Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni (2024)
Tribal code
Ask Donna
What actually matters in this document.
Text
SAC and FOX NEWS
Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni
Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 46 • No. 10 • October 2024
Caddo, Osage Nations to Receive Funds for Orphaned Wells
by Kevin Eagleson
Gaylord News
The Biden-Harris administration recently announced over
$12 million in grant funding
will be distributed to Indigenous
nations, including two nations
in Oklahoma, to clean up legacy
pollution through the Bipartisan
Infrastructure law.
As part of phase two of the
project to clean up legacy pollution and plug orphaned wells,
the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma
will receive $3,707,129 in program development and implementation grant funding, and
the Osage Nation will receive
$1 million in program development grant funding.
According to the Department
of Interior, the Caddo Nation of
To Plug and Clean Up Legacy Pollution
Oklahoma will use the funds to
verify and assess up to 20 orphaned wells identified during
phase one of the project. Once
the wells have been verified
and assessed, they will plug the
wells and remediate well sites.
The Osage Nation will build on
inventory, assessment and plugging activities conducted during
phase one of the project and develop remediation plans by documenting environmental degradation, creating map boundaries
of contaminated areas and prioritizing well sites with the greatest environmental risk moving
forward.
Neither the Caddo Nation of
Oklahoma nor the Osage Nation
responded to requests for comment prior to publication.
According to the Orphaned
Wells Program Office of the Department of Interior, there are
at least 17,865 orphaned wells
in Oklahoma as of November
2023. The Environmental Defense Fund found that there are
more than 81,000 documented
orphaned wells across the United States.
A heat map published by the
Environmental Defense Fund
shows that most orphaned wells
in Oklahoma are located in
eastern Oklahoma, particularly
northeast Oklahoma.
The fund said that Okmulgee
County had the largest number
of orphaned wells in the state
with 1,637. Nowata, Washington, Creek, Rogers and Key
were close behind with total
abandoned wells ranging from
1,172 for Key County to 1,472
located in Nowata County.
As of 2022, Oklahoma has
begun work to plug 1,196 orphaned wells through funding
from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “State oil and gas
regulators intend to work with
other state agencies to identify
and address tracts in overburdened communities that need to
be remediated,” according to the
Department of Interior. “Additionally, Oklahoma will collaborate with federally-recognized
(Continued on Page 7)
Artist Tony Tiger Donates
‘Cradle of Ancestry’ to Cultural Center
Christina Walker holds the first-place award for ‘Best Media
Product’ she received during the Indigenous Media Conference hosted in Oklahoma City by the Indigenous Journalists
Association. Family members pictured with her from left are:
husband Jonas Walker, daughter Ashley Francis, mother
Joyce Wolf and son Kyle Murdock.
(Photos Provided)
Christina Walker Receives Top
Honors With 64-Page Magazine
Sac and Fox tribal member
Christina Walker recently received first-place honors during
the National Native Media Conference held at the Omni Hotel
in Oklahoma City. The conference was hosted by the Indigenous Journalists Association
(IJA). The conference returned
to Oklahoma for the third time
in its history, with past conferences held in Tulsa in 1989 and
2006.
Walker created ‘Our Native
Traditions: Oklahoma Native
Royalty,’ a 64-page magazine
created to showcase and preserve tribal histories for the 39
Nations in Oklahoma. Her 2023
magazine was awarded firstplace presented in the Multimedia Division 1 Professional
Category for ‘Best Multimedia
Product.’ IJA covers Native
American journalists and publication in the Native American
community within the United
States and Canada, with 600 entries in this year’s event.
You can find the latest copy of
the magazine at the First Ameri-
can Museum in Oklahoma City,
or you can see under Special
Sections at the Shawnee NewsStar website: www.news-star.
com. The 2024 edition will be
released in November, or you
can follow at Oklahoma Native
Royalty/Our Native Traditions
Homecoming Edition Facebook
page. Christina is a staff member at the Shawnee News-Star,
and can also be reached at cmwalker@cherryroad.com.
Sauk Language Director Katie Thompson is pictured in the Sac and Fox Cultural Center with
‘Cradle of Ancestry,’ an art piece by Sac and Fox artist Tony Tiger. The artist donated the
piece to the Cultural Center. The art features a photo etching, ink and acrylic paint on paper
with serigraph. “Photographs of my relatives are incorporated into the piece with the arrow
design, and an alternating triangle pattern which represents men and women in community,”
said Tiger. The piece was included in the ‘Tatakwi 24’ exhibit featured in the Cultural Center
during the month of July.
(Photo by Mike Brown)
Chief Randle Carter’s Address to the Nation
Cover of Christina Walker’s
award-winning magazine.
NOTICES
• Per Cap: Now is the perfect time to update
any address or name changes. If your address
has changed from last year’s Per Cap distribution,
please complete and return a W-9 form (Page 8).
If you have had a name change, an updated Social
Security card is needed, as well as, a W-9 form.
Also, if you are interested in having your check
direct deposited, complete the EFT form (Page 11)
and return to the SFN Finance Department. Be sure
all information that is required is completed and returned.
Statement to Sac and Fox
Nation Members About the
New Oklahoma Motor Vehicle
Pre-Registration System
The State of Oklahoma has
implemented a new, electronic
system for pre-registering motor
vehicles. Under this system, either the purchaser or the seller of
a vehicle will have two days to
pre-register with the state. The
new state law also shortens the
period of time in which drivers
may operate a vehicle without a
tag from fifteen (15) days to five
(5) days and the operator must
carry a notarized bill of sale in
the vehicle.
On August 30, 2024, the
Nation’s Business Committee
amended the tribal tag laws
through tribal Resolution SF24-204 enabling the Sac and
Fox Nation Tax Commission to
issue temporary motor vehicle
tags. (See Resolution on Page 3
of this edition)
If you qualify to purchase
a Sac and Fox Nation tag, you
may begin the registration process and obtain a temporary tag
from the tribal Tax Commission.
Tribal members may obtain a
temporary tag by contacting the
Tax Commission within two (2)
days of the sale or transfer, providing certain required information, and paying a Five Dollar
($5.00) fee.
The temporary tribal tag will
be valid for thirty (30) days.
Tribal law requires a vehicle
owner to obtain a certificate of
title, a certificate of registration,
and a permanent tag within thirty (30) days following a vehicle
purchase or transfer.
When purchasing a vehicle
from a dealership, you should
ask the dealer to send the vehicle title and other paperwork
to the Sac and Fox Nation Tax
Commission, and not to a state
tag office. If you want a tribal
tag, you should not complete the
state registration process. If you
qualify, you should register the
vehicle with the Nation.
If there is a lien on the vehicle
and the lien holder has the title,
you should request the lien holder to send your title directly to
the Nation’s Tax Commission.
When obtaining a tribal tag,
dealerships or financial institutions need to send your title
and paperwork to the following:
Sac and Fox Nation Tax Commission, 920963 S. Highway
99, Stroud, Oklahoma 74079.
Telephone: (918) 968-3526
ext. 1043. Website: www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov/departments/tax/
Chief Randle Carter
Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - October 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 November issue is:
Friday, October 18 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
Obituaries
Harry George Franklin, longtime
Cushing, Okla. resident, passed from this
life on Monday, August 19, 2024, with
family by his side. Arrangements were
entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler
Funeral Home. A graveside service was
held August 22, 2024, at Hunter Cemetery.
Harry was born on October 21, 1943,
to Carrie (Hunter) and Alex Franklin in
Pawnee, OK. He grew up in the Cushing
area, attending Cushing Public Schools.
Before finishing high school, Harry
joined the United States Army. While in
the army, Harry earned his G.E.D. After
numerous years of serving, Harry was
honorably discharged and returned to
Cushing.
Harry found his true love, Lenora Duncan. They married and made their home
in Cushing. Harry was a hard-working
man, always working with his hands.
He became an automotive mechanic and
mastered his craft. He built many relationships around Cushing with his automotive skills.
Harry’s true passion was his family.
He and Lenora loved spending time with
all his nieces and nephews. They would
host numerous feasts throughout the year
allowing family to spend time together.
Harry was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be missed.
Harry is preceded in death by his wife,
Lenora; both parents, Carrie (Hunter) and
Alex Franklin. Harry is survived by one
sister, Sharon Abney and husband, Don.
Harry is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families and
other relatives, his 3 beloved dogs: Bo,
Iris, and Cissy.
Latricia Switch
McClellan and husband Samuel Haag of
Oklahoma City, Danielle Switch of California, Alicia Waitt of Stillwater; and, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Traditional tribal rites were held Sept.
4, 2024 at the Sac and Fox Nation Community Building. Graveside services and
burial were Sept. 5, 2024 at Sac and Fox
Nation Cemetery. Arrangements were
under the care of Parks Brothers Funeral
Service of Stroud, Okla.
Harry George Franklin
NOTICE TO VETERANS!
Latricia Switch
Latricia Switch, 70, of Oklahoma City,
passed away Sunday, September 1, 2024,
at OU Medical Center of Oklahoma City.
“Lee-Lee” was born November 16, 1953,
in Pawnee, to John and Helena (Brady)
Grass.
She was raised in Shawnee and California, graduating from Shawnee High
School in 1971. She married Randy
Switch in 1972, at the First Indian Baptist
Church of Shawnee. Lee-lee worked as a
waitress and enjoyed having a good time
whether drinking a cold beer or shooting
a game of pool.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings Gary Grass, Sam
Grass, Patricia Grass, Carmen Grass,
Shalah Grass, Mary (Grass) Abney and
Gloria Grass, grandchildren Jaivion Evans, Mary Haag, and Heaven Switch.
Survivors include: a sister, Sharon
Poodry of Carson City, NV; three brothers, John Grass, Jr of Shawnee, Richard
Grass of Wewoka, Okla. and Jeff Grass
of Shawnee; three sons and four daughters, Christian Switch, Sr and wife Sandra Switch of Del City, Kevin Switch of
Del City, Jessica Switch of Oklahoma
City, Nelson Switch of Tulsa, Kimberly
NOTICE
The
documents
requested by members of Governing
Council will be available at the Business
Committee Office.
Staff will provide
documents upon request.
Committee Member:
Robert Williamson
Telephone (918) 968-3526
Ext. 1005
cmember@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov
Executive Assistant:
Kelsey Byrd
Kelsey.Byrd@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
Harry George Franklin
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
Men & Women, especially WWI, WWII & Korean War
The Sac and Fox National Public Library
is asking for your DD 214s for their records and
MEMORIAL MONUMENT PURPOSES!
The Veterans are also requesting photos of tribal members in
uniform or on military or active duty.
These will be reviewed and may be selected to be put on one
of the monuments (WWI, WWII, Korean or Vietnam). A fifth
monument will be designated with the appropriate name for the
Peace Keeping Initiative Years
(Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Desert Storm and Desert Shield)
Contact: Sac and Fox National Public Library
918-968-3526
Happy October Birthday Elders!
Abney, Thomas Delorn
Alexander, Marianne Patricia
Anderson, Debra Deann
Bailey, Margaret Ellen
Banister, Carla De`ann
Barlow, Robert Lewis
Bass, Susan Gale
Beagle, Pamela Jeane
Bean, Terry Lynn
Big Eagle, Peggy Ann
Blanchard, Fredith Ann
Boyd, Gladys Perez
Brown, Richard Dean
Brown, Sylvia Ann
Bryant , Kimberly Gay
Butler, Lee Johnson Jr.
Cancel, Michael Wayne
Charboneau, Cathy May
Christie, Betty Lou
Clark, Susan Marie
Cobb, Roy Dean
Croley, George Dan
Ellefson, Billie Mae
Ellis, Celena Marie
Erickson, Kristin Alecia
Estes, Jimmy Dean Sr.
Fields, Judith Ellen
Foster, Gloria Ann
Foster, Jeannette
Franklin, Steven David
Fuller, Glenda Charlotte
Gatlin, Anita Kay
Geionety, Dorothy Jeanne
Geisleman, Lucille Helen
George, Kenneth Lynn
Gilder, Julia Marlene
Grant, Amelia Ruth
Harjo, Gail Ruth
Harris, Ronald George
Harwell, Richard Allen
Haskins, Raymond Lee
Haupt, Shelley Magdalene
Hedgcoth, Rachael Michelle
Hodge, Glenda G
Johnson, David Gene
Jones, Clay Woodward
Kahbeah, Kenneth Keith
Kaskuske, Mary Dora
Kishketon, Rowe Alan
Kolpin, Joyce Marie
Larney, Teresa Marie
Longshore, Dennis Ray
Lynch, Jena Kay
May, Rosemary B
McMahan, Tammy Rene
Meek, Harold Allen
Morris, Pamela Marie
Morris, Timothy E
Muhareb, Georgina
Murphy, Michael Edward
Nave, Allison H
Onco, Shawna Elaine
Papst, Lenore Marie
Pennock, Laura Jean
Perez, April Michelle
Perez, Joseph George II
Petitt, Earnestine Mae
Pipkins, Julie Ann
Poitras, David Joel
Powell, Teresa Ann
Ramseyer, Jennifer Jill
Raya, Norma Rene`
Riley, Virginia Mary
Seely, Dagmar
Shackelford, Troy Gene
Southern, Jacquelyn Sue
Tall Bear, Alvin Jr.
Wakolee, Thomas Mose
Walker, Cecil Thomas
Walker, John Alan
Ward, Shannon Chase
Warlick, Tammy Sue
Wesmore, Shawn Mark
West, Terry Lynn
Page 3 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Page 4 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Sac and Fox Nation Education Department News
Hello, Sac and Fox Nation Tribal Members!
The Sac and Fox Nation Education Department will be hosting a Native American Student Career Day at the Stroud
High School at the Ruth A., Stroud Auditorium on October 23, 2024, at 9:00 am.
We have Tinker Air Force Base Community Engagement & School Outreach
Department making a presentation on
career opportunities at Tinker AFB. We
are inviting the twelve public schools
that we serve with the Johnson O’Malley
Program: Agra School, Chandler School,
Cushing School, Davenport School,
Grove School, Meeker School, North
Rock Creek School, Pleasant Grove,
Prague School, Ripley School, Shawnee
School and Stroud School.
Personnel from Tinker AFB will be the
main keynote speakers. Native American
Students will get a clear understanding of
how the base operates and what kind of
job skills that is require to be employed
at the Base. This event is for ALL High
School Native American Students that
attend the twelve schools we serve. We
do have two independent public schools
that are Pre-K through the eighth grade;
Grove School and Pleasant Grove we
are encouraging the two schools to bring
their 7th and 8th grade Native American
Students.
Meeker Public School hosted a College Fair on August 30, at the Meeker
Auditorium and September 4, the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation hosted College Fair
at the Firelake Arena. The Sac and Fox
Nation Education Department set up an
educational booth at both sites.
September 9th through the 11th, we
attended the National Johnson O’Malley
Association Conference at the Choctaw
Casino in Durant, Oklahoma. There we
sit in on one of the four sessions that the
Bureau Indian Education conducted.
Mr. Spike Bighorn spoke of some
changes that are in process with the Johnson O’Malley on student eligibility. With
some of the changes our department will
need to sit down with the Business Committee with discussion.
If you have any concerns or questions,
please give me a call.
by Edwina Butler-Wolfe
Thank you,
Edwina Butler-Wolfe
Director of Education
Sac and Fox Nation Princesses
Attend 108th Annual Meskwaki Powwow
The Sac and Fox Nation Tribal Princesses for 2024-2025 are pictured at the
recent 108th Annual Meskwaki Powwow in Tama, Iowa. Pictured right to left:
Miss Sac and Fox Jocelyn Adrianna Megehee; Jr. Miss Sac and Fox Amira
Walker-Pizano; and, Little Miss Sac and Fox Galilea Walker-Pizano.
(Photo Provided)
Rescheduled for: November 2, 2024
Page 5 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Page 6 - Sac and Fox News - October 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.
October Comic
Page 7 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
October Word Search
“Auntie says it’s okay to ask for help”
988 Tribal Response launches campaign to raise
awareness for mental health support
Sac and Fox Nation and AAIP team members distributed
988 survey in June 2024.
“You are not alone.” For those struggling with their mental health, knowing that someone is there for them can
make all the difference. The 988 Suicide
& Crisis Lifeline is a free and essential
resource for those facing mental health
challenges or needing someone to talk to
during tough times.
The service offers text and chat access
to trained crisis counselors who can help
people experiencing suicidal, substance
use, and/or mental health crisis, or any
other kind of emotional distress and
has helped save more than 10.8 million
contacts nationally since its inception in
2022.
Native American communities, including the Sac and Fox Nation, often experience higher rates of mental health issues
due to historical oppression, trauma and
discrimination, and have the potential to
greatly benefit from the free service.
In 2023, the Sac and Fox Nation received funding from the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support the 988 Tribal Response. This funding aims to raise
awareness of the lifeline and improve the
community’s overall mental wellness.
The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), a national organization dedicated to Native American
healthcare, joined this effort to support
the Sac and Fox Nation.
Letter to Tribal Members
Sept. 18, 2024
Dear Tribal Members, Hello:
I have been thinking on the cost of our
Minutes for last year, 2023, of the Governing Council minutes for August. and
October. After some inquiry from the
Gov Council floor, Secretary Lana Butler, did report that the minutes had been
prepared by a professional company,
and/or “outside group.”
Thus, I have been doing the “numbers,” and it appears there is a financial
problem for the Sac and Fox Nation.
When I served as the duly-elected Secretary, I believe my salary was $46,000
per/annum. Then, as the Business Committee gave themselves, a $30,000 payraise for themselves, that amount must
have gone to $76,000 per/annum. I’ve
researched the minutes (from the newsletter), for such action, but I have yet to
locate the report.
Please remember that the salary of the
clerical help for the Secretary, must be
added in. That amount may be $36,000.
I always thought that the clerical help
was to help the duly-elected Secretary.
Anyway, that salary must be added in,
who is employed to help the duly-elected
Secretary. That total is now $112,000.
Right?
The Governing Council were not told
the cost of the firm who prepared the
minutes for the Sac and Fox Nation’s
Governing Council. Thus, we do not
know that final figure. My final thought
is: Did you receive your copy of the
Gov Council packet?
The Secretary’s defense, and the Business Committee, will be: the Gov Council Booklet was too expensive to mail
out. But, I have a constitutional reply
to that defense. But, the duly-elected
people never call me for help. Nor any
of you other tribal members who could
serve on our boards, commissions, and/
or other committees.
I have requested a copy of the Agreement with Blackhawk Industries, and/or
the Agreement with the DWH company,
but I have yet to receive a response from
our Principal Chief.
Tribal members, it is time for you to be
a little bit more attentive, and involved in
your tribal business. Thank you.
Mary F. McCormick - Deer Clan
In June 2024, the Sac and Fox Nation’s
988 Tribal Response team, in collaboration with AAIP, developed a custom survey to understand the Nation’s knowledge of 988 and gain insights into Native
perceptions of mental health. The survey
was distributed at the Sac and Fox Nation
Annual Celebration. The team collected
87 responses, with 64% identifying as
Sac and Fox members.
Notably, 53% of respondents had not
heard of 988 before. A significant majority (83%) emphasized the importance
of talking with someone from their own
background during a crisis. Additionally,
nearly 67% mentioned that fear of judgment or stigma around mental health often prevents community members from
seeking help.
In the coming months, the Sac and
Fox Nation 988 Tribal Response team,
in collaboration with AAIP, will develop
resources to increase awareness of 988.
The initiative aims to ensure that more
tribal members are informed about this
free and confidential resource, while also
addressing the stigma often associated
with seeking mental health support.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call
or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. For
questions or comments, please contact
Lacy Carroll at lacy.carroll@ihs.gov.
Orphaned Wells Clean-Up
(Continued From Page 1)
Tribes to plug wells within their historic
boundaries.”
Orphaned wells can cause pollution
and lead to health risks. Orphaned wells
are abandoned oil and gas wells with no
known operator or are unable or willing
to be plugged.
“Orphaned oil and gas wells have the
potential to jeopardize public health and
safety by contaminating groundwater,
seeping toxic chemicals, polluting drinking water sources, emitting dangerous
pollutants and harming wildlife,” a press
release by the Department of Interior
said. “Methane leaking from many of
these unplugged wells is a severe safety
hazard and is a significant cause of climate change, being more than 25 times
as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping
heat in the atmosphere.”
Research by PSE Health Energy found
that at least 3 to 6 percent of total methane emissions in the United States are
from orphaned oil and gas wells.
“Millions of Americans across the
country live within a mile of an orphaned
oil and gas well, which are polluting
backyards, recreation areas and community spaces across the country,” a 2022
press release by the Department of Interior said.
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law, $4.7 billion was allocated for orphaned well site plugging, remediation
and restoration. $4.3 billion is allocat-
ed to be used to plug orphaned wells on
state and private lands. $250 million will
be used to cap orphan wells on public
lands. $150 million will be used to cap
orphan wells on Tribal lands.
PSE found that, due to inflation and
the discovery of previously undocumented orphaned wells, the $4.7 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not enough.
PSE found an additional $1.6 billion
to $3.7 billion is needed to plug all orphaned wells in the United States.
In 2022, StateImpact Oklahoma reported that researchers from the University of Oklahoma were awarded $1.7
million by the United States Department
of Energy to re-purpose orphaned wells
to provide geothermal energy.
Research by PSE found that the location of many orphaned wells provides an
opportunity to support underground storage of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and natural gas. They also found that plugging
and remediating orphaned wells could
create a job market for thousands of potential workers.
“The historic investments to clean
up these hazardous sites will create
good-paying jobs, union jobs, catalyze
economic growth and revitalization and
reduce dangerous methane leaks,” a 2022
press release by the Department of Interior said.
(Gaylord News is a reporting project
of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord
College of Journalism.)
Business Committee Meeting Minutes
Business Committee Meeting Minutes
are accessible on the Website
sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov
Page 8 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
920963 S. Hwy. 99, Building A • Stroud, OK 74079 • (918) 968-1141 • FAX (918) 968-1142
Assistant Cook – Human Services #2024-19 (Part-time, Stroud)
Executive Assistant (Gaming) #2023-43 (Shawnee)
Compliance Officer (Gaming)
Environmental Technician
Transportation Coordinator
Surveillance Observer (Gaming)
Resident Advisor(s) *NEW SALARIES*
Behavioral Health Licensed Therapist (BHHC, Stroud) #2023-37
Policy Analyst, #2024-05 (Stroud)
Temporary ARPA Realty Clerk, #2024-16 (Stroud)
Shift Manager – Juvenile Detention Center #2024-22 (Stroud)
Cashier – Finance (Stroud) #2024-30
Outreach Specialist (Stroud) #2024-32
Realty Specialist II #2024-34 (Stroud)
Self-Governance Specialist #2024-35 (Stroud)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #2024-042
Registered Nurse (JDC) #2024-49
Accounts Payable Technician #2024-53
Payroll Technician #2024-54
Registered/Licensed Dietitian #2024-57 (Stroud)
IT Assistant #2024-58 (Stroud)
Police Officer #2024-64 (Stroud)
NAGPRA Coordinator #2024-65 Stroud)
Custodian I (#2024-67)
Historical Researcher #2024-68 (Stroud)
Appointment Clerk, I #2024-70 (Stroud)
CHS Specially Clerk #2024-71 (Stroud)
Enrollment Assistant
Housekeeper- JDC
John Carrington, HR Director
hrdirector@sacandfox.com
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
X
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
SAC AND FOX NATION
920883 S. HIGHWAY 99 BLDG. “A”
STROUD, OKLAHOMA, 74079
X
X
X
Page 9 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Page 10 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
October 2024
SAC AND FOX NATION
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
PROGRAM
STROUD WAREHOUSE
918-968-3030 • 1-800-256-3398
SHAWNEE OFFICE
405-395-0063 • 1-886-622-2310
ALL FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! THANK YOU!!
HOURS (Monday-Friday)
Certification
8 am - 5 pm
Distribution
8 am - 3 pm
Store AM Inventory 8 am - 8:30 am
Store PM Inventory 3 pm - 5 pm
HOME DELIVERIES ARE FOR
HOMEBOUND AND/OR DISABLED
ELDERS. CALL OUR
STROUD OFFICE
TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY.
This institution is
an equal opportunity provider.
Business Committee Meeting Minutes
are accessible on the Website
sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov
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
If at least 1 in your household
has a CDIB, you reside within
our 5 tribe Service Area, & you
meet USDA Income Guidelines…
YOU MAY QUALIFY!!!
CALL TODAY!!! 1-800-256-3398
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Page 11 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Electronic Funds Transfer Enrollment Form and Agreement
Page 12 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Business Committee Meeting Minutes
Business Committee Meeting Minutes
Page 13 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Page 14 - Sac and Fox News - October 2024
Letter to Tribal Members
Sept. 20, 2024
Greetings Tribal Members,
The General Council achieved a quorum of 60-individuals after the scheduled
commencement time. It is baffling why
it proves challenging for a tribe of approximately 4,000 to assemble 1.5% of
its membership. Moreover, as the meeting progresses, the number of attendees
declines, facilitating decision making by
a limited group.
It is imperative to establish a more
structured meeting for conducting business. The absence of defined qualifications for a “Counter” raises significant-concerns. I presented inquiries
regarding counter-selection, stipends,
double-counting, missed-counting, identification of registered voters and tribal
and non-tribal members. The response,
“It’s been like that for years,” is not a
valid explanation. Our meetings should
facilitate fair and non-discriminatory
counting practices.
We need accountability and transparency from speakers. Tribal-members
sometimes hold additional roles, such as
employees or members of a board, committee, or commission. Their words or
actions have consequences according to
their oath, law, by-law, policies, regulations, or requirements they are to uphold.
The use of verbatim, typed minutes
serves as a valuable historical-record.
However, the third-party service has provided inaccuracies presenting the need
for an internal-review-and-correction
process. I suggest appointing a court
stenographer to transcribe meetings in
real time. This individual would prompt
speakers to identify themselves and refrain from including biased remarks such
as applause and laughter or crowd chatter.
We need to move away from accepting
mediocrity. The Secretary and Treasurer
reports have been one-page documents
for several years. We need a comprehensive understanding of our current financial status and how funds are being
utilized.
Reports from various departments,
boards, committees, or commissions are
missing and need to be included. A report with financial budgeted and actual
is essential for maintaining transparency
and demonstrating respect. It is crucial
to emphasize the need for accountability
and strive for nothing less. Mediocrity is
not how we transition out of our stagnant
state. It’s time to elevate our Nation!
Kind regards,
Lavonda Youngman
Black Hawk Health Center
Is Open and We Are Seeing Patients!
Call to Schedule an Appointment
918/968-9531
Lab access at 8 a.m. daily
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.