Vol. 25. No. 5

Tribal code

Ask Donna

What actually matters in this document.

Text

Vol. 25. No. 5

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

Executive Committee

George Blanchard

Governor

Dan Little Axe Sr.

Lt.Governor

Michelle Lopez

Secretary

Anita Chisholm

Treasurer

Alecia Onzahwah

Representative

Governor’s Report

I want to thank everyone who attended

the General Council meeting on Saturday, April 17th, and thanks for the continued support you have shown.

I want to thank the “ELDERS COUNCIL”

for providing breakfast and lunch for the

meeting.

As I stated at the meeting, I will continue

to inform you of the goings on in the

Tribe, as long as it is the truth and not

rumors, and all issues can be properly

documented and are correct.

I appreciate all the questions everyone

had, and I will try to get more information

to those who asked for personal issues

that needed answering. I will do my best

to get answers for you.

I will continue to seek financial means to

help all of you in your everyday needs.

If there are any questions that you didn’t

get a chance to ask at Saturdays meeting, please feel free to contact my office.

I can’t say “THANK YOU” enough times

to express my true gratitude to all of my

friends and relatives.

mined that although, the government

was aware the Absentee Shawnee had

been in the area long before the Reservation was selected by the Pottawatomi

as their reservation, the government did

not include any provisions recognizing

this fact.

Later, when the allotments were made

to individuals of both tribes, the allotment agreements were first agreed

to by the Potawatomi and then by the

Absentee Shawnee the following day,

The Allotment Agreements were identical and for the same reservation area.

I do not understand why the Court did

not acknowledge the fact the allotment

agreement signed by the government

and our tribe for the now former reservation area, provided and recognized

the governments intent that both tribes

shared the former reservation area. I’m

of the opinion the Court violated the

Federal governments Trust Responsibility to the Absentee Shawnee.

Here is the Bad News. A; The Absentee Shawnee have no jurisdiction in the

former reservation except on our allotted lands. B: Our jurisdiction on our allotments may be in question because

the BIA have taken the position that the

Pottawatomi, not the Absentee Shawnee, are direct beneficiaries in Pend-

George Blanchard

Governor of the

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

Lt. Governor’s Report Part I

My Unfinished Business

There is one thing that the Executive

Committee have not taken any positive

action on and is of dire importance to

me and the tribe, as the Lt. Governor.

This has to do with the resulting consequences of the Collier Case as it affects the current and future economic

development of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. This Case is in regard to the

Citizen Potawatomi vs the Bureau of Indian Affairs Case wherein, the Federal

Court ruled that the Absentee Shawnee

Tribe have no Claim or Jurisdiction in

the Tribes Former Reservation in Oklahoma which included Pottawatomi and

Cleveland Counties. The Court deter2

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

development beyond any Trust Land

our tribe currently own.

I and Governor Blanchard have scheduled a meeting with the Assistant Secretary of Interior, Larry Echo Hawk for

the purpose of discussing how and what

can be done to correct this situation.

We will be proposing certain alternatives as to what will be acceptable for

our tribe. Certainly, the Governor and I

will schedule a meeting with interested

tribal members to discuss and get input

as to what our tribe will want and de-

mand to alleviate this stranglehold this

Potawatomi vs Collier Case have put us

in. This is a very important matter that

should have been addressed 10 years

ago when this case was decided by

the Federal Court. Now, it has become

serious now that the BIA is setting the

Potawatomi as beneficiaries in our tribal

member Probates. We cannot continue

to leave this issue along.

I’m going to follow up on my previous this and indicated he would do what he

newsletter report and the report I will can do help.

be providing at the General Council Another serious concern is what effect

Meeting on April 17th, 2010. As of this this Case had on our Tribe’s Constituwriting, I and Governor Blanchard are tion. The Courts decision stating the

continuing to try and arrange a meet- Shawnee had no rights to the Former

ing with the Assistant Secretary, Larry Reservation also makes our constituEcho Hawk who is the top official in the tional claim of jurisdiction in this Former

Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington Reservation void. Thus leaving our tribe

DC. Two weeks ago, his scheduling of- with jurisdiction only on Shawnee trust

ficial had advised us that a meeting was land.

arranged for May 12th, for 30 minutes. Further, in Probates of deceased tribal

We told them this issue will require a members, the BIA have taken the posilittle more time. They called back a few tion that the Potawatomi have beneficiadays later and said Mr. Echo Hawk will ry interest in these Absentee Shawnee

be coming to Oklahoma shortly and he Allotments, not the Absentee Shawnee

can make arrangements to meet with us Tribe. Our tribe have submitted letters

at that time.

of protest in each of the current 9 or 10

As I previously reported, I had visited pending Probates Cases and have not

with Mr. Echo Hawk during his meet- received any response from the BIA.

ing with Tribal officials at Pawnee last I’m very concerned of the fact that prefall. We discussed how the Collier Case vious Executive Committees have not

have impacted everything the Absentee taken up this very serious issue previShawnee Tribe can ever do as a Tribal ously, since the Collier case is now 10

Government. This is so serious that it years old. I have serious doubts of the

is next to Termination of our people as capabilities of some candidates for the

a government. We cannot expand our Executive Committee to carry this issue

land base in the Former Reservation forward and to come to some resolution

Area unless the Pottawatomi agree to in favor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.

let do it. Most of us know that this will I would urge tribal members to take a

never happen. Assistant Secretary Echo serious look at the issues affecting our

Hawk, who is a member of the Pawnee tribe and consider which candidates

Tribe, told me he was very moved by have the best capabilities to resolve

these issues.

Issues? What issues? Let me advise

you that there are many in just about

everything the tribe is now doing or

not doing. Here are a few examples;

the above Pottawatomi issue, the Joint

Venture Project, the Thunderbird Casino, Thunderbird Entertainment Center,

Inc., The proposed Casino on the Tribal

Complex, ASEDA, The Tribal Store and

Restaurant, Oklahoma and TEC gaming Compact, Various Contracts by

Former Governor Miller without authorizing EC resolutions, EC administrative

organizational structure, and on and

on. Again, the most serious issue in my

mind, is the Collier/Pottawatomi Case.

We do not need the two candidates

who previously served on the Executive

Committee and did nothing about this,

instead drew the double salary for personal gain. Help me to protect our Tribal

Rights and Interests.

ing Probates of our tribal members. C:

The Court’s decision also affects our

tribe’s constitution as it defines our jurisdiction being the former reservation

pursuant to our allotment agreement.

Does this Court decision terminate

out tribe’s Constitution? D: Our tribe

is not allowed to have land placed in

TRUST Status without approval from

the Potawatomi! E: The last Absentee Shawnee former reservation was

in Kansas. Finally, This Case have

put a stop on any kind of economic

Lt. Governor’s Report Part II

May 2010

Respectfully Submitted, Lt. Governor

Dan Little Axe

Happy Mother’s day

Secretary’s Report

Hello Everyone

I hope all is good, and everyone enjoyed

the Easter Holiday. I would like to thank the

Health Department for putting on the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and for all of their hard

work. Great Job!

I would like to apologize for not being able

to attend the April General Council. I was

attending school on April 17th all day and

received my Medication Administration

Technician – MAT Certification. I had put

a formal request into the Governor’s Office back on March 10th to either move the

General Council back one week or to move

it up one week so that I could attend and

this was voted down at the March Regular

EC Meeting.

It has been very busy in my office with

meeting after meeting with other Members

of the Executive Committee and with other

departments. We have met to seek innovative ways to get our Tribe back on track.

As we progress, hopefully to have some

new and exciting news for our tribal members in the near future concerning the new

Health Clinic. Currently, we are waiting on

the rating from the Fitch Rating Group then

proceed with selling the bonds. This has

been a long awaited process but it will be

all worth it when we see the new clinic open

for business.

In the Representative’s last news article

she mentioned that a second meeting with

the Tribal Members that were subject to

disenrollment didn’t occur. The ones who

attended the first hearings were asked that

if they had any other information that was

not presented during the hearing to submit

it to enrollment for further research. Only a

few did so.

Enrollment Ordinance Article VII, Loss

of Membership.

There is two ways in which membership

in the Tribe may be lost. One is voluntary

called Relinquishment. The other is involuntary and called Disenrollment. Article VII,

Section B. Disenrollment: The burden of

proof in disenrollment actions rests with the

Tribe. The Enrollment Office did the necessary research and did not find anything

that changes our decision on disenrolling

these individuals. We requested from the

individuals who showed up at their hearing

to please bring any information they may

have to help prove otherwise. Which some

did and some didn’t. Still there is no change

in the research to prove otherwise.

Article VII, Section 1. Who may be disenrolled? - A tribal member shall be disenrolled when it is discovered that he/she

was erroneously enrolled in that he/she did

not submit adequate documentation proving he/she met the constitutional membership criteria at the time of enrollment. This

“erroneous enrollment” may have resulted

from fraudulent submissions, mistakes in

blood degree computations or inadequate

research;

Article VII, section 2

Procedure for Disenrollment- A member

identified as subject to disenrollment pursuant to the above sub-sections shall be

notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the intent to disenroll. Included

in the notice shall be the date set for a

hearing before the Executive Committee to

consider the matter. Following the hearing,

whether or not the affected member makes

any appearance or response, the Executive

Committee shall determine if the member

is to be disenrolled. Such decision shall be

documented in an Executive Committee

resolution. The disenrolled member shall

be notified of the action taken by certified

mail, return receipt requested. Such notice

shall include the appeal rights out lined in

section VIII of the ordinance.

Article VIII Appeals

Eligible appellants- The following persons

shall be eligible to file an appeal: Any applicant who has been rejected for membership, or Any person who has been disenrolled. Timing of appeal- Each notice of

rejection or disenrollment shall provide that

an appeal must be received within thirty

(30) days of the receipt of the notice in order to be considered. The date stamped

on the receipt of the certified letter shall

be considered the beginning of that 30 day

period.

I along with the Enrollment Staff have fol-

lowed the Enrollment Ordinance. The

Enrollment Staff sent certified letters with

return receipt to the tribal members along

with the letters from the Tribal Attorney,

Department of Interior, and the disenrollment letters signed by me the Tribal Secretary. The hearing date was set and sent to

these Members. Three out of the fifth-teen

showed up and presented some information

and was asked to get with the enrollment

office to combine the research and maybe

change the out come of these particular

cases. Only one met with the Enrollment

Office. I then presented the Resolution to

the Executive Committee for approval and

was tabled for reasons of certain EC members asking the Enrollment to put these

names in the newsletter to notify the ones

who did not come to the hearings what was

about to happen with the disenrollment. We

can not do this because of confidentially.

So we were asked by the Treasurer to go

above and beyond our duties to try and

contact these Members again so the Enrollment Staff tried to contact them by phone

and by sending out one more set of letters

certified mail and return receipt. Still nothing. I presented this to the General Council in October of 2009 to inform everyone

what we were doing and that each Member

had been notified. Then presented another

Resolution to the EC and it was removed.

At this time I just gave up on the ideal of doing my job that was required by the Constitution. If you can’t get the EC to work with

you then there is nothing more to do. At the

Special General Council held in February, I

was asked to entertain a resolution to the

Department of Interior to host a Secretarial

Election to lower the blood quantum so I

submitted a Resolution to the EC asking

the DOI to host the Secretarial Election and

it was tabled because it was not specific

enough. I am currently submitting another

resolution to the EC for approval for the DOI

to do a Secretarial Election and maybe this

time it will get approved so that we may get

this matter cleared up and then we won’t

have to disenroll anyone. The question I will

propose as follows:

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Treasurer’s Report

TREASURER APRIL NEWSLETTER 2010

Do you want to lower the blood quantum to

one eighth (1/8)? Yes or No

On another note we are in the progress of

submitting for a grant that will help rural

areas with Broadband Services. The application and project relies solely on the

tribe partnering with Aero-Surf Communications, Inc. Aero-Surf is willing to enter

into an agreement which would provide

services for tribal programs and services

to tribal members and low income Native

Americans and a graduated scale payment

system based on service speeds. There

will be multiple levels of service available

including a no-obligation, pay as you use

option that may be of benefit to tribal members who are reluctant or financially unable

to commit to longer term contracts. AeroSurf will operate the system and will provide the tribe a portion of the profits without

the Tribe having to be involved in the day

to day operations of the service in addition

to the free tribal access and reduced (cost

of bandwidth based) cost to the tribal community members. These services will also

include discounts to tribal members.

I would like to say thank you to all the Employees that worked on this Broadband

Grant, great job. It was a last minute grant

to get in and they pulled it off. Thank you

again for your hard work and your

dedication.

Along with the Broadband grant we are also

in the process of working with International

Conference Group, LLC, for providing telecommunications services. Will keep you

updated as progress is made on these two

projects.

Hope to have more in my next article. If

you should have any questions or concerns

please feel free to call or come by the office.

Secretary Lopez

May 2010

Wow! I don’t even know where to begin

after reading all the news from the various

candidates running for office. I am quite

astounded at some of the comments made

by some. The only thing I can give is my

version of what I feel is the truth. Hopefully,

I‘ll do just that in this article.

First and most important the AST budget is

not in chaos as stated by others. Although

I must admit after reading some of the comments from others I can see why they feel

chaos. I felt confused and chaotic because

of the misrepresentation of facts or perhaps

they just didn’t know.

Second and most important is the fact the

AST tribal budget is NOT one million dollars in deficit. The Controller, the Assistant

Controller and I will continue to look for that

deficit, but I can assure you when the 09

audit is done it will NOT reflect a one million

dollar deficit. I think those statements could

be called “bad politics” or as some would say

“hate mail” before an election.

We did have a deficit of $57,892.94 At my

last news article I had felt hopeful we would

end the year with a small increase. We did

not. Our controller, Belinda Collins warned

the EC that we could not afford to increase

a few budgets. The EC increased funding

of a few programs that required immediate

assistance for tribal members. We felt we

had to do that but the results were in the

expenses/revenue line item we had the

deficit of $57,892.94. Overall and the bottom

line for the tribe we did end the year with a

$337,000 in the black. We sold small investments from the general fund which gave us

the $337,000.

A statement was made by the current Lt.

Governor that “Treasurer C” didn’t file for

reelection because of this deficit. If I were

afraid of a deficit I don’t think I would have

come into office as Treasurer in July 08 and

faced the task of reducing an approximate

deficit of $850,000. From July of 08 to December 31, 2008, I worked diligently with

the Finance department, the EC and the

employees of this Tribe and we were able

to reduce that $800,000 deficit so that we

ended the year with no deficit. I am not the

run away type. But I am the type that tells

the truth.

I am retiring because I want to take better

care of my self, smell the roses more, drink

more coffee, go to the mall when I want,

sleep late in the morning and spend more

time with family and friends. I loved being

retired in 2003-2007 and plan to love it again.

I hope I see some of you at the mall walking. I’ll be there very soon. These are the

reasons I am retiring.

I don’t know what your work ethic is; but

here is my mine. I believe that when you

are hired to do something or elected to do

something you must do that job to the best

of your ability. Work hard, do you best and

be at work at the hours required and more if

that is what it takes. That is what I believe it

and I feel I have done that as your Treasurer.

Our Finance department has come along

way since July of 08. All our accounts are

update/reconciled in a timely way. Because

of this we on target for finishing our 09 audit

in the next few months. I do see our Tribal

budget ending the 2010 in the black. Our

financial picture is not in chaos. We are

slowly making progress. Chaos happens

when there is a lack of understanding.

The All Nations Bank is still on target to open

the branch on our campus in FY 10. The EC

will be getting an update on March 15. I’ll be

sharing that information in the next newsletter. The loan portfolio continues to increase

with the new management.

The joint venture is still in place. We should

have the bonds rated by Fitch and sold by

the end of March. Today is 3/10/10 hopefully

we’ll hear something this week. We had an

investment company in the fall of 09 that

failed to meet the deadlines established and

upon recommendation by the BancFirst (our

lender) we made an agreement with Wells

Nelson Associates to handle the process.

This change which was necessary made everything run behind several months. When

the bonds are sold we will begin construction.

A lot has been said about the Joint Venture.

I’ve asked the Health Department, the AG’s

office, the Finance Department and my office to put together an overall chronological

Happy Mother’s day

history of the Joint Venture from the start to

the current date of what has happened, who

signed what, why things were done certain

ways, how much money has/will be spent,

how the payments will be made, the referendum vote, etc. It should cover just about

every possible question. Hopefully, this will

give all the Tribal people a good overview

of what is going on with the Joint Venture.

This will be for you so you can understand

this very complex process. This document

will be presented in a non-bias way without

condemnation of anyone. You can draw

your own conclusions. We will have this

document available for each person at the

General Council meeting. I’ve informed the

Governor’s office and he agrees this would

be a good thing to do.

I am for getting all the truth about all areas

of concern out to the Tribal people. You are

very important and you should know the truth

about all aspects of the Tribe; as much as

we can get out to you. When you know the

truth then you can make good decisions.

When I know the truth I always feel a sense

of freedom. I hope you feel the same.

TREASURER MAY NEWSLETTER

Hello again. I have a short newsletter this

month. We are still waiting to hear about the

bond sale for the Joint Venture. We have

all the paper work at the rating agency and

hopefully we’ll have a conference call next

week (April 19-23) and hear the news. I hope

you enjoyed reading all the questions and

answer in the General Council book about

the Joint Venture. These were questions that

have been asked for sometime and hopefully

your particular questions were answered.

The EC met with the CEO and President

of our Tribal bank AllNations on March 15.

(See their article listed below). We are still

on target for opening the branch bank on our

campus before the end of 2010. These two

individuals are doing a great job of moving

the bank forward. It will really look nice to

see our own bank open on our campus.

The 09 audit is well on its way and should

be completed by the end of April. You really

should get a copy of it after it is completed.

This will give you a good picture of what the

financial situation is for the Tribe. We have the Executive Committee for providing the

an outstanding Finance department.

tools, resources and support to enable the

Again, it has been my privilege to work for finance staff to accomplish what has been

the AS Tribe. We have some wonderful accomplished. A special thanks and note

professional employees at the tribe who are of appreciation to Program Managers and

dedicated to doing a good job for the tribe. employees of the Tribe for their assistance

Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful and dedication in our group effort toward

Spring time.

accomplishing our goal. Now that we are

caught up, we are dedicated to continue our

efforts in this direction.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

If you have any questions or needs, please

MAY 2010

call 405-275-4030 ext 162 and I will be glad

to assist you in any way I can.

The Finance Office has made great progress

in getting the day to day activities flowing Thank you,

efficiently and effectively through communi- Belinda Collins, Controller

cation between the Finance office and Programs. In working together, we have found

the most time effective and cost effective

process for transacting business. Thanks Hello From ALLNATIONS Bank:

to the Executive Committee and all the programs for their support and understanding April, 2010

during this endeavor.

Our 2009 Audit is underway and began All is well in Calumet, Oklahoma. The

March 8, 2010. The expected completion wheat crop looks good. Wheat prices

date is April 30, 2010 and we are on track. are not so good, but prices may improve

Accounting is caught up and Financials by harvest time. Cattle prices are good

are being completed Quarterly and being so all of the cattle ranchers are happy.

reported to the Department of Interior – De- Everyone can use a little rain; it’s coming.

cember 31, 2009 reports were submitted on Banking has been very good. Deposits conFebruary 12, 2010; and 1st Quarter 2010 will tinue to grow and are now at $21,300,000.

Loans have grown almost $1,000,000, and

be submitted by April 30, 2010.

The National Business Center has com- we now have $13,200,000 in loans. Profits

pleted the review of the Tribe’s 2010 indirect are maintaining good growth despite the

cost proposal and we have an approved rate; low interest rate environment that we find

which was sent to all program directors for ourselves in. The interest rate scenario is a

Grant writing so they can include indirect double-edged sword that we live with. We,

as consumers, like low interest rates on

cost in all grants.

Once the 2009 Audit is completed we will our loans, but we hate the low yield on our

begin the Indirect Cost Proposal for 2011. It savings accounts, CD’s and other investis imperative the accounting / bookkeeping ments. As consumers, we are hoping that

be caught up and continues to stay caught low interest rates prevail on loans, but, on

up so that audits go smoothly. Audits affect the other hand, as shareholders in AllNathe ability to submit indirect cost proposals tions Bank, we will reap a greater profit in

which affects grants. We expect the audit a raising rate environment. So when rates

to be completed by the end of April so that start to rise, you will have some consolation

we can prepare the indirect cost proposal; because of your ownership in the bank.

It is still our plan to make application with the

which is due by June 2010.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s Finance Oklahoma State Bank Department in May to

Department has a very hard working group open the branch in Shawnee. It will take the

of people and it is an honor to work with bank department several months to approve

them and at the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. the request. We will use that time to further

This department would like to extend a prepare for the hopeful year-end opening.

special thanks and note of appreciation to It appears that the current proposed financial

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Joint Ventu re Project

regulatory restructuring bill that is before the

US Senate does not address the “too big to

fail,” adequate regulation of nonbank lenders and revisions in consumer protections

rules adequately. We fear that the bill that is

on the table for the US Senate will burden

community banks with regulations that will

make it more difficult to serve the “average

consumer and small business.” Small community banks are not responsible for the current crisis, so we are supporting our banking

trade associations in the fight to protect small

community banks from “over regulation.”

Once again, Gene and I continue to wish all the

members of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of

Oklahoma good health and financial success.

The Executive Committee receives a lot of questions on the Joint Venture

Project, which is the project to build a new health care clinic in Little Axe.

In order to address some of these questions, the Executive Committee has

prepared this list of questions and answers. If you have any additional questions, please contact an Executive Committee member.

What is the joint venture project?

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and the Indian

Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services

jointly enter into a Joint Venture Construction Project for the construction of health care facilities. The Tribe will design and construct the

Facility and provide the initial equipment. IHS will lease the facility

and the land incidental thereto under a no-cost lease for a minimum of

20 years thereafter and include in its annual budget requests funding

for staffing and supplies to operate and maintain the facility, which

is added to the Tribe’s Compact.

100%

$1,295.00

$579,348.25

$217.50

$310,767.14

$282.50

$190,170.75

$795.00

Miscellaneous

Why is it called the joint venture?

It is called a joint venture because it is an agreement between the

Indian Health Service and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of

Oklahoma to enter into an IHS Joint Venture Construction Project. A

project that is to be completed with responsibilities from both parties.

Where will the joint venture be located?

The Tribe will construct a 72,597 square foot outpatient health care

facility which will be located on 25 acres in Cleveland County,

Oklahoma. This facility shall be located across Highway 9 from

Thunderbird Casino and the current Little Axe clinic.

How did the location of the joint venture come about?

The Executive Committee selected the location by resolution on January 16, 2008. Additionally, the Tribe prepared a feasibility analysis

as part of its application process and the Little Axe Replacement

Clinic provided the Tribe with the best opportunity to be selected

for a joint venture project.

Why is the new clinic 72,597 square feet?

It is based on the known user population in that area and their respective health care needs.

How will the joint venture be funded?

A. To construct the building: the Joint Venture will originally be

funded by a loan from BancFirst. BancFirst will retain 10% of the

debt. The remaining 90% of debt shall be sold to investors in the form

of 100% guaranteed Certificates of Participations by Wells Nelson.

B. To fund staffing and supplies: IHS will provide a reoccurring

$11.9 million a year in addition to our compacted IHS dollars with

an additional 125 staff members being funding.

NOTE:

TOTAL COLLECTIONS

$78,410.36

0.22%

$578,053.25

$310,549.64

$189,888.25

$77,615.36

TOTAL TAXES

3.63%

79.88%

4.60%

1.16%

6.11%

4.40%

$21,036.20

$462,777.00

$26,642.24

$6,742.86

$35,375.43

$25,479.52

$7,875.54

$266,645.00

$7,956.42

$3,983.15

$13,902.50

$10,187.03

$6,733.05

$144,551.00

$8,094.39

$1,422.00

$13,795.32

$15,292.49

$6,427.61

$51,581.00

$10,591.43

$1,337.71

$7,677.61

$0.00

Sales (6%)

Gaming % of free cash

Employee (1%)

Severance (8%)

Motor Vehicle

Tobacco Refund

FEBRUARY

TAX

CATEGORY

JANUARY

FY-2010

YTD TAX COLLECTIONS

(thru 3/31/2010)

MARCH

YEAR-TO-DATE

TOTAL

% OF

COLLECTIONS

Robert P Billy, President and Gene Davis

CEO, Chairman

May 2010

What funds will be used?

The $26 Million borrowed from BancFirst will be used to construct.

Happy Mother’s day

What has been used thus far?

Only internal funds of $2,924,286.23 has been spent

so far. Health has spent $2,227,160.76. Roads has

spent $300,000.00. Indian Community Development

Block Grant has spent $397,125.47.

Why has the Tribe funded part of the project?

The Department of Interior required the Tribe have

20% equity share in the funded project.

How will the joint venture improve services, business for

the Tribe?

It will create employment opportunities for Tribal

citizens.

It will create a need for a day care in the area.

The construction agreement will provide $440,000.00

to the Tribe’s new TERO Office.

When will the joint venture be completed?

Approximately, January 2012.

Do you have a completed view of what the AST clinic will

look like?

Yes, we have artist renderings and full complete

construction designs and documents.

Who is BancFirst?

BancFirst is the lender for the Joint Venture Project.

What part will they fund?

BancFirst will provide the $26 million loan that is

necessary to complete the process based on the fact

that the Department of Interior (DOI) has guaranteed

90% of the loan.

What is the amount that DOI will guarantee?

DOI will guarantee up to $23,400,000.00 of the borrowed amount.

What is significant about the DOI guarantee?

The 90% guarantee given to the Absentee Shawnee

Tribe is the single largest loan guarantee that the

Department of Interior has ever guaranteed.

What does this guarantee mean?

It means that if the Tribe is unable to make its payments, the DOI will step in and pay 90% of the loan.

What happens if the Tribe defaults on its loan payments?

If the Tribe cannot make its loan payments, then the

DOI guarantee will go into effect and pay off 90% of

the loan. In addition, IHS would step in and run the

clinic. Any proceeds from the IHS run clinic would

be paid to the DOI to re-pay any funds that the DOI

had to pay as the guarantor of the loan. Tribe will

retain ownership of the land.

What will the payment be for the joint venture?

There is an amortization schedule that dictates what

the Tribe’s payment will be each year. The average

payment will be approximately $1,900,000.00 a year.

From what source will this payment be paid?

The Tribe shall make its payment from revenues collected from third party billing.

Will the payment be monthly, yearly, etc.?

There will be two semi-annual interest payments

each year and one yearly principal payment made

each year.

Who will hold the first mortgage on the land?

Nobody has a first mortgage on the land. BancFirst

has a leasehold mortgage meaning that they have an

interest in the lease between IHS and the Tribe.

What is a leasehold mortgage?

It is a mortgage on the lease between IHS and the

Tribe. It is not a mortgage or interest in the land.

Why is this mortgage necessary?

The leasehold mortgage is necessary as BancFirst

required some type of security interest in the project

in order to get approval from the Lending Committee.

It was also a requirement of the DOI Loan Guaranty.

What is the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Healthcare Authority, Inc.?

The Absentee Shawnee Tribal Healthcare Authority,

Inc. is a corporation created under the Corporate Code

of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. It was established to

manage and oversee all of the health care operations

of the Tribe as well as provide an additional layer

of liability protection to the Tribe. It is overseen by

the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Healthcare Authority,

Inc. Board of Directors. This Corporation is a wholly

owned subsidiary of the Tribe.

What is the Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Health, Inc.?

Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Health, Inc. is a corporation formed

under the laws of the State of Oklahoma. It was created to manage and oversee the operations of the Little

Axe Clinic and new clinic. This Board was created

specifically to allow the Tribe to be eligible to purchase Oklahoma State Tax Credits. This Corporation

is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tribe.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Why are there two boards?

There are two boards because there are two corporations and each corporation requires a separate board.

The Boards have had their first meeting and selected

Chuck Skillings as President of both Boards and

Beverly Felton as Secretary of both Boards.

Who selected the board members?

The Executive Committee sitting as Shareholder’s

Representative appointed the members of each Board

of Directors.

How many board members will there be?

There are seven board members, with two of the seven

board members being Tribal citizens. There is one

non-voting board member who is a member of the

Executive Committee. There is a total of eight (8).

Who is on the two boards?

Nathan Boren, MD – currently serves as the Medical Director of the Absentee Shawnee Little Axe

Clinic. A practicing physician with the Absentee

Shawnee Tribal Health Program.

Greg Terrell – currently serves as the Sr. Vice

President and Chief Operating Officer of the Norman Regional Health System in Norman, Oklahoma.

Mr. Terrell has approximately 29 years of experience working in the health administration field. 25

of those years have been in a health management

capacity.

Chuck Skillings –currently is the President/ Chief

Executive Officer of Unity Health Systems, Shawnee, Oklahoma and has been for approximately 10

years. He is a member of the Oklahoma Hospital

Association and American College of Healthcare

Executives

Representative Lisa Johnson-Billy – currently

serves at an Oklahoma State Representative for

District 42 out of Purcell, Oklahoma. She served

on the Oklahoma Legislative Public Health House

Committee and the State Tribal Relations Joint

Committee; the Legislative Subcommittee on Public

Health and the Social Services House Committee.

She is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Tim Tall Chief – recently retired from being the

Deputy Commissioner of Administration for the

Oklahoma State Health Department. He serves on

the Osage Nation Health and Wellness Advisory

Board. He is a member of the American Public

Health Association. He is a member of the Osage

Nation

Beverly Felton –is an Absentee Shawnee Tribal

Citizen and registered nurse. Ms. Felton is the

Practical Nursing Coordinator for the Moore Norman Technology Center, Norman, Oklahoma. She

is a member of the American Nurses Association

and American Association of University Women.

Troy Little Axe, Jr. – is an Absentee Shawnee Tribal

Citizen. He is a licensed attorney and Partner in

Legal Advocates for Indian Country, LLP, law firm.

He is also a founding Board Member of the Northeastern Tribal Health System in Miami, Oklahoma.

May 2010

What is their role on the two boards?

Fiduciary responsibility.

What is their authority?

To complete their duties as defined in the service

agreement.

Who is Wells, Nelson?

It is the investment banking company that was contracted with to complete the sale of the Certificates

of Participation and purchase/sale of the Oklahoma

Tax Credits.

What is their role in this project?

Complete the sale of the Certificates of Participation

and complete the purchase/sale of the Oklahoma

Tax Credits

What is the Fitch rating for the bonds?

The rating is pending, but expected to be AAA.

Why do we need to set up a for profit Oklahoma corporation?

We needed to set up a for profit Oklahoma corporation

to be eligible for the Oklahoma tax credits.

How will these tax credits be used for Li-Si-Wi-Nwi

Health, Inc.?

The tax credits will capitalize the corporation as

$2,880,000 dollars. It provides a base of funds for

the Tribe to purchase the B Series Certificates of

Purchases.

How soon will Li-Si-Wi-Nwi Health, Inc. get these tax

credits?

They will get the tax credits at the sale and funding

of the transaction.

What is the amount of the tax credits?

$5,760,000.00 million when they are sold; Li-Si-WiNwi Health, Inc. will get $2,880,000.00.

Happy Mother’s day

Who purchases the A Series Certificates of Participation

and the B Series Certificates of Participation?

Private purchasers shall purchase the A Series Certificates of Participation and the Tribe shall purchase

the B Series Certificates of Participation.

Who signed the $3 million construction contract?

Governor Scott Miller

Why was the construction contract $3 million only?

It was the amount of funds that the health programs,

BIA Roads fund and ICDBG had internally to fund

the construction.

Who signed the $18.6 million contract?

Governor George Blanchard

What date was the contract signed?

July 6, 2009.

What did this cover?

The remaining balance of the construction costs.

What funds were used to pay all the expenses to date?

Health funds, Bureau of Indian Affairs roads funds

and Indian Community Development Block Grant

funds.

How will the health department make payments for this

loan?

Health department collects Medicaid and funds from

3rd parties, i.e. 3rd party insurance.

Health programs collected $2,162,000 in third party

collections for 2009.

Did we use Indian Health Service funds for construction

costs?

No, we used historic health fund balance and third

party revenues.

Has any General Fund monies been used for the Joint

Venture Project?

No, no general fund monies have been committed

or used.

($25,000,000.00) to design, construct and equip a

joint venture construction program in association

with the Indian Health Service, by encumbering the to

be constructed building(s) and up to twenty-five (25)

acres, where the facility will be built. The meaning

of the statement is (if it had been approved) General

Council was giving the Executive Committee authority to borrow money and encumber the new clinic

and land.

What does encumber mean?

It means the Executive Committee would directly

mortgage the property and clinic and use it as collateral on the loan. Just like when one buys a home

or a car.

Why did the Executive Committee ask for this authority

from General Council?

The Constitution of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of

Indians of Oklahoma expressly reserves to General

Council the authority to encumber trust assets of the

Tribe, therefore the Executive Committee, through

the referendum, requested permission to encumber

trust assets. The question placed on the referendum

ballot did not request approval to proceed with the

Joint Venture Project. Since the Referendum Election

did not pass, the Executive Committee pursued other

avenues for funding the project without encumbering

the land and property.

Will Indian Health Service own the building?

Indian Health Service will not own the building or the

land where the clinic is built. The Absentee Shawnee

Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma will own the building

and the land.

Will Indian Health Service be running the clinic after it

is built?

No, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma will be operating the health clinic.

What did the Referendum Election on May 17th, 2008

mean?

The question voted on at the Referendum Election

read as follows:

Effective immediately, General Council hereby approves and delegates authority for a period of one

year from the date of this election to the Executive

Committee to apply for and obtain a loan not to

exceed the amount of twenty-five million dollars

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

THE CANDIDATE ZONE

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE

ELECTION COMMISSION

The following candidates will proceed

to the Run Off Election to be held on

June 19, 2010

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Dan

ller

t Mi

Scot

Jeff

Kath

y Dee

Litt

le A

Sr.

Lt. Governor

Isaac Gibson, Jr.

Dan Little Axe, Sr.

Treasurer

Scott Miller

Kathy Deere

Representative

Jeff Gibson

Betty Watson

Gibs

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

Candidate

Letter

Jeff Gibson

Tribal members, family, and friends....thank you for the opportunity to allow

us to run in our tribal election.

We didn’t have the chance to get out and visit anyone before the primary,

but since the primary election we have had tribal members all over the state

who have given us their thoughts on different issues...and we have listened

with an open mind. It’s time now that we go out and visit all of you we can,

so you can give us your personal opinion on what you think about the tribe...

Both Jeff and I believe the tribe as a whole is ready to move forward leave

the past behind... Now is the time to build the casinos, and to explore other

business ventures that will financially benefit the tribe.

If you would like to talk to one or both of us, give us a call we will gladly

stop by...looking forward to talking to you before the election...thanks

Isaac Gibson Jr.

Jeff Gibson

for

AST Lieutenant Gov

AST Tribal Representative

405-596-7129

405-476-1562

VOTE JUNE 19th ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBAL ELECTION

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Candidate

Letter

Ho wa se li si mi mo gi ke li ko te Progress is sometimes difficult and requires initiative and

yi qa!

persistence to make it happen. Sometimes it is complicated

and difficult to understand for some, especially when it comes

I hope everyone is well and in good to funding. A good example is the Joint Venture project. Not

Scott Miller

spirits. The run-off election is fast everybody totally understands how the funding is structured,

approaching and it is very critical some even refuse to understand how the funding is structured

everyone goes to vote on Saturday, June 19th. This is a very and will go as far to tell you it will fail. Three candidates in

important election with three offices up for election and the this election appear to want this project to fail. Why? Who

direction of our Tribe in the balance.

knows why, maybe because they refuse to understand the

funding structure and the positive impact our Tribe can have

I am running for Treasurer, but I must say to you, the tribal by expanding health services. I would question those persons

citizens have been cheated when it comes to the productivity on why they want something positive to fail for our Tribe and

from certain tribal officials. No written reports of activities while what they would different.

in office, no accountability to the people even while performing their constitutional duties of the AST. When information is I hope those of you who could not attend General Council

given it is archaic & something we already know, i.e. the CPN request a book to see what is going on with our Tribe. Advs. Collier case [1998].

ditionally, someone took the time to dedicate a section to Q&A

about the Joint Venture and a timeline of events (p. 88-96), so

The case has been decided by the U.S. Supreme Court and that everyone will understand.

cannot be changed unless the U.S. Congress makes a law

overcoming the decision. We would not be in this situation if

a Tribal Treasurer in the 90’s would have not refused to pay There are three important areas I feel our Tribe needs to work

for an attorney to defend the Tribe in the case, but here we on immediately:

are today. Yes it would be great if we could get a new law on

the books to allow us to put lands into trust, however it will

1. Gaming. A second gaming facility will bring additional

take time and money. A candidate in this election speaks of

tax revenue for General Fund programs.

his “unfinished business” on this issue, but we have not seen

2. Economic Development. Become 8A certified again

and compete for government contracts. Use Tribally

any plan or time frame of how this issue would be resolved,

much less any dedication to his duties.

owned properties to create businesses or attract reputable companies to bring their business to our lands.

I attended the recent General Council and came away with

3. Health. Complete the Joint Venture Project. We will

the impression some folks may not understand what it takes to

gain funding from Indian Health Service and provide

make progress for our Tribe. I feel there is too much concern

our people with new services.

with who controls what instead of what are members of the

Executive Committee doing to progress our tribe. There are All three areas can have a positive economic impact for the

many opportunities passing by our Tribe because we get too Tribe’s economy. They can provide job opportunities; business

opportunities for Tribal citizens who may own a company; and

distracted with who has power.

additional sources of income to the Tribe.

I find it disturbing progress has come to a grinding halt due

to the lack of understanding and unwillingness to understand It is important we elect the person who understands the Tribe’s

processes and project workings. I am for progress, but I can- budgeting process and how governmental accounting funcnot see where our top two elected officials talk about progress tions. It can be difficult for people to understand if they have

[if there is any-it is certainly not being put in writing-informing not worked in the tribal world or worked for the tribe many years

ago before self-governance. There are many more controls

the Tribal citizens].

in place now and federal regulations to follow. The tribe itself

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

has procedures established for finance to follow in the Administrative Systems Manual. These are in place to protect the

finances of our Tribe and make each program accountable for

operation and expenditures.

Every election a candidate or two use the per cap promise

to get your vote, knowing good and well you will not receive

one. Has anyone received a per cap payment since the last

two elections? No! Everything you have been promised in

the last two elections is not for your benefit. Instead, examples

of questions you should consider about the candidates are;

are they willing to put in their full time and effort for the tribe?

Do they have what it takes to protect and progress our Tribe?

Are they truly sincere about helping ALL TRIBAL CITIZENS?

The duties of an elected office are far more than being “customer relations”. It’s about making decisions on behalf of the

people and FOR THE PEOPLE, AS A WHOLE. It’s about

dedicating your full time and attention to your duties and issues

of the Tribe. It’s about developing businesses and business

relationships. It’s about fighting for our people when our sovereignty is threatened.

CANDIDATE

LETTER

Betty Watson

Dear Tribal Members:

I want to thank all the voters who braved the "rare Oklahoma" snow storm and icy roads to go to the polls and vote

in the primary election that was held March 20, 2010. The

results of the primary election have the following candidates

in a run-off election to be held June 19, 2010:

Lt. Governor-Dan Little Axe and Isaac Gibson, Jr.

Treasurer-Kathy Deere and Scott Miller

Representative-Betty Watson and Jeff Gibson

There were over 300 voters, which was a great turn out in

spite of the snow and the icy roads. In addition, there were

When going to the polls on Saturday, June 19th, think about many absentee ballots that were spoiled and could not be

who you want to represent you; individuals who are not fully counted for various reasons. So, please, if you vote by

committed to the people and have trouble understanding how absentee ballot, please follow the instructions for completing

the Tribe works today or individuals who are willing to fully and returning your ballot.

dedicate their time and ready to make progress for the Tribe.

This is a very important election please remember to vote! I

appreciate your support on Saturday, June 19th.

Ne yi wa!

Vote for Scott Miller Absentee Shawnee

Treasurer 2010

I do not want to point fingers in this article, but I feel like the

truth has to be told in order for you, the membership, to

know what is at stake in this election.

The past Governor has attempted to put your/our tribe in

debt by borrowing 26 million dollars for a Joint Venture Clinic

that was voted down by our members. As Governor he went

against and around the membership vote by mortgaging

our land and borrowing the 26 million dollars for the joint

venture. He signed a construction contract for this venture

before he had secured the loan to build the clinic and has

spent $3,484,517.95 on the start of construcion on the Clinic

without completing the loan to build the Clinic. The present

Executive Committee is still attempting to secure the loan

but has been able to arrange the bond financing for this

project to date.

Just how did they get this done after the membership voted

this Joint Venture down by a referendum vote? Here's how

they circumvented the vote of the people. They created a

newly formed State Health Board, "LiSiWiNwi Health Inc.",

and used this newly created health board to borrow this

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

money. Then they transferred the property where the joint

venture is to be built to the Realty Department with the full

authority to use it as collateral in borrowing the 26 million

dollars. The Executive Committee did not have the authority

to transfer the use of the property to the Realty Department

and then use to as collateral, when it clearly states in our

Constitution that those powers are reserved to the General

Council, who meets twice a year. The General Council

never voted to use this land as collateral for the $26M loan.

But the Executive Committee circumvented the vote of the

people and approved the use of the land as collateral for

the $26M loan according to the 2008 Resolutions passed by

the Acting Lt. Gov. Lopez, Secretary Carpenter and Representative Isaac Gibson, Jr. all voted YES. The Treasurer E.

Longhorn was absent during there Special Executive Committee meetings.

What the past Governor and the rest of the Executive Committee voting for this Joint Venture failed to the membership

is the effect this Joint Venture could possibly have on our

health programs, if we cannot repay this $26M loan. They

said that third party revenue will pay for this loan. The real

truth is that we currently use third party revenue to help

pay for the Clinic and Pharmacy in Shawnee. If you use

this money to pay for the Joint Venture loan, the Clinic and

Pharmacy in Shawnee will have to be closed.

would disagree with his comment that our tribe's budget is

different from your or mine because your budget depends

on the amount of money in your paycheck. You would not

spend more than what you make. The same is true with the

Tribe, do not spend more than what you have coming in.

Ask yourself this question, "As Treasurer will Mr. Miller continue to spend more than we bring into our General Fund?"

What will he do as Treasurer, if elected, and we cannot

repay the loan and where is the money going to come from?

This is a very important election and you need to consider

and evaluate each candidate as of you are hiring them to

run your business for you. Because, in essence, that is

exactly what you are doing. Tribes are multi-million dollar

companies and you should elect qualified individuals with

the experience to this business for you. If you had a successful business, would you hire someone with very little

experience or hire someone to "learn on the job" at your

expense? I certainly wouldn't. I would select the best qualified and experienced individual I could find.

Vote for someone that cares about an honest and open

government, where everyone knows the difference between

what is right or wrong and has no "hidden agenda", a person

who will follow the wishes of the people. It is time to go in

another direction with honesty, integrity and clear leadership

for our future! Thank you for your consideration and I would

appreciate your vote on June 19, 2010.

If the third party revenue is not enough to pay for the loan,

ask yourself "Where will the money come from to pay the

loan?" That answer is the tribe and its general fund. Just

Betty Mahardy Watson, Candidate for Representative

think for a minute, what make up our general fund? It is the Absentee Shawnee Tribe

revenues that we get from taxes, gaming revenue, rental

income and investments. Is this enough to pay the loan?

The answer is NO. At the present time, our tribe is operating

in a deficit after spending more than what we are currently

bringing in through our general fund. Our gaming is not generating any revenue, (look at the tax report in the newsletter)

and we don't have any other investments or other economic

development projects to repay the loan.

It is time to ask this important question. Was this Joint

Venture Clinic really necessary for the Tribe to go into debt

to borrow $26M and was this in the best business interest of

our Tribe? And, how is this going to generate any income

to our Tribe? I did not support this Joint Venture project and

the membership of our didn't either by voting it down. Let's

not move forward with the $26M loan that the EC is attempting to secure by selling bonds for this project.

In last month's newsletter, Mr. Miller spoke of budgets. I

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMITTEE MEETING

MAY 22, 2010

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

LITTLE AXE RESOURCE CENTER

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

BRIANA PONKILLA (405) 275-4030 or bponkilla@astribe.com

My Friends and Relatives

ne we ki ni ke no ke na hi le wa la mi ke

<always ask these questions.

ki mo ge ni ni to ti ko ke hi se

ne ho yo wi ge yo lo mi

1. Hello or hi

a-ho Or Huh-ho

2. How are you?

hi ke ho wa se li si mi mo

3. How are the kids doing?

hi ta pe ho wa se li si mi mo ke

ke ti pe lo fa mi ke

4. Everything good at home?

ya ti yi ne hi we yi se ki gi ke we ya he ho wa

May 2010

5. How are your brothers and sisters dong ?

na he wa se li si mi mo ke ke ga ne ni ke

6. How many grandchildren do you have?

ka fe we ke ho se ta fi ke ke po ni ke

7. Have you planted your garden yet?

hi na ki ke ma ge ma ke ne ge ka

8. What did you plant?

na he wa ke ti ge ka

9. Did you get rain yesterday?

hi ke mo wi ne ne ti se ho li ko

10. You live at the old home place?

hi we yi se ki na ke mi ya pi ti ya qa

ke ti pe

Happy Mother’s day

Information from Your

Family Doctor

Metabolic Syndrome: What Is

It and What Can I Do About It?

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome (sometimes

called syndrome X) is a group

of risk factors for heart disease. You may have metabolic

syndrome if you are overweight

and have high blood pressure

and high levels of sugar or fats

in your blood. Many patients with

adult-onset diabetes also have

metabolic syndrome.

Why is it important?

With each risk factor you have,

your risk for heart disease goes

up. If you have all of the risk factors, you are six times as likely

to get heart disease. Even if

your cholesterol level is normal,

you still may be at risk for a

heart attack or stroke.

Metabolic syndrome happens

when you don’t get enough

exercise and you eat a diet with

too many calories and too much

saturated fat. You can lower

your risk of heart disease and

diabetes by changing some

habits, stopping smoking, and

losing weight.

How can exercise help reduce

the symptoms of metabolic

syndrome?

How much exercise and what

kind of exercise you should do

depends on your fitness level

now. Not being active is the biggest risk factor for heart disease.

If you don’t already exercise,

start by walking for five minutes

every day. It may be hard at

first, so go slowly. If you have a

medical problem, talk with your

doctor before you start walking.

Once you are walking regularly,

you should slowly increase how

fast and how far you walk. Even-

tually you should walk for 30 to

60 minutes at least five days a

week. If you already exercise

this much, consider adding resistance exercises to build muscle

strength.

How do I start exercising?

Many people find it hard to start

an exercise program. There

are a lot of books, videos, and

programs to help. Find a friend

to exercise with and get in shape

together. Remember that a good

exercise program includes three

parts: warm-up and stretching,

cardiovascular exercise (such as

walking and biking), and strength

training.

Can my diet reduce the risk of

metabolic syndrome?

Yes; what you eat can affect how

you feel. See the table on the

next page for some healthy food

choices. To lower your risk, try to

make the following changes to

your daily diet:

Eat fewer calories. Try to eat

less at each meal, and skip dessert. Snack on low-calorie foods

such as carrot sticks or rice

cakes. Try not to eat fried foods.

When eating out, ask that gravy,

sauces, or salad dressings be

served on the side, and use only

a little of them. Cut down on

the amount of fat added to your

starches (for example, don’t put

butter on a baked potato or a

slice of bread). Remove the skin

from chicken after cooking and

before eating.

Eat less saturated fat. Change

from full-fat dairy products (such

as whole milk, cheese, yogurt,

cottage cheese) to reduced-fat

and then low-fat (or skim) versions. Use only small amounts

of butter or use a margarine that

has no trans-fatty acids (such

as tub or squeeze packages of

margarine). Eat smaller portions of red meat (4 to 6 ounces

instead of 6 to 8 ounces). Buy

leaner cuts of meat. Eat chicken

breasts instead of dark meat.

Have at least one meatless

dinner per week (but do not use

eggs or cheese instead of meat

in this meal).

Eat more whole grains. Eat

whole wheat bread, brown

rice, oatmeal, and puffed-grain

cereals. Whole-wheat pasta or

pastas made from quinoa (say:

keen-wha) or other grains are

sold in health food stores and

some supermarkets. Eat whole

grain crackers and side dishes

such as bulgur wheat.

Eat more fruits and vegetables.

We should all eat at least five

servings of fruits and vegetables

each day. Eat fruit for snacks instead of chips. Count how many

fruit and vegetable servings you

eat each day. Look for ways to

get your “five-a-day” (two servings of fruit and three servings of

vegetables).

Eat fish. Fish has

omega-3 fatty acids, which are

good for your heart. Adding fish

to your diet is healthier than red

meat or cheese. Tuna, salmon,

whitefish, and mackerel are

good choices. Baking, broiling,

or poaching fish will help you

avoid extra calories from breading and frying.

Use healthier fats.

Olive oil, canola oil, and sesame

oil are healthier than corn oil

or vegetable shortening. Use

only small amounts of lard, pork

fat, or vegetable shortening for

cooking. Try using the healthier

oils in your recipes. These small

changes will bring you large

health benefits.

Making Better Carbohydrate

Choices

Poor carbohydrate choices (low

in fiber, some high in sugar and/

or fat)

Better carbohydrate choices

(high in fiber, low in sugar and

fat)

Apple juice (presweetened)

Apple (whole, with skin)

Bran muffin

Oatmeal (rolled oats)

Carrot cake

Angel food cake with fresh fruit

Chocolate chip cookies

Oatmeal cookies

Corn flakes cereal

Raisin bran cereal

Corn, sweet (cooked)

Lentils (boiled)

Croissant

English muffin

Doughnut

Whole wheat waffles

Fried tortilla or corn chips

Baked tortilla or corn chips

Potato (russet, baked)

Sweet potato, yam (baked)

Rice (white, long grain)

Brown rice (steamed)

White bread or bagel

Seven-grain or whole wheat

bread

This handout is provided to you

by your family doctor and the

American Academy of Family

Physicians. Other health-related

information is available from the

AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This information provides a

general overview and may not

apply to everyone. Talk to your

family doctor to find out if this

information applies to you and

to get more information on this

subject.

This content is owned by the

AAFP. A person viewing it online

may make one printout of the

material and may use that printout only for his or her personal,

non-commercial reference. This

material may not otherwise be

downloaded, copied, printed,

stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether

now known or later invented,

except as authorized in writing

by the AAFP. Contact afpserv@

aafp.org for copyright questions

and/or permission requests.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Cultural Preservation

The Cultural Preservation Department was recently invited guests of Pleasant Grove School in Shawnee. The week of April

5-9 was Native American Heritage Week as observed by Pleasant Grove. Pleasant Grove’s Mrs. Coker extended the invitation

to Cultural Preservation Director, Andy Warrior. As part of the learning and enlightenment, the Cultural Preservation Department was able to share and expose the students to different tribal customs and identities. Director Andy Warrior gave a brief

talk about the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Those that attended the Cultural Preservation demonstration are pictured: L to R

Levi Littlecreek- Absentee Shawnee tribal member, Andy Warrior- Cultural Preservation Director, Clay Martinez- Absentee

Shawnee tribal member, Henryetta Ellis- Cultural Preservation/AST Library, Tresha Spoon- Director of Education, not pictured

Alicia Engler- Cultural Preservation, Michael Mann- Cultural Advisory Council Vice President.

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

The Personal Meaning of our Absentee Shawnee Ceremonial Dances

To any outsider looking in at the Shawnees, it might appear these ceremonial dances are an act of congregating to perform a simple

dance, sing some simple songs, followed by a speech in our language but all of these efforts cannot truly be appreciated unless you live

the lifestyle that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is when you live this way of life that you begin to realize these

ceremonial dances have spiritual meaning.

Any race of people has created a means to find connection to some supreme being. When we are able to recognize and give praise for

all the creations around us, it is then we are able to realize the things we use in our everyday lives are given to us from God. Then we

are prone to create a means of giving thanks in a form we create and practice because of the faith that has been instilled in us through

our parents, grandparents and all others who are believers of our way of life. It is the faith in this lifestyle that pushes us through the

hardships that go along with the ceremonial way of life that we choose to follow. And at times, it is faith that will be the self persuasion we

need to continue to push ourselves to participate and do these things, that sometimes we just don’t quite understand why we do them.

While the following does not convey the full meaning of our dances it provides a basic explanation:

We perform the Spring Bread Dance in order to recognize the return of life through Mother Nature. This time of the year brings rejuvenation of life in all manners of existence. The return of the green grass, the budding of the trees, new animal life and the mere presence of

surviving the harsh winter time of dormancy. It is at this dance we give praise to what lies in our future and ask that what lies in our future

be beneficial to our people.

The War Dance is a representation of remembrance of another time and lifestyle of old. This dance pays respect to the members of the

Warrior clan that at one time were the protectors of our tribe. Through the years this respect has changed to include the men who have

served in the military, but who still fill that role as protector, and thru the dance recognize their contribution in defending the rights of our

country.

The Fall Bread Dance is a time to reflect back on the recent year of prosperity that has been beneficial to our people and to give thanks

through the manner of dance and song. We recognize what has been given to us for our survival and as we prepare to hibernate for the

winter time we take time to talk to God, just as we would at the other dances, to thank him for what has been provided to us and ask for

continued protection over ourselves.

As you can see, each one of these dances has a significant meaning in its own particular way. If each are looked at individually, then

every one of them looks in a certain direction of the existence of our people, one to the future, one of a time long ago and the other of

the near past.

The reason we do these dances could be explained with a more philosophical approach. Again, it reverts back to Faith. Our faith in

these ceremonies goes so far back in time that we, the people of today, have no means to refute it and this faith has become the basis

of our morals and values as a people. The ceremonial way of life has been taught to us in a way that is not only practiced at the dance

ground, but it also spills over into our everyday way of living. Our actions are influenced by our faith in the spiritual meaning these dances

represent, and by that, it influences the decisions we make in our lives.

As we become older and begin to see the significance our ceremonies hold for us spiritually, we begin to realize the cycle our ceremonial

life takes us through focuses on our generation for a period of time, but then the focus shifts to our children, nieces, nephews and younger

generations. It is because of them we eventually realize we want to provide something for them, just the same way our parents and

grandparents provided a way for our generation. And in order for us to pass on this identity, we have to participate and practice these

dances so that the next generations will witness what is done and be influenced by our actions. By providing them the opportunity to

participate, then they will begin to develop a feeling of possessing something that is truly meant for them and grasp the concept of how

important these dances are to our people. It will also create a spiritual bridge to what we as Shawnees consider appeasing to God in the

manner that we believe he gave to us to distinguish us as Shawnees.

The faith, we as a people, have in these ceremonial dances are our means of tying our existence to God. Just as Christians have belief

in the Bible and through the Bible they have tied their existence with God through Jesus Christ, we have these dances that are on a

comparable equal level of importance. It is through song and dance we worship in the most simplistic and humblest manner that our

people have followed for centuries.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

The Tiger Family Reunion

BLING

May 29, 2010

Lake Thunderbird State Park

Little Axe Shelter

(Believing in Native Girls)

10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

"Modina was one of the guest speakers at Riverside Indian

School, Anadarko, Oklahoma on March 27th

for "Believing in Native Girls (BLING) project." The

meeting was a Native Power Women's Tea Party. It

is a health promotion project for girls 12-18 years of age.

The program holds weekly teachings with the

girls on sexual and mental health and well being. "We

talked about the road to success, and mostly about goals

and key character traits that contribute to success, as well

as my own personal history that included boarding school

attendance, how my experiences contributed to developing my philosophy as a young girl, a woman, a mother, and

grandmother. To help make my presentation more personal, I actually wrote the young girls a letter that I used as

a handout," Modina stated.

May 2010

Bring food, drinks, games,

chairs, and family.

(ALL friends and relatives of

the late Jim Tiger and the late

Annie Mann Tiger are welcome.)

Please contact Jan Maxwell for

questions and/or comments at

(405) 514-5520

submitted by Jan Maxwell

Happy Mother’s day

Dear Shawnee tribal members,

Hello my name is Shawnee Antonio Tapia I am a U.S. Army Infantry soldier currently serving

in Afghanistan. I just wanted to tell everyone thank you for your support, prayers, and words

of kindness you all have given for my brief visit back in December. Recently I have given

great thought about being inducted into the Veterans Assoc. It gives me great pleeasure to

know I am now apart of the great many warrirors who have served and fought for our nations

freedoms, beliefs, and various things we as American Indians and citizens enjoy on a daily

basis. I am also proud to be apart of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. I also want to say I am

proud to be fighting for my people and our freedom. As an Infantryman I have overcome

many challenging things as a soldier and as a person. The mental and physical challenges I

face daily as an infantry soldier have made me a stronger person overall. I just wanted to write

and give thanks to my mother Linda and the rest of my family in Oklahoma. I cannot forget my

wife Sonya and my son Carlito the thought of coming home to them alone has put my heart

at ease and has given me the strength to carry on. I also wanted to thank the tribe for all the

help you have provided for me. As I continue my tour in Afghanistan I wanted to ask for your

continued prayers and support it will be much appreciated. I only have around 10 weeks left

and I am excited to be back home there is nothing like it. I can't wait to be back home with

my friends family and friends alike. One last thing, I love my country and my job so much I

re-enlisted today for four more years and I couldn't imagine a better job to have than serving

you all and my family, much love to you all.

Si-li-no-ke ka-no-la,

Specialist Shawnee A. Tapia

U.S. Army Infantry.

Operation Enduring Freedom 2009-2010

Happy Birthday Grandma!! We love you.

Skyla, Lliyah, Mikaylah, Robyn, Shawn,

Joaquin, and Silas

Glendine Blanchard

May 10

UNCLE DALE (DAVIS)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

MAY 21ST

MAKE AUNT SHARON

COOK HOT DOGS!!

LOVE YA

KEVIN ,LEILA ,

KANTYNN AND KANYNN

Happy Birthday and Mother’s Day Mom!!!!

Love,

Jac and Lance

Happy Birthday

And Many More!!!

ROY GENE GIBSON

From

Marvin & Sherry

Happy 8th Birthday

Christian Daniel Byers

We love you very much!

Auntie Sherry & Uncle Marvin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS(DALE DAVIS)

WE LOVE YOU

JOCELYN ,JUSTIN ,JARETT

AND CODY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD (ROY)

WE WISH YOU A GREAT DAY

LOVE KEVIN,LEILA,NIKKI,PAT

AND OF COURSE YOUR

WONDERFUL WIFE

GRANDPA ROY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ON MAY 7 WE LOVE YOU BUNCHES

KANTYNN AND KANYNN

TO MY SUGARBABY KANTYNN JAMES

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY ON MAY 30TH

LOVE GRANNY AND GRANDPA AND AUNT NIKKI AND UNCLE PAT

TO MY SON KANTYNN KASECA HAPPY 7TH BIRTDAY

LOVE MOM ,DAD,AND SISTER KANYNN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUBS

ON MAY 28TH

LOVE THE FOREMANS

AND KASECAS

Happy Birthday

Chubs Foreman

From

Sherry & Marvin

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

To a very special mom

Velma Blanchard

We love you!

Marvin & Sherry

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Cripps, Anita Louise

Foreman Jr, Leonard Dewayne

Megehee, Tonia Lynn

Bullard, Adam Drew

Gray, Branden Tyler

Evans, Lisa Michelle

Talbert, Elainia Michelle

Johnson, Nicholas James

Allen, Lucinda Nicole

Walker, Jo Ann Louise

Wolfe Sr., Houston Hugh

Battise, Wannetta Jean

Wilkerson, Barbara Lee

Allen, Patricia Ann

Wilson, Lana Louise

Alford, Amy Dianne

Masquat Jr., George

Alford, Magdelena Spaneta

Smith, Jeremiah Robert

Ellis, Heather Ann

Masquat, Chelcy Nicole

Williams, Verna May

Ramirez, Elicia Marie-Alka

Brister, April Angela

Panther, Jeffery Wayne

Kaseca, David Allen

Wucinski, Gary Ray

Fife, Gabriel Douglas

Gibson, Jeffrey Wayne

Spoon, Joplin Dupre

Hood Jr., Warren Weslyon

Snake, Norma Louise

Hood, Elena Ann

Littlecreek, Tristyn Denae

Godwin, Lucy G.

Little Charley, Cheryl Jean

Megehee, Douglas Dewayne

Soap Jr, John Lee

Spoon Jr., Robert Ray

Witt, Ambra Denise

Pearl, Melvin Joe

Bateman, Alberta Denise

Irvin, Steven Benjamin

Hunt, Dominique Annastasia Marie

Littlecreek, Tiffany Nicole

New Moon, Jake Lee

Little Creek, Vernon Dale

Tiger, Roland

Spybuck, Easton Cade

Baughman, Brenda Jane

Conover, Gloria Jean

Young, Lynda Renee

Graves Pyrch, Karen Sue

Battise, Tasheena Seannay

Footracer, Lee Anna Gail Stubb

Johnson, Walter Kirby

New Moon, Jennifer Brooke

Smith, Valerie Ann

Byers, Christian Daniel

Bryant III, Chester A.

Johnson, Whittney Brooke

Johnson Jr., Richard Taft

Gibson, David Michael

Warrior, Kenneth James

Kaseca, Barry Alvin

Blanchard, #263781, Joey Edward

Wakolee, Carmen Jean

Wilson, Francis Lynn

Wilson, Carla Marie

Surface Jr., Robert Monroe

Blackburn, Gayle Ann

Belvin, Justin Ray

Coffee, Larry Otis

Ott-Proctor, Lylli Lee Ann

Clinesmith, Blake Weston

Bentley, Curtis Lee

Warrior, Johnnie Andrew

Citty, Lindsey Nicole

Soap, Roger Eugene

Williams, Colton Alexander

Rolette, Joshua David Michael

Hernandez, Jennifer Lois

Moore, Emily Renee

Kowitz, Michael Raymond

Molina, Roy Gilbert Rivera

Sanders, Patty Ruth

Griffin, Diane Sue Berry

Hale, Kathy Sue

Bustamante, Andrea Nadine

Tallchief, John G.

Dibler Jr., George

Colungo, Steven Lee

Williams, Glenn Aaron

Ahtone, Catlin Ray

Littlecreek, Anderson Doreece

Denny, Jacqueline

Blanchard, Glendine

Raisbeck, David Nathaniel

Davis, Dale Allen

Grass, Amelia Ann

Mann, Sally Arlene

Thorpe, Burke James

Humphrey, Carol Lee

Pawpa, Donald Wayne

Buckner, June

Stevens, Laurence Paul

Tiger, Jennifer Diane

Johnson, Gabriella Kayann

White, Clayton Randall

Rock, Micheal Eugene

Lovins, Earl Dean

Blanchard, Caelynn Blu

Gibson Sr., Roy Gene

Rolette, Gilbert Earl

Szoke, Debra Jean

Hendrick, Luke Michael

Nice, Chelsea Nicole

Wilson, Diana Lynn

Matthews, Mary Caroline

McGowan, Patricia Lynn

May 2010

Washington, Lucille Axe

Johnson, Priscilla Grace

Rupe, Dorothy Ann

Johnson Harjo, Curtis Ray

Cuellar, Orietta Faith

Montgomery, Matthew Schyler

Daugherty

Wesley, Ula Mae Welch

Pyrch, Lauren Karly

Powell, Fawn Laverene

Spicer, Amber Jo

Morgan, Polly A Littlebear

Gray, Dakota Christian

Starr III, Henry James

Smith, Teresa Renee`

Gaut, Crystal Lynne

Spoon, Landon Joe

Little Axe, Sabrina

Bigpond, Roy

Bender, Leal Desma

Kaseca, Kantynn James

Uchida Jr., Stephen Robert

Neugent, Alisa Marie

Starr, Anthony Craig

Box, Dorothy Lorene

Sultuska, Ella L.

Robison, Thomas Aaron

Wilkerson, Katie Evalyn

Strain, Cynthia Ann

Sultuska, Jerry Wayne

Edwards, Glen W.

Schulenberg, Donald Derek

Minesinger, Scott Brooker

Bettelyoun, Lula Mae

Powell, Kendall Lynn

Tallchief IV, Eves

Creamer, Cora Mae Starr

Oldham, George Lynn

Buckley, Gerald Wayne

Smith, Vanessa Rae

Wilson, Christopher Blaine

Wallace, Brenda Gayle

Coon, Justin Kyler

Watson, Thomas Aaron

Ellis, Michael Frank

Breeding, Sean K. C.

Blanchard, Joseph Henry

Longhorn, Sean Ray

Salazar, Terry Lee

Hood, Lisa

Keith, Marshall Collins

Spriggs, Warren Paul

Johnson, Coree Lee

Little Charley, Terry Lee

Atwell, David Eugene

Blanchard, Dakota Joshua

Elephant Jr., Edward Elmer

Ramirez Jr., Florentino

Collett, Bonnie Sue

Taylor, Darwin Jacob

Grass, Larra Marie

MacK, Rylan Emory

Williams, Ruth Helen

Maxfield, Cordelia Dirt

Jackson III, Mark Sweeney

Lopez Jr, Rolando

Neugent, Alena Dee

Watson, Janelle Ilise

Squire, Nathan Gene

Shular, Monte Lee

Ferrell, Alyssa Kay

Brady, Lynn Marie

Hutchinson, Velma Rae

Johnson, Michael Scott Isaiah

Rudloff, Lacey Rei

Watson, Brittany L. P. D.

Galloway, Zachary Adam

Lovins, Audrey Ann

Kaseca, Roy James

Kmatz, Mindy Lynnette

Hill, Yvette Carmel

Wilson, Cecil Alan

Littlecreek, Dakota Dwight

Graves, Sharol Annette

Deere, Shawneen Estelline

Summers, Dorothy Jean Dirt

Noyes, Paula Jo

Combs, Michelle Lynn

MacGill, Georgia Sue

Bates, Akiane Karee

Mitchell, Desiree Rose

Meyer, Doreen

Feeling, Lavonna Jean

Alford Sr., Elroy R.

Robison, Morgan Tell

Robertson, Rita Jean York

Munroe, Douglas

Parker, Shawn Ian

Roach, Dakota Eugene

Henry, Eddie Allen

Fife, Teresa Laura Irene

Longhorn, Weda Louise

Morton, Jeremiah James

Watkins, Jamie Lynn

Kobs, Jennifer Ann

Hood, Thomas Edgar

Rolette, Domini Antoinette

Miller, Casey Ryan

Mathany, Susanne Christine

Atchico, John Edward

Charley, Melloney Ann

Springer, Delores Ann

Harris, Konner Lee Little Charley

Alford, Christian Shawnee

Mendoza, Amanda Ranee`

Wilson, Helen June

Onzahwah, Deborah Kay

Ellis, Holly Diana

Smith, Richard Alexander

Happy Mother’s day

“Thank You for Caring”

Special congratulations go out to our very

own Contract Health Specialist, Flora

Mann. Because of outstanding character

and achievement she was elected into the

National Technical Honor Society at Gordon

Cooper Technology Center. We are all so

proud of her as she works towards her LPN

license. Keep up the good work!

Education Department

The following are current programs administered by the

Absentee Shawnee Tribe Education Department:

•

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

school-related athletic program expenses. Program has

a maximum funding limit for the academic year.

•

Zahn Program: established from a trust fund, program can

help with some graduation expenses, and awards two (2)

incentives: one for GED recipients and one for High School

graduates. Program has a maximum amount of funding

for graduation expenses.

•

Job Training Adult Education Program: funds for vocational training at accredited vocational institutions. Program

has a maximum funding limit for the calendar year or per

program.

•

Higher Education: Education Incentive Award Program:

funds for undergraduate degrees, one associates or

bachelors degree, at any accredited college or university.

Funding levels are determined based upon grade point

“Your Work is Appreciated”

We would also like to acknowledge Tina

Ontiveros-Adame for her academic achievements. As a result of her dedication to

scholarly success, the Phi Theta Kappa

chapter at Seminole State College invited her

to accept membership into the international

honor society. We commend her on her hard

work, great job!

average and full-time or part-time status.

***Nurses names are:

Holly Ellis, RN

Roxann Patterson, RN

Debi Sloat, RN

Valene Bartmess, RN

Sylvia Swanson, RN

Newton Sloat, LPN

Nancy Ward, LPN

Angela Green, LPN

Tammy Simmons, LPN

Dian Osburn, LPN

Christina Fullbright, LPN

THE MEDIA DEPARTMENT’S

FaCt

MOnth...

of tHe

“Almost” is the longest word in the English language

with all the letters in alphabetical order.

www.nationmaster.com

•

Graduate Scholarship Program: funds for one master’s

degree or one doctoral degree, and can fund for one graduate admissions test. This program has funding levels based

upon full-time and part-time status.

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

application.

Attention:

All applications and guidelines are available at www.astribe.

com.

There are no deadlines for the Job Training Adult Education Program,

but you must submit your application documents at least three weeks

prior to the beginning of the course to ensure funding is available

and can be disbursed to the institution.

Applications for the Education Incentive Award Program are due

July 31, 2010.

For more information, please call Tresha Spoon at (405)

275-4030 ext. 121 or 1-800-256-3341 or email to tresham@astribe.com.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

AST Education Department holds EOC Tech Fire Academy Meeting

Robert Lincoln (Instructor), Mark Masters (Instructor), and Joe Bennett (Instructor) present fire academy information to those in attendance.

The AST Education Department held an informational meeting on April 13th at the Little Axe Resource Center to provide tribal members with information

on the Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center’s full-time, Summer, Fire Academy specializing in Structural and Wild Land Firefighting presented

by Robert Lincoln, Mark Masters, and Joe Bennett, all are Instructors at the EOC Tech Fire Academy.

The program was designed to introduce and prepare Native Americans for a position in the fire service as a career Firefighter or volunteer Firefighter.

This program available to tribal members as a means to prepare them for the workforce in the above mentioned fields.

Fire Academy Core Curriculum

• First Responder

•

Firefighter I

•

Firefighter II

•

Hazardous Materials Awareness

•

Hazardous Materials Operations

•

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

•

Flashover

•

Wild Land

•

Basic Auto Extrication

•

IFSAC testing (National Certification)

The Course is 12 weeks in length, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Fire Academy will begin May 26th, 2010 and end August 20th, 2010

“The Fire Academy is an all Native American Fire Academy”

The process begins with an application from the candidates which EOC Tech will provide, followed by selection process through interviewing and a

physical agility test at our facility.

If you have questions, please contact the Education Department or Robert Lincoln Fire Academy Instructor (405) 788-7767, or Mark Masters Fire

Academy Instructor (405) 747-1887, or Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center, 4601 N. CHOCTAW RD. CHOCTAW, OK.

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

Tribal Youth Program sponsors Spring Break Camp

The Camp Nikoti-Tribal Youth Program sponsored the 2nd annual Melokami Youth Camp in collaboration with AST Cultural

Preservation, AST Domestic Violence, AST Indian Child Welfare, AST Office of Environmental Health and Engineering,

and AST Diabetes and Wellness. This camp was held during the week

of Spring Break, March 15-19, 2010 at the Brendle Corner Community

Building in Little Axe.

Melokami Youth Camp included daily activities like Absentee Shawnee Language instruction, team building games, cultural arts and

crafts, physical fitness games, and a time of reflection for the youth to

document anything they wanted to about their day. Presentations were

given on various topics like: leadership, personal finance, teen dating

violence, tobacco prevention, educational options after high school,

internet safety, and water quality and conservation. Youth completed

photo collages and wrote a list of five positive things about themselves

to end the busy week on a very positive note.

THE OUTBACK

Camp Nikoti

Counselors and Volunteers

Needed!

Applications Available Now and are

Due by May 14th.

Summer

Leadership and Recreation

Camp

Call 275-4030 ext. 193 and ask for Margaret Ellis.

Ages 11-14 yrs.

Counselors must be at least 16 years

of age to apply.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age.

You may pick up an application at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal complex in the basement of building #3.

Questions? Call 275-4030 ext. 193 and ask for Margaret Ellis.

LIMITED SPACE IS AVAILABLE. FIRST

COME, FIRST SERVE

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Following in Our Footsteps

Our spring break retreat was amazing…to say the least. We had digital imagery, photography, making dream catchers,

beading key chains, guitar, drums, museums, hiking, and horseback riding.

We are starting a baseball league this summer and want you and your children to be involved. Additionally, we are

planting a garden and need Following in Our Footstep participants to volunteer for “sweat equity” to be able to be involved in

the float trip this summer.

It is so imperative to keep our young children from methamphetamine and other drug use. We are educating our

youth in alternative ways and exposing them to positive alternatives that will give them something to do that is valuable.

Suicide is something that no one wants to address; especially when thinking of our youth. When suicide impacts our

lives it is tragic. As most of you know Pottawatomie County is ranked 3rd in suicide completions in the State of Oklahoma.

Following in Our Footsteps offers counseling services, education, and activities to help decrease meth and

suicide;

together our Native Youth become motivated and learn healthy lifestyle changes.

May 2010

Happy Mother’s day

ALL NATIONS BASEBALL

Coming together as one building strong morals and confidents as

one nation!

AGES 7-19

League Breakdown: Coach Pitch 7-10 Kid Pitch 11-15 Fast Pitch 16-19

PRICES

No costs only requires dedication and fun!!!!

-Sign up deadlines: TBA

-coach meetings: TBA

-Season Starts: TBA

DATES

Baseball registration form

Fill out and return to ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE, or call (405)585-3133.

Age________ M/F__________ Special Requests_______

Name_____________ Birth date______________

School__________ Parents name________________ Birth date_________ Email__________

Address__________ Phone(home)________ cell_________ city_________ state___________

Zip_______

Shirt size(CIRCLE): YXS YS YM YL YXL AS AM AL AXL

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE will not assume responsibility for any injury incurred while participating in any athletic events or any athletic sporting events. Nor will ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE be responsible for any lost or

stolen property. I read and understand this agreement and hereby agree that ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE is not responsible for and injury or lost or stolen property and agree to release any photography or footage relaying

baseball activities.

______________________

Print Name

____________________

Sign Name

____________________

Date

Interested in coaching?__________

Assistant coach____________

Shirt size________________ phone number ___________

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Domestic Violence/

Sexual Assault Program

The Domestic Violence Department had a busy month. April has been designated Sexual Assault

Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence

(focusing on sexual assault and rape) and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. The teal ribbon is worn throughout the month of April in support to promote

the prevention of Sexual Assault.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Domestic Violence Department would like to thank everyone for helping to bring awareness to Sexual Assault for the month of April. Please continue to bring awareness

to this problem throughout the year.

Attached are a few of the activities that the Domestic Violence Department had in conjunction with

Absentee Shawnee Tribe Indian Child Welfare.

Listed below are a few statistics regarding Native Americans and Sexual Assault:

•

Native Americans are victims of rape or sexual assault at more than double the rate of other

racial groups.

•

For Native American victims of violence, the offender was slightly more likely to be a stranger

than an intimate partner, family member or acquaintance.

•

Native Americans described the offender as an acquaintance in 34% of rapes/sexual assaults,

and as an intimate partner or family member in 25% of sexual assaults.

Southwest Ctr. for L. and Pol’y, Statistics (2005), http://www.swclap.org/statistics.htm; Steven W. Perry, U.S. Dep’t of Just., NCJ 203097, A Bureau of Justice Statistics Statistical

Profile, 1992-2002: American Indians and Crime (2004), available at http://www.ojp.

usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/aic02.htm

Thank you,

Kimberly Stephens, Director/Domestic Violence Advocate

(405) 275-4030 Ext. 156

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Events for April

Rick Short, Domestic Violence Coordinator

(405) 275-4030 Ext. 156

Jackie Denny, Transitional Housing Manager

(405) 275-4030 Ext. 108

Linda Domingez, Sexual Assault Advocate

(405) 275–4030 Ext. 206

Margaret Ellis, Administrative Assistant

(405) 275–4030 Ext. 193

May 2010

April 6, 2010- Balloon Release & Proclamation 2:00 pm

April 14, 2010- Cookies & Refreshments 12:00 pm

April 20, 2010- Woman’s Self Defense with ASTPD 1:30-4:30 pm

April 27, 2010- Lunch & Scavenger Hunt/Challenge 11:30-1:00 pm

Happy Mother’s day

Indian Child Welfare/

Domestic Violence

These are the winners of

the scavenger hunt! On

behave of ICW and Domestic Violence Departments thank you for your

participation!

Anthony Johnson

Mike Greenwood

Debbie Onzahwah

Emily Longman

Tamara Tehauno

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

VETERANS ASSOCIATION

To find out more about the AST Veterans Association, schedule the Color Guard or request a Military Funeral

Honor call:

David (405) 245-4802

Walter (405) 683-1247

John (405) 481-3822

astveterans@gmail.com

Address: Absentee Shawnee Tribe

Veterans Association

P.O. Box 247

Tecumseh, OK 74873

The next membership meeting will be Wednesday, May 12th at the Thunderbird Casino (far Southeast end,

a.k.a. The meeting room.) The meeting will begin at 7pm. A pot-luck dinner will follow the meeting.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Thunderbird Casino

Thunderbird Entertainment Center, Inc.

(TEC, Inc.) is a private corporation that was

created under the Absentee Shawnee Tribal

Corporation Code in 2000. The Incorporator

and creator of Thunderbird Entertainment

Center, Inc. was Mickey Burke. When it was

created Mickey Burke was the sole Board of

Director and occupied the positions of President and Secretary. The sole shareholder

of the corporation is the Absentee Shawnee

Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

In 2000, Mickey Burke established

TEC, Inc. with the initial purpose of obtaining

a liquor license with the Oklahoma Alcoholic

Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission,

like most corporations, the certificate of

incorporation included the stipulation that

TEC, Inc. could engage in any lawful business. TEC, Inc. entered into a management

agreement with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe

to operate the Jockey Club within Thunderbird Casino.

In 2008, the TEC, Inc. Board of Directors

was expanded. Additionally, a management

agreement to operate all casinos belonging

to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe was signed

between the Tribe and TEC, Inc. Originally, it

was the intent of the Executive Committee to

have Executive Committee members on the

Board of Director to ensure proper set-up of

the corporation’s Board of Directors and to

establish rules and regulations. It was and

still continues to be the intent of the Executive Committee to replace and limit Executive

Committee members and replace them with

business professionals once the corporation

was established.

The Executive Committee sitting as the

Shareholders’ Representative elects the

Board of Directors of Thunderbird Entertainment Center, Inc. Currently, there are five

members of the Board of Directors who hold

one-year terms. The current members of the

Board of Directors are Scott Miller; Troy Little

Axe, Jr.; Briana Ponkilla; Alecia Onzahwah;

and Michelle Lopez. The members of the

Board of Directors are not paid for their

May 2010

Gaming could be consolidated with

all economic development under

the Absentee Shawnee Economic

Development Authority, Inc.

services. The Executive Committee has

the ability to elect the members of the Board

of Directors in June of each year and may

select whomever they want to serve while

maintaining the integrity of the corporation.

•

The day to day operations of Thunderbird

Casino were delegated to the General

Managers. The General Managers report

to the Board of Directors, however, monthly

financial reports are sent to Treasurer Anita

Chisholm, Controller Belinda Collins, the Absentee Shawnee Tax Commission, the Tax

Administrator Les Cusher and the Absentee

Shawnee Gaming Commission. The corporate documents are held by the Corporations

Secretary, while the Tribal Secretary’s Office

maintains the incorporation documents.

•

While TEC, Inc. may have been

created for the purpose of obtaining

a liquor license, the real purpose

of the corporation has been to

provide increased protection of

the Tribe from liability. Currently,

the Oklahoma Supreme Court has

ruled corporations, businesses and

Tribe’s who hold liquor licenses

have subjected themselves to the

authority and jurisdiction of the

State of Oklahoma in regards to

liquor related torts. Having TEC,

Inc. limits the assets that a defendant may seek to obtain in a tort

lawsuit. If TEC, Inc. were dissolved,

the assets of the Tribe would be at

risk in tort claim cases.

•

Currently, all contracts with vendors

and businesses are contracted with

Thunderbird Entertainment Center,

Inc. Again, the reason for this is to

separate the Tribe from the business and limit the Tribe’s liability

in the event of a contract dispute.

If the corporation were dissolved,

these contracts would have to be

renegotiated or assumed by the

Tribe. This would negatively affect

revenue and profit as it would appear to vendors that Thunderbird

Casino is not stable and vendors

may renegotiate at less favorable

terms.

•

Currently, the liquor license is held

by Thunderbird Entertainment

Center, Inc. If the Corporation is

dissolved prior to another entity obtaining a liquor license for Thunderbird Casino, it could directly impact

gross revenues as some gamblers

may choose to gamble at a different

casino that serves alcohol. This

would negatively affect revenue

The Thunderbird Entertainment Center,

Inc. Board of Directors meets once a month

at Thunderbird Casino and the Executive

Committee is invited to attend each meeting as well. The Executive Committee and

the TEC, Inc. Board have had several joint

meetings over the last year. In fact, on April

15, 2010, the Executive Committee and the

TEC, Inc. Board of Directors met jointly.

Cons:

It has come to the attention of the Executive

Committee that there are tribal citizens who

believe that TEC, Inc. should be dissolved.

While it is a possibility, the Executive Committee believes that tribal citizens should all

be knowledgeable about the reasons that

TEC, Inc. was created as well as the pros

and cons of dissolving the corporation, prior

to that action being taken.

Pros for dissolving Thunderbird Entertainment Center, Inc.:

•

By dissolving the TEC, Inc., the

Executive Committee would have

more control over the operations

of Thunderbird Casino if the Executive Committee retained oversight

of gaming.

Happy Mother’s day

and profit. Obtaining a new liquor

license could be a lengthy process

as there are requirements that must

be fulfilled prior to the liquor license

being approved.

•

Gaming could be consolidated with

all economic development under

the Absentee Shawnee Economic

Development Authority, Inc. This

idea was suggested when ASEDA,

Inc. was created, however at this

time, it does not appear that the

ASEDA Board is in a position to

oversee the Tribe’s biggest asset.

•

Dissolving the TEC, Inc. Corporation is a lengthy process that will

require action by the Tribal Court to

ensure that all business obligations

and debts are properly handled. If

the Tribe were to assume oversight

of gaming and Thunderbird Casino,

it is possible the Court would want

the Tribe to assume any debts of

Thunderbird Casino, too.

•

Additionally, the National Indian

Gaming Commission may have

concerns with the Tribe having

management oversight of gaming as well as oversight over the

regulatory authority, the Absentee

Shawnee Tribal Gaming Commission.

At the April, 2010 General Council Meeting,

a motion was made to direct the Executive

Committee to dissolve Thunderbird Entertainment Center, Inc. and a vote was held.

The vote was 46 in favor of dissolving; 35

opposed to dissolving; and 2 spoiled ballots.

While General Council voted to dissolve

Thunderbird Entertainment Center, Inc.,

that vote did not have any authority and

can only be considered a political request.

Upon examining the corporate code, only a

unaminous vote of the shareholders (every

member of the Tribe), a court order, or a majority of the Board of Directors and majority of

the shareholders may dissolve the corporation. Even with a vote approving dissolution

by a majority of the Board of Directors and

shareholders, a court order dissolving the

corporation would more than likely be necessary. The Executive Committee cannot

unilaterally dissolve the corporation.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

Absentee Shawnee Tribe

Enrollment office

Address Change Request

Date: ____________CDIB# _____________ Birth Date:________________

Full Name:____________________________________________________

New Address:__________________________________________________

City: _________________________State ________Zip Code: ___________

County: ______________________ Home Phone (

)________________

Please Mail to:

Absentee Shawnee Tribe

Enrollment Office

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive

Shawnee, OK. 74801

Cell Phone (_____)________________

Tribal Member Signature

May 2010

Date

Happy Mother’s day

DRIVER’S LICENSE RE-INSTATEMENT

Call Linda or Glenna today

(405) 275-3432

Ask about the DUI Assessments

and our next 10 hour DUI School!

EVERYONE WELCOME!

Foster Parents Needed!!!

Can you open your home and heart for a foster child.? Foster parents provide a temporary, safe home for children in

crisis. Foster parents are partners with child welfare workers, lawyers and judges. It is not for everyone but if you

have it in your heart - we need you.

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

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

• Are you secure in yourself & your parenting Skills?

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

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

FOSTER PARENTS PROVIDE A TEMPORARY, SAFE

HOME FOR CHILDREN IN CRISIS. THEY ARE PARTNERS

WITH WORKERS, LAWYERS, AND JUDGES. IT IS NOT

FOR EVERYONE! CAN YOU OPEN YOUR HOME AND

HEART FOR A FOSTER CHILD?

NEED A CAR, TRUCK OR SUV

AS LOW AS $299.00 DOWN WAC

E-Z APPROVAL - LARGE

SELECTION

*FREE LIMITED WARRANTY*

CALL EL DORADO MOTORS @

405-526-4600

AND ASK FOR BIG LARRY OR

LITTLE JOHN

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

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

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

safe, supportive environments!

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

please contact Melissa Lopez

405-275-4030 ext. 166.

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBAL PHARMACY

SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA

The Absentee Shawnee Tribal Pharmacy (Shawnee Location) can fill prescriptions

for enrolled tribal citizens only.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribal Clinic Pharmacy in Little Axe can fill prescriptions for

tribal citizens written by Physicians not located a Tribal Clinic under the following

circumstances:

The prescription is for an Absentee Shawnee Tribal citizen who has

established chart at the Little Axe Clinic.

2. The prescription is on the formulary of approved medications and

stocked in

the pharmacy.

If you’d like to submit an ad

or article give us a call at

(405) 598-1279 or send us an

e-mail at

mediadept@astribe.com

The following are a few tips to help us deliver pharmacy services to you more efficiently;

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

4 Keep us informed of all changes in address, phone number and other contact

information.

4 Let the Pharmacy staff know if the prescription is going to be picked up or

needs to be

delivered.

4 If you have any questions concerning your prescription please feel free to call

and talk

to our Pharmacist. They are here to assist you with your pharmaceutical

needs.

ALL ARTICLES WILL BE

SUBMITTED AS

RECEIVED.

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.

THIP list all applicants by a priority list:

Handicapped/Disabled and Elderly

Income

Family Size/Overcrowded Living Conditions

Condition of Home

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

Other Programs available:

• Sanitation Facililties Assistance Program

Applictions 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

May 2010

Little Axe Clinic • Little Axe Dental Clinic

15702 E. Hwy 9

Norman, Oklahoma 73026

Phone: (405) 447-0300 Fax: (405) 447-2250

Clinic Operating Hours

Monday thru Friday

8:00 a.m. - 5:00

p.m.

Weekends/Federal Holidays

Closed

* Clinic and Pharmacy will be closed the

3rd Wednesday of each month

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

Happy Mother’s day

Absentee Shawnee Tribe

PRSRT

STANDARD MAIL

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 434

Shawnee, OK 74801

of Indians of Oklahoma

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee, OK 74801

return service

requested

2010

TRIBAL PHONE NUMBERS

Tribal Complex

(405) 275-4030

1-800 256-3341

OEP

(405) 273-9966

Building Blocks

(405) 878-0633

Health Programs

(405) 878-4702

1-877-878-4702

Little Axe Clinic

(405) 447-0300

Shawnee Clinic

(405) 878-5850

Shawnee Pharmacy

(405) 878-5859

Behavioral Health

(405) 878-4716

LA Resource Center

(405) 364-7298

(405) 364-7569

LA Cultural Center

(405) 447-3372

AST Police

(405) 275-3200

(405) 275-3432

OEH

(405) 214-4235

AS Housing Authority (405) 273-1050

Thunderbird Casino

(405) 360-9270

1-800-259-LUCK

AST Media Dept

(405) 598-1279

Fax (405) 598-1294

Some services that are offered

include:

Business Cards

Invitations

Announcements

Calendars

Banners

Logo Designs

Graphics

Brochures

Envelope Designs

Copies

Happy Mother’s day

May 2010

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.