# Tribe Offers Homeowner Assistance Fund (2022) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aabsentee%3Ac544fec711f8ee3f ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE NEWS www.astribe.com April 2022 Volume 32, No. 04 Tribe Offers Homeowner Assistance Fund Photos L-R: Administrative Assistant, Ashlynn Gouge helps Tribal member Earl Ash and his wife Tammy with his application. The HAF Staff (L-R): Finance Clerk, Taylor Masquas; Project Coordinator, Jordan Herrod; Administrative Assistant, Ashlynn Gouge. The American Rescue Plan Act provides the funds for the Homeowners Assistance Fund to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020. $498 million has been designated for Tribes or Tribally designated housing entities and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. We are thrilled to announce the Absentee Shawnee Tribe is a recipient of a portion of these funds to provide much-needed assistance to our tribal homeowners and other local tribal homeowners! The program will focus on three areas for HOMEOWNERS: mortgage payment assistance, utility payment assistance and property charges. “Last year we surveyed members and these were the top three areas that tribal members wanted assistance with.” Secretary Alicia Miller explained. “We are glad to be able to use these funds to help our members with mortgage payments and utility costs. COVID is still here and many members are still dealing with the hardship this virus has caused.” Nationwide eligibility is available to AST members. Non AST’s (other Native Americans) are eligible but must live in Pottawatomie County. “Many times the programs we offer are strictly for the tribal jurisdiction. The members who live out of state don’t get to participate.” Miller said. “It’s a good feeling knowing that we don’t have to exclude members based on where they live. This is an income based program. The program can provide assistance up to a maximum amount of $8,000. The money can be split between homeowner utilities, homeowner mortgage payments or homeowner property taxes and insurance. Payments will be issued directly to utility companies, mortgage lenders, tax assessors and/or insurance companies. The money can also be split between the three areas. “If a tribal member is behind on their house payment, they can use this money to catch up. Or they could even use it on different utilities. “Miller said. “The good thing about this program is it can really help members with their bills. Unlike other assistance programs, HAF allows members to pay more than one utility bill.” The Homeowner Assistance Fund will help with electric, gas, water, internet service, home energy, solid waste disposal and sewer. Utility repairs and installation are not covered. Tribal members must be 18 years or older at the time of application and limited to one AST member per household. The household income must be 150 percent of the area median income and must be for the applicant’s primary residence. AST homeowner, residential and habitable, (includes manufactured housing), unpaid homes within a housing authority program do not qualify; however, paid off homes do qualify. Members must also attest to financial hardship after January 1, 2020 due to COVID-19. HAF is a one-time assistance and can’t be duplicative of any other federally funded homeowner assistance program. To apply online, go to https://www. a s t r i b e . c om / for ms / Hom e ow n e r s Assistance-Fund-Program. Applications can be turned in by mail, email (HAF@ astribe.com) or delivered in person by appointment. To make an appointment or receive an application, please call the HAF Staff at (405) 275-4030 - Jordan Herrod - HAF Project Coordinator x 2009; Ashlynn Gouge - HAF Administrative Assistant x 6446 or Taylor Masquas – HAF Finance Clerk x 6447. “The repercussions of COVID will be felt for a long time. The cost of food, gas and utilities keeps rising. It’s a great feeling know our tribal homeowners won’t have to worry so much about keeping their homes.” said Miller. “The great American dream is home ownership and we want to help them keep that dream alive.” The HAF Program will be operational until all funds have been disbursed. Food Pantry Adding More Items Pictured are items included in a monthly box. The AST Food Pantry opened its doors last September and has substantially expanded their offerings. The food pantry initially served less than 50 families in the opening month. Now six months later, they are helping up to 200 families each month. When they first opened, the boxes of food offered only canned goods, rice and cereal. But now the boxes contain peanut butter and jelly, juice, flour or cornmeal, granola bars, more pasta and canned good choices, oatmeal and pancake mix. The pantry hopes to keep adding different food items and eventually giving out cold items such as meat and eggs. “We gave out hamburger meat last December and hope to do it again.” said Food Pantry warehouse shelves stocked. Food Pantry Director Falon Powell. “We have refrigerators here and we’re trying to find more vendors to add more items.” All AST households qualify as there are no income restrictions. Distribution dates are once a month by appointment only. Distribution days are on Wednesdays 9am to 6pm and Thursdays 9am to 5pm by scheduled appoint- ments. Office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 3pm. Applications are available online, www. astribe.com or by calling the Food Pantry at (405) 481-8640. There are also applications located outside of the food pantry at 40210 Benson Park Road. 2A www.astribe.com EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GOVERNOR’S REPORT John Johnson, AST Governor Hello fellow tribal members, Wow it is already April! Little league baseball and softball have begun to practice and summer time will be here before we know it. I am hoping the Oklahoma weather lets us have a spring before that hot summer weather is here. April also brings the 88th Semi-Annual General Council Meeting. Our tribal meeting will be on April 9th, 2022 at 10:00am at the Thunderbird Event Center GOVERNOR John Johnson LT. GOVERNOR’S REPORT Ezra DeLodge, AST Lt. Governor Lt. GOVERNOR Ezra DeLodge SECRETARY Alicia Miller TREASURER Joseph Blanchard REPRESENTATIVE DeWayne Wilson Tribal Members, A few updates from departments within my oversight. These come directly from the Directors and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact my office or the Directors themselves. Maintenance: The Maintenance staff has completed 24 work orders since 2/14/22 and during the time we are getting carports installed in the parking lots for Tribal vehicles. I also want to thank the Maintenance and Housekeeping crew for all their hard work. Agriculture: Spring time is almost upon us, and that means that seeds have been put in the ground. The Agriculture Dept. staff has been working since the beginning of the year to identify, improve and prepare plots of lands that could be used for planting seeds to provide a variety of produce to be utilized through the Food Sovereignty Project. Through the Food Sovereignty Project, several avenues have been created and utilized to help promote production. A couple of avenues utilized are: • Prescribed Fire- prescribed fire is used as a land management tool as a better low cost resource to clear overgrown vegetation on lands that have been sitting idle for several years. Greenhouses-Seeds have been planted so that distribution can be made to tribal members interested in planting them in their own garden plots. A variety of plants will be available such as: tomato, squash, cucumber, peppers, beans and any other suggestions from those interested in gardening. Distribution will begin April 18, as this will be the time in which the threat of severe frost has passed and the soil temperatures have risen. We will be at 40210 Benson Park Road for distribution. SECRETARY’S REPORT Alicia Miller, AST Secretary Ho wa se ke sa ke! As we embrace the spring season and time change, it is also time to welcome you, the tribal membership, to the 88th Semi-Annual General Council set for a little later this month. It is always good to see everyone who can attend, and it is always good to have active dialog for the benefit of the tribe as a whole. I am very much looking forward to it. One topic I would like to cover this month is the recent opinion handed down on March 15th from the Supreme Court of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. In short, the Supreme Court affirmed the Lt. Governor’s term expires in 2024. There is no Executive Committee seat that is up for election in 2022. The Executive Committee petitioned the Supreme Court for a Declaratory Judgment in December of 2021. The Executive Committee sought an interpretation of Article VIII of the Constitution of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, last amended May 10, 2019. It was the Executive Committee’s position, in regards (not Election Commission races) to the Lt. Governor’s position as defined in the Constitution; there was no “annual election” in accordance in Little Axe. The EC will be giving their reports along with the report from our health director on the expansion of the clinic. I hope to see everyone there. Soil samples and the survey have been completed for the new police department building. We are waiting on the reports to be able to move to the next step which will be the bidding process. It is exciting to see the stakes and flags that will soon become this new much needed building. On March 10th, 2022 the flags on campus were lowered to half-mast to honor the late Danny Little Axe Sr. Mr. Little Axe served 2 terms as Governor and 1 • April 2022 term as Lt. Governor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. He also served on various boards and was a consultant for the Tribal Government Institute. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Little Axe. The complex has been opened and all staff is on campus. But we still ask that you make an appointment with the department that you need to do business with to reduce the amount of people on campus. We ask that you wear a mask and please be sure to social distance as much as possible. Community Outreach- for those interested in planting a garden and need ground plowed, disked and tilled, contact the Ag Dept. staff to sign up. • Growing Boxes- for those who don’t have areas to plant in, an alternative is to plant in growing boxes. The Ag Dept. is working hard on getting orders done to provide a box that measures 4x8 to plant seeds or put starter plants in. Soil will be provided. • 3-Sisters Youth Project- a package containing seeds of Corn, Squash and Beans, known as the 3-Sisters will be provided to any youth interested in planting them as an introduction to gardening/agriculture. Please contact the Ag Dept. staff if you are interested in making a garden this year. We will assist as much as possible, provide any information needed and continue to create new avenues that could be beneficial in providing fresh produce direct from field to table. Andy Warrior (405) 432-6257 Jennifer Howell (405) 827-6545 Craig Blanchard (405) 434-4300 OEH: OEH Update March 2022 in total for 2022 OEH has assisted Tribal members with 12 different septic renovations and installations, water well drilling and installations, well renovations, and community water connections. For 2022, we have collected, processed, and recycled 4 bales of shredded office paper and cardboard equaling roughly 8 tons of recyclable waste that has been diverted from landfills. OEH is currently working on logistics for transportation to deliver 5 large storage containers of electronic waste for recycling. This is roughly five years of electronic waste that has been collected by the Tribe and diverted from landfills. Construction on the Youth Camp cabins, and bathhouse have been complete. Engineering plans for the loop road at the camp have been completed and construction of the entry gate is set to begin. The architectural design and engineering phase of the new Police Safety Center has begun. The geotechnical report process and land survey for the building have been completed. We are meeting with the Architectural Design team on a weekly basis, updating timelines and fine-tuning the building design. Construction is still set to begin around June 2022. We have received notification from EPA that we have been awarded funding for Fiscal Year 2022 for 128(a) Brownfields Program. On March 8 we submitted our grant application for Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 for the EPA Performance Partnership Grant. Jarrod Lloyd OEH&E Director jlloyd@astribe.com (405) 214-4235 Wood Cutting Program & Land Managment: Land Management has been working with Ag department with land projects. The department assisted with prescribed burns on tribe land, helping out with plowing gardens and clearing fence row for over grown trees. Land Management has been clearing honey locust (big thorn trees) on tribe lands. We will continue to help tribe member’s needs. Please contact me at 405-395-8101 or email at cmartinez@astribe.com for any questions or concerns. BIA Tribal Housing Improvement Program: Since our inception three months ago, our department has processed 46 THIP Applications, conducted 33 home assessment and working to complete our fifth application. In March, we experienced a few work delays due to inclement weather COVID concerns and lack of staffing. The THIP program is still seeking two (2) fulltime qualified candidates to complete our team. See Employment Opportunities on ASTRIBE.COM website. Keyword: Carpenter and Maintenance. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me by email ezrad@astribe.com , call my office 405-275-4030 x 6253 or cell 405-432-0733. Respectfully, Lt. Governor DeLodge with the definition of “Annual Election” under Article VI Elections, Section 7 (a), which defines an annual election as follows: “(a) Annual Election: Held on the third Saturday in June primarily for the purpose of electing persons to fill those positions whose terms expire for the given year. It is conducted by the Election Commission. Voting is by secret ballot at polling places. Absentee voting is permitted. Unless provision is made in the Election Ordinance for a run off, the outcome of the election shall be decided by plurality. Lt. Governor DeLodge shifted up to complete Lt. Governor Blanchard’s term, which expires in 2024. To me, whether it is a 2-year term, 4-year term or whatever the term may be – the terms are to be completed until the term expires for the given year. This is what was done in 2003, when Governor James Lee Edwards passed and in 2007, when Governor Jennifer Onzawah resigned. Thinking in a governmental state of mind (but also generalizing), when U.S. Presidents or a state Governor passes or steps down while in office, the next in line shifts to fulfill that term. There is a succession lined out in the event of unfortunate circumstances such as these occurring. Contrary to what some may think, the Executive Committee is following the Constitution and I feel, in this case, the Supreme Court got it right. Switching gears, learning the passing of Dan Little Axe Sr. was a sad day - a sad day for his family and a sad day for the tribe. In the days that followed, our tribal campus flags were flown at half-staff in his memory. His name will always be synonymous with our tribal government as the 1st Governor of our modern AST Constitution. I also would like to acknowledge on behalf of the tribe of his efforts to institute tribal gaming for ASTs in the 1980’s. My heart goes out to his wife, Georgia, their children, and the entire the Little Axe family. He will be missed by many and may he rest in peace. I also would like to restate my concluding sentiment from last month - I give each of you well wishes, happiness and joy in your times of celebration this month. I also give to you my empathy, kindness and compassion for those who encounter worries, sadness, illness and/or grief this month. Si li no ke ka no la. Ne yi wa. Alicia Miller Tribal Secretary (405)287-5247 April 2022 TREASURER’S REPORT Joseph Blanchard, AST Treasurer Hello fellow Tribal members and friends: Spring is here. I always love this time of year because one can see, hear, and smell the changing of the seasons. Many events will begin as families start to hit the lake, attend softball games, and have outdoor activities and cookouts. I love the smell of a good fire and food cooking on the grill. Also, our traditional grounds will start preparing for Bread Dance ceremonies. As a practitioner of our culture, I look forward to this special practice as we become one with nature, nurture our spirits, and enjoy the fellowship with our relations. Before I get into the rest of my article, I would be remiss if I didn’t make a few comments on the passing of one of our former Executives, Dan Little Axe, Sr. This is the 2nd consecutive year we’ve lost someone that was a vital part of our history during their terms as an official. In these situations, collaterally, much of our institutional knowledge is lost with them. As a show of respect for his contributions and service to the Tribe, I requested our flags at all AST properties to be lowered to half-staff. For those who were not familiar, Dan was elected as Governor, Lt. Governor, and he served on a multitude of AST boards throughout his career. His vision and leadership assisted our Tribe with many improvements to the AST Complex; the creation of the IHS facility which would later become our AST Clin- REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT DeWayne Wilson, AST Representative Hello Tribal Members, I hope your family, is in good health and continue to take the necessary precautions pertaining to the pandemic. This March, the pandemic and the winter weather created more challenges (splitshifts and closing of the Tribal complex). The good news is the Executive Committee decided to move the Tribe back to Level 3, appointment only, due to the decline of COVID 19 numbers in March 2022. For all the Tribal members that are not able to attend the 88TH Annual General Council, I want to give everyone the opportunity to see the department/program accomplishments that I have oversite of; Education, Cultural Preservation, Gaming Commission, and Youth Camp. Education Department; • The Education Director and I developed a three year plan which www.astribe.com 3A ic; and was a part of the creation of our initial bingo facility which would transition into Thunderbird Casino. There are many other unmentioned things he accomplished but I am fully aware of the love he has for his family, his People, and his Creator. He is someone to be emulated and recognized for his influence and impact on the Tribe. Neyiwa, Pops! We’ll take it from here. In other news, the Semi-Annual General Council meeting is scheduled for 10 AM Saturday, April 9th at Thunderbird Casino in Little Axe. We encourage membership to attend this meeting in order to participate in the process. This is a chance to express your concerns to Leadership and have those issues addressed. If you were unable to attend in person, members can request a copy of the GC Booklet be mailed to their residence. We hope to see you there. Recently, the AST Supreme Court issued their ruling regarding the Declaratory Judgement in Case No. ASSC 202101, Executive Committee vs. Election Commission. This became an issue when the Commission suggested there was a vacancy in the Lt. Governor’s seat, due to the passing of Ken Blanchard, and they wanted to have an election to fill his seat. The Executive Committee disagreed and said, no vacancy exists since we have followed the Constitution and subsequent Supreme Court rulings over “ascension” due to death or resignation, and asserted there is not to be an annual election until at least 2023, and the term does not expire until 2024. The intent was to prevent false information from being distribut- ed and to not waste effort, time, and resources. Here is an excerpt from the Supreme Court Justice’s opinion: “the Plaintiff Executive Committee is granted permanent injunctive relief, prohibiting the Defendant Election Commission from taking any actions to fill Ken Blanchard’s elected position as Lieutenant Governor, until a time commensurate procedurally with the expiration of the four (4) year term when the next scheduled election for Executive Committee would occur.” Normally, I would not make mention about this determination as some might take it as gloating. But, I have to say this much as it reflects upon my interpretation and opinion of how a portion of my term in office has occurred. Over the last 18 months, myself or members of the Executive Committee have been ridiculed publicly and privately through conversation, or slandered on Social Media. Yes, I understand these are some of the downfalls of tribal service and being in the public’s eye. As I have mentioned in the past, these inherited issues have been existent long before I came into office; but we are fixing the problems and making amends as necessary. The majority has been resolved but some require more work and can’t be completed overnight. The difficulty here resides in these outlandish assertions or insinuations. Some have asked, “why don’t y’all respond?” The simple answer is, I/we know the truth about the improvements and changes. Why argue with an individual who already has their mind made up and believes those comments. Even when presented with the facts, that information is manipulated or twisted into some other allegation of fault or wrongdoing. Here is the premise I want to convey to our People. “We are in an historic time of our Tribe due to the Pandemic. With the CARES and ARPA funding, we have been allowed an opportunity to expand operations and provide assistance to our members like never before. We should be celebrating the new construction, the extra distribution payments, the completion of projects, and the creation of additional venues. As the Treasurer, I have worked tirelessly with the Executive Committee to find ways to help ALL our folks, not just a select group or a specific family. I have suggested Unity and Teamwork as alternatives to the dissension, division, and negativity. Though some may not agree with the final decision, I always provide an unbiased and fair opinion on issues, always look for the good, ask how does this improve our program, and how does it help the tribal member.” As I close, I want to say “Thank you!” to those of you for the continued support and advice. I am always grateful for the opportunity to serve the People and my Tribe. I look forward to seeing you in the future and always do my best to acknowledge our Tribal members when I see them in public. Should you have any questions or would like to express your concerns, do not hesitate to call or send me an email. increased the funding for the next three years by using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This will apply to the different programs within the Education Department. This was long overdue. • Also, we increased funding to the Workforce Development and Career Initiative that allows funding to tribal members/dedicated employees to acquire a skill set to further their careers. This initiative is still in developmental stage. Cultural Preservation Department; • The Cultural Preservation Director and I recouped funding from ARPA funding due to the negative impact the COVID- 19 pandemic had toward these programs (Gift Shop and the ANA Language Grant). Both the Education and Cultural Preservation departments were design/ categorized for ARPA funding. • Also, we worked with representa- tives of the ANA grant to obtain an extension pertaining to the Language Grant which is a three year grant. The Cultural Preservation Director did a great job accomplishing this task. Gaming Commission; • A new Executive Director of Gaming Commission was hired who is a Tribal member and filled two empty/ vacant Compliance positions with Tribal members. • A Resolution was approved to add another Gaming Commissioner (from two to three) to the Gaming Ordinance and then it will need NIGC approval. Youth Camp; • One Health Module building has been completed. • Two Camp Cabins and one Bath house have been completed. I would like to acknowledge these accomplishments were only possible with this Executive Committee working col- laboratively and having the shared vision to invest in our tribal membership. I would like to say “Thank You” to all the Directors and the many employees for exhibiting a positive, team- oriented, work environment that resulted in these accomplishments. My hope is that this Executive Committee will continue to work diligently and efficiently to the continued advancement and development our Tribal government/programs. In closing, I like to send out my heartfelt condolences to the Little Axe family and other families that have lost loved ones. Our Tribe lost a great man and Tribal leader in Mr. Danny Little Axe. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact my office at (405) 2754030, Ext.6239 or by email: dewayne.wilson@astribe.com Neyiwa! Joseph H. Blanchard Respectfully, DeWayne Wilson Tribal Representative April 2022 4A www.astribe.com 2022-2023 Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess Hello my friends, it’s a good day! My name is Pe Ti Ki M’se (pee-tah-kahmsee) Zoli Layne Gibson. I am 7 years old and attend first grade at Little Axe Elementary. I am the only daughter of Taylor McClellan and Kyle Gibson. I have four older brothers: Nick, Kelin, Kingston and Grayson Wayne. My paternal grandparents are Pamela (Freeman) Gibson and Jeff Gibson. My maternal grandparents Teresa Bible and the late Billy McClellan, Sr. I was brought into the arena as soon as I could walk, just like my late grandfather and mother before me. I am an enrolled member of the Absentee-Shawnee tribe, I am turtle clan and my Shawnee name translates as “makes water foamy; when turtle swims up and makes the water foamy”. I am a descendant of the Sac and Fox, Ioway, Otoe-Missouria, Cherokee and Mvskoke Nations. I enjoy drawing, coloring, singing, dancing at powwows, attending our Native American Church, cheerleading, wrestling, softball and time with my family. Thank you to my family and friends for the support and encouraging words, also to the Changing Winds Cultural Society for giving me the honor of representing your organization as the incoming 2022-2023 Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess. It will be a great year, Ne Yi Wa! Melokami 2022 S P R I N G B R E A K C A M P Education Department: Camp Nikoti Tribal Youth Program Indian Child Welfare (ICW) In this Tribe NOBODY fights alone! April was first declared Child Abuse Prevention Month by presidential proclamation in 1983. Since then, April has been a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse, and to promote the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities and promote prevention across the country. Pinwheels are a national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. Shining in the sun, the pinwheel is reflective of the bright future all children deserve and our belief that preventing child abuse early is less costly then mending broken lives later. Indian Child Welfare has planned several activities throughout the month of April to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities as well to promote prevention across our community. During the month, you can make a big difference through small acts that help protect children, strengthen families, promote traits that help protect families – and, ultimately, prevent the abuse and neglect of children. For more information on how you can make a difference during the month, please email ICW@astribe.com or call 405-395-4490. Be a Child Abuse Warrior Events and Activities Fridays, April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Wednesday, April 6, 2:00PM Blue Selfie/Wear Blue Day Pinwheel Garden A simple gesture can make all the difference. Ask your family, friends, coworkers to join you for Wear Blue Day to help generate awareness about child abuse and neglect in native country. Take a picture of you wearing blue and holding one of ICW’s Child Abuse Prevention signs, and then send it to ICW@astribe.com to be entered in our drawing for a prize. Please join ICW and the AST Housing Authority in Planting a Pinwheel Garden to increase awareness and prevent child abuse and neglect. Monday, April 18, 10:00AM Blueberry Muffins Please join ICW and enjoy a muffin and juice/coffee. We will have a Photo Booth, so stop by and take a few pictures. If you see it, REPORT it! Oklahoma Abuse Hotline: 1-800-522-3511 or www.okhotline.org April 2022 www.astribe.com 5A Cultural Preservation Department The Cultural Preservation Department has continued to carry out essential day to day operations to ensure the department continues to function properly. Currently, all staff members are available full time in the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gift Shop We are happy to announce the gift shop is open to all customers for in-store shopping! However, individuals wanting to shop need to make an appointment with the Gift Shop Manager, Mrs. Merry Rodriguez, 24 hours in advance. Also, upon arrival please check in at the checkpoint. Mrs. Rodriguez can be reached at (405) 275-4030 ext. 6310. We have two locations for your shopping. Our Shawnee Gift Shop is located at the complex in the Cultural Preservation building, and our Little Axe Gift Shop is located in the lobby of the Little Axe Health Center. We are open in Shawnee Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and once a month, usually at the end of the month, in Little Axe from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Further, to ensure the safety and protect the health of all, the Gift Shop has implemented the following 5 safety protocols that we ask visitors to follow: 1. All are required to cover their mouth and nose with PPE (masks) when shopping in the Gift Shop. 2. Occupancy Control – for your safety and the safety of our employees, we are limiting the number of customers in the gift shop. a. Only 2 customers will be allowed in at a time 3. Avoid close contact (Social Distance) a. Please keep 6 feet between you and other customers 4. Use hand sanitizer as often as possible 5. Sorry…NO public restroom is available. Temporarily closed due to COVID-19. We continue to make progress in new inventory, but as stated previously, we still are experiencing shortages and delays. However, soon be on the lookout for new color schemes of our AST t-shirts for spring. Also, we continue to look and reach out to new businesses especially Native American owned businesses in hopes of bringing in new inventory. Some inventory that the gift shop recently received can be seen in the picture to the left. If you haven’t been in the store lately, please make an appointment and stop by to shop. Library We are happy to announce that we have opened the library to the public! However, like the Gift Shop, we ask that you follow all the protocols mentioned above, and that you call Ms. Casey Wilson, the Librarian, to make an appointment 24 hours in advance. She can be reached at (405) 275-4030 ext. 6416. Since the launching of OverDrive, the online access to library holdings, we have had 28 online checkouts and 3 people use the ABCmouse app. For more information or to receive your login information, please contact Ms. Wilson. Also, the library will start to feature an article in every newsletter spotlighting a book of the month. For the month of April, the book on spotlight is “The Hidden One”. Please see the separate article for more details. THPO The THPO Program continues to make great strides and advancements. The THPO staff has steadily been receiving Section 106 projects from various Federal Agencies. Over the past month, the THPO Officer, Mrs. Devon Frazier-Smith, has received 200 new Section 106 projects for review. In conjunction with receiving projects, the program has consulted on 160 projects. These projects were completed in 20 of our 25 areas of interest/states. The THPO has also taken part in 16 teleconference calls as it concerns Section 106 projects as well as NAGPRA cases. FCC/TCNS In lieu of the shutdowns from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the incoming workflow of new and modified telecommunications projects has been steady for the TCNS program. The THPO Specialist, Ms. Ashley Brokeshoulder, has been busy reviewing, researching and given recommendations to the telecommunications industry. Over the past month, she has received 68 new telecommunications facility projects for review. These 68 individual projects will be completed in conjunction with 9 consulting firms in 10 of our 25 areas of interest/states. In conjunction with receiving projects, she has reviewed, researched and gave recommendation for the clearance of 54 telecommunications projects. These 54 individual projects were completed in conjunction with 9 consulting firms in 10 of our 25 areas of interest/states. Also, 14 projects are awaiting clearance because their packages are lacking some information such as full archaeological reports, SHPO responses, or clear pictures. EVENTS The Library will be hosting a ribbon skirt workshop in April. For more information, please see the flyer located in this newsletter, on the website and on the Tribe’s official Facebook page. Your concerns are important to us. We thank you for the continued support of our department as we continue to make changes to our programs to better serve the Tribal community. Please feel free to contact me, Carol Butler, at 405-275-4030 ext. 6245 or cbutler@astribe.com if you have any questions or concerns. Book Of The Month AST LIBRARY IS HOSTING: RIBBON SKIRT CLASS Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 5:30PM to 7:30PM Little Axe Community Center Contact AST CP to sign up or with any questions @ 405-275-4030. Hasiski Earth Kcikami Ocean ame'ki Land pemateki Mountain Range meskwatwi Clear Sky m'sotewe City pakwaci Prairie, Dry Land m'tekwi'ki Forest mene'fi Island lele'feta Life, one who has Answer Key on Page 6A April 2022 6A www.astribe.com Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Building Blocks C.D.C. 2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr. Shawnee, OK 74801 (405) 878-0633 Fax: (405) 878-0156 Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Building Blocks C.D.C. 16051 Lttle Axe Dr. Norman, OK 73026 (405) 360-2710 Fax: (405) 360-2726 Building Blocks II Building Blocks III Building Blocks is at 51 children enrolled in our center at this time. We still have a few spots available in our 3 Year olds classrooms. We are accepting waiting list applications for all of our classrooms. If you are interested in putting your child on our waiting list please call and we can email you a waiting list application. Over spring break our school age class enjoyed time outside of the classroom learning, they explored the Oklahoma City Zoo. (Pictures below) We are excited it is now Spring and Easter is around the corner. Building Blocks will be closed Friday, April 15th for Good Friday. We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter. Building Blocks is accepting employee applications. Please visit https:// www.astribe.com/employment for available job positions and to fill out an employment application. Have a wonderful April! The children also went bowling, adventured out to the Tuttle Tiger Safari, and explored the First American’s Museum in Oklahoma City. Answer Key From Page 5A April 2022 www.astribe.com 7A Happy Birthday, Gerry!! We love you, Susan, Sarah, David, Bev Obituary Danny Little Axe, Sr. Happy Birthday Winifred Robertson April 22. We love you, From your Family AST After School Program Organization Lifelong Learning Begins Here February 18, 1942 - March 10, 2022 Danny Little Axe, Sr., age 80, of Norman, OK passed away at his home on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Norman. He was born to John and Lillian (Sloan) Little Axe on February 18, 1942 in Little Axe, Oklahoma and has been a lifelong resident there. Danny attended South Gale elementary school in Hog Creek, USA Pawnee Boarding School and Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. He married Georgia Jones on February 21, 1962 in Pauls Valley, OK. Tutors Needed The AST After School Program in Shawnee, OK is looking for part-time Tutors to help school age children with homework and after school activities. We provide transportation for children to and from local schools to our classrooms on the located at 5812 S. Hwy 177, Shawnee, OK 74801. The hours are from M-F 2:30p-5:30p and maybe some full days during the summer but we are usually closed when the schools are closed and most Tribal holidays and during Christmas break. We will work with class schedules and days off. Starting pay is $12.00DOE. To apply go to www.astribe.com/employment. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the ASP Manager at the contact information below. Danny was owner/operator of Little Axe Plumbing and worked Civil Service. He served 2 terms as Governor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe, served 1 term as Lt. Governor, served on various boards and also was a consultant for the Tribal Government Institute. He was an avid OU fan and greatly enjoyed golf and fast pitch softball. He was preceded in death by his parents; and 2 brothers, Floyd Kenneth Little Axe and Troy Little Axe. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Georgia, of the home; children, Rick and Tracy Little Axe, Danny Little Axe, Jr. and Anna Walking Eagle of Norman, Diane Little Axe, Ronnie Little Axe and Debra Jac Ponkilla, all of Little Axe, OK; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Jerry and Barbara Little Axe and John Al Little Axe; 5 sisters, Glenda Sullivan, Wanda Tiger, Carolyn Little Axe-Sadongei, and husband Keith, Marilyn and Sean Byers and Sabrina Little Axe; and numerous other family and friends. AST After School Program 2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive Shawnee, OK 74801 Phone: 405-445-6000 Fax: 405-878-0156 E-mail: ASTChildCare@astribe.com Absentee Shawnee Tribe's Domestic Violence Department We help with: Our mission is to: Domestic Violence Eliminate violence in Sexual Assault Native Country and to Dating Violence strengthen Stalking Native families to end the Sex Trafficking cycle of violence. Our services are confidential and include: Safety Planning Emergency Assistance Court Advocacy Shelter Placement Assistance Referrals Must be intimate partner related violence and the victim must be fleeing the home/situation Who we serve: Where we serve: Natives and non-Natives LGBTQ2S+ Any Religion Any income level EVERYONE Because we are federally funded we get to serve all populations within our *service area, which includes Cleveland, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties. *If you are AST and outside the service area, please call our office and we will see what we can do to help you. Contact Us: Office Line 405.273.2888 Fax 405.273.1192 Webpage https://www.astribe.com/domestic-violence Link to intake https://www.astribe.com/forms/victim-intake @ASTRisingWarrior For emergencies call 911 or AST PD @ 405.275.3200 This project was supported byGrant No. 2015-TW-AX-0016 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. April 2022 8A www.astribe.com P H O N E D I R E C T O RY - D I R E C T N U M B E R S O F F I C E O F T H E T R I B A L S EC R E TA RY 2025 S. GORDON COOPER DRIVE, SHAWNEE, OK 74801 • PHONE: 405.275.4030 • EMAIL: SECRETARY@ASTRIBE.COM • WEB: WWW.ASTRIBE.COM AST Complex – (405) 275-4030 Toll Free - 800-256-3341 All Nations Bank…………………………………………(405) 273-0202 Brendle Corner…......……………………………………(405) 447-3372 Building Blocks….........…………………………………(405) 878-0633 Building Blocks III LA….....……………………………(405) 360-2710 Court………………………......…………………………(405) 481-8575 Domestic Violence…………….....………………………(405) 273-2888 Enrollment……………………….....……………………(405) 481-8650 Food Pantry………………………...……………………(405) 481-8640 Gaming Commission………………....…………(405) 360-9270 x1110 Housing Authority………………………………………(405) 275-1050 Human Resources……………………….....……………(405) 275-1468 ICW………………………………………………………(405) 395-4490 Media………………………….…………………………(405) 598-1279 OEH/OEP…………………….…………….…….………(405) 214-4235 Police…………………………………………(405) 275-3200/275-3432 Social Services…………….…………………….…….…(405) 878-4723 Tax Commission…….……………….……………….…(405) 481-8600 Thunderbird Casino Norman…….……….……………(405) 360-9270 Thunderbird Casino Shawnee…………….….…………(405) 273-2679 Tribal Store Little Axe……………………………………(405) 364-0668 88TH SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE OF INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 9th, 2022 AT 10:00A.M. AT THE THUNDERBIRD EVENT CENTER IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA. AllNations Bank announces added benefits for Absentee Shawnee Tribe members!! Last year we partnered with the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) to establish the Simply Safe Account. This account makes banking accessible to everyone. AllNations Bank was the first Native American owned bank to offer this account, a certified Bank On account by The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. Simply Safe Account features are listed below: • A debit card that honors the Absentee Shawnee Tribe – issued to AST members. • • • • • • • Low balance to open Low monthly fee (Fee is now waived for AST members) Free direct deposit Free debit card Free online banking, bill pay & mobile app Free online monthly statement ($2.00 fee for a paper statement) No overdraft fee (This is a check-less account. Account transactions are limited to Withdrawals at the Teller Window, Debit Card and ATM transactions, Online Bill Pay, Online or Mobile banking transfers.) For any other questions about the Simply Safe Account features and benefits, please call AllNations Bank at 405-273-0202. Or go to our website www.anbok.com to download a new account application form and start banking with your Simply Safe Account today! 2023 Gordon Cooper Drive Shawnee, OK 74801 FDIC Insured www.asthealth.org April 2022 Section B ASTHS April 2022 Monthly Update Understanding Your Options with Native American Healthcare Coverage Health Care is an important component for everyone today, and knowing the availability of your potential coverages that are available as a tribal member is imperative to both you as a member and for your family. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, has issued 10 important facts about Indian Health Service and Health Insurance for American Indians and Alaska Natives, and why your Indian health program? Here are some facts to help answer those important questions below: FACT #1: IHS is not health insurance. The Indian Health Service (IHS) is a part of the federal government that delivers health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and provides funds for tribal and urban Indian health programs. Health insurance, on the other hand, pays for health care covered by your plan. It protects you from paying the full costs of medical services when you are injured or sick and pays for services to prevent you from becoming ill. Although AST members are provided PRC contract health services, having insurance from these various programs offers flexibility and additional services to help close any gaps in care should you or your family experience serious illnesses or injuries, especially if you are outside of a designated service area of your Tribe. FACT #2: Even people eligible for IHS services need insurance. Health insurance covers many things Indian health care programs do not provide. With health insurance, you can: Get in to see specialists; get health care for covered services without IHS Purchase Referred Care authorization (formerly called contract health); and get health care when you are away from home. FACT #3: You’ll pay little or nothing! American Indians and Alaska Natives can find affordable insurance. If your income is: Between 100% to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), enroll in a zero cost sharing plan and have NO out of pocket costs for services received from an Indian health provider or a qualified health plan (QHP). If below 100% FPL or above 300% FPL, enroll in a limited cost sharing plan (regardless of income). NO out of pocket expenses for services received from an Indian Health provider or through a referral to a QHP. Less than $12,000 for an individual (and you reside in a state that has not expanded Medicaid), limited cost sharing plans are an important option to receive low cost health care coverage. Medicaid and CHIP insurance: There are no premiums, enrollment fees, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. Health care from IHS, tribal health programs, or urban Indian health programs. There are no deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for covered services provided directly or when referred to non-Indian health providers under the IHS Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program. FACT #4: Marketplace plans, Medicaid, and CHIP are not welfare Marketplace plans, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are health insurance programs for individuals, families, and children who meet income and eligibility requirements. Medicare and employer-sponsored insurance plans are other examples of health insurance with eligibility requirements. FACT #5: You can stay with your Indian health clinic or tribal health program, get health care somewhere else, or both Indian health care programs gladly accept health insurance, Medicaid, and CHIP. You won’t have to change doctors or facilities, if you don’t want to, even if your state has a Medicaid managed care network. If you want a choice about who to see for health care, you will have more options. (Note: Establishing with your tribal health programs greatly increases a “win-win-win” scenario for the tribe, tribal health programs, and the patient, as services brought to the tribe allows third party revenue to be invested into more services for the tribal members). FACT #6: You won’t have to wait to sign up. Members of federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act shareholders can purchase or change Marketplace health insurance coverage every month, rather than waiting for the yearly open enrollment period! So can non-enrolled family members, if they are included on the same application. This special protection for American Indians and Alaska Natives can be a lifesaver during a health crisis because it means insurance coverage can start much sooner, and you can enroll in Medicaid or CHIP at any time. But why wait? The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can get the services you need! FACT #7: Indian Trust income won’t stop you from qualifying for Medicaid or CHIP. Certain types of income, such as income from selling culturally significant jewelry or basketwork and payments received from farming, fishing, and natural resources on Indian trust lands, are not used to decide Medicaid or CHIP eligibility. For example, the money you make fishing won’t count against you, as long as your tribe has fishing treaty rights, for example. FACT #8: Medicaid estate recovery doesn’t apply to your Indian Trust property. Don’t let concerns about Medicaid estate recovery stop you from signing up. Indian trust property and income cannot be recovered to pay Medicaid back for long-term care. This includes: Trust property located on reservations, certain trust lands, and Alaska Native regions, income from treaty-protected natural resources, cultural, religious, or spiritually significant items, and items that support traditional or subsistence lifestyles. FACT #9: Starting with the 2019 plan year (for which you'll file taxes in April 2020), the fee no longer applies for anybody, regardless of Indian status. FACT #10: Even though health care is a treaty right, you should still get insurance. IHS has to work within yearly budgets approved by Congress and does not receive enough funds to meet all the health needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. That is why IHS does not offer or fund certain services, and why some services aren’t available at certain times of year. In fact, the IHS budget only meets about half of the need of our tribal communities nationally, so enrollment in health insurance helps expand needed care (at your AST Health System especially, to benefit all AST Tribal members and other Native American patients serviced). And with insurance, health care is available when you need it. Signing up today for the Marketplace or Medicaid is easy and affordable! The Health Insurance Marketplace is a resource where you can learn about options; compare health insurance plans based on costs, benefits, and other important features; choose a plan; and enroll in a Qualified Health Plan. You can apply for the Marketplace or Medicaid through healthcare.gov call centers and also with in-person assistance. Ask for help from your Indian health program, call 1-800-318-2596, or go online to healthcare.gov/tribal. Also, our Patient Benefit Advisors (PBAs) with the AST Health System are poised and ready to assist you with your needs at any time – give us a call today and see what YOUR options are (405) 447-0300! April 2022 Health Employee Awards of the Month Employee of the Month: Waynell Johnson, Patient Registration Director Team of the Month: AST Health System’s Registration Team Special Leadership Award: Sianna Morgheim, Lead Patient Registration Clerk Mark E. Rogers, MAL, FACHE, CMPE, CHC Executive Director Autism Spectrum Disorder By Emily Earnest April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause many challenges affecting social, communication, and behavioral issues. Individuals diagnosed with ASD can differ tremendously among individuals ranging from being gifted to severely challenged intellectually or emotionally. Diagnosing ASD can be difficult because there is no definitive test to diagnose like blood work or imaging. Doctors have to rely on the child’s behavior and development to establish a diagnosis of ASD. This disorder occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. It is about four times more common among boys than girls. The CDC estimates that 1 in 44 children in the United States are affected by ASD. Signs of ASD can begin during early childhood and will typically last throughout a person’s life, but usually appear within a child’s first two years of life. Parents of children may notice that their children may have trouble adapting to changes in routine, have unusual reactions/sensory issues to the way things taste/smell/look/ feel/sound, avoid eye contact, display repetitive actions over and over, delayed language skills, hyperactive or impulsive behavior, appear unaware when people are talking to them, but respond to other sounds, and have issues understanding empathy. There is no cure for ASD, but early intervention utilizing therapy to aid in helping the child talk, walk, and interact with others can help the child learn to function and be successful in the world. There are many unknowns regarding the causes of ASD. It appears to have many factors that make a child more likely to develop ASD. These factors include environmental, genetic, and socioeconomic factors. At one point in time, there were concerns that vaccines cause ASD. Studies have shown that there is no link between receiving childhood vaccines and developing ASD. Children born to older parents are at a greater risk of developing ASD. Kids who have a sibling with ASD are at higher risk of also having ASD. Early intervention is imperative to treating ASD. If a parent has concerns about their child having signs of ASD, it is important to speak to their child’s doctor. The child’s physician can then refer them to a specialist if more help is needed. These children and adults can live independent, fulfilling lives with the help of family, community, teachers, and specialists. April 2022 2B www.astribe.com ASTHS PHARMACY IS HERE TO SERVE YOU WITH NEW UPDATES Refill Requests can be made the following ways: REFILLQUICK APP STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS How to Get Help from Social Security Social Security is here to help. We want you to know how to get the service you need and to be prepared so we can help you as quickly and safely as possible. Go online to SSA.gov. Our website is the best way for most people to get help. If you cannot use our website call our National 800 Number (1-800-772-1213) or your local Social Security office for help. We will schedule an appointment for you, if necessary, to serve you by phone or in person. What to Know if You Must Visit an Office: • You must have an appointment to visit an office. • Masks are required for all office visitors and employees, regardless of vaccination status. • Visitor capacity is limited to follow physical distancing requirements. This means you may need to wait outside, so plan for cold or bad weather. • We ask that you come alone unless you require help with your visit. If you require help, we can only permit one person to accompany you. We appreciate your patience and understanding. SSA.gov Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10558 December 2021 (First edition) How to Get Help from Social Security Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense April 2022 www.astribe.com 3B Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma 2025 South Gordon Cooper Drive Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801-0381 Title VI Elderly Nutrition Program 2022 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 4 BBQ Pork Sandwich Coleslaw Pickles, Onions Peaches 11 Kraut & Wieners Green Beans Bread Apple Slices 18 Chicken Fry Steak Mashed Pot/Gravy Veggies Apricots 25 Chef Salad Onion, Chez, Ham Crackers Pineapples 5 12 Soft Taco LTOC Spanish Rice Salsa/Pineapples 19 26 BBQ Chicken Tossed Salad* Veggies Orange Ham Black eyed Peas Cornbread Ice Cream Baked Chicken Wild Rice Veggies Orange 6 Turkey Sandwich LTOP Chips Mandarin Oranges 13 Bake Potato Chez, Onions, Ham Broccoli Pudding 20 Pork Chop Mac & Tom Bread Plums 27 Chicken Patty Sandwich LTOP Chips Applesauce 7 14 Baked Chicken Brussel Sprouts Bread Pears Bagel Boiled Egg Mixed Fruit Cream Chez 21 28 Veggie Soup Crackers Jell-O Pork N Potatoes Turnip Greens Bread Cake 8 Boiled Egg Sausage Gravy Biscuit Scrambled Eggs Ham English Muffin 15 CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY Dear Absentee Shawnee Tribal Members For many years The Title VI Department has provided gas to mow your lawns. We are updating the guidelines. The Title VI Grant provides gas as supportive services and for us to provide supportive service you must be a participant in the Title VI Program. Guidelines: 22 29 Scrambled Eggs Sausage Gravy Biscuit Cereal Toast Sausage Patties Apple Slices MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE APRIL 9, ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE GENERAL COUNCIL AT 10 AM – THUNDERBIRD, NORMAN OK APRIL 15, GOOD FRIDAY – Title VI will be closed no serving or delivery on this day APRIL 17, EASTER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Absentee Shawnee Member Must be 55 years and older Must be an Title VI Member, have a current intake form on file (FY-2022) Must provide Proof of Residency (utility bill – in the applicants name) Handicap/Disabled NO RENTAL PROPERTY WILL BE MOWED As a Title VI Member as long as you are within the guidelines you can put in your application and turn in your applications to the Title VI Department. As stated on the application: Maintenance will only mow and weed eat applicants lawn. Maintenance will mow every two (2) weeks weather permitting. Also, the maintenance workers will not trim trees, shrubs, and will NOT move any items that are in the way of cutting your lawn. This year we are trying to get an early start on our grass mowing list, th We will announce the Winner of the March Madness After April 4 !!! We handed out Our Surveys for our Title VI Grant and we appreciated each of you that took the time to fill out the survey, yes it was long many questions but this helps The Title VI Grant for the next three years!!! I hope you enjoyed the new menu items that the Diabetes Department cooked on Wednesdays in March!! We are so thankful for all the work the Diabetes Department has helped The Title VI Program in the past two years. Any questions you can reach me at 405-275-4030 ext. 6227 or email me at dowings@astribe.com Thomasine Owings____ Thomasine Owings Title VI Director AST TITLE VI ELDER INTAKE FORM TODAY’S DATE______________________________ REFERRAL SOURCE_____________________ LAST NAME___________________________ FIRST NAME____________________________ MI_____ Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Title VI Department 2025 S Gordon Cooper Dr Shawnee OK 74801 405-275-4030 CDIB # _______ Grass Mowing Application D.O.B.________ DATE OF BIRTH______________________ MALE ____ FEMALE____ VETERAN___YES_____NO STREET ADDRESS____________________________________________________ CITY___________________ STATE_____ ZIP CODE________ PHONE NUMBER _______________ SINGLE ____MARRIED ____ DIVORCED/SEPARATED ___WIDOWED ___ WIDOWER____ SPOUSE’S NAME______________________________ SPOUSE’S DATE OF BIRTH _______________ NAME OF EMERGENCY CONTACT (1)______________________________PHONE______________ NAME OF EMERGENCY CONTACT (2) ______________________________PHONE _____________ PRIMARY LANGUAGE ENGLISH___ TRIBAL___ OTHER______________________ HOUSING ___ HOUSE ___ APARTMENT ___COMMUNITY HOUSING __OTHER EXPLAIN____________ The Following are the requirements for this program: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Must be an Absentee Shawnee Member Must be 55 years and older Must be an Title VI Member (have an current intake form for the current year 2022 Handicap/Disabled Must provide Proof of Residency (utility bill must be in applicant’s name) NO RENTAL PROPERTY will be mowed The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Maintenance Department will ONLY mow and weed eat applicant’s lawn. Maintenance will mow every two (2) weeks, weather permitting. Also, the maintenance workers will not trim trees or shrubs. COMPOSITION ___ LIVES ALONE ___ LIVES WITH SPOUSE ___LIVES WITH FAMILY/FRIENDS NUMBER IN HOUSEHOLD _______ WHO HELPS ___________________________________________ If you have any questions, please contact Dos Owings at (405) 275-4030 ext. 6227 HEALTH HISTORY ___ ASTHMA NAME: __________________________________________________ ___DIABETES ___ALZHEIMER’S ___ARTHRITIS ___CANCER ___DEMINTIA ___CHRONIC PAIN ___HEARING AID ___CHOLESTEROL ___BLOOD PRESSURE ADDRESS: ________________________________________________ PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION ___Own Car ___Friend ____Public Trans. ___Senior Tran’s __Family CITY: _______________________ PROSTHETIC DEVIECS ___ Walker/Cane __Wheelchair ___Hearing Aid ___Glasses __Dentures ___None HOME PHONE: ____________________ MESSAGE PHONE: ________________ ARE YOU ENROLLED WITH A DIFFERENT TITLE VI PROGRAM? ____ YES ____ NO IF YES, NAME OF PROGRAM & WHERE LOCATED:________________________________________ HEALTH CONCERNS ___________________________________________________________________ SERVICES CURRENTLY BEING RECEIVED_________________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS______________________________________________________ PROVIDE THE DATE OF YOUR VACCINATION COVID 19 1st__________ 2nd_________ BOOSTER__________ Johnson & Johnson __________ FLU__________ ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH/SASP GRANT PRESENTS STATE:___________ ZIP: _______ EMAIL: ______________________________________________________ FINDING DIRECTIONS TO HOME: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ *DISCLAIMER Maintenance will not move any items that are in the way of them mowing your yard so if you are able or can get some help in getting your yard cleaned, will be very much helpful in maintaining your yard. Medicine Wheel & 12 Steps The medicine wheel and 12 Step program was developed to provide a culturally appropriate 12 Step program for Native American people. This program was developed by White Bison, based upon teachings of the Medicine Wheel, the Cycle of Life and the Four Laws of Change. How the Process Works WHITE BISON, INC. A CULTURAL APPROACH TO PERSONAL RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE WELLBRIETY WORKING LUNCH Facilitated by: John Soap, LPC EVERY THURSDAY VIA GOTOMEETING HTTPS://GLOBAL.GOTOMEETING.COM/JOIN/801887957 BEGINNING MAY 27TH, 2021 12:00PM-1:00PM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Brendan (SASP Coordinator) or John (Facilitator/LPC) at (405) 878-4716 The Medicine Wheel and 12 Step program is designed in a series of modules that enable people to meet their individual needs. Participants watch a video that explains Medicine Wheel teachings and apply them to their lives. In addition, participants share their insights and experiences in a talking circle. They also learn how to mind map their own innate knowledge around these teachings and then apply that knowledge to their daily lives and decision making processes. For those working through the program in a group setting (i.e. Circles of Recovery) very strong social and emotional bonds are created that help the individuals who participate to develop trust, autonomy, and other healthy feelings and thought patterns that will help them to grow emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Focus The focus of the program is on character and values. Thus each of the 12 Steps is presented from the perspective of the value that it reflects. Step 1: Honesty Step 2: Hope Step 3: Faith Step 4: Courage Step 5: Integrity Step 6: Willingness Step 7: Humility Step 8: Forgiveness Step 9: Justice Step 10: Perseverance Step 11: Spiritual Awakening Step 12: Service Teachings of the medicine wheel The Medicine Wheel is an ancient method for teaching important concepts about truth and life. Many Native American communities use a Medicine Wheel, although the colors and the symbols are different depending upon the culture. The purpose is the same in each culture. These teachings, when applied to one’s life, have the power to influence significant change in attitudes, behaviors, values and intent. The Elders have shared a series of Teachings based upon the Natural Order of the way things should be. These are sometimes referred to as the “original instructions.” These important Teachings are included in the Medicine Wheel 12 Steps: 10.) Comfort Zones 6.) The 12 steps ofand recovery 1.) 4 seasons of change 2.) 4 laws of change 3.) 4 directions of growth 4.) 12 principles for healthy living 5.) Reclaiming Our Power 7.) Nature's Way: Principles, laws, and Values 8.) Cycle of Life 9.) 8 feelings for healthy development 11.) The Two Thought System: Love and Fear 12.) The medicine wheel 13.) The laws of the unseen world. 4B www.astribe.com AST HEALTH SYSTEM DIRECTORY April 2022 AST HEALTH SYSTEM DIRECTORY LITTLE AXE HEALTH CENTER ..................................................... 405-447-0300 Administration Business Office Little Axe Dental Health Information Management Lab/X.Ray Optometry Patient Benefit Advocates Primary Care Public Health Security Electronic Health Record Physical Therapy Behavioral Health .................................................................................. 405-701-7987 Little Axe Purchased Referred Care ........................................................ 405-701-7951 Diabetes & Wellness ...............................................................................405-701-7977 Pharmacy ...............................................................................................405-292-9530 CompleteCare Home Health................................................................... 405-701-7085 Transportation........................................................................................405-701-7603 SHAWNEE CLINIC ............................405-878-5850 OR 877-878-4702 TOLL FREE Administration Business Office Health Information Management Lab/X-Ray Patient Benefit Advocates Contract Health Physical Therapy Primary Care Public Health Behavioral Health ...................................................................................405-878-4716 Diabetes & Wellness ...............................................................................405-701-7977 Pharmacy ........................................................ 405-878-5859 OR 866-742-4977TOLL FREE Transportation........................................................................................405-701-7603 PLUSCARE ............................................................................................... 405-447-0477 GENERAL AST Resource Center..............................................................................405-364-7298 Corporate Compliance Hotline............................................................... 405-701-7135 Patient Advocate .................................................................................... 405-701-7623 AST Tribal Complex ...............................................................................405-275-4030 AST Tribal Police .................................................................................... 405-275-3200 AST Housing ..........................................................................................405-273-1050 TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT CALL 405.701.7190 or 405.701.7600 WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A 3RD DOSE OF A COVID-19 VACCINE? MODERNA: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have: Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood. Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system. Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system. Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome). Advanced or untreated HIV infection. Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response. PFIZER-BioNTech: The CDC is recommending that only certain populations initially vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can get a booster shot at this time: Older adults and 50-64 year old people with medical conditions. Long-term care setting residents aged 18 years and older. People with medical conditions aged 18-49 years. Employees and residents at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission. People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition and if they meet the above criteria for getting an additional dose. For more information, please visit www.asthealth.org Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html Under 65? Apply for SoonerCare Medicaid Expansion You could be eligible for SoonerCare Medicaid Expansion benefits, which includes full-scope medical and limited comprehensive dental coverage, for adults ages 19-64 if your income falls at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)- under $17,796 per year for an individual; under $36,588 per year for a household of 4 (Children eligible at a higher income threshold under 210% FPL). Per Purchased Referred Care guidelines, all patients under 65 years old, whether insured or uninsured, must apply for SoonerCare to help augment the cost of tribal healthcare services. Help yourself, help your tribe and see if you and your family will qualify for state health insurance benefits at no cost to you or your tribe. Program rules and continuity of care necessitates completion of an annual application for benefits to assure services are covered, even if ASTHS patient is already insured. TO APPLY: www.mysoonercare.org WE CAN HELP Contact a Patient Benefit Advocate Little Axe Shawnee Health Center Clinic 405.447.0300 405.878.5850 www.asthealth.org --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aabsentee%3Ac544fec711f8ee3f. Public record. Not legal advice.