Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni (2024)

SAC and FOX NEWS

Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni

Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 46 • No. 3 • March 2024

Chief Carter Issues Statement Relating to Skull Creek Pipeline Break

STATEMENT OF THE

SAC AND FOX NATION

CONSENT DECREE LODGED

BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

JUSTICE AGAINST HOLLY

ENERGY PARTNERS—OPER-

ATING, L.P., AND OSAGE PIPE

LINE COMPANY, LLC,

RELATING TO 2022

SKULL CREEK PIPELINE

BREAK

February 1, 2024

This week the United States

Department of Justice lodged a

consent decree in federal court

against Holly Energy Partners—

Operating, L.P., and its subsidiary, Osage Pipeline Company,

LLC (referred to together as

“HEP”), both with headquarters

in Dallas, Texas. The two companies are the co owners of a

20-inch diameter oil pipeline—

named the Osage Pipeline—that

ruptured within the Sac and Fox

Nation Reservation on July 8,

2022. The discharge from the

Osage Pipeline spill was—and

continues to be—a significant

event for the Sac and Fox Nation as its citizens.

The rupture resulted in the

discharge of almost 300,000

gallons of crude oil on Indian allotments held in trust by

the United States and located

about five miles north of Cushing, Oklahoma. If the consent

decree is approved by a federal

court, the companies would pay

$7.4 million to the United States

as a civil penalty for violations

of the Clean Water Act.

The oil discharged from the

pipeline polluted Skull Creek

and its shoreline, impacted soil,

Sac and Fox Hosts Group of

Librarians From Mongolia

The Sac and Fox National

Public Library hosted a group of

International Visitor Leadership

Program (IVLP) librarians from

Mongolia on Jan. 25 in the Sac

and Fox Nation Cultural Center.

The IVLP is part of Tulsa Global

Alliance, and the Tulsa Central

Library also hosted the international visitors.

The group was welcomed on

the Sac and Fox Nation campus and at the Cultural Center

In the top photo from right, Second Chief Audrey Rose Lee

and Business Committee Member Robert Williamson look on

as an interpretor speaks to librarians from Mongolia who visited the Cultural Center on Jan. 25. In the above photo, Mr.

Williamson speaks to the group about Sac and Fox traditional

tribal dwellings.

(Photos by Mike Brown)

BHHC Can Now Screen Patients

For Diabetic Retinopathy

by several Sac and Fox officials

and representatives. Those welcoming the visitors at the Cultural Center included Second

Chief Audrey Rose Lee, Business Committee Member Robert Williamson, Sauk Language

Dept. Director Katie Thompson and many other tribal staff

members.

The group of approximately

10 Mongolian librarians includ(Continued on Page 3)

Nominations Open for AARP

Native American Elder Honors

Nominations are open for the

16th annual AARP Oklahoma

Native American Elder Honors,

celebrating 50 Native American

elders who have positively impacted our country, state, communities and Indian Country.

Nominations are accepted at

aarp.org/OKNativeAmericanElderHonors. The nomination period closes on March 31, 2024.

This year’s AARP Oklahoma

Native American Elder Honors

celebration will occur on November 6.

Since 2009, the annual event,

previously known as AARP

Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors, has recognized more than

700 elders from Oklahoma’s 39

tribal nations. AARP Oklahoma state director Sean Voskuhl

said, “AARP Oklahoma seeks

to recognize elders who embody

AARP’s mission and vision and

inspire others to serve. We honor Native American elders who

positively impact their communities.”

Nominees must be enrolled

members of one of Oklahoma’s

39 tribal nations aged 50-plus.

Nominees should demonstrate

leadership and will be selected

based on impactful contributions.

Only complete applications

will be considered. Nominees

do not have to be AARP members. AARP Oklahoma will select honorees.

Visit aarp.org/OKNativeAmericanElderHonors to learn

about the history of AARP

Oklahoma Native American Elder Honors.

vegetation, surface water, and

sediment on the creek bottom.

Hundreds of trees, along with

plants and shrubs, were destroyed or have been removed

as part of response activities.

The pipeline rupture has also

impacted Sac and Fox cultural

resources, including numerous

oiled or dead fish and wildlife.

The presence of oil in the

creek, which flows into the

Cimarron River, has been observed for more than two miles

downstream. Oil continues to

be visible today.

The leadership of the Sac and

Fox Nation believes it is important for the tribe to be heard from

concerning the developments in

this important, ongoing enforcement action.

Although the discharge occurred on individual Indian

allotments, the land is within

the Nation’s reservation and

homeland, and within its Indian

country jurisdiction, and plainly

is of major interest to our people. The pipeline rupture and its

aftermath point to the problem

our tribe and others have encountered historically with the

entities that hold rights of way

on Indian lands. The Nation is

hopeful that some of the provisions included in the proposed

consent may help avoid a repeat

of some of these issues.

As the filings in federal court

note, the ruptured portion of the

pipeline had been identified by

HEP as a “potential area of concern” in inspections in 2014, but

that segment of pipe was not excavated and examined until after

the rupture.

Pursuant to the consent decree, HEP will be required to

treat the entire pipeline, which

runs for about 135 miles from

Cushing, Oklahoma, to El Dorado, Kansas, as “known to be

susceptible to threat of failure

due to cracks” for future operational purposes and inspections,

at least until the companies can

establish that the threat of failure due to cracks is no longer

a risk. The Skull Creek spill

points to the importance for all

owners and operators of pipelines to maintain them properly.

Following the pipeline rupture, there were delays in the

notification given to the Nation,

as well as other problems with

the emergency response procedures. At times in the clean-up

process, the Nation has been

treated as if it was a bystander,

even though it is the government with the greatest interest

in the discharge.

The proposed consent decree

sets forth emergency notifica(Continued on Page 3)

Apply Now for OMRF Teen Leadership Program

Pictured above is the first Black Hawk Health Center patient

to be screened for diabetic retinopathy using the new JVN

Optos machine. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of

preventable vision loss and blindness. The JVN Optos machine was developed to provide access to diabetic eye examinations for those patients that have been unable to make

their yearly visit to the eye doctor. The patient does not have

to dilate their eyes or take out contacts and the procedure only

takes 10 minutes to complete. “Black Hawk Health Center is

excited to offer this service that will help to prevent diabetic

retinopathy and vision loss through early detection,” said Dietitian Josh Nooner, MS, RD/LD, CDCES. (Photo Provided)

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is seeking

applicants for its 2024-25 Teen

Leaders class. Applications are

due March 15.

Now in its 12th year, the program is open to high school students entering sophomore, junior and senior years. OMRF’s

Teen Leaders program provides

group activities, panel discussions with OMRF scientists and

state civic leaders and time in

the foundation’s labs.

Students leave with the leadership skills and tools to be

change-makers in their communities. The program also helps

expand OMRF’s reach to the

next generation.

“Last year, we updated the

program to include more time

with our scientists,” said OMRF’s Katherine Jackson, who

oversees the program. “This

year, we’re excited to offer students more individualized attention and exposure to our labs.”

One student who has appreciated the programming change is

third-year Teen Leader Parinita

Varshney, a senior at Oklahoma

City’s Classen School of Advanced Studies. “My experience

has deepened my insight into

the meticulous processes that

(Continued on Page 10)

SFN Activity Committee

Save the Dates:

• Annual Easter Event at SFN Community Building

- Saturday, March 30, 2024

• Seniors of the Year Nominations deadline - Saturday, March 30, 2024

• Jim Thorpe Day Event at SFN Community Building - Tuesday, April 16, 2024

•Seniors of the Year Voting - Tuesday, April 16,

2024

• Tribal Princess application deadline - Friday,

May 17, 2024

Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Sac and Fox News

The Sac & Fox News is the monthly

publication of the Sac & Fox Nation,

located on SH 99, six miles south of

Stroud, OK.

Mailing address:

Sac and Fox Nation

Administration Building

920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A

Stroud, OK 74079

Phone: 918-968-3526

Fax: 918-968-4837

The Sac & Fox News is the official

publication of the Sac and Fox

Nation. Our mission is to meet all

tribal members information needs

concerning the Nation.

The Sac & Fox News is mailed free,

one per address, to enrolled Sac and

Fox tribal members. Paid subscriptions

are available for $12.00 annually.

Editorial statements, guest columns,

and letters to the editor published in

this newspaper contain the opinions

of the writers. These opinions do not

necessarily reflect the opinions of

the Sac and Fox News staff or any

elected official or department of tribal

government or administration.

The Sac and Fox News reserves the

right to refuse publication of letters to

the editor. All editorials and letters to

the editor become the property of the

Sac and Fox News.

Submissions for publication must

be signed by the author and include

an address and contact phone number.

They are limited to 300 words. The

staff will not edit editorials or letters

to the editor to fit the 300-word limit.

Deadline for the April issue is:

Wednesday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Reprint permission is granted, with

proper credit to the Sac and Fox News,

unless other copyrights are shown.

Articles and letters may be submitted

to the newspaper either by mail or Fax

to the address provided above, - or by

e-mail:newspaper@sacandfoxnationnsn.gov.

Address corrections and changes are

accepted by the Business Committee

at the address listed below.

Managing Editor

Mike Brown

For information:

918-968-3526 x1060

newspaper@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Publisher: Sac and Fox Nation

~~~~~~~

Tribal Officers:

918-968-3526 or 800-259-3970

Principal Chief:

Randle Carter

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1008

chief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

principalchief@sacandfox.com

Second Chief:

Audrey Rose Lee

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1004

secondchief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

secondchief@sacandfox.com

Secretary:

Lana Butler

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1007

secretary@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Treasurer:

Carla Wallace

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1006

treasurer@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Committee Member:

Robert Williamson

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1005

cmember@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Executive Assistant:

Kelsey Collins

Kelsey.Collins@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Business Committee

Mailing Address:

Sac and Fox Nation

920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A

Stroud, OK 74079

Visit us on the webb @

sacandfoxnation.com

Obituaries

Shawnee resident, Edward Blaine

Taylor, passed away Thursday, February

1, 2024, in Oklahoma City.

Edward, the son of Earl Taylor and

Valarie Patterson, was born December

10, 1982, in Ada. He graduated from

Shawnee High School with the class of

2001. On March 26, 2007, he married

Cyndi Mitchell, in Shawnee.

Edward was a Gaming Management

professional and his work ethic empowered him to provide for his family. He

was adventurous and enjoyed fishing,

a sports enthusiast, and loved playing

with his pet dogs. More than anything

he enjoyed spending time with his loving

wife, Cyndi. One of Edward’s greatest

achievements was being a father.

He was a lifelong member of the Sac

and Fox Nation and is a member of the

Thunder clan. He was also a proud descendant of The Seminole Nation of

Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his

Edward Blaine Taylor

grandparents, Carol Mack Patterson, and

Wanda and Robert Lena.

Edward is survived by his wife, Cyndi, of the home; Sons, Jace Logan, of

Paden, Anthoni Barela, of Shawnee,

Silviano Mitchell, of Kansas; Father,

Earl Taylor and wife, Leoma Taylor, of

Okeechobee, Florida; Mother, Valarie

Patterson, of Shawnee; sisters, Jade Taylor, of Shawnee, Mvnetta Harjo Atay and

Brother-in-Law Sergeant Justin Atay, of

Tulsa; niece, Mia Harjo Vargas, of Tulsa;

nephew, Sergio Leonell Vargas, of Tulsa;

Grandfather, Don Patterson, of Tonkawa,

Grandmother, Wanda Lasley, of Tama,

Grandmother, Raejean Lasley, of Tama,

and many, many aunts, uncles, cousins,

and extended family.

Viewing was February 4, 2024, at

Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole. Services were February 5, 2024, at

Swearingen Funeral Home. Burial followed at the Old Dance Ground Cemetery, on Moccasin Trail, west of Center-

view. Services were under the direction

of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.

Edward Blaine Taylor

Janice Kay Rollins Vassar

Janice Kay Rollins Vassar, always

known as Jan, was born on June 19, 1940,

in the Indonesian village of Talang-Aker,

and she spent the early years of her life

in Pendopo, Sumatra, Indonesia, where

her father, Ivan (Ike) Belmont Rollins,

worked in the oil industry. She and her

parents, Ike and Gene Garnett Griffith

Rollins, moved with Ike’s job to many

locations in the U.S. and worldwide prior to settling in Tulsa, where she was

a proud member of the first graduating

class of Thomas Edison High School,

Class of 1958.

She attended Lindenwood College

in St. Charles, Missouri and obtained a

bachelor’s degree from the University of

Tulsa.

Jan was married to Paul Miner Vassar

in 1962 in Tulsa, and they lived in Norman before moving to Chandler in 1965.

She raised David Sloan and Andrew Paul

Vassar in the family home at 500 North

Chigger Road and resided there until her

passing in her own bed in the early hours

of February 5, 2024.

She worked in journalism for many

years, including KTUL television in Tulsa, for various publications including the

Stroud American and the Lincoln County

News, and freelance work. From 1985 to

2010 she was editor of the tribal newspaper and head librarian of the Sac and

Fox Nation of Oklahoma, and greatly

treasured her time working there and the

lifelong friends she made at powwows

and in compiling an oral history of the

tribe. Jan never wavered from her exacting standards of journalism, always commenting on dress, language, and style of

both print and broadcast journalists she

read and saw.

Jan was active in the community and

state, serving on the Oklahoma Education Commission, Lincoln County Equalization Board, in various capacities with

the Lincoln County Democratic Party, as

founding member of the Lincoln County Arts & Humanities Council, PEO, the

First United Methodist Church, and as a

Board Member of the Chosen House and

the Oklahoma Historical Society. She

was especially proud of her organizational role in support of the Indian Summer Arts Festival on the Lincoln County

courthouse lawn in the early 1980s.

Recently, she was proud to serve on

the committee which made recommendations to the Chandler City Manager

and Council.

Jan truly traveled the globe in her

more than eight decades. In addition to

Indonesia, oilfield stops and travels included every settled continent. Jan always subscribed to the axiom attributed

to Mark Twain: “If you travel you cannot

be prejudiced.”

In addition to travel, she enjoyed time

with her family and friends, history,

music of all kinds, reading, and current

events. She was a lifelong, dedicated

Methodist who believed and practiced

the Wesleyan Quadrilateral of scripture,

tradition, reason and experience. She

was an ardent Democrat.

She loved animals and nature, and

the Vassar Home was always a haven

for both domestic and wild creatures.

In 1995, she acquired Top Cottage on

the Illinois River and as late as Labor

Day 2023 treasured the time spent there

among the tall pines and clear waters of

the Cookson Hills.

Obituaries Continued

On Page 11.

Predeceasing Jan were her parents, Ike

and Gene Rollins, aunts Cecille Bales

and Shirley Blackwell, uncles Verl, Vade

and Lee Griffith, and cousins Bonnie

Matles, Donna Schmidt and Jim Griffith.

She is survived by Paul, David of Dallas, Andrew and daughter-in-law Mary

Ann of Tulsa, cousins Vaden Bales and

Sally and Steve Strong of Tulsa, Larry Blackwell of Florida, Terri and Don

Grabendike of Kansas, Paula and Peter

Morse of South Carolina, Susie Ryan of

Kansas, Jane Logue of Illinois, brothers and sisters in law Joe Sam and Linda Vassar of Bristow and William A. III

and Rene Vassar of Edmond, nephew and

niece William A. IV and Ashlea Vassar of

Fort Worth, her beloved dog Yeti and cat

Nicky, and hundreds of friends she considered her cousins.

Jan Vassar

Happy March Birthday Elders!

Allen, William Dale

Anderson, Lawana Ann

Arellano, Tammy Dawn

Armstrong, Cynthia

Bass, Joseph

Blackbear, Christy Mae

Blankenship, John Terry

Bouzis, Michelle Louise

Brice, Tony Ray

Cain, Tressia Annette

Carter, Charles Robert Jr.

Chavez, Marcy Ann

Conallis-Hennig, Martha Ann

Conner, Emily S.

Crook, Mary Ann

Cross-Chandler, Debra Lynn

Delaware, Robert F

Deweese, Mary Lynne

Donahue, Patricia

Edmonson, Kenneth Wayne

Elliott, Terri Denise

Ellis, Connie Yevette

Ellis, Vincent John Sr.

Falls, Emerson E

Franklin, Marilyn Renee

Garcia, Lou Ann

Garcia, Ruben Martias

Gibbs, Leslie Dean

Giffin, Kai Joseph

Grant, Austin Jr.

Grant, Saginaw III

Gutierrez, Kimberly Deann

Hagler, Clarence Edward

Harris, David Jr.

Hastings, Robert Lee

Hawkins-Ramos, Barbara Sue

Heite, Gayle Donell

Hunter, Henry Owen

Johnson, Barbara Marie

Johnson, Deborah Collette

Johnson, John Brantley

Jones, Melanie Diane

Judy , Clifton Bruce Jr.

Kanes, Samuel William

Klein, Terri Elaine

Kroll, Carrie Lynn

Lauderdale, Tracy Zay

Lopez, Lela J

Lucero, Corey J

Maker, Marcelle Judy

Manatowa-Mastel, Elizabeth A

Marez, Virginia

Masters, Eugene Henry Jr.

Maurer, Rosemary

McClellan, Darrell Victor

Meadows, Mary Elizabeth

Meadows, Temple Shane

Merchberger, Sharen E

Misner, Stephanie Lynn

Mogren, Eva Louise

Morgan, Larry Francis

Murie, Denise Jane

Musgrove, Robert A

Neilsen, Marie Lynn

Patterson, David Mitchell

Patterson, Jessica Dawn

Perez, Sean Kevin

Petitt, Stephen Anthony

Poitras, Mark Steven

Ramseyer, Brian Scott

Riley #103634, Gary Kevin

Riska, Kelly Denyce

Riska, Terry David

Roberts, Melanie Kay

Rolette, Sandra Kay

Root, Stacy Ann

Roubidoux, Doyle Mark

Rumbaugh, Charles Marvin

Safford, Susan Eileen

Sauls, Charlet Renee

Schexnider, Timothy

Simpson, Patsy Diann

Smith, Beatrice Irene

Steele, Renee Kay

Stephens, James David

Suitor, Dorris Kay

Tahkofper, Deborah Grace

Tiger, Jimmie Carol

Tyner, William Kyle III

Wakole, Billy Thurman Jr.

Wakolee, Robert Eugene

Wallace, John

Wallace, Randy Lynn

Wallace, Veronica Lynn

Whaley, Frankie Theresa

Wood, Paula Elizabeth

Yarholar, Patricia Nell

Page 3 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Consent Decree Lodged by U.S. Dept. of Justice Relating to 2022 Pipeline Break

(Continued from Page 1)

tion procedures, and expressly require

HEP not only to notify affected property

owners, but to “immediately” notify the

Nation in the event of a future discharge,

and also sets forth the specific tribal officers to be notified. The Nation believes

these procedures are critical to ensuring

the safety of not only our citizens but of

all persons who live near pipelines.

Additionally, the Nation has been unable to reach agreement with HEP concerning its ongoing involvement in the

response and clean-up, and particularly

with respect to protection of its resources. For a few months—and only after

extended negotiations—the Nation had

in place a program, funded by HEP, to

provide for tribal monitors to observe

construction and clean-up activities.

Tribes and tribal citizens are the best experts in their culture and history. Tribal

monitoring programs provide trained observers to ensure that archaeological sites

and human remains—if uncovered—are

treated properly. The program at Skull

Creek lapsed last fall, and the Nation has

not been able to reach agreement with

HEP concerning its continuation. The

proposed consent decree would require

HEP to make good faith efforts to resume

the program for the duration of the cleanup and remediation work, and the Nation

remains hopeful that an agreement will

be reached.

The Nation has a good working relationship with companies in the pipeline

industry, which is an important business

and employer within the Sac and Fox

Reservation. At the same time, it is important to the Nation that companies that

cause major environmental damage, fairly pay for the clean-up and for the damages.

The Nation—which will not receive

any portion of the penalty to be paid by

HEP to the federal government—is not a

wealthy tribal government, and it is not

in a position to assume responsibility for

cleaning up major pollution events such

as the Skull Creek spill.

Our leadership team will continue to

seek to work with HEP, and we are hopeful that the proposed consent decree will

provide incentives for the pipeline owners to work with our tribe.

Randle Carter, Principal Chief

Sac and Fox Nation

Visiting Group

From Mongolia

(Continued From Page 1)

ed designated interpretors. In the words

of one of the group’s interpreters, “the

warmth, enthusiasm, and energy of the

meetings demonstrated cultural exchange at its finest.”

RAP Department Application Forms

SAC AND FOX NATION

DRIVEWAY REPAIR PROGRAM

REVENUE ALLOCATION PLAN

GUIDELINES

PROGRAM FUNCTIONS:

To provide for the health and safety needs

of eligible tribal members with driveway repairs. Many tribal members live in rural areas

and have driveways which are inaccessible to

many emergency vehicles. It is important to the

health and safety of tribal members to ensure

that driveways are accessible and do not create

a danger to them or others rightfully entering

their property. The program is open to all tribal

members owning a home, which is their primary place of residence, on a first come basis; regardless of place of residency.

GUIDELINES:

1. Preference will be given to elders and handicap persons, based on individual health and

safety needs and the condition of the driveway,

which may impede emergency vehicles from

reaching them in an emergency.

2. Proof of ownership is required. Rental property will not be considered for this program.

3. Proof of residency is required. Rental property or secondary residences will not be considered for this program.

4. Applications for regular maintenance and upkeep will not be approved.

5. Applications received for paving an existing

gravel driveway that is functional and safe will

not be approved.

6. Applications for non-residential driveways

will not be approved.

7. An amount not to exceed Ten Thousand

Dollars ($10,000.00) in repairs will be made

to any one driveway, regardless of the number

of tribal members listed as owners. This is a

lifetime limit.

8. Applicants/Home Owner of a Sac and Fox

Nation traditional house (Mack, Ellis, McKosato & Massey) may re-apply once every ten (10)

years.

9. Applicants are required to submit: application, proof of ownership & residency plus

pictures of the driveway and three (3) bids for

the repairs on the contractors’ letterhead.

10. If claiming a physical handicap, applicant

may submit a letter from their physician.

11. Applicant/Home Owner is responsible for

maintaining driveway after repairs.

12. The Administrator of this program has the

sole discretion of approving or denying the

application and repairs based on qualifications,

emergencies and need.

(Approved by Sac and Fox Nation Business

Committee Regular Business Committee Meeting December 28, 2023)

Page 4 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Sac and Fox Nation Education Department News

Hello Tribal Members!!

The Education Department has been

busy for the start of 2024. January started

out Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Consultation with the Oklahoma City

Metro public schools. The schools consist of Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman,

Moore, Mid Del, Putnam City, and Western Heights Public Schools. We also met

with Ada Public School and Latta Public

School and Stillwater Public School. List

below shows how many each school has

enrolled Sac and Fox tribal members attending:

Oklahoma City 35

Edmond 1

Norman 10

Moore 20

Mid Del 7

Putnam City 5

Western Heights

4

Ada 1

Latta 0

Stillwater 19

We have more scheduled ESSA Consultation scheduled for the next months

to come. Each schools listed above

during the consultations go over the district demographics and Native American

demographics. Discussions of where federal dollars are spent educating our Native American Indian Students that attend

their schools. Federal Programs consist

of Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, Title

V, Title VI, Title IX and Impact Aide.

Some schools have additional grants:

Carl Perkins, and ESSER Homeless 796.

The Title Federal programs help pay and

support remediation specialists, tutors,

behavior specialists for extended learning. Summer learning, parent and family

engagement events and materials. Instructional materials, instructional technology, Professional development for

instructional staff, bilingual dictionaries.

Homeless liaison salary and homeless

liaison benefits that some schools that

have ESSER Homeless 796 program.

These are just some of the discussions

that go on at an ESSA Consultation.

WINNERS OF THE BLACKHAWK LEADERSHIP AND JIM

THORPE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR 2023/2024

SCHOOL YEAR

WE HAD TWO FEMALE WINNERS

THIS YEAR FOR THE BLACKHAWK

LEADERSHIP AWARD DUE TO NO

ENTRIES FOR A MALE JIM THORPE

ATHLELTIC AWARD:

• BREYANA SARAE NEKOLE

RAMIREZ: Breyana attends Flandreau

Public School, Flandreau, South Dakota;

• ERICA EVELYN JOY CLINE: Erica attends Meeker Public School, Meeker, Oklahoma;

by Edwina Butler-Wolfe

FEMALE JIM THORPE ATHELTIC

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD:

• KIMBERLY RAINE WOOD: Kimberly attends Meeker Public School,

Meeker, Oklahoma;

MALE BLACKHAWK LEADERSHIP AWARD

• MALACHI ELIAS GRASS: Malachi attends Union Public School, Tulsa,

Oklahoma.

Each winner will receive $2,000.00

dollar tuition to a college or university of

their choice for a school year. They will

have to submit a complete RAP Application for the Fall of 2024 to be funded for

their scholarship award for the Fall 2024.

RAP application consists of showing

that they are accepted at their choice of

college or university. Winners will have

to maintain a 2.0 GPA to be qualified

to continue to receive their scholarship

award until they receive their bachelor’s

degree. SCHOLARSHIP IS ONLY FOR

A SCHOOL YEAR NOT PER SEMESTER.

REMINDER!

THE 2023-2024 HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR BANQUET WILL BE TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024, 6:00 pm until

9:00 pm, at the Grand Casino, Shawnee, Oklahoma. PLEASE RSVP BY

APRIL 9, 2024. CALL THE SAC AND

FOX NATION EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 918 968-3526, EXTENSION:

2043 JUSTIN MORRIS OR EDWINA

BUTLER-WOLFE EXTENSION: 2046.

If you have any questions or concerns,

please contact the Sac and Fox Nation

Education Department.

Thank you,

Edwina Butler-Wolfe

Director of Education

SFN Activity Committee

Save the Dates:

• Annual Easter Event at SFN Community Building

- Saturday, March 30, 2024

• Seniors of the Year Nominations deadline - Saturday, March 30, 2024

• Jim Thorpe Day Event at SFN Community Building - Tuesday, April 16, 2024

•Seniors of the Year Voting - Tuesday, April 16,

2024

• Tribal Princess application deadline - Friday,

May 17, 2024

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Page 5 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Page 6 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

SAUK LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

PHILOSOPHY

Indians are born speaking our languages. For some of

us, they lie dormant within our bodies. They are looking

for a way out. God gave us these beautiful languages. All

of us hold them in a sacred manner within. There is no

such thing as an Indian person who cannot speak Indian.

Our language programs find these languages within

our bodies. They bring them out through our mouths and

deliver them to their rightful resting places within our

hearts.

March Comic

Page 7 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

March Word Search

SAC AND FOX TAX COMMISSION

REVENUE

April 2023

Beer and Liquor...................................................................$307.92

Motor Vehicle...................................................................$8,983.18

Sales Tax........................................................................$16,414.50

Treasury.............................................................................$1,115.00

Oil and Gas.............................................................................$0.00

Gaming..........................................................................$210,177.26

TOTAL..............$236,997.86

Page 8 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

920963 S. Hwy. 99, Building A • Stroud, OK 74079 • (918) 968-1141 • FAX (918) 968-1142

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

Housekeeper – Juvenile Detention Center #2024-18, (Stroud)

Assistant Cook – Human Services #2024-19 (Part-time, Stroud)

Executive Assistant (Gaming) #2023-43 (Shawnee)

Compliance Officer (Gaming)

Environmental Technician

Accounts Payable Technician

Transportation Coordinator

Family Practice Physician · Surveillance Observer (Gaming)

Resident Advisor(s) *NEW SALARIES*

Self-Governance Coordinator · Licensing Investigator

Human Resources Assistant

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (BHHC, Stroud)

Behavioral Health Case Manager (BHHC, Stroud) # 2023-36

Behavioral Health Licensed Therapist (BHHC, Stroud) #2023-37

Realty Specialist #1 (Stroud) #2023-51

Policy Analyst, #2024-05 (Stroud)

Laboratory X-Ray Assistant #2024-07 (Stroud)

Meal Delivery Driver – Position #2 (Part-time) #2024-10 (Stroud)

Capitol Security Officer #2024-11 (Stroud)

Food Services Coordinator – JDC #2024-13 (Stroud)

Temporary ARPA Realty Clerk, #2024-16 (Stroud)

Cook – Juvenile Detention Center #2024-21 (Stroud)

Language Coordinator – (Stroud)

Shift Manager – Juvenile Detention Center #2024-22 (Stroud)

Custodian I – Maintenance #2024-23 (Stroud)

Maintenance Technician – Maintenance 2024-24 (Stroud)

Landscaper/Laborer – Maintenance 2024-25 (Stroud)

Enrollment Assistant #2024-26 (Stroud)

John Carrington, HR Director

hrdirector@sacandfox.com

Activity Committee Announcement

NOTICE

A W-9 form is not needed for Per

Capita Payments unless you have a

name change, new address, you are

a newly-enrolled tribal member or, if

required, for RAP applications.

W-9 FORM MUST BE CUT ON DOTTED LINE BEFORE MAILING

^

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Sac and Fox

Nation Telephone

Extensions

Main Number:

918-968-3526

• Chief - 1008

• Second Chief - 1004

• Treasurer - 1006

• Secretary - 1007

• Committee Member - 1005

• BC Front Desk - 1009

• Tax - 1043-1045

• Accounting - 1030-1036

• Property and Procurement 1020-1039-1022

• Maintenance - 2062

• BHHC - 918-968-9531

• ICW - 1711

• Court - 2039

• Library - 2020-2021

• Language - 1075

• JUVI - 4000

• USDA - 2077 (WIC 2079)-20802081-2082

(Warehouse USDA 2089)

• Education - 2046

• IT - 2041

• Police - 2033

• Self-Governance - 1080

• Capitol Security - 1090

• Realty - 1052

• Enrollment - 1040-1041

• RAP - 2000 - 2001

• Social Services - 2010-2011

• OES - 2091-2092-2094

• Veterans - 1065

• Newspaper - 1060

• Tribal Administrator - 1010

• NAGPRA/Historic

Preservation - 1070

• ARPA - 1819

X

X

X

SAC AND FOX NATION

920883 S. HIGHWAY 99 BLDG. “A”

STROUD, OKLAHOMA, 74079

X

X

X

^

The Sac & Fox Nation Activity Committee is comprised of tribal member volunteers who have the desire to promote activities

within our tribe. The Activity Committee is open to all Sac &

Fox Nation tribal members as well as non-tribal members. The

Activity Committee will hold a regular meeting the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm in the Cultural Center in Stroud,

OK. Meetings are open to the public. The Activity Committee

encourages membership, ideas, suggestions and/or concerns of

the organization and hosting events.

Page 9 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Page 10 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

OPEN HOUSE AT THE SAC AND FOX

CULTURAL CENTER

SATURDAY MARCH 30TH 12PM-4PM

The Sac and Fox Historic Preservation Department will be hosting an Open House event at the

Cultural Center. We would like to extend the invitation to anyone interested in learning about Historic Preservation.

• Food and Drinks Provided

• Presentation on Sac and Fox Boarding School

with OKPAN

• NAGPRA Q&A

• Stickball Demonstration with Choctaw Nation

Contact the Historic Preservation Office for more

information. (918) 968-3526 Ext. 1070

CLEAN UP THE

SAC AND FOX BOARDING SCHOOL

Saturday March 16th 2pm-5pm

The Sac and Fox Nation Historic Preservation Department, Oklahoma Public Archaeology Network and

Oklahoma University are needing volunteers for a collaborative effort to help clean up the area around the

Sac and Fox Boarding School. Our goal is to preserve

the school and use the area as an educational resource

to teach about the history of the school and those who

went there.

Contact the Historic Preservation Office for more

information. (918) 968-3526 Ext. 1070

OMRF Teen Leadership Program

(Continued from Page 1)

occur in a laboratory setting,” the aspiring physician-scientist said. “It also has

sparked my curiosity to learn more about

the cardiovascular system.”

In addition to interacting with OMRF’s researchers, selected students learn

the fundamentals of nonprofit fundraising and development, networking, and

creating impactful social media content.

Teens will also enjoy a graduation dinner

to cap off program activities in April.

Group sessions will begin in September and continue through the 2024-25

school year, generally on the second

Tuesday afternoon of each month. Applicants must demonstrate good academic

standing and attend school in Oklahoma.

Kids and Grandkids

Are G-R-E-A-T!!

We want to feature the scholastic, academic and

athletic awards or achievements of your child or

grandchild of the Sac and Fox Nation!

Send all pertinent information, such as name of

student, town, school and grade attending,

explanation of award or achievement, and names of

parents and/or grandparents, along with a current

photo of the student to:

newspaper@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

or: Sac and Fox News, 920963 S. Hwy. 99

Stroud, OK 74079

There is no cost to participate. For more

information and to apply, visit www.

omrf.org/teen.

Page 11 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Sac and Fox National Public Library

Hosted ‘Kothiké’ Games for Elders

On Tuesdays during the month of

February, the Sac and Fox National Public Library hosted ‘Kothiké’,

or traditional Indian dice games,

in the Social Services Bldg. lunch

room. More elders’ games are being

planned, and are open to the public.

Check the library’s Facebook page

for upcoming information.

In the photo at left, Sac and Fox National Public Library staff member Karen

Rice and tribal elder Ronald Lauderdale are shown with Indian dice a list of

‘Kothiké’ words and phrases. Pictured above from left in the Social Services

Bldg. lunch room are: Kenneth Miller, TaaLee Redbird, Cathy Lauderdale and

Ronald Lauderdale.

(Photos Provided)

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

SAC AND FOX TAX COMMISSION

REVENUE

May 2023

Beer and Liquor...................................................................$362.45

Motor Vehicle...................................................................$7,865.33

Sales Tax........................................................................$16,695.07

Treasury...........................................................................$20,890.00

Oil and Gas.............................................................................$0.00

Gaming..........................................................................$189,454.88

TOTAL..............$235,267.73

Obituaries

Warren Cleve Hunter

Warren Cleve Hunter, 61-years-old, a

cherished brother, loving father, beloved

uncle, proud grandpa, and treasured

friend, born October 3, 1962, peacefully

transitioned from this world on February

16, 2024, in Shawnee, Okla., surrounded

by his family and dearest friends.

He was an exceptionally skilled carpenter who was sought out to complete

countless projects throughout his entire

life. Warren’s life was a testament to hard

work, kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for those he held close to his

heart. His warm smile and compassionate heart touched the lives of all who had

the privilege of knowing him.

Warren Cleve Hunter

He leaves behind the legacy of laughter, love, and countless cherished moments that will forever live on in the

hearts of those he held dear. Our families

and communities will not be the same in

his absence. He will be deeply missed

but never forgotten, as his spirit continues to shine brightly in the lives of those

who knew him.

Warren was preceded in death by his

parents, Harrison and Doris Hunter, as

well as Lloyd Watts, Richard Watts, Deborah Hunter, Harriett Hunter, and Candy

(Karen) Hunter. He is survived by his

siblings: Annette Rice, Henry Hunter,

and Rita Hunter; his children: Jeremy

Warren Frye, Joshua Dean Okema Hunter, Shannon Nichole Frye, his grandchild,

Braylon, his longtime companion, Renetta Frye, and his favored niece whom he

helped raise, Carrie Spang, among many

other nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Traditional Sauk Services were held

February 18, and February 19, at the

Sac and Fox Nation Traditional Indian

House, followed by a graveside burial at

Hunter Cemetery in Cushing, Okla.

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Like Us on Facebook!

Sac and Fox Nation

Sac and Fox Casino

Sac and Fox Language Program

Sac and Fox Dept. of Human Services

Sac and Fox National Public Library

Page 12 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

RAP Department Application Forms

Page 13 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

RAP Department Application Forms

Page 14 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

RAP Department Application Form

The W-9 FORM CAN BE FOUND IN THIS EDITION ON PAGE 8

Page 15 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

RAP Department Application Forms

RAP Department Application Forms

Page 16 - Sac and Fox News - March 2024

Letter to Tribal Members

Feb. 20, 2024

Dear Tribal Members,

Remembering our past to ensure our

survival in the future is crucial. It is

equally significant to remember the unresolved questions raised by the Governing-Body during General-Council meetings.

For example, a Tribal Member stated

the Business-Committee requested confidential patient medical records. However, there needs to be follow-up, discoverability, and accountability.

The Sac and Fox Nation and Business-Committee is not exempt from

Health-Insurance-Portability-and-Accountability-Act (HIPAA). It is individual accountability.

To confirm confidential medical records tampering is not an isolated occurrence by the Business-Committee is

crucial. I am a victim of a medical record

breach. The Business-Committee requested access to my medical records. I

received a certified letter from the Black

Hawk Health Center (BHHC) stating the

Business Committee requested and received my confidential medical records.

The BHHC assured me that all copies

of my documents were retrieved and destroyed. However, I still have concerns

that my personal and confidential medical information was read, shared, copied,

scanned, or used in any way without my

consent.

Subsequently, it became my duty to

file a claim with the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, the Office

for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service.

If you feel there is a threat or can verify a breach of your confidential medical

records, you too may file a claim with

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html and file with

the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health

Service online form www.ihs.gov/hipaa/

contactus/ or call the direct at 405-9513820.

It is your right to seek a fair and lawful Nation. The action to request records

is not a stand-alone issue and must be

addressed appropriately and promptly.

Again, where is the safeguard for all Sac

and Fox Nation Tribal Members?

Respectfully,

Lavonda Youngman

OSU Introduces ‘Oklahoma Hydronet’ to

Improve Management Of Water Resources

by Alisa Boswell-Gore

Oklahoma State University researchers have partnered with other state and

federal entities to improve the management of water resources across the state.

“We’re trying to create a world-class

water monitoring network for our state

to complement what we already have,

which is a world-class meteorological

network with the Oklahoma Mesonet,”

said Tyson Ochsner, professor of plant

and soil sciences in the Ferguson College

of Agriculture.

Branded the Oklahoma Hydronet, the

monitoring system will measure water

stored in soil, aquifers and reservoirs.

OSU is partnering with the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture,

the Oklahoma Water Resources Center,

the Oklahoma Water Resources Board

and the University of Oklahoma for the

project.

“Drought and flooding are always a

problem in Oklahoma,” said Chris Adams, monitoring coordinator with the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board. “The

Hydronet project is about being prepared

for those things, so we can see where

those water sources are at and plan accordingly. But it will also help us plan for

the future.”

Ochsner said whether it is managing

droughts and limited irrigation water or

trying to predict floods, the state needs

better water system monitoring. He said

many reservoirs around the state are not

currently monitored for water levels.

“The amount of water stored in shallow aquifers can change quite a bit

throughout the season and from year to

year. I’ve talked to farmers who have

said their crops failed because they ran

out of water before their crops reached

maturity,” Ochsner said. “They don’t

know how much water will be available

to their crops because we don’t have that

kind of water monitoring system in place

across the state.”

Ochsner said the first step will be to

expand water level monitoring across the

state for reservoirs and aquifers. “When

making streamflow forecasts for an extreme weather event, it makes a big difference whether the reservoirs are full,

empty or somewhere in the middle, but

we don’t have that information available right now,” Ochsner said. “We have

a good program to monitor the aquifers

once per year, but that data is not provided in a timely fashion and is not going

to help those managing water in season.”

The Hydronet project will install new

sensors to monitor water levels and serve

as a communications system for collecting and storing daily data and sharing it

online. The system will also create maps

and figures to help water managers and

forecasters apply the data.

The Oklahoma Mesonet has had soil

moisture sensors in place since 1996, but

more accurate sensors will replace the

outdated sensors at all Mesonet sites, and

measurement depths will be extended to

better represent the plant root zone.

“There will also be a research component because no one has had integrated

water monitoring at this scale, so we haven’t developed the science for using this

type of integrative monitoring. This data

will open powerful ways for us to make

better forecasts for flooding or drought,”

Ochsner said. “Some communities rely

on unmonitored groundwater aquifers or

surface water reservoirs for their community water supply, so being better able

to monitor and forecast those water resources will be directly relevant to many

water users across the state.”

Ochsner said the project has initial

funding through the National Oceanic

Atmospheric Association, and researchers are seeking additional funding to

maintain and grow the Hydronet beyond

the initial two-year installation phase. He

said U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and former

Sen. Jim Inhofe played a large role in

making the Hydronet project possible.

“Leaders understanding the priority

and value of water and water management is key. Water is going to continue to

be an important topic for the growth and

future of our state,” Ochsner said. “We’re

going to continue to find ways to develop

and support this effort, so it can have a

long-term impact on Oklahoma.”