Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni (2020)

SAC and FOX NEWS

Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni

Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 42 • No. 10 • October 2020

Black Hawk Health Center

Expansion Targeted for

April 2023 Completion

The Sac and Fox Nation Business Committee has approved a $12.3 million contract with Lambert Construction of Stillwater, Okla. for the expansion and renovation of Black Hawk Health Center. The development is

projected to take 30 months to complete, and includes

phases for construction and demolition pertaining to the

renovation portion. The first phase of construction is expected to take 18 months with a targeted finish date of

Feb., 25, 2022. The demolition portion is projected to

take two months, and a move-in date is estimated for

12 months later in April of 2023. The renderings shown

here were prepared by the project architects, Studio 45

Architects of Tulsa.

Thomas Morris Jr. Remembered as First Tribal Court Magistrate in Okla. History

(Editor’s Note: The following

eulogy was written by former

Sac and Fox Nation Business

Committee Member Truman

Carter.)

I had the privilege of calling

Tommy my friend and working

beside Tommy at the Sac and

Fox Nation, beginning in the

1980’s.

Served The Sac and Fox Nation in All Three Branches of Government

I was honored when the family asked me to write this eulogy.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to Tommy’s

family, his friends, and all of

his tribal relations. Tommy’s

enduring personal legacy is his

family legacy and his legacy of

New Transportation Facility: A

Tribal Story of Planning, Design,

Development and Construction

Construction is completed

on the new Sac and Fox Nation

Transportation Facility, which

will also house the tribal Elders

and the Veterans organizations.

The inside furnishings are being

delivered and installed on a daily basis. Although the coronavirus pandemic appeared in the

spring, work on the project was

never delayed or interrupted.

Tribal transportation representatives led the entire process

of planning, development, plan

design, engineering, contract

development and management,

bidding, selection, pre-construction meetings, project coordination, project management,

specification enforcement and

compliance, and inspection

of the construction work performed. Representation of the

Elders and Veterans groups

participated and played a vital

role in the planning and development process. The tribal project manager was Randle Carter.

The tribal inspector was Cecil

Bernard.

“We were well aware that, regardless of how well we planned

and designed our facility, if it

does not get constructed properly, we would be making a poor

investment. Our project manager and Inspector oversaw the

day-to-day on-site progress of

our project, keeping the general

contractor on task, on schedule,

and on-budget. Our efforts were

aimed at cost-control and ensuring quality professional workmanship and efficiency during

construction,” said Transportation Director Truman Carter.

Please watch for future announcements regarding the

opening of the Transportation

Facility.

tribal service.

I am pleased to be a part of

the celebration of Tommy’s

life - a life that was well-lived.

Tommy was a distinguished and

honorable individual who loved

his God; he loved his family;

and he loved his Indian people.

In the 1980’s, Tommy served

as Committeeman on the Sac

and Fox Business Committee.

Tommy’s leadership and actions

were significant as the Sac and

Fox Nation led the revitalization and renaissance of tribal

governments in Oklahoma. As

Committeeman, he served in

the executive and legislative

branches of tribal government.

After his service as a tribal leader, in 1985 Tommy was

appointed to serve as the first

Magistrate of a tribal court in

Oklahoma history. The Business Committee’s appointment

of Tommy as the court’s first

lay judge, and the support of his

tribal community, spoke volumes about the trust and confidence in Tommy’s ability to

administer justice and ensure

fairness to the parties and attorneys who appeared before him

in court.

Tommy leaves a remarkable

legacy of public service to his

Tribe. He accomplished the

rare, historic and unheard of

‘trifecta’ of government service:

Tommy honorably served in all

3 branches of tribal government.

No one has accomplished this

feat before or since. His life will

serve as an inspiration to all of

us who knew him.

Thomas Morris Jr.

Chief Justin Freeland Wood’s Address to the Nation

September has been a difficult month for our family. We

lost a great man, my best friend

and the great-grandfather to my

children. Clint taught me how to

live and, in the end he taught me

how to die.

I am grateful for the time I

was able to spend with him for

the past 13 years and especially for the time we had together

over the past ten months while

he persevered in the face of

stage IV cancer. His faith in

Jesus Christ was apparent in

the grace and peace he radiated

through the end of his earthly

life.

I want to thank each of you

who prayed with me and my

family over the past several

months. Joy is a strange thing.

We are called to have it in the

good times and the bad. And, it

is different than happiness. I am

joyful in my sorrow. Romans

12:15 instructs me to “Rejoice

with those who rejoice, weep

with those who weep.”

We are not the only family to

lose someone we love and care

for over the past year. Our people have lost grandparents, parents, and children. I am grateful

and thank God for each of these

lives and, I weep with you in

death and rejoice with you in

the healing that will come to our

hearts and minds.

I thank those of you who were

able to attend the 2020 Governing Council. I promised to

follow up on our progress with

the powwow comfort stations.

Second Chief and the Maintenance Department were directed

by Governing Council Resolution to add actual comfort to

the comfort stations. They have

started the process of selecting a

bid and plan to have a full report

at our upcoming Special Governing Council for RAP Budget

approval.

In other news, the Sac and

Fox Nation has broken ground

on our clinic expansion and is

soon to complete the Transportation Building, which also

houses our Elders and Veteran’s

offices.

(Continued on Page 3)

Sac and Fox Nation

Principal Chief

Justin Freeland Wood

Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

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.

Obituaries

Mary Elizabeth Eldredge

Mary “Monkey” Elizabeth Eldredge,

93, passed peacefully from this life August 30, 2020. Mary was born on June 9,

1927 in Cushing, OK to Ernest and Eunice (Gokey) Clark.

Mary was the widow of James Eldredge. They were married on September

24, 1947 and shared 50 years of marriage

together. She was a mother and homemaker, while James retired from Allied.

She devoted much of her time and energy

as a caregiver to her family. She enjoyed

playing solitaire, doing word searches,

sewing, embroidering, and cooking.

She was preceded in death by her par-

Mary Elizabeth Eldredge

Deadline for the November issue is:

Tuesday, Oct. 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 & 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

Member of

Native American Journalists

Assn - Since 1988

Member OPA

~~~~~~~

Tribal Officers:

918-968-3526 or 800-259-3970

Principal Chief:

Justin Freeland Wood

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1004

chief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Second Chief:

Don Abney

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1008

secondchief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Secretary:

Jacklyn K. King

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1007

secretary@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Treasurer:

Jared King

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1006

treasurer@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Committee Member:

Robert Williamson

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1005

cmember@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Business Committee

Mailing Address:

Sac and Fox Nation

Administration Building

920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A

Stroud, OK 74079

Visit us on the webb @

sacandfoxnation.com

click news

Rev. Thomas Morris Jr.

Rev. Thomas

Morris Jr.

Rev. Thomas Morris Jr. was born on

November 23, 1934 in Pawnee, Oklahoma and went to be with The Lord on

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at the age

of 85.

Thomas was the son of Thomas Sr.

and Bessie (Grant) Morris. He served in

the United States Air Force from 1954

until 1958. Thomas married Beatrice Devore on December 22, 1962 in Shawnee,

Oklahoma. He loved his wife, children,

grandchildren and family dearly. He enjoyed leather work, arts and crafts, rodeo,

and pow wow dancing.

Thomas was a very involved citizen

of the Sac and Fox Nation. He served as

Committeeman on the Business Committee 1983 and 1984 and again from 1987

through 1989. Thomas was voted Senior

Man of the year in 2001. He was appointed the first tribal judge in any tribal court

system in the State of Oklahoma. He

served on the Rodeo committee, Powwow committee and Housing for the Sac

and Fox Nation. He was also a member

of the SF Veteran Honor Guard, serving

as chaplain. Thomas worked for over 30

years and retired from Tinker AFB. For

almost 19 years, Thomas was a preacher

at North Rock Creek Assembly of God

church in Shawnee, OK.

Thomas is preceded in death by his

parents, Thomas Sr. and Bessie Morris;

daughter, Carla Morris; sisters, Mae Warrior, Caroline Kisketon, Ruth Nullake,

and Celestia Morris.

Thomas leaves behind his wife of 57

years, Beatrice Morris; 9 sons, Ronnie

Morris, G.K. Morris, Russell Morris,

Greg Morris, Michael Tsotaddle, Marvin

Thurman, George Thurman; 4 daughters, Tina Morris, Bessie Morris, Marilyn

Thurman and Darla Tsotaddle; numerous

nieces and nephews; 14 grandchildren;

and 24 great-grandchildren.

A Wake was held September 13, 2020

at Parks Brothers Funeral Service in

Stroud, OK. Funeral Services were held

on September 14, 2020 at the First Assembly Church of God in Stroud, OK,

officiated by Pastor Jeromye Jackson.

Burial followed at Stroud Cemetery.

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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

ents, husband, four brothers, three sisters, one son George Eldredge, and one

daughter Joann Gilman.

Survivors include two siblings, brother Carmen Clark and sister Dolly Hodge;

daughter, Deborah McElroy, and son,

Charles Eldredge; seven grandchildren,

Mark Gilman, Ronald Gilman, Victoria

Brown, Charles Eldredge Jr., Shawn Eldredge, Katherine McElroy, and Misty

Kirk. Also, eleven great-grandchildren

and five great-great-grandchildren.

No services will be held at this time.

Care services are provided by Parks

Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud, OK.

Larry Wayne Grass

Larry Wayne Grass, age 56 and a resident of Konawa, Okla., passed away

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at his home.

A Wake Service was held August

28, 2020 at Swearingen Funeral Home

Chapel in Konawa, Okla.. Funeral services were held August 29, 2020 at Grace

Community Church in Vamoosa, Okla.

and, burial followed at the Givens Family Cemetery near Vamoosa. Rev. Arthur

Carpitcher and Mike Grass officiated.

Larry was born April 4, 1964 in Claremore, Oklahoma to Lawrence Bordeaux and Carmen Sue Grass. He was

a self-employed welder, and he married

Alexa Givens June 27, 2009 at Birdcreek Church in Sasakwa, Okla. Hewas a member of the Indian Pentecostal

Church of God in Konawa. He loved to

eat, fish, and work. Most of all, he loved

his “grand-babies.”

He is survived by his wife, Alexa Grass

of the home; five sons, Nickolas Grass

of Taft, Okla., Jarred Grass of Apache,

Okla., Wayne Grass of Shawnee, Okla.,

Anthony Jacoway of Konawa, and Frank

Teboe of Shawnee, Okla.; one daughter,

Larra Grass of Shawnee; one sister, Anita Thorpe of Oklahoma City; and sixteen

grandchildren. He was preceded by his

parents, and one son, Lucas.

Larry Wayne Grass

Business Committee Meeting

Minutes are now

accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

and Facebook

Happy October Birthday Elders!

Terry Lynn West

Amelia Ruth Grant

George Dan Croley

Kenneth Keith Kahbeah

Debra Deann Anderson

Glenda Charlotte Fuller

Joyce Marie Kolpin

Gladys P. Boyd

Gail Ruth Harjo

Peggy Ann Big Eagle

Mary Dora Kaskuske

Teresa Marie Larney

Clay Woodward Jones

Betty Lou Christie

Dagmar Seely

Margaret Ellen Bailey

Richard Allen Harwell

Teresa Ann Powell

Judith Ellen Fields

Ronald George Harris

Jo Anna Fixico

Stanley C. Trammell

Celena Marie Ellis

Shannon Chase Ward

Jimmy Dean Estes

Benjamin Charles McClellan

Martha L. Bouzis

Steven David Franklin

Raymond Lee Haskins

Robert L. Barlow

Kenneth Lynn George

Shawn Mark Wesmore

Laura Jean Pennock

Pamela Marie Morris

Billie Mae Ellefson

Roy Dean Cobb

Terry Lynn Bean

Allison H. Nave

Harold Vernon Jones

Jacquelyn Sue Southern

Jeannette Foster

Jane Hope Stephens

Rosemary B. May

Susan Marie Clark

Anita Kay Gatlin

Shelley Magdalene Haupt

Cathy May Charboneau

Kristin Alecia Erickson

Alvin Tall Bear

Donna Kay Harris

Charlotte Alderson

Marianne Patricia Alexander

Marion E. Miles

Glenda G. Hodge

Charley Gibbs

Richard Eugene Rogers

Gloria Ann Foster

Warren Cleve Hunter

Joe York Whistler

Ronald Wayne Keo

Dennis Ray Longshore

Michael Edward Murphy

Fredith Ann Blanchard

April Michelle Perez

James Ervin Taber

Harry G. Franklin

Susan Gale Bass

Michael Boyd Little

David Gene Johnson

Harold Allen Meek

Dorothy Jeanne Geionety

Georgina Muhareb

Thomas Mose Wakolee

Earnestine Mae Petitt

Norma Rene` Raya

Vernon Curtis Pequano

Michael Wayne Cancel

Lucille Helen Geisleman

Carla De`ann Banister

Troy Gene Shackelford

Terri Marie Grass

Richard Dean Brown

Rowe Alan Kishketon

Virginia Mary Riley

Pamela Jeane Beagle

Tammy Sue Warlick

Julie Ann Pipkins

Shawna Elaine Onco

Charlotte Kay Easley

John Alan Walker

Timothy E. Morris

Doneva J. Armstrong

Lenore Marie Papst

Page 3 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Governing Council Minutes

Getting a Flu Shot is Especially

Important Due to Coronavirus

Getting the annual flu shot is always

important. But this year, it might be essential. The SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus

is surging throughout the state and much

of the country, and many health experts

are predicting an epidemic-level wave

during the fall and winter months, right

in the heart of the annual flu season in

the U.S.

“That timing could be potentially disastrous for a number of reasons, but the

most obvious is that the combined fight

against coronavirus and influenza is potentially more than our healthcare system

can handle,” said Oklahoma Medical

Research Foundation physician-scientist

Eliza Chakravarty, M.D.

Since the coronavirus first started

spreading across the U.S. earlier this

year, it has resulted in almost 2.3 million

confirmed cases and 120,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of June 22. Those

numbers – and the associated strain on

hospitals and healthcare resources –

could be compounded by the flu, which

in the during the 2019-20 season infected as many as 56 million Americans,

with 740,000 hospitalizations and nearly

62,000 deaths, according to preliminary

CDC data.

“Efforts taken with the shutdown, like

social distancing and wearing masks,

have kept rates low enough to keep coronavirus patients separated from others

who need other routine care,” Chakravarty said. “Add another outbreak and

toss in a fast-spreading virus like the flu,

and all that progress could go out the

window.”

Chakravarty also worries about people

getting exposed to both viruses. “Each of

them is deadly enough individually, but

we know they are especially dangerous

Chief Wood’s

Address to the Nation

(Continued From Page 1)

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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

Please continue to look to the website

and Facebook for updates on COVID

Relief programs, as we will continue to

update the resources available for tribal

members.

Please do not hesitate to reach out

with questions, comments, or concerns at

918-968-3526 ext. 1004 or justinwood@

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov. I am here to

serve and I look forward to hearing from

you. Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

for those with compromised immunity or

lung function,” she said. “You don’t want

to catch both if you’re already compromised.”

The good news is that there are ways

to avoid this nightmare scenario, said

OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D.

“We have to maintain already sensible

practices, like physical distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands,” said

Prescott, a physician and researcher. “An

obvious additional step is to get the flu

shot. Even if you don’t normally get one,

this is the time to do it.”

Flu shorts are generally inexpensive

or free, and drive-thru vaccinations may

become widely available. And while the

shots are far from perfect, typically providing between 40 and 60 percent protection, “Some protection is better than

none,” said Prescott.

Even if you contract the flu after receiving your shot, vaccination often

leads to a milder case, said Chakravarty.

“A less-severe version is always a

good thing, but now it might also save

you or a loved one a trip to the hospital

where coronavirus exposure is possible,”

she said. “So, the bottom line is that flu

shots save lives – this year, maybe more

than ever.”

Business Committee

Meeting Minutes

are now accessible

on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

and Facebook

SAC AND FOX TAX COMMISSION

REVENUE

February 2020

Beer and Liquor...................................................................$229.09

State Tobacco Rebate.................................................$258,026.70

Motor Vehicle...................................................................$8,431.85

Sales Tax........................................................................$15,313.03

Treasury...............................................................................$285.00

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

Gaming...........................................................................$94,849.62

TOTAL..............$377,135.29

Page 4 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Education Department News

Hello!!

Hope everyone is doing well during

these uncertain times. The area public

schools have been in session now since

August. Some schools have started

out with in-person and now have gone

to virtual (distancing) learning, due to

the outbreak of COVID-19. There are

some schools that are going strong with

in-person learning. Schools are requiring

students to wear face masks on the bus

and when entering the facility and in the

classrooms. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World

Health Organization (WHO) recommend

wearing a cloth face mask.

The Sac and Fox Nation Education

Department would like for you to consider some tips if your child’s school requires a cloth mask:

• Wearing cloth face masks should be a

priority as it is difficult to maintain social

distance, such as on the bus, at carpool

drop-off or pickup, and when entering

the building.

• Have multiple cloth face masks available for your child. Provide your child

with a clean mask and back-up mask

each day and a clean resealable bag for

them to store the mask when they cannot

wear it, such as at lunch.

• Label your child’s mask clearly so

it’s not confused with another child’s.

• Practice properly putting on and taking off cloth face masks with your child

while avoiding touching the cloth portions.

• Remind your child that they should

clean their hands before and after touching their mask.

• Instruct your child to never share or

trade masks with others.

• Talk to your child about the importance of wearing a face mask and model

wearing them as a family.

If your child could use extra cloth face

masks, please call the Sac and Fox Education Department for additional masks.

The masks were donated by the Absentee Shawnee Health Clinic to the Sac and

Fox Education Department. Call 1-918

968-3526, Ext: 2046

I would like to give an update on the

COVID-19 technology equipment that

the Education Department is conducting.

We have ordered lap tops for the senior

High School students and college students. I anticipated that we would be

overwhelmed by inquires, but we have

taken care of all the completed applications that we received and now we have

issued lap tops to all high school students

in grades 9th, 10th, and 11th, grades. We

will continue to issue lap tops out as applications are received for high school

and college students. Please submit complete documents by filling out the lap top

application, sign the waiver and attach a

copy of the CDIB card (enrollment card

that shows membership).

THE CHROME BOOKS FOR PRE-K

THROUGH 8TH GRADE STUDENTS

HAVE NOT BEEN DELIVERED YET.

THE PROJECTION DATE IS SOMETIME IN OCTOBER.

There has been a high demand for

Chromebooks nationwide and it will

take a little while for delivery. We ask

that everyone be patient and as soon as

they arrive we will be calling you to set

an appointment for you to pick up the

Chromebook. We will start with the earliest date and work up to the present date.

We currently have 255 completed

Chromebook applications, not including

4 pending for additional documents, as of

September 10, 2020.

PLEASE SUBMIT CHROMEBOOK

AND LAP TOP APPLICATIONS WITH

WAIVER AND COPY OF CDIB CARD

AND HAVE THE SCHOOL SIGN APPLICATION FORM OF ENROLLMENT. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT

EMAIL, SCAN, OR FAX COPY OF

APPLICATION FOR CHROMEBOOK

OR LAP TOP MUST BE THE ORIGINAL FORM. MAKE SURE YOU

SIGN YOUR SIGNATURE ON ALL

DOCUMENTS AS THIS MAY DELAY

YOUR SERVICE. WE WILL NOT BE

CALLING YOU FROM THIS POINT

ON FOR MISSING DOCUMENTS OR

FOR YOUR SIGNATURE.

There is one issue that we would like

to bring up and that is the clothing receipts that are required by you to turn

in for your child/children’s clothing. As

approved by the Business Committee

8/24/2016, all receipts are due by April

1st of the applicable school year. We will

be enforcing that rule coming this next

year of 2021.

NO RECEIPTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 1ST 2021. PLEASE,

WHEN TURNING IN YOUR RECEIPTS, PUT YOUR NAME AND THE

CHILD/CHILDREN NAME ON RECEIPTS. There were many receipts that

were sent without a name or of any kind

of identification of who the receipts belonged to.

We have had 55 Higher Education students that have come through the Education office to seek funding for the 2020

Fall semester. We are currently out of

funding until new budgets are approved

for fiscal year 2020-2021. There are 28

college students waiting on the new budgets to be approved. As soon as we receive new budget funding in RAP and

approval for DOI (Department of Interior) funding, we will fund the remainder

of the college applications that are complete. RAP funding will have to be approved by the Sac and Fox Council. We

hope that with both budgets, that action

will take place SOON!

Our college students are waiting patiently. Some are probably thinking

how we determine which 27 students get

granted funding and why not the other 28

that are waiting. We work the applications as we receive them, from the earliest date and so forth. If all documents are

not completed or missing in the packet,

then we call about the incomplete and

missing documents. From that point, it is

up to the student to make sure we receive

the documents so we can process. The

longer the student delays in supplying

documents, the longer their application

is delayed.

For new students (usually the seniors

that just graduated out of high school)

that go through the education department, we will need the following documents:

• REVENUE ALLOCATION PLAN

(RAP) APPLICATION

• COMPETED RAP APPLICATION

FORM

• SIGNED PRIVACY STATEMENT

• CERTIFICATE OR INDIAN

BLOOD (CDIB) PROOF OF SAC AND

FOX TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP

• ADMISSION LETTER FROM THE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

• PERSONAL LETTER STATING

THE COLLEGE MAJOR YOU PLAN

TO PURSUE AND YOUR CAREER

GOALS

• COPY OF SEMESTER CLASS

by Edwina Butler-Wolfe

SCHEDULE

• COPY OF OFFICIAL COLLEGE

AND/OR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

• COMPLETE “VERIFICATION OF

ACADEMIC ENROLLMENT FORM”

• RELEASE OF INFORMATION

FORM

• W-9 FORM

ALL FORMS REQUESTED ARE IN

THE RAP PACKET EXCEPT: CLASS

SCHEDULE,

OFFICIAL

TRANSCRIPTS, CDIB, ADMISSION LETTER, PERSONAL LETTER FOR NEW

STUDENTS.

Once the new student writes their personal letter, they will not have to write

another each semester. The W-9 form

is done once a year. When a new year

comes a new W-9 needs to be submitted. Each semester, fall and spring, every student will have to repeat the same

documents for funding. For spring 2021

semester, the DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2020.

Applying for the Sac and Fox Nation

Higher Education Department of Interior

students will basically be looking at the

same as RAP documents. The only difference will be the financial needs analysis form which the college financial aid

office will need to fill out. If a college

student is a continuing student, we will

need the official college transcript from

the previous semester. This applies to the

RAP Program as well.

The Education Department is hoping

that we can hold a workshop in January

or February of 2021 for students to help

them start their paperwork for college.

I will be out of the office September

21st through 28th returning on the 29th

due to an ear surgery. If I miss your call

or do not return your call, I apologize and

will get back to you as soon and I am able

to. We hope everyone is continuing being safe! If anyone has any concerns of

the Education Department, please give us

a call.

Thank you,

Edwina Butler-Wolfe, Director

Sac and Fox Nation

Education Department

918 968-3526, Ext: 2046

405 328-0402 cell number

Happy Birthday!!

Alyssa Ann Williamson

Happy 7th Birthday Wapanokweha!

Wishing you the very best and asking

The Creator to continue blessing you

with love and life for many years to

come. Cherish these youthful years

and never forget how much we love

you! Love, Dada, Mesho, Stevie, Gma

and all the rest of the family!

The Family of Larry Grass

CALLING ALL

SAUK AND FOX ARTISTS!

We are looking for Sauk and Fox

artwork to hang in the new ‘Soon to

Open’ Senior Citizens, Veterans Office and Transportation Building reception area, Stroud, Okla.

This will be on a consignment/loan

basis as there are no funds to purchase at this time.

For information, please call

Dottie Tiger, 918/290-1754.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NOTICE

Applications for College - Vocational and Adult Education

are on the Sac and Fox Nation Web site Click on Education for downloads.

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

Page 5 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Application Deadline is Nov. 1, 2020 for COVID-19 Economic Support Program

TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN

NOW SUBMIT APPLICATION

FOR COVID-19 ECONOMIC

SUPPORT. The application is

now available on the website.

To receive the economic support

payment, tribal members must

submit the application.

In May 2020, upon receipt

of CARES Act funding from

the U.S. Treasury, the Sac and

Fox Nation Business Committee approved the COVID-19

Economic Support Program.

Under the program, all enrolled

members of the Sac and Fox

Nation age 18 or older are eligible to receive two payments

of $1,000.00. Members under

the age of 18 are eligible to receive two payments of $250.00.

The first distribution occurred in

early June. The second distribution was scheduled for September, but the Business Committee

has announced that distributions

will begin immediately.

To receive the economic support payment, you must complete and submit the application.

Checks will be distributed once

the application is received, beginning immediately. No checks

will be sent without a completed

application on file. All applications must be submitted by November 1, 2020.

On June 24, 2020, the U.S.

Treasury updated its guidance

documents on use of CARES

funds. The guidance was updated to state that economic support

payments must be based on an

assessment of individual need.

The official guidance is periodically updated and we are closely

tracking it to ensure compliance.

The application is also available online at: http://sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov/departments/

covid-relief/

Why the

‘nsn.gov’

Designation?

From time to time, a question

has been asked as to why the Sac

and Fox Nation uses such a special

exclusive (and longer) native sovereign nation dot gov Internet designation and name:

The “nsn dot gov” (nsn.gov) designation carries with it more significant levels of legitimacy, trust, and

authority than a commercial, “dot

com” domain name.

“NSN DOT GOV” confirms that

it is an official government website that has been certified, verified, and recognized by the United

States Government.

Of course, commercial sub-entities and public political subdivisions of tribal government may

also use a commercial dot com designation for commercial-oriented

purposes.

Truman Carter

Page 6 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

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.

Sauk Language

Department

October 2020 Comic

Page 7 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

RAP Application Forms Provided Here

The Sac and Fox Nation

Activity Committee

would like to celebrate and

introduce our 2020-2021 SFN

Royalty and Senior Man &

Senior Woman on October 12,

2020 @ 2 p.m. under the pavilion @ Jim Thorpe Memorial Park

powwow grounds.

October 2020 Word Search

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.

YOU CAN STOP SMOKING NOW

Page 8 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Native American Genealogy and

Research Program Set For Oct. 20

Oklahoma Genealogical Society

(OGS) will present a special program,

“Native American Genealogy & Research” with Native Oklahoman, Rick

Fogarty. His program is set for Tues.,

October 20, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 7:30

p.m. CST, by Webinar.

“In past years at the Oklahoma State

Fair OGS booth, the majority of inquiries

we receive are concerning Native American ancestry. We want to reach out to

our Native American Agencies, as well

as schools, social organizations, genealogical and historical societies, etc.; for

you to have the opportunity to disseminate this information to any who may be

interested in the Webinar,” said an OGS

spokesperson.

Fogarty is a professional genealogist

and lecturer in Hazlet, N.J; a third-generation genealogist with deep Oklahoma roots and a citizen of the Muscogee

Creek Nation. He specializes in Native

American tribal, adoption, and DNA/forensic genealogical research.

He has attended the Boston University

forensic genealogy course, the Forensic

Genealogy Institute genetic genealogy

course, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy,

and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. He is a life member of

the Association of Professional Genealogists; and instructor on Native American

tribal genealogy for several institutes

while lecturing frequently on many genealogical topics.

Registration for this program will be

through the website www.okgensoc.org,

for a nominal charge of $20. “We are

limited to one-hundred Webinar links for

maximum attendance of this event. OGS

is an Educational Organization supported by our membership fees, educational

programs and charitable contributions,”

the spokesperson added.

October 2020

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!!

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are now accessible on the Website and Facebook

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Announcement

From the Sac and Fox Nation RAP department:

Applicants that are living within the Sac and Fox Nation

jurisdiction and HAVE NOT received assistance from the

following RAP health programs:

• Dental

• Vision

• Dentures

• Hearing Aids

For more information, please contact:

Karen Hamilton or Nethia Wallace

Shawnee Multi-Purpose Building

405-275-1262

Please contact our Black Hawk Health Center @ (918)

968-9531 to setup a referral appointment to receive assistance through our contract health program.

Page 9 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Sac and Fox Nation RAP Department Questions and Answers

Q: WHAT IS THE RAP DEPARTMENT’S FISCAL YEAR?

A: OCTOBER 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.

Q: IS RAP ASSISTANCE FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS LIVING OUTSIDE

SAC AND FOX NATION JURISDICTION?

A: YES, RAP ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE FOR ALL QUALIFIED

TRIBAL MEMBERS, REGARDLESS

OF RESIDENCY.

Q: I DID NOT RECEIVE ASSISTANCE (ON WAITING LIST AND/

OR NOT YET ELIGIBLE) THIS PAST

FISCAL YEAR, CAN MY SAME APPLICATION BE USED FOR THE UPCOMING NEW FISCAL YEAR?

A: NO. FOR AUDIT PURPOSES, AN

APPLICATION FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR MUST BE SUBMITTED.

Q: WHEN DO YOU ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEW FISCAL

YEAR?

A: AFTER THE ANNUAL SPECIAL

GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING.

WHEN THE RAP DEPARTMENT AND

RAP SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGETS

ARE APPROVED.

Q: I PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED

MY W-9 TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. WHY DO I HAVE TO FILL

OUT ANOTHER W-9 TO PROCESS

MY HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE APPLICATION?

A: TO MAKE SURE YOUR ADDRESS IS CURRENT (GOES TO THE

CORRECT ADDRESS) FOR OUR RECORDS WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

Q: CAN I SEND MY APPLICATION(S) VIA EMAIL OR FAX? WHAT

IS THE MAILING ADDRESS, PHONE

NUMBER AND CURRENT HOURS

OF OPERATION?

A: YES. EMAIL: sfnrap@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

FAX: (918) 968-4207

ADDRESS: 920963 S. HWY 99,

STROUD, OK 74079

PHONE: (918) 968-3526 EXT. 2001

HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY

FROM 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAMS

DOES THE RAP DEPARTMENT OFFER?

• HARDSHIP – ASSISTANCE UP TO

$250.00

• TRIBAL ENERGY – ASSISTANCE UP TO $200.00 WITH YOUR

CURRENT ELECTRIC OR GAS OR

FIREWOOD OR PROPANE BILL(S)

DURING THE HEATING SEASON

(OCTOBER 1ST THROUGH MARCH

30TH) AND ASSISTANCE UP TO

$200.00 WITH YOUR CURRENT

ELECTRIC BILL(S) DURING THE

COOLING SEASON (APRIL 1ST

THROUGH SEPT 30TH).

• EMERGENCY APPLIANCE – ASSISTANCE UP TO $500.00

• ORTHODONTICS – LIFETIME

LIMIT ASSISTANCE UP TO $4,000.00

• VISION – ASSISTANCE UP TO

$300.00

• DENTAL – ASSISTANCE UP TO

$400.00

• DENTURES – ASSISTANCE UP

TO $1,000.00

• HEARING AIDS – ASSISTANCE

UP TO $1,000.00

• TRIBAL EMERGENCY HOME

REPAIR (TEHR) – LIFETIME LIMIT

ASSISTANCE UP TO $5,000.00

• ELDERS/HANDICAPPED LAWN

CARE – 2 MOWINGS PER MONTH.

LAWN CARE SEASON IS APRIL 1ST

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.

(PLEASE SEE RAP GUIDELINES

FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

NOTE: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION MAY BE REQUIRED.)

Q: DO I NEED TO UTILIZE THE

BLACK HAWK CLINIC-CONTRACT

HEALTH SERVICES (DENTAL, VISION, DENTURES AND HEARING

AID) BEFORE REQUESTING RAP

HEALTH ASSISTANCE?

A: YES. IN REFERENCE TO THE

RAP HEALTH GUIDELINES, TRIBAL MEMBERS MUST EXHAUST

ANY OTHER TRIBAL OR INDIAN

HEALTH SERVICES RESOURCES.

PROOF OF DENIAL MUST BE PROVIDED.

Q: DO I NEED TO UTILIZE THE

HUMAN SERVICES/SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS

(LIHEAP AND LIHEAP-CRISIS) BEFORE REQUESTING RAP TRIBAL

ENERGY ASSISTANCE?

A: YES. TRIBAL ENERGY CAN

ONLY BE USED IF INDIVIDUALS

ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR LIHEAP

ASSISTANCE. PROOF OF DENIAL

MUST BE PROVIDED.

Page 10 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

2 0 2 0 P E R C A P I TA PAY M E N T I N F O R M AT I O N

• Individual must be enrolled by September 30, 2020 to be eligible for

the 2020 per capita payment.

• Tribal members will need to submit a W9 to the Finance Department

for the upcoming 2020 Per Capita Payment.

• Once a W-9 form is received, it will be updated into our system and

all payments due will be made at a time of disbursement.

• If an individual is a NEW tribal member, or has had a NAME CHANGE,

a copy of Social Security card is needed for our records.

• There is NO deadline on submitting a W9. All checks will be mailed,

no exceptions.

• The IRS 1099 form will be mailed by January 31, 2021.

NEW MINORS . . . PLEASE SEND COPY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

CARD SO WE CAN GET TRUST ACCOUNTS ESTABLISHED

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

W-9 Form

It is critical that the W-9 Form be completed correctly and thoroughly

for each individual tribal member. Be sure to fill out your NAME, MAILING ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, and then SIGN and

DATE your form.

Required Legal Documents

If you have had a name change due to marriage, divorce, adoption,

etc., it is important the Finance Department has a copy of your social

security card. All othere legal documents should be sent to the Enrollment Department so their records can be updated. Any guardianship

or Power of Attorney documents need to be on file with the Finance

Department.

Minors

Parents or guardians are responsible for providing a W-9 for minor

children; not doing so could result in the minor’s payment not being

deposited into the minor’s trust fund account in a timely manner.

Sac and Fox Nation

Finance Department

920963 S. Hwy 99, Bldg. A

Stroud, Oklahoma 74079

Direct fax: 918-968-4528

If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Department staff

by phone at 918-968-3526 or 800-259-3970 ext. 1033, 1038 or 1027.

Tax Liability Notification

What are the withholding requirements for distributions that are made

per a Revenue Allocation Plan (RAP)? The first step is to identify the

source of funds used for the distribution. Unless the source of funds

is specifically exempt from taxation, the amounts that make up the

distributions to tribal members are taxable.

Which funds get reported on Form 1099-Misc?

Distributions could be derived from many

sources, including the profits from a tribal business other than a Class II or Class III gaming

operation, interest income on investments, or

rental payments from tribal lands. All these

payments require a tribe to prepare a Form

1099-MISC

When does a person receive a Form 1099-Misc,

Statement for Recipients of Miscellaneous Income? If a person receives $600 or more in

1 calendar year from the same source, that

amount must be reported on a Form 1099, and

that Form 1099-Misc. must be provided to the

individual.

Per capita payments could affect any Tribal,

Federal, State, and/or Local benefits you may

receive or programs in which you participate.

The Sac and Fox Nation encourage you to

check with your tax accountant or benefit specialist.

Can the allotted minor payment be refused in order to

have the entire per capita payment be deposited in trust?

Yes, but in order to do so we must still receive a W-9 for

the same reasons stated above. We would also need a

written statement to that effect to be included with the W-9.

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

X

X

X

SAC AND FOX NATION

920883 S. HIGHWAY 99 BLDG. “A”

STROUD, OKLAHOMA, 74079

It is only the amount distributed from NET

GAMING REVENUE that is subject to withholding. The Internal Revenue Code provides

that “Every person, including an Indian tribe,

making a payment to a member of an Indian

tribe from the net revenues of any Class II or

Class III gaming activity conducted or licensed

by such tribe, shall deduct and withhold from

such payment a tax in an amount equal to such

payment’s proportionate share of the annualized tax.” The amount to withhold is provided

in Withholding Tables found in IRS Publication

15-A, Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide.

If the Indian tribe anticipates making a distribution of any kind, the Indian tribe needs the

tribal members’ Social Security number before

the distribution is made. If an Indian tribe does

not know a tribal member’s Social Security

number at the time of distribution, the distribution is subject to “backup withholding” (at 28%

in 2009). (Source: Internal Revenue Service

(IRS) Indian Tribal Governments Frequently

Asked Questions, Last Reviewed or Updated:

April 22, 2013)

Why does a W-9 needed to be submitted yearly?

If a tribal member receives income that is taxable, a 1099

must be issued for Tax Purposes. The W-9 also serves as

a yearly address update.

^

Contact information:

NOTICE

X

X

X

^

Contact information - Finance Department

For identity/security purposes, a W-9 form will not be accepted by

e-mail. Completed forms may be hand delivered, mailed, or faxed.

Page 11 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Application Deadline is Nov. 1, 2020 for Human Services Relief Program

In response to the COVID-19 public

health emergency, the Business Committee established the COVID-19 Human Service Relief Program to provide relief to eligible tribal members.

Eligible tribal members may apply to

receive assistance with expenses related to the COVID-19 public health

emergency.

Eligible tribal members may qualify for assistance up to $5,000.00 (per

eligible tribal member). This assistance may be used for eligible expenses related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, such as: rent,

mortgage payments, electric, water,

propane, day care, car payments, car

insurance, COBRA health premiums,

and other emergency needs related to

COVID-19.

All applications and required documentation must be received by November 1, 2020. Upon approval of

your application and review of the

submitted documentation, a check

will be mailed to you. Direct deposit

is not available and in-person pickup

is not available. Funding is on a first

come, first serve basis. Applications

will be reviewed and approved until

program funds are depleted.

Eligibility:

To qualify for this program, you

must:

• Be an enrolled member of the Sac

and Fox Nation

• Age 18 or older (at time of application submission)

• Earn 400% or less of the National

Poverty Guideline standards (please

see

https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines and attached spreadsheet) and have experienced a reduction in income due to hours due to the

COVID-19 public health emergency

(such as a loss of hours worked, decrease in rate of pay, furloughed)

• Submit a completed application and

a Form W-9 to the Sac and Fox Nation by November 1, 2020.

• Submit documentation of household

income with your completed application (such as pay stubs for each adult

member in the household, monetary

determination for unemployment

benefits, or benefits notice from a federally funded program)

• Submit documentation that you

have experienced a reduction in income due to the COVID-19 public

health emergency (such as proof from

your employer, furlough/termination

notice, etc.)

• Submit documentation of the eligible expense you are requesting assistance for (such as bills or invoices to

document the eligible expense).

Questions and Application Assistance:

The Business Committee has established a COVID Relief Department to assist tribal members. The

COVID Relief Department will be

staffed with tribal relations specialists

available to assist tribal members and

answer questions.

If you have questions about this

program or need assistance, please

contact the COVID Relief Department: (918)-968-3526 or coviddept@

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov.

Applications are available online

at www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov. Or

you may contact the COVID Relief

Department to have an application

mailed to you. Applications may be

submitted in the following ways:

Sac and Fox Nation

Attention: COVID Relief Department

920963 S. Hwy 99

Stroud, OK 74079

coviddept@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 - October 2020

Business Relief Program Application Deadline is Nov. 1, 2020

In response to the COVID-19

public health emergency, the Business Committee established the

COVID-19 Business Relief Program to provide relief to eligible

tribal member-owned businesses.

Any business or enterprise held

solely or majority-owned by a Sac

and Fox Nation tribal member that

can document business interruption as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic are eligible to apply for

grant funds through the COVID-19

Business Relief Program. Eligible

tribal member-owned businesses

may apply to receive a grant up to

$5,000.00 for reimbursement of

costs incurred due to COVID-19.

Eligible expenses include: expenses to reopen with expanded safety measures, such as additional

cleaning supplies, signage, or other modifications to help stop the

spread of COVID-19.

All applications and required

documentation must be received

by November 1, 2020. Upon approval of the application and review of documentation, a check

will be mailed to the address listed.

Direct deposit is not available and

in-person pickup is not available.

Funding is on a first come, first

serve basis. Applications will be

reviewed and approved until program funds are depleted.

Eligibility: To qualify for this

program, the applicant must:

• Be an enrolled member of the

Sac and Fox Nation

• Be a sole owner or majority owner (51%) of the business applying

for the grant and submit documentation of business ownership

• Submit a completed application

and a Form W-9 to the Sac and Fox

Nation by November 1, 2020

• Verify business operations interruptions due to COVID-19

• Submit documentation of costs

incurred due to COVID-19

Questions and Application Assistance:

The Business Committee has established a COVID Relief Department to assist tribal members. The

COVID Relief Department will be

staffed with tribal relations specialists available to assist tribal members and answer questions. If you

have questions about this program

or need assistance, please contact

the COVID Relief Department:

(918)-968-3526 or coviddept@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov.

Applications are also available online at www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov. Or you may contact

the COVID Relief Department to

have an application mailed to you.

Applications may be submitted

to the COVID Relief Department:

Sac and Fox Nation

Attention: COVID Relief Department

920963 S. Hwy 99

Stroud, OK 74079

coviddept@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 13 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

With Sincere Gratitude

HELP WANTED!

There are not enough words to fully express our heartfelt thanks for the

sympathy, love and support you have extended to our family during the

loss of our dad/grandpa. Thank you to those who sent flowers, plants,

food, monetary gifts and cards, in-state and out-of-state. Thank you

Brother Jeromye Jackson, Truman Carter, SF Maintenance Department,

The Sac and Fox Nation, Seminole Nation, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe

Color Guards and Air Force. Thank you Stroud Fire Department for

flying the American Flag and, Ida Parish and her helpers for preparing

the meal.

With sincere gratitude on behalf of the Thomas Morris Jr. Family

Numbers 6:24-26

SAC & FOX NATION

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a list of job vacancies with

the Sac & Fox Nation:

Victim’s Administrative Assistant

Victim’s Advocate Coordinator

Maintenance Technician

Elders Program Coordinator

Health Information Manager

Chief Financial Director

Resident Advisor (Juvenile Detention Center)

Land and Cattle Laborer

Meal Delivery Driver (Part-time)

COVID-19 Custodian (Temporary)

COVID-19 Entrance Screener (Temporary)

COVID-19 Receptionist (Temporary)

Capitol Security Officer (Part Time)

Environmental Technician (Part Time)

Shipping & Receiving & Filing Clerk (Temporary)

Education Assistant (Temporary)

RAP Receptionist - Part-time

Applicants must successfully pass an OSBI/National background check and

drug screen. Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans.

Applicants claiming Indian Preference must provide a copy of their CDIB. For

more information and to learn how to apply please visit our website at:

www.sacandfoxnation.com

or contact Human Resources, Sac and Fox Nation, 920963 S. Hwy. 99,

Bldg. A Stroud, OK 74079 or by phone (918) 968-3526

earn FREE college tuition

it’s Oklahoma’s Promise

With Oklahoma’s Promise, the Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Program, 8th, 9th, and 10th grade

students whose family income is $50,000 or less

can earn FREE COLLEGE TUITION

Apply online at www.okpromise.org or

Contact the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education by e-mail at

okpromise@osrhe.edu or by phone at 1-8-858-1840 (225-9152 in OKC)

Get an application from your counselor

Page 14 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

Dream Team: OMRF, OU join

Forces to Battle the Virus

When Covid-19 hit Oklahoma, the

state had only minimal testing options

available. In most labs with standard

equipment on hand, technicians could

only complete a few dozen tests per day.

“This was a major unmet need,” said

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Joel Guthridge, Ph.D. “Everyone recognized we had to have more

testing.”

For help, he reached out to Michael

Talbert, M.D., Lloyd E. Rader Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Oklahoma

College of Medicine. Together, they pioneered a new approach to test for the

SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Utilizing a Fluidigm Biomark, a

$300,000 piece of scientific equipment

that uses microfluidics and a technique

called reverse transcription polymerase

chain reaction (or RT-PCR), they could

gather vast amounts of data from limited

quantities of sample materials and detect

small amounts of virus.

“It was a completely novel idea to use

the equipment this way,” said Talbert,

who oversees laboratory testing operations at OU that generate a total of approximately 5 million results each year.

“No one had done this.”

Under Talbert’s guidance, an OU Medicine facilities crew renovated an empty

lab to accommodate the personnel and

specialized equipment the effort would

require. “We made fast changes,” he said.

“We even put up a wall in one day.”

The Biomark system employs a technology known as “microfluidics,” minimizing the amounts of precious reagents

required to run tests. It also possesses

the ability to process multiple samples at

once, meaning that it holds the potential

to deliver many times more results on a

daily basis than a standard testing system.

For months, a joint team of OU and

OMRF scientists lived a Groundhog

Day-like existence, routinely pulling

shifts of 12 hours or more as they refined

their testing protocols. “They worked

night and day, seven days a week, and

often didn’t even know what day it was,”

Guthridge said.

As cases in Oklahoma kept mushrooming, the group felt increasing pressure to

get the lab up and running. Still, even a

single false negative could send an infectious person back out into the world, triggering a cluster of new cases. “We had to

get it right,” Guthridge said.

In June, the OU-OMRF team filed its

final application with the FDA to launch

the new test. Although Talbert described

the early days as “training mode,” the operation continues to ramp up. Each day,

couriers deliver samples collected at OU

Medicine facilities and at “swab pods”

in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman.

Technicians then prepare and load batches of samples, up to 186 at a time, into

the Biomark, where each run takes about

six hours.

During that time, said Guthridge, the

machine tests each sample five times,

which ensures accuracy. And because of

the Biomark’s “sensitivity,” it can detect

infections other commercially available

tests – especially the ones that deliver

rapid results – can miss.

Most samples arrive in the afternoon.

In a time when testing backlogs often

force patients to wait a week or more to

learn whether they have Covid-19, the

lab typically reports results the following

day. Sometimes, they’re able to deliver

results that same day.

Still, the team is not resting on its laurels. Guthridge and Talbert are working

on a concept called pooling that could

quadruple the lab’s daily testing capacity without using any additional reagents.

They’re also investigating the use of saliva samples, which would do away with

the uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swab

in favor of a simple and painless spit-ina-cup.

Even though the collaboration arose in

response to an unparalleled health crisis,

Talbert described the process of working

with his OMRF neighbors as “amazing”

and “fun.” “We shared a single goal: to

help Oklahomans in an unprecedented

time of medical need,” he said.

Why the

‘nsn.gov’

Designation?

From time to time, a question

has been asked as to why the Sac

and Fox Nation uses such a special

exclusive (and longer) native sovereign nation dot gov Internet designation and name:

The “nsn dot gov” (nsn.gov) designation carries with it more significant levels of legitimacy, trust, and

authority than a commercial, “dot

com” domain name.

“NSN DOT GOV” confirms that

it is an official government website that has been certified, verified, and recognized by the United

States Government.

Of course, commercial sub-entities and public political subdivisions of tribal government may

also use a commercial dot com designation for commercial-oriented

purposes.

Truman Carter