Absentee Shawnee Tribe's App Redesigned (2023)

THE ABSENTEE

SHAWNEE NEWS

www.astribe.com

June 2023

Volume 33, No. 06

Absentee Shawnee Tribe's App Redesigned

Most people have smart phones and use apps on a daily basis. The Absentee

Shawnee Tribe even has an app. The app was developed in 2019 and had low

usage. But the Media department completely revamped the app and made

it more user-friendly. The simple features provide easy navigation and more

information right at your fingertips.

App users can view all the events, classes, meetings and announcements

in one easy tab. The member services feature allows users to scroll through

the various departments from Agriculture to Workforce development. Each

department is listed along with an overview, contact information and forms

or applications.

Members can find tribal phone numbers and even directions under

the contact us tab. The feature has combined call, directions and website

capabilities.

Tribal members can search and apply for jobs, read the newsletter, view the

health services and share the app.

One of the newest and exciting features is the ability to access the prerecorded online Shawnee language lesson series Ne mi ta Si wi nwi to wa (I

want to speak Shawnee). The classes are available to tribal members only and

previously members had to view them from the website. With the updated

app, members can access them directly from their phone much faster. Tribal

members can now have access to language no matter where they go.

Language lessons can be found under the tribal member only tab. This tab

also allows members to view the General Council book, meeting agendas and

watch videos of past meetings.

The AST gift shop has plans to have online shopping soon. The app has a

button that will take you to their online store once it is available.

The government tab lets users read the constitution; view the tax codes and

takes users to the Executive Committee and other tribal government entities.

Push notifications will be sent out in the event of emergency closures or

other important announcements. By utilizing the app, tribal members can

keep up with all the events taking place at the tribe and find information faster

and quicker.

The free app is available on the App Store and Google Play by searching

Absentee Shawnee Tribe.

From The Election Commisson

FROM THE ELECTION COMMISSION:

Tribal Members:

The Annual (Run Off) Election will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The voting polls will

be located at the Little Axe Resource Center on Peebly Road, 1970 156th Ave NE, in

Norman, Oklahoma and at the AST Health Multipurpose Building, 2029 James L Edwards

Lane, on the Tribal Complex in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m.

to 6:00 p.m. at both locations.

APPROPRIATE POLL BEHAVIOR

According to the Election Ordinance Article VIII Section 1 – The official polling sites and adjoining

Tribal Grounds are neutral grounds, therefore, there shall be no campaigning or loitering on

Election Day by any person. It shall be the duty of the Election Commission to request that Tribal

police, be present at each polling place and be responsible for maintaining order, prevent

campaigning, and loitering during the election process.

SAMPLE BALLOT

Tear Off 

BALLOT

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

ANNUAL (RUN OFF) ELECTION

JUNE 17, 2023

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS: Cast your vote by placing an [X] or [] mark next

to the candidate of your choice.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GOVERNOR (4 Year Term)

In order to comply we suggest that you do not campaign in any fashion. For Example:

No “vote for. . .”sticker on cars

No campaign clothing

No disbursement of campaign material

No counseling as to who to vote for

Do not loiter at poll site:

1. Arrive

2. Register

3. Vote

4. Exit

Unless there is a line each voter should be at the poll, no more than 10 minutes, outside of voter

booth. Each voter may take all the time they need to read the ballot to vote in the private booth

but should not “visit” with Commissioners or other voters at the poll site.

John Raymond Johnson ---------------------------------Ewell Longhorn-------------------------------------------SECRETARY (4 Year Term)

Alicia L. Edwards Miller--------------------------------Misty McGirt-----------------------------------------------

Any visiting of voters must occur outside of the Poll Site and adjoining Tribal grounds.

Voting Polls close at 6:00 p.m. Voter has to be in line in order to vote.

Policies and Procedures states:

There shall be no campaigning on property of polling site. This includes signs, person to person,

clothing, etc. or within 200 ft. of the polling site. On Election Day all signs must be over 200 ft.

away from the edge of tribal property that contain poll sites.

VOTE

Saturday, June 17, 2023 - Annual (Run Off) Election

2A www.astribe.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GOVERNOR’S REPORT

John Johnson, AST Governor

GOVERNOR

John Johnson

Hello fellow tribal members,

June is the start of the summer months.

It looks like we will have a nice hot summer. I encourage everyone to get their air

conditioners serviced and ready for these

next couple of hot months.

Treasurer Blanchard and I had the opportunity to go to the Native American

Finance Officers Association (NOFOA)

in Washington DC at the end of April.

The two day agenda was packed full of information. The big topics were clean energy and Broadband; how to produce and

how to capitalize on it to make a profit.

LT. GOVERNOR’S REPORT

Ezra DeLodge, AST Lt. Governor

Lt. GOVERNOR

Ezra DeLodge

SECRETARY

Alicia Miller

Tribal Members,

Please see below for department updates. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me by email ezrad@

astribe.com, call my office 405-275-4030

x 6253 or cell 405-432-0733.

Maintenance:

The Maintenance department has completed 29 work orders in the last month

while starting the mowing season on the

complex. The Maintenance staff also assisted the Emergency Management department during the April 19th tornado.

I would like to thank the Maintenance department and Housekeepers for all their

hard work they do for the department.

OEH:

In total for 2023 OEH has assisted Tribal members with 27 different septic renovations and installations, water well drilling and installations, well renovations,

and community water connections.

For 2023, we have collected, processed,

and recycled 14 bales of shredded office

paper and cardboard equaling roughly

10.5 tons of recyclable waste that has been

diverted from landfills.

Dirt work has been completed for the

new police safety center. Plumbing for

the site has also been completed. We are

awaiting final engineer approvals to move

forward with pouring the slab and are expecting for the construction of the build-

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Alicia Miller, AST Secretary

TREASURER

Joseph Blanchard

REPRESENTATIVE

DeWayne Wilson

Ho wa se ke sa ke!

Every month the Executive Committee attends a series of meetings. Some of

those meetings are either with specific

oversight departments or with entities

where an individual EC serves as a liaison. Below are the meetings I attended,

on behalf of the tribe, for the month of

May.

Tribal directors meeting is a standing meeting to obtain program/department reports and updates from each of

the 24 tribal directors. This meeting can

be lengthy but is very informative to be

updated on the happenings around the

campus. Information sharing among the

directors is critical so departments do not

feel the “silo” effect and be able to work

with one another on information sharing

and partnerships. This also helps the EC

keep informed of tribal community activities.

The ASTHA Board meets on the 3rd

Tuesday of every month. Due to the

construction at the Little Axe Health

Center, the meetings have been held in

the training room. It has been reported the LAHC radiology and lab are now

fully operational in their expanded/new

locations. The build for the new 4-lane

pharmacy is in full swing and this is expected to continue till November. Dental

will move into their expanded area in October. There is a lot of moving here and

there between departments so be sure to

read the signage when visiting. Completion of this project is still planned to be

February, 2024. Shawnee Clinic build

will be coming soon. We are in the space,

design and budgeting phase and we procured 69.5 acres for the new site which is

exciting. The acreage is located on Ben-

June 2023

On May 8th the tribe hosted the Oklahoma Self-Governance Coalition Meeting. 9 tribes were represented at this meeting. They spoke about different BIA and

IHS issues that will be covered in depth at

the June Self-Governance conference.

The 35th Sovereignty Symposium is being held on June 13th and 14th in Oklahoma City. I will have the pleasure of attending this great event. The Sovereignty

Symposium was established to provide a

forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues can be exchanged in a

scholarly, non-adversarial environment.

Some of this year’s topics are Symbiotic

Economics, Juvenile Law, Treaties, Intergovernmental agreements, and compacts.

I look forward to being able to attend and

receive some updated information.

Bread dance was held the first part of

May. It was great to see the amount of visitors and tribal members that showed up

for these cultural ceremonies. The weather was great and the dancing was even

better.

Since the tornados in May, most of

Shawnee has been cleaning up. I know

that many tribal families were affected and

some even lost their homes. My thoughts

and prayers go out to all the families that

are continuing to deal with storm damages and the rebuilding process.

In closing, I want to remind everyone

to go VOTE on June 17th.

ing to begin the first weeks of June.

We would like to remind Tribal Members that if they see any activities related

to illegal dumping of trash or other discarded items on Tribal lands to please

contact OEH at the email or phone number listed below.

Jarrod Lloyd, OEH&E Director

jlloyd@astribe.com - (405) 214-4235

Self-Governance

We were happy to be able to host the

OK Self-Governance Coalition on May

9th at the Multipurpose Building. We

had a really good turnout with a total of

9 different tribes represented. Updates

were given on IHS and BIA in regards

to Grants, Appropriations and Budgets,

Contract Support Costs, Joint Ventures,

Progress Act and P.L. 102-477. The annual Tribal Self-Governance Conference

will be held in June in Tulsa, OK. The

Sovereignty Symposium will be held in

OKC next month as well.

BIA Roads Program

Pottawatomie County has a new District 3 Commissioner, Abby Thompson.

Ms. Thompson has been in contact with

me and hope to have future projects. The

District 2 seat is currently open as Mr.

Randy Thomas resigned at the end of February. No one has been appointed to fill

the seat so they will have elections soon.

I hope new District 2 Commissioner will

be willing to work with us as well.

I am excited that both the City of Norman and Cleveland County has agreed

to work with us on three different projects once we receive safety funds. Those

projects will be on 72nd Avenue, 156th

Avenue (S-Curve) and 168th Avenue and

Franklin. We still continue to have other

projects with Cleveland County and hope

in the near future to have an Interlocal

Agreement with the City of Norman.

Any questions or concerns please email

at TwylaB@astribe.com or (405)2754030.

Weatherization Program

Hello, I hope all is well. Progress is still

a little slow due to the recent tornadoes

in the Shawnee area. Glass is hard to find

and is a first come first serve bases. I will

be working the Little Axe are for the next

couple of weeks and then the Shawnee

area in the middle part of June. Stay safe

and be weather aware. Feel free to call or

text me with any questions cell# 405-8274311 or email dmarshall@astribe.com.

Land Management

Land Management has been working

on the softball field at the youth camp removing trees to expand the field. We also

have been working with Realty department clearing and redoing fence lines.

Out of the wood that we are removing it

will go back to our fire wood program for

the upcoming winter months this year.

Any concerns or questions please feel free

to email or call cmartinez@astribe.com

405-395-8101.

son Park Road. As we progress for this

particular project, I will be able to share

more details. The COVID-19 Public

Health Emergency is no longer but please

remember COVID-19 still exists, only

the emergency status which has changed.

Primary and booster vaccinations are still

ongoing by appointment through your

primary care physician or the AST Public

Health Department.

Health Shareholders Representative

quarterly meeting was held in conjunction with the health board, and we discussed 105L leasing with additional

planned internal meetings to discuss if

this is a feasible approach for the tribe.

105L Lease is a law where the Indian

Health Service compensates a federally

recognized tribe for facility operational

expenses relating to the use of a facility to

operate contracted or compacted PFSAs

(program, function, services, activity) in

the form of a lease agreement. There are

more criteria to this process and again, we

are vetting to see if this is beneficial for

AST. This is also being researched for the

BIA program’s side as well.

ASEDA had to reschedule their meeting due to conflicting schedules for this

month. We were previously meeting

weekly to establish administrative processes, responsibilities and reflecting of

where we have been and where we want to

go as far as gearing up strategic planning.

We are still looking for 2 ASEDA board

members. Our current board members

all come with a wealth of experience and

heavy business backgrounds. The EC is

searching for 2 additional members with

comparable experience to complement

our existing board. If you would like to

be a part of ASEDA, please email your resume and letter of interest to secretary@

astribe.com.

Attended the Shawnee Recovery Committee facilitated by House Representa-

tive Dell Kerbs (District 26) shortly after

the tornado on April 19th. The Governor, Lt. Governor, the Representative, and

I were in attendance for these meetings.

Everyone from FEMA, OG&E, American

Red Cross, banking institutions, community organizations and fellow tribes were

in attendance. Maps of the tornado path

was shared, economic impacts, community issues were also shared, and available

assistance information provided. There

was a representative from Moore who

was there to help lend experienced firsthand knowledge on tornadic damage of a

city and various volunteer committees are

forming from these recovery meetings.

What we did learn was the tornado did

not actually touch down and if it had, we

would be having very different grim conversations. I am glad no one was seriously

hurt here in Shawnee especially our tribal

members. As I mentioned in last month’s

article, material things can be replaced,

our people cannot. Ne yi wa to everyone

from staff to laypersons who helped with

the recovery efforts. Please remember

tribal folks are still rebuilding and it will

take a while to still feel a sense of security

after this traumatic experience.

This month we will be deciding the positions of Governor and Secretary of the

Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Please be sure

to get out and vote on Saturday, June 17th

from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Little

Axe Resource Center and Shawnee MPB.

Whatever the outcome may be, I will always be proud to be AST and I will always

represent my tribe the best of my ability

no matter where I am.

Respectfully,

Lt. Governor DeLodge

Si li no ke ka no la. Ne yi wa.

Respectfully,

Alicia Miller

Tribal Secretary

(405) 287-5247

June 2023

www.astribe.com 3A

REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

DeWayne Wilson, AST Representative

Hello Tribal Members,

Again I want to take the time to wish

our graduating class of 2023 “Happy

Graduation!” I would like to express

my gratefulness that no one was injured

or worse during the tornado that hit the

Shawnee area on April 19th, 2023. This

Executive Committee worked diligently with tribal, city, state, and federal officials as well as private organizations

to provide our Tribal membership with

the latest information concerning how

to properly apply for FEMA assistance.

Also, we assisted by advising individuals’

homeowners’ their information would be

channeled to other private organizations

for continued or other types of assistance.

Education Department:

It`s been a busy time with school graduations occurring and filing out Education applications for the coming year. Education employee stays involve with the

ESSA Tribal Consultation with other area

schools and while attending and/ or presenting at Indian club meetings of local

area schools. As a reminder; on June 10,

2023, Camp Nikoti Summer Youth Leadership Camp starts. The Education Director also attended NINAETEC Training

and a Tecumseh Public School, School

Board meeting this past month.

The Workforce department has been

busy this past month; Each HVAC student continues meeting the training requirements for obtaining their HVAC

license at Moore Norman Technology

Center. By the time you receive this newsletter, all three HVAC students will have

completed their first semester of training.

The HVAC employees continue helping

Tribal elders with maintenance on their

HVAC units, preventative maintenance

and installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If any tribal elders need

assistance with their air- conditioning

units do not hesitate to contact the Tribe’s

HVAC mechanic .

Cultural Preservation:

In Cultural Preservation, they have

on-going projects; Oral History (THPO),

Migration Routes of the Shawnee, and a

Boarding School. These projects are important to assist us in recording our history for ourselves and for our future gen-

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE

BOARD

VACANCIES

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BOARDS,

COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES OR

COUNCILS:

ASTHA

Foster Care

Tax

ASHA

ASEDA

NAGPRA

Gaming Commission

Education

TEI

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS OF INTEREST WITH

RESUME ATTACHED TO:

Tribal Secretary

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee, OK 74801

secretary@astribe.com

erations. Cultural Preservation, THPO,

Language, and Library continue to work

with tribal departments, other Tribal

Nations, and area schools by giving presentations and classes in those respective

areas. In April, the Language Program attended/ participated in a two-day panel

titled “How to Become a Native Language

Ally” which was hosted by/ at the Seminole State College. There were five other

tribal nations that attended and participated in this event. In June 2023, the Language Program will conduct four onehour long language workshop sessions at

the Seminole State College. For general

Language Program questions and information, please contact the department

by phone (405) 275- 4030, EXT 6340 or

email at ASTLanguage@astribe.com.

Gaming Commission:

The AST Gaming Commission external audit is complete and was submitted

to National Indian Gaming Commission

(NIGC). The Gaming Commission internal audit continues this month which

affects Employee and Vendor Licensing, Surveillance, the State of Oklahoma

Gaming Compact, and Title 31. AST

Gaming Commission completed the Ca-

sino`s annual refresher training for Title

31. Gaming Commissioners and Gaming Commission employees attended the

Oklahoma Tribal Gaming Regulatory Association (OTGRA) Conference at River

Spirit Casino in Tulsa, OK.

Youth Camp:

Nothing new to report at the Youth

Camp, construction was slow this month

due to the weather. Some burning of trees

and dirt work occurred in preparation of

starting on the baseball/softball field. The

Tribe`s Self Governance Dept. continues

working with Cleveland County, who`s

been working on leveling gravel on the

Youth Camp roads.

If I haven’t said it lately, it`s been my

privilege to serve as your Tribal Representative. If you have any questions or

concerns about these programs mentioned in this news article, feel free to

contact my office at (405) 275-4030 Ext.

6239 or by email: dewayne.wilson@astribe.com.

Respectfully,

DeWayne Wilson

Tribal Representative

June 2023

4A www.astribe.com

Joplin

Happy 15th birthday to my young man! I’m so

proud to be your momma! Love, Mom

Jop – Little brother you ain’t so little anymore! Happy

birthday, Love Jil & Justin

Joplin – Happy happy birthday to my wonderful

nephew! Auntie loves you very much! Love, Aunt B.

Catalyna

Happy 14th birthday babe! I love you with all

my heart and soul. Thank you for being such

a beautiful blessing in our lives. Continue to

keep God first. We hope you have a beautiful

and blessed birthday babygirl. Forever and

always my little girl!

Love

Momma and Toby

Happy Birthday Jop! Hope you have a blessed day! Love

Tammy, Aunt Gert, Rodney, Tony, Batty & Broadie

Tribal member Kiara Stallin

was the state runner up in

shot put with a throw of 39'2"

at the 2023 4A State High

School Track Meet.

Congratulations

Tribal member Keelym Parks recently

got 1st place in regionals for the

Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority

poster contest and also got 1st place

with the Southern Plains Indian

Housing Association on April 27th

2023 at the Hard Rock casino in Tulsa,

OK and received $800 incentive for his

category. Keelym is 10 yrs old in the

5th grade and attends Tecumseh public

school Crosstimbers.

Happy heavenly 80th

birthday to our feisty

momma. We love you & miss

you so very much.

Love your kids, Sherrie & BJ

& your grandkids – Joplin,

Jiliyan & Justin

Derek Molenhour

Congratulations on graduating from

Little Axe High School.

Kiddy 500 Box Car Race

AST Complex will be closed Monday, June 19, 2023 Juneteenth Day

June 2023

www.astribe.com

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

Building Blocks C.D.C.

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee, OK 74801

(405) 878-0633 Fax: (405) 878-0156

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

Building Blocks C.D.C.

16051 Lttle Axe Dr.

Norman, OK 73026

(405) 360-2710 Fax: (405) 360-2726

Building Blocks II

Building Blocks III C.D.C.

Building Blocks had a wonderful turn out of

Mom’s for Muffins on May 12th. We had 17

Mom’s/Grandma’s came to join their child.

Building Blocks will have ‘Donuts with Dads’

in the afternoon at 3P.M. on Friday, June

16th. We invite Building Blocks Dads to join

their child for Donuts. Happy Father’s Day on

Sunday, June 18th.

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.

Building Blocks is accepting waiting list applications for all of our ages; 6

weeks through Pre-K/4 Year Olds. If you are interested in getting your child

on our waiting list please call and we can email you a waiting list application

or you may stop by to fill one out.

With the first day of Summer being June 21st, Building Blocks will begin

Splash Pad days in our classrooms on June 5th. The children enjoy a

refreshing visit to the Splash Pad where they can cool off. Remember

the days will be getting hotter this month, so use sunscreen when going

outdoors and hydrate with lots of water to drink.

Have a Great June!

5A

It’s officially summer time again, and with the summer heat, our students

get to enjoy water play days again! This month the children will be learning

about: all things water, being on the go, & learning their directions. Our

school agers will be enjoying scheduled field trips for summer break. Stay

tuned next month for more pictures!

Closure: Monday June, 19th for Juneteenth

If you love being around children, have early child care training/experience,

and eager to learn APPLY NOW!

NOW HIRING! Multiple positions! Call (405) 360-2726 or Apply Online @

https://www.astribe.com/employment.

We are open to the public and ONLY accepting waitlist applications at this

time. If you are interested in your child attending Building Blocks Child

Development Center III, please call (405)360-2710.

Director: Skye Foreman, Assistant Director: Renee Richardson

Here are a few of the pictures of the children planting seeds in the center’s

garden.

Proud Absentee Shawnee Tribal

Member Ryan Brady wore his AST

Stole at his college graduation ceremony

from the Colorado State University. He

graduated with a Bachelor of Science in

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Payton Lee Brady

Crossings Christian School

NOTI CE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE OR STORY

Please give us a call at (405) 598-1279 or send an email to

media@astribe.com

All articles for the next month’s issue are DUE by the 15th of the current month.

Unfortunately we can only accept ONE PICTURE PER BIRTHDAY PERSON, not per birthday wish.

June 2023

6A www.astribe.com

Cultural Preservation Department

Po ki mi we ke s’fwa

(poh kah mah wee kee s’thweh)

Plum Month

June

Library Newsletter

June 2023

Books of the Month

Ma qe lo – run

Ka ma sa ni – catch the ball

(meh qee loh)

Ke ti n’he wa pa – we won

(keh meh seh nah)

Ke ti n’ha ko pa – we lost

(kee tah n’hee weh peh)

So s’ti lo – slide

(soh s’tah loh)

(kee tah n’heh koh peh)

Ke ma ti m’hi – safe!

(kee meh tah m’hah)

Hi pe ta fe lo – hustle

Ke lo fa pi ke la ko pe – you’re out!

(hah pee teh the loh)

(kee loh teh pah kee leh koh pee)

Ke mo ta lo – steal the base

(kee moh teh loh)

Ka k’ge ta la mi – watch the pitcher

(keh k’chee teh leh mah)

Ma ne ta ha ko – have a good time

Ni ti mi ka ko – everybody help

(meh nee teh heh koh)

(nah tah mah keh koh)

Ho wa ka qi s’ki mi wa pa – time to play ball

(hoh weh keh qah s’kah mah weh peh)

Pe ti mo ke – make a goal

(pee tah moh kee)

Na n’pa ke la ko – throw the ball

(neh n’peh kee leh koh)

Gi ke we ya fi we ki to wi mi le ma ta la me wa ti ho wa se li si mi mo wa

(cheh kee wee yeh thah wee kah toh wah mah lee meh teh leh mee weh tah hoh weh see lah sah mah moh weh)

We all need to pray for blessings.

Don’t forget to fill out a language survey on the AST website and access to pre-recorded language

lesson on the tribal member login page.

Si li no ke ka no la! Ne yi wa!

PUBLIC NOTICE

OPENING DATE: THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2023 AT 12:00pm

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma will be offering salvage vehicles, miscellaneous

heavy equipment, office furniture and equipment for sale at a SEALED BID AUCTION with all

sales final to the highest bidder.

All items will be SOLD AS IS with attachments, parts, accessories, or quantities as shown at time

of the sale.

All items will be available to view and inspect at Thunderbird Casino at 15700 East State

Highway 9, Norman, OK on June 22, 2023 between 8:00am to 11:59am. All items will be

available to view on The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma website at www.astribe.com

under Procurement on the SERVICES tab beginning Friday May 19, 2023.

All bids must be submitted on the bid form and sealed in the envelope provided by The

Absentee Shawnee Tribe the day of the auction. Interested bidders may receive a bidding

packet from The Procurement Department at the Tribal Complex or online at www.astribe.com

under Procurement on the SERVICES tab beginning Friday May 19, 2023.

Sealed bids must be submitted in person on June 22, 2023 prior to bid opening at 12:00pm.

The successful bidder will be required to pay in full the day of the auction by credit card and all

item(s) purchased will need to be removed from Thunderbird Casino by 5:00pm the day of the

auction.

The People We Meet by Allison Larkin.

Little River, New York, 1994: April Sawicki is

living in a motorless motorhome that her

father won in a poker game. Failing out of

school, picking up shifts at a local diner, she’s

left fending for herself in a town where she’s

never quite felt at home. When she “borrows”

her neighbor’s car to perform at an open mic

night, she realizes her life could be much

bigger than where she came from. After a fight

with her dad, April packs her stuff and leaves

for good, setting off on a journey to find a life

that’s all hers. Driving without a chosen

destination, she stops to rest in Ithaca. Her

only plan is to survive, but as she looks for

work, she finds a kindred sense of belonging at

Cafe Decadence, the local coffee shop. Still,

somehow, it doesn’t make sense to her that

life could be this easy.

This lyrical, luminous tale “is both a profound

love letter to creative resilience and a

reminder that sometimes even tragedy can be

a kind of blessing” (Caroline Leavitt, New York

Times bestselling author) Available on Libby.

Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography

is the latest release from the “Little Golden

Book” series, which introduces kids to famous

entertainers, proverbs and historical figures

through colorful books that bear the iconic

golden binding on the side.

The Little Golden Book quickly shot to number

one on the “Best Children’s Biographies” list.

Now, SWIFTIES can finally get their hands on

their own copy. $5 on Amazon.

Summer Reading

Summer break is a fun time for kids to kick back,

indulge in a little extra screen time, play outside,

spending time with friends and a few fun

excursions. However, all of this free time can lead

to the summer slide.

Younger children are prone to the most learning

loss because they’re at a crucial stage in their

development. Children from low-income families

are also disproportionately affected by the

summer slide, in ways that can affect them years

into their education.

The library is here to help keep kids reading over

the summer. We will be working with our summer

school programs in June & July.

By giving kids access to a wide variety of books

that they enjoy reading and are fully able to

comprehend. They’ll be on board!

This summer the theme is All Together Now and

focuses on friendship, kindness, and unity. Many

libraries will be hosting programs and sponsoring

reading contests.

If you need help finding books or resources

please let me know. I am happy to help you sign

up for a library card and show you how to use the

Libby App to access our virtual library where we

have over 70,000 books available for all ages.

Great list of Native YA titles:

https://www.lapl.org/teens/books/nativeamerican-young-adult-fiction-you-need-read

2023 ALSC Summer Reading Lists:

https://www.ala.org/alsc/publicationsresources/book-lists/summer-2023

Apply for a AST Library card online!

https://form.jotform.com/230804193039150

https://libbyapp.com/library/okvirtuallibrary

https://www.librarycat.org/lib/ASTribe

June 2023

www.astribe.com

Mia Rachelle Little

Janelle Ilise Watson

Shawnee High School

Norman North High School

Brody Miller

Christian Jayce Douglass

Colton Lewis Cain Lossie

Aledo High School

Tecumseh High School

Jadyn Little

Edmond Santa Fe High School

Norman North High School

Qiana Skye Mitchell

East Central High School

Stevi Mahri Johnson

Little Axe High School

Kallie Dahn Harris

Sharon-Mutual High School

7A

June 2023

8A www.astribe.com

Rodney Stryker

Wesley Josiah “Si” Foreman

Justice Lonewolf Johnson

Jiliyan Spoon

North Rock Creek High School

Katlyn Masquas

North Rock Creek High School

Amanda Mae Alice Taylor

Nick Shaffer

Hunter B. Little Charley

Kyler Kelsey

Earlsboro High School

Westmoore High School

Bethel High School

Little Axe High School

Norman High School

Little Axe High School

Norman North High School

June 2023

www.astribe.com

Amaya Martinez

Shawnee High School

Garrett Lovins

Fort Lewis College

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Phyllis Leeann Nuño

University of Texas Arlington

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Jasmine Martinez

Loyola University-New Orleans

Bachelor of Business Administration

in Marketing

Jennifer Kobs

Barrett the Honors College at Arizona State University

Applied Biological Sciences: Pre-veterinary medicine

with a certificate in Wildlife Management

Chelsea Cope

University of Central Oklahoma

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

Taylor Daine Masquas

Rose State College

Political Science Associate in Arts

Konnolly Wyatt Shane

Rocky Mountain College

Bachelor of Arts in Literacy Studies

with minor in Pre-Law

Kody Miles Shane

Montana State University Western

Bachelor of Science Elementary Education

9A

June 2023

10A www.astribe.com

Re-Elect

John Raymond Johnson

For AST Governor

I am running for Governor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. I have been an elected official of the tribe

for the last 8 years. I was elected Secretary in 2015 and again in 2017. At the end of my second term as

Secretary, I transitions into the LT Governor position due to a vacancy. At that time I decided to run for

Governor. I was elected Governor in 2019. It was a hard start due to litigation and then COVID. Since

becoming Governor, I have and continue to oversee many new projects.

As Secretary I purchased and implemented a program called Laserfiche. This electronic system houses

all tribal Resolutions, program documents, finance documents and any applications that the tribe may

need. Laserfiche is also connected to purchasing and invoice system, Microix.

One of my first projects as Governor was starting the Food Pantry. The Food Pantry was open in

September of 2021 to help our tribal members during the pandemic. It is still open today serving over

200 tribal members a month.

Second project is the building of the new CCDF/After School buildings. The Shawnee campus building

broke ground in July of 2022 and is expected to be completed in September 2023. This building will

house our after school program and will give this program the much needed space to expand and help

our children. Horseshoe bend building will be the next new building for the after school program. The

start date for this building will be announced later in 2023.

Third project is the expansion of the Health Clinic in Little Axe. This expansion will create space for

existing services along with new services to help our tribal members.

Fourth project is the new Police building. On January 12th, 2023, I signed the contract with Calm

Construction Company to begin construction. This building is being funded from an ICDBG grant that

was awarded to the tribe during COVID. The new building will give the AST police department the

room that they have needed for a long time.

Fifth on the list is Tecumseh Square renovations. A new roof was put on the building in July of

2022. Now the architects are drawing up the final plans for the building to be submitted to the City of

Tecumseh, City Council. Building permits will follow and construction will begin. Part of the building

will house the Food Pantry.

If I am re-elected as your Governor, I plan to improve the infrastructure of the campus buildings.

The buildings are in need of major improvements and renovations. I will also move forward with land

acquisitions and economic development. I feel the growth that has taken place during my time in office

has been beneficial to the overall growth of the tribe. I want the tribe to continue to grow and be here

for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

VOTE JUNE 17, 2023

Elect

Alicia Edwards Miller

For AST Secretary

Dear Fellow AST Member:

I am writing to you to humbly ask for your support for the upcoming AST Run-Off Election on

Saturday, June 17th. I felt the call once again to commit my time, skills and abilities to support and

advance our tribe to be the best it can be.

We, as a tribe, have a small window of opportunity to expand and see the current projects

completed. I know once I start something I like to see the venture through to its completion. This

is so our people can be proud of the growth of our tribe and to create spaces for our people to use.

ONGOING PROJECTS (TO SEE COMPLETED)

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

New Shawnee Clinic Build

Little Axe Health Center Expansion

Tribal Strategic Planning/Health Strategic Planning

AST Police Station (Enrollment will be housed)

Tecumseh Square Revitalization

After School Builds (AST campus & Horseshoe Bend)

Land Acquisitions (expand land base) & Trust Land Issue Revisit

477 Program Full Implementation

Economic Development/ASEDA Refresh & Strengthen

Ventures into Green Energy (waiting for grant submission approval)

I have worked hard these past 3 years to do my part to position our tribe on a better path and

committed the time to help build our nation upward from one of the worst pandemics seen in a

generation. I experienced good days and not so good days but in the end to see our tribe and our

people prosper leaves nothing but a good feeling.

On some days during my drive to the office, I often think of those who came before me and how they stressed the importance of obtaining an education and

to give back to the tribe and to those who had helped me on my journey. I took those words to heart in regards to my tribe and have done those very things and

I want to make sure the same opportunities, resources and experiences are here for our future generations.

I will continue to work hard on your behalf and be diligent when listening to your concerns and when needing a reasonable resolution, upholding AST

Constitutional duties, reviewing budgets, hiring staff to serve you, negotiating tribal agreements, appointing board members, tribal program development/

implementation and so much more. Many do not realize the time commitment, teamwork and fortitude needed to help lead a tribe to tackle the tough issues,

in order to make meaningful changes, but I am committed to be here, be a part of the team, help you and help our tribe be prosperous.

Again, I humbly ask you for your support on Saturday, June 17th!!

Ne yi wa!

Alicia L. Edwards Miller

www.asthealth.org

June 2023

Section B

ASTHS June 2023 Monthly Update

National Men's Health Month

June is National Men’s Health Month and the week of June 12-18 is Men’s Health Week. Led by Men's Health Network, representatives from six leading men's

health organizations around the world met at the 2nd World Congress on Men's Health in Vienna, Austria in 2002 and resolved to work together to launch

International Men's Health Week (IMHW). The goal was to increase awareness of male health issues on a global level and to encourage inter- and intra-national institutions to develop health policies and services that meet the specific needs of men, boys, and their families (Men’s Health).

What can we do to encourage the men in our lives to live a healthy life so they can be around longer? Here are some tips from the WeRNative website (https://www.wernative.org/) that

might help.

It’s a time for health and healing. Healing can require listening and learning while finding balance in mind, body, and spirit. The healing journey can be different for each person, but

here are a few common tips that can help you get or stay on track:

•

Move More. Try getting 60 minutes of activity every day. This is one of the best things you can do for your health, not only during Men’s Health Month but every day.

•

Eat Healthy. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods

and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. Try following an ancestral diet. This means eating wholesome, natural, organic Indigenous foods – just like our ancestors

did for thousands of years.

•

Connect with Culture. In tribal culture, “traditional healing” refers to traditional practices that correct imbalance and promote harmony and personal healing. Traditional healing practices include consulting with elders, bringing family groups together, giving social support, prayer and song, removing dangerous spiritual influences, dietary remedies,

herbal remedies, participating in ceremony, and seeking assistance from those recognized in the community as helpers.

•

Stress Less. Sometimes stress can be good. However, it can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. Take care of yourself. Avoid

drugs and alcohol. Find support. Connect socially.

•

Take time for your spiritual well-being. Whether you turn to traditional culture, an organized religion, or to a higher power in a more personalized way, if you have a sense of

connection to something larger and more meaningful than self, it can be helpful in times of stress and hardship.

•

Stay on Top of Your Game. See your doctor or nurse for checkups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they

can become a problem. Encourage our uncles, cousins, friends, elders, dads, grandfathers and all men to have regular wellness visits with a health care provider. Many health

issues are preventable if caught early.

QUICK FACTS

Ø

Ø

Ø

Ø

Men die at higher rates from 9 of the top 10 causes of death.

Men make up over 92% of workplace deaths.

Men live 5 years less than women.

1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

End the Silence.

Remind Men and Boys to Stay Healthy.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Little Axe Health Clinic

•

•

•

•

•

Radiology and Lab are fully operational in their new/expanded locations.

Pharmacy, with a modified drive-thru, has moved to their temporary location on the west side of the building. Expansion of the original pharmacy location (with a 4-lane

drive-thru) has begun and we anticipate moving back at the end of November. Public Health will then move into the expanded area that Pharmacy currently occupies in Feb ‘24.

Behavioral Health has relocated to space in Diabetes/Wellness and the Administration areas with anticipated move-back in October.

Primary Care and Dental will move into the two-story expanded area in October.

PlusCare and Specialty will relocate to what is now Primary Care in February ’24.

Substantial completion/occupancy of the Little Axe Expansion is expected for February 2024!

Shawnee Health Clinic

We have purchased a location for construction of a NEW SHAWNEE HEALTH CLINIC! The address is:

39665 Benson Park Road, Shawnee, OK 74801 (adjacent to Tecumseh Lake)

The team continues to work closely with the architects to solidify space and budgeting. Construction coming soon!

May 2023 Health Employee Awards of the Month

Employee of the Month: Sherry Hagen, Housekeeper

Team of the Month: Registration

Special Leadership Award: Jordan Harvey, Pharmacy Manager (Shawnee)

Chris A. Larkin, MBA, FACHE, CHC

Executive Director

Raffle winners for Ensuring Hope Project’s National Prevention Week

Raffle winners for Ensuring Hope Project’s National Prevention Week:

1st Place: Kessa Lane, fishing gear to

kick off summer fun.

2nd Place: Little Axe High Schooler, $25

gift card.

3rd Place: North Rock Creek Senior, $15

gift card.

We conducted 114 parent and youth

surveys given at 4 locations around

Cleveland and Pottawatomie Counties.

HOSTED BY NATIVE CONNECTIONS, ENSURING HOPE, & FINDING HOPE GRANTS

FATHERHOOD IS SACRED;

MOTHERHOOD IS SACRED

Photo: 1st Place Winner Kessa Lane with Elizabeth Foster, SPF-PFS Grant Project Director & Rob Meely, SPFPFS Prevention Specialist.

Photo: Ensuring Hope Project's Elizabeth Foster, SPF-PFS Grant

VIRTUAL

PARENTING CLASS

Project Director, and Jerrel Riggins, Lead Outpatient Therapist,

drawing the names.

PURPOSE

2B www.astribe.com

June 2023

HEALTH BUZZ!!

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Hellen Keller

Dementia is a sizable threat to our aging Native American community. It is estimated that 1 in 3 Native American Elders will develop Alzheimer’s disease or

another form of dementia. A diagnosis of dementia is feared more than cancer, stroke, and heart disease combined. Many fear it because of the misconception

of what life may look like after a diagnosis. However, delaying seeing your healthcare provider about problems with your memory may prevent you from

getting the best treatment. And contrary to what many believe, a diagnosis of dementia does not mean you can’t continue to have quality of life. Strategies

to enhance quality of life for people living with dementia include:

♦

♦

♦

♦

Staying socially engaged – include frequent one-on-one interactions and conversations about family, friends, hobbies, and favorite foods.

Enriching through music and art – music can provide a powerful way to connect even when verbal communication is difficult or nonexistent.

Engaging in physical activity – regular physical exercise such as going for a walk can help maintain activities of daily living.

Establishing good nutrition habits – flavorful, nourishing foods that stimulate the appetite and senses.

Continually challenging the stigma that people living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will lose all of their abilities and can no longer enjoy quality of life

will continue to be of upmost importance to the ADPI staff. How can we move toward achieving this?

♦ Work toward creating dementia-capable communities that include businesses, employers, community organizations and the general public that will

help raise awareness about the needs of people living with dementia.

♦ Assist individuals with dementia in ways that will enable them to remain active in the community and at home.

♦ Promote health and wellness by encouraging traditional physical activity like dance, preparing and eating traditional foods, maintaining overall healthy

living, and better management of other chronic health conditions.

♦ Advocate for social and emotional health by increasing the sense of belonging to one’s tribe and the sense of connection to culture through beading,

artwork, practicing songs, and inter-generational interactions.

♦ Encourage participation in support services, such as Seeking Hope.

♦ Address modifiable risk factors for dementia including diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and mid-life obesity.

For more information on The Savvy Caregiver in Indian Country or Music & Memory, email me, Gayla Temple, at gtemple@astribe.com or adpi@astribe.

com, or call 405.561.7870. You can also visit the Seeking Hope webpage. Go to the AST Health System’s website, asthealth.org, click on “Programs and

Prevention” and click on “Seeking Hope”.

Warmest Regards,

Gayla Temple

Dementia Care Specialist

June 2023

www.astribe.com

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

5

BBQ PORK SANDWICH

PICKLE/ONIONS

ICE CREAM

12

PORK CHOP

STUFFING/GRAVY

BEETS

MIXED FRUIT

19

26

CLOSED FOR

JUNETEENTH

DAY

MANWICH

TATOR TOTS

COOKIE

ORANGE

6

CHICKEN POT PIE

W VEGGIES

BISCUIT

PINEAPPLES

13

GRILLED CHEZ

CHICKEN NOODLE

SOUP

MANDARIN

ORANGES

20

HAM & CHEZ

SANDWICH

LTOP

CHIPS/JELL-O

27

PORK & HOMINY

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

JELL-O

7

BAKED POT

HAM,CHEZ,ONIONS

MIXED VEGGIES

CAKE

14

GREAT NORTHEN

BEANS W/HAM

CORNBREAD

ONIONS

CRISP

21

GOULASH

GREEN BEANS

BREAD

APPLESAUCE

28

BBQ CHICKEN

TOSSED SALAD*

MIXED VEGGIES

PEARS

FRIDAY

1

2

8

9

CHICKEN FAJITAS

BELL PEPPERS & ONIONS

TORTILLAS

REFRIED BEANS

CHEF SALAD

W CHICKEN

EGGS, CHEZ,ONIONS

PEACHES/CRACKERS

15

SOFT TACO

LETT,TOM,ONION,CHEZ

SALSA/CHIPS

CINNAMON ROLL

22

29

BAKED CHICKEN

WILD RICE

VEGGIES

ORANGE

BEEF FINGERS

MASHED POT/GRAVY

BROCCOLI

ROLL/PEACHES

GRITS

SAUSAGE PATTIES

TOAST

BOILED EGG

HAM

ENGLISH MUFFIN

16

SCRAMBLED EGGS

SAUSAGE GRAVY

BISCUIT

23

CEREAL

BACON

TOAST

30

SCRAMBLED EGGS

SAUSAGE GRAVY

BISCUIT

FLAG DAY

JUNE 14TH

FATHER’S DAY

JUNE 18

JUNETEENTH

JUNE 19TH

TITLE VI WILL BE

CLOSED NO

DELIVERS & NO

MEALS WILL BE

SERVED

LUNCH SERVED MONDAY – THURSDAY 11 AM TO 1 PM

BREAKFAST ON FRIDAYS- 9 AM TO 11 AM

AST TITLE VI

ELDER INTAKE FORM

TODAY’S DATE______________________________ REFERRAL SOURCE_____________________

LAST NAME___________________________ FIRST NAME____________________________ MI_____

DATE OF BIRTH______________________ MALE ____ FEMALE____ VETERAN___YES_____NO

STREET ADDRESS____________________________________________________

CITY___________________ STATE_____ ZIP CODE________ PHONE NUMBER _______________

SINGLE ____MARRIED ____ DIVORCED/SEPARATED

___WIDOWED ___ WIDOWER____

SPOUSE’S NAME______________________________ SPOUSE’S DATE OF BIRTH _______________

NAME OF EMERGENCY CONTACT (1)______________________________PHONE______________

NAME OF EMERGENCY CONTACT (2) ______________________________PHONE _____________

PRIMARY LANGUAGE

ENGLISH___ TRIBAL___

OTHER______________________

HOUSING ___ HOUSE ___ APARTMENT ___COMMUNITY HOUSING __OTHER EXPLAIN____________

COMPOSITION ___ LIVES ALONE ___ LIVES WITH SPOUSE ___LIVES WITH FAMILY/FRIENDS

NUMBER IN HOUSEHOLD _______ WHO HELPS ___________________________________________

HEALTH HISTORY ___ ASTHMA

___DIABETES

___ALZHEIMER’S

___ARTHRITIS ___CANCER ___DEMENTIA

___CHRONIC PAIN ___HEARING AID ___CHOLESTEROL ___BLOOD PRESSURE

PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION ___Own Car ___Friend ____Public Trans. ___Senior Trans. __Family

PROSTHETIC DEVIECS ___ Walker/Cane __Wheelchair ___Hearing Aid ___Glasses __Dentures ___None

ARE YOU ENROLLED WITH A DIFFERENT TITLE VI PROGRAM? ____ YES ____ NO

IF YES, NAME OF PROGRAM & WHERE LOCATED:________________________________________

HEALTH CONCERNS ___________________________________________________________________

SERVICES CURRENTLY BEING RECEIVED_________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS______________________________________________________

Heal With CompleteCare

PROVIDE THE DATE OF YOUR VACCINATION COVID 19

1st__________ 2nd_________ BOOSTER__________

Johnson & Johnson __________ FLU__________

Home health offers skilled care and support so you can live safely and

independently in your home.

How?

Our nurses come to your home to check your vitals, discuss your

medications, and help you better manage chronic diseases, such as

heart diseases, diabetes, and more. Therapists can help reduce your

risk of falls and help you safely recover from surgery. Aides help with

personal care and hygiene.

Best of all?

It’s done under the guidance of your doctor.

If you or someone you know

needs support now,

call or text 988

or

chat 988lifeline.org

PEP22-08-03-004

3B

If you would like more information, please reach out to one of our

staff members at 405.701.7085!

June 2023

4B www.astribe.com

AST HEALTH SYSTEM DIRECTORY

AST HEALTH SYSTEM DIRECTORY

LITTLE AXE HEALTH CENTER ..................................................... 405-447-0300

Administration

Business Office

Little Axe Dental

Health Information Management

Lab/X.Ray

Optometry

Patient Benefit Advocates

Primary Care

Public Health

Security

Electronic Health Record

Physical Therapy

Behavioral Health .................................................................................. 405-701-7987

Little Axe Purchased Referred Care ........................................................ 405-701-7951

Diabetes & Wellness ...............................................................................405-701-7977

Pharmacy ...............................................................................................405-292-9530

CompleteCare Home Health................................................................... 405-701-7085

Transportation........................................................................................405-701-7603

SHAWNEE CLINIC ............................405-878-5850 OR 877-878-4702 TOLL FREE

Administration

Business Office

Health Information Management

Lab/X-Ray

Patient Benefit Advocates

Contract Health

Physical Therapy

Primary Care

Public Health

Behavioral Health ...................................................................................405-878-4716

Diabetes & Wellness ...............................................................................405-701-7977

Pharmacy ........................................................ 405-878-5859 OR 866-742-4977TOLL FREE

Transportation........................................................................................405-701-7603

PLUSCARE ............................................................................................... 405-447-0477

GENERAL

AST Resource Center..............................................................................405-364-7298

Corporate Compliance Hotline............................................................... 405-701-7135

Patient Advocate .................................................................................... 405-701-7623

AST Tribal Complex ...............................................................................405-275-4030

AST Tribal Police .................................................................................... 405-275-3200

AST Housing ..........................................................................................405-273-1050

COVID Hotline ........................................................................................405-695-1787

Worried about losing your SoonerCare Coverage?

Two ways to renew

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

CHECK YOUR MAIL

Update your contact information

ie: mailing address, email and

phone number.

Take action quickly to avoid any

disruption in your coverage.

Online at

mysoonercare.org

Respond to the

request for

information

Contact a Patient

Benefit Advocate

Bring the letter to

a Patient Benefit

Advocate

FOR THOSE WHO NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR

SOONERCARE COVERAGE

If you no longer qualify for SoonerCare you could receive health insurance

coverage through the Marketplace at NO COST TO YOU or the tribe.

Our contracted benefits advisor

with Legacy Tribal Services is

available to assist in the

enrollment process.

Just give us a call!

Little Axe Health Center: 405-447-0300

Shawnee Clinic: 405-878-5850

www.asthealth.org