n g T he S h a w n (2016)

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Absentee

ShawneeNews

Inside This Issue

2 - 3 Executive Committee Reports

4 Title VI Menu & News

6 Elders Council

11 Election Commission

13 OEHE

14 - 15 February Birthdays

Volume 27 No. 45 ❤ February 2016

16 AST Health System Update

18 Emergency Management Report

20 - 21 Health System Announcements

23 From the Doctor's Notebook

24 National Children's Dental Health Month

27 National Folic Acid Awareness

28 - 29 Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

30 AST Indian Child Welfare

35 - 36 Campaign Letters

37 Foster Care

38 - 39 Minutes

From the Election Commission:

TRIBAL MEMBERS FOR ELECTIVE OFFICES

Lt. Governor

Kenneth Blanchard

Isaac Gibson, Jr.

Representative

Rick Little Axe, Sr.

Anthony "Tadpole" Johnson

Sherman Tiger

Treasurer

Leah Bates

Scott Miller

Twila Parker

Kathy Deere

Commission

Member #1

Mary Birdtail

No one filed: Election Commissioner, Election Secretary

Executive Committee

Edwina Butler-Wolfe

Governor

Issac Gibson

Lt. Governor

John Johnson

Secretary

Leah Bates

Treasurer

Kenneth Blanchard

Representative

Monthly Executive Committee meetings can be watched online at astribe.com

Governor’s Report

Hello my Absentee Shawnee people!

I am often amazed at what electronic

online libraries offer. I can still remember

earlier days when the DOS (Disk Operating

System) was the first widely-installed

operating system for personal computers

and was considered the forerunner of

business computer technology. Much has

changed since IBM began that computer

line. These days have a host of explorable

opportunities available to us both in the

type of technology and the software that

can go on and in it. As an example: this

past week I was visiting the Wikipedia site

and decided to put DOS (Disk Operating

System) was the first widely-installed

operating system for personal computers

in the name ‘Oklahoma’. I was somewhat

surprised at what I learned. Many of you

probably know that ‘Oklahoma’ is derived

from the Choctaw language and liberally

interpreted it means ‘land of red man’.

But were you aware that the federal

government regarded our state as Indian

Territory with the thought in mind that

it would be an all Indian state controlled

by the United States Superintendent

of Indian Affairs? It was only later that

the name changed from Indian Territory

to Oklahoma, the de facto name for

Oklahoma Territory, in 1890. In review

of our own tribal history the Absentee

Shawnee’s began early settlement into

‘Indian Territory’ around 1839. This was

brought about by Indian agents from the

U.S. government bringing soldiers from

Fort Reno in western Indian Territory and

forcing the Absentee Shawnees located

in Deep Fork River to leave. Our people

were brought south to the area known as

Hog Creek and Little River where the Big

Jim band remains to this day. The White

Turkey Band was moved to what is now

Pottawatomie County near a town later

named ‘Shawnee’ after our tribe.

As I go out and meet with other tribal

leaders or agency officials I am often

asked the question? Why are we called

the ‘Absentee Shawnee’s’? Our cultural

department indicate the phrasing of our

name the “Absentee Shawnee” stems from

a provisional clause in an 1854 treaty

regarding surplus lands in the Kansas

Reservation which were set aside for the

“absent” Shawnees.

State of Indian Nations

On January 14, 2016 the State of the

Indian Nations was given by the National

Congress of American Indian’s President,

Brian Cladoosby. He called on the federal

Congress and the President to address the

following issues in 2016:

Community Security.

➢➢ Reauthorization of the Tribal Law

and Order Act.

Economic Equality.

➢➢ Tribes should be able to collect

taxes without placing extra burdens

on local businesses.

NCAI called on the Department

of Interior to amend ‘The Indian

Trader’ regulations, to eliminate

dual taxation in Indian Country,

and empower tribes to invest in

the infrastructure and services

that make economic development

possible.

➢➢ Tribes must be able to issue taxexempt bonds.

Education, Health And Wellness Of

Tribal Communities.

➢➢ Education is a promise made in

exchange for our land.

NCAI indicated there is ‘…

work to do, to ensure that tribal

governments are directing the

education of their youth.’

2

It can be done by incorporating

tribal culture and language into

the classroom; by acknowledging

the role of tribal education

departments in Indian education;

and by ensuring that students have

adequate, safe, and modernized

schools and environments in which

to learn and thrive.

➢➢ Wellness.

NCAI asked the federal government

to permanently reauthorize the

Special Diabetes Programs for

Indians, so that tribal communities

can continue to combat this disease.

NCAI called on Congress to provide

advanced appropriations for the

Indian Health Service to eliminate

delays and uncertainties for clinics,

hospitals, staff, and patients.

NCAI

called

on

both

the

Administration and Congress to

relieve tribal communities of the

financial burden they bear under

the Affordable Care Act’s employer

mandate.

Threat Of Global Climate Change.

NCAI asked for the establishment

of a permanent Climate Adaptation

Task Force, in collaboration with

tribal leaders.

Land Into Trust – Where Are We?

In August 2015 the Executive

Committee legislated to make an offer

on the Nettie Moreland trust property

in Pottawatomie County. In November

expenditures of tribal funds were

authorized for the purchase of this

property. The tribe owns the property and

we are waiting for this land and numerous

other tracts of land the tribe owns to be

placed into trust for the tribe.

Maintenance

For the past 31 months I have been

bringing to your attention the concerns I

have in relation to getting the maintenance

and grounds needs of our tribal complex

taken care of. Our buildings are in dire

need of care both on the inside and the

outside. Two weeks ago part of my ceiling

fell in. Pigeons and hawks are known to get

in our buildings due to holes and openings

in our ceilings. If you were to come onto

the campus you would see the negligence

both staff and visitors daily see. Yet there

are exceptions to this. Finance has had

three building renovations done in a 3 year

period, with new equipment purchased

and ‘matching’ glass desk tops tailored to

their desks. This year’s budget for Finance

shows they included additional building

renovation funds; construction funds and

new furniture and fixture funds. It has

been noted that two facilities located on

the tribal campus have had to hire their

own maintenance personnel. This is not

good for business. The tribe needs to set

project prioritizations. These could be done

by starting with buildings on the tribal

complex as the tribe operates business

and the services being provide from these

buildings. As a secondary consideration

the community buildings as those serve

our tribal communities. The needs of

the tribal members are important and

a system should be considered to assist

tribal members based on an established

process and a budget line item specifically

for that to occur. At this time none of this

is in place and it needs to be done and I

am hopeful with a change in leadership

that will happen.

Meetings And Events

Since my last report in the January

newsletter I have attended the following

meetings and/or special events:

➢➢ December 15th Health Board

Meeting

➢➢ December 16th Executive

Committee

Monthly Meeting

➢➢ December 17th CTSA Governing

Board of Director Meeting

➢➢ December 18th Budget Meeting

Health Program and Tribe

➢➢ December 23rd Staff Christmas

Luncheon

➢➢ December 30th Special Executive

Meeting

➢➢ January 11th Informal Meeting

Executive Committee

➢➢ January 11th CTSA Training

5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

➢➢ January 15th United Indian

Nation Oklahoma, Kansas and

Texas Meeting

Expressions

For those families who may have lost

a loved one this month I offer my sincere

condolences to you and your family on

your loss.

For those families celebrating a new

birth, birthday and/or anniversary I

extend my warmest congratulations.

In Conclusion

I have 16 months left in Office and I

find each day both challenging and full of

possibilities.

My door is always open (unless I am in

a meeting or at a meeting) and I welcome

your visits.

Help me to make a difference – stand

beside me and Let us Build for the Future

(BFF) - united and together!

Thank you for your support.

Secretary’s Report

On November 24, 2015 I had a change

of staff Leonard Longhorn is now the

Director of Cultural Preservation and

Diane Ponkilla transferred from AST

Police Specialist to the Representatives

Administrative Assistant.

The Representative has oversight of

The Human Resources and The Cultural

Preservation Department.

Human Resources Department:

The mission of the HR Department

is to recruit, retain and develop a highly

competent workforce that supports

the core goals, vision and values of the

Absentee Shawnee Tribe. HR is made of

(4) Employees: Cheri Hardeman, Human

Resource Director; Rachael Lankford,

Human Resource Generalist; Elizabeth

Clark, Benefit Specialist and Casey

Adams, Human Resources Assistant.

Hello All,

The holidays are over and the New

Year has begun. I am ready to get things

started and my goals accomplished. I'm

hoping with a new year among us, I will be

able to exceed and excel in the goals that

I have set forth for the tribe. Due to the

funds running low for 2015, I was unable

to start my first goal of getting the tribal

resolutions set up on a database. By doing

this, the tribal resolutions will be made

available via the tribal internet. This

will give AST tribal members complete

access to the tribal resolutions that are

being passed in the Executive Committee

meetings.

My second goal is to have a NEW

TRIBAL TRAVEL STORE in Little Axe

built. After a complete feasibility study is

done on the store, I will be able to give you

more details. As tribal members, I want to

hear your feedback on this. I want to hear

your questions, comments or concerns for

a new store.

As you know, there are upcoming

elections approaching, as the tribal

secretary, I would like to ask for all

candidates to please be respectful to each

other during the election time. Thank you

and good luck to all the candidates.

GOOD DAY!!

Niyawa,

John R. Johnson

Secretary

The HR Department is currently

working on ACA1095 reporting and 401K

open enrollment. They have drafted (3)

policies for the Executive Committee

to review and are continuing efforts in

revising the Personnel Manuel.

Representative's Report

If you have any questions regarding the

Cultural Preservation Department please

call Leonard Longhorn at (405) 275-­6310

Greetings Tribal Members:

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday

with family and friends and ready for the

beginning of 2016. I would like to express

my deepest condolences to the families of

the recent deceased Tribal Members.

3

Coming events in the early part of 2016

will be Supervisor and Safety Training for

our Employees. HR has identified that

this is a need across the board to insure

the safety of our Employees.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe currently

has 370 Employees and growing!

If you have any questions regarding

the Human Resources Department please

call Cheri Hardeman at (405) 275-­4030

ext. 6252

The Cultural Preservation

Department:

Consists of (6) Employees: Leonard

Longhorn,

Cultural

Preservation

Director; Colleen Butler, Tribal Historic

Preservation Officer (THPO); Sherry

Tejada, THPO AP/AR Clerk; Miranda

Cobell,

THPO AP/AR Clerk; Tracy Wind,

THPO Specialist; Ashley Brokeshoulder,

Gift Shop Manager and Ashley McCray,

Librarian/Archivist.

You may contact Me Representative,

Kenneth Blanchard at (405) 275-­4030

ext. 6287 or cell (405) 585-­8991 or Diane

Ponkilla at (405) 275-­4030 ext.6335 or cell

(405) 765-­6598.

Sunday

Monday

Menu subject to

change

Tuesday

1

2% milk served daily

Sunday

Monday

2

1

7

8

9

Chicken Str-Fry

14

Egg Roll

Chicken

Fry Steak

Pineapples

Turkey

15

Mashed Pot/Gravy

Hot Carrots

Ham n Chez

Sandwich

Roll/Pears

14

20

21

27

28

Happy

Valentne’s Day

21

Chef Salad

w/Chicken

Beef Tips

Eggs,

Chez

& Noodles

Crackers

Veggies

Mixed Fruit

Crisp

22 Green beans

Bread

Title

VI Closed

Mixed&Fruit

Inventory

Cleaning

22

23

Salisbury Steak

Mashed Pot/Gravy

Mixed Veggies

Apricots

28

Chicken Enchilada

Soup

Tortlla Chips

Pudding

29

President’s

29 Tuna Sandwich

Fish

Lett,

Tom

Coleslaw

Chips

Fries

Orange

Ice Cream

9 Cabbage Stew

Crackers

Chicken

Broc & Rice

Crisp

Casserole

Tossed Salad*

10

Chili w/beans

16 Chez, Onions

Tamales

Cornbread

Mexi-­‐corn

Peaches

Wieners N Kraut

Mac n Chez

Green beans

Prunes

Thursday

11

Roast

Red Pot/Carrots

Bread

Mixed Fruit

NOT GOING TO BE HOME!!!

CALL AND LET US KNOW AT 405-­‐275-­‐4030

EXT 6227 or 6270

OR NOTIFY YOUR DRIVER

Scrambled Eggs

Sausage Gravy

Biscuits

Saturday

6

Cornbread

11 Cereal

Toast Muffin

English

Sausage Paty

Ham

Fruit

Scrambled

Eggs

Crackers

Pears

Beef Tips

Scrambled Eggs

18

Sausage Gravy

Cereal

Biscuit

20

Wafes

25 Bacon

Fruit

Christmas

26

Merry

Plums

26

Ham

Black-­‐eyed Peas

Au gratin pot.

Cornbread

19

Toast

19

24 Noodles

Veggies

Beans w/ham

Steak Eve

fries

Onions

31 Cake

12

13

12

Baked Chicken

17 Wild Rice

Stew

Veggies

Chez

Stick

Mandarin

Oranges

18

5

Friday

Oven

10 Fried Chicken

Mashed Pot/Gravy

Beans

Brussel

Sprouts

Steakfries

Applesauce

Onions

25

Baked Zit

Green Beans

Tossed Salad*

30 Garlic Bread

Saturday

5

23 Ranch Beans

Tossed

Title VSalad*

I Closed

Cinnamon

Inventory

& CRoll

leaning

24

Friday

4

Grilled Chez

Veggie Soup

Pineapples

4

Mac Salad

Chips n Salsa

17

16

Chips/Mand.

O

ranges

Cookie

Taco Casserole

Kraut n Wieners

Title VDay

I Closed

Inventory & Cleaning

Thursday

3

Goulash

Salad Bar*

Cornbread

Wednesday

3

8

Mashed Pot/Gravy

Veggies

15

Apricots

AST Complex Closed

2016

7

13

Wednesday

2

Fish

Coleslaw

Hushpuppies

Tuesday

Pie

6

Hamburger

Let,Hamburgers

Tom, Onions

Tom, Lett, Onions

Wafe Fries

Fries

Yogurt

Applesauce

27

Scrambled Eggs

Sausage Gravy

Christmas

Biscuit

LUNCH SERVED MONDAY-­‐THURSDAY 11AM TO 1PM

BREAKFAST SERVED FRIDAYS

9AM TO 11AM

TITLE VI NEWS

We have scheduled two dates with the Public Health Department, February 9th at the LARC 11 am to 1 pm and February 23rd at

the Shawnee Title VI Building 11 am to 1 pm, more details to come.

Weather Information: AST Severe Weather policy

• Prior to normal starting time it will be announced on the local

television or radio channels that the Absentee Shawnee Tribe

is open and/or closed based on weather severity. The Governor,

and/or designee, will report to these channels. Channel 4, 5,

9, Fox 25; Radio KTOK 1000; KOKC 1520 AM. Formerly the

policy has been that when schools in Little Axe and Shawnee

are closed then employees would be allowed administrative

leave. This policy seeks to clarify on procedures and gives the

decision making process back to the Tribe.

February 2,

Ground Hog Day!!!

February 8,

Chinese New Year!!

February 14,

Happy Valentine’s Day

• On days when weather conditions worsen as the day

progresses, the Governor or another Member of the Executive

Committee may decide to close early. In such cases, a

decision and an announcement will be made through email

to all employees.

February 15,

4

President’s Day

AST Complex will be closed for President’s Day.

No lunch will be served or delivered this day.

The Green Buffalo Company

At

Little Axe Bison Ranch

Tecumseh, OK

In Stock Items

Items Available for Pre-order

Buffalo Stew Meat

1 pound packages

Vacuum sealed & Frozen

$12 each

Buffalo Summer Sausage

12 ounce roll

Vacuum sealed & Frozen

$12 each

Ground Buffalo

1 pound packages

Vacuum sealed & Frozen

$11 each

Buffalo Burgers

Four 1/3 pound patties per package

Vacuum sealed & Frozen

$14 each

thegreenbuffalocompany@gmail.com

(405) 287-8517

Providing quality bison products, made in Oklahoma!

Piano & Guitar Lessons

$10 Per Hour

Call Phil Bradley at 405-585-8801

5

Elders Council

If you have a family member that is 55 or older and resides in

a nursing home, assisted living or is homebound

contact Meredith Wahpekeche at (405) 760-2601

or Betty Watson at (405) 637-5806

The Elders Council has a limited number of Christmas Baskets that will be distributed. They will need

your name, address and phone number for delivery.

ATTENTION 55 YEARS OR OLDER

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN ABSENTEE SHAWNEE ELDERS’ COUNCIL

If you are 55 years and older, we invite you to come and join us. We would like you, AST elders who have recently or who will be turning 55 years, to come

check us out at either the AST Resource Center in Little Axe or the Title VI Building in Shawnee. We love to visit, eat and fellowship with each other so we invite

you to come.

The AST Elders Council meet the third Saturday of each month, 10 AM to Noon with a potluck lunch. The meeting sites alternate each month between the

Resource Center in Little Axe and the Title VI Building in Shawnee. PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFO:

Mary Birdtail: 476-5603, Wynona Coon: 481-3506, or Kathy Deere: 816-7874.

Below is our Purpose Guideline:

PURPOSE: It shall be the responsibility of the Elders Council to define and make known to the Executive Committee, any economic and social needs of the

Elders, to promote the delivery of supportive services, including health, nutritional services, personal care, chore services, and transportation. To provide guidance

for the membership, Absentee Shawnee Tribe government on matters of history, tradition, and culture. We encourage elder participation and endeavor to strengthen

connections among the tribal community nationwide. To promote and provide cultural enrichment programs to children and youth. To generate unity among tribal

members and to support other programs that benefit the Absentee Shawnee Tribe (amended 03-12-2011).

We have a general fund budget that is allocated to the Elders Council for monthly expenses and we do monthly fund raising activities to sponsor activities that

the Elders participate in throughout the year. We have sponsored and participated in these activities throughout the years:

Veterans’ November Pow Wow

Tecumseh Frontier Days

Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners

Shawnee Christmas Parade

Indian Child Welfare Christmas Gifts

OKC Red Earth Parade

First Inaugural Ball for Newly Elected Officials

Thunderbird July 4th Pow Wow

6 Nations of Canada, “Tecumseh” play

Crow Fair Pow Wow

We recently sent a support letter for the Tribal Incentive grant and we are in the process of an ANA grant for the Shawnee language. These are just a few of

the activities, the list is long and diverse.

NI YAWA

Absentee Shawnee Elders’Council

2016 AST Elders’ Council Meeting Dates and Places

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016

AST RESOURCE CENTER, LITTLE AXE

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016

TITLE VI BUILDING, SHAWNEE

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2016

AST RESOURCE CENTER, LITTLE AXE

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016

TITLE VI BUILDING, SHAWNEE

SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016

AST RESOURCE CENTER, LITTLE AXE

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016

TITLE VI BUILDING, SHAWNEE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2016

AST RESOURCE CENTER, LITTLE AXE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

TITLE VI BUILDING, SHAWNEE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016

AST RESOURCE CENTER, LITTLE AXE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016

TITLE VI BUILDING, SHAWNEE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

NOTE: THESE DATES & PLACES ARE

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

AST RESOURCE CENTER, LITTLE AXE

6

TheAST

AST Elders’

Elders’Council

Council

appreThe

appreciate

ciate ALL the donations reALL

the donations received from the

ceived from the Executive ComExecutive

Committee, AST Housing

mittee, AST Housing Authority,

Authority,

LSWNEClinic,

Dental

Clinic,

LSWNE Dental

Mary

T.

Mary

T. (30

Jacobs

(30 tins

cookie

tins &

Jacobs

cookie

& 29

goody

29

goodybags

bags), individuals,

), individuals,&&the

the

Elders!We

We

could

Elders!

could

notnot

havehave

given the

given the 32 Christmas baskets

32

Christmas baskets for the shutfor the shut-ins, disabled, and

ins,

disabled,

andAST

nursing

home AST

nursing

home

members!

members!

Those members who received

Those

members who received the

the baskets were so very apprebaskets

were soandvery

appreciate,

ciate, excited,

happy

that

excited,

andthought

happy that

were

they were

of atthey

Christmas time!

thought

of at Christmas time!

AST

COUNCIL

ASTELDERS’

ELDERS’ COUNCIL

THANK

THANK

YOU!

YOU!

Honoring Our Past

With Promise for

Our Future

LIFE is Beautiful

Living Meth Free

7

Contact me to find out more!

Delana Ayers

405-432-7405

http://www.marykay.com/dayers4

MK® / MARY KAY® / ©2010 Mary Kay Inc.

he Company grants all Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants a limited license to duplicate this document in connection with their Mary Kay business.

his item should not be altered from its original form.

January 15: Snow Globes

February 19: Sunshine/Science Crafts

March 19: Dr. Seuss Crafts

April 16: Rainy Day Crafts

May 21: Percussion Instruments

June 18: Summer Fun in the Car

July 16: Crafts that Blast Off

August 20: Back to School Crafts

September 17: Pirate Crafts

October 15: Spooky Crafts

November 19: Squawking Turkey Crafts

December 17: Winter Wonderland Crafts

IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUBMIT AN AD OR

ARTICLE:

Give us a call at (405) 598-1279 or

(405) 481-0558 or send us an e-mail to

stiger@astribe.com

ALL ARTICLES FOR THE NEXT

MONTH’S ISSUE ARE DUE BY THE 15th

OF THE CURRENT MONTH

Unfortunately, we can only accept one

picture per birthday person, not per

birthday wish.

8

AAA Oklahoma News Release

www.AAA.com

www.facebook.com/AAAOklahoma

www.twitter.com/AAAOklahoma

Chuck Mai – 405-753-8040 / 405-760-6007 – chuck.mai@aaaok.org

Cristi Goettel – 918-748-1072 / 918-845-4115 – cristi.goettel@aaaok.org

PREPARE NOW FOR WINTER DRIVING

Nov. 24, 2015 – With possible ice and snow in Oklahoma’s forecast, now’s the time to make sure you

and your vehicle are ready for the weather. AAA estimates thousands of vehicles in the state are in

need of preventive maintenance.

“During AAA’s Car Care Check-ups, the most frequent problems we find are under-inflated tires, dirty

oil and low fluid levels under the hood,” said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. “Taking action

now can save trouble on down the road.”

To help motorists get ready, get set and go during this year’s winter driving season, AAA Oklahoma

offers the following tips:

Get Ready: Before you drive long distances, check the weather conditions along your route. As a

safety precaution, remember to bring a cellular phone and a winter driving kit that includes the following

items:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

a flashlight with fresh batteries,

a small snow shovel and brush,

traction mats,

an ice scraper,

booster cables,

a warm blanket,

flares or triangle warning devices,

heavy gloves,

snacks and water,

simple tools

window washing solvent,

paper towels

and a first aid kit.

Get Set: Inspect your vehicle thoroughly before leaving your driveway. Ensure that your tires are

properly inflated, fluid levels (including anti-freeze) are full, front and rear lights are operating, and belts

and hoses are in good condition.

Keep in mind that one of the most common causes of cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead

battery. Good indicators that your battery is weak and may need replacement include a starter motor

that cranks the engine slowly when the ignition key is turned, or headlights that dim noticeably when the

engine speed drops to an idle. If in doubt, have a qualified auto technician check it.

Go: Now that your vehicle has the green light, here are some winter driving tips to get you to your

destination safely.

•

•

•

•

When driving during slippery and icy conditions, slow down and keep a safe distance from other

vehicles, minimize brake use and bear in mind that traction is greatest just before the wheels

spin. Gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal when starting is the best method for retaining

traction and avoiding skids.

The most effective way to stop on ice and snow is to apply your brakes gently well in advance of

the point where you intend to stop. With antilock braking systems (ABS), you may feel a

pulsation in the brake pedal when coming to a stop. This means the system is operating as

designed to prevent wheel lock up. Continue to apply firm pressure to the brake pedal until your

vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Keep your seatbelts fastened and make certain all passengers are securely restrained.

When driving in falling snow or fog, lower your speed, use your low-beam headlights or fog

lights and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

AAA is North America’s largest motoring, leisure travel and safety advocacy organization with nearly 56 million

members. A not-for-profit, fully tax-paying auto club, AAA Oklahoma serves its 389,000 Oklahoma members with

emergency roadside assistance, auto travel counseling and a wide range of personal insurance, worldwide travel

and financial services at branch offices across Oklahoma and online at AAA.com.

9

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE LANGUAGE CLASS

FREE SHAWNEE LANGUAGE CLASS FOR NATIVE YOUTH

 Limited to the first 20 youth participants

 Must be 10—18yrs. Must have a CDIB card.

 Transportation may be provided after school from Little Axe Schools

 Orientation starts February 10th and classes start February 17th and run through the spring;

classes will be held one day a week after school hours at the AST Little Axe Health Center.

tes and Wellness

a youth soccer

The Absentee

Shawnee Diabetes and Wellness

School.

All Little

Programtowill be sponsoring a youth soccer

e invited

mitedcamp

soatplease

the Little Axe High School. All Little

ellnessAxe

Fitness

community youth are invited to

nd pre-register

 Classes will be taught by AST Tribal Elders.

We find it to be very important to bring culture into prevention. This class is sponsored by the

MYDNA SPF-TIG program & Diabetes and Wellness.

For more information or to get a registration form please contact Kasey Dean at 405-701-7993 or

Howard Brown at 405-701-7115.

participate. Registration is limited so please

contact the Diabetes and Wellness Fitness

Learn basic soccer skills

Program at 405-364-7298 and pre-register

EARLY! Have fun being physically

Participant name: __________________________ DOB: _________________

active!

_________________________

Parent/Guardian name: _______________________ Phone: ________________

All LA Elementary

Learn basic soccerand

skills

Middle School Community

Have fun

being physically

youth are

welcome!

active!

No experience required!

All LA Elementary and

on of the acceptance of this entry I waive all claims for myself and my heirs against the

Middle School Community

nd coordinating groups and any individuals associated with this event and will hold them

youth

are welcome!

injuries which may result from my participation. I hereby give

my permission

to the media

Name:_______________________________________

Male:__ Female:___ Age:___

tograph in the AST newsletter without limitation or obligation. I certify that I am physically

erstand the risks involved by participating in this event.

No experience required!

__________________________

I, ______________, grant my child, _______________, permission to participate in the Absentee

Shawnee Language Class. In Consideration of the acceptance of this entry I waive all claims for

myself, my child and my heirs against the sponsors, cooperating and coordinating groups and any

individuals associated with the event and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries which

may result from my participation. I hereby give my permission to the media to use my name and

photograph in the AST newsletter without limitation or obligation.

_________________________

Phone:______________ Male:__ Female:___ Age:___

Date

_________________________________ ___________________

Print

Email

Waiver: In consideration of the acceptance of this entry I waive all claims for myself and my heirs against the

sponsors, cooperating and coordinating groups and any individuals associated with this event and will hold them

harmless for any and all injuries which may result from my participation. I hereby give my permission to the media

to use my name and photograph in the AST newsletter without limitation or obligation. I certify that I am physically

fit for this event and understand the risks involved by participating in this event.

______________________________________________

_________________________

Signature

Date

_________________________________

Signature

___________________

Date

Oklahoma SPF-TIG project is funded by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration)

10

Election Commission

The Filing Period for Elective Office in 2016.

PLEASE fill out EACH BLANK completely and return by the Deadline.

A tribal member may file for office, January 1 to January 10

(excluding Weekends and Holidays.) Hours to file are 8:00 a.m. to

12:00 p.m. (noon) and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Potential candidates

please consult the Election Ordinance for the procedures and

qualifications when running for elective office.

I, ____________________________________, hereby certify that I am or will be an Eligible

The following positions will be open for the Elections to

be held in 2016.

Voter of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe on or before March 19, 2016. I cannot physically

be present to cast my Vote at the March 19, 2016 Primary Election, therefore, I am

requesting an Absentee Ballot be mailed to me at the following address.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Position

Filing Fees

Term

Lt. Governor

$590.00

Two (2) Years

Tribal Treasurer

$590.00

Two (2) Years

Tribal Representative

$590.00

Two (2) Years

ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST

(Print Name)

Name (please print): ___________________________________________________________

(first)

(middle)

(maiden)

(last)

Address:____________________________ City: _______________St: _______Zip:________

CDIB#:______________________

Date of Birth:_______________________

Signature:________________________________ Date:______________________________

ELECTION COMMISSION

Position

Filing Fees

Term

Election Commissioner

$215.00

Three (3) Years

Election Secretary

$215.00

Three (3) Years

Commission Member #1

$125.00

Two (2) Years

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

February 28, 2016

Fee amount: Basic Fee (Executive Committee $500.00 and

Election Commission $125.00) plus cost of $40.00 for Alcohol test,

$25.00 for Drug test and $25.00 for Driver’s License Verification

(MVR.)

QUALIFICATIONS:

A) An enrolled member of the tribe.

B) An eligible voter for purposes of voting in tribal elections.

C) Must be twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of the election

for which he/she desires to be a candidate.

D) Physically reside within the following counties: Cleveland,

Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, McClain, Garvin, Pontotoc, Seminole,

Lincoln, or Okfuskee.

E) In cases where a prospective candidate has been convicted of

a felony, such person shall not be eligible for consideration as

a candidate until at least five (5) years have passed following

completion of the penalty for such conviction(s).

F) Not more than one (1) member of an immediate family shall

be elected to the same tribal elective body except when running

as a candidate for the same elective position.

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. 6271

Toll free number 1-800-256-3341 ext. 6271

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.

This form may be duplicated for your convenience.

______________________________________________________________________________

ELECTION COMMISSION USE ONLY

Received: _____________________ Approved:____________________ Disapproved: _______________

If Disapproved (reason): _________________________________________________________________

Denial Letter Mailed:___________________________ Ballot Mailed:_____________________________

_______________________________________

Election Commission/Representative

Consult the Election Ordinance for Specific/Additional

Qualifications.

11

Tax Collections

FY-2015

YTD TAX COLLECTIONS

(thru 12/31/15)

FY-2015

YTD TAX COLLECTIONS

(thru 12/31/15)

TAX

CATEGORY

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

YEAR-TO-DATE % OF TAXES

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER TOTAL COLLECTED

Sales (6%)

$1,309.86

$98.49 $32,618.91 $119.48 $12,469.19 $6,240.39 $5,322.62 $5,825.51 $1,059.20 $5,255.54 $5,816.45 $11,931.27

$88,066.91

Gaming % of free cash $164,284.00 $150,000.00 $250,000.00 $265,798.00 $200,000.00 $250,000.00 $200,000.00 $150,000.00 $200,000.00 $200,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $2,330,082.00

Employee (1%)

$41.05

$0.00 $11,691.21

$0.00 $11,597.06 $36,303.24 $3,817.41 $19,742.45 $12,900.47 $10,019.03 $13,882.91 $16,118.32 $136,113.15

Severance (8%)

$7,199.15 $756.29 $5,251.65 $4,449.01 $5,411.85 $5,533.28 $4,318.57 $3,852.18

$544.92 $6,370.80

$0.00 $9,940.25

$53,627.95

Motor Vehicle

$11,660.98 $16,042.65 $16,645.60 $16,196.66 $10,223.79 $15,487.60 $16,468.69 $15,061.03 $13,262.66 $14,808.94 $10,107.63 $9,372.21 $165,338.44

Tobacco Refund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00 $6,344.76 $20,355.21 $17,171.98

$43,871.95

TOTAL TAXES

3.12%

82.63%

4.83%

1.90%

5.86%

1.56%

$184,495.04 $166,897.43 $316,207.37 $286,563.15 $239,701.89 $313,564.51 $229,927.29 $194,481.17 $227,767.25 $242,799.07 $250,162.20 $164,534.03 $2,817,100.40

$2,790.00

0.10%

TOTAL COLLECTIONS $184,800.04 $167,022.43 $316,327.37 $286,745.65 $239,794.39 $313,709.51 $230,072.29 $194,731.17 $227,932.25 $242,864.07 $250,277.20 $165,614.03 $2,819,890.40

100%

Miscellaneous

$305.00

$125.00

$120.00

$182.50

$92.50

$145.00

$145.00

$250.00

$165.00

$65.00

$115.00 $1,080.00

Personal Banking:

AllNations Bank offers a wide range of products and

services to meet today’s consumer demand including our AllNations Bank

Free Checking Account; Savings Account; Certificate of Deposit Accounts;

Individual Retirement Accounts; Money Market; Now Accounts & Consumer

Loans including Auto, Boat and more. AllNations Offers Free ATM/Debit Card

with each personal account that can be used at our Shawnee OK Drive Up

ATM. In addition, we offer a wide selection of Safe Deposit Boxes for rent at

competitive prices.

Contact Us for Details As Follows:

Calumet Office - Gene Davis or Dixie Smith 405-893-2240;

offers a wide range of products and services to114

meet today’s

E Main, Calumet, OK

cluding

Shawnee Office - Gene Davis or Amber Alexander 405-273-0202;

2023Accounts;

S. Gordon

Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK

ree Checking Account; Savings Account; Certificate of Deposit

Individual

Business Banking:

Money Market; Now Accounts & Consumer Loans including Auto, Boat and more.

In addition to our Commercial Checking account, AllNations Bank offers a wide range of products and services to

e ATM/Debit Card with each personal account that can be used at our Shawnee OK

meet today’s business needs including all types of Commercial and Small Business Loans; Merchant Services; Night

ition,Depository

we offer a wide selection

of Safe

Deposit Boxes for rent at competitive prices.

Drop &

More.

Contact Us for Details As Follows:

Contact Us for Details As Follows:

Calumet Office - Gene Davis or Dixie Smith 405-893-2240;

Calumet Office - Gene Davis or Dixie Smith 405-893-2240;

114 E Main, Calumet, OK

114 E Main, Calumet, OK

Shawnee Office - Gene Davis or Amber Alexander 405-273-0202;

Shawnee Office - Gene Davis or Eugene Stidham 405-273-0202;

2023 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK

Banking

Hours:

2023 S. Gordon

Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK

2023 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801

Lobby Hours 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

Drive

In Hours

AMBank

- 6:00

- Friday

mmercial

Checking

account, 8:00

AllNations

offersPM

a wideMonday

range of products

and

Saturday: 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon

y’s business needs including all types of Commercial and Small Business Loans;

ons Bank

ight Depository Drop & More.

12

THE OFFICE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

& ENGINEERING (OEH&E)

Office of Environmental Health & Engineering

•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.

The principal role of OEH&E is to raise

the health status of our tribal members

to the highest possible level by providing

services in the area of water and

wastewater. To qualify for a water well

and/or septic system, the applicant must

be an enrolled Absentee Shawnee Tribal

member and reside within one of these

six counties; Pottawatomie, Cleveland,

Oklahoma, Payne, Lincoln, or Logan,

provide land ownership by verification

such as a Warranty Deed or Notarized

Lease Agreement through the Absentee

Shawnee Tribe Reality Department. Proof

of income is not required.

The services we provide are: new water

wells, renovation of a water wells, new city

or rural water connections, replacement

of city or rural water service lines, new

wastewater septic systems, renovation

of septic systems, new city sewer lines/

renovation of city sewer lines and water

treatment systems as needed. We are not

funded to perform annual pumping of

septic tanks. That service is considered

part of home maintenance.

If you are having water or wastewater

issues or building a new home and need

services please come by our office and fill

out an OEH&E application for assistance.

If your home is under the management

of any housing authority and has not

been paid off, you do not qualify

for assistance. Applications for this

program are available online at www.

astribe.com and at the OEH&E

building.

THIP list all applicants by a priority list:

a. Handicapped/Disabled and Elderly

b. Income

c. Family Size/Overcrowded Living Conditions

d. Condition of Home

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:

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

The Housing Authority of

the Absentee Shawnee

Tribe is seeking sealed bids for the Development and

Construction of 12 Single Family Units to be located in Shawnee,

Oklahoma. Indian Preference will be given according to

NAHASDA regulations and 24 CFR 1000.52; but Sealed Bids will

be open to all vendors. Sealed Bids will be available on or after

January 25, 2016 and will be due back in our office at

107 N Kimberly, Shawnee by February 26, 2016 at

3:00 pm. Late submissions will not be considered unless an

insufficient number of proposals are received. The cost of each

packet obtained will be a $300.00 refundable deposit which

must be paid by check, money order, or credit card.

If you are interested in submitting a sealed bid for this project,

please contact Amanda Ramirez, Development Coordinator, at

(405) 273-1050

Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

13

February 2016 Birthdays

Alford, Dianne Susan

Alford, Laurie Leann

Alford, Makenzie Raychel

Alford, Paul Henry

Almanza, Sacha Blue Renee

Arellano, Jennifer Lynn

Argueta, Oneonta Marie

Armstrong, Dusty Ridge

Asbridge, Sandra Lilrene

Atwara, Honey Nicole

Barnard, Kevin Michael

Battiest, Phyllis Leeann

Belden, Florene

Belden, Lois Little Creek

Bennett, Blaine Mattingly

Berryhill, Valerie Lynn

Bettelyoun, Amber Dawn

Bettelyoun, Anthony Bryce

Bettelyoun, Lea Dawn

Bittle, Joshua Jacob

Blanchard Craig, Carolyn Jean

Blanchard Sr, Leland Dale

Blanchard, Aaron Gabriel

Blanchard, Cache Lewis

Blanchard, Caden Briar

Blanchard, Charles Eugene

Blanchard, Joshua James

Blanchard, Kellice Lee

Blanchard, Rikki Rechele

Blanchard, Sierrah Delyn

Blanchard, Taylor Jordan

Blanchard, Thurman Leon

Blanchard, Velma Mae

Bowles, Melissa Carole

Boyd, Laura Lynn

Bread, Charles Michael

Bread, Dina Adele

Breeding, Kinsley Reece

Brokeshoulder, Tammy Lynn

Brown, Curtis Jermain

Brown, Cody Wayne

Brown, Lisa Renee

Bryant, Isis Aponi

Bullen, Myles Robert

Campbell, Mikayla Jo

Carlson, Scottina Dakota

Carnes, Kylee Aleea Lynn

Carr, Adoree Celeste

Checotah, Eric Wayne

Cloud, Doris ( Elephant )

Coddington, William Michael

Cooper, Dade Luke Allen

Copeland, Val Rochelle

Cottrell, Ryan Thomas

Cozad, Anastasia E-mah-doh

Creek-Harjo, Josiah Sage

Crider, Eric Russell

Crocker, Dorothea Carolyn

Csoma, Alexander Attila

Daugherty, Kenneth

Daugherty, Mikenna Hope

Daugherty, Serena Mae

Davis, Meghan Paige

De Shazo, Heather Ann

Dean, Minnie Bear

Deardorff, Cynthia Ann

Deckard, Dakota Dale

Deer, Kylee Taryn

Deer, Michael Neil

Deere, Adina Ann

DeLodge, Lena Ruby Rhianna

DeLodge, Ruby Leigh

Digilio, Brandin Anthony

Digilio, Bryon Andrew

Downs, Camden Blake

Downs, Cayden James

Edwards, Kenneth Lee

Ellis, Austin Chase

Ellis, Jeremy Michael

Ellis, Jessica Lyn

Ellis, Leroy

Emmons, Brian Ross

Engledowl, Jasey Belle

Fenner, Kayana Isabelle

Ferrell, Ethan Shawn

Fixico, Stephen Anthony

Floyd, Jane Elizabeth

Foreman, Joshua Daniel

Foreman, Richard Eli

Frazier, Devon Leanne

Geissler, Stephanie Dayle

Gibson Jr., Ronald Lewis

Gibson, Kylakay Virginia

Gibson, Paige Nycole

Gibson, Paul Brian

Gillihan, Dezirea Kristyne

Gilman, Juanita

Gomez, Wilma Sue

Goodman, Blake Samuel

Granstrom, Gayla Sue

Grass, Avis Elaine

Grass, Wayne

Gravel, Olivia Jane

Hale, Taliyah Marie

Haley, Sasha Mae

Hall, Matteson Roi

Ham, Jerred Mace

Ham, Rhonda Juliene

Harder, Ruth Ellen

Harjo, Benjamin Ray

Harper, Pauline Aileen S.

Hartfield, Jazlynn Shae

Harvey, Hally Marie

Hayes, Donna Kay Elkins

Hayes, Jocelyn Cynthia Lorene

Hernandez, Erica Ann

Herrera, Robert Manuel

Hibdon, Kendra Nicole

Hilderbrand, Amy Beth

Hill, Stephen Allen

Hood III, Warren Weslyon

Hood, Dakota Zane

Hood, Moria Oloizia

Huntington, Bradford Paul

Hurst, Joseph Douglas Skinner

Ibarra, Angel Antonio

Irvin, Nathaniel Konrad

Jimerson Jr., Robert

Jobe, Alexa Lee

Johnson Jr., Foster Calvin

Johnson Jr., Mark Benjamin

Johnson, Cleta Joyce Blanchard

Johnson, Grayling Wade

Johnson, Henry Kirby

Johnson, Jacob Jordan

Johnson, Marc Anthony

Johnson, Mark Benjamin

Johnson, Michael Jeremy

Johnson, Pauline Virginia

Johnson, Rahstin Allyn Sabbestiun

Johnson, Sandra Kay

Johnson, Tiffany Sheri

Johnston, Diana Sue Alford

Jones III, Timothy Dale

Jones, Willie Lee

Judkins, Ashley Ann

Keith, Andy Ronin

Kelly, Ryan Michael

Kickapoo, Derek Anthony

Kirby, Gage Robert

Kitchen, Amber Elisabeth

Knight, Natalie Jean

Krackenberger, Sharon Lea

Krejci, Ronald Dylan

Kupczynski, Joseph Martin

Lalehparvaran, Ali Jordan

Laplant, Scotty Alan

Lasarge, Amos Dewayne

Lavell, Jade Daniel

Leath, Mary Loyse

Lehman, Joenita Leigh

Lena-Tiger, Camille Dawn

Lewis, Elain Kay

Lewis, Pamela Lynn

Limbaugh, Jodi Kathleen

Little Axe Eckles, Debra Lynn

Little Axe Sr., Danny

Little Axe, Ronald Dean

Little Charley Jr., Scott

Little Creek, Larry Dwight

Littlebear, Brooklyn Shay

Littlebear, Grant Edwin

Littlebear, Laura Jan

Littlecreek, Cynthia Marie

Littlehead, Gary Lynn

Longhorn, Lindsey Marie

Longhorn, Nathan Neil

Lowe, Kara Michelle

Lowe, Taylor Makayla

Lumpmouth, Wynona Lee

Maddux, Jonathan Webster Tiger

Mahardy, Jeffery Andrew

Mann, Colby Lee Richard

Markwardt, Ethan Thomas

Marshall, Denia Kay

Martinez, Erica Inez

Martinez, Hayden Loa

Martinez, Jasmine Consuelo

Martinez, Shawnee Danielle

Masquas, Cora Irene

Masquas, Elysia Rose

Masquas, Joshiah Lee

May, Gina Lanette

McDoulett, John William

McDowell, Farrell Ramon

McKane, Sidna Rae Lenee

McKinney, Ellen Marie

Medina, Elizabeth Ruth Ann

Medina, Trinity Lynn Tiger

Melton, Jaycie Taylor

Miller, Cari Denise

Miner, Veda Jorene

Minesinger, Joshua Brooker

Minesinger, Seth Wildcat

Mitchell, Benito Miquel Travis

Mohawk, Cherokee Cheyenne

Molina Jr., Charles B.

14

Moore, Alexia Saranda

Moore, Thomas Joseph William Randall

Morton, Joseph Ohland

Mount, Glenda Dawn

Murdock Jr., Steven Alan

Murdock Sr., Steven Alan

Musick, Michael Thomas

Nail, Gregory Thomas

Novick, River Elaine-Monique

Odell, Ronnie Lynn

Owens, Beau Wesley Laine

Owings, Abigail Rose

Panther, Lydia Denise

Panther, Shawn Dell

Panther-Davis, Tammie Rae

Parker, John Wendall Gage

Perez, Tesla Nichole

Perkins, Miranda Deann

Perry, Georgia Grace

Perry, Sierra Breanna

Peter, Kalina Nicole

Pine, Jeremiah Andrew

Ponce, Aisaiah Anthony Oscar

Pyrch, Jesse Kellen

Quraishi, Ibraheem Bin Khalil

Raisbeck Jr., David Nathaniel

Raisbeck, Samantha Storm

Raisbeck, Samuel Walter

Ramirez III, Florentino

Ramirez, Mariah Fay-Ann

Ramirez, Matias Noah

Reyes, Isabel Fe

Richey, Kodi Rae Jolynn

Ridenour, Sydney Bree

Rigg, DeeAnn Onahwag

Riley, Hulbutta Kotcha

Robbins, Blake Anthony

Robbins, Taylar Paige

Robison, Ariana Michelle

Rolette, Cheryl Lynn

Rolette, Madison Fox Grant

Rolette, Madison Joy

Rowan, Damian Eugene

Runsabove, Honor Mae

Sams, Christine Lorraine

Sanchez, Kianna Paola

Seber, Peyton Eddie

Serena, Laveda

Shawnee, LaNayah JaN'aee

Sheets, Angela Christy

Simpson, Christian Jacob

Simpson, Cody Lee

Skelly, Shanna Lynn

Slate, Patricia Ann

Slayton, Brooke Danielle

Sloat, Douglas James

Sloat, Meika Ladon

Sloat, Newton D

Smith, Cynthia Diane Daugherty

Smith, Marvin

Smith, Zackery James

Snake, Alvin Matthew

Snake, Julia DeAnn

Snake, Kenneth Lee

Snake, Lewis George

Snake, Stewart Lancer

Soap, Sally Clarice

Solomon, Billie Jean Tiger

Spoon, Edward Joe

Spoon, Justin Tyler

Spoon, Paisley Rennea

Spybuck, Garland Charles

Spybuck, Gavan Wayne

Spybuck, Roberta Ann

Stevenson, Jodean Ann

Stoudemire, Naviah DeAnne

Strain, Gerald Tousley

Stryker, Doyle Chad

Stryker, Laurel Brad

Sullivan, Aizah Vanesse

Sullivan, Marcus Lee

Sutton Jr., Jeremy Ray

Switch, Sabrina Lee

Switch, Sophia Michelle

Tahah, Barton Dale

Talton, Dacia Arie

Talton, Kaydince James

Taryole, Laura Lee

Tascier, Sarah Isabelle

Tello-Faz, Maria delaLuz

Terrell, Xavier Thomas Jackson

Thompson, Asher Bryce

Thorpe IV, George Isaiah

Thorpe Jr., Edwin James

Thorpe Lena, Janice Gail

Thorpe, Edwin James

Tiger, Karman Rose Daylee

Tiger, Kevin Richard Dewayne

Tiger, Soaryn Edward Matthew

Tiger, Tammy Cindie Ladawn

Tiger, Tyler Matthew

Trussell, Sherry Lynn

Uchida, Denise Louise

Uchida, Kevin Micheal

Valdivia Jr., Enrique

Vaughn, Dylan Thomas

Wade, Justin Lee

Walker, Robert Stanley

Warrior, Anthony Louis

Warrior, Pamela Sue

Washington, Olvie Winston

Watkins, Destiney Shae

Watkins, Jayana Laneis

Watson, Adriana Renae

Watson, Brent Grynnel

Watson, Micah Lashaun D.

Watson, Peyton Deshae

Wheeler, Emily Anne

Wheeler, Leah J.

Whims, Madison Mackenzie

White Thunder, Shelby Lynn

White, Christopher Alan

Whittaker, Caiden Skye

Whittaker, Joshua Jay W.

Wiley, Prince John Bowen

Wilkinson, Kaelynn Rayann

Williams, Brennan Marie

Williams, Kaylee Nicole

Williams, Kevin Bruce

Wilson Harjo, Reta Marie

Wilson, Adam Lee

Wilson, Mariana Danyel

Wilson, Melvin Wayne

Wilson, Zelma Jo

Womack, Che`le Caye

Wood, Judith A.

Wood, Ryan Ashley

Yamutewa, Chebon Dale

Shelby Lynn White Thunder

(Feb. 3rd)

Whitney Huckaby

Garland

I love

you

sweetie!

Brother!

I love you very much!! Love your sister, Sadie

XOXO

From, Mom, Dad, Sheldon,

Shelsie, Bryson, and Daelan

You continue to make me so very proud of

the great young man you have become!!

I love you so very much!!

Love, Auntique & Lil Shoxx

Love, Granny

GRANDSON JUSTIN TYLER SPOON

Stay sweet like you are. I love you very much.

Love, Granny

Happy

birthday

Leland

(Feb. 28th)

From, Sis, Tommy, Sheldon, Shelsie, Shelby

& Justin, Bryson, and Daelan

Happy birthday to our totally

awesome big brother!!

Hope your day is filled with more

love and more laughter!!

Love, Joplin & Jiliyan

Rikki Blanchard

rd

43

(Feb 17th)

From,

Sis, Tommy, Sheldon, Shelsie, Shelby & Justin, Bryson, and Daelan

29th

Abbe!

Love You Always,

Momma, Daddy, Hector, Ale and Ricky

Happy Belated Birthday To:

Betty “Sug” Isaacs January 4th

Sheldon White Thunder January 16th

Bernice Blanchard January 19th

Chester Blanchard January 24th

Martin Starr January 24th

To my oldest

child

Justin

Justin,

Happy 29th Birthday to my eldest child.

You have my heart always and forever!!

You have my heart always and forever!!

Love,

Love, Your Mother

Your Mother

15

From: Sis, Shelby, Shelsie, Daelan,

Bryson, Jensen, Rikki, Devin, Mack,

Willon, Leadra, Jr., and Ken

AST Health System - January 2016

2015 was a year to remember! We achieved

much, and yet we have much more to do.

We’ve seen steady increases in our customer/

patient satisfaction rates, access to care

and services, as well as a steady decline in

patient complaints and concerns. Although

no organization is perfect, the distinction

of excellence lies within the culture of an

organization and its ability to continuously

improve processes and respond to their

internal and external customers’ needs and

concerns. The health system’s culture is on the

right track, and I’m proud of the motivation,

morale, and dedication our staff has to this

health enterprise!

This past year we added several new

providers, increased access to services more

than any other time in AST Health System’s

history in Dental, Primary Care, and

Behavioral Health. Also, our Diabetic Health

and Wellness as well as Physical Therapy

and Contract Health (now renamed Purchase

Referred Care by Congress) drastically

increased their services, outreach, and patient

access at both clinic locations. As the mantra

states in health care, when you take care of the

patient the revenue follows! Our third party

revenue is also at historic highs, allowing us

a near-term ability to accelerate our payment

schedule to retire the Joint Venture debt for

the Little Axe Clinic in years rather than

decades at the present rate, which is projected

to continue to grow! Making this important

goal even more attainable is the refinancing of

the interest rate for the health system’s Joint

Venture at historically low interest rates, also

allowing more accelerated payments on the

debt.

The Zombie 5K Run held for the second

year along with the annual health fair had

record crowds and attendance by vendors at

these events, which were a huge, growing

success, mainly due to the dedication of our

outstanding employees and tribal members!

New equipment, state of the art technology,

and improvement in patient through-put

processes combined to increase efficiency,

lower wait times, and increased access to

services. The expansion of pharmacy hours

along with the PlusCare Clinic initiative has

provided our tribal members services – as

identified through the annual community

needs assessment (C.N.A.) conducted in 2014.

Accreditation of our health system is

pending, with the final stage being set in midApril with the on-site survey by the AAAHC

Team. This mark of distinction for our health

system will certify our system as being in

a unique, set apart category of excellence

recognized by the healthcare industry

as being a provider of quality healthcare

verified through very in-depth assessments

and skillfully applied industry standards

of practice and evidence-based medicine. It

is also extremely important to recognize

the accomplishments of the health boards,

LSWN and ASTHA, both being chaired by

experienced, dedicated, AST Tribal members

with significant healthcare industry and

hospital experience. The Executive Committee

has been instrumental in working together

every time they’ve been needed by health to

support all the successes we’ve achieved, and

we all sincerely thank them for their kind,

caring, and dedicated support in improving

health care services and access to all of our

patients and tribal members we service!

Please take notice…recently, reported to

us, one of our patients, who is a tribal member,

was contacted by someone claiming to be

with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and asking for

personal information including their Medicare

number. The call back number provided did

not work, and the member felt uncomfortable

with the request, as they had just signed up

with the benefits mobile unit at the Little Axe

Clinic. Please feel free to coordinate with our

health system’s Patient Benefit Advocates

(PBAs) if you think you are being targeted or

solicited for information that does not seem

right to you and allow us to help you verify

or assist in vetting whether it is a legitimate

request or not. Upon further review, this

member did not have any items needing any

attention, and it is suspected that it may have

been an attempt to gain personal information.

Always ask questions and call back to verify if

you do not believe the request for information

is appropriate or necessary based upon what

you know about your status and coverage(s).

This tribal member was alert, and cautious,

and succeeded in protecting their valuable

information.

We are thankful and very proud of our

outstanding star performers this month

and thank them all for their contributions

to our patients, their fellow employees, and

the tribe! Employee of the month for health

was Mr. Robert White Jr., facility support

staff; the team of the month was the Mrs.

Emily Key, Mrs. Sara Judkins, and NP Jamie

Gonzalez for their partnership with the

Casino in improving healthy menu choices.

The special leadership recognition award

was presented to both Jimmy Robertson and

Manual Johnson, for assisting transportation

with multiple patient transports on very short

notice, assisting tribal patients with getting

to their medical appointments unabated while

short staffed in transportation. We have a

wonderful team health, and they all make a

difference for our health system and for the

health and wellness of all of our patients!

Additional health related information:

- AST/Serviced Health System Native American Veterans: If you are currently receiving

services with the area VA Medical Center,

please contact us today to set up an appointment to have your services established with

the AST Health System.

- If you need CPR training, please contact the

AST Health System’s Public Health Office at

(405) 447-0300 for scheduling and training opportunities.

- Contract Health Services (CHS) interactive

phone menu helps patients access the most

appropriate service provider by calling (405)

701-7951. This feature will speed up access

to the patients seeking services and follow-up

16

to their care. We also have Contract Health

representatives available at our Shawnee

location. Tribal members are able to call Ms.

Flo Mann, LPN or Ms. Laurie Webber, LPN at

(405) 878-5850.

- The AST Health System continues to

improve its Customer Service. The Customer

Service Line is (405) 701-7623. Please direct

all complaints or compliments to this line for

appropriate attention and/or response. Please

be assured that this is the best way to have

each situation addressed, with consistent

updates from our Health Staff. After the

investigations of all issues are complete, our

Health Director or a Clinic Administrator

will personally contact you with updates,

decisions, or question pertaining to your case.

- The AST Anti-Bullying Prevention

“HOTLINE” is (405) 701-7987 during work

hours 8-5, M-F, and for added confidentiality or

after hours you may contact Mrs. Dara Thorpe

at either (405) 701-7992 or via cell (405) 4810815 to start intervention assistance for tribal

youth. If it is an emergency or someone is at

risk of harming themselves or others, please

contact 911.

- The Affordable Care Act Decision Tool

continues to be a valuable tool with helping

you decide what you need to do for compliance

with the act. Please see the ACA tab at the

ASTHA Health Program’s Website: http://

www.asthealth.org/aca (Please visit our site

today to find out what you need to do to protect

yourself and your family)!

- Emergency After hour Pharmacy Access:

If you experience an emergent issue after

hours and receive a prescription that needs

to be filled that same evening, AST Health

has provided access for Tribal members only

at three (3) approved Wal-green locations

in Shawnee and Norman. You will need to

submit your prescription and it is mandatory

to identify yourself with your AST CDIB card

and other appropriate ID. Then they shall

fill your prescription. You will have a 5-day

limited fill on your prescription. Upon the

first work/business day, you can have the

remaining balance of your prescription(s)

transferred to your AST pharmacy in either

Shawnee or Little Axe, and they will fill

your remaining balance. The three (3) AST

Health approved Walgreen service locations

are: 1427 North Harrison Street or at 600

Shawnee Mall Drive, Shawnee, Oklahoma or

615 West Main Street, Norman, Oklahoma.

The Little Axe Health Center Drive-Thru

Pharmacy is also available for emergency fills,

for tribal members only, from: 5:00 PM to 9:00

PM Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Saturday & Sunday and holidays from 9:00

AM to 5:00 PM excluding Thanksgiving and

Christmas.

- Social Media: You can follow the AST

Health System on Facebook and receive the

most current messages and announcements

regarding your tribal health care.

AST PHARMACY

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

Behavioral Health Services

When requesting refills, please provide 24 hour notice

until pick-up. The most efficient method is to have your

refill numbers ready when you call the Pharmacy, and

use our automated system.

Deliveries of controlled medications are not allowed.

If you would like to receive a text message to your cell

phone when your medications are ready for pick-up,

please alert the pharmacy staff and provide us with

your current cell phone number.

Please inform us of changes in address, phone number,

insurance and other contact information (changes at

registration do not flow to pharmacy).

Office Hours

Monday-thru-Friday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Little Axe Clinic

15951 Little Axe Drive

Norman, OK 73025

Ph. 405-701-7987

If you have any questions at any time, feel free to call

either Pharmacy or stop by and speak with one of our

Pharmacy staff. We are happy to assist you with your

pharmaceutical needs!

Shawnee Clinic

2029 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee, OK 74801

Ph. 405-878-4716

Services are offered through:

Little Axe Clinic & Shawnee Clinic for all Federally

Recognized Tribes.

Hours of Operation:

Little Axe: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

(7:30am-5:30pm Drive-Thru)

Phone-(405)292-9530

Shawnee: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm

Phone-(405)878-5859

AST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

For counseling information, contact:

Shawnee BH:

Roberta Cooper (405) 878-4716

Little Axe BH:

Rolanda Smith

(405)701-7987

We are open through the lunch hour!!

Women’s

Health

**BOTH PHARMACY DEPARTMENTS ARE CLOSED WITH

THE CLINICS THE FIRST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

OF EVERY MONTH TO COMPLETE ADMINISTRATIVE

DUTIES. **

Ser v

ic

at Sh es prov

ide

aw

405.8 nee Clin d

ic

Sche 78.4702

appo dule an

intm

ent

Little Axe Health Center

Women’s Health Services

Located in the Primary Health Care

Providing & Promoting Preventative Health

for All Women

Services include:

Thank You,

AST Pharmacy Staff

h Adult immunizations

h Breast & Pelvic Exams

h Mammogram Referral

h Bone Density Studies

AFTER HOUR PHARMACY NOTIFICATION

Information about:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

The Walgreens located at 100 12th Avenue NE in Norman,

OK is no longer contracted with the AST Health System

to pay for after hour emergency prescriptions due to losing its

24-hour service status.

Tribal members may now take prescriptions to:

Walgreens

615 W. Main St

Norman, OK

(405) 573-5019

17

Health Promotion

Quitting Smoking

Misuse of Alcohol and Drugs

Nutrition

Physical Fitness and Exercise

Controlling Stress and Violence

Prevention of Pregnancy

AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Women’s Health Services

Little Axe Health Center

15951 Little Axe Drive . Norman, OK 73026

405.447.0300 . Fax 405.701.7605

www.asthealth.org

Emergency Management - January 2016 Report

PREVENT WINTER FIRES

Put a FREEZE on winter fires. Home fires occur more in winter

than any other season. As you stay cozy and warm this winter

season, BE FIRE SMART!

•

•

•

•

•

•

Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and

anything that could fall, such as light fixtures or furniture.

• Hold on to any sturdy covering so you can move with it until

the shaking stops. Stay where you are until the shaking

stops.

If getting safely to the floor to take cover won’t be possible:

Identify an inside corner of the room away from windows

and objects that could fall on you. The Earthquake Country

Alliance advises getting as low as possible to the floor. People

who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices should lock

their wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops.

Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a

book, or whatever is available.

If you are in bed when you feel the shaking:

If you are in bed: Stay there and Cover your head and neck

with a pillow. At night, hazards and debris are difficult to

see and avoid; attempts to move in the dark result in more

injuries than remaining in bed.

If you are outside when you feel the shaking:

If you are outdoors when the shaking starts, move away

from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the

open, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Stay there until the

shaking stops. This might not be possible in a city, so you

may need to duck inside a building to avoid falling debris.

If you are in a moving vehicle when you feel the shaking:

If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely

as possible and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near

or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid

roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake may have

damaged.

•

Half of all home heating fires occur in the months of

December, January, and February.

Heating equipment is involved in 1 in every 6 reported

home fires, and 1 in every 5 home deaths.

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat

source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space

heaters.

Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and

as far away as possible from your house.

Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (such as a space

heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.

Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a

month.

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

If you are inside a building:

• Stay where you are until the shaking stops. Do not run

outside. Do not get in a doorway as this does not provide

protection from falling or flying objects, and you may not be

able to remain standing.

• Drop down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake

doesn’t knock you down. Drop to the ground (before the

earthquake drops you!)

• Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself

from falling debris.

• If you are in danger from falling objects, and you can move

safely, crawl for additional cover under a sturdy desk or

table.

• If there is low furniture or an interior wall or corner nearby,

and the path is clear, these may also provide some additional

cover.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

A limited number of electric space heaters will be available on a

limited basis for tribal members, elders, and families with small

children during the cold weather. If you need a space heater,

contact Emergency Management at (405) 740-1562, or the AST

Tribal Police department at (405) 275-3200.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

911

Police, Fire, Ambulance

HEARTLINE EMERGENCY

211

State of Oklahoma

TRIBAL POLICE

TRIBAL EMERGENCY MANAGER

405-­275-­3200

405-­740-­1562 (cell)

Absentee Shawnee

Absentee Shawnee

SHERIFF

CITY POLICE

CITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.

405-­273-­1727

405-­273-­2121

405-­273-­5272

405-­273-­2157

Pottawatomie County

Shawnee

Shawnee

Pottawatomie County

SHERIFF

CITY POLICE

HEALTH DEPT.

405-­701-­8888

405-­321-­1600

405-­794-­1591

Cleveland County

Norman

Cleveland County

OG&E

Report Power Outage

CANADIAN VALLEY

405-­272-­9595

1-­800-­522-­6870

405-­382-­3680

DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

HIGHWAY PATROL

1-­800-­522-­0206

405-­425-­4385

State of Oklahoma

Road Conditions

18

Power Outage

FYI: Contract Health Service News

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health

The AST Contract Health Services Team are here to assist you

... follow the CHS Guidelines!

Get a copy of the CHS Guidelines and update your information

Emergency

and

Urgent Care Services

Contract Health Services

for AST members

with Insurance

Contract Health Services

for AST members

without Insurance

CHS for a currently enrolled AST member

who resides in the defined catchment area

who needs emergent or urgent care:

CHS for a currently enrolled AST

member who resides in the defined

catchment area who has insurance such

as Medicare or Private Insurance:

CHS for a currently enrolled AST member

who resides in the defined catchment area

who does not have insurance:

1.

Call the On-Call nurse at

(405) 447-0300 option 9 for “triage”.

1.

Complete CHS Patient Update form

and update all information every 6

months.

1.

2.

Notify CHS on the next businesss day

or within 72 hours after the ER visit.

Notification does not assure

authorization of payment. However

if you do not notify CHS within 72

hours, your bills will not be paid.

2.

Notify CHS at least 48 hours

prior to appointment date for a (COB)

Coordination of Benefits to be sent to

provider

3.

Inform Provider/HealthFacility that

AST CHS is secondary payer/payer of

last resort.

You must apply for all resources

available to you such as: Medicaid,

Medicare, Worker’s Compensation,

Vocational

Rehabilitation,

Auto

Insurance and other personal injury

or liability coverage. PRC staff and/

or Benefit Coordinators can assist with

the application process for alternate

resources. Failure to exhaust available or potentially available alternate

resources may result in denial of payment.

4.

In the event that you receive a bill

from a provider, please provide a

copy to CHS. You may leave bills

at the Little Axe Health Center or

Shawnee Clinic.

2.

Complete CHS Patient Update

form and update all information

every 6 months

3.

You must utilize the services provided

within the AST health clinics prior to

being referred out.

4.

Referrals for outside services must

be sent to CHS. Services must be

medically approved by an AST Health

provider.

5.

An appointment will be scheduled

and a COB will be sent to the outside

provider.

6.

In the event that you receive a bill

from a provider, please provide a

copy to CHS. You may leave bills

at the Little Axe Health Center or

Shawnee Clinic.

3.

4.

5.

For AST members with no insurance

evidence must exist that the visit was

medically necessary. Medical priorities

have been established for determining

which referrals can be authorized for

payment.

For AST members with insurance,

evidence must exist that a third party

resource has made determination such

services were “emergency care” or

“urgent care” (such evidence may

include payment from private insurance).

Contract Health

Direct Phone Line

405.701.7951

In the event that you receive a bill

from a provider, please provide a

copy to CHS. You may leave bills

at the Little Axe Health Center or

Shawnee Clinic.

Contract Health Services

is conveniently located at

Shawnee Clinic-Building 16

and Little Axe Health Center

Flo Mann

Debi Sloat

Glendine Blanchard

Laurie Webber

Sharon Ponkilla

19

Shawnee Clinic

(405) 878-4702

Darla Gatzman

Little Axe Health Center

(405) 447-0300

Jayne Werst

“It is not my heritage or my history. To submit my life and my

strength to a substance that has no intention other than to cause

me harm is not my natural instinct. Nor is it in my DNA. I was

born, by nature, into strength, tenacity, and an innate ability to

overcome, no matter how dire the circumstance. These are the

characteristics that are in my blood and that wrote my history, I

will take ownership in that history and will commit to writing the

next chapter with integrity and a promise to uphold the very

values that made it possible for my generation to exist today.”

Check out our social media website:

https://www.facebook.com/mydnarocks/

&

Our website:

AST

AST DENTAL

DENTAL ANNOUNCES

ANNOUNCES NEW

NEW DENTIST

DENTIST

ASTHS ANNOUNCES NEW CHILD PSYCHIATRIST

ASTHS

ANNOUNCES

NEW

CHILD

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Norman,

Norman, Oklahoma

Oklahoma -- The

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AST DENTAL ANNOUNCES NEW DENTIST

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make

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please

(405)447-0300.

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more

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call

(405)447-0300.

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AST DENTAL ANNOUNCES NEW DENTIST

http://www.mydna.rocks

Contact Kasey Dean or Howard Brown at 405-701-7993 for more info.

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disorders.

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from 2 years of age to adult. They offer 16 dental chairs including a wheelchair access chair in a your

confidential appointment today at (405) 701-7987.

private room setting for the comfort of the patient. Services are available by appointment

Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Little Axe Health Center.

Location

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

Conference Room B

January 19, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

February 2, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

March 8, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

April 12, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

May 10, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

June 14, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

July 12, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

August 9, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

September 13, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

October 11, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

November 8, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

December 6, 2016

09:00am to 12:00pm

Please call Kathy at 7997 or email me at kheldenbrand@astribe.com or

Call Gloria at 7600 or email her at gseeley@astribe.com or

Call Deidre at 7190 or email her at dyarbrough@astribe.com

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (405)447-0300.

20

-Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. Exercise

keeps the body strong and contributes to healthy weight which lowers risk for heart disease. As

always, consult your health care provider before starting any exercise regimen.

ASTHS PUBLIC

HEALTH ADDS STAFF & ANNOUNCES UPCOMING EVENTS

-Eat healthy. Eat smaller portions at meal time and choose nutritious, heart-healthy foods such

ASTHS PUBLIC HEALTH ADDS STAFF &

Norman, Oklahoma – The Public Health Department at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health Clinic recently gained two new staff

ANNOUNCES

UPCOMING

EVENTS

members. Ms. Deidre Yarbrough,

RN, will be taking on the role

of Health Promotion and

also assisting with visiting patients at home.

-Reduce stress. There are many ways to reduce stress. You can exercise, laugh, meditate, or

as fruits and vegetables. Limit sodium and trans fats. Consult with your health care provider or a

nutritionist for more heart healthy food options and nutritious food choices.

Ms. Kathy Heldenbrand, RN, will be the Employee Health nurse for both Little Axe and Shawnee locations.

Getting the right amount of sleep also reduces stress. All of these stress

It is not too even

late todeep

get a breathe.

flu vaccine

if you haven’t received one yet. Flu season peaks from December to February so now is as

reducers can help you reduce your risk of heart disease.

good a time as any to get your flu shot. Everyone six months of age and older should get a yearly flu vaccination. Contrary to popular

Norman,

Oklahoma

The

Health

Department

at the

theflu

Absentee

Shawnee

Tribal redness

Health or swelling at

belief, the flu shot

DOES NOT

give you–the

flu.Public

The most

common

reaction to

shot in adults

is soreness,

Ultimately, taking responsibility for your health is up to you, but there are programs available to

Clinic

recently

gained

newonly

staff

members.

Deidre

Yarbrough,

taking

on the

the spot where the

shot

was given

and two

usually

lasts

a couple Ms.

of days.

Protect

yourself RN,

from will

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flu and

contact

your health care

assist you with making changes such as quitting smoking. The Public Health Department at the

provider for an appointment

today!

role of Health

Promotion

and also

with

visiting

patients

at a

home.

Ms.

Kathy

Absentee

Shawnee

Tribal Health

Clinicassisting

offers The

Second

Wind

Program,

12-week

program

February is American

Heart

Month

and

Public

Health

Department

would

totobacco

provide

you

with

some

helpful

information about

Heldenbrand,

RN,

will

be the

the

Employee

for

bothlike

Little

Axe and

Shawnee

locations.

designed

to assist

Native

Americans

to Health

refrain nurse

from commercial

use.

The next

class is

heart health and

risk

factors

leading

to

heart

disease.

Heart

disease

is

the

leading

cause

of

death

in

Native

Americans.

Some risk

tentatively scheduled to start in March. Feel free to contact us at the Public Health Department at

factors for heart405-447-0300

diseases, suchfor

asmore

genetics,

we

are

not

able

to

control.

Most

risk

factors

can

be

decreased

or

eliminated

by

making

information or to sign up for a class. Happy Heart Month!

lifestyle changes.

alwaysifeasy

make but

with some

become

easier.

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can start by doing

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is not lifestyle

too latechanges

to get aare

flunot

vaccine

youtohaven’t

received

onepractice

yet. Flu

season

peaks

one or more of the

followingtothings:

December

February so now is as good a time as any to get your flu shot. Everyone six months

References:

-Maintain a http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2015-2016.htm

healthy blood pressure or control high blood pressures. If you suspect high blood pressure, make an appointment

ofcare

ageprovider.

and older

shouldyour

get ablood

yearly

flu vaccination.

Contrary

popular

belief,

thea flu

shotand

DOES

with your healthhttp://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_aian.htm

Measure

pressure

at home for

severalto

days

in a row,

keep

record

take it with you to

http://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health

NOT

give

you

the

flu.

The

most

common

reaction

to

the

flu

shot

in

adults

is

soreness,

redness

your appointment. Sometimes we have “white coat syndrome” and our blood pressures will always be elevated duringoryour visit to the

http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/american_heart_month.htm

clinic. Your home

measurements

will help

your

better

assess

blood

pressure

and

plan treatment

swelling

at the spot

where

theprovider

shot was

given

andyour

usually

only

lasts a

couple

of days. options.

Protect

-Monitor andyourself

lower your

cholesterol

if

it

is

elevated.

Our

bodies

have

both

“good”

and

“bad”

fats

and

a

proper

amount of each is

from the flu and contact your health care provider for an appointment today!

required to be healthy. We can maintain a good balance of each by eating right, but sometimes medications are also needed. Talk to

your health care provider about your cholesterol levels.

February

is American

Month

andincreases

the Public

Health

Department

would

like to provide

you diabetes will

-Prevent or control

diabetes.

HavingHeart

diabetes

greatly

your

risk for

heart disease.

Preventing

or controlling

lower your risk. with

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have helpful

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make sureabout

to follow

youhealth

and your

treatment

for controlling

information

heart

andprovider’s

risk factors

leadingplan

to heart

disease. blood

Heartsugars.

-Stop smoking.

Cigarette

and

second

hand smoke

exposure

increases

the

riskfactors

of heart

and stroke. When you

disease

is thesmoke

leading

cause

of death

in Native

Americans.

Some

risk

fordisease

heart diseases,

smoke it is not only harmful to you, but also to those around you. Your risk for disease decreases more the longer you abstain from

such as genetics, we are not able to control. Most risk factors can be decreased or eliminated by

smoking.

making

lifestyle changes.

lifestyle

changes

not always

to make

with

somedisease, heart

-Limit alcohol

use. Excessive

amounts These

of alcohol

increases

bloodare

pressure,

whicheasy

increases

thebut

risk

of heart

attack, and stroke.

Use alcohol

in easier.

moderation

use

alcohol

practice

become

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canalways

start by

doing

oneresponsibly.

or more of the following things:

-Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. Exercise keeps the body strong and contributes

to healthy weight which lowers risk for heart disease. As always, consult your health care provider before starting any exercise regimen.

a healthy

blood

or control

high heart-healthy

blood pressures.

If you

-Eat healthy.-Maintain

Eat smaller

portions at

meal pressure

time and choose

nutritious,

foods such

as suspect

fruits andhigh

vegetables. Limit

blood

pressure,

make

an

appointment

with

your

health

care

provider.

Measure

your blood

sodium and trans fats. Consult with your health care provider or a nutritionist for more heart healthy food options

and nutritious food

choices.

pressure at home for several days in a row, keep a record and take it with you to your

-Reduce stress.

There are many

ways towe

reduce

exercise, and

laugh,

or even deep

breathe.be

Getting the right

appointment.

Sometimes

havestress.

“whiteYou

coatcan

syndrome”

ourmeditate,

blood pressures

will always

amount of sleepelevated

also reduces

stress.

All

of

these

stress

reducers

can

help

you

reduce

your

risk

of

heart

disease.

during your visit to the clinic. Your home measurements will help your provider better

Ultimately, taking responsibility for your health is up to you, but there are programs available to assist you with making changes such

assess

blood

pressure

and plan

treatment

as quitting smoking.

Theyour

Public

Health

Department

at the

Absenteeoptions.

Shawnee Tribal Health Clinic offers The Second Wind Program, a

12-week program designed to assist Native Americans to refrain from commercial tobacco use. The next class is tentatively scheduled

-Monitor

and

lower your

if it is

elevated. atOur

bodies haveforboth

“good”

and “bad”

to start in March.

Feel free

to contact

us at cholesterol

the Public Health

Department

405-447-0300

more

information

or to sign up for a

fats Month!

and a proper amount of each is required to be healthy. We can maintain a good balance of

class. Happy Heart

each by eating right, but sometimes medications are also needed. Talk to your health care

References: provider about your cholesterol levels.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2015-2016.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_aian.htm

http://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health

http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/american_heart_month.htm

-Prevent or control diabetes. Having diabetes greatly increases your risk for heart disease.

Preventing or controlling diabetes will lower your risk. If you have diabetes, make sure to follow

you and your provider’s treatment plan for controlling blood sugars.

-Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke and second hand smoke exposure increases the risk of heart

disease and stroke. When you smoke it is not only harmful to you, but also to those around you.

Your risk for disease decreases more the longer you abstain from smoking.

-Limit alcohol use. Excessive amounts of alcohol increases blood pressure, which increases

the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Use alcohol in moderation and always use

alcohol responsibly.

21

National Wear Red Day

FEBRUARY IS

®

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

AMERICAN HEART MONTH

Join the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women®

movement to help raise awareness and save more lives.

What is heart disease?

You can:

• wear red on February 5th;

• encourage others to get involved.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Are you at risk for heart disease?

Can heart disease be prevented?

For more information about your organization’s involvement,

Public Health Nursing (405) 447-0300

contact:______________________________________________

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States.

Let’s unite to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Wear red to raise awareness and help save women’s lives.

Attend an event near you to receive more information about ways to

help prevent heart disease and receive a blood pressure check.

GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay.

Friday, February 5th, 2016 1:00-3:00 Little Axe Health Center lobby

Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 11:00-1:00 Little Axe Resource Center

Friday, February 19th, 2016 1:00-3:00 Shawnee Clinic lobby

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016 11:00-1:00 Shawnee Complex, Title 6

For more information contact Public Health Nursing

Phone: 405-701-7190

E-mail: dyarbrough@astribe.com

©2015, American Heart Association. Also known as the Heart Fund.

TM Go Red trademark of AHA, Red Dress trademark of DHHS. 2015-218-1172

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

AST Dental’s theme this year is “Fighting for Healthy Teeth”!

Good foods:

fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, nuts, and beef jerky

Bad foods:

chips, crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, dried fruits

Ugly foods:

candy, cookies, cake, donuts, soda, and energy drinks

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Want your Community, Workplace and/or

Family to be suicide safe?

All carbohydrates whether it is sugar or not, mix with the plaque bacteria to create acids. These acids

attack the tooth’s surface and cause breakdown and cavities.

Then come to this Workshop!

Some things to remember when you have the not so good foods:

Rinse your mouth with water to help loosen the food particles

Wait 30 minutes after drinking soda to brush your teeth due to the acid in soda

Limit late night snacks

Do not allow children to have anything after bed except water

In 2014, the ADA (American Dental Association) changed the guidelines for use of fluoride toothpaste in

small children. Now when the child gets their first tooth you can use fluoride toothpaste. Use the

amount the size of a grain of rice until age two or three then you can use a pea size amount.

WHEN:

March 3 & 4, 2016

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days

WHERE:

Little Axe Clinic Conference Room

HOW:

Register by February 19, 2016 at

Behavioral Health with Jenifer Sloan 701-7988 or

jsloan@astribe.com ********lunch provided

Brush twice a day for two minutes, floss, eat healthy foods and see the dentist twice a year to help keep

a healthy smile.

Ne yi wa!

The ASIST workshop is for people who want to feel more comfortable,

confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

Over one million people have participated in this two-day, highly interactive,

practical, practice-oriented workshop.

Participation in the full two days is required. Enjoy small group discussions

and skills practice that are based upon adult learning principles. Experience

powerful videos on suicide intervention. Feel challenged and safe. Learn

suicide first aid.

22

From the Doctor's Notebook

Let’s talk today about low back pain. This is a subject near and dear

to my heart as I have endured back pain for over 40 years. Back pain is

a consequence of our existence as human beings and stems from one very

important factor in that existence – we walk upright and we are fighting

gravity. It is also a consequence of our frailty as biomechanical machines, and

you are well aware that all “machines” wear out or break down sometime.

When patients come in with back pain I am not being flippant when I tell

them that the “We all get it” ion one form or another.

Low back pain exists in many different flavors but the most common is

simply muscular strain. When we do stupid things (I don’t know about you but

I do stupid things) like bend over quickly to pick up an object on the ground,

especially while twisting we invite trouble. The muscles of the back are some

of the smallest and weakest we have. There is no one large muscle, say like

the large rectus muscles of the thigh. The muscles of the back exist as three

layers, each with a specific function. Within these layers, the muscles are

grouped in long strands that run up and down the back. Some are very short

and some are quite long. These muscle groups work together to maintain our

posture during walking and to help us bend and twist when those movements

are required. When bending over too quickly, especially when twisting and

then trying to straighten back up these muscles can become strained. One

can actually tear muscle fibers. This can result in instantaneous, very sharp

pain, mostly in the low back where the muscles are the weakest. It can feel

like someone stabbing you with a knife and that is no exaggeration. I have

lost track of how many times I have done this. Make no bones about it, it

hurts like the devil and is no laughing matter when you are wearing it.

Again, this type of back pain is due to muscular strain and so common it can

be lumped under the category of “overuse” syndrome. Safety departments,

employee health organizations, OSHA and others take back injury seriously

as it contributes too many lost days of work and millions of dollars in cost

visiting a healthcare provider.

One thing that we just must consider when we deal with mechanical

low back pain is obesity. Take a look at a side view of a child or teenager.

One can imagine an imaginary line drawn from the top of the head down

through the legs and ending in the feet. This line represents the axis along

which our center of gravity resides. One should notice that the crossover

point, or point of inflection of the curvature of the back is in the low back.

This in essence is the center of gravity point. The mass of the body on either

side of this line is pretty much the same. Now, do the same exercise with a

picture of an overweight or obese individual. One can easily see that the mass

(weight) is shifted forward and that the center of gravity has shifted forward.

Understanding mechanics helps you to visualize that when this weight is

shifted forward there is now an induced strain on the inflection point in the

low back. This causes strain on the muscles as we try to maintain our posture

to keep from falling forward. Obesity is a major contributor to low back pain

(and other skeletal pain such as knee pain). My apologies if I have gotten too

technical but as a former engineer I do tend to think of things that that hat

on as well.

In times past when one did get the classic low back pain due to overuse

or strain the old remedy was typically narcotic pain meds, muscle relaxers

and the advice to lie on a heating pad. It turns out that many studies have

been done on this subject and the old advice has been thrown out the window.

Narcotic pain meds are no help at all for the underlying problem. Muscle

relaxers simply make one tired, and lying on a heating pad over time worsens

the condition. The best remedy for common low back pain (muscular strain

variety) is to walk. Plain old over-the-counter “Excedrin Migraine” is an

excellent pain reliever and is cheap as dirt. In recent years I have begun

recommending patients perform McKenzie© exercises (this can be found

easily on the Web). Rarely, if ever do patients with low back pain need to get

x-rays, MRI’s or other imaging studies because imaging does not yield any

useful information except as we discuss below.

When low back pain is accompanied by shooting pain down either or

both legs all bets are off. This can be the sign of a more insidious problem.

Recall that I made the statement that the vast majority of low back pain is

muscular. This is still true, however low back pain can present with what we

in the medical profession call “red flags.” Along with this is a mantra I have

been singing for a number of years – “No bad thing happens on onesies.” If

there is something bad going on there will always be other things going on.

Let me illustrate. A patient who comes in with low back pain from a fall off a

ladder is more than likely going to have some muscular contusions but when

we couple that with the inability to walk, has bowel or bladder incontinence,

or shooting pain into either extremity we have need for concern. That concern

would be a compression fracture or other lumbar (low back) skeletal issue.

There is a difference – muscular issues yield well to physical therapy or can

just improve over time with daily activity (lying around on the couch does not

count!), skeletal (in the bones) issues take more investigation. This is where

x-rays, or sometimes MRI or CT scan can pay off leading to a diagnosis.

Low back pain that is accompanied by shooting pain down into the lower

extremities is red flag. Add in numbness and weakness and we have more

red flags. If we have bowel or bladder incontinence we have a big red flag. We

need to know about that. This is the type of situation where an MRI is most

helpful but be aware MRIs are expensive. If a patient comes in with the above

symptoms and states flatly that they do not want any intervention (surgery)

then there is no need to do an MRI. For the most part MRIs are not used for

diagnosis. They are used to tell a surgeon where to cut. Even so, skeletal back

pain can yield somewhat to physical therapy. When there is bowel or bladder

incontinence, however this is serious.

One thing I might point out here is that whenever a normal healthy

adult has an x-ray of their low back a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease

(DJD) typically follows. There are sometimes other findings as well but DJD

is almost always on the x-ray report of anyone older than 50 or so. DJD can

even show up on an x-ray of the chest or abdomen that might be done for a

totally different reason. In truth this is why we don’t order routine x-rays

for low back pain. Degenerative disc disease is a normal consequence of

aging and is the reason people get shorter as they age. It shows up on an

x-ray report and people get all excited about what is in essence a nonissue. The discs of the spine are like shock absorbers and are made of

cartilage-like material. The same material found in the large joints of

the body, especially the knees. This material wears and degenerates but

DOES NOT generally contribute to low back pain (again – no bad thing …)

unless the degree of compression is pronounced. Since it is such a common

finding on lumbar spine x-rays there is no reason to order an x-ray to find

out what you already know. X-rays are ordered when there is a suspicion

of some other problem (this is why we physicians examine our patients, or

at least should examine them).

Of particular significance is the deep down inside type low back pain

that comes on insidiously over time, is worsening and accompanied by

other symptoms (again – no bad thing …) such as night sweats or weight

loss. With this type of back pain we have to consider something really

bad and if you go to the doctor for that you would be wise to describe all

your symptoms so that nothing gets missed or the wrong assumption gets

made.

Women tend to get back pain more than men. Aside from the common

back pain described above women of child bearing age suffer from the

common muscular back pain of carrying a child in pregnancy. We married

men know all too well what pregnancy does to a women. Another not

uncommon cause of back pain is urinary tract infections. Most women

will already have an idea that they are dealing with that and it is an easy

diagnosis and treatment. Kidney stones and other internal problems can

also manifest with back pain.

Low back pain; we all get it and it can resolve without any treatment,

or with minimal treatment. Remember, I said that I have lived with back

pain for over 40 years. I can remember the very day in 1968 when as a

young Marine I bent over to pick up a foot locker and got a shooting pain

in my low back that took me to my knees on the floor. Now I can tell my

patients that I have been there and done that. Occasionally I get that

twinge in my back that tells me I’m doing something stupid and to back

off. This is one instance when listening to your body can help avoid some

significant discomfort. Interestingly enough, as I conclude this discussion

a recent study has been published in the Journal of the American Medical

Association that concludes without a doubt that exercise is the number

one best way to help prevent low back pain. Unfortunately there is no

guarantee of anything in life (except death and taxes) and likewise there

is no guarantee that one will never suffer from back pain despite a good

exercise program.

Your physicians do not want you to suffer and we certainly don’t want

you to think you are not welcome to come in to discuss this issue. I would

rather have 10 people come in with common low back pain that is for

lack of better term – no big deal, than to have 1 person not come in just

thinking there is nothing wrong only to find out there is something very

wrong.

Always in your service,

Ne-Yi-Wa

Bruce A. Stafford, DO

Diplomate, ABFM, NBPAS

Deputy Medical Director

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

Little Axe Health Center

23

FITNESS BIT

Did you know that one of the easiest and most effective

exercises for your body involves the use of only a chair?

The simple sit-and-stand exercise is a great physical

activity that can be used to strengthen and tone your

legs (quadriceps and hamstrings) and butt (gluteus

maximus). This exercise also helps to get your heart

rate pumping! All you need is a chair or a bed! Here

are some steps to help you learn how to perform the

sit-and-stand to increase leg strength and endurance:

AST Dental’s theme this year is

“Fighting for Healthy Teeth”!

Good foods: fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, nuts, and beef jerky

Step 1: Have a seat in a STURDY chair or use

your bedside (make sure you’re not sitting too

high!)

Bad foods: chips, crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, dried fruits

Ugly foods: candy, cookies, cake, donuts, soda, and energy drinks

Step 2: Fold your arms in front of you or hold

them to your side, or even behind your head.

All carbohydrates whether it is sugar or not, mix with

the plaque bacteria to create acids. These acids

attack the tooth’s surface and cause breakdown

and cavities.

Some things to remember when you have the not

so good foods:

Step 3: Simply stand up without using your

arms. If you are just now learning how to do this

exercise and have weak legs, use a chair with

arms to assist you in standing.

Step 4: Come to complete standing position

then sit back down.

√√ Rinse your mouth with water to help loosen

the food particles

Step 5: Repeat the sit-and-stand as many times

possible for 30 seconds, then rest. Complete this

exercise 3 times, or as many times as possible.

√√ Wait 30 minutes after drinking soda to

brush your teeth due to the acid in soda

Tip #1: If this exercise is too hard, use a higher

chair or bedside Tip #2: If this exercise is too

easy, use a lower chair

√√ Limit late night snacks

√√ Do not allow children to have anything after

bed except water

In 2014, the ADA (American Dental Association)

changed the guidelines for use of fluoride toothpaste

in small children. Now when the child gets their

first tooth you can use fluoride toothpaste. Use the

amount the size of a grain of rice until age two or

three then you can use a pea size amount.

Brush twice a day for two minutes, floss, eat

healthy foods and see the dentist twice a year to

help keep a healthy smile.

Ne yi wa!

The AST Dental Team

The Absentee Shawnee Diabetes and Wellness/Fitness Program

24

Health Authority, Inc. / Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Health Inc.

CTSA Early Childhood Center

is seeking to hire a part-time

Tribal Members please submit your resume and a

letter of interest to be considered being placed on

Health Board.

NUTRITION TECHNICIAN

for our Shawnee Location

QUALIFICATIONS FOR HEALTH BOARD

MEMBERS:

• There must be 2 tribal members with health

care experience.

• All other directors must have sufficient

professional experience in various fields

(business, accounting, public service, law

administration to contribute productively to the

Board.

• Appointees shall have a background check and

may not be a staff member or employee of the

health care system.

The Nutrition Tech will provide support to the Lead Nutrition Tech,

including dish washing, cleaning, serving and basic meal preparation.

Must be at least 18 years of age

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent

Must pass background investigation for licensed child care programs

Previous experience is preferred

Food handlers certification is a plus

All applications accepted with preference given to qualified

Native Americans and current/former HS/EHS parents

Apply today:

Applications accepted until position is filled

THUNDERBIRD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER,

INC. (TEC BOARD)

Employment Applications can be downloaded at:

www.ctsaheadstart.org (click on Forms)

or picked up at:

1535 North McKinley Avenue, Shawnee OK 74801

Interested Tribal Members to be consider for

board position. Please send letter of interest and

a resume.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be eligible to obtain a gaming license

from the Absentee Shawnee Tribe Gaming

Commission and possess experience in gaming

operations, business, finance, or law and of the

following:

__ D e g r e e i n B u s i n e s s

Administration, Accounting,

Marketing, Law or an

equivalent field (Bachelor’s

degree or higher);

__ Minimum three (3) years’

experience in business

management;

__ Minimum two (2) years’

experience in casino

operations; or

__ Knowledge of federal Indian

law, the Indian Gaming

Regulatory Act, and related

statutes and regulations

CTSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CTSA Early Childhood Center

is seeking to hire a full-time

Early Head Start Teacher

for our Shawnee Location

An Early Head Start teacher provides educational experiences to

infants/toddlers in a classroom setting, using developmentally

appropriate practices.

Early Head Start Teacher Minimum Requirements:

 Infant/Toddler CDA Credential or Certificate of Mastery in CD

 Previous work experience with young children

 Pass background investigation for licensed child care programs

All applications accepted with preference given to qualified

Native Americans and current/former HS/EHS parents

Apply today:

Applications accepted until position is filled

Employment Applications can be downloaded at:

www.ctsaheadstart.org (click on Forms)

or picked up at:

1535 North McKinley Avenue, Shawnee OK 74801

Please send letters and resume to Secretary John

Johnson Office:

2025 South Gordon Cooper Drive

Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801

Email: johnraymond.johnson@astribe.com

CTSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

25

Register Now!!!

www.asthealth.org/patient-portal

New Patient Portal

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

Little Axe Health Center

Shawnee Clinic

Visit your app store and install

the Follow My Health app

- Improved access to your health information

- Communicate directly with your clinic

- Request an appointment

...and more!

for real-time access to your

health information

For more information on how you can register for the new AST “Follow My Health” Patient Portal,

contact Patient Registration at Little Axe Health Center - 405.447.0300 or Shawnee Clinic - 405.878.4702

ABSENTEE SHAWEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEPARTMENT

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy

The AST Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs are on-call 24 hours per day to provide

emotional support, advocacy and crisis counseling to survivors at hospitals, police stations and

throughout the legal system. The programs also serve as a resource center to the community by

offering educational information and referrals.

The AST Health System values

ALL feedback.

We will listen....

*Patient Advocate Jim

Robertson 405-447-0300

*Customer Service Line

405-701-7623

*Patient Questionnaire located in each of

our clinics or on our website

www.ASTHEALTH.ORG

Little Axe Health Center

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

15951 Little Axe Drive

Norman OK, 70326

405-447-0300

Shawnee Clinic

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

2029 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee OK, 74801

405-878-5850

Little Axe Health Center

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

15951 Little Axe Drive

Shawnee Clinic

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System

2029 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Transitional Housing

The AST DV Transitional Housing Program serves victims of Domestic Violence/Sexual

Assault. Participants have up to six months to obtain education and job skills needed to begin a

new life.

Court Advocacy

Assists survivors with domestic violence court related costs (when funding is available) and

appearances as well as filing for emergency protective orders (EPO) or restraining orders.

Shelter Placement Assistance

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.

Housing and Utility Assistance

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.

Referral Assistance

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.

Community Outreach

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) 273-2888.

26

January 10-16, 2016 is National Folic Acid Awareness Week.

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It is an important part of preconception health, which refers to the health of women and men during their reproductive years. If

a woman consumes the recommended amount of folic acid before and during early pregnancy, it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s

brain (known as anencephaly) and spine (known as spina bifida). Anencephaly is a serious birth defect in which parts of a baby’s brain and skull do not

form correctly. Babies born with anencephaly cannot survive. Spina bifida is a serious birth defect in which a baby’s spine does not develop correctly,

and can result in some severe physical disabilities. All women, but especially those who want to become pregnant, need 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic

acid every day.

Do I need folic acid?

Yes! Every woman needs to get enough folic acid each day, even if she does not plan to become pregnant. This is because our bodies make new cells

every day—blood, skin, hair, nails and others. Folic acid is needed to make these new cells. Start a healthy habit today and get 400 mcg of folic acid

every day.

Why can’t I wait until I’m pregnant to start taking folic acid?

Birth defects of the brain and spine (anencephaly and spina bifida) happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman finds out she’s

pregnant. Also, half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. These are two reasons why it is important for all women who can get pregnant

to be sure to get 400 mcg of folic acid every day, even if they aren’t planning a pregnancy any time soon. By the time a woman realizes she’s pregnant,

it might be too late to prevent these birth defects. Plan ahead! Starting today is the best option.

How do I get folic acid?

An easy way to be sure you’re getting enough folic acid is to take a daily multivitamin with folic acid in it. Most multivitamins have all the folic acid

you need. If you get an upset stomach from taking a multivitamin, try taking it with meals or just before bed. If you have trouble taking pills, you can

try a multivitamin that is gummy or chewable. Also be sure to take it with a full glass of water.

Folic acid has been added to foods such as enriched breads, pastas, rice and cereals. Check the Nutrition Facts label on the food packaging. A serving

of some cereals has 100% of the folic acid that you need each day.

In addition to getting 400 mcg of folic acid from supplements and fortified foods, you can eat a diet rich in folate. You can get food folate from beans,

peas and lentils, oranges and orange juice, asparagus and broccoli, and dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, and mustard greens.

Taken from CDC website:

http://www.cdc.gov/features/folicacidbenefits/index.html

Deidre Yarbrough, RN

Public Health Nursing

15951 Little Axe Drive

Norman, Oklahoma 73026

(405) 701-7190

(405) 701-7605 (fax)

www.asthealth.org

27

FEBRUARY IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Every year nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner. And 1 in

3 adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. The following is a

healthy relationship quiz. Answer the questions below to see if you are in a healthy relationship.

The Person I'm With (Often, Sometimes or Never)

1. Is very supportive of things that I do and encourages me to try new things.

2. Likes to listen when I have something on my mind.

3. Talks to me when they’re unhappy with something in the relationship.

4. Is willing to compromise.

5. Understands that we have separate interests and can spend time apart.

6. Is mean or rude to my friends.

7. Criticizes or distracts me when I’m doing things that don’t involve them.

8. Gets extremely jealous or possessive.

9. Accuses me of flirting or cheating when I’m not.

10. Constantly checks up on me or makes me check in.

11. Breaks or throws things when we fight.

12. Threatens to destroy my things.

13. Tries to control what I do, who I see, what I wear, how I look or who I talk to.

14. Makes me feel nervous or like I’m "walking on eggshells.”

15. Blames me for problems, puts me down, calls me names or criticizes me.

16. Makes me feel like no one else would want me.

17. Threatens to hurt themselves, me, my friends, pets or family.

18. Grabs, pushes, shoves, chokes, punches, slaps, holds me down, throws things or hurts me in some way.

19. Yells, screams or humiliates me in front of other people.

20. Pressures, guilts or forces me into having sex or going farther than I want to.

Scoring

Questions 1-5: Often: -5, Sometimes: -3, Never: 5

Questions 6-10: Often: 5, Sometimes: 1, Never: 0

Questions 11-15: Often: 10, Sometimes: 5, Never: 0

Questions 16-20: Often: 50, Sometimes: 25, Never: 0

Now that you're finished and have your score, the next step is to find out what it means. Simply take your total

score and see which of the categories below apply to you.

Score: 0 or Less Points

You got a negative score or a zero? Don’t worry -- it's a good thing! It sounds like your relationship is on a pretty

healthy track. Maintaining healthy relationships takes some work -- keep it up! Remember that while you may

have a healthy relationship, it's possible that a friend of yours does not. If you know someone who is in an abusive

relationship, find out how you can help them.

Score: 1-5 Points

If you scored one to five points, you might be noticing a couple of things in your relationship that are unhealthy,

but it doesn't necessarily mean they are warning signs. It's still a good idea to keep an eye out and make sure

there isn't an unhealthy pattern developing.

The best thing to do is to talk to your partner and let them know what you like and don't like. Encourage them

to do the same. Remember, communication is always important when building a healthy relationship. It's also

good to be informed so you can recognize the different types of abuse.

Score: 6-10 Points

If you scored six to ten points, it sounds like you may be seeing some warning signs and your relationship may

be unhealthy. Don’t ignore these red flags. Something that starts small can grow much worse over time. No

relationship is perfect -- it takes work! But in a healthy relationship you won't find abusive behaviors.

Score: 11-50 Points

If you scored eleven to fifty points, you are definitely seeing warning signs and may be in an abusive relationship.

Remember, abuse is not just physical. Learn about the different types of abuse and how to spot the warning

signs.

28

Score: More than 50 Points

If you scored more than 50 points, it is important to consider taking steps to ensure your safety. A trained

advocate is available to work with you to create a safety plan that is tailored to your situation, and focused on

keeping you safe whether you choose to remain in the relationship or not.

You don't have to deal with this alone. We can help. Everyone deserves a healthy relationship.

For questions regarding Teen Dating Violence you may contact Melissa Lopez at 405-­273-­2888 or 405-­432-­9657

or visit the following websites:

www.loveisrespect.org

www.BreaktheCycle.org

Teen Dating Violence (For Parents)

Knowing that your son or daughter is in an unhealthy relationship can be both frustrating and frightening.

But as a parent, you’re critical in helping your child develop healthy relationships and can provide life-saving

support if they’re in an abusive relationship. Remember, dating violence occurs in both same-sex and oppositesex couples and either gender can be abusive.

What Do I Need to Know?

You can look for some early warning signs of abuse that can help you identify if your child is in an abusive

relationship before it’s too late. Some of these signs include:

• Your child’s partner is extremely jealous or possessive.

• You notice unexplained marks or bruises.

• Your child’s partner emails or texts excessively.

• You notice that your son or daughter is depressed or anxious.

• Your son or daughter stops participating in extracurricular activities or other interests.

• Your child stops spending time with other friends and family.

• Your child’s partner abuses other people or animals.

• Your child begins to dress differently.

What Can I Do?

• Tell your child you’re concerned for their safety. Point out that what’s happening isn’t “normal.” Everyone

deserves a safe and healthy relationship. Offer to connect your son or daughter with a professional, like a

counselor or attorney, who they can talk to confidentially.

• Be supportive and understanding. Stress that you’re on their side. Provide information and non-judgmental

support. Let your son or daughter know that it’s not their fault and no one “deserves” to be abused. Make it

clear that you don’t blame them and you respect their choices.

• Believe them and take them seriously. Your child may be reluctant to share their experiences in fear of no

one believing what they say. As you validate their feelings and show your support, they can become more

comfortable and trust you with more information. Be careful not to minimize your child’s situation due to

age, inexperience or the length of their relationship.

• Help develop a safety plan. One of the most dangerous times in an abusive relationship is when the victim

decides to leave. Be especially supportive during this time and try to connect your child to support groups

or professionals that can help keep them safe.

• Remember that ultimately your child must be the one who decides to leave the relationship. There are many

complex reasons why victims stay in unhealthy relationships. Your support can make a critical difference

in helping your son or daughter find their own way to end their unhealthy relationship.

For questions regarding Teen Dating Violence you may contact Melissa Lopez at 405-273-2888 or 405-432- 9657

or visit the following websites:

www.loveisrespect.org

www.BreaktheCycle.org

29

Absentee Shawnee Indian Child Welfare Department

Whitesboro, N.Y. Residents Vote To Keep Racist Emblem Appearing To

Man

s Vote To Keep Racist EmblemShow

AppearingWhite

To Show White

ManChoking Native American.

Supporters

say the

logothe

shows

a "friendly

match,"

not a

Supporters

say

logo

shows wrestling

a "friendly

wrestling

match," not a White man choking a Native American.

American.

I realize while performing my duties as an Indian Child Welfare Worker in the Child Welfare field

that I face daily struggles in the scope of this profession dealing with outside forces that do not want to

respect the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, when dealing with Native American children. I struggle

with the concept that today in 2016 there are those in our society who judge you on the color of your

skin and refuse to give you the consideration you deserve as a human being who is different in some

way. I often read articles that discuss what is going on in our Country in terms of “News” that relates

to the

Native

American

people.

I was shocked to read this story “Whitesboro, N.Y. Residents Vote to

my duties as an Indian Child

Welfare

Worker

in the Child

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Racist

appearing

To Show

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esKeep

in the scope

of Emblem

this profession

dealing with

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forces that

doChoking Native American”.

an Child Welfare Act of 1978, when dealing with Native American

The headline

my interest

I read

further.

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concept

that today caught

in 2016 there

are those so

in our

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th

to keep

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appearsyou

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century founder, Hugh White, choking a Native American from the

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meOneida

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what is going on

in our

it is….they

don’t

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what you

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because

they

are going to keep it. Personally, I wish that the Government would tell

that

relates to the

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shocked

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the Village

that use

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would cause them to lose any Federal/State money the town receives.

. Residents

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to Whitesboro

Keep Racist Emblem

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Toemblem

Show White

No money for schools, no money for roads……NO MONEY. It seems like every other day the Federal Government is

can”.

telling us how we can spend the money they give the tribes. As a department we are constantly worrying about our

budget.

If the

government

can

dictate to

the Tribes,

why can’t they dictate to a village that obviously doesn’t get the fact

erest

so I read

further.

Residents of

Whitesboro,

a small

village in

thattotheir

is appears

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United

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voted

keep avillage

logo that

show the

18th century

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ve American from the Oneida Tribe. It appears those in Whitesboro,

blem/town

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and ifayou

think

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don’ta Native American…..or allowing an emblem that shows an African

Allowing

anisemblem

showing

white

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e they

are

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keep

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Personally,

I

wish

that

the

Government

American hanging from a tree are the same and should not be accepted in our society. It seems one would cause outrage,

Whitesboro

use of

their

wouldUnfortunately

cause them to lose

anyis the

but thethat

other

one

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acceptable.

this

wnhistory

receives.of No

money

for

schools,

no

money

for

roads……NO

the United States, but let us clarify it is not our

ry future.

other day The

the Federal

Government

is telling Act

us how

spend

Indian

Child Welfare

is we

in can

place

so that

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As atribal

department

we

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budget.

children are not lost in the system set upIfby the

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they everyday

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that obviously

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get their

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culture and heritage respected in the “system”.

ingICW

a white

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an those

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caninAmerican

hanging

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the samebecause

and should

be

the State

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wenotspeak

up

seems

one

would

cause

outrage,

but

the

other

one

is

acceptable.

for our tribal children and fight for their rights. The truth

tory

the United

States,

let usbecause

clarify it we

is not

our future.

is,ofthose

in ICW

arebuthere

crave

more The

than the

in average

place so that

our

tribal

children

are

not

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set

up

Child Welfare Worker. We crave the safetybyof our

everyday

so

our children

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their culture for

andtheir

heritage

respected

tribal children

while

rights

as a inNative

American and their right not to be separated from their

tribe. We fight every day for equality for our tribal children

ated

“inadequately”

thosecultural

in the State

Child IWelfare

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and

respect forbytheir

beliefs.

can only

imagine

tribal

children

and

fight

for

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rights.

The

truth

is,

those

in

growing up Native American in Whitesboro, New ICW

York.

more than the average Child Welfare Worker. We crave the safety of

ocating for their rights as a Native American and their right not to be

It saddens me to think of Native American children who are

We fight every day for equality for our tribal children and respect for

growing up in this town. It saddens me that I don’t have the

nly imagine growing up Native American in Whitesboro, New York.

number of foster care homes needed to place all our tribal

children in a tribal home when they are taken into custody

by the State. As a tribal member you can do your part to

fight the injustices put on our people by opening your home

to one of our tribal children in need of a safe environment…

.a home. You don’t need a big house, but you need a big

heart and love to give a child in need.

If you would like to be an AST Foster Care Home, please

call Julie Wilson 405-275-4030.

30

Vocational Rehabilitation Transitional Services

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma

History:

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Vocational Rehabilitation Program has provided vocational services to American Indians with disabilities for twenty years and counting, with Transition Services at six years. Our mission is to develop

specialized services to American Indian students with disabilities currently making the transition from high school

to work or achieving a post-secondary education.

Services we can provide:

We assist with testing fees (ACT, SAT), provide work clothing for new jobs, tuition assistance, assistive devices such

as hearing aids, walkers, wheelchairs, eye glasses, along with physical and mental evaluations.

Qualifications:

You must be a member of a federally recognized tribe, a junior or senior in high school and must reside in on of the

Iowa Tribe VR services area counties. You must also provide documentation from your doctor or physician noting

your disability.

COUNTIES served by ITOVR

KAY

NOBLE

PAWNEE

PAYNE

POTTAWATOMIE

LINCOLN

LOGAN

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma

Vocational Rehabilitation

P.O. Box 728

Perkins, OK 74059

Phone: 405-547-2402 ext 168

Toll free: 1-888-336-4692

Fax: 405-547-1090

E-mail: Christa Tsotaddle, Transitional Counselor

ctsotaddle@iowanation.org

1/23/2015 CT

Find us on the Web: www.bahkhoje.com

31

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE

TRIBAL MEMBERS

APPLYING FOR TRIBAL ENERGY

ASSISTANCE (T.E.A)

(A ONE TIME YEARLY PAYMENT OF

$150.00, PER RESIDENCE)

ELIGIBILITY

¸ ENROLLED ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

¸ 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER

¸ UTILITY BILL IN YOUR NAME AND/OR

SPOUSE’S NAME (SPOUSE MUST RESIDE

IN HOME)

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES

¸ TOTAL RESIDENCE INCOME (MUST

NOT EXCEED A MONTHLY NET PAY OF

$2,800.00)

PLEASE CALL (405) 273-1050 OR COME BY OUR OFFICE

LOCATED AT 107 NORTH KIMBERLY IN SHAWNEE,OK.

WEBSITE: WWW.ASHOUSINGAUTHORITY.COM

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:

¸ SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS (ALL MEMBERS

RESIDING IN THE RESIDENCE)

How to Get a Tag

¸ CDIB CARDS (ALL MEMBERS RESIDING IN

THE RESIDENCE)

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION*

Any new motor vehicle registrations must be done in person by the Tribal Member. The following is a

list of required documents you must have for new motor vehicle registration(s).

• TITLE

• BILL OF SALE OR SALES CONTRACTLIEN ENTRY FORM (if applicable)

• ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBAL ENROLLMENT CARD

• OKLAHOMA INSURANCE VERIFICATION

• VALID OKLAHOMA DRIVER LICENSE

¸ CURRENT UTILITY BILL AND/OR

DISCONNECT NOTICE

¸ CURRENT 30 DAYS INCOME VERIFICATION

(I.E. CHECK STUB, SOCIAL SECURITY,

UNEMPLOYMENT, TANF, ETC.)

REGISTRATION RENEWAL

There are two (2) options available. The following is a list of required documents for renewals.

RENEWING IN PERSON:

• Current Registration Certificate

• Oklahoma Insurance Verification

• Valid Oklahoma Driver License

• Absentee Shawnee Tribal Enrollment card

¸ U N E M P L OY E D A P P L I C A N T S M U S T

COMPLETE SELF-CERTIFICATION FORM

PROVIDED BY CASE WORKER

RENEWING BY MAIL:

To renew by mail, send check or money order along with the above listed items. Make check or

money order payable to: Absentee Shawnee Tribe Tax Commission. A $35.00 fee for all

returned checks will be charged.

TAG PRICE GUIDE Excise tax = Actual Purchase Price x 1.25%

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS

Excise Tax + Years Tagged + Title Fee + Admin. Fee = TAG PRICE

APPLICATION ALSO ONLINE: wwwastribe.com

RENEWALS

Years Tagged + Admin. Fee = TAG PRICE

HAVE APPLICATION

COMPLETED AND ALL

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATIONS

BEFORE SUBMITTING TO

SOCIAL SERVICES

VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX SCHEDULE

Years Tagged

1st through 4th year

5th through 8th year

9th through 12th year

13th through 16th

year

17th year and over

Tax

Imposed

$80.00

$70.00

$50.00

Adminstration

Fee

$5.00

$5.00

$5.00

Total

Fees

$85.00

$75.00

$55.00

$30.00

$5.00

$35.00

$10.00

$5.00

$15.00

Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact the AST Tax Commission office at (405)2754030, option 6.

*No tags will issue unless at least one (1) person on the title is an Absentee Shawnee Tribal member.

32

33

Little Axe

Did You Know.....

Did

You Know……

Come join us at the AST Resource

Center!!!

Any

name

changes

that

may

occur

Any name changes that may occur

(ie: marriage, divorce, etc.) need to be updated

(i.e. marriage, divorce, etc.) need to be updated

through enrollment, BEFORE any new

through enrollment, BEFORE any new

registrations or renewals can be processed.

registrations or renewals can be processed.

Free Tutoring in all subjects!

Games and activities!

Delinquency Prevention!

Healthy Lifestyles!

And Much More!

Open to All Middle School and High School Students

Open to Absentee Shawnee Tribal Students K-5 with a C.D.I.B.

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

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

responsible for picking students up by 6:00pm.

Duration: Starts August 31st and will run through the school year.

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

For more information and sign up please contact

Blake Goodman at (405) 364-7569

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at

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or

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878-0633.

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funding

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is

based

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Big Jim Youth Award Program: annual incentive for High

School Seniors for Academic Achievement and Athlete of the Year.

Deadline for application submission is March 31st of each year.

All funding is based upon the availability of funds at the time of application.

All applications and guidelines are available at www.astribe.com. Click on Services

and select Education.

For more information, please call Tresha Spoon at (405) 275- 4030, Ext. 6242 or

1-800-256-3341 or email to tresham@astribe.com.

34

Vote For

Vote For

SHERMAN TIGER

TWILA O. ‘LONGHORN’ PARKER

Absentee Shawnee Treasurer

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

REPRESENTATIVE

I am Twila Parker, an enrolled Absentee Shawnee Tribal member

and of the White Turkey Band. I am running for the Office of Treasurer. My

father was Ernest F. Longhorn from the Macomb area, he served as a former

Lt. Governor and then as Representative. I have brothers and other family

members who have served in Office and I find that now is the time for me too

to serve our Tribe.

My name is Sherman Tiger, I am an enrolled Absentee Shawnee tribal

member and am of the Big Jim Band. I am running for the Office of

Representative.

Since I began my career I have served on community and tribal

boards and committees. In that capacity I have learned the need for

orderliness so that we, as a tribe, may stay focused and clear in the

direction we are going and the places we have been. Roberts Rules of

Order could be used as a guide to help us get to that orderliness in our

Executive Committee and General Council meetings.

Previously, I have had the honor and privilege of serving on various

Boards and Committee’s such as the AST Housing Authority Board for ten

years; U.S. Postal Office AA/EEO Committee; Keyworker for Combined

Federal Campaign; Loaned Executive to United Way for federal agencies;

Mail Handler Union Steward; Primary Union Steward; Site core Team and

Safety Committee; co-coordinated the early Commodity (Food Distribution)

program and most recently the AST Community Development Financial

Initiative (CDFI). I understand the way Board’s and Committee’s should and

could be run and am clear on Roberts Rules of Order; Open Meetings Act

and the AST Constitution. As Treasurer I will follow the Constitution. I am

eligible to be bonded under a bona fide bond as I am financially solvent. I have

a high credit rating, steady retirement, own my own home and I am blessed

with self-sufficient children. If elected I will be at the Office every day of the

week. I will not exhaust our travel fund. I will be professional and conduct the

business of the tribe.

My career began with me being a delivery driver for the University of

Oklahoma Health Sciences Center printing where I worked for 8 years.

For the next 17.5 years I did outside printing and press work for Unique

Printing, Quintel Printing, Norman Transcript, Southwest Printing and

Digital Graphics. I served for 1 year as the Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s

Project Specialist in the Cultural Preservation program. Since 2011 I

have worked as the Media Director for our tribe.

If I am elected as your Representative I commit to you that I will listen

to your concerns, address them timely and do all that I may to address

issues like those that are present in our financial and health systems,

review our business development opportunities and sustainability of

current businesses. I will also work towards supporting language and

cultural initiatives for our children and youth. As an example:

I have over thirty years of professional work experience. In 1977 I

enlisted with the U.S. Air Force and received my basic training at the Lackland

Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. From there I gained Top Secret Clearance

to work in encrypting. I returned to the U.S. and was honorably discharged in

1980. From that time forward I began my career and have worked in a variety

of positions within several federal agencies, i.e. Indian Health Service, Tinker

AFB and U.S. Post Office and most recently as a temporary employee in the

AST Governor’s Office.

Business ventures that need sustainable options:

Cattle operation:

• Manage our cowherd records – use a spread sheet listing

each cow in the herd by ear tag number, annual calving date

and what happened to the calf.

• Annual expenditure projections be given to EC and tribe for

cattle feed, vet services and other yearly costs.

• Commercial Operation v Registered Herd – attend registered

angus events and become familiar with level of effort needed

for either a commercial or registered herd plan and make

determination which will bring the most return to the tribe.

• Market Assistance – consider developing a resource network

with trusted marketing firms like the Stockman Oklahoma

Cattle Marketing or a similar source.

• Cattle Management plan -­ Spring versus fall calving. By

developing a good cattle management plan it will assist in

identifying when calves are to be marketed and then aid in

developing a plan to target that market.

Health System:

• What level of involvement does our tribe have in the operation

of the health system? We, the tribal members, need to review

the operations of the health system and give guidance to

what we want it to have within it and run the Li-Si-Wi-Nwi ‘For

Profit’ health corporation like the business it should be.

Language and Culture:

• Recently the Health Corporation(s) received a grant that will

allows for Tribal Culture to be added to/for the grant, thus

the development of a pilot language course for kids who are

enrolled tribal members. Language is an integral part of who

we are as a tribe and I believe we should support these types

of opportunities and expand them through media outlets and

expanded communication forums.

I learned from my father, a preacher, that to give is better than to

receive. Thus, I began my earliest work effort as a volunteer and have continued

to give back. In 1982 I assisted with the Community Health Merger which

ensured our people received food baskets; in 1982 I received a community

service award due to my early intervention to appropriately administer record

keeping at our Shawnee clinic which at that time was still under the Indian

Health Service; assisted in the development and structure of our AST Housing

Authority and was certified at Level 1 by NAIHC; in my role as Union Steward

I researched and interviewed each incident to ensure that Mail Handler’s

grievances were represented and addressed based on Union standards and

those efforts got me an Outstanding Service Award; as a Diversity Board

member I helped to develop goals and got input from members resulting in a

letter of commendation from the OKC District Manager.

To better understand a diverse work force and the challenges it

presented I did what my Dad always stressed to me ‘Get an education’. I

had received on the job experience and military training and felt compelled

to go further for myself, my family and my people. In 1999 I received an

Associate’s in Applied Science Business Administration from Rose State

College and was on the VP’s Honor Roll. In 2003 I graduated from OU with a

Bachelor of Liberal Studies in ‘Focus Administrative Leadership’ and in 2005

received a Masters in Human Relations.

I believe that ‘now is the time’ for us to take a new direction and work

to make a difference for our children, their children, our veterans, our

elders and for all of our tribal members. I stand willing and able to

‘Represent’ the tribe by supporting our constitution, our laws, and our

traditions.

I have ‘fought the good fight’ for our country. I stand ready to take on

the challenges happening due to select leaders in Office. We need individuals

in Office who want to advance our tribe and do so through a professional,

ethical and educated way. I have worked outside of our Tribe and brought

back what I have learned to improve our productivity and efficiency.

Together – we can Make A Difference!

I ask for your vote on March 18, 2016.

I ask for your vote on March 18, 2016.

35

Dear Fellow Tribal Members,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Scott Miller, son of Glenn and

Redena Miller, grandson of the late Lewis and Cynthia Blanchard. I live in the Shawnee area with my wife Alicia,

a.k.a Aly and our sons, Connor and Brody. I am an active participant of the North Dance Ground and strongly

believe in our Shawnee traditions. I earned my Bachelors degree in Business Administration and my Masters

of Business Administration from St. Gregory’s University. My experience as a former Executive Committee

member has helped me understand our tribal constitution, federal regulations, tribal finances and funding sources

that support our programs. I am running for office because I strongly believe our tribe can achieve much more

financially.

First and foremost our tribal constitution states the Treasurer is the “custodian of all monies” and “will

submit financial reports and audit results” to the Executive Committee and at the semi-annual General Council

meetings. Whether our finances are in the black or red, the Treasurer must report the tribe’s finances. This

constitutional requirement provides the transparency our tribal members look for to be assured the tribe is on a

stable financial foundation.

Tribal gaming has been our main revenue generator for many years. It has funded and supplemented

many programs, such as School Clothing Assistance, Burial Assistance, and Cultural Preservation. In order for

us to continue to fund these and other service programs, it is imperative we have other forms of income as the

tribal membership continues to grow. Large or small, on trust land or not, it is important we seek legitimate

businesses now in order for us to survive in this economic climate.

Also, we are heavily dependent on federal funds in the form of Self-Governance Compacts and grants

to provide services to our tribal membership. In this day of national, political fighting, it is very concerning that

federal funds can be cut at any time, potentially leaving the tribe without the resources to provide services. Other fund sources, such as the Salazar v. Ramah

Navajo contract support cost settlement award, would best benefit the tribe in supplementing service programs and strategically purchasing property to increase

our land base. Any funds the tribe receives from lawsuit settlements like this should be carefully invested for the tribe to use in future endeavors.

It takes an individual who has the knowledge and financial experience to fight for our funding, whether on the federal or state level. I strongly believe my

experience and education will protect and preserve our tribal monies according to our constitution and beyond. Once elected, I will work to develop legitimate

business opportunities in addition to create/update our financial policies, insuring our monies are safe, properly report to the AST people and spent in the proper

fiducial manner. I formally announce my candidacy for the office of Treasurer of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. I appreciate you support in the March 19th Primary

Election.

Ne yi wa!

Scott Miller

White

KATHY DEERE

Turkey

FOR TREASURER Band

Political Forum

ACCOUNTABLE-COMMITTED-INTEGRITY

Previously served four (4) years as Tribal Treasurer & would like an opportunity

to serve Tribal Members again! I pledge to give a financial report to executive

committee members and tribal members on a regular basis in newsletter and/or

website. I’m committed to our Tribe and have served with honesty and values in

all my endeavors! I pledge to be available, dedicated , & trustworthy to serving

YOU as an elected official should!

VOTE KATHY DEERE, March 19, 2016

36

The White Turkey Band

will be hosting an Political

forum on February 13th

2016, from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M.

At Horseshoe Bend building

46309 Garrett’s Lake Rd.,

Shawnee, OK. For more

Information please Contact

Gwen Switch-­

Cell phone

(405)-­204-­9612

ALL CANDIDATES

ARE INVITED

our Foster Care Committee. If you are interested in becoming part of our

team, please send a letter to the Secretary that states your interest in

becoming a member of our Committee.

FOSTER CARE

<<<NOTICE>>>

Currently there are three (3) openings on

the Foster Care Board. If you are interested

in serving on the board, send your letter of

interest to Secretary Dawsey at the Tribal

Complex, 2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr., Shawnee,

OK 73801.

Native American youth are facing

Native

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Native American youth have two distinct influences, that of their family of origin and that of their

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405-878-4702

Shawnee children; in turn, helping those children become the

outside of their families, tribes,

parents that their children will need them to be. Our children are

and Native American culture and

our future, what will we have our future be?

all this contributes to significant

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE CHILD WELFARE

405-878-4702 (ext. 133)

social problems. The story of Native

American people is a complicated

one marked by significant trauma

and atrocities. Often times this

trauma consisted of the removal

of abuse which happened to

these young and vulnerable children in many of these schools resulted in

overwhelming intergenerational trauma and unresolved grief. This trauma which

interrupted the ability to parent has led directly to the most current social

problems that plague Native American communities today including alcohol/

drug abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse and parenting

deficiencies. All of these problems have contributed to the break-down of

the family unit, leading to the removal of large numbers of Native American

youth from their families. The journey of healing and breaking the cycles which

have been put in place by the historical trauma experienced by generations of

Native Americans requires that the cultural identity for so long denied to these

children be returned. Native American youth have two distinct influences, that

of their family of origin and that of their caregivers. Absentee Shawnee Tribal

Foster Care is in need of homes for children that are in our child welfare system.

Your participation in being a foster parent helps to ensure that these children

have positive connections to their culture which in helps nurture a positive

sense of identification as a Native American. By being willing to do this, you

can be a valuable part of the healing journey that will help strengthen this

next generation of Absentee Shawnee children; in turn, helping those children

become the parents that their children will need them to be. Our children are

our future, what will we have our future be? Will you, as Absentee Shawnee

member, do your part if you are able?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT, PLEASE CONTACT

JULIANN WILSON ICW/CPS/FOSTER CARE AT 275-4030, EXT. 133.

Racial disproportionality is defined as the over-or

under-representation of certain groups (e.g. racial/

ethnic, gender, age) relative to the group’s proportion

in the general population. Reports conducted in

2008 showed that, compared to other groups, Native

American children were:

• 3 times more likely to be referred to CPS

• 1.6 times more likely to be removed from their

biological homes

• Twice as likely to remain in foster care for over

two years

• Less likely to be adopted and more likely to be in

guardianships

• Less likely to be reunited with their biological

parents

The sad reality is that there are not enough culturally appropriate homes for these

children, resulting in the placement of Native American children in homes that do not

share their cultural heritage or traditions. We want to place “our tribal” children in our

own homes, to do this we need tribal members to open their homes and their hearts.

Are you willing to open your heart? Are you willing to open your home?

If so, please contact Julie Wilson ICW/FC/CPS 878-4702 (ext. 133).

WHAT IS A FOSTER CARE WORKER?

Foster care caseworker training involves completing a bachelor's

degree program in social work through a college or university.

Students take courses in psychology, abnormal psychology,

sociology, economics, ethics, child welfare policies and complete a

supervised internship.

The child’s Foster Care Worker needs to be a partner with the foster

parents to ensure that each child receives the full spectrum of

services provided and/or arranged by the Department.

Some aspects of this relationship include the following:

• Sharing information on an ongoing basis regarding the

child’s individual needs, family situation and adjustment to the

foster home

• Encouraging the foster parents to participate in the total

service planning process

• Providing the foster parents the opportunity to discuss the

child’s progress and any unmet needs which they assess

• Providing the foster parent with information, support,

guidance and referrals to other professionals on the child’s

behalf

• Helping the foster family, when necessary, to identify and

obtain services for the foster child; e.g., medical, educational

• Ensuring that the foster family, on the child’s behalf, has

access to all financial resources available to the child while in

foster care.

A Foster Care Worker works in conjunction with Tribal Courts,

Tribal Law Enforcement, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other county

services. Indian Child Welfare’s goal is to ensure the safety of our

tribal children when they placed in foster care. The homes that our

tribal children are placed in must complete Child Welfare Background

Check, OSBI Background Check, Income Verification, Home Study,

and a Physical. Our AST foster homes are licensed by our Foster

Care Committee.

Foster Care Payments are as follows:

0-5 age $14.73 day $441.97 month

6-12 age $17.12 day $513.57 month

12 and over $19.30 day $579.13 month

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE P A Y M E N T, A L L THE A B O V E

M U ST B E M E T A N D TURNED I N TO THE STATE.

O N CE PROCESSED STATE P A Y M E N T W I L L B E ISSUED .

This is just a little information on what type of work a foster care

worker performs on a daily basis. If you are interested in becoming

a foster home, please call 405-878-4030 ext. 133.

37

AST Special Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

38

39

Lips-­‐ho-­‐se-­‐ke-­‐sa-­‐wi-­‐

Nose-­‐ho-­‐ge-­‐se

Eye brow-­‐mi-­‐mi-­‐we-­‐ni-­‐ke

Language Corner

RETURN SERVICE

REQUESTED

Facial parts-­‐Shawnee Language

Neck-­‐ho-­‐qa-­‐ki-­‐ki

Chin-­‐ho-­‐ti-­‐pe-­‐ki-­‐ki

Cheek-­‐ho-­‐no-­‐wi-­‐wi-­‐le

Ear-­‐ho-­‐ti-­‐wi-­‐le

Eyes-­‐ho-­‐se-­‐ke-­‐se-­‐ko

Volume 27 No. 45 ❤ February 2016

Hair-­‐ho-­‐we-­‐la-­‐fi

OF INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA

2025 S. GORDON COOPER DR.

SHAWNEE, OK 74801

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

Gov.

Lt. Gov.

Secreta

Treas

Governor Edwina Butler-Wolfe . 6308 FINANCE

Eddie Brokeshoulder ................... 6307 Belinda Collins(Controller) .................... 6283

Lesa Shaw ..................................... 6269 Genevieve Foster(Asst.

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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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