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Niobrara Market opens its doors.

December 2020

Tribal News

December 2020

And my favorite internet video of the year is…!

by Cliff Taylor

I sat on our couch and

watched the 14-second

video on Instagram over

and over again -it made

me feel something that

kept almost bringing tears

to my eyes -if the armor

I’d donned my whole life

hadn’t been so present I

surely would’ve cried.

The video has three parts.

First, there’s a hoop dancer in full regalia dancing

and spinning around

on an empty nighttime

sidewalk, flapping his

hoop-bedecked arms like

a bird at the end; above

his performance are the

words Natives Embracing & Practicing Our

Culture In 2020. Next,

the same young man who

was hoop dancing is seen

as an ancestor looking on

from the spirit-realm, his

hair down, a blanket over

his shoulders, a beaded

medallion hanging from

his neck, shaking his head

and saying, “Wow,” in

awe of that hoop dancer

performing so beautifully in the monumentally

different world of today;

above him are the words

Our Ancestors Watching

Proudly Because Much

Was Taken Away. Lastly,

this young man-as-ancestor gives the hoop dancer

applause, saying, “Well

done! Well done!”, and

clapping, conveying how

joyously pleased he is

with his dedicated descen- taking a break from the

dant who is carrying on

customers and all of their

the culture.

oversharing. I watched it

with my girlfriend beside

The video is one of

me, feeling that Ponca kid

many by James Jones,

who lived a spiritual life

aka notoriouscree on

none of his non-Native

Instagram. It’s by far my

Nebraskan peers around

favorite video of the year

him understood, looking

that I’ve encountered on

out through my 39-yearthe Internet (though I do

old eyes. How many

love doggface208’s Fleetpeople out there underwood Mac skateboarding

stand the sheer amount of

video too). It has a power

mental/emotional/physithat’s touched me unlike

cal/spiritual/social/culturany of the other videos

al work any given Nathat are constantly jumptive does just to remain

ing out of my phone or

themselves in a way that

laptop screen; the power

feels good and right? The

of a great movie moment

sacrifice, the endurance,

that cracks me open and

the wound-carrying, the

allows me to feel my own

not looking away. “Wow.

spirit, the bundle of feelWell done! Well done!”

ings that drives my life,

that’s kept me dreaming

I first Sundanced at age

and writing and making

22 and really began

art for over 30 years now. learning about my ancesI sent it to a brother of

tors there. They were as

mine whom I’ve known

present as our Sundance

for 20 years, whose caChief, Joe Badmocreer in obscurity mirrors casin, who sometimes

mine, a long-suffering,

wore a cowboy hat, as

deep soul, and he texted

our leader, Ike Denny,

me back, “Yes. I need to

who danced as perfectly

see this every day. I need and mesmerizing as that

to see this every day.”

heartbreaking Nativedone Oscar-caliber comI watched it in my car

puter-animated Sundance

before work, the week of

leader spirit that is just

the election electrifying

probably still a couple of

all that’s beautiful about

years down the road; the

this country and all that’s

ancestors were as present

horrifying. I watched it

as that tree in the middle

in the break room with

we all danced around;

my masked and gloved

they were as present as

grocery store coworkmy uncle Dennis who

ers buzzing around me,

invited me and danced

getting more caffeine,

beside me. This recovered

knowledge of our ancestors’ presence in our lives

was an utterly profound

addition to my existence

and worldview; essential;

shifting everything onto

the vector of true healing.

I sent the video to my Lakota brother who is doing

a tremendous amount of

Lakota language revitalization work, who’s

laughed and rapped and

collaborated with me

through all manner of

things, and he said, “It’s

f***in cool.” That’s him

for you: understated and

spot-on, haha. He’s told

me of seeing the ancestors

of the kids in his language

classes coming into his

classroom to learn, help,

heal, encourage, and just

be a part of the miracle of

their descendants learning

and speaking the Lakota

language after everything

that’s happened. Our

ancestors are so real. Not

a single one of us is walking alone. There really

is someone cheering you

on right now, proudly

nodding their head, and

saying, “Wow. Well done!

Well done!”

The ancestors don’t lose

their humanity when they

become a part of those

ones who continue to

look after the tribe on

the Other Side, rather,

they become resplendent

with a fully realized kind

continued on page 4

On the cover: The Niobrara Market opened its doors to Ponca tribal citizens and staff Saturday, November 21st. The market, formerly Farnik’s

Market, was purchased and completely remodeled by Osni Ponca, the Ponca Tribe’s economic development arm. Watch for more information

regarding the Niobrara Market’s Grand Opening later this year!

December 2020

Language

Pónka Íye-the! The Ponca Language

Need help saying the words? Hear audio recordings on the PTN website

at poncatribe-ne.tv/category/language/ and refer to the pronunciation

guide on this page.

Our family relationships and Ponca words we use to describe our family

members have a lot of significant meaning of respect and responsibility

to one another. Our Ponca words are beyond how english describes

family members and will not always be the same term and relationship as

in english (ex. My mother’s sister is a mother to me, not an auntie). Look

forward to next month’s newsletter article for more information on family

-Angie Starkel

relationships.

Mother

Female

talking

to her:

nonhá

Male

talking

to his:

nonhó

Female

Male

talking

talking

about her: about his:

ínnonha

Father

dadihá

dadího

indádi

Daughter

wizhongehá wizhongeho

wizhónge

Son

wizhingehá

wizhingeho

wizhínge

Grandma

konhá

konhó

wikón

Grandpa

tigonhá

tigónho

witígon

Grandchild

tushpahá

tushpáho

witúshpa

Older Brother

tinuha

zhi theho

n

witinu

wizhinthe

Younger Brother songeha

songeho

Older Sister

zhontheha

tongeho

Younger Sister

wihe

wihe

wihe

Mother’s Sister

no ha

n

no ho

i nonha

Mother’s Brother negiha

negiho

winégi

Father’s Sister

timiha

timiho

witimi

Father’s Brother

dadiha

dadiho

indádi

win

n

wisonge

wizhonthe

witonge

n

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

a

b

ch

chh

d

e

g

h

i

in

k

kh

m

n

o

on

p

ph

s

sh

t

th

th

u

w

x

z

zh

Like a in father

Like b in big

Like 2nd ch in church

Like 1st ch in church

like d in dig

Like e in Vegas

like g in game

like h in home

Like i in ski

Like ea in mean

Like k in ski

Like k in key

Like m in man

Like n in need

Like o in no

Like aw in dawn

Like p in spot

Like p in pot

Like s in sing

Like sh in shop

Like t in stop

Like t in top

Like th in that

Like u in blue

Like w in woman

Like ch in German Bach

Like z in zebra

Like ge in beige

The raised letter n (n) means

to nasally say the vowel

before the n.

The ‘ above a vowel (like é)

means to stress that sound

There is no “L” sound in Ponca. Some confuse the “TH”

as a L sound.

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

1

Tribal News

2

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

December 2020

nonbá

December 2020

Tribal News

Tribe gets creative for

Halloween fun

Although the Tribe

was unable to host

many of its usual

Halloween events

this year, due to the

pandemic, tribal

members still had

the opportunity to

dress up and have

fun with drivethrough Trick or

Treating, and virtual costume and

pumpkin decorating

contests.

Attention All AVT/HIED

Students Nationwide:

Please remember to submit your official

transcripts after EACH term funded in

order to be eligible to receive future

funding.

Winter 2020 deadline: November 15, 2020

Spring 2021 deadline: December 15, 2020

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)

Attention All K-12 YIP Students Nationwide:

• High School Seniors for the 2020-2021 school year are eligible to

receive a $500.00 Graduation Incentive!

• Our department is accepting projects for incentives in the following

areas: Art, Essay/Poetry, and Student of the Month. *Winners may

receive $100.00 for 1st place, $50.00 for 2nd place, and $25.00 for 3rd

place. Grade divisions are as follows: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (35), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12)

• Perfect Attendance $100.00 (0-.49 days of absenteeism), $50.00 (.53.49 days absenteeism), and $25.00 (3.5-5.49 days of absenteeism).

Deadline to apply for the 2020-2021 school year is July 31, 2021.

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)3718834, work cell (402)844-0957, or aknudsen@poncatribe-ne.org.

*Ponca tribal enrollment is required for ALL education programs*

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Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

3

Tribal News

December 2020

TAYLOR: Appreciating the presence of our ancestors

with me, experiencing

all my human feelings

of humanity, incredibly

with me, rooting me on

deep, incredibly unjust like the young manderstanding, incredibly

ancestor with his long

loving, incredibly carhair down in the video. I

ing, incredibly connected

watched this video over

to the Creator when it

and over and I rememcomes to the things they

bered how my experiencdo now. That’s part of

es of my ancestors kept

why I love the video so

There were many years

me going, kept me movmuch: the humanness of

where I felt kind of

ing forward, heartened

that ancestor’s awe at his

friendless, at least like I

me when no one else was

descendant’s dance, and

didn’t have any of those

around and made me feel

how that expresses all

core kindred-spirit friends

okay. It was healing to

of the warm humanness

around who were always

see this experience made

with which they are still

saving my life, and it was

into such a beautiful

regarding us and watchduring those years that I

video, to see that it was

ing over us and influencfelt my ancestors caring

out there for millions to

ing our lives from their

for me, keeping me upwatch and learn from and

dimension. It really is like

right, strengthening me,

remember with. “Wow.

that. We got loved ones,

dancing beside me. When

Well done! Well done!”

regal and funny, wrinkled

no one else was there to

and full of memories,

see the things I was going I watched the video

witnessing us do things

through in the name of

one more time and felt

they never could have

helping my people and

all those things that I

imagined that are parts of

staying on the Red Road, couldn’t exactly put

the overarching tribal life

the ancestors were there, words to, felt something

they are collectively guidtangible, unafraid to cry

tender welling up inside,

continued from inside cover

ing and dreaming into

being. On a certain level,

we all know this. I think

I also love this video for

how perfectly it expresses

this, lets its Native viewer

FEEL this truth that in

their guts and bones they

truly already know.

the living room empty

but not, something speaking through the young

man to me, to all of us. I

put my phone down and

looked outside, imagined

what the world would

look like if it had been

wholly guided by the

ancestors’ hands and not

Capitalism, trauma, or

Empire. I imagined and

liked what I saw. And

then I grabbed my keys

and went to work.

Thank you James Jones,

@notoriouscree, for your

video, creativity, and

dancing.

“Wow. Well done! Well

done!”

Cliff Taylor is an enrolled

member of the Ponca

Tribe of Nebraska. His

first book, “The Memory

of Souls,” is available on

Amazon.

MEMBERS NEEDED

PONCA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD: A vacancy currently exists on this Board with a term expiring on

3/19/23. The purposes and powers of the Ponca Economic Development Corporation are to engage in any lawful act or activity for

which corporations may be organized under the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Corporation Business Code. The business and activities of the

corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors which shall be persons with extensive experience in business in Nebraska or

Iowa. 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, P.O. Box 288, Niobrara, NE 68760 or by e-mail

bbarger@poncatribe-ne.org. A background check and drug test are required per the Articles of Incorporation. Deadline for Applications

is December 18, 2020.

OSNI PONCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: A vacancy currently exists on this Board with a term expiring on 3/19/23. Applications are now

being accepted. 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, 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 December 18, 2020.

4

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

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December 2020

Domestic Violence

Dealing with grief during the holidays

4. Plan Ahead

Sometimes the anticipation

An empty chair at the Thanks- over how hard something is

going to be is worse than the

giving table, a present that

won’t be opened, expecting a actual event. Christmas dinner

holiday visit from a loved one may only last two hours, but

you could easily spend three

who won’t be coming. The

holidays can be a very difficult weeks dreading it. Create a

simple plan for how you’ll get

time after losing a loved one,

through the holidays to avoid

here are some tips on how

unwanted emotions.

to deal with grief during this

time.

5. Set Healthy Boundaries

Emily Driver

Trauma Informed Care Therapist

1. Allow Yourself to Have a

Range of Emotions

The holidays can bring out

a wide range of emotions.

You might feel joy, guilt,

and sadness all within a few

minutes. Allow yourself to

feel those emotions without

judging yourself or thinking

you should be happy or you

should not be laughing.

You don’t have to force yourself to face every holiday

event. If attending a tree lighting ceremony or participating

in the office gift swap is likely

going to bring up too many

painful memories, be willing

to say no. Other people may

try to convince you to participate, but you certainly don’t

have to try to please everyone.

2. Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

when you’re struggling with

the holidays. Reminding loved

ones that you are having a

rough time may be enough,

but you also can reach out for

more support. Look for support groups or counselors to

help you deal with your grief

in a healthy manner.

6. Take Care of Yourself

People don’t often realize that

emotional stress is one of the

hardest kinds of stress to cope

with. Grief can be very draining emotionally, mentally,

spiritually, physically, socially,

etc. Take time for you to be

alone or to be with a trusting person, meditate, pray, or

whatever feels relaxing to you.

3. Share memories

Storytelling is a great way to

celebrate our loved one’s life

and the relationship we have

shared with them. The holidays will bring up memories,

good and bad. Try to find a

sense of peace by focusing on

your loved one’s life and not

on their death.

The Ponca Tribe’s Domestic

Violence Program has resources if you are struggling

with a range of emotions

during the holidays. Reach

out to our Trauma Informed

Care Therapists Emily Driver

at 402.943.6291 or Amber

Wendt at 402.943.9997 if you

need assistance.

sáton

Ponca Tribe staff

go purple for

Domestic Violence

Awareness

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

5

Environmental

December 2020

Learning about soils to celebrateWorld Soil Day

Misha Mazurkewycz

TRP Technician

Hello everyone! We have

now reached the end

of the year, and there is

another environmental

holiday on December 5th,

World Soil Day! What is

so important about soil?

Soil is the foundation on

which we build our lives

and feed ourselves.

Some soils are great for

building roads and buildings on because they

are stable and not easily

moved, while others are

more nutrient-rich making them great for growing plants.

Soil structure also helps

determine how liquids

move through the layers

of the earth. For example,

it is easy for liquids to

move through sand but

harder for liquid to move

through clay.

Nebraska even has a state

soil, called Holdrege,

which is a good soil for

growing corn, soybeans,

and small grains.

Currently, there are major

In Nebraska, our soils

issues with a scarcity of

have been divided into

good, nutrient-rich soil

different landscape catand land loss due to eroegories including: Bluffs,

sion. Soil needs nutrients

Dissected Plains, Large

and living organisms

Reservoirs, Plains, Rollwithin it, otherwise it

ing Hills, Sandhill, and

is just dirt. Farmers are

Valleys. A majority of our all too familiar with this

Service Delivery Area in

issue, and some have

Nebraska is considered

chosen creative paths to

rolling hills, but in the

return nutrients to the

Niobrara area, the land

land by rotating crops

is considered bluffs and

and planting cover crops.

escarpments, which is

To help with erosion and

land that is rugged and

plant and animal biohas steep irregular slopes. diversity, some farmers

have built-in buffer strips

along their cropland to

help hold the soil in place

to reduce runoff from rain

and erosion from streams

and rivers.

You can help the soil,

too, by helping to plant

trees or other plants with

extensive root systems or

by composting your food

scraps. Also, make sure

you read the labels of

products that you put on

the soil.

If you ever have any

questions, please do not

hesitate to reach out to

your Environmental Department!

Maintaining indoor air quality in colder months

Allison Gienapp

Air Technician

Most people spend at

least 90% of their time

in indoor environments.

This time has been increased with a greater

number of people working from home. A healthy

home means healthy

people. Sometimes, with

all the different chemicals and materials in the

home, the indoor environment could be more

polluted than the air

outside.

The most effective way

to address air pollution

indoors is to reduce and

eliminate the source of

pollutants. Along with

elimination and reduc6

tion, you also need to

have proper ventilation.

Ventilation helps exhaust

indoor air pollution to

the outside and allows for

clean air to come into the

home.

With the cold months

here, proper ventilation

of the home becomes

more daunting. Opening

doors and windows to

ventilate the home weighs

greatly against energy efficiency and weatherization

efforts that keep the home

within a comfortable

temperature range. There

are some things that you

can do to help clean up

your indoor air while not

letting the cold air in.

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

· Remove harsh chemicals

from the living space, this

includes everything that

gives off strong odors.

There is a green cleaning guide at https://www.

poncatribe-ne.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/10/

env_NaturalAlternativeHouseholdCleaningProductsRecipe.pdf.

· Make sure you are

changing your HVAC

filters and getting them

inspected regularly. This

included proper maintenance of ductwork in the

home. The HVAC system

is what filters most of

the air coming into your

home.

· Check into the possibil-

ity of using air cleaners in

your home. If you decide

to purchase an air cleaner

for your home, make sure

that they do not produce

ozone. If you don’t feel

like spending the money

on buying an air cleaner

there are DIY cleaners

that you can make from

box fans and HVAC

filters. More information

about air cleaners can be

found at https://www.epa.

gov/indoor-air-qualityiaq/air-cleaners-and-airfilters-home.

For more information

please contact Allison

Gienapp, Air Technician,

at 402.857.3391 or agienapp@poncatribe-ne.org.

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December 2020

WIOA

WIOA ready to assist clients with career opportunities

gram can assist people

with obtaining training

· Phlebotomist

in these career fields.

The healthcare sector is

The WIOA Program has

· Occupational Therapy

booming and will conassisted people with getAide

tinue to do so. There are

ting Certified Nursing

a variety of reasons for

· Medical Assistant

Assistant and Certified

the demand. An aging

Medication Aide credenbaby boomer population, · Physical Therapy Aide

tials. Currently, there are

changes in the health· Licensed Practical Nurse students in Phlebotomy

care industry as a whole,

and Pharmacy Technician

· Massage Therapist

changes in technology,

programs assisted by the

and changes in the way

· Respiratory Therapist

Ponca WIOA Program.

services are provided

If you are interested in

are among them. As

· Registered Nurse

obtaining to get into a

COVID-19 continues to

· Dental Hygienist

healthcare-related career,

impact our world, we can

contact one of the folsee daily the importance

Many of these roles relowing WIOA representaof healthcare workers.

quire training programs

tives:

and certifications rather

Indeed.com identifies

than Bachelor’s degrees.

some of the fastest growThe Ponca WIOA Proing healthcare roles as:

Colleen Plasek

Ponca WIOA Program

· Home Health Aide

Lincoln Office

Stephanie

Prichard-Slobotski

Workforce Development

Program Director

402-438-9222

Tierra Hernandez

Vocational Training

Specialist

402-438-9222

Omaha Office

Colleen Plasek

Vocational Training

Specialist

402-315-2765

Norfolk Office

Bianca Marino

Vocational Training

Specialist

402-371-8834

Ponca Tribal Court completes needs assessment

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

(PTON) was awarded a

Tribal Court Improvement Program grant in

2018. The goal of the

Tribal Court Improvement Program is to provide resources to improve

theprocess of American

Indian and Native Alaskan child welfare cases

by tribal courts. Funding requires the tribe (1)

conduct an assessment

of how the tribal court

handles child welfare proceedings and (2) implement changes to address

the recommendations of

the child welfare court

assessment.

péthonba

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska contracted with

The Whitener Group to

conduct the assessment.

The assessment was completed in June 2020.

better understand the

PTON Tribal Court,

social services, and Tribal

government structure and

operations. It also assisted the assessment data

collection tools (e.g., case

The needs assessment

file review, survey and

used a mixed methods

interview instruments).

research design, including

Specifically, the team

a combination of policy

reviewed existing PTON

manual and past assessorganizational, policy and

ment report document

procedures documents to

review, court observation,

gather background inforcase file review, as well

mation about the Tribe

as surveys and interviews

(including understanding

with identified Tribal

the history of the PTON);

Court, social services and

design needs assessment

Tribal government leadinstruments; and to help

ers and personnel.

determine if on-site observations conducted with

A document review

staff of Tribal Court and

process was used to

social services aligned

with stated policies and

procedures. In addition,

the team reviewed past

needs assessment reports

conducted for the PTON

to determine if the Tribal

Court implemented

recommendations from

those assessments and/or

if they still had relevance

for the current assessment

process.

Currently we are working on a plan of action

should the Tribe eventually wish to proceed with

child welfare cases in the

Tribal Court as they proceed with child welfare

cases in the State Court.

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

7

Tribal News

December 2020

MEMBERS NEEDED

ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE:

All three positions on the Enrollment Committee will be expiring on February 1, 2021. The role of the Enrollment

Committee is defined in the Law & Order Code Title X - Enrollment and Membership Chapter 2 (go to poncatribe-ne.org).

Community Members receive mileage reimbursement (for a maximum of 410 miles at the federal govt. approved rate) and

a stipend of $250 per meeting. All terms will expire 2/1/24. The deadline for application is January 4, 2021.

NORTHERN PONCA ELDERS COMMITTEE:

The mission of this Committee is to advocate for improved comprehensive services and provide the leadership needed to

meet the needs of our elders (55 and older) by planning and advocating for an aging population in a manner designated to

protect and improve their quality of life while maintaining individual dignity.

Tribal Council will be appointing members to all nine positions on January 11, 2020. All positions will be appointed to four

year terms. The Elders Committee shall consist of two members from each of the four Council Districts established in

the Constitution or as modified by redistricting Each of the two members must reside in the Service Area or 100 miles

of the counties constituting the Service Delivery Areas of the Tribe as designated in the PTN Constitution for Council

Members (Article IV Section 8). A ninth member shall be appointed from outside the Service Delivery Areas of the Tribe

and shall reside outside the Service Delivery Area (including outside the area described in Article IV Section 8 of the Tribal

Constitution). The Tribal Council shall strongly consider appointment of the two members from District 1 to represent an

elder from the Niobrara Service Delivery Area and an elder from the Sioux City Service Delivery Area when possible.

Currently a stipend in the amount of $250 is paid per meeting plus mileage reimbursement (not to exceed 410 miles at the

govt. rate). The Elders Committee Charter recently approved by Tribal Council is posted on the website (poncatribe-ne.

org) and in the office sites or you can request a copy be mailed to you. Background checks will be conducted. Deadline for

applications is December 15, 2020.

All letters of interest and qualifications can be sent to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Attn: Beth Barger, P.O. Box 288, Niobrara,

NE 68760 or e-mailed to bbarger@poncatribe-ne.org. Thank you.

ELECTION BOARD:

There will be 3 terms on the Election Board that will be expiring on February 1, 2021 for District 1, District 3 and the At

Large position. Board Members are paid $250 per meeting and mileage will be paid for a maximum of 410 miles round

trip at the federal government approved rate. Most meetings are held in Niobrara, Nebraska. These appointments will be

4-year terms expiring on 2/1/25.

To be qualified to be appointed to the Election Board, a person shall:

1. Be an enrolled member of the Tribe

2. Be a resident of the voting district from which they are appointed.

3. Be eligible to vote in the election for which they will serve as an Election Board Member; and

4. If convicted of a felony, have completed his sentence requirements, including any parole, at least two (2) years prior to

appointment.

No individuals shall be permitted to sit as an Election Board member who:

1. Has been convicted of a crime involving the theft of funds or property of the Tribe in any court of any jurisdiction

regardless of any pardon or restoration of civil rights for said offense;

2. Currently holds elective office in the Tribe

3. Is or plans to be a candidate in any election during his or her term; or

4. Has an immediate family member who is currently a member of the Tribal Council, or who is or plans to be a candidate

in any election during his or her term

5. No Ponca Tribe of Nebraska employees may serve on the Election Board per the PTN Employee Handbook.

A criminal background check will be conducted. The Deadline for Applications is January 4, 2021.

All letters of interest and qualifications can be sent to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Attn: Beth Barger, P.O. Box 288, Niobrara,

NE 68760 or e-mailed to bbarger@poncatribe-ne.org. Thank you.

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Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

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December 2020

Youth Council

Youth Council pursuing projects to spread cheer to members

Maci Schott

Currently, Youth Council is finishing up the

Fitness Tracker Project.

This project is led by

Taya Lehman and Claire

Howell. So far, we have

had two winners. These

winners competed in a

two-week trial wearing a

fitness tracker. Out of all

the participants in their

group they had the most

steps. Our first winner is

Madison Knudsen! The

second winner is Hunter

Oestreich! Each of these

contestants is awarded a

$50 Target gift card for

showing their commit-

ment to fitness! We look

forward to showcasing

our next two winners in

the upcoming newsletter! Youth Council would

like to thank all our

participants in the Fitness

Tracker Project, and we

hope you continue striving to walk more!

Youth Council has two

exciting projects starting

in the month of November! Maci Schott is leading Toys for Teens and

Cami Schott is leading

Senior Secret Santa. Maci

and Cami have sent out

all of the mailing envelopes, containing a flier

where the participants can

choose their style of gift.

Maci sent out the Toys

for Teens flier to teens

ages 14-18 years old in

service delivery areas. The

teens can pick between

a Sweet Tooth, Movie

Night, Comfy Cozy, Spa

Central, or Tech Savy gift.

Cami sent out the Senior

Secret Santa flier to elders

ages 60+ in service delivery areas. The elders can

pick between a Comfy

Cozy, Memory Lane, or

Sweet Tooth gift. Youth

Council went to Walmart

and bought these gifts

on November 22! The

D2 member then went to

Ralston where they packaged the gifts and waited

for Santa to put them on

his sleigh!

Above: Cami Schott, Maci Schott, Ben Schott, Candy Schott,

and Rebecca Sullivan working hard as Santa’s helpers,

gathering gifts for teens and seniors alike!

Below: After the shopping comes the wrapping! Youth

Council prepared and packaged gifts for the Senior Secret

Santa and Toys for Teens project.

Madison Knudsen

Hunter Oestreich

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Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

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Tribal News

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Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

December 2020

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December 2020

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Tribal News

Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

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Tribal News

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Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

December 2020

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December 2020

We’d like to introduce and wish a very happy first birthday

to MeLe Hayes Sherman. She was born November 3rd,

2019 in Omaha, NE to Rodney Sherman and Kathleen Hayes

Sherman.

Grandparents are Brenda Christensen and the late John

Sherman of Council Bluffs, IA. David and Deb Hayes of

Omaha, NE (Decatur, NE).

MeLe’s namesake is her 6th great-mother, MeLe LaCharitie

Sherman (1840-1898) married (1856) to Justus P. Sherman.

The late MeLe Sherman’s parents were Na Ja Ge Win and

Francios LaCharitie.

MeLe received her Ponca name Nion ba Ujon (Pretty Moon)

by elder Dwight Howe. MeLe’s personality shines through

everyday. She is going to do great things!

Member’s Corner

Abraham Larson, a junior at Stanton High School placed

3rd at the 2020 NSAA Cross Country Championships held

in Kearney, NE on October 23rd, 2020.

Congratulations Abraham, we are so proud of you!

Abraham is the son of Aubrey Knudsen and Tim & Beth

Larson

Cante’ Waste’ Win Tiospaye’ Talking Circle

Cante’ Waste’ Win Tiospaye Talking Cir-

Elder’s Council

Meeting

December 7 | 10 am

January 4 & 5 | 10 am

Lifesize & Conference Call available.

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...

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Ponca Tribe OFNebraska

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P.O. Box 288

Niobrara, NE 68760

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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

119 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

Osni Ponca

2602 “J” Street

2756 O Street

Ph: (402) 733-3612

Ph: (402) 434-2127

Fax: (402) 733-3487

Fax: (402) 434-2128

Administration

NORFOLK 68701

5805 South 86th Circle, 68127

Administration Building

Ph: (402) 315-2760

1800 Syracuse Ave.

Ph: (402) 371-8834

Dental

Fax: (402) 371-7564

2602 “J” Street

Ph: (402) 733-1325

Gym Building

Fax: (402) 733-3487

1800 Syracuse Ave.

Ph: (402) 371-8834

Northern Ponca Housing Authority

Fax: (402) 379-0988

10635 Birch., 68134

Ph: (402) 505-3055

Fax: (402) 505-3066

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

Boys Town Crisis Line

800-448-3000

Drug Treatment & Referral Hotline

877-726-4727

Nebraska Family Helpline

888-866-8660

Veterans Crisis Line

800-273-8255

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