Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni

SAC and FOX NEWS

Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni

Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 42 • No. 6 • June 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Announces

COVID-19 Economic Support

For All Enrolled Tribal Members

S&F Employees Package

Food Baskets for Elders

by Mike Brown

Following approval by the

Sac and Fox Nation Business

Committee, Chief of Staff Audrey Rose Lee coordinated the

filling and delivery of a first

wave of food baskets to 300

tribal elders living in Lincoln,

Payne and Pottawatomie Counties May 20-22.

Members of the Sac and Fox

Nation USDA Food Distribution Dept. transported fifteen

pallets of multiple food items

from Firelake Foods in Tecumseh to the Sac and Fox Nation

Community Building where Sac

and Fox Nation employees filled

boxes with the food items.

Those items included: potatoes, flour, shortening, vegetable oil, sugar, tea, coffee, bread,

assorted fruit, frozen chicken

breasts, hamburger meat, rice,

oatmeal, assorted fresh vegetables, salt and pepper and bottled

water.

Sac and Fox employees followed up by making “honk and

drop” deliveries at tribal elders’

residences in the Stroud, Davenport, Cushing, Prague, Meeker

and Shawnee areas.

Casinos Re-Open After

Weeks-Long Shutdown

During a Special Business

Meeting held on May 21, the

Sac and Fox Nation Business

Committee approved the Sac

and Fox Nation COVID-19

Economic Support Program.

In response to the COVID-19

pandemic, this program will

provide economic support to all

enrolled tribal members.

During the meeting, the

Business

Committee

voted unanimously to allocate

$6,875,500.00 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

funding to the Sac and Fox

Nation COVID-19 Economic

Support Program. The program

is intended to provide economic support for tribal members

during the COVID-19 public

health emergency. Funding will

be disbursed in two installments

to all enrolled tribal members.

Payments will be sent in June

2020 and September 2020. Program details are as follows:

Eligibility:

* Enrolled members of the

Sac and Fox Nation as of June

1, 2020.

* Provide updated mailing information.

* Provide current mailing

address via email, fax, or mail:

Email: covidrelief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Fax: 918-968-4528

Mail: Sac and Fox Nation

Attn: Finance Department

920963 S. Highway 99

Stroud, OK 74079

* For the June 2020 payment,

updated mailing information

must be submitted by June 8th,

2020 at 4:30 p.m.

* For the September 2020

payment, updated mailing information must be submitted

by September 8th, 2020 at 4:30

p.m.

* If updated mailing information is not provided, payments

will be mailed to the most recent

address on file with the Enrollment Department. If there is no

change to the mailing address,

there is no need to submit information.

Distribution Schedule:

* All enrolled members of the

Sac and Fox Nation age 18 or

older will receive two payments

of $1,000.00:

* $1,000.00 payment distributed in June 2020.

* $1,000.00 payment distributed in September 2020.

* All enrolled members of the

Sac and Fox Nation under the

age of 18 will receive two payments of $250.00:

* $250.00 payment distributed in June 2020.

* $250.00 payment distributed in September 2020.

* All payments will be mailed.

“The Business Committee

recognizes our tribal members

have immediate needs during

this unprecedented time,” said

Principal Chief Justin F. Wood.

“These payments will assist

our tribal members as we face

the COVID-19 public health

emergency. Our tribal members

are facing unforeseen financial

needs and risks because of the

pandemic.”

This economic support is

in addition to the Sac and Fox

Nation COVID-19 Relief Program for Elders approved by the

Business Committee on April

29, 2020. The COVID-19 Relief Program for Elders provided a one-time disbursement to

all enrolled Sac and Fox tribal

citizens who are age 55 or over.

The Sac and Fox Nation is also

delivering food and supply baskets to elders residing in the Sac

and Fox Nation’s jurisdiction, as

part of the Sac and Fox Nation

Title VI Elders Program.

The Sac and Fox Nation

received $21,318,227.90 of

CARES Act relief funding on

May 19, 2020. The Business

Committee is working to finalize plans for the remaining

CARES Act funds. Further information will be provided as it

becomes available.

Juaquin Hamilton Brings Ancestors

With Him to the Powwow Microphone

A member of the security team at the Sac and Fox Nation’s

Black Hawk Casino in Shawnee, Okla. checks the temperature of Sac and Fox Nation Principal Chief Justin F. Wood on

May 15 prior to a final walk-through in preparation of the casino re-opening. Others present for the walk-through included:

Sac and Fox Gaming Commission Director Rodney Casteel,

Interim Casino General Manager Brad Presley and Internal

Audit and Compliance Officer Melissa Garland. See more

photos inside.

(Photo by Mike Brown)

Sac and Fox Nation Committee Member Robert Williamson,

right, speaks with Sac and Fox Principal Chief Justin Wood

and Sac and Fox Second Chief Don Abney during a final

walk-through at the Sac and Fox Casino on May 15 just prior

to the casino re-opening.

(Photo by Mike Brown)

(Editors Note: The Gathering

of Nations is the largest powwow in the United States and

North America. It is held annually on the fourth weekend in

April, on the Powwow Grounds

at Expo NM, in Albuquerque,

New Mexico. Over 565 tribes

from around the United States

and 220 from Canada travel

to Albuquerque to participate.

Sac and Fox Nation Historical

Researcher and Ambassador

Juaquin Hamilton was to begin

serving as permanent master

of ceremonies for this year’s

event. However, the event was

canceled due to the Covid-19

pandemic. Hamilton is looking

forward to serving as event announcer in April 2021. The following feature is published here

with permission from Gathering

of Nations officials.)

by Tara Gatewood

The bellowing sound of the

powwow announcer is a major

element of the Gathering of Nations (GON). Since its beginning a cast of knowledgeable

and passionate culture keepers

have helped keep the dance circle flowing.

This year, the GON is honored to welcome a new voice to

their team of skilled announcers, Juaquin Hamilton who is

a member of the Sac and Fox

Nation of Oklahoma. Ready

to step into this honored position, he says he’s experienced

the powwow from different

approaches or better yet,many

different moccasins,including

sitting at the drum on the floor

as a dancer. He’s also served as

a dance and drum judge as well

as, an arena director. The 2020

GON is his time to gift some of

his upbringing to the celebrated

dance circle.

“I get to share some of the

stories and some of the things

that were shared with me by my

grandfathers and some of those

MC’s that made the way for me

and encouraged me.”

This new voice to the announcer table also represents

the Pawnee, Otoe, Cheyenne,

Kiowa, Apache and Tonkawa nations. Hamilton has been

around powwow all his life and

was raised in Pawnee, Oklahoma. And for 20 years he’s

called Shawnee, Oklahoma his

home. He is also the Historical

Researcher for the Sac and Fox

Nation where he oversees his

tribe’s tribal archives.

His work career gives him

the ability to continually learn

about his tribe’s history - something that he uses to fortify his

foundation of respect and an understanding. He says our Native

cultures are our survival. Reflecting on those that continually come together at Gatherings

he added. other tribes have this

same type of deep understanding

of the importance of culture and

celebrate their rich histories by

keeping them alive and triving

in the dance arena even down to

their clothing and movements.

You see it all in one place

lie the GON is powerful, says

Hamilton. “We as indigenous

people in today’s society are

the descendants of those survivors that pulled through some

of the hardest times ion Native

American history. And it’s very

important for us to teach the

younger generation about where

we came from, who we are,

what we represent and where

we’re heading.”

He was also raised around the

tail dance ceremonies, Native

American Church and has been

to Sundance. He ties these hubs

of cultural strength to his love

and respect of singing. “Every

ceremony and dance I’ve ever

attended we use the drum and

we sing. It feels good to sing

our songs. A lot of these songs

date back to our understanding

of the beginning of time. A lot

of them also date back to the

mid-19th Century and we are

still singing them today.”

And, this energy also translates to the powwow drum - a

space that Hamilton is also very

familiar with. He is one of the

founding voices of the YoungBird singers who over the years

has traveled the powwow circuit to many places. In 2002,

this drum was nominated for

a Grammy for the best Native

American album. He knows

when you sit on a drum you get

to experience many things and

see different of the world, even

Hollywood.

“There’s a feeling that we get

as singers when we’re singing

these songs. Sometimes it’s an

emotional feeling. Sometimes

(Continued on Page 2)

Pictured is Sac and Fox Nation Historical Researcher

and Ambassador Juaquin

Hamilton. (Photo Submitted)

Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - June 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.

Deadline for the July issue is:

Friday, June 19 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

Obituaries

Tracey Lauren Ellis-Gashwazra

Tracey Lauren Ellis-Gashwazra, age

51, departed this life March 27, 2020.

She was born January 15, 1969 in Ada,

Okla. to Leroy Ellis and Mabel (Smith)

Ellis.

Tracey grew up in Shawnee, Okla. and

graduated from Shawnee Public Schools.

She served as ‘Miss Sac and Fox Nation’

her senior year. She attended Oklahoma

State University, majoring in Secondary

Education. She served as ‘Miss Indian

Oklahoma’ before beginning her teaching

career with Pauls Valley Public Schools.

While serving as Miss Indian Oklahoma, she met Howard Michael Gashwazra, and they started their family. She

was preceded in death by her grandparents, Martin Smith and Martha Williams;

parents, Leroy Ellis and Mabel (Smith)

Ellis; sons, Aaron Scott Gashwazra and

William Shawn Gashwazra.

She is survived by Howard Michael

Gashwazra of Lexington, Okla.; son,

Matthew David Gashwazra of the home;

stepson, James Ellis of Pauls Valley,

Okla.; brother, Merle Ellis and cousin,

Derrick Williams, both of Pauls Valley,

Okla.; in-laws, Marvin Gashwazra and

Katherine (Springer) Gashwazra and

Shelley Gashwazra.

Wake services and a noon feast were

held March 31, 2020 at the Sac and Fox

Nation Community Building. Interment

was at the Sulphur, Okla. Cemetery, under the direction of Roberts-Myers Funeral Home.

Gathering of Nations New Announcer

(Continued From Page 1)

it’s a happy feeling. And sometimes it

puts us in a frame of mind where our

spirit is uplifted, and we think about

those ancestors that passed these songs

down to us. It’s just a beautiful feeling.”

This inside view into being a singer at

a drum comes out when he announces,

especially when introducing the different

drums that gravitate to the dance circle.

It’s a generational blend and at any given

time, you are witnessing brothers, cousins, nephews, grandpas sitting together at

the drum, he says. “It’s a good feeling

to sit at that grandpa drum and produce a

beautiful energy for the dancers to dance

to. Without our singers we’re unable to

dance. So, as an MC, I personally thank

each singer that comes to a powwow and

shares their music with us because, if

they weren’t there we wouldn’t be able

to dance.”

Today, powwow is a social gathering for individuals to come celebrate

life through song and dance. “We have

dancers that come and put it all of the

dance floor, share their styles and enjoy

themselves,” he says. And he knows a

thing or two about stepping into the arena

especially as a Southern Straight Dancer.

“Being a dancer in the circle is a beautiful thing. I’ve been in there since i was

three years old. It’s an indescribable feeling. Sometimes I’m emotional thinking

about the old stories that my grandpa or

grandma shareed with me. Sometimes

a song will just put me in a good frame

of mind. Sometimes a song will remind

me of a difference powwow. There’s all

these different feelings we go through as

a dancer.” Praying for others as you rotate around the arena is also something

he says a lot of dancers do.

He says when he was a kid he had different individuals that he’d watch closely.

“I would look up to my grandfathers and

their fancy foot work like Abe Conklin

from the Ponca Nation and Ronnie Harris from Sac and Fox. I thought they had

a little flashy touch to their style. Not

only did I look up to them for their dancing but, also how they carried themselves

in tribal society.

And when it comes to being an announcer, he knows there are many plates

you have to keep spinning. Powwow

schedules, lists of drum groups, lists of

veterans carrying in the colors and eagle

staff, list of judges and a large list of announcements are all things that powwow

announcers have to seamlessly weave together when they are on the mic.

“When you’re sitting at the table of a

powwow announcer there’s papers every!

And, you have to keep track of what’s

going on in the arena, while people are

asking you questions from behind. And

you have to keep track of the schedule

and who’s dancing next and who’s singing, and how many groups are in the

dance categories. Sometimes it can be

hectic, but while you’re doing all of this

you have to keep your audience at the

powwow so, you have to be knowledgeable in the history in all the categories

and all the different singing styles. You

also have to be humorous and prayerful.”

He says his participation in his tribal

society has given a lot of experience in

keeping respect as the guiding principle, especially ceremony. “Being a part

of yo9ur ceremonies, your ulture, yuou

learn how to be respectful, you learn

consideration, you learn compassion. So,

when I’m at a powwow or I’m on the microphone, it’s a reflection of who I am as

an individual.” Hamilton says this pretty

much goes for all powwow announcers.

“Most people who take part (in this role)

learn this from where we come from.”

He’s been on the mic for about 6 years,

starting in the fall of 2013. “Since then

I’ve had MC’s encourage me along the

way. Some of them are not here anymore.

People like Sammy White and Hammond

Motah,” he added. White was a regular

announcer at GON for many years before

he walked on. Hamilton also noted the

good words of Wallace Coffey and Jason

Goodstriker. “They encouraged me. It

was always a good feeling to get that encouragement by those individuals. So,

I carry all those good words, those encouraging words with me when I go to a

powwow. Hammond and Wallace shared

words with me on how to keep your audience with you they said, ‘You too have

to humor.’ They encouraged me to not

be serious all the time and make the audience laugh because it’s good medicine

for our people. They shared some of

their jokes with me and I shared mine.”

He says he’s traveled many miles for

(Continued on Page 3)

Tracey Lauren Ellis-Gashwazra

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Sac and Fox Nation Human Service Department is now accepting applications for FY’

2020 LIHEAP Cooling season for the months

of May 1, 2020 through September 31, 2020.

You can pick up applications from the Main

Office/SMPC (please call to make an appointment and we can take the application to your

vehicle) or off the Sac and Fox Nation website.

If you have any questions please contact Carrie LaDeaux, Interim Human Services Director at 918/968-3526 ext. 2010 or email Carrie.

Ladeaux@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov.

Happy June Birthday Elders!

Oresa June Wilson

Frederick Allen Trammell

Hilda Quintana

Phyllis Marie Williams

Charles William Wallace

Becky Marie Martinez

Cheryl Denise Wallace

David D. Hocker

Phyllis Ruth Ramseyer

Roseanna Frances Preston

David Paul York

William Lloyd Grass

Charlotte Estelle Lane

Shirley Jean Garrison

Ramona Ann Hilligoss

Gary Wayne Hodgens

Kimberly Kay Kahbeah

Ramona Marie Johnson

Jacqueline Allene Holly

Lisa Louise Macy

Alphues Christjohn Wilson

Dawn Hawkins Horton

Yvonne Allison Heminokeky

Connie Paulette Rhodd

Viola Kay Allen

Paul Ray Hodgens

Raymond L. Pennock

Rodney Keith Delaware

Christine McDonald

Ronald Wayne Ahgoom

David Roy Patten

Brenda June Hutchens

Stewart Matthew Brown

Deborah Diane Wachter

Francis J. Garcia

Lamont L. Long

Richard Leroy Pawling

Larry Ernest Eldredge

Sharon Kay Noah

Deborah Lou Smith

Linda Sue Ellis

Sharron McAllister

Francene Wolfe

John Wallace Nelson

Angela Sue Wakolee

Bobbe Ann Tipton

Pearl Darlene Lovelady

Roy Dale Longshore

Clyde Saulsberry

Vincent Lee Bruno

Ronald Arthur Cummins

Basil R. Yarbrough

Dennis Alan Keo

Mary E. Eldredge

Billie Grass

David Jon Mascorro

Vickie Alice Brown

Michael S. Trammell

Tina Marie Mendieta

Peter T. Miles

Carole Ann Franklin

Murna Lee Lack

Linus Roubidoux

Mary Sue Britt

Sherri Leigh Tate

Elizabeth June Wolftongue

Emmett Francis Brown

Peggy Melody Springer

Howard James Murie

Ronald Charles Goodeagle

Larry James Ward

Ronald Lee Galloway

Constance Irene Whitlow

Diane Elizabeth Coombs

Lori Ann Penner

Martin Edward Franklin

Page 3 - Sac and Fox News - June 2020

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

Sac and Fox Nation Chief Justin Wood, left, and Black Hawk Casino Interim

General Manager Brad Presley, right, are pictured Nicole and Terry Thompson of Willis, Texas who were the first in line for the May 15 re-opening of the

Black Hawk Casino.

(Photo by Mike Brown)

Announcer Juaquin Hamilton

(Continued From Page 2)

powwow and that it’s always an honor to

be connected to these tribal affairs. “It’s

always awesome to be a part of something

so special and positive. It’s very important or our young kids to be involved, to

understand why we do what we do and

to know the creation stories behind our

dances, to know who composed certain

songs and what they mean. It’s a good

feeling to be a part of that and share what

I know with the people as an MC.”

Something else that’s pumping him

up for this year’s Gatherings is knowing

he’ll get to witness dancers from both

the U.S. and Canada who’ve prepared

all winter long, doing repairs and making

new bead work. And the songs, he says

he can’t wait for the drums to break out

the brand-new songs they’ve been composing all winter.

“I’m really excited and humbled and

so ready for being a new MC for the

Gathering of Nations.” In the past, Hamilton’s voice has also helped bring in the

GON gourd dance sessions. When he got

the invitation to come on board as a permanent announcer last year he was honored. He shared GON had a southern announcer for many years, Sammy White.

When he passed away and his chair stood

vacant. Knowing he has some huge moccasins to fill Hamilton said, “I’m coming

in a good way with good thoughts. I really looked up to Sammy. In my heart I’m

going to do it in honor of him, in memory

of him.”

To come on board as a permanent announcer and as the youngest is a great

honor, he says. And the bonus “I’ll get to

share the mic with some of my good

friends.” He said, he’s worked with these

gentlemen in different communities.

“They have welcomed me with open

arms and it’s all good.” He added, “I really like it when individuals can work well

with each other and respect each other

to better the powwow.” He said the men

who he will get to sit with have paved

the way for him and they include Dennis

Bowen Sr., Vince Beyl and Ruben Little

Head.

“These are the veterans, these are the

professionals in the powwow world. To

share that microphone and that stage

with them is pretty mind blowing actually. To have the opportunity to speak on

that platform in front of that many people

there are many emotions going through

me right now. I’m excited. I’m nervous.

I’m happy. It’s a big honor to be on that

stage with this line up, these are big timers.”

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

He says, when the first time he gets to

hold the mic for, the first time at this year’s

powwow he’ll be looking around with a

full heart and saying to himself, “Look

how many dancers are here, standing

in their dance regalia. Look how many

drums are here. We’re all descends of

those survivors that fought for our land,

our rights and for their families. We all

have that blood that runs through us and

there’s this sense of belonging. There’s

a sense of happiness. We’re one. We’re

all together. We made it. And we’re here.

And we’re dancing and we’re celebrating

life thorough song and dance.”

Shown from left prior to the re-opening of the Black Hawk Casino are Interim

General Manager Brad Presley, Sac and Fox Gaming Commission Director

Rodney Casteel and Sac and Fox Chief Justin Wood. (Photo by Mike Brown

JUNE AT BLACK HAWK CASINO

CLEANED &

SANITIZED

BY

BLACK HAWK CASINO is taking

extra measures with JaniKing

to provide a safe and sanitized

environment for our guests.

THEBLACKHAWKCASINO.COM

42008 WESTECH ROAD • SHAWNEE, OK

(405) 275-4700

Page 4 - Sac and Fox News - June 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Education Department News

Hello Everyone!

As of May 4th the Education Department is now open Monday thru Friday

from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. When

coming back into the office on May 4th

it was different and felt a little strange

since being gone on March 18, 2020.

The way of things that we were custom

to doing, we no longer can do things that

way anymore. We will have to change

ways you may see some programs having to change as well. The public schools

are looking at how they will handle the

upcoming school year of 2020 -2021.

Will keeping distance still be in place

and will virtual learning distance be a

continue option for families to consider

verses sending their children back to the

Congratulations to Our 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Graduates!

Matthew Butler

My name is Matthew Butler, a senior from Meeker

High School. I have completed two years of HVAC from

Gordon Cooper Tech. I am an

enrolled member of the Sac

& Fox tribe and have been

a part of the Indian Club at

school. I love fishing and being outdoors. I plan on completing more HVAC training

and onto college. I want to

thank everyone who stood by

and supported me throughout

the years. It was a hard and

bumpy road to get to where

I am today. I am proud to

graduate this year, and hope

to still be a great guy in the

future.

Congratulations to Our 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Graduates!

Rosemary Celeste Massey

Rosemary Celeste Massey is a

Kindergarten graduate of North

Rock Creek School of 2019 –

2020. Rosemary is 6 years old and

is a Sac and Fox Tribal Member

and her clan is the Wolf Clan. She

enjoys playing outside, coloring

and playing with her Barbies.

Her future goal is to be a doctor when she grows up so that

she can help people that are sick.

Rosemary’s is the daughter of Briana Wakolee and the late Raymond

Massey. She has two brothers Tomi

Calderon and Anthoni Calderon.

Her grandfather is Curtis

(Dagwood) Wakolee and maternal-grandmother

Henrietta

Massey. Rosemary cannot wait for

next school year, and she hopes

that everyone is doing well!

classrooms.

The Education Department has been

looking at all avenues of serving your

child better. We would like to do a short

survey on your feedback on your child/

children during the COVID/19 closing of

school. One of our concern is IF this virus

should happen again like some are saying

that it could in the Fall, we want to be

somewhat ready with schools being shut

down. Many questions came up on the

subject of how many of our Sac and Fox

children had the equipment to continue

their education through virtual learning.

Did they have laptops, chrome books,

or access to Internet? Some schools did

furnish some technology equipment but

there were some schools that did not

have the resources.

It is very unfortunately that with the

COVID/19 that our Sac and Fox High

School Seniors missed out on their Junior and Senior Banquets, sporting

events and walking across the stage on

graduation night. Being a high school

graduate is an important achievement in

your life. You are an achiever. You have

made the Sac and Fox Nation a proud

Nation!! You are our future leaders

of this great Nation!! The Sac and Fox

Nation Education Department wants to

CONGRATULATE!!!! THE SAC AND

FOX SENIORS!! For their dedication of

12 years and accomplishing their goals.

We are very proud of you!!

High School seniors do not forget that

there is a senior incentive of $200.00

from RAP Program. Students must submit a completed 12th grade graduation

application and return the application

to the Sac and Fox Nation’s Education

office within 60 days of graduation (August 30, 2020). Below is a checklist of

what you need to turn into the Education

Department:

1. Graduating application

2. Privacy Statement to be signed by student

3. W-9

4. Submit tribal enrollment card (CDIB)

NOTE: FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE ON

A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS AND DOES REQUIRE THAT ALL

THE ABOVE ARE INCLUDED WITH

THE SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

Eighth grade graduates will need to

follow the same rules as the senior graduates as listed above. Eighth grade incentive is $100. College graduate incentive

is $1,000. Will need to follow the same

rules as listed above.

All forms are on the Sac and Fox Nation website, if you need help with obtaining forms please call the Sac and Fox

by Edwina Butler-Wolfe

Nation Education Department. 918 9683526, ext: 2046 or 405 328-0402 cell

number.

UPDATE: CARES ACT – COVID-19

INDIAN EDUCATION

The CARES Act appropriated a $30.75

billion called the Education Stabilization

Fund for the Department of Education.

Of this fund one-half of one percent is

to be made available “to the Secretary of

the Interior”, with consultation with the

Secretary of Education, for programs operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Which equal out to

be $153.75 million. There is no specific

distribution or allocation of the $153.75

million for BIE programs.

There was a listening session scheduled for April 24, 2020, with the U.S.

Department of Education and U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education but it was cancelled due to

technical problems and was re-scheduled

to April 28 and April 30, 2020. The timing of the cancellation was not favorable

due to the comments were due on May

1, 2020. Which only gave the Education

Department only days to complete our

comments.

The submission of comments was referring to the Johnson O’Malley Program

that the Sac and Fox Nation Education

Department administers. We stated that

our American Indian Students are in need

of lap tops, chrome books, hotspot devices due to not having Internet service of

being located in rural areas. We hope that

BIE and Department of Education will

take our comments into consideration. It

was worth a try to get our concerns out,

if we had not then they would have not

known what our needs are here at the Sac

and Fox Nation. We did make the deadline of May 1, 2020 but only to know later that they extended the deadline to May

6, 2020.

I would like to thank some individuals

here at the Nation: Sarah Brown, Audrey

Lee, Business Committee for seeing this

task was taken care of and sent off.

On another note I would like to say

thank you to Nikki Hendricks and Pam

Patterson on their help with the documents of needing Chief Wood’s signature,

that the Education Department needed to

get out to schools and to Washington DC.

As everyone pulls together we will

ALL make it through these rough times!

If you have any concern please let us

know.

Thank you,

Edwina Butler-Wolfe

405 328-0402 cell number

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NOTICE

Applications for College - Vocational and Adult Education

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

Congratulations to Our 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Graduates!

Congratulations to Our 2020

Sac and Fox Nation Graduates!

Stormie Diane Staley

Duane D. Wildcat

My name is Stormie Diane Staley and I am a member of the Sac

and Fox Nation. I am a senior and

I’m graduating from Shawnee High

School with a 3.87 GPA. I have been

involved in Student Council throughout my high school career, and I am

currently the Student Council president. I’ve been on the Principal’s

Honor Roll for 4 years, and received

the Rotary Club Leadership Award.

Ive been accepted and enrolled into

Oklahoma City Community College

where I will get my associates degree

in Digital Cinema Production. Once

I have my associates, I will hopefully be able to attend the University of

Southern California to get my Bachelors degree in film-making.

I am the daughter of Rose Stephens-Staley and William Scott Staley, and the granddaughter of the late

Dolores Carter and James Edward

Stephens.

Duane D. Wildcat is the son of Minnie Hopper and Dion Wildcat. He is

the grandson of Joe and Juliet Hopper

and Thomasine and Jay Wildcat. His

hobbies and interests including playing

baseball and basketball, and he enjoys

being around family and friends.

Duane has been a member of both the

Whippet baseball and basketball teams

throughout his high school career, receiving numerous awards from both

such as the Baseball Rawhide Award, the

Set the Table Award and the Hosepiece

Award, the basketball Mr. Versatility

Award and the I Got Your Back Award.

Most recently, he was named to the

2020 All-Star Small East Class B Team

in basketball. He is proud that even

though his senior year did not end like

anyone expected, he was still part of the

2019 Fall Baseball State Semifinalist

Team, and the 2019-2020 State Basketball Quarterfinalist Team. After graduation from Varnum High School, Duane

would like to go to college and obtain a

Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.

Page 5 - Sac and Fox News - June 2020

Food Baskets Delivered to Sac and Fox Tribal Elders

Sac and Fox Nation employees are pictured using teamwork to fill food

baskets for delivery to tribal elders.

(All Photos by Mike Brown)

Workers are shown packaging safety face masks that were included in

the elders’ food baskets.

A Firelake Foods employee is pictured loading one of fifteen pallets of food

into a Sac and Fox Nation USDA Food Distribution Dept. truck for transportation to the Sac and Fox Nation Community Building.

Sac and Fox Nation Chief of Staff Audrey Rose Lee is shown in the Sac

and Fox Nation Community Building speaking to some of the employees who helped prepare food baskets for delivery to tribal elders.

Sac and Fox Nation employees are shown unpacking food items for

the elders’ food basket program.

Sac and Fox Nation USDA Food Distribution Director Sam Spang and

a helper are shown bringing pallets of food items into the Community

Building for the elders’ food baskets.

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

Sac and Fox Nation Maintenance Dept. personnel are shown loading

food baskets for delivery to tribal elders’ residences in Stroud, Davenport, Meeker, Cushing, Shawnee and Prague areas.

Page 6 - Sac and Fox News - June 2020

HELP WANTED!

SAC & FOX NATION

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a list of job vacancies with

the Sac & Fox Nation:

Self-Governance Director

Chief Financial Director

Resident Advisor (Juvenile Detention Center)

Land and Cattle Laborer

Head Cook

Economic Development Director

Meal Delivery Driver (Part-time)

Custodian - BHHC

Custodian - Maintenance

Licensed Clinical Social Worker - BHHC

Transportation Driver

Certified Pool Operator Manager

Lifeguard

Landscaper/Laborer

ICW Specialist

RAP Assistant - 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

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are now accessible on the Website and Facebook

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Check FaceBook For Updates on the Opening!!!

(Children Under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult)

and Full Payment Must be Received

Page 7- Sac and Fox News - June 2020

Page 8- Sac and Fox News - June 2020

July 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

NOTICE

CAMP CLEAN-UP

In preparation for Pow-Wow,

there will be two Camp Clean-Up Days:

May 8 and June 19

Please have trash ready for pickup by the roadway and larger items please mark

with an X so we know to go into the camp for disposal. If you have limbs around

your camp please pick them up so we can mow around the campsite.

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.

Container Gardening is a Great

Place to Start for Novice Gardeners

by Trisha Gedon

Oklahoma State University

Agricultural Communications Services

For some folks, gardening is a mystery

– perhaps even intimidating. Some wantto-be gardeners may believe they don’t

know enough about it to try, or are simply convinced they don’t have a green

thumb.

For those who don’t know a rose bush

from a tomato plant, there is still hope.

David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist,

said anyone can garden, no matter their

skill level or the size of the landscape.

“Obviously, big, elaborate gardens and

landscapes take time and talent. But, if

you start slowly, maybe with just a tomato plant, a pot of herbs or even a few colorful annuals, you’re bound to have success,” Hillock said. “Starting small and

slow also is a great way to get kids interested in horticulture. It’s easy to get started gardening by planting a dish garden,

container garden or a succulent garden.”

A dish garden is a type of container garden, typically made with shallow dishes

or bowls and with multiple plants in one

container. The great thing about a dish

garden is that different species of plants

can be mixed and matched. However,

Hillock said to make sure the plants have

similar water and light requirements.

Hillock also said the dish must have

enough room and proper growth medium

to support the plants. In addition, keep

drainage in mind.

“Don’t use a layer of gravel in the bottom of the dish. This actually will hinder

water movement away from the roots,”

he said. “The media used for a dish garden will vary, depending on the type of

plants. Choose something that drains

well, but holds adequate moisture. The

soil also shouldn’t be very fertile, as this

encourages rapid growth.”

The great thing about dish gardening

is the plants used generally stay small or

grow slowly. A popular plant group for

dish gardening is succulents, for example. Succulents don’t need as much depth

as other plants because they can tolerate

shallow rooting and longer dry spells.

Don’t make the mistake of planting a

succulent with a plant that likes moist

soil and high humidity.

Container gardening is another option

for beginners, and it opens up even more

possibilities than dish gardens.

“Some people may think container gardens are just for flowers or small

shrubs, but you actually can grow a wide

variety of edibles, including vegetables

and herbs. Herbs or a tomato plant are

great choices for novice gardeners,” Hillock said. “Although container gardening

includes many of the same elements as

traditional gardening, it isn’t nearly as

Business Committee Meeting

Minutes are now

accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

and Facebook

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

time consuming, which makes it perfect

for those just getting interested in gardening. Basically, once the flowers, herbs

or vegetables are planted, all you have to

do it keep it fertilized and watered.”

Keep in mind that Oklahoma’s summer heat quickly can dry out the potting

soil in the containers, so be vigilant with

proper watering. The extra time spent

watering compensates for the lack of

time spent weeding.

Another bonus of container gardening

is not only does the plant being grown

add something to the landscape, the container itself can add texture, color and

whimsy. Hillock said to get creative

when selecting the container.

“Think way beyond the basic flowerpot. Find something that reflects your

interests and personality,” he said. “If

there’s a pair of old rainboots taking up

space in your house, take them outside,

fill with soil and plant something in

them. Have the kids outgrown that old

toy dump truck or wagon? Fill them with

plants. Repurpose an old galvanized tub

into a planter. Gardeners are limited only

by their imaginations.”

As with dish gardens, drainage is a key

factor with container gardens. When potting soil becomes waterlogged, the plants

often will experience root rot and die.

Simply drill a few holes in the bottom of

the container and the issue is resolved.

Visual interest is a big part of gardening and easily can be created with containers by planting a tall plant in the middle and filling in the space around it with

smaller plants. Finish the look by choosing a few plants that will drape over the

edges of the container.

Hillock said yet another advantage of

container gardening is that the container

is portable. The containers can be moved

around the patio to create different looks.

And, if relocation is in the future, the

containers can make the move, as well.

“Young folks, or those with a few

more years of life experience, who haven’t gardened for one reason or another,

really should consider a dish or container garden,” Hillock said. “You just never

know what you’re capable of until you

get a little dirt under your fingernails.”

Page 9 - Sac and Fox News - June 2020

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

RAP Assistance Application Forms Provided Here

Internet Safety Tips For Parents and Guardians:

Dealing with Social Media

In Today’s Digital Age (Part 1)

by Lt. Raymond “Chip” Smith

Sac and Fox Nation

Police Dept.

We’ve all been there as parents, guardians, responsible adults, some of us

as cops; our kids just won’t put those

darned phones down. “What are they

doing on those things all day, and sometimes night?”

Some of us have had to pick up the

pieces of your child’s spirit and self esteem after a terrible bout of cyber-bullying. Some of us have seen those same

children turn to drugs, other addictive behavior, or self-harm because of that same

cyber-bullying.

It is also estimated that 85-90% of all

Child Sex Trafficking is facilitated in one

way or another over one of the various

platforms of Social Media. For all the

scary tales of the “Dark Web”, there are

ten Back Page or Craig’s List style sites

that operate out in the open for all eyes to

see; You just need enough knowledge to

know where to look.

That makes it even harder for those of

us who are “Technologically Non-Gifted”, such as myself. Today, we will start

to learn about how to begin to be proactive when dealing with the younger gen-

eration and technology.

Step 1 is simple, yet, for most of us

this will be the hardest part. Talk to your

child about the apps, social media platforms and websites that they frequent

on the web. Be honest and seek honesty from them. Explain to them that your

concerned about Social Media content

and, this will be the hardest part, LISTEN. Listen to their feedback, don’t

judge what they say. Put all of that info

into your internal filter and filter out the

important parts for you as a parent.

Ask the hard questions, even if it

makes you, and them, uncomfortable.

Figure out what Social Media platforms

they use and add those apps to your

phone. Add your children on those Media Apps and monitor their activity and

posts. Some Apps, such as SnapChat,

are designed for one-on-one contact; but

you can still monitor the child’s Story for

disturbing/ irregular posts. If you only

take one thing away from this first part of

this series, please let it be this; begin the

process of monitoring your teen’s Social

Media content. It only takes a few minutes and could save your child from some

pain and suffering in the future and help

build a stronger bond between the two of

you for the future.

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