# Tribal HVAC Program Heating Up (2022) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aabsentee%3Af65e64b91a8b57ec ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE NEWS www.astribe.com October 2022 Volume 32, No. 10 Tribal HVAC Program Heating Up Left Photo L-R: Workforce Project Coordinator Connor Edwards; HVAC Mechanic Joseph Burgess; AST Lt. Governor Ezra DeLodge; AST Representative DeWayne Wilson. The Absentee Shawnee Tribal HVAC Program is ready to serve the tribe. The newly created program recently purchased a work van and hired a licensed HVAC Journeyman. The program was started with CARES funding and is under the office of the Lt. Governor and Representative. “This is a win-win for the tribe and for our tribal members.” said Representative DeWayne Wilson, “The tribe spends money contracting out HVAC services and now we can provide those services in-house. This will allow us to use that money for other services. The tribe has had to pay for over a dozen new HVAC systems for members in the past year. Joseph Burgess was recently hired as the HVAC Mechanic. He will service tribal HVAC systems, tribal entities and will also serve as a training advisor for the Workforce Development Career Initiative Program. He will oversee the tribal members who are entering the three-year HVAC training program with the tribe. For questions about eligibility, please call Workforce Project Coordinator Connor Edwards at (405) 275-4030 ext. 6439 or by email, connore@astribe.com. AST Court Holds OILS Wills Clinic Oklahoma Indian Legal Services held a Wills Clinic at the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Courtroom on September 14th. The free clinic was open to incomeeligible tribal members who were interested in writing and setting up wills. Having a will in place provides peace of mind should something happen to the individual. The will would express how they want their property distributed. OILS attorney Brian Candelaria explains why wills are important, “A will is an opportunity for the drafter (referred to as the Testator) to have a say as to who they want their property to go to after the Testator dies. This is especially important when the Testator owns property of significant monetary and/or sentimental value. “ If a person does not have a will, the state may make a decision on the heirs of the property. This usually happens during probate. Keep in mind that even if you have a will in place, you might not be able to avoid probate. “A will must be declared to be valid by a judge using the Probate laws of the State of Oklahoma. If the Will is declared invalid, or if a person dies without a Will (known as intestacy), the judge then uses the Probate laws to make any final decisions as to the way the dead person’s property is divided.” said Candelaria, “These statutory divisions are rigid and may not reflect the true desires of the person who has died. Therefore, having a valid will in place can go a long way to help the Testator make sure that their last wishes are followed.” Wills also provide peace of mind that the wishes of the deceased are carried out accordingly. Being prepared for the unexpected can ease the burden should something happen. Often times it is as simple as having those difficult conversations with your loved ones to get the process started. If you don’t own property, you may not need a will. There are other end-oflife documents that might work for you instead. Wills are an important part of life. It doesn’t matter if you own 8 or 800 acres, having a will is a great way to preserve future ownership of your property by those you care about and love. 2A www.astribe.com EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GOVERNOR’S REPORT John Johnson, AST Governor Hello fellow tribal members, Fall is here, thank goodness for the cooler weather and football season. We are quickly approaching the holiday season. Before you know it, it will be Thanksgiving. October brings a few important events for our tribe. Starting off is the 89th semi-annual General Council on Saturday October 1st, 2022. We will be fol- LT. GOVERNOR’S REPORT Ezra DeLodge, AST Lt. Governor GOVERNOR John Johnson 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 staff has been staying busy taking care of the campus grounds and completing 25 work orders in the last month. I would like to thank the Maintenance crew and housekeepers for all their hard work they do for the department. OEH: In total for 2022 OEH has assisted Tribal members with 67 different septic renovations and installations, water well drilling and installations, well renovations, and community water connections. For 2022, we have collected, processed, and recycled 32 bales of shredded office paper and cardboard equaling roughly 24 tons of recyclable waste that has been diverted from landfills. Plans are being made for Cleveland County to begin roadwork at the Youth Camp, along with completion of the parking lot at the Youth Camp Dining Hall in the coming months. The completion of the entry gate at the camp will be scheduled around this construction. We are now accepting bids from general contractors for construction of the AST Police Safety Center. We currently have 9 bidders on our list that have shown interest in bidding the project. The deadline for bidding is September 30th. After bids are received, we will select a winning bidder and we plan to break ground on the project sometime in October. We would like to remind Tribal Members that if they see any activities related SECRETARY’S REPORT Alicia Miller, AST Secretary TREASURER Joseph Blanchard Ho wa se ke sa ke! Happy October! I cannot believe we are entering the last quarter of 2022. The next couple of months we will be working on departmental budget projections for 2023 and closing out the 2022 fiscal calendar year. To recap some of my September activities, my office worked on the preparations for 89th General Council, I represented the tribe at the Oklahoma Tribal Self-Governance Coalition hosted by the Muscogee Creek Nation at Council Oak, and I also represented at the National Indian Health Board 50th annual con- REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT DeWayne Wilson, AST Representative REPRESENTATIVE DeWayne Wilson Hello Tribal Members, I hope everyone is doing good, we have been blessed that this pandemic is decreasing in its intensity. I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day Holiday. Stay Healthy continue to practicing social distancing and disinfecting your hands due to COVID 19 is still in our communities and at our Tribal facilities. If you have not registered to VOTE, you have until Oct. 14th, 2022 to get registered. Once you get registered, you will be eligible to VOTE in the November 8th, 2022. Let`s Go “Rock the Vote”. Education Department; In the Education Department, we continue to look for ways to assist our Tribal members who are furthering their educational endeavors. If you are in need of educational financial assistance, the Education Department may be able to assist you in other areas. In Workforce Development are taking applications for the October 2022 lowing COVID protocol, mask and hand sanitizer will be available, so I hope that everyone will join us. Another important October event is the fall Bread Dance. With the cooler temperatures I hope we have many of you in attendance. On September 21, 2022 I was able to attend the Oklahoma Self-Governance Coalition hosted by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Indian Health Services and the Bureau of Indian Affairs gave updates. I was invited and attended the Vison Expo with the Optical department Sep- tember 14th to 16th. Dr. King, Rachel Taylor and I were able to view and decide on new optical equipment that we will be purchasing to upgrade old equipment. I would like to thank the Health and Optical departments for the invitation. As I close for this month, I would like to remind everyone to register to vote for the November 8th Oklahoma elections. You still have time to get those registrations in before the October 14th deadline. Then be sure to go and vote on November 8th. 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 BIA Self-Governance For the past few months we have had several programs researching and working on a 477 Plan. By the time you read this our plan will have been submitted by the September 30th deadline to the Department of Interior (DOI). They will have 90 days to review our plan and respond back to us. As long as the plan meets their criteria and we are approved, the plan will begin January 1, 2023. Once we are approved, more details will be provided. I would like to thank each of the Coordinators/Directors for helping get the plan together: Briana Ponkilla, Tresha Spoon, Annie Wilson, Alvina Wilson and Carol Butler. BIA Roads Program Some of this information was put in the October General Council book so it may seem repetitive. We have completed three projects with Cleveland County; 192nd Hwy 9 to Lindsey (2 miles), 192nd to County Line (1 mile) and Rock Creek Road 189th to 192nd (1 mile). We have three other projects they are currently working on and are hoping they will be assisting us with the road for the youth camp as well. We hope to apply for additional safety funds as well as funding to improve bridges in our area. Driveway Assistance Program We are slowly getting started up again with the driveways. Any work that will be done will be gravel only. We are no longer accepting any other applications as there may not be enough funds to assist all the applicants. Since the inception of the program, we have received 78 applications. As of August 31, 2022, we have completed 30 driveways. Donnie Marshall will be assisting with this program and can be reached at Dmarshall@astribe.com If you have questions or need more information on Self-Governance Programs please contact Twyla Blanchard at 405.275.4030, ext. 6325 or email at TwylaB@astribe.com. Weatherization: Since our inception (2-8-22) we have received 56 applications 54 have been assessed and 16 have been completed. There are 37 applicants remaining with 3 in process of being completed. With material shortage and rainy season at the beginning of the year made progress slower than expected. Since the month of August repairs have been going faster and should be moving at a good pace by mid, September. Land Management Land Management continues to work on the camp project cleaning up wood pile to put back in wood pile for elders. We have been taking wood that we can savage to split and have been burning the odds and ends to get ready for the next project. There will be a flyer in months new. Agriculture: The agriculture department is making steady progress in maintaining cattle and fall crops. We have future plans of various fall activities and events. We continue to nourish and feed cattle; agriculture department has steadily made improvements on recently acquired properties. If you have any questions please contact us at (405) 275-4300 EXT. 6263 or by email at agricultural@astribe.com. ference in Washington, D.C. Some of these meetings are finally going back to full in-person gatherings and it is good to connect with familiar tribal representatives and meet new folks. For the month of October, my office will be accepting entries for the 2nd annual ribbon skirt contest for November’s Native American heritage month. Winners will be announced in November and this year, there will be an adult category (18 & up) and a youth category (17 & under). I cannot wait to see the submissions – I am always in awe of our sewers’ talents. Good luck to all those who enter. (Additional details are included in this month’s newsletter) I would first like to wish my youngest son a happy 18th birthday and a happy birthday to all of those who are celebrating their birthday this month. I hope good bread dances are had and blessings to those who help carry on our traditions. I also send my deepest condolences to those who are grieving for lost loved ones. Before I conclude this article, if you are an Oklahoma resident, you have until October 14th to register to vote. Around the corner are some very important general elections and tribes can play an important role in their outcomes. HVAC Program. We have conducted several interviews with Tribal members who have shown an interest in HVAC Program. If you are an Absentee Shawnee Tribal member and have some interest in obtaining a HVAC Journeyman license, contact Mr. Conner Edwards of Workforce Development office. Cultural Preservation Department; In Cultural Preservation, In reference to the ANA/ Language Grant, now that we have filled the Linguist/ Project Coordinator position, we will be inventorying the different components the Absentee Shawnee language that we have accumulated over the years. Cultural Preservation Director is in the process of job interviews to fill the other two positions that are opened in that department. Gaming Commission; The Gaming Commission continues to move along. Gaming Commissioners` continue to work with the Thunderbird Casino pertaining to up- dating their (Casino) policy/ procedures. I continue to attend the Gaming Commission meetings. The Executive Director and staff continue to network/ work with NIGC and other tribal Gaming Commission staff. Youth Camp; There has been a lot of construction going on at the Youth Camp. The playground project is closed to being completed. We have had meetings with the construction manager of these projects. The construction manager is in the process of obtaining three bids for the tennis/ basketball courts project. Once a decision is made they will start the construction of tennis/ basketball courts project. Also, the BIA/ Self- Governance continue our discussions with OEH dept. and Cleveland Co pertaining to the road at the Youth Camp. Again, if you have any questions or concerns about the programs or positions 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, Lt. Governor DeLodge Si li no ke ka no la. Ne yi wa. Respectfully, Alicia Miller Tribal Secretary Respectfully, DeWayne Wilson Tribal Representative October 2022 www.astribe.com 3A TREASURER’S REPORT Joseph Blanchard, AST Treasurer Hello Tribal members, friends, and family: I hope this notice finds things well within your household. October is officially here and many will start to feel and smell the aromas of Fall. I hope you were able to attend one of our traditional grounds to participate in Bread Dance ceremonies. By the time many receive this newsletter, the Semi-Annual General Council Meeting will have concluded. For those in attendance, I appreciate your opinion and suggestions. This is beneficial and helps provide direction to the Executive Committee. Should you want a copy of the Booklet, please submit a request to the Secretary’s office and one will be mailed to you. I will be brief in my report this month as I’ve provided a lot of information to our People over the last several weeks. At this time of year, we are beginning to put together projections for the 2023 Operational Budget. Contrary to public comments, we have done a good job of staying within spending limits and cutting unnecessary costs. Recently, I sat in a presentation on the status of our overall compensation system. The Executive Committee requested a study of our salaries to provide confirmation of how com- petitive we are with the local economy. As suspected, our Health system pays at or above the regional average; and the Tribe is at or below the average. There are simple reasons for this and I’ll explain. Regarding Health, the majority of jobs in their system have been supported by grants and then their ability to collect 3rd party payments from insurance, Medicaid and Medicare for the roughly 17,000 monthly appointments. As such, the existing facilities have experienced tremendous growth which requires more space. There was comment or concern wondering why it’s taking so long for the Shawnee expansion to move forward. The explanation here is the Tribe is completing the process to get the chosen site approved by FEMA and ensure we’re not violating any NEPA or NHPA requirements. Regarding pay at the Tribe, we can only afford or distribute what we collect in revenue or taxes. General Fund increases and decreases based on yearly expenses, which fluctuate. One of the simple questions I asked when coming into office is, “do we need 550 employees to run our operations and provide a minimal level of service to our membership? What can we do to improve efficiency and effectiveness?” Also, taken into consideration are grants, indirect costs, and funding agreements from BIA and IHS. When one asks or says, “The Tribe doesn’t hire qualified ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND (HAF) SERVICES OFFERED Mortgage Payment Insurance Payment Property Charges, such as Property Taxes Utility Payment, such as electric, gas, home energy, water, sewer, solid waste disposal, and internet The maximum amount for this one-time assistance per household is up to $8,000. All assistance will be issued directly to companies indicated by the applicant. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (405) 275-4030 Ashlynn Gouge, ext 6446 HAF Lead Specialist AGouge@astribe.com Taylor Masquas, ext 6440 HAF Specialist TMasquas@astribe.com ELIGIBILITY Applicant or Spouse must be at least 18 years of age. (Cohabitant applicants do not have to be legally married.) Applicant or Spouse must be a homeowner, meaning a property deed must be provided with the county clerks stamp from the county in which the applicant resides. Applicant or Spouse must be a member of a federally recognized tribe. If Absentee Shawnee tribal member, residence can be anywhere within the US. If tribal member of other tribe, residence must be within Pottawatomie County. Annual household income cannot exceed 150% of the area median income. Applicant must be able to attest to financial hardship after January 21, 2020 due directly or indirectly to COVID-19. tribal members.” I disagree with this statement. The reality is most of our population chooses not to work for the Tribe because we cannot pay them the salary they currently receive. Common sense suggests if you have the ability to make $25/hr, why would one choose to come work for $15 when that’s what the grant affords? In the last year, I have worked to create additional revenue. However, there is a saying, “to make money, you have to spend money.” This is the reason for the creation of the Agriculture Department. I have suggested that instead of giving away our assets and resources, we should sell these to the General Public at market rate, and our members at reduced costs. As an example, a rick of green post oak wood costs $60-75. As a consumer, I would be agreeable to buy that product from the Tribe at the reduced rate of $5060 so that the Tribe is still receiving payment and saving me the time from doing it myself. Another example regards hay. Regular prairie hay has a cost of $50-75 per round bale, with Bermuda and Alfalfa running between $100-150 a bale. The Maxwell Property has the ability to produce 900 bales per year. The projected return to the program should be between $60,000-90,000 annually. The assumption is there would be at least 600 bales for sale, after we put away the approximate 300 we need for our livestock. But this also doesn’t take into consideration the other properties we can now harvest product from. By the time members receive this edition, the Finance Department will have concluded Department meetings for the 2023 Annual Budgets preparation. These are important so that we make certain programs have the monies to operate and provide service to members. Some may not remember but I updated previously at the conclusion of Mid-Year Reviews. The majority of programs were about 8% under projection. The few issues we do not control are gaming revenue and tax collections. I’ve explained to others, as excess or free money becomes smaller due to recent inflation and economy concerns, individuals have less to spend on entertainment. Instead they focus on priorities and necessities; especially when on a fixed income. As I mentioned at General Council, if you have any specific questions related to my oversight, do not hesitate to contact me personally or by email. My office and staff will continue to look for ways to save our Tribe money and to get the best bang for our buck. Again, thank you for the continued support, encouragement, and advice. Neyiwa! Joseph H. Blanchard October 2022 4A www.astribe.com Breast Cancer Awareness Month Understanding Breast Cancer Cancer is a broad term for a class of diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and invade healthy cells in the body. Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast as a group of cancer cells that can then invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. What Causes Cancer To Develop? Cancer begins in the cells which are the basic building blocks that make up tissue. Tissue is found in the breast and other parts of the body. Sometimes, the process of cell growth goes wrong and new cells form when the body doesn’t need them and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. When this occurs, a build-up of cells often forms a mass of tissue called a lump, growth, or tumor. Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. When cancer cells travel to other parts of the body and begin damaging other tissues and organs, the process is called metastasis. When you’re told that you have breast cancer, it’s natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. But no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn’t, and most women who have breast cancer will never be able to pinpoint an exact cause. What we do know is that breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell’s DNA. Known Risk Factors Women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors (such as drinking alcohol) can be avoided. But most risk factors (such as having a family history of breast cancer) can’t be avoided. Having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get breast cancer. Many women who have risk factors never develop breast cancer. Facts About Breast Cancer In The United States • • • • • • • • In 2022, an estimated 287,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. as well as 51,400 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. 65% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage (there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the breast), for which the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. This year, an estimated 43,550 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S. Although rare, men get breast cancer too. In 2022, an estimated 2,710 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. and approximately 530 men will die from breast cancer. 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2022, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer. There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. A Global Burden According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization. Male Breast Cancer All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment. The majority of men diagnosed are over the age of 50. Risk Factors • • • Radiation exposure High levels of the hormone estrogen Family history of breast cancer, especially breast cancer that is related to the BRCA2 gene. Signs & Symptoms Male breast cancer can exhibit the same symptoms as breast cancer in women, including a lump. Anyone who notices anything unusual about their breasts, whether male or female, should contact their physician immediately. Most men find their own lump while in the shower and it is usually located underneath the nipple and areola. It is common for men to delay reporting the lump to a physician which can result in the patient requiring more treatment. Nearly all breast cancer in men is estrogen receptor positive with treatment including hormonal therapy, just as it does for 70% of women. Survival rates and treatment for men with breast cancer are very similar to those for women. Early detection of breast cancer increases treatment options and often reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer. Genetic Testing Although treatment outcomes are very similar to women at the same stage of detection, a man diagnosed with breast cancer should also consider seeing a genetics counselor for a consultation. If a man tests positive for a defective gene (most commonly either BRCA1 or BRCA2) that can lead to a future diagnosis of breast cancer and his children have a 50% chance of carrying the gene. In addition: A male child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective BRCA2 gene has only approximately 6% chance of eventually developing breast cancer and just over 1% with BRCA1. A female child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective gene has a risk between 40% and 80% of eventually developing breast cancer. Men with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer (carrying BRCA2 gene mutation) are also at higher risk of getting prostate cancer at a younger age than usually diagnosed, as well as being at higher risk for melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Breast Self-Exam Once A Month Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month. , While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes. Clinical Breast Exam What’s The Difference Between A Breast Self-Exam And A Clinical Breast Exam? A clinical breast exam is performed by a healthcare professional who is trained to recognize many different types of abnormalities and warning signs. This in-office exam will most likely be completed by your family physician or gynecologist at your annual exam, whereas your breast self-exam is something every woman should do at once at month at home. Mammogram What Is A Mammogram? A mammogram is an x-ray that allows a qualified specialist to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas. The breast is exposed to a small dose of ionizing radiation that produces an image of the breast tissue. Why Do I Need A Mammogram? Mammograms can often show a breast lump before it can be felt. They also can show tiny clusters of calcium called micro-calcifications. Lumps or specks can be caused by cancer, fatty cells, or other conditions like cysts. Further tests are needed to find out if abnormal cells are present. How Do I Schedule A Mammogram? Many women encounter barriers when trying to schedule a mammogram. Often, things like concerns with cost or not knowing who to call can be discouraging when setting up an appointment. Read this article to learn the essential information you need so that you do not miss out on this important exam. Recommendations for all women: Women 40 and older should have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. Women who are younger than 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their healthcare professional whether mammograms are advisable and how often to have them. Even women who have no symptoms and no known risks for breast cancer should have regularly scheduled mammograms to help detect potential breast cancer at the earliest possible time. What Happens If My Mammogram Results Are Abnormal? If the mammogram shows an abnormal area of the breast, your doctor will order additional tests offering clearer, more detailed images of that area. Although lumps are usually non-cancerous, the only way to be certain is to perform additional tests, such as an ultrasound or MRI. If further tests show that the mass is solid, your radiologist may recommend a biopsy, a procedure in which cells are removed from a suspicious area to check for the presence of cancer. Reference: National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/ October 2022 www.astribe.com 5A Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Building Blocks C.D.C. 2025 S. Gordon Cooper Dr. Shawnee, OK 74801 (405) 878-0633 Fax: (405) 878-0156 Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Building Blocks C.D.C. 16051 Lttle Axe Dr. Norman, OK 73026 (405) 360-2710 Fax: (405) 360-2726 Building Blocks II Building Blocks III Building Blocks has 48 children enrolled in the center currently. We are currently accepting waiting list applications for Ages 6 weeks through Pre-K/4 Year Olds. Please call to inquire about our wait list; we can email you one or you may come by to pick one up. 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. Building Blocks will be closed Monday, October 10th for Indigenous Day. Our children love the month of October and enjoy doing lots of arts & crafts for Fall and Halloween. October 24-28 Building Blocks will be doing Spirit Dress Up Week for Red Ribbon Week and Halloween. Halloween is Monday, October 31st, everyone have a safe holiday. Have a Safe and Happy October! Director: Skye Foreman, Assistant Director: Renee Richardson. Happy Halloween! October has been filled with lots of fun fall activities, nature walks, and spooky adventures. Our students are excited about attending a pumpkin patch, trick or treating around our center, and having goodies for their Halloween parties. You can find us on Facebook @ AST Building Blocks Child Development Center III-Little Axe page to see all the latest updates. Our center will be closed October 10th, in observations for Indigenous day. Please enjoy the pictures we captured over the past month. “LITTLE EINSTEIN’S NURTURED HERE” Building Blocks Spirit/Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 24th-31st) Monday: Cozy PJ Day Dress in Your Comfy Pajamas Tuesday: Super Hero Day Dress in Your Favorite Super Hero Character (We will be walking around L.A. Clinic @10am for Drug Awareness Week) Wednesday: Red Day Wear Red to Support Red Ribbon Week Thursday: Elder Day Dress as up an Elder Friday: Halloween Costume Day Wear Your Costumes Monday (Halloween): Halloween Shirt Day Central Tribes Shawnee Area, Inc. (CTSA HEAD START) Administrative Office 1535 N. McKinley Shawnee, OK 74801 P: (405) 275-4870 F: (405) 275-9684 Little Feet Big Steps Early Bird Head Start Yellow Earth Learning Center 806 E. Grant 111 W. Vine 920884 S. HWY 99 Shawnee, OK 74801 Cushing, OK 74023 Stroud, OK 74079 P: (405) 878-5820 P: (918) 225-1029 P: (918) 968-9445 F: (405) 275-9684 F: (918) 225-9969 F: (918) 968-1763 Parents and Guardians… Little Feet → Big Steps is enrolling NOW for the 2022-2023 School Year!!!! Early Head Start ~ Birth to 3 year olds Head Start ~ 3 year olds – 5 year olds Child Care~ Birth to 5 year olds At CTSA, our goal is to meet the individual needs of ALL of our children – especially those with disabilities. We offer a fun and exciting programs for your children to learn and grow! Our qualified and dedicated teachers and staff provide rich learning environments at our centers, where families and friends are encouraged to volunteer and spend time with their child. If you have a child or know of a child that would benefit from an interactive, engaging, stable, and safe learning environment – please call today!!! We look forward to sharing your child’s learning years with you!! Little Feet → Big Steps 806 E. Grant St Shawnee, OK 74801 Ph: (405) 878-5820 Head Start → Ages: 3-5 Early Head Start → Ages: Birth to 3 *Extended Day Child Care available to those who qualify* Dress in Your Spooky Halloween Shirt Administration for Enrollment Questions Ph: (405) 275-4870 melaniew@ctsaheadstart.org October 2022 ai166327171069_Now Hiring_AST Paper_third page_REV.pdf 1 9/15/2022 2:55:11 PM 6A www.astribe.com C M Y CM MY CY CMY K ai166327175373_TEC AST Job Fair.pdf 1 9/15/2022 2:55:53 PM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Home Sweet Home At AllNations Bank, we have mortgages in all shapes and sizes and we’ll find one to fit your needs. Stop by today and let us turn a house into Home Sweet Home! Purchase, Construction, Refinance, Home Improvement Experiencing increased stress or sadness? Earn up to $410 for testing the EASE Smartphone app. Use QR code to complete the study screener. EASE (405) 271-1803 If you do not have a smartphone, a phone will be provided for you. Scan the code or visit the link: redcap.link/EASE 2023 Gordon Cooper Dr. • Shawnee, OK 74801 • (405) 273-0202 www.anbok.com MOD00004740 UH IRB Approved 8/1/2022 - 2/24/2023 TSET Health Promotion Research Center October 2022 www.astribe.com Happy Birthday William “Doug” Littlehead Hope your day is good. Love you, from all of your family Happy Birthday Tara Battise Hope your day is great. Love you, Your Family LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE 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. 7A October 2022 8A www.astribe.com P H O N E D I R E C T O RY - D I R E C T N U M B E R S O F F I C E O F T H E T R I B A L S EC R E TA RY 2025 S. GORDON COOPER DRIVE, SHAWNEE, OK 74801 • PHONE: 405.275.4030 • EMAIL: SECRETARY@ASTRIBE.COM • WEB: WWW.ASTRIBE.COM AST Complex – (405) 275-4030 Toll Free - 800-256-3341 All Nations Bank…………………………………………(405) 273-0202 Brendle Corner…......……………………………………(405) 447-3372 Building Blocks….........…………………………………(405) 878-0633 Building Blocks III LA….....……………………………(405) 360-2710 Court………………………......…………………………(405) 481-8575 Domestic Violence…………….....………………………(405) 273-2888 Enrollment……………………….....……………………(405) 481-8650 Food Pantry………………………...……………………(405) 481-8640 Gaming Commission………………....…………(405) 360-9270 x1110 Housing Authority………………………………………(405) 275-1050 Human Resources……………………….....……………(405) 275-1468 ICW………………………………………………………(405) 395-4490 Media………………………….…………………………(405) 598-1279 OEH/OEP…………………….…………….…….………(405) 214-4235 Police…………………………………………(405) 275-3200/275-3432 Social Services…………….…………………….…….…(405) 878-4723 Tax Commission…….……………….……………….…(405) 481-8600 Thunderbird Casino Norman…….……….……………(405) 360-9270 Thunderbird Casino Shawnee…………….….…………(405) 273-2679 Tribal Store Little Axe……………………………………(405) 364-0668 The Absentee Shawnee Complex will be Closed Monday, October 10, 2022 For Indigenous Peoples' Day PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE AST COMMUNITY The Absentee Shawnee Tribe has limited supply of firewood to provide to Elders 55 and up in the community. The firewood assistance is available for elders in dire need of this resource to keep warm and healthy during the winter months. Please call Land Management 405-395-8101 or email cmartinez@astribe.com. We will have a short application to fill out for first time elders. For elders that received wood last year, please call and update. Priority will be given to the elderly members that have limited means to get firewood during this time. Delivery time will depend on number of first priority. WE WILL NOT DELIVER WOOD DURING BAD WEATHER. www.asthealth.org October 2022 Section B ASTHS October 2022 Monthly Update PRESS RELEASE: AST Health System Offering Vaccination Clinic for COVID-19 and Flu 15 September 2022 The AST Health System will be hosting Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics during the months of October and November, for ages 12 years and older. The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year. The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older receive a yearly flu vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19, including the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death among people who are fully vaccinated. The updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since the previous vaccination, and provide broader protection against newer variants. The updated boosters target the most recent Omicron sub variants, BA.4 and BA.5, which are more contagious than the earlier sub variants by providing more specific antibodies for protection. The vaccination clinics will be held at the following locations and times: Shawnee---Multipurpose Building 5:30 pm-7:00 pm October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, 2022 Little Axe---Little Axe Health Clinic 5:30 pm-7:00 pm October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, 2022 We will be offering Pfizer for ages 12 and older. Moderna will also be available for ages 18 and older. The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are available for those that qualify. For those unable to attend one of the vaccination clinics or for those with children under the age of 12, please schedule appointments for Flu vaccines with your primary care provider. COVID-19 vaccinations for children under the age of 12 can be scheduled through the AST Health System Public Health Department. Please call the AST Health System Public Health Department at (405)701-7190 to schedule appointments or with any questions regarding COVID vaccinations. Remember, you are considered up to date when you have received all primary COVID-19 vaccine doses and all COVID-19 boosters that you are eligible to receive. References: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html https://www.cdc.gov/flu/ Sarah Lawerance Logan Bush Lead Fitness Specialist Lead Fitness Specialist The AST Diabetes & Wellness Fitness Center is located at: 1970 156th Ave NE, Norman, OK 73026 and provides state of the art fitness equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. The AST Fitness Center is available to AST Diabetes Program patients, all Native Americans and their household family members, and the AST employees. Our goal is to provide appropriate and educational fitness training to all AST diabetes patients while promoting a safe, fun, and positive experience. Take some time to come by and visit the Diabetes and Wellness Fitness Center today! Fitness Facility Hours of Operation are Monday—Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY the alzheimer's disease Program initiative and absentee shawnee tribal health system present FOR DEMENTIA PREVENTION JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF GAMES, AND LEARN ABOUT DEMENTIA AMONG NATIVE AMERICANS. entry and bingo play DOOR PRIZES, T-SHIRTS, GREAT BINGO PRIZES, & SNACKS! November 5th from 1pm to 4pm multi - purpose building IN SHAWNEE. For ast tribal members & native Americans Masks are required October 2022 2B www.astribe.com Help Yourself, Help Your Tribe SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A $0 COST HEALTH PLAN AT NO COST TO YOU OR YOUR TRIBE 2023 Open Enrollment Did You Know? OPEN ENROLLMENT Oct. 15 Dec. 7, 2022 OPEN ENROLLMENT Nov. 1 Jan. 15, 2023 • Patient Benefit Advocates and our contracted benefit advisers can help you qualify for a $0 cost health plan via Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicare. • You may also qualify for extra benefits such as Dental (including dentures or major services), Vision (exam/lenses), Hearing Aids, Prescription Drug Coverage, and more! • Enrolling in a health plan expedites the Purchased Referred Care referral process, providing you immediate access to specialized healthcare services and gives you peace of mind when you travel at zero cost to you and our tribal community, if eligible. • Per Purchased Referred Care guidelines, all Native American patients must apply for all available resources, if eligible. • Contact a Patient Benefit Advocate to see if you are eligible for Native American Cost-Savings under the Affordable Care Act. • The Tribe is only funded approximately 40% of cost to render care to patients? Most people think it is funded 100%. • To add services, equipment, or help more people, we need your assistance. • By signing up for a zero cost plan, you allow the tribe to bill for services and to be reimbursed by insurance companies. This frees up more dollars to help those who are not eligible for for a zero cost plan helping Purchase & Referred Care dollars go further. We Can Help Contact a Patient Benefit Advocate Little Axe Shawnee Health Center Clinic 405.447.0300 405.878.5850 A contracted benefit adviser is also available to assist our tribal community with their open enrollment options free-of-cost. www.asthealth.org UPDATED PHARMACY MAIL POLICIES Please be advised: It is solely the responsibility of the patient to confirm the desired shipping address for mailing of any medication from our Health System Pharmacies. Failure to do so may result in shipping delays. Please ensure all address changes are made directly with the pharmacy staff regardless of any changes made elsewhere in the health system. Not all systems communicate with each other if changes are made. As our clinics continue to grow and mail volume increases, the above policies will help ensure you continue to receive prompt and accurate mail delivery of your prescription medications. We appreciate your anticipated assistance in this matter. Thank you! October 2022 OCTOBER TITLE VI MENU MONDAY 3 TUESDAY BBQ PORK SANDWICH PICKLES, ONIONS POT. SALAD FRUIT COCKTAIL 10 4 11 BRISKET BROCCOLI POT SALAD ROLL/PEARS 17 CHICKEN FRIED STEAK MASHED POT/GRAVY GREEN BEANS PEACHES 18 24 25 KRAUT & WEINERS MAC n CHEZ VEGGIES BREAD MANDARIN ORANGES 31 BAKED ZITA TOSSED SALAD* GREEN BEANS HAM BLACK EYED PEAS CORNBREAD JELL-O HAM & CHEESE SANDWICH LTOP CHIPS PINEAPPLES MANWICH PICKLE SPEAR PORK N BEANS BANANA PUDDING WEDNESDAY 5 CHICKEN SALAD CROSSIANT LETTUCE & TOMATO BAKED CHIPS PEACHES 12 BAKED CHICKEN WILD RICE CARROTS ROLL MANDARIN ORANGES 19 BEANS W HAM SPINACH ONIONS CORNBREAD 26 POPCORN CHICKEN MASHED POT/GRAVY GREEN BEANS ROLL COBBLER BEEF FINGERS MASHED POT/GRAVY BEETS BREAD JELL-O *MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE 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 _______ HEALTH HISTORY ___ ASTHMA ___DIABETES WHO HELPS ___________________________________________ ___ALZHEIMER’S ___ARTHRITIS ___CANCER ___DEMINTIA ___CHRONIC PAIN ___HEARING AID ___CHOLESTEROL ___BLOOD PRESSURE PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION ___Own Car ___Friend ____Public Trans. ___Senior Tran’s __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______________________________________________________ PROVIDE THE DATE OF YOUR VACCINATION COVID 19 1st__________ 2nd_________ BOOSTER__________ Johnson & Johnson __________ FLU__________ THURSDAY FRIDAY 6 BEEF TIPS & NOODLES VEGGIES ROLL CAKE 7 13 14 20 27 SPAGHETTI W MEAT SAUCE GARLIC BREAD GREEN BEANS CRISP SOFT TACOS LTOC REFRIED BEANS SALSA OATMEAL COOKIE BEEF STEW CRACKERS CHEESE STICKS PEARS www.astribe.com PANCAKES SAUSAGE PATTIES BLUEBERRIES SCRAMBLED EGGS SAUSAGE GRAVY BISCUITS 21 CEREAL BACON BANANA NUT MUFFIN 28 SCRAMBLED EGGS SMOKED SAUSAGE TOAST FRUIT 3B 4B www.astribe.com October 2022 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 $18,768 $38,304 WE CAN HELP Contact a Patient Benefit Advocate Little Axe Shawnee Health Center Clinic 405.447.0300 405.878.5850 www.asthealth.org --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aabsentee%3Af65e64b91a8b57ec. Public record. Not legal advice.