# Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Asac_fox_oklahoma%3Ae5a1c78e681decd1

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

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.”

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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

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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

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Asac_fox_oklahoma%3Ae5a1c78e681decd1. Public record. Not legal advice.