)

Severance (8%)

M Vehicle

Tobacco Refund

TOTALS

GARY WABAUNSEE

TAX COLLECTED

Run Date:

12/20/11

2011 Employee of the Year

Shawnee Medical Clinic Appreciation Day

Substance Abuse Counselor,

Director of Pharmacy,

Elizabeth Brakefield

Nancy Phelps

Administrative Assistant,

Clarice Williams

Personnel Assistant,

Leah Bates

Tribal Member,

Mary Birdtail

Dian Osborn, LPN

Stacy Curtis, PA

Laura Webber, LPN

Employee Thanksgiving Luncheon

Happy New Year

Photos Provided Courtesy of Michael Berry

Elder’s Christmas Party

Cheryl Masquat, Mary McGuire, Lisa

Blanchard, Abe Heatley

Mary Birdtail

Jo Ann Walker

Kelli Komacheet, Patricia Brown,

Dara Thorpe

Dan Little Axe

Pauline Johnson, D.K. Johnson

Beverly Felton, George Blanchard,

Sue Blanchard

Barbara Wilkerson

Reta Harjo, Bernice Tiger,

Barbara Wilkerson

Happy New Year

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The following are current programs administered by the

Absentee Shawnee Tribe Education Department:

FREE music lessons

The MSPI Creative Arts

Program offers lessons all year

round for Native American

children from 5 years to 19

years old. Adults are also encouraged to participate. Come

join the fun and learn to play

the guitar, bass guitar, piano, or vocals.

• Academic (K-12) Program: assists with academic related expenses, and a portion of funds can be

used for school-related athletic program expenses.

Program has a maximum funding limit for the academic year.

• Zahn Program: established from a trust fund,

program can help with some graduation expenses,

and awards two (2) incentives: one for GED recipients and one for High School graduates. Program

has a maximum amount of funding for graduation

expenses.

Contact Phil Bradley, Music Instructor (405) 275-4030 Ext: 117

or Cell (405) 370-5576

Classes are now offered at the

Little Axe Resource Center on

Tuesday & Friday

• Job Training Adult Education Program: funds

for vocational training at accredited vocational institutions. Program has a maximum funding limit

for the calender year or per program.

Classes are made possible

through AST Behavioral Health’s

Meth/Suicide Prevention Initiative Grant (MSPI)

“Following in Our Footsteps”

• Higher Education: Education Incentive Award

Program: funds for undergraduate degrees, one

associates or bachelors degree, at any accredited

college or university. Funding levels are determined based upon grade point average and fulltime or part-time status.

• Graduate Scholarship Program: funds for one

master’s degree or one doctoral degree, and can

fund for one graduate admissions test. This program has funding levels based upon full-time

ALL and

Middle School and High School Students:

part-time status.

All funding is based upon the availability of funds at the

time of application.

Attention:

Middle School and

High School Students:

Come and join the Absentee Shawnee

Youth

Council...

Come and join the Absentee

Shawnee

Youth Council…

All middle school andAll

high middle

school youthschool

are welcomed!

and high school

If you are considering taking courses for the We

spring

youth are welcome!

will be meeting once every month to cover topics that interest our youth.

2012 semester, please contact the Education DepartWe are involved with our

hands-on

activities

and month

Wecommunities

will be through

meeting

once

every

projects. The AST Youth Council volunteer activity for December was

ment as soon as possible.

to cover topics that interest our youth.

wrapping Christmas gifts for the AST Foster Care/PSSF programs.

We are involved with our communities through hands-on activiEIAP students: Deadline for fall 2011 officialPreservation

tran- Department

with our youth about Language

tiescoming

andto speak

projects.

The AST Youth Council volunteer activity for

script is received or postmarked by January 15,Revitalization.

2012.

December was wrapping Christmas gifts for the AST Foster Care/

For our January meeting, we have a special guest from the AST Cultural

Our 6th Meeting for thePSSF

2011-2012

school year will be Saturday, January 14th at

programs.

10:00 am in the basement of Building #3.

All applications and guidelines are available at www.

For aour

January

meeting we have a special guest from the AST

If you are interested in becoming

member

of the

astribe.com. Click on Services and select Education.

AST Youth Council, pleaseCultural

contact Tresha Preservation

Spoon (405)275-4030 ext.

121 or 193.

Department

coming to speak with our

youth about Language Revitalization.

For more information, please call Tresha Spoon at

(405) 275-4030 ext. 121 or 1-800-256-3341 or email to

tresham@astribe.com.

Our 6th Meeting for the 2011-2012 school year will be Saturday,

January 14th at 10:00 am in the basement of Building #3.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the AST

Youth Council, please contact.....(405) 275-4030

Jared ext. 193 or Tresha ext. 121

Happy New Year

PLEASE fill out EACH BLANK completely and return by the Deadline

ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST

I, ________________________________________, hereby certify that I am or will be an Eligible Voter of the Absentee

(Print Name)

Shawnee Tribe on or before March 17, 2012. I cannot physically be present to cast my Vote at the March 17, 2012 Primary

Election, therefore, I am requesting an Absentee Ballot be mailed to me at the following address.

Name (please print):

Address:

(first)

(middle)

City:

(maiden)

St:

(last)

CDIB#:

Date of Birth:

Signature:

Date:

Zip:

All REQUESTS must be returned to the Election Commission by the deadline of

February 26, 2012

Mail to:

Absentee Shawnee Election Commission

P.O. Box 741

Tecumseh, OK 74873

Fax to:

Fax # (405) 273-1337 (Do not fax to any other fax #)

Phone: (405) 275-4030 ext. 150

Toll free number 1-800-256-3341 ext. 150

Deliver in Person to:

Election Commission Office

located in the Tribal Court Building

All eligible voters are entitled to vote either at the Polls or by Absentee Ballot.

For your convenience - This request may be duplicated

ELECTION COMMISSION USE ONLY

Received:

Approved:

Disapproved:

If Disapproved (reason):

Denial Letter Mailed:

Ballot Mailed:

Election Commission/Representative

Happy New Year

Elder’s Report

November and December are always busy month each year and

this year was no exception. The

Elders were busy at the first of the

month with their annual Veterans

pow wow which was held November 5th at the Expo Center, Shawnee. Our elders and volunteers

should be commended for their

efforts in presenting this event. It

takes a lot of work and this year we

had a last minute pleasant surprise

with Thunderbird Casino donating

$1,100 for the head staff. I have

to point out to our tribal members

that our elders families donated

prize money for each category in

the pow wow and special thanks

should go out to them. They include Governor Blanchard and

family, the Little Axe family, Gene

Parker, Mary and Richard Birdtail, David and Stella Little, Betty

Watson, Dan Little Axe, Alice

and Bill McBride, Serena Daugherty, Emily Longman, Kathy and

Lloyd Deere and myself. Our drum

groups were good and our AST

Vets were present in their usually

outstanding form. All went well

with only a brief interruption by

the earthquake that surprised the

crowd and made national news.

But that didn’t stop the pow

wow, the dance went on and all

was well after that. The food was

good, which was brought in by our

elders and other volunteers and

our fry bread makers cranked out

enough bread to feed everybody.

Thanks! To everybody for their

contributions and labor to make

this a successful pow wow!

Our regular monthly Elders council meeting was held on November

19 at the Resource Center, Little

Axe. All officers were present and

the meeting was called to order at

10:25 am by President Dan Little

Axe. A quorum was established

with 37 tribal members and 10

visitors. The invocation was given

my Don Schulenberg. An anniversary was announced for David and Stella Little. The October

2011 Minutes were not available

due to my illness and a motion to

table was made by Sue Blanchard

and seconded by Sadie Low. The

motion carried. Comments were

heard from Donna Butler regarding standard practice or protocol

during pow wows and suggested

we have a discussion on this topic

before next year’s event. There

was brief discussion on the continued efforts for collecting recipes

for the fund raiser recipe book. The

Elders Thanksgiving dinner was

What is the definition of stalking?

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, stalking is defined as

"a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact,

or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that

would cause a reasonable person to feel fear." Stalking behavior

can include:

held following the meeting. The

next meeting date is set for Saturday December 17 at the VFW Hall,

Tecumseh.

Our December monthly meeting

was held at Tecumseh as planned.

All officers were present. Fortysix ASST elders were present and

twenty guests/visitors. The invocation was offered by Don Schulenberg. Edith Goodman and Mary

McGuire celebrated birthdays

this month. President Little Axe

gave condolences for those elders

whom we had lost during this past

year and offered a prayer on their

behalf. Minutes were not available. The Treasurers’ for the month

of November was presented. There

were questions about information

presented as well as some receipts

still not available for inclusion in

this report and donated items solicited from vendors. A motion to

table was made by Mary Birdtail

and seconded by D.K. Johnson.

The motion carried. The subject of

an audit came up and it was suggested that it happen as soon as

possible. Sue Blanchard brought

up the subject of the recipe book

and stated that the Media department will soon be ready to start

putting the recipe book together.

Dan Little Axe stated that the suggested trip to Florida is beyond

what the Elders could afford and

suggested that other ideas be considered. It was announced that flu

shots were available today for elders who might require such.

President Little Axe announced the

winners of the Outstanding Elder

and Volunteer for 2011. Barbara

Wilkerson captured the title of

Outstanding AST Elder and Stella

Little walked away with the Outstanding Volunteer award. Both

received a gift card from the Elders Council. Entertainment and

join-in songs were heard from

Patricia Brown, Dara Thorpe and

Kelli Komacheet. Sue Blanchard

announced that the Executive

Committee will be taking Elders

on a tour of Christmas lights and

dinner on Monday, December 19.

Pick up points would be Little

Axe and Shawnee. Following that,

gifts were exchanged and some elders donated gifts and candy to be

given to elders in nursing homes

which were delivered that same

day. A motion to adjourn was made

by Sue Blanchard and seconded by

Kathy Deere. The motion carried

and the meeting adjourned at 11:45

am. Following that, the Christmas

dinner was had as well as the exchange of gifts. The next meeting

date is set for January; 21, 2012 at

the Resource Center in Little Axe.

THINGS YOU CAN DO….

If you are in immediate danger, call 911

Trust your instincts

Take threats seriously

Contact local law enforcement, domestic violence shelter or a do* Repeated, unwanted, intrusive, and frightening communica- mestic violence program

tions, by phone, mail and or email

Develop a safety plan; tell your family, friends, roommates, co* Following or laying in wait for a victim at places victims tend workers

to frequently visit, including home, school, or work

* Making direct or indirect threats to harm the victim or the vic- Don’t communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you

tim's children and family, friends, pets, and even co-workers

* Damaging or threatening to damage a victim's property

Keep evidence of the stalking; Keep a record of the contacts, such

* Harassing a victim through the Internet, including email, social

as dates and times and places. Keep emails, phone messages, letnetworking sites, and other sites

ters or notes

This information is provided by the AST Domestic Violence Program.

Please call our office if you any assistance (405) 275-4030.

Happy New Year

Resolve for Better Health

-by Surya Pierce, MD

December 31st: “My New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, and

win an Olympic Gold medal.”

January 1st: “Maybe I shouldn’t have drank so much last night.”

January 7th: “This weight loss stuff is really hard. Maybe I should just focus on that Olympic metal…”

January 15th: “What New Year’s resolution?”

If you’re like me you’re probably pretty familiar with setting lofty goals for the New Year only later to find yourself face to face with the cold, hard

ground of mid-January reality. Sometimes I even wonder if it would be better just to forget setting goals all together and eat that extra piece of chocolate cake.

But then there are times when I meet patients like Mrs. Jane,* and I am reminded just how powerful making a resolution for better health can be. One

day Mrs. Jane had enough of being sick from obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic back pain. She got sick and tired

of being sick and tired. She decided that she was going to start exercising every day, lose weight, quit smoking, stop eating junk, and start eating more vegetables

and fruit. (She also did something that I would NOT recommend, which was stopping all of her 9 medications!) When I met her for the first time, it had been

almost a year since she had decided to make those rather extreme changes. I was a little shocked to find out that after almost a year after Mrs. Jane had stuck with

it. She had lost nearly 80 pounds, she was no longer smoking, she was exercising for an hour most days of the week, and she was still eating a healthy diet. On

top of that, her blood pressure and almost all of her lab tests were back to normal including her cholesterol and blood sugar…all of this without any medications.

Tears came to her eyes when we discussed her lab work. I congratulated her and encouraged her to go out and celebrate her new life with her family.

Although Mrs. Jane’s new life was not started on January 1st, I have met many other patients who did make big improvements in their health through

New Year’s resolutions. Several of my patients have quit smoking for good on New Year’s resolutions. Others have started exercising every day January 1st. One

of my patients even started taking his medications regularly on the New Year. The bottom line is that we all have the ability to make big improvements to the way

we live our lives, and New Year’s resolutions are a great way to start improving our health.

In my experience with successful patients, I have found 3 major things to remember in making New Year’s resolutions:

Don’t be discouraged by failure. We have to fall down in order to learn to walk. Be flexible with your plans. If your resolution is to quit smoking, it might

just take you the whole year be smoke free. For example, on average it takes most smokers 7 to 10 attempts at quitting before they quit for good.

Most people know what they should do to improve their health, but here are my top 5 most important New Year’s resolutions for you to consider:

1. Stop abusing tobacco. Abusing tobacco is probably the most preventable causes of death in the USA. Not only does it cause cancer, but smoking also causes

heart attacks and strokes. Second hand smoke is also bad for health.

2. Lose weight. In the USA we are in the midst of an obesity epidemic. Obesity can cause diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Oklahoma

currently has the fastest growing obesity rate in the USA. If you are obese, losing weight might save your life.

3. Eat a diet that is high in fresh, multicolored vegetables and fruits. Diets high in non-starchy vegetables and fruits can improve the most

common chronic medical problems and are associated with living longer.

4. Exercise more. There is not a disease known to humankind that is not improved by exercise. It feels good too!

5. Maintain healthy relationships. People who are socially connected live longer and recover from illness faster than people who are socially isolated.

Talking about your resolutions with your doctor, family, friends or someone else you trust can really help to keep you on track with your resolutions. We’d be

happy to help you accomplish your health goals at Li Si Wi Nwi Clinic, and are looking forward to expanding our abilities to do so at our new facility in 2012.

Call today and take the first step to a healthier you! Little Axe Clinic (405) 447-0300 & Shawnee Clinic (405) 878-5850.

Happy New Year! May this year be healthier than the last!

*The real name of Jane and the other patients in this article have been hidden to protect privacy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The AST Shawnee pharmacy has recently taken appropriate steps required to become

a licensed training facility for pharmacy interns and approval has been given from the

State Board of Pharmacy. Therefore, we have signed an agreement with the University

of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy to begin accepting Pharmacy students in their final

year of study as interns.

In addition to their duties with the tribe, all three pharmacists currently stationed at

our Shawnee pharmacy location are adjunct professors with the College and will be

teaching these students on their journey to becoming licensed pharmacists. We have all

worked extensively with students previously and enjoy the fresh perspective they are

capable of providing. Please join as we welcome this exciting new element into our

pharmacy practice.

Happy New Year

Influenza is a very contagious disease caused by the influenza virus, spread through cough, sneeze or nasal secretions. It is commonly seen each winter, particularly from

October through May. The illness last 3-4 days and typically

causes fever, chills, headache, cough, muscle aches and nasal

congestion.

Get Vaccinated:

• Children less than 3 years of age and adults over 65 are most severely

affected, particularly if they have a chronic disease of the heart, lungs

or kidneys.

• The influenza vaccine is recommended for all patients 6 months of

age and older.

• The influenza “shot” is an inactivated or killed vaccine and it is impossible to get the virus from this vaccine. Children 6 months to 9

years of age receive 2 shots, 1 month apart.

• A nasal spray vaccine is available although frequently in short supply.

This is a live vaccine and may take two weeks to develop protection

against the virus.

• The nasal vaccine can be given to healthy people 2 through 49 years

of age who do not have certain chronic illness. Check with your doctor to see if the nasal vaccine is safe for you.

Anti viral medication can be useful to shorten the severity and duration of

influenza but must be given by your doctor very early in the course of the illness to be most effective.

Come by the Shawnee Clinic’s Drop-in Flu Vaccination clinic every Thursday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. No appointment needed for established

patients. Or call today for an appointment (405) 878-5850.

This message brought to you by

Dr. James Gormley, Pediatrician at the Shawnee Clinic.

PHARMACY NEWS

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBAL PHARMACY

Visit your pharmacy and meet the new Pharmacists! We are excited

to meet you!

Both Shawnee and Little Axe pharmacy locations are now filling prescriptions for members of all tribes, but outside prescription orders are still

restricted to Absentee Shawnee Tribal citizens with established charts.

The following are a few tips to help us be more efficient in our delivery of

pharmacy services to you:

• Present insurance cards each time you pick up or drop off a prescription

• Keep us informed of changes in address, phone number and other contact information.

• Let the Pharmacy staff know if the prescription is going to be picked

up or needs to be delivered.

• When requesting refills, please provide 24 hours notice and either the

refill number, which is located above your name on the prescription

label, or the names of your medication.

• If you have any questions at any time, feel free to call the Pharmacy or

stop by and speak with one of our Pharmacists. We are here to assist

you with your pharmaceutical needs!

New Hours of Operation for the Pharmacy:

Shawnee: 7am-6pm Monday-Friday

Little Axe: 7am-5:30pm Monday-Friday

We are open through the lunch hour!!

**Both pharmacy departments are closed the first Wednesday of

each month to complete administrative duties**

Keep Warm and Safe during the Winter Months

Don’t let the cold weather keep you from exercising. Here are some safe ways to keep you motivated and staying fit.

• Dress in layers - This will make it easier to add or remove once you start to sweat. Keep your core temperature regulated.

The first layer should be an Under Armour type long sleeve/or dri-fit shirt which helps sweat evaporate faster, keeping

you dry and warm. Wear fleece or wool for insulation and waterproof apparel for an outer layer.

• Protect your hands, feet & ears – Wear gloves for your hands, thick thermal socks, plus regular socks for your feet.

Wear a hat/headband for your ears. A scarf or face mask would also be helpful if it’s very cold.

• Keep track of the weather & wind chill – If temperatures are too low, you may want to consider doing an indoor activity.

• Stay Hydrated- It’s important to stay hydrated in all weather, hot or cold. Water is the best way to keep you hydrated.

• Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of frostbite & hypothermia – If you’re shivering then that’s a sign to

seek shelter and warm up your core temperature.

Make sure you keep track of how your body feels to prevent cold weather injuries and remember these tips!

If it’s too cold outside you can always exercise at the Resource Center. Other exercise options include: finding a mall to walk in, a treadmill to run on, or exercises you can do at home like chair exercise &/or body

weight exercises. If you need more information please call the AST Fitness Program at the Resource Center.

405-364-7298.

Information provided by Rosie Tall Bear, AST Fitness Facility Director

Happy New Year

New Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Clinic update

As many of you know, the tribe is in the process of building a new clinic in the Little

Axe area. The new clinic is directly north of the old clinic and casino out on Highway 9. The new clinic will replace the existing clinic and will add more services

to the tribal members who utilize our current clinic. The new clinic will be about

79,000 sq. ft., compared to our current 7,000 sq. ft. clinic.

We have been receiving calls requesting information about the new clinic and when

will it be open. We have been told by the construction company that we should be

ready for patient care in late spring, early summer. That is only about four short

months away. The employees are waiting anxiously for that day to come. Currently,

about 30 employees are located in the clinic building, a small administration trailer,

and the larger trailer used by the Community Health & Prevention Services programs, so office space is very limited.

The clinic is about 85% complete. Many of the interior walls are up and painted.

There are light fixtures that have been installed in all areas. Cabinets are being installed in all the exam rooms and in the lab area. Our Facility Manager, John Kammerzell, is on sight every day overseeing construction and following up on any

changes or issues related to the building.

This state of the art facility will be home to our medical and dental clinics as well as

Behavioral Health, Community Health & Prevention Services, Lab, X-ray, Optometry, and Contract Health. We will be going from our current 30 employees to about

140 employees once we are at full capacity. There will be a large conference area

that will have Internet and computer access so that employees can do their yearly

training and conferencing. We will also have a demonstration kitchen and conferencing area for the diabetes program to hold cooking classes. In addition to all the

added features, a safe room was built in the clinic for protection against any possible

tornado threats.

We are all very excited about the new clinic and the construction appears to be on

track for an April opening. We will schedule an open house once we have a firm

opening date at which point all tribal members will be invited to tour the new facility. If you have any questions about the new facility, please call Beverly Felton, the

administrator at Little Axe or Gary Wabaunsee, Executive Director of Health. The

number to the Little Axe clinic is 405-447-0300. Mr. Wabaunsee can be reached at

405-878-4702.

Absentee Shawnee Diabetes & Wellness Program

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Diabetes and Wellness program has two new staff

members, Margaret Starkey and Jimmi Norris. Both are Registered Nurses and

Certified Diabetes Educators with experience in population and community health.

They are working with the Special Diabetes Program for Indians- Community Directive Grant project. Did you know that one in every six American Indian adults

has the diagnosis of diabetes? Some of the program goals include, decreasing the

prevalence and complications of diabetes by assisting with healthy eating choices,

increasing physical activity, weight loss and stress reduction. Jimmi and Margaret

are located at the AST Little Axe clinic to provide diabetes and wellness education

to Absentee Shawnee Tribal members, tribal employees, and Native Americans

in the surrounding counties. They will be available at both AST clinics on an appointment basis. Please drop by to meet them and schedule a time to discuss any

diabetes and wellness related issues. Diabetes Education and Wellness Program,

AST Clinic, Little Axe. Phone 405 360-0698.

Happy New Year

ppy B

Aguirre Perez, Mabel

Beatrice

Alford Jr., Paul Leon

Alford, David Wesley

Alford, Robert Bruce

Alford, Sandra Kaye

Armstrong, Billy Joe

Armstrong, Frank Lee

Atkinson, Maureen Jessica

Barber, Joseph Leeroy

Barton, Brittany Lynn

Bates, Terri Elaine

Bayliss, Jeffery Channing

Beach, Cary Sue

Bettelyoun, Kelan Chase

Bittle, Boston Warrior

Blalock, William Charles

Blanchard II, Aaron Gabriel

Blanchard, Bernice Starr

Blanchard, Chelsey Kolesha

Blanchard, Cory Eugene

Blanchard, Terance Blaine

Blanchard, Twyla Gayle

Boyd, Ladarius Eugene

Bragg, Ronald Lee

Brannon, Tyneeka Alexandria

Bread, Christina L.m.

Brinson Jr, F E

Britt, Kelly Lee

Brokeshoulder, Harry

Brokeshoulder, Sherri Dawn

Brown, Harper Janiece

Brown, Jennifer Renee

Burkhard, Valarie Mae

Cathers, Connie Frances

Chisholm, Mark Wayne

Citty, Rebecca

Colungo, Damien Micheal

Condra, Karri Marie

Coon, Wynona Sloat

Cope, Michell Eldon

Coriz, Matoka Marie

Creek, Bessie Lee

Cripps, Jimmy Mark

Crossley, Orin Lee

Crossley, Rachel Ann

Cruz, Reyna Jalyssa

Cutler, Breanna Kailee

Dankenbring, Melody Renee

Darnell, Carol Jane

Davis, Rhonda Jean

Day, Vivian Denise

Day, Zander Nicholas

Deer, Braelyn Ariyahna

Deer, Melissa Roselynn

Deere, Christopher Lee

Deere, Clinton Jess

Delodge, Raymond Louis

Dibler Jr, Daymon Daniel

Draper, Shawnee Sharisse

Edwards, John L.

Ellis, Brandi Nicole

Ellis, Lisa Marie

Felton, Kandice Nicole Grace

January Birthdays

Flowers, Jasmine Lynne

Foreman Jr., James Louis

Foreman, Anthony Clayton

Foreman, Elijah Bryce

Freeman, Jerilyn Kay Barnett

Fritsch, Jaxon James

Fruit, Andrea Dee

Geissler, Jarett Paul

Gibson, Braxton Reid Caddo

Gibson, Clarence

Gibson, Gloria Lynne

Gibson, Jeremy Lee

Gibson, Jimmy Ray

Gibson, Martha Lynette

Gibson, Ronnie Caleb

Gibson, Walter Ray

Gilman, Howard Floyd

Gonzalez, Xochitl Olivia

Goodman, Thomas Donald

Granstrom, Tyler Michael

Harjo, Nicholas Gerald

Harrington, Carolyn Jean

Harris, Samuel Lee Allen

Sabre

Haumpy, Tacie A’lize

Hawk, Quincy Ryan

Heatley, Prada DeeAnn

Herrera, Angel Juventino

Hill, Stephen Lee

Hood, Dantel Ruya

Hough, Alyssa Blake

Howe, Angelina Marie

Humphrey, Lou Ann

Irvin, Michael Reed

Isaacs, Betty B

James, Diane Rene

Januszewski, Connie Bradley

Jimboy, Kaden Allen

Jiron, Mary Elizabeth

Johnson Jr., Henry Caddo

Johnson Jr., Josie Ed

Johnson, Bruce Dale

Johnson, David Lee

Johnson, Janessa Leann

Johnson, Patrick Wayne

Johnson, Pauletta Elephant

Johnson, Tanessa Anah Mari

Kaseca, Kesa La`nae

Kaseca, Thomas James

Keith, Shelli Leann

Kelough, Manuel LeeWayne

Kihega, Breanna Grace

Komahcheet, Nolan Frank

Larson, Brooke Nichole

Leath Jr., William Jake

Lester, Bradley Shane

Lester, Brandy Nicole

Lewelling, Amber Dawn

Lewelling, Stacie Berlyn

Little Axe Jr., Ricky Lee

Little Axe, Courtney Nicole

Little Axe, Darrell James

Little Axe, John Al

Little Charley, Keith Eldon

Little Jim, Charles Allen

Little, Mia Rachelle

Little, Sutton Keith

Little, Troy Don

Littlebear Jr., Michael

Littlecreek, Catherine

Littlecreek, Kami Dawn

Livsey, Shannon Marie

Longacre, Nancy L. Warrior

Longhorn II, Leonard Wayne

Longhorn Moore, Tylee

Raquel

Longhorn, Crystal Alaina

Longhorn, Ladonna Gail

Longhorn, Shawna Michele

Longman, Caitlin Oteaka

Lovins, Marilyn Sue

Lowe, Charles Jake Kilraine

Lowry, Linda Diane

Maldonado, Michael Tyrus

Mann Jr., Glenn Dale

Mann Sr., Glenn Dale

Mann, Marc Andrew

Marriott, Cadence Sunay

Martin, Jared Webster

Martinez, Laronda Ann

Martinez, Sam Littlecreek

Martinez, Winter Dawn

Mathany, Connie Ruth

Maxwell, Diondre DaShawn

Maxwell, Jimmy Ray

Maxwell, Nellie Tiger

McCreary, Lisa Jane

McGirt, Travis Wade

McPherson, Alan Lynn

McPherson, Jessica Lynn

McPherson-Brittain, Jason

Tyler

Meek Jr, Jimmy David

Melton, Serena Jo

Melzer, Logan Michael Boyer

Milburn, Michelle Sahara

Miller, Laney Lee

Miller, Tre Dean

Mitchell, Gage Jaydn

Mitchell, Nycole Morningstar

Montgomery, Nathan Andre

Patrick

Morgan, Autumn Dawn

Morris Jr., John Gilbert

Morris, Betty Sue Williams

Morris, David Leon

Morris, Jordan Marie

Morris, Lucas Hayden

Munroe, Ellen Marie

Nail, Brandy Diane

Nance, Desmond Ravon

Nance, Eva Renae

Neash, Lonnie Allen

Ned, Tina Renee

Nelson, Payton Ashlee

Nicholson Jr., Larry Zenith

Nicholson, Victoria Rose

Odell, April Babette

Happy New Year

Panther Jr., William

Switch, Tiana Bright Path

Panther, Cheyanne

Tarbox, Christy Lee

Parker, Muriel Gene Tyner

Taylor, Nathan Wayne

Parsons-Squire, Autumn Lynn Thomas, Joel Elijah

Patty, Elsie Wynona

Thornhills, Nina Canalas

Pearce, Kelle Dawn

Thorpe II, Ronnie Allen

Pearl Atwood, Donna Sue

Tiger, Christoper Blaine

Perryman, Mary Ella

Tiger, Wanda Little Axe

Pewenofkit, Alta Rochelle

Tilley, Makiah Lynn

Ponkilla, Orphie Jane

Tyner, Tonia Melanie

Queen, Marlene Lucille

Valdivia, Thomas Lesley

Rakestraw, Mariah Diane

Walker, Roger Steven

Ramirez II, Antonio

Warrior, Tobin Shane

Reed, Teresa June

Washington, Rebecca Marie

Riden, C`anne Danielle

Watson, Danny Owen

Ridenour, Logan Taylor

Watson, Julie Marie

Riedel, Brian Alan

Watson, Matthew Payden

Roach, Dawson Wayne

Watson, Patrick Scott

Roberts, Ramona Lee

Weatherley, Amandia

Robertson, Wanda Lejean

Quaymmie

Robison, Tyrel Lane

White Thunder, Sheldon

Rogers, Tammy Sue

Thomas

Ruimveld, Chad Christopher

White, Jesse Lee

Rye, Gail Marie Alford

White, Seth Wesley

Sanders, Dylan Wayne

Whited, Angela Kay

Seber, Jamie Nicole

Williams, Joseph Billy

Seber, Lauren Elizabeth

Williams, Joseph Bryan

Serena, Anthony George

Williams, Joshua David

Shaffer, Christie Elaine

Willoughby, Marcie Deann

Shawnee, Keaten Wayne

Wilson, Aarion James Deer

Sherrill, Quentin Patrick

Wilson, Alix Re`Ann

Shields, Aaliyah Brooke

Wilson, Alta Louise

Shular, Sandra Jeanne Hood Wilson, Calvin Lee

Wilson, Edward Wayne

Sloat, Cilicia Ann

Sloat, Taylor Renee

Wilson, Faith Anne Marie

Sloat, Warren Howard

Wilson, James Francis

Smith, Al Murray

Wilson, Michael Eugene

Smith, Mariah Love

Wilson, Wesley Dean

Smith, Ryan James

Wolf Sr., Aaron Paul

Snake, Anita Mae Burton

Wolf, Angel Erica

Snake, Barry Gabriel

Wolfe Jr., Houston Hugh

Sorrells, Sandra Lee

Wunderlin, Donna Jo

Spoon, Barbara Jo

Wyatt, James Allen

Spoon, Carl David

Yandell, Leon Allen

Spoon, Christopher Jaye

Spoon, Deric Brandon

Happy Birthday to:

Spoon, Tina Louise

Mary & Elijah

Spybuck, Winter Dawn

Squire, Jimmy Dowell

Foreman,

Starr, Adrien Miguel

Clayton Foreman,

Starr, Martin

Starr, Rance George

Danny Watson,

Steinruck, Mrs. Eugene

Patrick Watson

Donnell

Stewart, Glenn Alan

We wish you all a

Stewart, James Clyde

very

Stone, Brian David

Happy Birthday and

Stricklin, Victor Medrano

Stryker, Rodney Shane

a Happy New Year!!

Sullivan, Glenda Ann

Love The Foremans

Little Axe

Surface, Ashley Katherine

& Kasecas

Sutton, Santos Daniel

Switch, Casey Camden

Happy 7th

birthday

Kandice and

many more!

From

Pa Pa Tiger &

family

Two of our Absentee Shawnee Tribal members made the Oklahoma All Star Football

Team. Trace Pack, the son of Christie Johnson Pack and Robert Pack. Trace is an 8th

grader at Longfellow Middle School in Norman. Caden Blanchard, the son of Andrea Frye and Craig Blanchard. Caden is a 7th grader at Little Axe. These two young

men were nominated and chosen for the Oklahoma all star team. Only 35 boys were

picked through out the state of Oklahoma to play against other all star state teams.

The boys and their families traveled to Arkansas to play Arkansas they won 24-6 and

then to New Mexico to play team Nevada and won 41-24. The boys made it to round

3 where they met up with Texas which turned out to be a true Oklahoma-Texas Red

River Battle. The boys came up short losing 12-10. The boys where playing to make

it to round 4... the championship in San Antonio,Tx to play in Jan. 2012. We would

like to thanks the AST executive committee for all of their support and our family that

made the trips with us to the states we visited to watch our boys play.

Caden and Trace we are proud of you! Keep up the good work!!

Happy Birthday Chipper

Love Koo Ko Chi

Happy Birthday

Uncle Pat &

Happy New Year

We Love You Kantynn &

Kanynn

WE WISH PAT JOHNSON AND

JARRET GEISSLER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAVE A GREAT DAY

LOVE YA

THE KASECAS

Happy Birthday to

Clay Foreman

Zayden Foreman

Mary Foreman

Elijah Foreman

Pat Johnson

Your goofy relatives

Marvin & Sherry

Happy Birthday

Makiah Tilley

Talon Tahah

Love

Grandpa Marvin & Sherry

Happy Birthday

Aunt Qweet

We love you

Marvin & Sherry

Happy Birthday

Kandice Nicole Felton,

Love you! Daddy, Grandma

& Grandpa, & Gran & Pops

Congratulations Trace for making Team Oklahoma

and congratulations for a great season!

Your Family is SO VERY PROUD of you.

Love Mom, Dad, Brandon, Camryn, & Kristyn.

The team was picked by FBU (football university), it's the same organization that puts

on the Army All-American Bowl (for the 80 top HS seniors in the country) every year

in San Antonio at the Alamo Dome. The boys competed in the 1st Annual FBU 8th

Grade National Championship against other all star teams from other states. The boys

were 1 game away from playing in the Nat'l Championship in San Antonio before the

Army Bowl, before a nat'l audience. FBU also does a lot of camps and other promotion of outstanding players. They have a website, it is www.footballuniversity.com

Happy New Year

Cultural Preservation

Cultural Advisory Council

We would like to remind everyone that we still have three openings for the Cultural Advisory

Council. If anyone is interested, applications can be submitted to the Secretary’s office.

Language Classes

Language classes are being held in the Governor’s Conference room on Sunday’s at 12:30 until

2 or 3. Besides learning the language, other topics have been discussed that coincide with the

words that are being taught. Come join us to learn about the Shawnee language, culture and

history.

Demonstration Classes

We are asking for your input on what classes to demonstrate this year. Please contact the Cultural Preservation Department to give us your suggestions of interest . Henryetta Ellis, ext. 177

or 190.

Absentee Shawnee Counseling Services

Native America's Painkillers

Last month the Center for Disease Control called prescription painkiller addiction an epidemic in the country, identifying Oklahoma as leading the nation in both the addiction and related

deaths. It is only fitting that the battle against such addiction in "Native America" be led by

three tribal owned clinics, Absentee Shawnee Counseling Services, OKC; Keetoowah Cherokee Treatment Services, Tulsa; and Quapaw Counseling Services, Miami.

Generally speaking, prescription painkillers are opiates. There are 14 Opioid Treatment Programs in Oklahoma certified by the Federal agency SAMHSA CSAT, including the Veterans

Hospital in Oklahoma City. The importance of these OTPs revolves around SAMHSA's findings that the Medication Assisted Treatment is 70-75% effective with opiate addiction, while

traditional substance abuse treatment is 6-10% effective. This 8-9 times more effective treatment can often skip inpatient detox, avoiding the expense, time off from work and away from

family, and the waiting list to get admitted.

Remarkable as it is that Native tribes own three of these best practice programs, one of them

was selected by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to video for their

agents and other providers to learn how these programs should be run. "All three programs

were designed and set up in the same fashion, operating in the same manner. You will find the

same level of excellence at all three clinics," asserted Dan Cross, Executive Director, Absentee Shawnee Counseling Services, OKC. "Tribes lead the assault against this epidemic in Native America," referring to the state of Oklahoma. All three tribal programs serve both Native

and Non-Native adults and accept Medicaid.

"Natives have lead the way in holistic approaches to health and environmental concerns, not

as a recent development, but from their ancient ways," noted Cross. "Whether it be herbal

medicine that modern medical science has replicated pharmacologically, or holistic approaches to well-being that our best practices emulate, Native people have preceded modern technology," Cross observed. Now, it seems, Natives are leading the solution for this deadly wave of

addiction sweeping over Oklahoma.

RESOURCES:

Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/rxbrief/

SAMHSA Treat Improvement Protocol 43 http://www.samhsa.gov/samhsanewsletter/volume_16_number_6/tip43.aspx

SAMHSA OTP Directory http://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/directory.aspx

Absentee Shawnee Counseling Services http://ascs-okc.com/

Happy New Year

TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT

RIGHTS OFFICE

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive

Shawnee, OK 74801

redge@astribe.com

Phone 405.275.4030 ext.135

Cell 405.432.9859

Fax 405.878.4543

In the past month TERO has received

111 phone calls, 37 walk-ins, and we had

13 new applicants. We have put 9 of our

applicants to work at various locations

including Nabholz. We are working on

getting more job opportunities for our

TERO applicants. Outside of our office

we have 3 bulletin boards of current open

positions for the Shawnee, Little Axe,

and local areas. Also you can keep updated with job postings by logging onto

the website at Absentee Shawnee Tribe

of Oklahoma. TERO is dedicated to assisting our applicants with access to job

opportunities, resumes, and access to online job positions.

If you or anyone you know is interested

in becoming a TERO applicant we have

applications located outside of our office.

In order to apply with TERO the following is required: 3 forms of Id’s (Photo Id,

S.S, and CDIB) any credentials, license

or any other certificates you may have.

We look forward to meeting with you.

If you have any questions about TERO

please feel free to contact our office

Monday thru Friday 8-5pm at 405-2754030 Ext: 163

Happy New Year & God Bless

TERO STAFF

RANDY EDGE,

DIRECTOR

BRIDGETTE WILSON,

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Scholarship Application

Workshop

The Oklahoma City IHS Area Office would like to invite you

to join our scholarship application workshop on January 6,

2012 in the Redbud conference room at 1pm. There will be a

demonstration on “How to Apply,” for the IHS Scholarship.

The Area Scholarship Coordinator will be on hand to be used

as a reference throughout the application process and can provide assistance with any questions you may have regarding the

completion of your application or supporting documentation

in preparation for submission to the IHS Scholarship Program

branch office. Please take advantage of this special opportunity.

When: January 6, 2012 @ 1:00pm

Where: Oklahoma City Area Office

Redbud Conference Room

701 Market Drive

Oklahoma City, OK 73114

Please R.S.V.P. Keith Bohanan by January 4, 2012

Scholarship Application

Workshop

The mission of IHS is to raise the physical, mental, social, spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. Because of the

IHS Scholarship Program, many qualified health professionals are given the opportunity to pursue their careers as well as help their own communities.

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

Oklahoma City Area Office

Phone: 405-951-3789

701 Market Drive

Keith.Bohanan@ihs.gov

Oklahoma

73114would like to E-mail:

lahoma

City IHSCity,

Area

Office

invite you

to join our scholarship application workshop

nuary 6, 2012 in the Redbud Conference room at 1pm. There will be a demonstration on “How to

” for the IHS Scholarship. The Area Scholarship Coordinator will be on hand to be used as a referhroughout the application process and can provide assistance with any questions you may have reg the completion of your application or supporting documentation in preparation for submission to

he IHS Scholarship Program branch office. Please take advantage of this special opportunity.

Shawnee Clinic:

When:

6, 2012

@ 1:00pm

The Shawnee Clinic

staffJanuary

hopes that

everyone

had a safe and well

Where: Oklahoma City Area Office

holiday season. Remember that handwashing is the best way to keep

Redbud Conference Room

you and your family well. 701 Market Drive

The Shawnee Clinic continues

to offer

DAY appointments

Oklahoma

City,SAME

OK 73114

for patients that need to be seen right away. Please call 405-878-4702

and schedule your appointment. You will be seen as soon as possible.

sion of IHS The

is to raise

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goal the

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family practice physician and are in negotiation forare given the opportunity to

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a Cardiologist to come to the clinic once or twice a month. We want the

Absentee

Shawnee Tribal Members to have excellent quality care here

N HEALTH

SERVICE

at their clinic. The clinic is open to Absentee Shawnee Tribal memma City

AreaMembers

Office

bers,

of other tribes, as well as all Tribal employees.

lease R.S.V.P. Keith Bohanan by January 4, 2012

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Little Axe Resource

Center

ket Drive

5:30 PM

ma City, OK 73114

Customer Service Task Force:

405-951-3789

Keith.Bohanan@ihs.gov

"Your Tribe, Your Voice" The Customer Service Task Force

hosted the first Community Listening Session on Thursday Dec 15th at

Horseshoe Bend Community Center. We appreciate the Tribal Members who took the time to attend and gave opinions on ways to improve

the Health System. The Session was led by Health Executive Director,

Gary Wabaunsee.

Our next session is scheduled for Thursday January 26th at the

Little Axe Resource Center. Flyers will be posted. Please take this opportunity to have your voice heard.

Refreshments Provided

Updates on the New Clinic

Construction

Updates on Shawnee Clinic

Renovations

Patient Satisfaction Survey

Specialty Services Priority

List

Questions / Concerns

Join us in a listening session with

Executive Director of the AST Health System,

Mr. Gary Wabaunsee

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health Authority, Inc.

Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Health, Inc.

In partnership with the Customer Service Task Force

To l e a r n m o r e c a l l M a r l a T h r o c k m o r t o n o r

P h y l l i s Ti g e r a t ( 4 0 5 ) 8 7 8 - 4 7 0 2

Happy New Year

Hello, Tribal Members:

Title VI News

Title VI Staff hopes everyone had a Wonderful & Safe

Christmas.

During the winter months, if

the Shawnee and Little Axe

Public Schools are closed

DUE to the weather we will

also be closed.

January 2, AST Complex will

be closed due to New Year’s

Day being on a Sunday. January 16th AST Complex will

be closed for Martin Luther

King, Jr Day. No meals will

be served or deliver for these

two days.

Any questions or concerns

you can contact us at 405275-4030 x 169.

My name is Sherman Tiger and I’m the Media Director. Myself, along with Faustina Blanchard, have been

employed at the Tribe to manage the Media Department.

By now, you have noticed that we changed the newsletter to newsprint. That is a cost saving move for the

Tribe, here are the totals for your information; to print newspaper like we are now it is $1,105.00 monthly or

for the year it is $13,260! The way it was done before the cost is $3,195 monthly or $38,340 yearly! So you

see the savings of at least $25,000 over the course of the year.

Also, this format has allowed us to increase the size of the font to make it more legible and to get more information in the paper. Which I think should be the main focus of the newsletter. We are making an effort to

complete the newsletter by the end of the month so that we can mail it out by the first of the month as it takes

7-10 days to deliver once we drop it off at the post office. If you live in surrounding area and not getting it

in that time frame you may need to speak with your postmaster on this matter. Also, Tribal Members could

help us out by keeping addresses updated as it does cost to mail and have it return to us.

On the Birthday wishes, as much as we would like to print as many photos you have of your loved one, we

can only do one and if you could please include a self addressed stamped envelope so that we may return

the photo.

I hope this answers some questions you may have. If there’s anything else we can help with, just let us know.

Thank You

Sherman Tiger

Phone: (405) 598-1279

Fax: (405) 598-0221

Email: stiger@astribe.com

Foster Parents

Needed!!!

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Medical Clinic

& Dental Clinic

15702 E. Hwy 9

Norman, Oklahoma 73026

Can you open your home and heart for a foster child?

Foster parents provide a temporary, safe home for children

in crisis. Foster parents are partners with child welfare

workers, lawyers and judges. It is not for everyone but if

you have it in your heart - we need you.

Medical Clinic: (405) 447-0300

Fax: (405) 447-2250

Dental Clinic: (405) 307-9704

Operating Hours:

Monday thru Friday

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Weekends/Federal & Tribal Holidays

Closed

Clinic and Pharmacy are opened during the

lunch hour.

Clinic is closed the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each

month from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

Pharmacy is closed the 3rd Wednesday of each month

from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

DUI

ASSESSMENT & SCHOOLS

(State Approved)

Monday - Friday

8:00 to 5:00

Call Linda Or Glenna

PHONE: 275-3432

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Police Department

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Building 19

Shawnee, OK 74801

• Can you love and care for a child who comes from a

difficult background?

• Can you help a child develop a sense of belonging?

• Are you secure in yourself & your parenting Skills?

• Can you maintain a positive attitude toward a child’s

parents?

• Can you love with all your heart & then let go?

FOSTER PARENTS PROVIDE A TEMPORARY, SAFE HOME FOR

CHILDREN IN CRISIS. THEY ARE PARTNERS WITH WORKERS,

LAWYERS, AND JUDGES. IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! CAN YOU

OPEN YOUR HOME AND HEART FOR A FOSTER CHILD?

Many children need a loving home and a family to help them

through a very tough time. Please think about it and talk with

your family before you become a foster home. They all need

safe, supportive environments!

If you find yourself and your family interested in Foster Care,

please contact J.R. Wind

405-275-4030 ext. 195.

Happy New Year

per customer.With coupon.

No substitutions

lunch specials!

KITCHEN

Something

KITCHEN

- 7am to 7pm

COUNTRY Sunday

COUNTRY

ASTAST

different

Monday - 7am to 3pm

every day! Early Bird Breakfast

KITCHEN

$4.99

Early Bird Breakfast

366-7220

$4.99

Tuesday - 7am to 3pm

Wednesday - 7am to 8pm

Thursday - 7am to 8pm

Sunday

7am

to 7pm

Sunday

- 7am- to

7pm

pen 7 Days A Week!

Friday - 7am to 9pm

Monday

7am

3pm

Monday - 7am to 3pm

2 Eggs/Bacon

Sausage/Hash

Saturday or

- 7am

to 9pm

Tuesday

7am

to 3pm

Tuesday

- 7am- to

3pm

Browns

Wednesday

- to

7am

to 8pm

- 7am

8pm

2 Eggs/Bacon Wednesday

or Sausage/Hash

Biscuits

& Gravy or Toast & Coffee

Check

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Thursday

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Check

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our daily

Thursday

7am

8pm

n Front

Thunderbird

Entertainment

Center

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on Saturday

or Sunday. 1 coupon

Early

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Early Bird Breakfast

Friday

7am

9pm

customer.With

coupon.

- 7am

to 9pm per

daily

homemade

BiscuitsShop)

& GravyFriday

or Toast

& Coffee

to AST Smoke

homemade

lunch

special!

Saturday

- to

7am

to 9pmNo substitutions

Saturday

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Sunday.

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per customer.With coupon.

Sunday - 7am to 7pm

Monday - 7am to 3pm

Tuesday - 7am to 3pm

Wednesday - 7am to 8pm

Thursday - 7am to 8pm

Friday - 7am to 9pm

Saturday - 7am to 9pm

ABSENTEE

SHAWNEE

Check

out our

daily

homemade

TRIBE

OF OKLAHOMA

lunch specials!

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DEPARTMENT

Something

different

every day!

Victim Advocacy

lunch

specials!different

lunch

specials!

Assist victims by offering educational classes that focus on the dynamics of doevery

day!

Open

7 Days

AA Week!

Open

7 Days

Week!

mestic violence and sexual assault, stalking and dating/violence. Each victim

Something

is helped with emotional support and resources both from Tribal programs and

Something

Open 7 Days A Week!

local community programs.

different

every

day!

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Court Advocacy

Center Next to AST Smoke

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to AST

Smoke Shop)

(In

Front of Thunderbird Entertainment Center Next

Open

Days

Week!

Open 7 Days A Week!

Assists survivors with domestic violence court related appearances as well as

to AST Smoke Shop)

366-7220

filing for emergency protective orders (EPO) or restraining orders.

Office of Environmental

Health

& Engineering

(In Front

of Thunderbird

Entertainment

Center

(In Front

of Thunderbird

Entertainment

Center

NextNext

Housing and Utility Assistance

to AST

Smoke

Shop)

to AST

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• Tribal Housing Improvements Application

The Tribal Housing Improvement Program’s goal is providing sanitary, safe, and decent

housing for its members by utilizing the following criteria to select the most “in need”

tribal members with homes that are in disrepair but are still suitable for rehabilitation. All

applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and criteria which is approved by the

Absentee Shawnee Tribe.

THIP list all applicants by a priority list:

Handicapped/Disabled and Elderly

Income

Family Size/Overcrowded Living Conditions

Condition of Home

Transitional Housing

The AST DV Transitional Housing Program serves victims of Domestic Violence. Participants have up to two years to obtain education and job skills

needed to begin a new life. Services include case management, counseling,

and transportation. There area four homes all equipped with furniture and basic

household items.

Referral Assistance

Other Programs available:

• Sanitation Facilities Assistance Program

Applications need to be completed and all necessary documents attached before the

application will be processed.

Applications are available online on the website: www.astribe.com.

Submit completed application to:

Assists with providing community resources to those who are in need of additional services outside the scope of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s Domestic

Violence Program.

Sexual Assault Advocacy

The AST DV Sexual Assault Program is on-call 24 hours per day to provide

emotional support, advocacy and crisis counseling to sexual assault survivors

at hospitals, police stations and throughout the legal system. The Program also

serves as a resource center to the community by offering educational information and referrals.

Office of Environmental Health & Engineering

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee, OK 74801

Absentee Shawnee Tribe Complex

Office of Environmental Health & Engineering, Building 13

If you have any questions, you can reach us by phone at (405) 214-4235

Shelter Placement Assistance

Wills Clinic

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s Domestic Violence Program works with other

shelters within Oklahoma in order to help victims obtain safe housing. Emergency transportation for the victim and children may also be available.

April 19, 2012

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Little Axe Resource Center

Community Outreach

Call OILS at:

(405) 943-6457 or 1-800-658-1497 to make an

appointment. If anyone needs assistance with a

will before then, call the same number to make

arrangements for an appointment to meet with

OILS attorney.

Assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or dating violence in emergency situations. This assistance may allow for a victim to either

receive housing or utility assistance.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s Domestic Violence Program offers educational

trainings, informational displays, and community events in order to provide

more awareness to both Tribal and non-Tribal communities.

For any questions regarding any of the above services please

contact the Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s Domestic Violence

staff at (405) 275-4030.

Happy New Year

Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority

107 N. Kimberly

P.O. Box 425

Shawnee, OK 74801

Shawnee, OK 74802-0425

Phone: 405-273-1050

Fax: 405-275-0678

Introduction

The information provided to you in this flyer is to help families understand

what programs are offered through the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority and how to apply. Our programs target low income Native American families who need housing assistance. The two programs currently being provided are Rental and Lease with Option to Purchase.

Application Process

Our process begins with the completion of our housing application. When

completing the application be sure and answer all the questions that pertain

to you and sign all attached forms. If you should have any questions regarding the application; call or come by our office and ask our staff in the

Programs & Admissions Department and they would be glad to assist you.

Low Rent Housing

Our low rent housing program is provided to families in need of housing in the Shawnee and Tecumseh area. Rental houses are furnished with

kitchen appliances, central heat and air, and mini blinds all throughout.

In the Shawnee area, the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority has two

elderly/handicap communities. These areas have fully and partial handicap

The application will also require documents to be attached in order to com- accessible units. A laundry facility is located in the community for tenant use only. Tenants in our rental program are provided services through

plete the process:

our Maintenance Department; if any maintenance issues should arise you

• Photo I.D.

would contact the Housing Authority and a crew member will come and

• CDIB Card

do the repair.

• Social Security Card

• Birth Certificate

• Marriage License/Divorce Decree/Custody Decree (if applicable)

• All applicants are required to attend

• Declaration of Section 214 (form is included with application)

a counseling class conducted by our

Resident Counselor before signing a lease

Each household member must provide a birth certificate, social security

card and CDIB card (if enrolled in a federally recognized tribe). The Housing Authority will conduct an OSBI check and a Landlord and Utility Check

on all adult household members over the age of 18. A home visit is the final

step in completing your application.

Waiting List

• Inspections are performed on our homes

annually

How to become a homeowner in our...

A letter will be mailed out once your application has been approved notifying you of the date your name was placed on the waiting list. It is very

Lease with Option to Purchase Program

important to stay in contact and notify the Housing Authority anytime

changes occur in income, household composition, or contact information.

The Lease with Option to Purchase program is available for any native

In the event that your name is next in being offered a home; you will be

American family who has met our requirements and would like to purchase

notified by letter or phone.

a home that the Housing Authority has available to offer.

Eligibility for each program has

income requirements; please be

sure and review the current income

limits on your application.

We will not be able to process your

application if you do not meet the

income criteria.

This program is designated for income eligible families who have been

renting but now feel they are ready for the opportunity to purchase their

own home. The application is the same as rental; except the income requirements are different. Be sure and specify when completing your application, that you are applying for the Lease with Option to Purchase. If

you have substantial rental history and meet the income requirements, your

name may be placed on the waiting list.

•

MONTHLY RENT IS CALCULATED BY YOUR INCOME

•

OUR RENTAL UNITS HAVE 1,2,3, & 4 BEDROOM

•

LEASE WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE HOMES HAVE 3 &

4 BEDROOMS

Happy New Year

HORSE SHOE BEND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM:

The students at the after school program have been working hard on their studies. I am pleased to report that they are excelling in their school work and this is

being illustrated through improved grades. Students are proving that with hard work they can receive scholar and achievement awards. The Tutors assisting with

this effort are also working hard to ensure that tutored students are assisted in area’s they are having trouble with. The improvement is being seen on a week-byweek basis by teachers, parents, tutors and myself with student attitudes becoming more positive.

I am pleased to introduce 2 tutors, this report period that came on board as part-time employees: Stuart Rolette and Randall Watson. Stuart is in his second year

at Rose State College majoring in cyber networking. He is a big help at the center as he tutors the third grade boys. Stuart is a citizen of the Sac and Fox Nation.

Randall Watson is a Junior at Shawnee High School and is an Absentee Shawnee Tribal citizen. Randall plays football for the Wolves. He helps with the first and

fifth grade students.

On November 22, 2011 I met with Principal Chief George Thurman of the Sac and Fox Nation to discuss the Horse Shoe Bend Afterschool Program. He expressed interest in the efforts of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe afterschool program and indicated that he would consider a joint project based on the acknowledged

success of the program. This joint project would be dually funded by both Tribes should it occur. At this time the Absentee Shawnee Tribe have 25 kids enrolled

in the program with 18 who attend consistently. These kids are both Tribal and non-Tribal youth. Those who are non-Indian pay a small fee that covers the expense of their attending the program.

LIMELIGHT FOR DECEMBER – Katie Wilson – Student of the Month

For December the student of the month is Katie Wilson, she is in Kindergarten at North Rock Creek School. Katie has been attending the

Afterschool Program since it opened in August. I am very pleased with Katie’s determination and hard work which she demonstrates each

week. She is making progress in identifying and writing her numbers and alphabet. Katie is the daughter of Calvin and Annie Wilson and

has two brothers, Ruben and Michael. Katie will receive a $25.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card donated by the White Turkey Band.

What is Katie’s Favorite Color? Pink. Who is her favorite Teacher? Ms. Tucker. What is her favorite food? Pizza. What animal does she

like best? Tiger. What is her favorite hobby? To play dress up. What is her favorite class in school? PE. What is her favorite game?

Hide-in-seek. Who is her best friend? Meagan. What is her favorite movie? Pretty Princess. And her favorite song? You Belong With

Me. Her favorite singer is: Taylor Swift. What is her favorite place? Disneyland. And what is her favorite state? Oklahoma. What store does she like most?

Wal-Mart. What is her favorite past time? Hang out with her friends. Where does she most like to Eat? McDonalds. Who is her favorite actor? Jacob (the werewolf guy on Twilight). Her favorite actress is Julia Roberts.

I attended the Second Nine Weeks K through 5th Grade Award Assembly at North Rock Creek School on December 5, 2011. Two students received Awards from

their class. They are:

Leila Castaneda, 1st grader, received a medal and a certificate for the Achievement Award. Leila is showing marked improvement each

week with her reading and math skills. She is the daughter of Victor and Jennifer Castaneda. Leila has two brothers, Eryn and Daniel, two

sisters, Desiree and Jayleen.

Ruben Wilson received the Achievement Award in his 3rd grade class. Ruben continues to show improvement

in math and he has not missed a spelling word on his test since school started. He is the son of Calvin and Annie

Wilson. Ruben has one sister, Katie and one brother, Michael.

The tutors and I are very proud of Katie, Leila, Ruben for their accomplishments. And we are also proud of all the

students in our afterschool program.

Saturday, December 3, 2011 the White Turkey Band Committee sponsored a Christmas Party for the students that attend the Horse Shoe

Bend afterschool program. Students received gifts, a sack of candy, and a stocking filled with gifts. A short program was held for the

parents and guests. Each student read what Christmas meant to them. Students were provided pizza and juice and cookies for lunch. All

who attended received a sack of candy.

A Special ‘Thanks’ goes out to the White Turkey Band for making this a special event for the students that attend the afterschool program. These kids enjoyed

everything you provided for them. Additionally I extend a ‘thank you’ to the Absentee Shawnee Media Department, Faustina Blanchard, for attending and taking

pictures and for Representative Jeff Gibson and the student’s parents for coming!.

I would like to thank Clara McAfee, Johnson Community resident, for the tin can of popcorn she provided for the students at the center. And thanks to Calvin

Wilson for the deer meat. Students enjoyed eating the deer meat with cheese and crackers.

As 2011 is nearing its end I want to say that we have made big strides in the education field for these students in a short period of time. And I can only see it getting better and bigger as time goes on. It takes everyone to chip in to make a difference. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this new program. If anyone

has any suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me at 405-481-0397. My door is always open and I welcome your thoughts!

Thanks

Edwina Butler-Wolfe , Director

Horse Shoe Bend Afterschool

Absentee Shawnee Tribe

2025 South Gordon Cooper Drive

Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801

405 275-4030, Ext: 133

405 481-0397 cell number

edwinab@astribe.com

Happy New Year

WHITE TURKEY BAND NEWS:

The month of November and December has been very busy; we had our Old Time Box Supper that was held on November 19, 2011 at the Horse

Shoe Bend Community Center. The proceeds at the box supper helped with the Christmas Party for the Horse Shoe Bend After School Program

Students. We bought Christmas gifts and provided lunch and sacks of candy. We organized two different committees for this event a shopping and

candy committee. June Buckner, Janet Jeske, Ramona McCoy, did the shopping and wrapping gifts. And candy committee was Kathy Switch, Gwen

Switch, Kay Wallace. Thanks go out to Gwen Switch, and Janet Jeske for their time and expenses for making the Christmas Stockings that the students received, also a BIG THANK YOU to the anonymous person for the donation that was given to help out with gifts and the pizza. While the

ladies where shopping a donation was given by Mary Black to help with gifts for the students. The Christmas Party was held on December 3, 2011

at the Horse Shoe Bend Community Center. It was a big success as the students were very excited that day. We would like to thank Representative

Jeff Gibson for his attendance and Faustina Blanchard, Media Department.

White Turkey Band meets first Saturday of each month at the Horse Shoe Bend Community Center at 10:00 a.m., if anyone would like to attend.

WHITE TURKEY BAND WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MSPI PROGRAM FOR THEIR HELP IN THE 5K RUN THAT WAS HELD ON

OCTOBER 1, 2011. MSPI PROGRAM PAID FOR THE STUDENTS ENTRY FEE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE RUN.

Happy New Year

Join us for an excitng week of athletc competton in Oklahoma City, June 10-17, 2012

Athletes representng Indian natons, bands and tribes from across the United States and Canada gather to

share their talents in the spirit of the “World’s Greatest Athlete” and Natve American Legend….Jim Thorpe!

The games will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Jim Thorpe’s medal winning performances in the

1912 Olympic Games in Sweden.

Featuring 11 sports:

Sofball, Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field, Cross Country,

Wrestling, Stckball, Martal Arts, Beach Volleyball, 5K Run

*Plus an Oklahoma Natve American High School All Star Football Game

*Youth and Adult Divisions in most sports. Entry form can be downloaded of the website.

Additonal Children’s actvites and compettons such as Children’s Art Tent, NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competton and

Triple Threat Basketball Skills Challenge

For more informaton contact, Anneta Abbot:

1-855-JTGAMES (1-855-584-2637) or aabbot@jimthorpegames.com

www.jimthorpegames.com

Proceeds from the Games will beneft

Jim Thorpe Bright Path Youth Programs and Awakening The Spirit Diabetes Outreach Program.

Happy New Year

Jim Thorpe Native American

Games Coming To Oklahoma City

An exciting week of athletic competition is coming to Oklahoma City in

honor of one of Oklahoma’s greatest athletes. The Jim Thorpe Native American Games will take place June 10-17, 2012 at different venues throughout

Oklahoma City including: ASA Softball Hall of Fame, Remington Park,

Oklahoma City Tennis Center, Oklahoma City University, Lincoln Park

Golf Course, Millwood High School, and Bishop McGuiness High School.

Athletes representing Indian nations, bands and tribes from across the

United States will gather to share their talents in the spirit of the “World’s

Greatest Athlete” and Native American Legend….Jim Thorpe. The Games

will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Jim Thorpe’s record setting Olympic performance in Sweden.

Over 3,000 Native American athletes are expected to participate in 11 different sports throughout the week that will include basketball, softball,

baseball, tennis, wrestling, track and field, cross country, golf, martial arts,

stickball and beach volleyball. Entry forms for all sports can be downloaded from the Jim Thorpe Games website.

In addition to these 11 sports, a Jim Thorpe Native American All-Star Football Game will take place on Friday, June 15, 2012. This game will showcase Native American high school seniors from across Oklahoma. If you

are interested in participating in the All-Star Game or if you are a high

school coach who would like to nominate one of your players, contact the

Jim Thorpe Native American Games office.

Remington Park will be the host site for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Native American Art exhibit, Health Fair, College and Career Fair and

traditional cultural exhibitions throughout the week. Remington Park will

also be the site of an NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition and a 5K Run.

Proceeds from the Games will benefit the Jim Thorpe Bright Path Youth

Programs that include Jim Thorpe All-Star Games, Children’s Challenge,

Artfest and the statewide Red Ribbon Week. In addition, a portion of the

proceeds will benefit the “Awakening the Spirit” Native American Diabetes

Awareness and Prevention program of the American Diabetes Association.

Thousand of Native American athletes, primarily young people, will participate in the Jim Thorpe Native American Games; making it one of the

largest events of its kind. In addition to the sporting events; cultural activities associated with the Games will include art show, traditional entertainment and sporting exhibitions.

“The Native American communities know the importance and value of supporting healthy lifestyle choices for their youth. Some of the many benefits

of the Games will include promoting leadership development, increasing

cultural awareness and most importantly – motivating young people to

achieve great things,” said Annetta

Abbott (Choctaw), Executive Director. “Our young people are not only

the leaders of the future; they are the

leaders of today.”

For additional information on the

Games contact Annetta Abbott,

Executive Director, 405-208-9253

or aabbott@jimthorpegames.com or

visit their website www.jimthorpegames.com.

If you’d like to submit an ad

or article give us a call at

(405) 598-1279 or

send us an e-mail at

mediadept@astribe.com

Happy New Year

ALL ARTICLES FOR THE

NEXT MONTH’S

ISSUE ARE DUE BY THE

20TH OF THE

CURRENT MONTH

Cont.

nance activities and repairs.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS:

L-AS-11-12

12/21/11

Authorizes the capital injection of the sum of One Hundred Twenty-Five

Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00) from the General Fund to the Absentee

Shawnee Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) for the purpose

of establishing pay at the pump and related marketing systems at the

ASEDA Tribal Stores.

L-AS-11-13

12/21/11

Authorizes and approves the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Budget for

calendar year 2012 in the amount of Two Million, Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand, Twenty-Seven Dollars and no cents ($2,219,027,00) as

reflected in the attached budget document, “Exhibit A”, effective immediately.

L-AS-11-14

12/21/11

Authorizes and approves the General Fund Budget for calendar year

2012 in the amount of Three Million, Three Hundred Nineteen Thousand, Four Hundred Four dollars and no cents ($3,319,404.00) as reflected in the attached budget document, “Exhibit A”, effective immediately.

L-AS-11-15

12/21/11

AST Education Department

Announces New Youth Awards

As reported in last month’s newsletter the Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s

Education Department will begin accepting applications for the following awards:

• Big Jim Academic Achievement Award (Male and Female)

• Big Jim Athlete of the Year (Male and Female)

The purpose of these awards is to recognize the outstanding contributions of our tribal youth and to promote excellence in academics and athletics in high school and beyond. Tresha Spoon, Director of Education,

stated, “We are excited to offer these awards as recognition of how our

Absentee Shawnee youth are impacting their schools and communities

through their academic achievement and athletic performance. The annual recognition of tribal high school students will give the tribe an opportunity to showcase the talented and hard-working youth in our tribe.”

“Most of all,” she added, “we want to encourage our youth to strive for

the best in whatever they choose to do in the future.”

High school students and varsity athletes of both genders in their Junior

or Senior year of High School within the 50 United States are eligible

to apply for these awards for the 2011/2012 school year. Applications

will be accepted from January 1 to March 1, 2012 by US mail or email,

official transcripts must be mailed. The official application form will be

available at www.astribe.com under the Education Department by December 31, 2011.

Individuals are encouraged to nominate deserving high school student/

athletes. You may nominate yourself. Please refer to the application for

required documents. Eligible nominations will be judged by a panel of

(non-AST) experts assembled specifically for this purpose. The intent

is to bring together an unbiased group of experts to evaluate the applicants in an impartial and unbiased environment. Their decisions are final

L-AS-11-16 12/21/11

with respect to all matters concerning these awards. Awards will be anAuthorizes and approves the Indian Health Services (IHS) Budget

nounced in April 2012.

for calendar year 2012 in the amount of Nine Million, Two Hundred

Eighty-Two Thousand, One Hundred Twenty-Six Dollars and no cents

Award recipients will be recognized as the 2011/2012 Big Jim Academic

($9,282,126.00) as reflected in the attached budget document, “Exhibit

Achievement Award winner or the Big Jim Athlete of the Year. In addiA”, effective immediately.

tion to this recognition the award recipients will receive $1000.00 to be

used towards their education and the advancement of their career.

Authorizes and approves the Indirect Cost (IDC) Budget for calendar

year 2012 in the amount of Five Million, Eighty-One Thousand, Six

Hundred Sixty-Eight Dollars and no cents ($5,081,668.00) as reflected

in the attached budget document, “Exhibit A”, effective immediately.

Questions on these awards program should be addressed to:

The family of Michael Tiger would like tell everyone THANK YOU!

Your hugs, kind words, handshakes and the many wonderful stories

you shared with us were a tremendous help to us during this loss. We

appreciated all the wonderful food that you brought to us. A special

Thank You to Shirley Simpson, who is a wonderful cook and makes

us laugh, Bucky LittleCharley, Lt. Govenor and his maintenance crew

who waited for us in the rain, as well as our cousin’s Harold and Steve

Williams. Thank You to Everyone!

Absentee Shawnee Tribe

Education Department

c/o Tresha Spoon

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive

Shawnee, OK 74801

405.275.4030 Ext 121

youthaward@astribe.com

The Tiger Family

Happy New Year

Applications accepted:

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

Education Department

(405) 275-4030

Jan. 1st –March 1st

Finalists announced:

April 2012

2025 South Gordon Cooper Drive

Toll free (800) 256-3341 Fax (405) 273-1192

youthaward@astribe.com

□ $1,000 Big Jim Academic Achievement Award (Male)

□ $1,000 Big Jim Academic Achievement Award (Female)

□ $1,000 Big Jim Athlete of the Year (Male)

□ $1,000 Big Jim Athlete of the Year (Female)

STUDENT INFORMATION

Name: ___________________________________________________

(LAST)

(FIRST)

(MI)

Enrollment #:

Address: _________________________________________________________________________________

(STREET)

Home Phone: (

(CITY)

)

Cell Phone: (

(STATE)

(ZIP)

)

Email:

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

High School Name:

City:

State:

Class Year:

Guidance Counselor:

Phone #:

Sport:

Position:

Coach:

Phone #:

(FIRST)

(LAST)

May include with application:

□ Official High School Transcript

□ Letter of Recommendation (Educator/Coach)

□ Tribal Enrollment Card (copy)

□ Resume of Accomplishments and Activities

□ Video (optional): no more than 10 minutes in length

□ 500-word Essay: How do you feel your accomplishments (knowledge/training) will influence your future?

Happy New Year

Fitness & Aging Well

Taking care of your health gives you a better

chance to live a longer happy life.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:



Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency

department for a fall



Every 35 minutes someone 65 or older dies as a result of

their injuries from falls

Unintentional falls among the elderly occur often and are

100% preventable. Fall prevention not only begins in your

home, but with your own personal health. Regular doctor’s

checkups, vision checks, and medication reviews are just a few

ways to practice fall prevention safety. Elders who fall tend to

cut down their physical activity out of fear of falling and injuring

themselves again, but as the saying goes “you don’t use it, you

lose it.” In that case elders will lose their independence and well

as muscle strength to get around. The best thing to do would be

to get involved in elder friendly fitness exercises such as chair

exercises and Tai Chi are physical activities you can do in your

home. According to Harvard Health Publications these activities

help by the following: increase muscle tone in your legs,

improves balance, mobility, and independence, as well as

improve your mental capacity and concentration. In addition to

those benefits, it also helps by reducing your blood pressure and

improving respiratory health especially those who have suffered

from a stroke or heart attack. Among other benefits these

exercises assist in managing arthritic pain and increase bone

mass for elders. With winter upon us, it is vital that you as

community members do your best to protect elders from the

dangers of ice and other weather related fall dangers.

“Age is an issue of mind over

matter. If you don’t mind, it

doesn’t matter.”

-Mark Twain

“We don’t stop playing because

we grow old; we grow old because

we stop playing.”

-George Bernard Shaw

AST Injury Prevention Program

If you have an elder you would like to

get in contact with Absentee Shawnee

Tribe Injury Prevention on exercise

information or home safety

assessments please call 405.878.5850

ext. 190; Sacha Almanza, IP Program

Coordinator.

Tai Chi is offered Monday, Wednesday,

and Friday from 9:30-10am at the Little

Axe Resource Center, contact Rosie

TallBear at 405.364.7298. Free Chair

exercise DVDs are also available for

elders.

Home safety assessments and supplies

are free to all elders in the AST Health

Services Area (Cleveland,

Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Logan, and

Oklahoma Counties).

Happy New Year

Little Axe School Health Fair 2012

Join Us! Come see us for

your important

health and public

service information!

Child

Passenger

Safety Seat

Inspections

•Diabetes Department

•Community Health Education

•Fitness Staff Activities

•Injury Prevention Program

•Dental Screenings & info.

•Behavioral Health

•AST Police

•AND MORE

Raffles, Fun, and

Freebies for all!

Contact:

Sidna McKane, AST

Community Health &

Prevention Services

Administrative

Assistant

405.360.0698

sidnam@astribe.com

Car Seat inspections for all

families and Free car seat

replacements for those who

qualify. For children who have

tribal enrollment cards, please

provide those during car seat

installations. Proof of state

assistance is needed

(Soonercare, WIC, Snaps, ect)

Other Public Programs are

welcome to Participate. Please

Inform us of your

commitment ASAP. 

Join Us…

Date

Thursday, February 9 , 2012

Time

5pm-8pm