# Member News > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aponca_nebraska%3A30171bb92829a4bc ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text Member News A Life Well Lived Eldest Ponca member Robert Tietgen honored April 2022 Tribal News April 2022 Ponca Tribe celebrates Grand Opening of Lincoln clinic On Monday, March 21st, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska hosted a Grand Opening ceremony for their new health center, Ponca Health Services-Lincoln. Ponca Health ServicesLincoln, which had its soft opening as a preview for members in October of 2021, and began scheduling its first patients in December, marks expanded services for the Baird, honoring of Tribal Council, Elders, Ponca Princesses, and Ponca Tribe of Nebraska staff, and was followed by tours of the facility. native community in the Lincoln area. The Grand Opening ceremony included a flag raising, ribbon cutting, proclamations from Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Lincoln Mayor Lerion Gaylor The remainder of the new facility, scheduled for completion in 2022, will house Tribal Affairs staff, along with community space for tribal and member events, and a fitness facility for Ponca members, patients, and clients. Artists Wanted! Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members are invited to submit art for the Annual Northern Ponca Powwow poster and t-shirt, to be used for this year’s Powwow! Designs must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm, April 30th, 2022. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members only. All artwork must be high resolution, scalable to poster and/or t-shirt size. For more information, or to submit designs, please email rwrightjr@poncatribe-ne.org On the cover: Robert Tietgen and his sister, Marilyn (Tietgen) Baxa, visiting a Native American cemetery east of Herrick, Memorial Day 2014 or 2015. Robert, the oldest living Ponca member, was recently honored by District 1 Tribal Council. Read more about Robert’s life and service on pages 10-11 of this issue. April 2022 Culture Language educator meet and greet held in Lincoln On Saturday, March 26th, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska held a meet and greet with Eagle Rhodd, Ponca Language Educator at the Lincoln offices. Eagle Rhodd has been teaching virtual Ponca Language classes for the last couple of weeks. Members enjoyed the opportunity to meet him, and several members of his family who journeyed north for the occasion. A meal was followed by introductions, Ponca hymns, and a language lesson. District 1 hosts floral applique sewing classes District 1 Council Reps Angie Starkel and Jo An Schlotman hosted “Intro to Floral Appliqué Sewing,” with Instructor Theresa Foley at the Niobrara and Sioux City offices in March. Theresa has been sewing floral appliqué for Ponca dresses and shawls for over 25 years. Theresa showcased some examples of the floral designs and taught the participants how to make floral designs, which were appliqué sewed onto bags that Theresa also taught the participants to make. Angie and Jo An purchased new sewing machines for each office site along with other sewing supplies to be utilized for future District sewing classes. Jo An and Angie will be hosting additional regalia making classes Pictures of the floral appliqué bags. Front Row: Dannabah Saunsoci, Iyéska Wi Saunsoci, Zaida Teboe; Middle Row: Jo An Schlotman, Cyndi Lingebach, Keira Saunsoci; Back Row: Theresa Foley, Patty Starkel, Angie Starkel Instructor Theresa Foley explaining how to draw floral designs on newspaper to make a template for fabric. Around the table L-R: Dannabah Saunsoci, Iyéska Wi Saunsoci, Theresa Foley, Keira Saunsoci, Zaida Teboe win this spring and into the summer for District 1. Look to the PTN social media posts and the newsletter for future District 1 sewing classes, like Ponca skirts and shawl with Theresa Foley, as well as other classes and activities that members are interested. Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 1 Tribal News April 2022 Sioux City office holds open house to celebrate remodel The Sioux City offices of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska welcomed members, clients, and the general public for an Open House on Friday, March 25th to showcase their newly remodeled of- Attendees had the opporfices. The updated space tunity to tour the offices, offers a large area for meet several of the Sioux meetings and community gatherings, and more office locations for staff. City staff, and talk about what the future holds for the Sioux City location. Easter Egg Hunt April 10 | 10 am PTN Sioux City Office | 125 6th Street | Sioux City, IA Niobrara Headquarters | 2523 Woodbine Street | Niobrara, NE Ralston Transit Building | 5707 S 85th Circle | Omaha, NE Norfolk Administration Building | 1800 Syracuse Ave | Norfolk, NE Ponca Tribe Offices | 1701 E Street | Lincoln, NE Ponca Tribe of Nebraska youth living in the service delivery areas are invited to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt at their nearest office location. Easter baskets will be distributed after the Easter Egg Hunt. 2 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska nonbá April 2022 Buffalo Ponca Tribe buffalo move to brand new pasture On Friday, March 18th, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska staff and volunteers assisted in moving 92 of the Tribe’s buffalo to a portion of the land that was acquired for their new pasture south of the community building and powwow grounds. When all the fencing is completed, the herd will have around 900 acres of pasture, more than double the acreage that they had previously southeast of Niobrara. Eventually, permanent corrals will also be established on this new land, making it easier to provide the care necessary for the health and well-being of the herd, such as immunizations, and separating those buffalo selected for culling. The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s Buffalo Program was established in 1996. The herd began thábthin with 26 bison acquired from Wind Cave and the Niobrara Wildlife Refuge and has been overseen by Larry Wright, Sr. for the last 21 years. With his leadership the program has prospered; the current herd numbers more than 160 head and provides healthy, grass fed buffalo meat to elder tribal members each year. A great way for members and friends of the tribe to show your support for our tribe’s buffalo is through the adopt-a-buffalo program. With your donation, you can choose either the calf/yearling group, the herd group, or the herd bull group. Once this donation is processed, you’ll receive a personalized certificate and an enlarged photo from the group to which you’ve donated. to Steve Kreycik (Land Manager), Jim Wright (Maintenance), Ray Branstiter (tribal member), and all other volun- teers for assisting Larry Wright, Sr. and the buffalo program with the preparation and execution of this endeavor. Adopt a buffalo today! $25 for the Yearling Group $50 for the Buffalo Herd Group $100 for the Head Herd Bull Group A job well done and a big thank you is owed Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 3 Education Attention All AVT/HIED Students Nationwide: April 2022 Attention All K-12 YIP Students Nationwide: • High School Seniors for the 2021-2022 school year are eligible to receive a $500.00 Graduation Incentive! Please remember to submit your official transcripts after EACH term funded in order to be eligible to receive • Our department is accepting projects for incentives in the following areas: Art, Essay/Poetry, and Student of the Month. future funding. Students must apply *Winners may receive $100.00 for 1st place, $50.00 for 2nd place, each school year. and $25.00 for 3rd place. Grade divisions are as follows: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12) Summer 2022 deadline: May 15, 2022 Fall 2022 deadline: August 15, 2022 The Ponca Educational Trust Fund is available nationwide to students who enroll at one of the University of Nebraska Campuses/Online Courses: Lincoln ~ Omaha ~ Kearney (Must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester to be eligible) • Perfect Attendance $100.00 (0-.49 days of absenteeism), $50.00 (.5-3.49 days absenteeism), and $25.00 (3.5-5.49 days of absenteeism). Deadline to apply for the 2021-2022 school year is July 31, 2022. All Education Department Applications and Program Information is available online on our tribal website. If you have any questions for the education department, please feel free to contact Aubrey Knudsen @ office (402)371-8834, work cell (402)844-0957, or aknudsen@poncatribe-ne.org. *Ponca tribal enrollment is required for ALL education programs* Class of 2022 Honoring our Graduating Seniors The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska would like to honor our 2022 Ponca graduates in a special section in our June 2022 newsletter. Please send a high-resolution photo, and include the name of your graduate, along with school name and city. Feel free to include info about award, honors, future activities and family. Submissions may be subject to minor edits for space and consistency. Send your graduate’s information to info@poncatribe-ne.org, with the subject line: Class of 2022, no later than May 10th, 2022, to have your graduate featured in this section. 4 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska dubá April 2022 Diabetes Nutrition Tip: Eat out less frequently, and make more mindful choices • Take inventory of how often you eat out. If it’s once or twice a month, that’s a splurge. If it’s more often, that’s a habit. • Any meal not prepared at home is “out,” including foods from a drive thru, work cafeterias, or pizza and other food deliveries. • Plan a few meals out occasionally based on your nutrition goals. • Many restaurants have nutrition information online, and some phone apps are helpful, too. Learn a few better options to choose regularly when eating out to make it easier to choose more healthful meals. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Diabetes Program • Restaurant portions can be too large. Plan to bring home leftovers to enjoy at another meal. Healthy Living Walk/Run April 23, 2022 Registration - 9:30 am | Walk Run - 10:00 am Walk/Run Location - Skyview Lake 1900 West Maple Ave. | Norfolk, NE Come join the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Diabetes Program for our Healthy Living Walk/Run! Prizes will be awarded in each age category, and all participants will receive a T-shirt. For more information, please contact Crystal at 402.371.8834, ext. 130. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Diabetes Program sáton Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 5 Domestic Violence April 2022 April is Sexual Assault Prevention Month Marian Harris DV Outreach Coordinator What is Sexual Assault? Sexual assault is defined as any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the victim. Indigenous Natives/ Alaska Natives According to The Department of Justice, non-Indians commit approximately 88 percent of violent victimizations against Indian women. Many sexual assaults that native women have experienced are committed by others outside their own tribes. of not knowing whether you’ll live or die? The shame they feel, the guilt that isn’t theirs to bear? We want to embrace our relative and continue to care for them without judgement. If you know the feeling of fear, you know it’s very real. embarrassment. • Avoid giving advice. We want to help and that’s ok, but a survivor may already be doing something or simply aren’t able or don’t want to do anything. It’s their pain and experience. Being there to listen, without Thankfully there are advice or comments, some small steps being may be just what they taken politically for tribal need. jurisdictions to begin to • Create strong comprosecute. The Violence munity networks with Against Women Reauneighbors, where posithorization Act of 2013 tive relationships can be partially provides special formed; where learning domestic violence crimiand talking about sexnal jurisdiction to federual assault can happen ally recognized tribes. without judgement. Although this act helps, it is still difficult to prose- • Be open with your own cute non-native offenders. family and teach preIf you’d like to read more vention, and provide inabout this, please google: formation about safety Title IX: Safety for Indian and risk factors. Women • Attend campaigns We must not forget that and visit tables during native men also perpecommunity gathering trate sexual violence and events. Host your own remember: One isn’t table on this subject practicing cultural values and arm yourself with when they commit crimes knowledge to pass to against their own women. others. As unacceptable as this is, many tribal jurisdictions can do nothing, or are limited in their capacity to prosecute non-native perpetrators. One survivor put it this way: “I call it hunting - non-natives come here hunting. They know they can come onto our lands and rape us with impunity because they know that we can’t touch them.” ~ Lisa Brunner, rape survivor What can I do? What can • Purchase rape whistles, advocate we do as a people, as a watch yourself when community or survivor? attending places where Unfortunately, this is the drinks are offered or brutal and honest truth. • When you know someparties, go in a group Some of us can relate; one: Let the victim that watch one another, others of us can only decide who to tell about walk with a partner imagine what our relative the assault, even if you when out and about, goes through after this know about it. Most take a self-defense class. unimaginable and horrific victims of sexual asact. Can you place yoursault struggle with a • Address perpetrator risk self in their shoes, the fear great deal of shame and factors as listed: not 6 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska every risk is identified here o Alcohol and drug use. o Delinquency. o Lack of concern for others. o Aggressive behaviors and acceptance of violent behaviors. o Early sexual initiation. o Coercive sexual fantasies. o Preference for impersonal sex and sexual-risk taking. o Exposure to sexually explicit media Share with your family, your network, at work, during leisure time, with as many will listen. Remember that our relatives don’t ask to be raped or violated. Most victims are trusting people and don’t intentionally put themselves in harm’s way. Some have been drugged, some have been beaten into submission, some are simply trusting humanity to be human. Be mindful and compassionate. Choose sympathy. Together we stand against Sexual Assault!! The Color=Teal April 28th Denim Day –Please wear denim in support of our sexual assault survivors shápe April 2022 Domestic Violence/Social Services Sioux City staff members attend Human Rights Commission meeting On March 2nd, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska staff attended the Sioux City Human Rights Commission focus group. PTN DV Advocate Chris Denny, and Human Trafficking Program Coordinator Adrianna Buffalo Chief Hoffman attended the meeting to assure that the voice of Indigenous peoples was heard in the context of the focus group. Topics of discussion included the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) as it applies to surrounding tribes, and promoting community and business development within the Indigenous population in Sioux City, IA. PYEF funding updated The Ponca Youth Enrichment Fund program (PYEF) provides funding to assist in enabling enrolled Ponca Tribe of Nebraska youth to reach their personal goals that may otherwise be unattainable due to lack of financial resources. The purpose of the program is to encourage participation and excellence in physical, educational, developmental, cultural, spiritual and other lifeenriching activities. To apply for funding, the applicant, or parent/ guardian of the applicant, should contact the PYEF Committee staff member for their district. District 1 Joan Geardino District 2 Donna Larson District 3 Tiffani Spencer Joan Geardino District 4 Crystal Mundorf The Ponca Tribe of NeEligibility has been updat- Tina Villalpando braska was praised for ed to include ALL Ponca Members can also apply their ongoing efforts to Youth ages 0-20 regardfor PYEF funding on our serve and support all less of whether or not the website at https://www. Indigenous peoples in the youth live in the Service poncatribe-ne.org/serarea, no matter in what Delivery Area. Qualified vices/ponca-youth-enrichtribe they are enrolled. members are eligible for ment-fund/ Through the focus group, up to $300 per fiscal year. it was agreed that there is still work to do within Woodbury County, and The Child Care and Development Fund continuing efforts toprovides assistance to low-income families wards tribal collaboration who need child care due to work, work-related needs to continue in order training and/or attending school. to encourage community For more information or to see if you qualify growth and development. for acceptance into the program, contact the program coordinator: Denim Day April 28, 2022 Joan Geardino Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 1701 E Street Lincoln, NE 68502 jgeardino@ poncatribe-ne.org Please wear denim in support of sexual assault survivors péthonba Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 7 Tribal News 8 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska April 2022 pethábthin April 2022 Environmental Environmental Department celebrates Earth Day Hello everyone and welcome to April! This month has a lot of environmental history to it; one of the most talked about is Earth Day. Earth Day started 52 years ago on April 22, 1970 after a lot of people started recognizing the harmful impacts that people were having on the environment, and decided that enough was enough. Laws were put into place to start protecting the land, water, and air, though things were far from perfect. As your Environmental Department our mission is to promote, maintain, and protect the health of the water, land, and air within the Service Areas of the Tribe and to ensure the continued health and welfare of its Members and culturally relevant plants and animals. Which is why each year we have conducted outreach at our office sites, either with the youth or elders. This year that is limited, so to share the fun of Earth Day, we are including this word search for a few moments of enjoyment. It is our wish that when you are completed and no longer wish to have your newsletter that you recycle it. Ponca Tribe hosts Mapping Climate Change Workshop In March, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska hosted a Mapping Climate Change Workshop at the Norfolk shónka Transit facility. All of the Tribes in Region 7 attended. The workshop focused on GIS and climate data collection. Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 9 Honoring our Elders April 2022 District 1 Tribal Council honors oldest member District 1 Tribal Council Representatives Jo An Schlotman and Angie Starkel recently honored the oldest living Ponca Tribe of Nebraska member, Robert Tietgen, who turns 92 on April 30th. Jo An and Angie had the pleasure of experiencing the humor of Robert, a descendent of Amelia Men- ard, during their recent visit with him. Robert’s family was gracious enough to help Jo An and Angie to write up Robert’s life story and to provide pictures. Jo An and Angie will be continuing to honor elders in District 1 in the upcoming months. Robert Tietgen: The oldest member of the Ponca Tribe 1951 to January 1953. Tami Johnson Daughter of Robert Tietgen Robert Tietgen is the oldest living member of the Ponca tribe. This is a brief history of a life well lived. Robert Tietgen was born April 30th, 1930, on the family farm eleven miles south of Burke SD. He was the first-born child of Laverna (Glick) Tietgen and William Tietgen. His sister Marilyn (Tietgen) Baxa was born six years later. He grew up helping on the farm, but also found time to go fishing and swimming in the creeks. Robert attended grade school at the Glasser Country school through eighth grade Robert spent his first two years of high school at the Herrick, SD, Public School. While attending school he boarded in Herrick. He worked at the Herrick Meat Locker both before and after school, helping cut meat and making bologna. 10 Robert has used the skills he learned at that locker all of his life, and has passed that knowledge down to his children and grandchildren. He attended the Burke Public School his final two years of schooling, graduating in 1948. After graduation, Robert enlisted in the Navy on June 22nd, 1948. He attended boot camp, then cook/baker school, in San Diego, CA. After finishing his training, he was then placed on the USS Virgo. He spent five weeks stationed at Pearl Harbor. Ponca Tribe OFNebraska From there, Robert went to Guam, where he was stationed from February 1949 to May 1951. While in Guam he was a meat cutter at the air base and for a while at the supply depot. During first 35 months of service, Robert only had twelve days of leave. On returning home on one of his rare leaves, Robert met Luella Bentz, when she served him the best egg sandwich he had ever eaten. The next time he was able to get leave, they were married, on March 30th, 1952. After the wedding, they headed to Norfolk, VA where he was stationed. On the 14th of April, Robert shipped out to sea, leaving his new bride behind without being able to say goodbye. July 1st, 1952, they were transferred to Philadelphia. In October, his wife Luella moved back to Burke. Then in January 1953, Robert was assigned to the USS Runner. He made one last Once he returned to San transfer to the USS Orion Francisco, Robert reenin March of 1953 before listed in the Navy, this leaving the Navy in June time into the Submarine of 1953 to return to his Division. He attended wife in Burke. He left the submarine school in New Navy with the rank of London, CT. After gradu- Petty Officer 1st Class. ation, he was placed on Robert is a Korean War the submarine USS Tiveteran. grone from September gthébon April 2022 Honoring Our Elders His service to his country did not end with leaving the Navy. He joined the American Legion, Allen Louden Post 220 in Herrick, SD. In 1962, Robert took over the position of post Chaplin. He held that position for 55 years. He took this position seriously and took pride in honoring the veterans who had passed. He also is a member of the VFW in Burke, SD. Over the years he has also been the honorary dad and grandpa to many others An excerpt from a Forrest Witcraft poem “Within my Power” could have been written about Robert, “One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because I made the difference in a child’s life.” On several occasions, family members of a deceased would come to him and ask if he could do more than the usual military graveside service, because they could not find a minister willing to do a service for their loved one. Robert always agreed to do it and made the service more personalized and said an extra prayer. One of his most prized jobs as Legion Chaplin was to do the Memorial Day Services. Besides doing services at the Herrick Cemetery, he did services at three nearby Native American cemeteries. There were usually large crowds at the latter cemeteries. On occasions when he and the other Legion members arrived, an excited child would come running across the cemetery announcing the news to everyone that “the Papa Robert has arrived.” Another thing that Robert is known for is his love of visiting no matter who it is. In fact, he has never met a stranger, just someone he has not got to know yet. He also has a love of telling and hearing jokes, plus the ability to make a short story long. cattle. He also raised pigs, sheep, horses, goats, chickens, and ducks. During the early years of farming, he raised one thousand chickens at a time. He would get up during the night to feed and water them, then get up early in the morning to help his wife get started butchering them. He would then go do chores while she finished. After the chores and butchering were done, they would load the birds up and go into town to sell them. In 1989, Robert and his wife moved off the farm and into town. He continued to farm part-time with his son Michael. He also worked part-time for a while as a meat cutter at a local grocery store. On March 22nd, 2014, his wife Luella passed away, just eight days short of their 62nd anniversary. Robert continued to live in his own house doing his own cooking, baking bread, growing flowers and vegetables. It was not unusual for After leaving the Navy, Robert and Robert, along with his wife, started him to have over fifty planters of his wife Luella settled down on a the State Liners 4H club, and were flowers and vegetables growing on farm south of Burke. There they his deck and in his yard. In 2021, raised five children, Pete, Richard, its leaders for thirty years. During his health started to fail. He is at Patricia, Michael, and Tami. Along that time, he had a hand in shappresent living in the Avera Rosebud with their own children, they also ing many young lives. He was also Country Care Center in Gregory the chicken judge at the Gregory had a hand in raising a couple of SD. his wife’s younger siblings, a niece, County 4H Achievement Days for many years. and a couple nephews. Plus, for Robert has always been proud of a short time they were also foster his Ponca heritage His blood lines Robert has always enjoyed being parents trace back several generations. around children. Besides his five During his years of farming, Rob- children, he has ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and ert raised both dairy and stock two great-great grandchildren. agthín win Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 11 Enrollment April 2022 Change of Address Form Mail to: PTN Enrollment Dept PO Box 288 Niobrara, NE 68760 Fax: 402-857-3771 HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD MUST BE AN ENROLLED PONCA TRIBE MEMBER ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ OTHER ENROLLED PONCA TRIBE MEMBERS IN HOUSEHOLD: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ PREVIOUS ADDRESS: (Street/P.O. Box, Apt #, City, State, Zip, County) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS: (Street/P.O. Box, Apt #, City, State, Zip, County) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER:_______________________________________________________________ ALTERNATE/CELL NUMBER:______________________________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________________________________ DATE NEW ADDRESS IN EFFECT:__________________________________________________________________________ To provide better services to Ponca tribal members, this information will be shared with all PTON Departments as needed. Any service may be suspended until this information is corrected and/or updated. _______________________________________ SIGNATURE REQUIRED 12 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska Approved: 10/18/2008 _______________________________ DATE shápe nonbá I I April 2022 Enrollment (Please sign your name in the area below with a BLACK felt tip marker) I I TRIBAL MEMBERS (please print) NAME:_________________________________________DOB:_________________________ I ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________ I ____________________________________________________________________________ DO YOU WANT YOUR SS NUMBER ON YOUR ID CARD? YES_________OR NO_________ If yes, please check one of the following: Full SS number_____ or Last 4 digits only_____ By marking Yes you understand it is your responsibility to keep your SSN confidential and acknowledge that the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is not responsible the card is lost or stolen. TRIBAL if MEMBERS (please print) FOR A PHOTO ID PLEASE SIGN AND FILL OUT THIS PAGE, DON’T FORGET TO SEND (EMAIL) YOUR PICTURE AS WELL Photo ID Instructions NAME:_________________________________________DOB:_________________________ 1. Signature ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________ Please completely fill in the information on the bottom of the signature page. With a black felt tip marker please sign your name in the middle of the top of the signature page. (Please note that children do not require a signature for theirs.) ____________________________________________________________________________ TRIBAL MEMBERS 2. Clear readable copies of the following must be submitted: (please print) DOa:YOU YOUR SS NUMBER ON YOUR CARD? YES_________OR NO_________ State WANT Driver’s License, State ID Card or other valid ID Picture ID card If yes, please check one of the following: Full SS number_____ or Last 4 digits only_____ (It must have your picture and signature on it) b: If you are not an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe but your child is, you must still submit a copy of your NAME:_________________________________________DOB:_________________________ ByState marking YesLicense, you understand it isoryour responsibility toand keep yourofSSN and acknowledge Driver’s State ID Card other valid Picture ID a copy yourconfidential child(s) Social Security Card thatand theTribal Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is not Enrollment Card for proof ofresponsible enrollment. if the card is lost or stolen. ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________ 3. Photo Options: You can email a current photo (without filters) to - enrollment@poncatribe-ne.org ____________________________________________________________________________ OR You may scan and email or mail documentation to: CERTIFICATE CARDS DO YOU WANT YOUR SS NUMBER ON YOUR ID CARD? YES_________OR NO_________ Certificate cards, or non photo ID’s, are available upon Ponca Tribecheck of Nebraska If yes, please one of the following: Full SS number_____ or Lastform 4 digits only_____ request. This is not required for certificate cards. Enrollment Department Pleases contact the enrollment department if you PO Box 288 like your an enrollment card without picture. ByNiobrara, marking NE Yes68760-0288 you understand it is your responsibilitywould to keep SSN confidential anda acknowledge that the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is not responsible if the card is lost or stolen. agthín thábthin Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 13 Elder Spotlight April 2022 Elder Spotlight: Mark Peniska American Indians. Being a true half-breed, and I’m not afraid of the word, unfortunately I got some negativity from both sides.” Chris Legband Mark Peniska remembers when he was 12 years old visiting his Grandpa Lea and Grandma Maybell in Niobrara. “They lived in a house by the community building. We drove up in an old 1940s Ford that I remember we had to stop and put chewing gum on the radiator,” Peniska said. “When we pulled up I later found out that my Grandpa asked my Grandma who’s here and she said, ‘I don’t know, but there is a big Indian driving the car,’ who She immediately hit him with her was my dad Mark.” broom and kicked them out of the Peniska remembers there was an house. My Grandpa Lea was the outhouse there, no running walast Chairman of the Ponca tribe ter, no gas or electric stove. His before termination.” grandma cooked on a cast iron As a young Ponca boy growing wood stove and there was a pot up in Lincoln, Mark said his dad, bellied stove for heat. Mark Sr., was his role model and “I remember gathering wood with mentor. Grandpa,” he said. “A funny story “He taught me a lot of Ponca my dad told me about Grandma words (when I would listen) and was that they had a couple of he knew everyone when it came to Ponca men over for supper and Poncas and people associated with when they got done eating the them,” he said. “I was very proud one reached over and wiped his of my dad; he was a WW2 war mouth on her kitchen drapes. hero with the navy’s amphibious forces.” Peniska said despite those comments, it made him strong to overcome many life obstacles and become successful. “I went to small town high schools in Bennet and Palmyra Nebraska, mostly all white kids, and I was pretty happy and didn’t realize until years later that some of the students were prejudiced against Indians,” he said. “Not in my class though. I lettered in football, track and in was in chorus and one act play and was first chair clarinet for 3 years.” After high school, Peniska said he attended the University of Nebraska for one and a half years, but was then drafted into the Army. However, he had already applied and got into the Navy. He says unfortunately he ended up in Danang, “I was in Viet Nam to deliver war supplies but I somehow dodged the rockets and mortar and Viet Cong swimmers at the piers,” he said. Peniska reflects on his experiAfter serving his country, Peniska ences of being asked why his sister said he married the love of his looked different, why her skin life Linda and they had four kids, wasn’t the same color as his. Shad, Melissa, Preston and Angela. Mark and Linda celebrated “When I was young, people used their 50 year wedding anniversary to ask about me and my sister on March 29th. Mark attributes Nanette because her skin wasn’t as dark as mine,” he said. “People the longevity of their marriage to would ask ‘what are they’, because forgiveness. we had that brown completion, “We forgave each other when we but my mom, Irene, who was needed to,” he said. German and French, said they are 14 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska agthín dubá April 2022 Peniska also said he shared another aspect of the culture with his son Shad when he started participating with him in sweat ceremonies 12 years ago. “That helped to understand the culture and spiritual insight of the tribe more,” he said. “I have danced at pow wows throughout the years and passed down what I know of the language to my children.” Elder Spotlight Peniska is proud of what experience he has gained during both his life and time in office. He has served on many boards and committees. Most recently, he is ViceChair and a member of the Ponca Elders Committee. “I have a lot of institutional knowledge about the Tribe and Tribal Council and Ponca Housing Authority that I think could be of help supporting our elders,” he said. “I have personally found It was later in life that Peniska said Council in 2000 by only 8 votes ways to successfully promote my in a hard fought election with his political career began. Randy Ross,” he said. “My cousin, health and wealth that I want to In his late 30s, he was appointed Freddy convinced me to run for the bring forward to share and help our elders.” to then Mayor Johanns Citizens Chair of the Ponca Tribe in 2002 Cabinet. According to Peniska, and I won.” Peniska also strives to advocate for the group of over 30 members had Ponca elders so that they are not leading business leaders and many Mixed in with his political work neglected or pushed aside. He said was a very successful career as a influential people. there are always basic needs like programmer and industrial enfood, money and housing, but also “The group had to elect a chair gineer. He worked at Bruning in believes that the tribal elders need from the appointees, and this InLincoln, and Kwik Way in Cedar continued emotional support. dian lady on the cabinet nominated Rapids Iowa for three and a half me and there were three others,” years, and then came back to Lin- “Sometimes there is great pressure he said. “I was initially hesitant coln at Teledyne Isco for 44 years, not only to take care of themselves about accepting the nomination until his recent retirement in 2020. but spouses, kids and grandkids, against these other qualified Lingreat grandkids,” he said. “This “I was successful as a machinist, coln city leaders, but I decided to Industrial Engineer and CNC pro- can be very stressful and someaccept it.” times depressing for them, but they grammer and ended up garnering are private and independent and After being elected by what he de- a large wage and respected posisometimes don’t ask for help.” scribed as a landslide, he remained tion,” he said. “ I loved my job. Chairman for a year. It wasn’t always easy and I had to Overall, Peniska understands first“That started my political career,” work hard to get to where I ended hand that as an elder that finding up.” solutions and answers to problems he said. “Then In the mid 90s, can take time but encourages all old Ponca member Dan Laravie elders to be strong and reach out called me to his house and told me for help if they need it. the Ponca Tribe needed some new leadership on the Tribal Council “It would be easier just to give and asked me to run. Unfortuup, but that is why we on the nately, he died in a terrible car Elders committee need to stay the accident, but I stayed true to his course and be strong advocates for request.” our elders,” he said. “The Elders committee’s suggestions must be Peniska said despite losing in the respected and acted upon by our first tribal elections he ran in, he elected officials and always do never gave up. what is in the best interest of the “I finally was elected to Tribal elder community.” agthín sáton Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 15 Information Technology April 2022 IT - Perceptions and understanding Wm. Scott Ruehle Healthcare IT Manager What do you think of when you think of IT? Yes, that’s a loaded question so let’s keep expletives out of your answers… Do you interpret IT as being the people who help you fix your devices or address your login issues? replacing outdated hardware, improving inventory and processes around purchasing your equipment all the way up to mapping out technology solutions for JV. In another words: all around us but not necessarily obvious. know someone have their bank account or credit card accessed? How about identity theft? Picture that same breach on our network – how much damage could be done to our patients, among others, by us treating this as important as we do in our personal lives. These are things that happen all around us every day – work and personal. So, for this among other reasons, we’ll continue to be challenging. Does this make things (or us) challenging? Absolutely – and believe it or not, we derive no pleasure Do you interpret IT helping you from being so. Well, not most days get a new or updated version of - haha. But there are examples of your software? how IT in the workplace is really I would suggest that there is a lot similar to aspects of our personal more to IT than most recognize Do you interpret IT as simply belives. Here is one example: our and that IT just has to get better at ing challenging or a P.I.T.A (you work world requires we have more helping with understanding. Meancan picture an expletive here) by while, feel free to call me a P.I.T.A ensuring security and other bound- and more of what we call 2FA as part of our work environment – anytime you like – us IT folk are aries are kept? two factor authentication – which used to it. What if IT was all this and more? is usually represented by asking a Thanks for reading,” What if this was just the tip of text to be sent to your cell phone the iceberg? What if I stop asking or by an app generating a code. questions? Some view this as an inconvenience. But have you ever had or Every day IT tries to work with each and every one of your departments to not only ensure you are up and running but to also explore what we might do to ensure your needs are being met, that technological solutions are available and can be applied within reason and are effective as well as take a proThe Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is seeking letters of interest active role in trying to help your from Ponca members for Head Cook and cleaning staff for departments and the organization the 2022 Annual Northern Ponca Powwow in August. grow. These efforts are often in the background, are not well adverPonca Tribe of Nebraska members only. tised due to being limited by parFor more information, or to submit ticipants in the conversation and your letter of intent, please email rwrightjr@poncatribe-ne.org when word does get out are often greeted with a well-deserved dose of skepticism due to history where you work. But do understand these efforts are taking place. Some of these examples are updating systems, replacing software with newer and more secure programs, Head Cook & Cleaning Staff Needed 16 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska agthín shápe April 2022 Tribal News Staff attend MHI Summit PONCA ELECTION 2022 Ponca members, please make sure you are registered to vote as we approach an election year for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. Voter registration forms can be downloaded and printed out on the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska website, www.poncatribe-ne.org. Completed forms must be mailed to: Ponca Election Board P.O. Box 9 Niobrara, NE 68760 Ballots will be verified by your signature on the return envelope. Reasons to update registration: • If your name has changed • If your signature has changed • If your address has changed Electronic signatures WILL NOT be accepted. The name on your registration form and your return envelope must match. (For example, If your name is Joseph Smith both items must say Joseph Smith, no abbreviations.) Rebecca Tamayo, Nicole Bad Moccasin & Suzanne Mealer attended the Minority Health Initiative Summit on March 11, 2022 at UNL Innovation Campus. If you have questions, please email the Ponca Election Board at eboard@poncatribe-ne.org Calling all Ponca Veterans! The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) is working to create a comprehensive list of all Ponca veterans for present and future recognition of service. As such, the THPO is respectfully requesting members that are veterans, or those who have family that have served, help provide information, including: • Branch of service • Wars served • Dates served • Photographs • Details or a story from that service This information will be featured on an veterans honor wall in the Ponca Tribe Museum, and will be used to honor veterans at events, memorials, etc. To submit veteran information, please contact Stacy Laravie, THPO via email (ssettje@poncatribe-ne.org) or via mail: Stacy Laravie, THPO Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 88915 521 Avenue Niobrara, NE 68760 agthín péthonba Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 17 Member’s Corner Interested in Ponca Language classes? Classes stream live at https:// call.lifesizecloud.com/13507809. Additionally, a playlist of previous language classes can be found on the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska YouTube channel. For more information, please contact Ricky Wright, Culture Director, at rwrightjr@poncatribene.org, or 402.371.8834, ext. 120. April 2022 Elder’s Committee Meeting April 4 | 9 am Ponca Transit Building | Norfolk, NE May 2 | 9 am Ponca Tribe Headquarters | Niobrara, NE MEMBERS NEEDED! ELDER’S COMMITTEE There is currently a vacancy on the Elder’s Committee for District 1 service delivery area. The qualifications are that you must be age 55 or older and must reside in or live within 100 miles of Knox, Boyd or Holt Counties in Nebraska; Woodbury County in Iowa or Charles Mix County in South Dakota. The Northern Ponca Elder’s Committee exists to enrich the lives and meet the needs of the Northern Ponca Tribal Elders and to provide ways that positively impacts all Northern Ponca Tribal Elders. Members of this committee receive a stipend of $250.00 per meeting, along with mileage reimbursement up to 410 miles roundtrip and they meet on a monthly basis. A background check is required. The term will expire on January 13, 2025. Deadline to apply for this committee is April 8, 2022. Letters of interest can be sent to: Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Attn: Beth Barger, P.O. Box 288, Niobrara, NE 68760 or email: bbarger@poncatribe-ne.org OSNI PONCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Tribal Council is accepting applications for the Osni Ponca Board of Directors. The purpose of Osni Ponca LLC is to engage in economic development activities for the benefit of the Tribe and its members. This Board manages the activities and affairs of Osni Ponca. No member of the Tribal Council, employee of the Tribe or any entities thereof, shall serve on this Board. The Board members must have the following minimum qualification: 1) Be at least twenty–five (25) years of age; 2) either (a) possess a Bachelor’s Degree in business or a related field, or (b) possess a high school diploma (or a general equivalency diploma) and have at least five (5) years of business, financial, legal government contracting, tribal government or industry experience; 3) have no felony convictions; and 4) submit to a background investigation which yields no results showing convictions involving tax evasion, tax fraud, embezzlement or moral turpitude. Applications will be accepted from Tribal and non-tribal members. A $250 stipend per meeting is paid as well as mileage reimbursement up to 410 miles roundtrip. Applicants must submit a letter of interest and current resume to the Tribal Council, Attn: Beth Barger, P.O. Box 288, Niobrara, NE 68760 or by e-mail to bbarger@poncatribe-ne.org. A background check is required. Deadline for Application is May 1, 2022. 18 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska agthín pethábthin April 2022 Member’s Corner SPOTTED IN THE NEWS! Ponca members Candy, Cami, and Maci Schott were proud to attend the Women’s March in Omaha, and were featured in the Omaha World Herald. Keep it handy! Keep it safe! Keeping your enrollment number safe and secure is important! Your enrollment number is the fastest and easiest way to verify your enrollment in the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, and your eligibility for programs open to members of the Ponca Tribe. Moving forward all changes to forms and other personal information, online, in person, and over the phone, will require your enrollment number. No changes will be made without a verified enrollment number. Likewise, all Ponca-specific programs will require a verified enrollment number at the time of application to be accepted. So remember to keep your enrollment number handy, and keep it secure! If you need a new enrollment card or tribal ID, please reach out to the Enrollment Department, enrollment@poncatribe-ne.org. agthín shónka PRAIRIE FLOWER MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE! Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members and employees will soon have the chance to purchase unique apparel from Prairie Flower Casino. Beginning April 1, an online store will be available on the Prairie Flower website, www.prairieflowercasino.com. There will be a variety of embroidered polo shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, and other items available to purchase. Purchases can be made from April 1 through May 31, and you will be able to choose to have your items sent to the casino for pickup or delivered to your home. There are sizing charts for all items, and all purchases are final. Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 19 Member’s Corner April 2022 Dear Ponca Relatives: My name is Cliff Taylor. I am the son of Cliff Taylor Jr. and the grandson of Cliff Taylor Sr. and Barb Taylor (Picotte). I’m a writer, a jack of many trades, a Sundancer, and a poet. I love spending my time working on things that I imagine will be of some help or use or inspiration to our people, especially on things that’ll continue to help long after us current folks are gone. And in that spirit, I have a new project I would like to invite you all to be a part of. I want to put together a book of stories about our Ponca people, stories of all kinds from all of us, to create a portrait of who we are that we can share with each other far and wide, and also pass on to our young ones who are full of all those essential, important questions: like “What does it mean to be Ponca?”, “How can I learn about myself and my culture?”, “How have our elders handled the challenges of this life?”, “What do other Poncas have to say about our tribe and where we’re going? I would love to see this book composed of stories from Poncas young and old. I want this book to be a gift we all make together. Send me a story or two or three. Tell your family about this project and see if they’d like to participate. My email is cliffponca@gmail.com and my mailing address is Cliff Taylor/ 3710 Grand Ave/ Astoria, OR 97103. I look forward to reading your stories and finding a place for them in Stories of Our Northern Ponca People. Weblaho, Cliff Taylor Cante’ Waste’ Win Tiospaye’ Talking Circle CONGRATULATIONS! nte’ Waste’ Win Ti- spaye Talking Cir- Please join our Female Talking Circle Every 1st & 3rd Friday each month @ 6pm Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition 2240 Landon Ct, Omaha NE Any questions contact Marissa Wright (402)309-4503 or Lestina Saul (402)885-5445 Healing through tradition, ceremony and prayer... 20 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska Ponca Tribe member Grace Cramblett was recently signed to the University of Kansas Jayhawks Track & Field team. gthebon nonba April 2022 Member’s Corner In Memory Jennifer Harshbarger, daughter of Chris Legband was named to the Midland University Dean’s list for the 2021 Fall Semester. Harshbarger is a freshman at Midland, majoring in Youth and Family Ministry, with a minor in Human Services. Harshbarger attends Midland University in Fremont, NE, where she received a vocal scholarship. Norma Jean Foster was the daughter of Goldie Rebecca Pappan and Harvey Neils Surverkrubbe. She was born August 9, 1937 in Verdel, Nebraska. Norma was preceded in death by her mother, Goldie, father, Harvey, and brothers, Ronald Suverkrubbe and Harvey (Sonny) Suverkrubbe Jr. Norma is survived by her daughters, Brenda (Don) Bogacz, Sheila (David) Bogacz, Melody Miodowski, Judy Foster, Leslie Foster, Stephanie Carlson, many Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great-Great Grandchildren, as well as her beloved dog Gizmo. Norma was a generous, loving, and caring Mother, Grandmother, Friend and Relative. She loved to cook, and all were welcome to come and visit in her home. Norma made the best fry bread, and her bean and corn soups were some of the best around. Norma loved movies, traveling, watching cooking shows, game shows, and was an avid collector of paper dolls, cookbooks, and salt and pepper shakers. She loved to sing and always had a way to brighten up a room, whether it was a story, a joke, a face, or just by being her silly self. Norma was proud of her Ponca culture and was thankful for all her Ponca relatives that shared memories with her throughout her life. She was a cherished Ponca elder and was the second oldest tribal member residing in District 2. Norma passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in her home on February 23, 2022, at the age of 84. She lived a life full of love, laughter, and family. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her. Awesome job to Stanford Robinette for raising his grades this quarter! Keep up the great work! Great Grandma is so very proud of you! gthebon nonba kiedi winonxchi Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 21 P.O. Box 288 Niobrara, NE 68760 nc o p . w ww org . e n e atrib Office Locations NIOBRARA 68760 Headquarters 2523 Woodbine St., P.O. Box 288 Ph: (402) 857-3391 Fax: (402) 857-3736 Enrollment 2523 Woodbine St., P.O. Box 288 Ph: (402) 857-3391 Fax: (402) 857-3771 Cultural P.O. Box 288 Ph: (402) 857-3519 Fax: (402) 857-3652 Ponca Hills Clinic Ph: (402) 371-8780 (402) 371-5726 Fax: (402) 379-4291 - Pharmacy (402) 379-4293 - Registration (402) 371-4094 - Medical Lab Administration 125 6th Street Ph: (712) 258-0500 Fax: (712) 258-0762 OTHER RESOURCES Ponca Express Child Abuse Hotline Ph: 877-769-3111 800-652-1999 (Nebraska) 800-362-2178 (Iowa) Northern Ponca Housing Authority 877-244-0864 (South Dakota) 1501 Michigan Ave. Ph: (402) 379-8224 National Child Abuse Hotline (800) 367-2320 800-422-4453 Fax: (402) 379-8557 Purchased/Referred Care Ph: (800) 405-0365 Administration Fax: (402) 371-0176 1701 E Street Ph: (402) 438-9222 OMAHA 68107 Fax: (402) 438-9226 Fred LeRoy Health & Wellness Clinic Ponca Health Services-Lincoln 2602 “J” Street 1600 Windhoek Dr, 68512 Ph: (402) 733-3612 Ph: (531) 248-3030 Fax: (402) 733-3487 Osni Ponca 2756 O Street Administration Ph: (402) 434-2127 5805 South 86th Circle, 68127 Fax: (402) 434-2128 Ph: (402) 315-2760 LINCOLN 68508 SIOUX CITY 51103 National Suicide Hotline 800-273-8255 Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 National Problem Gambling Helpline 800-522-4700 Elder Abuse Hotline 800-252-8966 NORFOLK 68701 Dental Boys Town Crisis Line 2602 “J” Street 800-448-3000 Ph: (402) 733-1325 Fax: (402) 733-3487 Drug Treatment & Referral Hotline 877-726-4727 Northern Ponca Housing Authority Gym Building 10635 Birch., 68134 Nebraska Family Helpline 1800 Syracuse Ave. Ph: (402) 505-3055 888-866-8660 Ph: (402) 371-8834 Fax: (402) 505-3066 Fax: (402) 379-0988 Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255 Administration Building 1800 Syracuse Ave. Ph: (402) 371-8834 Fax: (402) 371-7564 The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Newsletter is published monthly and printed by Printco Graphics, Omaha, Nebraska. ahgthee dubah Deadline for submissions is the 1st of each month. In the event the 1st falls on a weekend, submissions are due the Friday before. All submissions of a political nature are subject to Tribal Council approval. Send to Jessica Hitchcock, jhitchcock@poncatribe-ne.org. See or print the newsletter archives in full color on the member’s side (you must log in) of the web site at: www.poncatribe-ne.org --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aponca_nebraska%3A30171bb92829a4bc. Public record. Not legal advice.