# AST Elders Council Attends NICOA Conference (2025)

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aabsentee%3Ae7828ad9c240d6a4

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

www.astribe.com

THE ABSENTEE
SHAWNEE NEWS
November 2025

Volume 35, No. 11

AST Elders Council Attends NICOA Conference
Good morning the Absentee Shawnee
Tribal Elders had planned and worked
together to be able to attend the National
Indian Council on Aging on September
29-October 3, 2025. This was made possible by the support of the Executive Committee Members and the able assistance of
the Procurement Department. Especially
Rebecca Kennedy Director, Tara Battise,
Braden Queen and Elizabeth Jones who
was calling and emailing NICOA staff
to make sure the Elders registration and
that our room check in went smoothly. A
big thank you to Braden Queen and Elizabeth Jones they drove to Durant, OK on
the morning of September 29, 2025 they

met the Elders with our conference registration and our room keys. They also,
procured the 2 scooters for two of our
Elders for the week. I also, want to thank
Brianna Ponkilla with the 477 Program
they loaned 2 vans for our transportation
to Durant, OK. I also, want to thank our
two Driver’s Connor Edwards from the
477 Program and Calvin Wilson from
the Maintenance department at the Tribal Complex.
This was the first national conference
for the Tribal Elders Council to attend in
Durant, OK, it was important to attend
because it’s a conference about the Tribal
Elders nationwide. This conference was

to bring together Native elders, caregivers, advocates and professionals of learning, connections, and celebrations.
The NICOA Conference consisted of
educational presentations from Tribal,
state and federal organizations. As well,
as a diverse network of aging service
partners who provide information and
updates on aging services, healthcare,
civic engagement and economic development in Indian Country.
The week long conference also had daily cultural activities such as hand games
and teaching Elders members how to
play. The finer points were also stressed
about the songs and the guessing when

playing against the other team. The week
long conference was ended with a afternoon cultural dinner shared by all the
members of NICOA. This capped by different regions of the organization Tribal Elders did a Fashion Show and they
provided information on their regalia. I
feel that it was a enlightening conference
as we met other Tribal Elders and heard
their stories on what their tribes are doing to support their Elders.
President of Elders Council, Twila O
Parker

AST Rising Warrior Tie Dye T-Shirt Event
The AST Rising Warrior department is bringing AWARENESS against Domestic Violence with their Tie Dye T-Shirt Events. The events were held October 8 at Little Axe
Clinic and October 10 at the AST complex in Shawnee.
The shirts were dyed purple which is the nationally recognized color of domestic violence, representing courage, peace, and dedication to ending violence which often includes
physical, mental, sexual, emotional and/or financial abuse.
First observed in 1981 as a national “Day of Unity”, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to
end domestic violence.
To contact the Rising Warrior Department, visit their webpage, https://www.astribe.com/domestic-violence , email them astintakes@gmail.com or call (405) 273-2888.
We stand with survivors – this month and every month.

Rising Warrior staff proudly display their tie dye t-shirts.

Rising Warrior staff dyeing t-shirts.

2A www.astribe.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GOVERNOR’S REPORT

John Johnson, AST Governor

GOVERNOR
John Johnson

Hello All,
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, hope
you enjoy your time with your family and
friends. The Employee Committee food
drive will begin the week of November
17, 2025. This event will run for the week
and the items that are donated will be
distributed to the AST Food pantry participants for Thanksgiving. Thank you to
all the employees who plan to donate. We
truly appreciate you.
The 95th Semi-annual General Council
had a 119 Tribal members in attendance.
It was a very good meeting. If you didn’t
get to attend you may watch the full video
online at astribe.com. And just a reminder, you may keep up with all the regular
monthly EC meetings, events and an-

LT. GOVERNOR’S REPORT

Diane Ponkilla, AST Lt. Governor

Lt. GOVERNOR
Diane Ponkilla

Hello All,
My Condolences for the families who
have loved ones pass on. I am glad to be
back at the office after back to back travel.
I attended the National Transportation in
Indian Country Conference in Chandler,
AZ on September 21-26, 2025 and the following week I attended the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) in Durant,
OK on September 29- October 03, 2025.
And the next day October 04, 2025 was
the 95th Semi-Annual General Council
Meeting at the Thunderbird Event Center
in Norman, OK.
The Agriculture Department was very
successful on the pumpkin crop this year.
They had events for the daycare and after
school programs which there was 3 stations of activities and the children got to

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Misty McGirt, AST Secretary

SECRETARY
Misty McGirt

Greetings Tribal Members,
I hope all of you are doing well we had
our fall general council October 4, 2025
it was a great turn out we had 119 tribal
members join us and look forward to the
spring meeting. It was great time to see
everyone who attended and hearing our
tribal member’s questions and concerns.
I’m not perfect but that helps me with
doing my job listening to everyone’s opinions I really appreciate everyone’s input.
We had a meeting September 30 in regards to an Elder Adult Protective Services. We never really had a plan and it
was brought to our attention when there
is something going on with tribal members there is no plan and we don’t have
someone to call. With having this meeting we did establish a start of a plan point
of contact will be Beverly Felton. We are
going to plan more and have meetings to
work on establishing a better plan for our
staff that will be assisting and most im-

November 2025

nouncements online as well.
I attended the 2025 Oklahoma Tribal
Finance Consortium in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The agenda covered several topics from
Health care, workforce development, SSBCI funds, and economic development.
These topics are important for all tribes in
Oklahoma.
That same week I attended the Tribal
Nations summit in Norman at the Sam
Noble Museum this event was hosted by
the Caddo Nation. The summit brought
together tribal leaders, researchers, innovators and energy professionals to explore
evolving challenges and new opportunities in tribal energy development. It gave
me the opportunity to learn about the Native American Energy in Transition: old
problems and new challenges in Indian
Country.
I also attended the G2E conference in

Las Vegas with the Thunderbird casino
staff. The conference showcased a lot of
the new features coming for gaming all
over the world. I can honestly say the
gaming industry is growing and changes
are coming to brighten the future of our
casinos.
The online AST podcast host different departments each month for you to
watch/listen too. These podcast will give
you a general idea of each department. Be
on the lookout for new podcast coming.
Should you have any question you may
contact my office or my assistant at the information listed below.
Thank You

pick out their own pumpkin. The next
project will be getting the last cut off the
hay fields.
Preventive maintenance for heating/air
unit: first thing you should do is maintain
a clean filter. We recommend changing
every three months, more often if you
have pets. Secondly check batteries in
thermostat annually. And lastly, clean
your outside condensing unit with water hose each year so it doesn’t have to
work so hard. These are just some things
that you can do to help your system run
more efficient. If you own your home
and need assistance contact Deric Spoon
in the Lt. Governor’s Department and he
will get work order to the HVAC staff, Joseph Burgess and Bryce Williams. Just a
reminder we do not have after hours or
weekend on call maintenance.
We had a total of 24 applications for the
Safe Shelters with 5 installed and 11 pend-

ing. To be eligible for the safe shelter you
must own your home (1 year), be enrolled
Absentee Shawnee and 60+ years of age at
the time of application submission. And
there are a few that could not be installed
due to city ordinances, space, power lines,
trees, or utility lines.
I have spent my 18 months in office doing a lot of research, reading, meetings
with TM and I like to get feedback and
assist other departments. I like to be involved with and learn from other entities
and tribes. I listen to the Governor, Treasurer and Representative during meetings
and think they know a lot of clientele outside of the tribe. And I am still trying to
learn the AST Health ins and outs. I will
get there some day but I want to put my
focus within the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.
I appreciate and I am honored to have the
opportunity to serve as the Lt. Governor.
Ne yi wa

portantly for our elders or any adult going
thorough issues.
October was also Domestic Violence
month the past month our rising warrior department held multiple events all
were great turn outs. I had the pleasure
of joining the ladies for a brief time to
see there help and participation with the
Kickapoos elder Olympic. Just want to say
Great job to the Title VI, diabetes and our
rising warrior departments for going and
helping with support to one of our local
neighbor tribes. In the past I remember
my Kokoge (grandma) participating in
these events and talking and seeing some
of our elders at the event we use to have
these types of events at the tribe’s would
like to bring that back to the tribe so stay
tuned for info. It was a great event I would
like to see our tribe host for our elders to
get them active and have fun.
I haven’t been doing too much travel
lately with the government shut down
I’ve been sticking around close attending
conference and meetings close to home.
I had the honor to represent the tribe

October 3 Shawnee public school invites
tribal leaders in honor of Jim Thorpe
night. We had the honor in helping with
handing out certificates for contest winners that were also honored during half
time along with performance from our
Native American youth who danced. October 15 thunderbird casino had their 1st
inaugural AST marketing summit it was
a great meeting for our departments I
received a lot of great feedback. Another
great note our casino had the honor along
with some of our tribal elders and veterans to do interviews for the news.
Our Agriculture department had a really great turnout with their pumpkin harvest they did really with supplying pumpkins to the building blocks daycares to
make it a great time for the children and
providing pumpkins to tribal members
and the community.
That is all I have to report at this time
if you should have any questions or concerns please contact my office.

Another major event that Tribes will
observe throughout November is “Native
American Heritage Month”. There will be
plenty of activities to commemorate this
annual proclamation. For those unaware,
there are currently 574 Federally-recognized Tribal Nations. As of this writing,
the Government shutdown is still ongoing and creating impositions across the
U.S. In a past consultation with Federal agencies, I made the comment to our
counterparts, “If we acted like your departments, we would not be able to provide assistance to our members and communities.” As usual, it is the Tribes who
are open for business and making certain
services are being extended.
This past month, I attended the UINO

Quarterly Meeting in Tulsa. There was
good conversation on several topics and
the biggest was in response to the Federal shutdown. The one positive takeaway
is the implementation of mandatory IHS
funding, which allows folks to continue
with appointments, Dr. visits, and other
medical care. Unfortunately, this practice
has not been extended across the board
to other agencies like the Department of
Interior and Department of Transportation. I will definitely bring up the issue
and make the request at a future meeting.
At the end of September, I and several
staff attended the NAFOA Annual meeting in Portland, Oregon. We were able to
get the latest updates and information for
Finance, (Continued on Page 3A)

John Johnson - 405-275-4030 ext. 3500
governor@astribe.com
Alvina Barnes - 405-275-4030 ext. 3501
alvinab@astribe.com

Ne yi wa!
Secretary McGirt

TREASURER
Joseph Blanchard

TREASURER’S REPORT

Joseph Blanchard, AST Treasurer
REPRESENTATIVE
Anthony Johnson

Hello AST Family and Friends,
I hope all is well with you and yours. Fall
is in full effect as the weather has begun to
get cooler, the leaves have changed color
and started to drop, and we’re almost to
Holiday Season. Before you know it, we’ll
be sitting down to Turkey dinners, watching football and basketball games on TV.
So, as I begin this month’s edition, let me
start by expressing my gratitude to all of
our military Veterans and current Armed
Forces members. Our Warriors are our
most celebrated and respected group in
the Tribe. On November 11th, make sure
to say “Neyiwa!” for their sacrifice.

November 2025

www.astribe.com 3A

TREASURER’S REPORT
(Continued from Page 2A)

visit with other Tribes about Economic
Development, and talk with prospective
new clients about potential opportunities
to help the Tribe save money. There are
always a lot of things wrapped up into
the short time window for those couple
days, which can make it busy and chaotic.

REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

Anthony Johnson, AST Representative

Hello Tribal Members,
The past month my office attended
conferences including the Global Gam-

For me, I enjoy getting to visit with other Tribal Leaders to hear about any new
growth and improvements. This gives
me an opportunity to discuss our current
projects, especially those recently completed.
The last thing I’ll mention before concluding; we will begin Budget discussions
in the next couple weeks and I have already advised the EC about the current
conditions of the economy, cuts to grants

and other Federal funding, and the potential effects it could have on our environment. From a conservative viewpoint,
it is important to anticipate the expected
cuts from the current Presidential Administration. The biggest concerns I have
are related to insurance rates and cuts to
Medicaid/Medicare. These will have a
major impact on 3rd Party revenue and
we will not be able to reach expectations
and projected income levels.

As usual, I appreciate the support,
words of encouragement, and the shared
wisdom/advice. Please enjoy this time
of year with your family and other loved
ones. Should you have any questions, do
not hesitate to call my office, schedule an
appointment, or send me an email.

ing Expo to support Thunderbird Entertainment and the Great Council State
Park trip in Ohio to support our Cultural
Preservation department. My office also
attended the 95th Semi-Annual General
Council meeting at Thunderbird Casino

in October. Thank you to everyone that
attended our general council meeting.
I hope everyone has a good fall holiday
this November. Should you have any
questions or need any assistance, please
contact my office by phone or email.

Phone: (405) 531-3512.
Email: adjohnson@astribe.com

Respectfully,
Joseph H. Blanchard

Sincerely,
Anthony “Tadpole” Johnson,
Tribal Representative

Walk & Talk for Suicide Prevention Month
September was Suicide Prevention Month, and we came together to raise awareness, honor those we've lost, and support one another in the journey toward healing and hope.
Journey to Heal and SPDI held events at the AST Complex in Shawnee and Little Axe Clinic. They provided information and t-shirts to those who participated in the Walk
and Talk laps.
The walk was more than just a gathering — it's a reminder that you are not alone, and help is always within reach. Every step we take is a step toward ending stigma and
saving lives.

FROM THE ELECTION COMMISSION
The Filing Period for Elective Office in 2026
A tribal member may file for office, January 1 to January 10 (excluding weekends and
holidays). Hours to file are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Potential candidates please consult the Election Ordinance for the procedures and qualifications
when running for elective office.
The following positions will be open for the Elections to be held in 2026:

ELECTION COMMISSION
Position
Deputy Commissioner
Secretary
Commission Member #2

Filing Fees
$100.00
$200.00
$300.00

Term
1 Year Term (Prorated)
2 Year Term (Prorated)
3 Year Term

Fee Amount includes: Alcohol test, drug test, MVR, OSBI, FBI fee plus certified postage fee,
ballot printing (twice), Absentee Ballot and correspondence postage.

506 Forms for
Indian Education
A 506 form is a form that a parent or guardian
submits to their student’s school district,
which determines eligibility for Title VI/Indian
Education. The amount of funding for Title VI
is based on the Native Student Count from
completed 506 forms.

506 forms are provided by the school district
or found on the US Department of Education’s
website. The form only asks a few questions,
such as the student’s name, grade, and proof
of tribal enrollment.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A) An enrolled member of the tribe.
B) An eligible voter for purposes of voting in tribal elections.
C) Must be twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of the election for which he/she desires to
be a candidate.
D) Physically reside within the following Counties: Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma,
McClain, Garvin, Pontotoc, Seminole, Lincoln, or Okfuskee.
E) In cases where a prospective candidate has been convicted of a felony, such person shall not
be eligible for consideration as a candidate until at least five (5) years have passed following
completion of the penalty for such conviction(s).
F) Not more than one (1) member of an immediate family shall be elected to the same tribal
elective body except when running as a candidate for the same elective position.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (approved by Referendum June 20, 2015)
A) Must have a valid Oklahoma State Driver’s License
B) Must have a negative result on a drug and alcohol test
C) Must have a high school diploma or GED

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE VETERANS
THANKSGIVING DINNER
NOVEMBER 8, 2025 AT 12PM
THUNDERBIRD CASINO WARRIOR ROOM
15700 OK-9, NORMAN, OK 73026
ALL VETERANS WELCOME
SPONSORED BY:
AST VETERANS
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
TWILA PARKER 405-229-8052
www.reallygreatsite.com

The form only needs to be completed once, and
it is confidential. If your student transfers out
of the district, they may bring the form with
them! Submission of the form is necessary to
receive Indian Education services.

Indian Education provides opportunities such
as college visits, tutoring, cultural events,
mentorship, and more! Indian Education has
dedicated staff to assist with students’
needs.

Public Information Provided by
Oklahoma State Tribal Education Partnership (OK STEP) 2025

This Holiday
Season, Give
Yourself the Gift
of Better Banking
Make every moment of the season
brighter with smarter, simpler
banking. Enjoy seamless digital
tools, special rewards, and
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Secure transactions with
advanced protection
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people first
Celebrate the holidays with
confidence—because better
banking is the gift that keeps
giving.
2023 Gordon Cooper Dr
Shawnee, OK 74801
405-273-0202

www.anbok.bank

November 2025

4A www.astribe.com

From Montana to Milan
Tribal member Courtney Little Axe grew up far from Milan, Italy. She was raised on the Northern Cheyenne reservation in Montana over 5000 miles away. Yet this small
town girl and granddaughter of the late Dan Little Axe Sr. and Georgia Little Axe recently returned from Milan Fashion Week. Her fashion line ALTRN8V was featured along
with international designers such as Gucci and Prada.
Her style is not the typical Native American Fashion. She describes it as contemporary, alternative and eclectic. The style may be not be traditional but her designs still
showcase her Shawnee, Cheyenne and Seminole tribal elements.
Growing up on the reservation, most kids didn’t dress in Goth clothing. She got into metal music in middle school and liked that style of clothing. Unable to find clothes
that would allow her to express her eclectic style, Little Axe decided to create her own brand, ALTRN8V (Alter-Native).
“When you look at Native fashion you don’t typically think of this alternative style. So when I didn’t see things that other Native designers were making that would fit my
aesthetic, that’s when I started making things.” said Little Axe.
“I really like to represent those Native kids that weren’t comfortable or didn’t feel comfortable representing this style or got made fun of for their taste in music or style. I’m
trying to create more visibility for alternative indigenous people. “
She took matters into her own hands and launched her brand ALTRN8V in 2021. Her first show was in 2023 at Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Phoenix, AZ. She continues to
showcase her work across the US even showing in Indigenous New York Fashion Week. After only a few years, her designs have made it all across the globe.
Despite having made it internationally, she also holds down a full time job as the NAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator and Collections Manager for the University of Montana
and is an assistant for an actor/music composer. And she doesn’t plan on slowing down. Her future plans include doing more international shows including Japan and Paris
and make a return appearance in New York.

Runway Photos by Andre Franco Milan. Duomo Cathedral Photos by Mark Jarvey Jr.

Agriculture Department
The Agriculture Department has had a busy and productive month! We are currently managing 150 head of cattle and continuing to focus on herd health and
nutrition as we prepare for the colder months ahead.
This October, we proudly provided pumpkins for the Health Fair and hosted a
pumpkin patch event for all Absentee child care facilities — a fun and educational
experience for the kids that tied together agriculture and community engagement.
Our team has also grown! We now have five dedicated employees working hard
across all areas of our operation. In addition to daily livestock care, our staff is focused on finishing hay production and winterizing the farm to ensure our facilities
and animals are well-prepared for the upcoming season.
We’re proud of the teamwork and progress made this month and look forward to
a strong finish to the year!

SCAN ME

November 2025

www.astribe.com

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Building Blocks C.D.C.
2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.
Shawnee, Ok. 74801
(405)878-0633 FAX: (405)878-0156

5A

Building
Blocks III
Newsletter November
2025

November News

Building Blocks II is a 5 Star Accredited, OkDHS Licensed Center.
Our hours are 7a.m. to 6p.m. Monday-Thursday. We take
children ages 6 weeks through Pre-K (4-5Yr Olds). If you are
interested in getting your child on our Wait List you may call and
get it emailed to you or come by and pick one up.

Thank you to all the families who participated in our annual field

We are currently hiring staff, if you are interested in applying visit
https://www.astribe.com/employment for applications and to see
what positions are available.

trip to the Orr Family Farm Pumpkin Patch. The children had a lot
of fun and we look forward to going every year.

November 11th-Building Blocks is
closed for Veteran’s Day.

Upcoming Events

Reminders
Building Blocks will be closing
at 11:45am on Wednesday,
November 5th for an
Employee Lunch Event.

Mad Scientist - Nov. 6th at 10am

Thanksgiving Break starts
Nov. 26th at 11:45

Building Blocks Teachers and Children enjoy preparing and doing
activities for the holiday season. This month they are doing
activities celebrating Thanksgiving. We wish everyone a safe and
Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

Veterans Day Closure - Nov. 11th

Have a Happy November!!

P’sa k’fe we Ke s’fwa
(p’seh k’thee wee kee s’thweh)

Deer Month (November)
November is the time of year when deer become active and are in abundance. Many of our tribal
members are deer hunters and enjoy hunting. This month is also the time when family and friends come
together for a meal and give thanks.

Happy Turkey Day!

Ma n’we Wi pe pa la wi Ke sa ke
(happy)

We would like to Thank the AST
Police and Tecumseh Fire
Department for coming on Monday,
October 6th and visiting with the
children during our Community
Involvement Day for Fire Prevention
Week.

(turkey)

(day)

All my family came to eat.

Gi yi ke ne ta la ni wa mi ke pe ya ke hi se we fa ne wi ge
(all)

(my family)

(come)

(to)

(eat)

Grandma roasted a turkey and dressing all night.

Ko ko ge na ki ta p’qa hi p’wi li le wi pe pa la wi la ki ke
(grandma)

(all night)

(roasted)

(turkey)

(dressing)

Mom cooked dried corn and fry bread.

Ne k’yi wa s’ko pa me la fa lo no ke fi fe ki ta ke ti k’qi
(mom)

(dried corn)

(cooked)

(and)

(fry)

(bread)

Pumpkin pie is my favorite.

Wi pe ko ti k’qi ko ge ne we k’ti
(pumpkin

pie)

(really)

(I like)

The grandchildren played in the yard.

No s’ta fa ni ke fi ke ge se pi wi ne ta fe ke
(grandchildren)

(outside)

(they played)

We are thankful for our family and health.

Ne yi wa gi ke we ya fi ya se ho wa se li si mo ge
(thankful)

Need Job
Training?

Need
assistance
with clothes
for new job?

Need
Behavioral
Health
Services?

Unemployed
or
Underemployed?

AST
477

Help with
GED/HS
Diploma?

Need
education
assistance?

Homeless?
Need small
business
assistance?

Need
Childcare?

NOT INCOME BASED
OPEN TO ALL NATIVE AMERICANS
The 477 Program is designed to provide resources and support to
help individuals and families become economically self-sufficient
while reducing the need for short-term social service intervention.
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT US!
ONLINE APP:

421 N. Beard St. Shawnee, OK 74801
(405) 878-4545 | 477program@astribe.com
https://www.astribe.com/477-program

r
n fo !
Sca cation
li
p
Ap

*Must reside in Cleveland, McClain, Oklahoma or Pottawatomie Counties

*Tribal ID Required

Youth Services
Child need
school
supplies?
(JOM)

AST
477

Help with
GED/HS
Diploma?

Need
assistance
for clothes
with new
job?

Assistance
with
Drivers Ed?

Tutoring

Extracurricular
Expenses

Graduation
Expenses

Need
education
assistance?

Need help
finding a
job?

Career
Development

NOT INCOME BASED
OPEN TO ALL NATIVE AMERICANS
The 477 Program is designed to provide resources and support to
help individuals and families become economically self-sufficient
while reducing the need for short-term social service intervention.
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT US!
ONLINE APP:

214 N. Oklahoma St. Shawnee, OK 74801
(405) 878-4545 | 477program@astribe.com
https://www.astribe.com/477-program

*Must reside in Cleveland, McClain, Oklahoma or Pottawatomie Counties

(for)

(good)

(feelings or health)

LEGAL NOTICE

Adult Services
Need help with
reinstatement
fees?

(family or everyone)

r
n fo !
Sca cation
li
App

*Tribal ID Required

November 2025

6A www.astribe.com

Veterans Day Photo Submissions
To honor our AST Veterans, the AST Media Department asked for photo submissions. Thank you for submitting your photos and most importantly thank you
to these tribal members and ALL AST Veterans.

Ne yi wa gi yi ke ki ma ke ya pi m’fa ti - Thank you to all of our Veterans!

David Little Jr.

Ben Little

SSG Lyndell Shawnee

Burtis Robison

Dr. John Daniel Johnson

Isaac Gibson Sr.

Gilbert Day

Jason Michael Harjo

Shawnee Tapia

Marvin Smith

Sam Tyner

Herbert Switch

Esteline Schulenberg

Tike Danson Alford Chapman

November 2025

www.astribe.com

7A

Happy 17th Birthday
Kaydence!
Love,
Mom & Jax

Happy 24th Birthday
Legus!

Kamyrah Little Axe represented our Absentee Shawnee Tribe
performing in the halftime show
during the Shawnee High School
Football Game for Jim Thorpe
Day on October 3, 2025.

Congratulations to Absentee Shawnee tribal member Kamyrah (KK)
Little Axe, sophomore at Shawnee
High School for receiving the 20252026 Fastpitch Defensive Player
of the Year Award. She is the great
granddaughter of the late Danny Little Axe, Sr.

National
Runaway
Prevention
Month

The National Runaway Safeline and Department of
Justice’s Office of Justice Programs report that
between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away from
home each year.
1 in 7 kids between the ages of 10-18 will runaway.
Youth most often run away from home and become
homeless due to family conflicts, abuse and/or neglect.
Youth on the streets are at higher risk of violence,
exploitation, addiction, and mental health challenges.

Warning Signs:
Sudden and extreme changes in mood, or increased
anger outbursts.
Social withdrawal, isolation, and secrecy.
Extreme changes in sleep or eating habits.
Disappearance of personal items like clothes or money.
Declining grades, truancy, or behavior issues at school.
Family conflict, tension, or a feeling of lack of support.
Rule-breaking at home.

AST Education Department is an
Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention – Tribal
Youth Program Grantee. We
promote public safety and seek to
prevent risk factors impacting our
youth. TYP Staff: Coordinator –
Blake Goodman, Tribal Youth
Resource Specialist- Shayanne
Fixico
Contact Information:
sfixico@astribe.com
bgoodman@astribe.com

National
Runaway
Safeline
1.800.786.2929
-Open 24/7(For Youth,
Teens, &
Concerned
Adults/Parents)

Communication to Prevent Runaway:
Do not interrupt when your child is explaining
something, even if you disagree, wait until they
are done.
Never dare your child to runaway thinking
that they may not.
Stay calm and quiet, make eye contact, and
don't respond when your child is angry, wait
until they are calm.

November 2025

8A www.astribe.com

P H O N E D I R E C T O RY - D I R E C T N U M B E R S
AST Complex – (405) 275-4030

Toll Free - 800-256-3341

All Nations Bank…………………………………………(405) 273-0202
Brendle Corner…......……………………………………(405) 447-3372
Building Blocks….........…………………………………(405) 878-0633
Building Blocks III LA….....……………………………(405) 360-2710
Court………………………......…………………………(405) 481-8575
Domestic Violence…………….....………………………(405) 273-2888
Enrollment……………………….....……………………(405) 481-8650
Food Pantry………………………...……………………(405) 481-8640
Gaming Commission………………....…………(405) 360-9270 x1110
Housing Authority………………………………………(405) 275-1050
ICW………………………………………………………(405) 395-4490
OEH/OEP…………………….…………….…….………(405) 214-4235
Police…………………………………………(405) 275-3200/275-3432
Social Services…………….…………………….…….…(405) 878-4723
Tax Commission…….……………….……………….…(405) 481-8600

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe will be closed
Wednesday, November 5th - at 12 pm
Tuesday, November 11th - Veterans Day
Thursday & Friday, November 27th & 28th - Thanksgiving

PAID AD

www.asthealth.org

November 2025

Section B

ASTHS November 2025 Monthly Update
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November to recognize the
culture, traditions, and significant contributions of Native people, including American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Samoan communities. Officially designated by a 1990 congressional resolution signed by President
George H.W. Bush, it is an opportunity to celebrate diverse histories, raise awareness about tribal sovereignty, and educate the public about contemporary challenges and successes. But along with honoring our tradition during the month, we
also must remember to take care of our health so that we can be here to teach our
children and grandchildren. We need to be here for our future generations.
The month serves to educate people about the history of Native communities,
their challenges, and their ongoing resilience and achievements. At the same time,
we must educate our people on health issues affecting the Native American population.
Leading Health Issues:
Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a major epidemic in Native American communities,
with prevalence rates up to 10 times higher than in the general population.
Cardiovascular diseases: Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death
among Native Americans, with rates significantly higher than the national average.
Cancer: Certain types of cancer, such as lung, liver, and colorectal cancer, have
higher incidence rates among Native Americans.
Unintentional injuries: Accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes and falls, are a
significant cause of death and disability.
Mental health issues: Suicide rates are elevated among Native American youth,
and depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common.
Infectious diseases: Tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS are more prevalent
in Native American populations than in the general population.
The American Indian and Alaska Native people have long experienced lower
health status when compared with other Americans. Lower life expectancy and
the disproportionate disease burden exist perhaps because of inadequate education, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services,
and cultural differences. These are broad quality of life issues rooted in economic
adversity and poor social conditions.
American Indians and Alaska Natives born today have a life expectancy that is
5.5 years less than the U.S. all races population (73.0 years to 78.5 years, respectively). American Indians and Alaska Natives continue to die at higher rates than
other Americans in many categories, including chronic liver disease and cirrhosis,
diabetes mellitus, unintentional injuries, assault/homicide, intentional self-harm/
suicide, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
Given the higher health status enjoyed by most Americans, the lingering health
disparities of American Indians and Alaska Natives are troubling. In trying to account for the disparities, health care experts, policymakers, and tribal leaders are
looking at many factors that impact upon the health of Indian people, including
the adequacy of funding for the Indian health care delivery system.
Contributing Factors:
Historical trauma: Forced relocation, cultural assimilation, and genocide have left
a lasting legacy of trauma and health disparities.
Socioeconomic disparities: Poverty, lack of access to quality education and healthcare, and limited employment opportunities contribute to health risks.
Dietary factors: Traditional diets have been disrupted, leading to increased consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
Substance abuse: Alcohol and drug use are more prevalent among Native American populations, which can exacerbate health problems.
Access to healthcare: Geographic isolation, lack of health insurance, and cultural
barriers to healthcare can prevent Native Americans from receiving timely medical
attention.
Efforts to address Native American health disparities include:
•

Improving access to healthcare: Expanding healthcare infrastructure, providing culturally appropriate services, and reducing health insurance disparities.

•

Promoting healthy lifestyles: Investing in nutrition programs, physical activity initiatives, and substance abuse prevention efforts.

•

Addressing historical trauma: Supporting mental health services, cultural
preservation programs.

Native Americans used to eat healthier, living off the land, hunting, and fishing. Then federal mandates affected the land and water resources of tribal nations,
disrupting indigenous food systems and reducing access to traditional foods, the
researchers say. In the 1970s, the federal government began buying up surplus
foods to support prices for farmers, then providing them to Native communities.
The food was needed—the problem was that it consisted largely of high-salt, highfat, high-sugar canned foods. One consequence of the calorie-dense commodities-based diet was “commod bod,” a phrase coined in Native communities.
Recently some traditional foods, like hand-harvested wild rice, grass-fed bison,
and wild-caught Pacific salmon, have been added to the food assistance programs;
the US Department of Agriculture cites high rates of participant satisfaction. About
one-third of 103 tribal organizations also now have “grocery-store–like models”
where aid recipients can select their own foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
One way to help AI/AN communities reclaim their health, is to bring back the
old ways. The Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee has
supported programs in which AI/AN communities integrate their own cultures
and history, to encourage healthier lifestyles. The concept of a “food sovereignty

movement” evolved into programs like the Traditional Foods Project (TFP).
The TFP has provided “modest” funding to AI/AN communities to design their
own interventions promoting access to traditional foods, physical activity, and social support. The project began in 2008 with 11 tribes and tribal organizations, and
expanded to 17 in 2009.
Resources for our people:
Within the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System, there are many different
departments and resources available to the tribal members, and in some cases, to
members of other tribes.
Here is a list of just a few programs available:
Primary Medical Care: Primary care at the health clinics include the nurses,
physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants. The
staff are focused on care coordination and are able to handle a variety of medical
problems. This included preventative care, treatment of health ailments, management of chronic illnesses and conditions, and additional care defined by the practitioner’s specialty. In the clinics, we provide family medicine, internal medicine,
pediatrics, and women’s health.
Specialty services: Our health system acknowledges that our people and our
community have many health issues we need to address. At ASTHS, we offer a
comprehensive selection of services with over 22 different specialty providers. The
health systems provide care in neurology, nephrology, pain management, pulmonology, endocrinology, and podiatry services, just to name a few. If you need specialty care, your primary care provider can do an in-house referral to the specialty
clinic.
Dental care: The dental clinic providers care of AST members, established patients who are American Indian/Alaska Natives, and insured established non-native patients from infants to adults. They offer a full range of dental screenings and
procedures in diagnosing, maintaining and restoring your overall oral health care
needs.
Behavioral Health Clinic: ASTHS Behavioral Health provides appropriate, professional, and quality mental health and substance abuse services to AST members,
established patients who are American Indian/Alaska Natives, and insured established non-native patients. Based on assessment and needs, a recommendation of
a treatment plan is discussed to work toward a healthier, higher quality of life. The
Behavioral Health Clinic offers a wide variety of services which include, but not
limited to, child/adult/family counseling, marriage and family therapy, addiction
treatment, crisis services, and support group. Other services are available. Contact
the Little Axe Behavioral Health Clinic at 405-701-7987 or the Shawnee Clinic at
405-878-4716 for more information.
Radiology: The goal of the radiology department is to provide the highest quality of care and imaging services to our patients. The department conducts diagnostic x-rays, mammography, bone density testing, and ultrasound exams ordered by
ASTHS providers. For more information, contact the Little Axe clinic at 405-7017610 or Shawnee clinic, 405-878-5850.
Laboratory: The lab staff provides a large number of services designed to meet
the needs of our patients. Diagnostic and therapeutic lab services include routine
clinical chemistry, hematology, serology, and urinalysis, as well as thyroid testing,
vitamin testing, anemia testing, PCR testing, and immunology. Contact the Little
Axe Clinic at 405-701-7619 or the Shawnee Clinic at 405-878-5850 for more information from the laboratory departments.
Optometry: The optometry clinic is equipped with a full optical shop, providing
complete eye exam as well as various testing and examinations for all AST members, established patients who are American Indian/Alaska Natives, and insured
established non-native patients, 5 years and older. The optometry clinic is located
at 15702 E. State Highway 9 in Norman. The phone number for more information
is 405-701-7606.
Physical Therapy: The PT department is composed of physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy technicians/aides. These professionals
provide services to patients referred by their health care provider. The PT department is primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments/disabilities and
the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life, and movement potential. The PT department also offers chiropractic services to help treat many different spinal disorders due to musculoskeletal or nerve pain.
Pharmacy Services: Prescriptions from our providers can be filled at either of
our locations as long as the medications are on our formulary. Upon request, prescriptions can be sent to outside pharmacies, but the cost will be the financial responsibility of the patient. When picking up prescriptions, please be prepared to
provide your date of birth, address, and if necessary, the identification of the prescription you are picking up. All pickups require a signature. For more information
about pharmacy services, contact the Little Axe pharmacy at 405-292-9530 or the
Shawnee pharmacy at 405-878-5859 or toll free at 866-742-4977.
As we think about the past and all that the Native Americans faced, let’s not
forget about our future. We need to continue to make a difference by taking care
of ourselves so that we can be here to help our future generations. We need to remember the past, take action in the present, and prepare our families for the future.
If we don’t take care of our health now, we will not be here to teach our children,
grandchildren, and even our great-grandchildren, the culture, beliefs, and the ways
of our tribe.
References: Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System. 2025. Patient Resource Guide. www.
asthealth.org
Indian Health Services. 2019. Indian Health Disparities. IHS Indian Health Disparities
The Hospitalist. 2022. Program Helps Native Americans Get Back to the Roots of Good Health.
Program Helps Native Americans Get Back to the Roots of Good Health | MDedge

Beverly Felton, Public Health Director

November 2025

2B www.astribe.com

A B S E N T E E S H AW N E E T R I B A L

HEALTH SYSTEM
Prevention. Progress. Pride.

Get Ready for 2026!
Benefits Event
Sponsored by Patient Benefits &
Purchased Referred Care

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 9 am - 12 Noon
AST Resource Center
1970 156th Ave NE • Norman OK
Thursday, November 20, 2025 - 1-4 pm
AST Multipurpose Building
2029 James L. Edwards Lane • Shawnee OK
OKDHS Mobile Unit Onsite Assistance!

Giveaways
Spin-To-Win Prizes
and Snacks!

PURCHASED REFERRED
CARE UPDATES
Get PRC Compliant for
a Hassle-Free
Referral Process
Speak to a PRC Rep.
Bring your Photo ID,
CDIB Card, Insurance Cards,
and Proof of Residency

2026 HEALTH INSURANCE
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Medicare and Marketplace
Plan Comparisons by
Legacy Tribal Services
2026 AST ELDER
MEDICARE PART B
PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT
REFERRALS
AST Elders 65+
Get Renewal Assistance
Get application assistance for
SoonerCare, DHS, Medicare
Savings Program, and
SSA Extra Help

Oct 15 - Dec 7, 2025

Little Axe Health Center (405) 447-0300

Nov 1, 2025 - Jan 15, 2026

Shawnee Clinic: (405)878-5850

www.asthealth.org

November 2025

www.astribe.com

MONDAY
3

10

17

CHILI HOT DOG
MIXED VEGGIES
CUTIE
CHICKEN FAJITAS
TORTILLA
REFRIED BEANS
PINEAPPLES
CRISPY ITALIAN
CHICKEN
PEAS N CARROTS
PEARS

24
CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
SANDWICH
LTOP
FRUIT

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

4

SOFT TACO
LTOP
REFRIED BEANS
MANDARIN ORANGES
11
VETERAN’S
DAY
18

25

BAKED ZITA
GREENBEANS
MIXED FRUIT
TAMALE
REFRIED BEANS
SPANISH RICE
APPLE

5
CHICKEN FETTUCCINE
BROCCOLI
FRUIT
12

BEEF TIPS
NOODLES
BEETS/FLUFF

THURSDAY
HAM
PEAS
CORNBREAD
MANDARIN ORANGES
13
PINTO BEANS
CORNBREAD
ZUCC N TOM
20

26

27

TITLE VI
NO MEALS
SERVED OR
DELIVERED

FRIDAY

6

19
OPEN FACE TURKEY
MASHED POT/GRAVY
VEGGIES /JELL-O

3B

7

SCRAMBLED EGGS
SAUSAGE GRAVY
BISCUIT

14

GRITS
TOAST
FRUIT BAR

21
SMOKED SAUSAGE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
FRUIT

TACO SOUP
TORTILLA CHIPS
CAKE

28

CLOSED FOR
THANKSGIVING

5
202

MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
LUNCH IS SERVED FROM 11 AM TO 1PM
BREAKFAST IS SERVED FROM 9AM TO 11AM
SERVING AT THE SHAWNEE SITE AND LITTLE AXE RESOURCE CENTER

HEALTH BUZZZ!!
Don’t Get Your Tinsel In a Tangle
Hatito (Hello) and Happy November, AST Fam! I hope this finds you all well and relaxed. Can you believe it’s already Novemeber? Where has the time gone?
Seems like just yesterday it was summertime, and now we’re gearing up for the holidays. With the holiday season rapidly approaching, many folks find this
time of year to be a joyful one, while for others, it can be a arduous time. AND, if you’re anything like me, it’s a little bit of both. Regardless of what part of
the holiday festivity spectrum you land on, it will be vital in the coming weeks to not let the seasonal hussle and bussle take a toll on your mind. Studies
have revealed that sudden change and elevated stress can cause the brain’s prefrontal cortex to get stuck on a overstimulated loop that causes a decrease
in brain cell production and memory loss. Like the saying goes, “Ain’t nobody got time for that”! It has been suggested by experts to adopt a brain-healthy
way of living to help prevent memory loss and changes in the brain. A couple ways to do that is to take some time to shift your mindset by setting realistic
expectations for yourself, and to come up with a mindful strategy on how you’d like to spend your time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. By applying
these strategies, your brain will thank you for it!
Six Brain-Health Tips To Help Manage Holiday Stress:
•

Don’t Overspend- Only spend what you can afford. Remember, it’s the thought that counts!

•

Practice Everything In Moderation- Avoiding overindulgence will help keep your energy up.

•

Quality Time- Spend time with people you enjoy.

•

Exercise- Build in movement/exercise each day.

•

Let Go of Perfectionism – Find joy in imperfection.

•

Stick To Routine- Prioritze yourself by getting 7-8 Hours of restful sleep daily.

•

Don’t Isolate- Look for opportunities to be around others, such as volunteering at a local food bank.

•

Know Your Triggers- Knowing your triggers helps us to make healthier decisions and ease burdens.

In other news, here is a picture of our participate, Sue Sanchez, cuddling up to her new fidget pet that we delivered
to her back in October. The fidget pet is a sensory tool that we provide to our participants suffering from dementia
related illnesses. It helps to keep the person living with dementia “contentedly involved” throughout the day. This is an
evidence based technique that is included in our culturally specific Savvy Caregiver in Indian Country training that we
provide to caregivers. As you can see, Sue’s fidget cat that she calls Sam, brightens her day!
If you or someone you know would benefit from the Savvy Caregiver in Indian Country or Music & Memory programs,
contact adpi@astribe.com, or call 405-701-7906.
Check out our web-page on the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System’s website:
https://www.asthealth.org
Click on: “Programs and Preventions” and then click on “Seeking Hope”. You can sign up on line also!
Lacy Gillean
Dementia Care Specialist

(Pictured is Sue Sanchez enjoying
her fidget cat, Sam)

November 2025

4B www.astribe.com

SPF-PFS Ensuring Hope September Activity Highlights
Over the past several weeks, the Ensuring Hope Grant team has been active in community outreach across central Oklahoma. On September 6th, Ensuring Hope, represented
by Grant Director, Jack Hartgrave, and TOR set up a table at the DCCCA Prevention and Recovery in the Park at Scissortail Park. This was the 6th year of the event and the
2nd year that Ensuring Hope and TOR attended. Many other local organizations tabled to share resources, especially those related to substance use prevention and recovery.
There were lawn games, a drum circle performance, and dance performances, among other activities for families to enjoy. More than 100 attendees visited our booth, where we
provided information about our programs and educational materials. We are looking forward to next year’s event so we can continue spreading awareness about AST programs
and promoting drug-free lifestyles!
On September 9th, 2025, the Shawnee Indian Education Program hosted a back-to-school event at Shawnee Middle School open to students of all grade levels. The Ensuring
Hope Grant was represented by Grant Epidemiologist, Bailey Harris, who hosted an informational booth where 57 surveys were completed and large and small giveaway
bags filled with promotional and educational materials were distributed to attendees. This event provided an excellent opportunity to connect directly with the grant’s target
audience of youth and families, helping to raise awareness of prevention efforts and available resources. The grant team looks forward to continued participation in future
school-based events and activities that promote wellness, education, and community engagement.

Pictured above is Bailey Harris tabling at the Shawnee Indian Education back to
school bash.

Pictured above is a photo capturing part of the Indian Education Program
Back to School Bash.

The Ensuring Hope Grant participated in the 2025 AST Fall Health Fair on
October 3rd, setting up a booth in front of the Behavioral Health Department to
engage with community members and share valuable prevention resources. The
team prepared 100 bags filled with promotional and educational materials, all
of which were distributed to attendees throughout the event. The health fair saw
strong participation, with 186 individuals signing in and 48 vendors in attendance,
including several organizations from outside the Absentee Shawnee Tribe Health
System. This event provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with community
members, promote substance misuse awareness, and strengthen partnerships across
the region.

Pictured above are Jack Hartgrave, left, and Bailey Harris, right, at their booth during
the 2025 Fall AST Health Fair held at the Little Axe clinic.

National Radiologic Technology Week®
Kicks Off Nov. 3rd
Providing patients with safe medical imaging examinations and radiation
therapy treatments is the prime goal for the nation’s radiologic technologists.
To recognize the vital work of its R.T.s, Absentee Tribal Health Authority is
celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week®, Nov. 3 -7.
NRTW was created by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists in
1979. The event is celebrated each year during the week of Nov. 8, the day that
German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered the x-ray in 1895.
Medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals work with some of the
most innovative equipment in the medical field to help identify pathologies,
plan and administer treatment and restore patient health. R.T.s specialize in
breast imaging, computed tomography, cardiac-interventional procedures,
magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, radiation therapy
and general diagnostic radiology.

About ASRT
The ASRT represents more than 157,000 members who perform medical
imaging procedures or plan and deliver radiation therapy. The Society is the
largest radiologic science association in the world. Its mission is to advance
and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to
enhance the quality and safety of patient care

NOVEMBER
NATIONAL
DIABETES
AWARENESS
MONTH

PLAY YOUR
PART
IN RAISING
AWARENESS

November 2025

www.astribe.com

WHY CHOOSE
HOME HEALTH?
Our nurses come to your home to
check your vitals, discuss your
medications and check for signs of
infection. They help you better
manage chronic diseases like heart
disease, diabetes or COPD. Therapist
can help reduce your risk of falls and
help you safely recover from surgery.
Aides help with personal care and
hygiene.

CONTACT US :
405-701-7085
15951 LITTLE AXE DR.

NORMAN, OK

PART OF THE AST HEALTH SYSTEM

Help Yourself

YOU HEAL
BETTER AT
HOME

Help Your Tribe

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A PLAN AT NO COST TO YOU OR THE TRIBE

2026 Open Enrollment
Medicare: Oct 16 - Dec 7
Marketplace: Nov 1 - Jan 15

Did You Know?
• 60% of the cost to render
• When you participate in enrolling
care to tribal members comes
in insurance plans, it provides
from other payment sources
you with immediate access to
outside of tribal funding?
specialized health care services?
• If you qualify for and enroll in
a zero-cost plan, it helps PRC
apply funding and deliver care
to more people?

Little Axe Health Center
405.447.0300

Shawnee Clinic
405.878.5850

WWW.ASTHEALTH.ORG

5B

November 2025

6B www.astribe.com

TOR Wi Si Ka To Wi Project
In the historical native sphere, helping was a value ingrained in every community member from infancy to adulthood. Since everyone pitched in to help, everyone in the
community benefitted from it. The result was individuals, families and communities that were mutually supportive with strong social connections and a higher quality of
life. Because helping one another strengthens each and every one of us, “Help One Another” is the rallying phrase centered in the current anti-stigma campaign organized by
the TOR Wi Si Ka To Wi project. How can you help? Join our anti-stigma campaign to decrease misinformation about substance use disorders and increase understanding.
One of the highlights of September was working with the Norman Public Schools American Indian Education program. Thanks to Lucyann Harjo and her staff, we had the
opportunity to engage with 6th, 7th and 8th graders at each of the four middle schools in Norman. We enlisted Absentee Shawnee tribal member Lorrie Thorpe to instruct
students on how to make corn husk dolls. This introduction to making corn husk dolls was a way to give young people a glimpse of historical cultural lifeways. Corn husk dolls
were commonly made for and by children by many eastern tribes. We hope that by sharing this type of cultural activity with young people, they will be inspired and take pride
and interest in their own respective cultures. We all truly enjoyed working with these young individuals! To promote substance use prevention, we look forward to working
with more native youth throughout our grant cycle.
As part of our holistic approach to wellness, at the end of September we welcomed Dr. Carmen Jones, a Choctaw citizen and a naturopathic doctor to the Little Axe Resource
Center. Dr. Jones presented on Traditional Foods, Traditional Medicine and talked about how gut health can impact your overall health. Some of the traditional fermented
foods she provided to balance gut health was sour corn bread and sour hominy and pork. It seems our native ancestors were cognizant of gut health too.
Stop by to visit at the Little Axe Resource Center and take a book from our Little Library – no check outs or returns necessary.
Red Ribbon Week is October 23rd to October 31st. Red Ribbon Week is a time to promote substance use awareness, prevention, and resources. Keep an eye out for us out
in the field!

ASTHS Health Fair - October 3, 2025

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aabsentee%3Ae7828ad9c240d6a4. Public record. Not legal advice.