Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni (2025)

SAC and FOX NEWS

Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni

Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 47 • No. 4 • April 2025

Archaeologist Visits for Group

Field Trip to Site of Early-Day

Sac and Fox Mission School

University of Oklahoma anthropology student Cheyenne

Widdecke sincerely thanks everyone who attended the second

public event of her master’s degree project held on March 1,

205 at the Sac and Fox Community Building. The University

of Oklahoma student extends a

special ‘thank you’ to the Sac

and Fox Nation’s Elders Advisory Committee and the Sac and

Fox Business Committee for

their continued support in making these gatherings possible.

The March 1 event featured

a presentation on the history of the Sac and Fox Mission

School, followed by a mean-

ingful visit to the school site led

by archaeologist Bobi Deere. A

few years ago, Deere was contracted to survey the site by the

Bureau of Indian Affairs. Rock

foundations, a water well, tower

and cistern remain at the school

campus location. The school

served Sac and Fox students and

those from other area tribes from

approximately 1872 to 1917.

“This experience allowed

community members to connect

with the site’s history firsthand,

sparking important conversations about its past and significance to the Nation,” Widdecke

commented. A Traditional Feast

(Continued on Page 7)

Pictured from left in the Sac and Fox Community Building are:

Archaeologist Bobi Deere of Joe Deere Consulting, LLC, SFN

Second Chief Audrey Rose Lee, SFN tribal member Lina Ortega of the University of Oklahoma Libraries, OU Anthropology Graduate Research Assistant Cheyenne Widdecke and

SFN Secretary Lana Butler.

(All Photos by Mike Brown)

Archaeologist Bobi Deere, who has previously surveyed the

Sac and Fox Mission (Agency) School site, speaks during a

March 1 public event in the SFN Community Building.

Archaeologist Bobi Deere points to sewage cistern that was

part of the early-day sewage system that served the SFN Mission School campus, 1872-1917. See more on Page 7.

Second Chief Audrey Rose Lee Presents

Priorities, Budget Requests to Agencies

Second Chief Audrey Rose

Lee traveled to Washington,

D.C. to attend a Feb. 25 Fiscal

Year 2026 House Committee

Appropriations hearing to give

an oral and written testimony of

priorities and federal budget requests on behalf of the Sac and

Fox Nation.

Following is written testimony the Second Chief submitted

to the House Appropriations

Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies

on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets

for the Bureau of Indian Affairs,

Indian Health Services, Bureau

of Indian Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency:

WRITTEN TESTIMONY

OF THE HONORABLE AUDREY ROSE LEE, SECOND

CHIEF SAC AND FOX NATION SUBMITTED TO THE

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT

AND RELATED AGENCIES

ON THE FY 2026 BUDGETS

FOR THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, INDIAN

HEALTH SERVICE, BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION

AGENCY

February 25, 2025

On behalf of Principal Chief

Randle Carter and the Citizens

of the Sac and Fox Nation (Nation), home of Jim Thorpe,

Olympic Gold Medalist for the

1912 Pentathlon and Decathlon

medals, it is a privilege to stand

before you today and submit our

Tribal priorities for the Bureau

of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian

Health Service (IHS), Bureau of

Indian Education (BIE), and Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) budgets. The unique political status between the United States (U.S.) and sovereign

Tribal Nations is solidly based

on the contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy of Nations

in the development of the U.S.

Constitution and to reaffirm the

continuing government-to-government relationship between

Indian Tribes and the U.S. as

established in the Constitution.

TRIBAL SPECIFIC REQUESTS

1. + $.6.52 Million Dollars

to Fully Fund Operations and

Maintenance of the Sac and Fox

Nation Juvenile Detention Center (SFNJDC) - Public Safety

and Justice - Office of Justice

Services – Detention/Corrections Facility Operations and

Maintenance Account – BIA,

Office of Justice Services, DOI

2. + $3 Million Dollars to

Fund Tribal General Assistance

Program (GAP), EPA

3. Increase funding for the

National Environmental Performance Partnership System

(NEPPS), EPA to support Tribal

Solid Waste and Recycling Programs

NATIONAL BUDGET REQUESTS

1. Reclassify Discretionary

Spending for Section 105(l)

Leases and Contract Support

Costs (CSC) to Mandatory BIA and IHS

2. Advance Appropriations

for Tribal Programs and Services (BIA, IHS, BIE)

3. Support Increase for Special Diabetes Program for Indians but not moving from

Mandatory Spending to Discretionary Account - IHS

In 2025, we celebrate the

50th Anniversary of the Indian

Self-Determination and Edu-

At Meeting in

Washington, D.C.

cation Assistance Act (P.L. 93638, ISDEAA) of 1975, signed

by President Richard Nixon,

the first acknowledgment by the

United States government that

Tribes were capable of managing Federal funds and programs.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan issued an “Indian Policy

Statement” which reaffirmed the

government-to-government relationship between the U.S. and

Federally recognized Tribes.

The Policy emphasized Trib-

al Self-Governance and local

control over reservation affairs,

while pledging to assist Tribes

in strengthening their governments by removing Federal impediments to Tribal Self-Determination; essentially promoting

a policy of Self-Governance for

Tribes without the threat of termination.

In 1988, President George

H.W. Bush, signed P.L. 100-472

which broadened the scope of

the ISDEAA allowing Tribes

more flexibility to determine

our own priorities and allocated

Federal resources where they

were needed the most – at the

(Continued on Page 11)

SFN Second Chief Audrey Rose Lee is recently pictured in

Washington, D.C. where she presented tribal priorities and

FY 2026 budget requests to the House Appropriations Subcommittee.

(Photo Provided)

‘Winter Hunt:

With Memories of Jim Thorpe’

On March 2, 2025, the First Indian Baptist Church of Cushing,

Okla. welcomed Sac and Fox tribal members and the public

to a special event. The Megehee family hosted the gathering,

styled ‘Winter Hunt’, as a portion of the great Sac and Fox

Nation shared a meal and enjoyed games and conversation.

A feature of the afternoon was a “Living History” portrayal of

the late, great Jim Thorpe by Tribal Member Mark Megehee.

Attired in baseball uniform (provided by the Fort Sill Museum), Mr. Megehee recalled episodes in the life of the World’s

Greatest Athlete. Crowning the event were members of the

Thorpe Family, Anita and Burke Thorpe (sharing photos and

memories), plus visiting royalty from the Pawnee Nation and

Oklahoma City Powwow Club Princess.

(Photo Provided)

Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

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

Christian Tre Thomas, age 31, of Oklahoma City, Okla., passed away Tuesday,

February 18, 2025 in Oklahoma City.

Christian was born October 09, 1993

in Shawnee, Oklahoma, a son of Robert and Valerie Lynn (Harjo) Thomas.

Christian grew up in Shawnee, attending

school there. When he wanted to have

a good time, Christian would listen to

music and ride his BMX. Biking was his

passion, and he loved learning and showing off tricks.

Christian lived up to his given name,

he loved the Lord and the gift of Salvation through faith. He was quite friendly, as well. Often, Christian would make

new friends almost wherever he went.

Above all else, He loved his family. The

time he spent with them was what he enjoyed more than anything.

Survivors include: his beloved mother Valerie Thomas of Oklahoma City,;

Managing Editor

Mike Brown

For information:

918-968-3526 x1060

newspaper@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Publisher: Sac and Fox Nation

~~~~~~~

Tribal Officers:

918-968-3526 or 800-259-3970

Principal Chief:

Randle Carter

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1008

chief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

principalchief@sacandfox.com

Second Chief:

Audrey Rose Lee

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1004

secondchief@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

secondchief@sacandfox.com

Secretary:

Lana Butler

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1007

secretary@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Treasurer:

Carla Wallace

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1006

treasurer@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Committee Member:

Robert Williamson

Telephone (918) 968-3526

Ext. 1005

cmember@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Executive Assistant:

Kelsey Byrd

Monty Eli Tasier, age 67, of Oklahoma City, passed away Friday, March 7,

2025 in Oklahoma City.

nas Harjo, Sr., paternal grandmother Gloria Jean Ellis, brother Robert L. Thomas,

IV, uncles: Taj Thomas, Nathanial Harjo,

Jonas Harjo, Jr. Dorsey Harjo, aunts: Loretta Harjo and Patricia Harjo.

Friends and loved ones paid their respects February 21, 2025 and,with a funeral ceremony February 22, 2025 at the

Sac and Fox Nation Community Building with Dan Factor officiating. Following the funeral, Christian was laid to rest

at Sac and Fox Tribal Cemetery near

Stroud, Okla.

Robert Wolf.

Survivors include his daughter Nancy

Barrack, one son, sisters Anna Walker,

Monica Bruno, as well as many beloved

nieces and nephews.

A funeral ceremony was held March

10, 2025 at the Sac and Fox Community

Building near Stroud, Okla. Following

the ceremony, he was laid to rest at Sac

and Fox Tribal Cemetery.

Christian Tre Thomas

NOTICE TO VETERANS!

Men & Women, especially WWI, WWII & Korean War

Monty Eli Tasier

Monty was born May 27, 1957 In

Oklahoma City to Leonard and Lahoma

(Masquat) Walker. He was later adopted

by Ellis Tasier. He was raised in Shawnee, Okla., graduating from high school

there. Later, Monty worked in downtown Oklahoma City in construction for

years and later served as a parking lot

attendant. He enjoyed spending his time

listening to music and spending time

with people he shared love.

Monty was preceded in death by his

birth and adoptive parents, sisters: Vicky

Lynn Walker, Kelly Walker, Leah Jean

Walker, and Janice Walker as well as his

brothers: Gregory “Tweety” Walker and

Pawnee Bill Museum

Exhibit Features OK

Infamous Outlaws

A new photography exhibit has opened

at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum and

will be on display until Sunday, April 27.

“Wanted: Dead or Alive” features some

of Oklahoma’s most infamous criminals.

The exhibit includes dozens of mugshots, crime scene locations, and group

shots with criminals and law enforcement officers. The images are from the

FBI, the University of Oklahoma Western History Collections, the National

Archives, and the Oklahoma Historical

Society.

Visitors will recognize familiar names

like the Doolin and Dalton Gangs while

learning about lesser-known criminals like the Tulsa Central Park Gang

and Wanda Bartram. Many featured in

“Wanted: Dead or Alive” were born and

raised in Oklahoma or moved here and

began their crimes.

The exhibit is located inside the museum. For more information, please call the

ranch at 918-762-2513. The Pawnee Bill

Ranch and Museum is located at 1141

Pawnee Bill Rd. in Pawnee, Okla. Visit

PawneeBillRanch.org for hours of operation and admission prices. The Pawnee

Bill Ranch and Museum is a division of

the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Kelsey.Byrd@sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Business Committee

Mailing Address:

Sac and Fox Nation

920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A

Stroud, OK 74079

Visit us on the webb @

sacandfoxnation.com

paternal grandfather Robert Lee Thomas, Jr. of Pawnee, Okla.; siblings: Natthan Harjo, Whitney Thomas and husband Edgar Flores Saucillo, as well as,

Madison Thomas and husband Marco

Garcia, all of Oklahoma City; nieces:

Esme’ Stidham, Embrie Stidham, Emelia

Stidham, Yessenia Flores, and nephew

Edgar Flores; aunts and uncles: Nathanial Ray Wolf of Magnolia, TX, Tommy

Harjo and wife Flora of Choctaw, Douglas Harjo of Shawnee, Jerome Harjo of

Shawnee, Shawn Harjo of Bristow, Dinah Harjo of Sasakwa, Tammy Harjo of

Oklahoma City, Tera Harjo of Oklahoma

City, Miles Thomas of Pawnee, Okla.,

Joel Thomas of Pawnee, Okla. and special cousin Trinity Harjo, in addition to

many dear cousins and friends.

Christian was preceded in death by his

father, Robert L. Thomas, III, maternal

grandparents Diane Wolf Harjo and Jo-

Monty Eli Tasier

Deadline for the May edition is:

Friday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m.

Reprint permission is granted, with

proper credit to the Sac and Fox News,

unless other copyrights are shown.

Articles and letters may be submitted

to the newspaper either by mail or Fax

to the address provided above, - or by

e-mail:newspaper@sacandfoxnationnsn.gov.

Address corrections and changes are

accepted by the Business Committee

at the address listed below.

Christian Tre Thomas

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

The Sac and Fox National Public Library

is asking for your DD 214s for their records and

MEMORIAL MONUMENT PURPOSES!

The Veterans are also requesting photos of tribal members in

uniform or on military or active duty.

These will be reviewed and may be selected to be put on one

of the monuments (WWI, WWII, Korean or Vietnam). A fifth

monument will be designated with the appropriate name for the

Peace Keeping Initiative Years

(Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Desert Storm and Desert Shield)

Contact: Sac and Fox National Public Library

918-968-3526

Happy April Birthday Elders!

Adkins, Galle Rae

Ahkeahbo, Elizabeth

Andersen, Shari Lynn

Barron, Shelly Ann

Beall, Sean Patrick

Bean, Rose Marie

Berryhill, Gregory Wayne

Blackburn, Tina Jean

Brady, Rebecca Donnell

Brown, Wanda Yvonne

Bryce, Vonda Joyce

Carr, Lisa Lea Ann

Carter, Truman Daman

Davis, Dana Katrina

Decker, Colleen Lisa

Ebbinga, Sharon Lee

Edmonson, David Allan

Ellis, Leva Marlene

Frazier, Pamela Dale

Gaddy, Marcia Gail

Gibson, Beverly Sue

Gillaspy, John William III

Givens, Deborah Kay

Grass, John Jr.

Hamblin, Ralph Maurice

Harris, Raymond Lee

Harris, Ruby Irene

Harshberger, Scott Eugene

Hernandez, Patrick Wood

Hocker, Earnest L

Hocker, Ricky Wayne

Hocker, Robert V Sr.

Holmes, Carol Ann

Huyghe, Sheila Ann

Jones, Joseph Todd

Keo, Dorene Katherine

Keo, Rudy

King, Roger McCarl

Lasley, Charles Dewayne

Lombardi, Carrie Patricia

Longshore, Lisa Leaellen

Manatowa, Phillip Joseph

Marez, George Mitchell

McCaulla, Dianna Sue

McClellan, Wallace Buster

McCoy, William Scott

McCoy-Shognosh, Naomi Denise

McIntosh, Margaret Lee

Monday, Donald Chad

Northrup, Alma Faye

Pappan, Jeffrey Kevin

Payton, Pauline Elaine

Poitras, Charles A Jr.

Powell, Sunnykay

Pratt, Shawn David

Pratt, Shelly Renae

Raines, Terry Kent

Reim, Debra Yvonne

Rice, Harriett Oresa

Rowe, Sheryl Jane

Sarber, William Wayne Sr.

Smith, Barbara Thomas McIlvaine

Stephens, Dallas James

Teague, Sherry Lynn

Thompson, Helen Jo

Thompson, Rose Marie

Tiger, Channa Lynn

Tiger, Robin Denise

Vandever, Ruby Mae

Wallace, Larry Dewayne Sr.

Waller, Jimmy Kent

Wano, Ronnie Eugene

Whistler, Donn Jr.

Wilson, Aaron Fryor

Wilson, Katherine Margaret

Page 3 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

OSU Extension Adds

Tribal Educators

by Gail Ellis

Office of Communications & Marketing,

OSU Agriculture

Oklahoma State University Extension is teaming up with Native American

tribes to hire three additional Extension

educators in northeast Oklahoma.

One position is sponsored by a grant

awarded by the Fully Recognized Tribes

Extension Program via the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute

of Food and Agriculture; Lexi Patrick

has been hired to work directly with the

Osage Nation on agriculture, 4-H, and

family and consumer sciences projects.

Two new educators are funded with

support from the Native American Agriculture Fund. Educator Jamie Foster in

Ottawa County works with the region’s

Inter-Tribal Council to conduct family

and consumer sciences and 4-H activities.

The Inter-Tribal Council includes participation from the following nine tribes:

the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma,

the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, the Modoc Nation, the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, the

Shawnee Tribe, the Quapaw Nation and

the Wyandotte Nation.

The Native American Agriculture

Fund will also support Shelby Lofton’s

dual-educator role for OSU Extension

and the College of the Muscogee Nation.

Her position is a collaboration between

the original Morrill Act of 1862, establishing land-grant institutions in the U.S.,

and the Equity in Educational LandGrant Status Act of 1994, which provided land-grant status to tribal colleges.

Lofton will join the College of the

Muscogee Nation’s Extension director

and horticulture educator on campus to

facilitate Extension outreach programs

among the Muscogee Nation counties

of Creek, Hughes, Okfuskee, Okmulgee,

McIntosh, Muskogee, Tulsa, Rogers and

Wagoner.

Riley a Member of Football Team Honored

At State Capitol for Championship Seasons

Vaydin D. Riley, a member of the

Oklahoma School for the Deaf football

team in Sulphur, Okla., was among team

members who were special guests at the

Oklahoma State Capitol on Feb. 26.

The team was invited to the Capitol by State Sen. Jonathan Wingard, of

Ada, Okla., in recognition of their recent

third repeat Great Plains Schools for the

Deaf (GPSD) football championship,

and back-to-back National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association (NDIAA)

championships.

Parents and guardians of the players

were also invited to the Capitol for the

recognition program and citation presentation on the Senate Floor.

Vaydin, a Sac and Fox tribal member, is the son of Valerian Riley, and the

grandson of Dino Riley and the late Mary

B. Walker. “I would like to congratulate

my grandson, his teammates and his

coaches for their accomplishments,” said

Dino Riley. Coach Sean Thomas Sledd

commented, “This is an exciting time for

our football team!”

Vaydin Riley and his grandfather Dino Riley are pictured in the Oklahoma

State Capitol in front of a painting of world-famous Sac and Fox athlete Jim

Thorpe. At left is the Citation of Congratulations Vaydin was presented on the

Senate Floor. At right, members of the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Bison

football team are pictured while being recognized at the Capitol on Feb. 26.

(Photos Provided)

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

RAP Department Application Forms

Elders Lawn Care Services

Program Guidelines

This program is designed to

provide Lawn Care Services for

the safety and healthy daily living needs of all our eligible Sac

and Fox Nation Tribal Member

Elders and those members who

are physically disabled and cannot safely perform Lawn Care

themselves, regardless of location/residency.

• Applicant(s) must be an enrolled member of the Sac and

Fox Nation age 55 or older, or

who is physically disabled and

residing within or out of jurisdiction.

• Participants will have their

lawns cut Two (2) times per

month for 7 (seven) months,

based on available funding and

number of participants served.

• Funding for this program is

limited and each application

will be processed in the order in

which it was received. This program will fund as many Tribal Member requests as funding

will permit. However, preference may be given to emergency

situations.

• Applicants claiming a physical

disability MUST provide a physician’s statement.

Page 4 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Sac and Fox Nation Education Department News

Hello!

We would like to start by listing what

the Sac and Fox Nation has been working on for the last 30 days:

The Sac and Fox Internship Program

will begin June 16 through July 25, a

six-week program. We will be selecting

four Sac and Fox junior and senior students that will be entering 11th and 12th

grade for the upcoming school year 2025

– 2026.

Will start taking applications April

1st until May 1st. Students that are interested in learning more about the Sac

and Fox Nation of how the government

works and learn about the programs and

getting experience of working on the job.

Students will learn how to do their resume and life skills. Please submit Sac

and Fox Job Applications to Human

Resource Department (HR Department)

and indicated on application that you are

applying for “Education Department Internship.” Students will receive a weekly

check and commit to the six-week internship program.

Justin Morris, Education Specialist

and Olivia Stacy, Office Assistant (parttime) and I have been planning the Senior Banquet and preparing the set-up

for April 17, 2025, at the Grand Casino.

Olivia is keeping up with the calls for

the RSVP for the banquet. Senior high

school students can bring two guests

(adult) PER FAMILY.

Students, please dress in business attire as there will be a group picture of the

graduating senior student. You can RSVP

until April 11, 2025. Please call Olivia on

918 968-3526, extension 5001 or extension 2043, Justin Morris.

Reminder of the Fall 2025 College

Semester deadline is June 30, 2025, you

will need to complete the RAP Higher

Education Application and the Department of Interior (DOI) Higher Education

Application if you are applying for DOI.

The Sac and Fox Nation Education

Department is working with the Seminole Nation Education Department and

Citizen Band Potawatomi Education Department of planning a First time Tribal Education Department Summit. The

Summit will be at the CPN Cultural Center on April 3, 2025.

Our agenda will be with morning

speakers from the Office of Indian Education, Misty Farber and Bureau Indian Education Department Mr. Spike

Bighorn and National Indian Education

Association representative. They will be

speaking about some of the changes that

are occurring in the Education Department.

The afternoon session will be of

round-table discussion with all the Tribal

Education Departments that are present.

We are in hopes that this is the beginning of many summits for all tribes and

nations education departments to come

together for discussion of issues that are

happening in their communities and in

Indian Country.

• February 20 - Native Task Force Reactivation Zoom Meeting;

• February 24 - Meeting with NEER

Development STEM opportunities;

• February 25 - Indian Youth Career

Day University Central Oklahoma;

• February 26 - Pleasant Grove Title

VI Indian Education Public Meeting;

• February 27 - Southwest ESSA Consultation Mustang Public School;

• March 3 - Tulsa Public School ESSA

Zoom Meeting;

• March 4 - Stillwater Public School

by Edwina Butler-Wolfe

ESSA Consultation;

• March 4 - Meeting with Little Axe

School Administration;

• March 10 - Meeting with Seminole

Nation and CPN Education Department;

• March 11 - Edwina speaker at North

Rock Creek School Assemblies;

• March 12 - STEP Meeting.

Please contact the Sac and Fox Nation

Education Department if you have any

questions.

Thank you,

Edwina Butler-Wolfe

Director of Education

405 328-0402 cell phone

Business Committee Meeting

Minutes are

accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Chicago Blackhawks Foundation Grant

Application for Sac and Fox Nation

The Chicago Blackhawks Foundation invites Sac and Fox Nation Departments

and Committees to apply for grants supporting impactful projects, programs, and

events that benefit the Nation as a whole.

Grant Opportunities:

• Project-Based Grants: One-time funding for priority projects (e.g., fitness equipment for public use).

• Annual Grant Funding: Long-term investments in recurring priorities (e.g., college scholarship funding).

• Event Sponsorship: One-time support for annual events (e.g., powwow celebrations).

Ineligible for Funding:

• Individual grants for tribal members or families

• Operational support for departmental budgets

• Equipment or capital expenses

Funding Levels:

Each project, program or event is eligible for grants up to $25,000 and requires a

budget as part of the application.

Application Timeline:

• Opens: March 1, 2025

• Closes: June 1, 2025

• Review: June 2025

• Notification: July 2025

• Funds Distributed (pending budget submission/approval): October 2025 (timed

with the Nation’s fiscal year)

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted by Sac and Fox Nation Departments or Committees. For more information, contact (Jose De La Torre- Jdelatorre@blackhawks.com)

Page 5 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Letter to Tribal Members

(Editor’s Note: The following is a corrected letter from the March edition with

the Financial Highlights chart figures included.)

Feb. 20, 2025

Dear Tribal Members,

May your homes be filled with warmth

during this winter season! As you prepare

for the annual Share Holders meeting

let me leave you with this information.

One of our elected tribal leaders recently made this statement, “In our gaming,

we had the best year was last year” let’s

reflect:

Revenue Allocation Plan (RAP)

Financial Highlights

2015 $ 7,517,673.00

2016 $ 7,089,734.00

2017 $ 6,085,344.00

2018 $ 6,499,331.00

2019 $ 5,777,953.00

2020 $ 5,901,143.00

2021 $12,454,762.00

2022 $13,973,254.00

2023 $12,598,756.00

The increase began in FY2021 (fiscal

year July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021) and

was NOT due to the sole decision of returning operations back to 24/7 following the COVID pandemic closure. This

is a claim repeated by tribal-leadership.

To correct the rumor, the team of Sauk

Business Enterprise Board (SBEB) (Lavonda-Youngman Chairman and Eugina

Denney Vice-Chairman), experienced

General Manager, and experienced Chief

Financial Officer are responsible for

restructuring the foundation of the operation. We strengthened the integrity

of policy and procedures, implemented

sound business practice, monitored and

controlled expenses, developed stronger

marketing promotions, and brought ac-

counting in house. These actions were no

small feat and should not be dismissed as

such instead should be acknowledged as

proven solid business decisions.

At the 2021 Petitioned Council, I

addressed council stating we were on

course to receive the largest percapita

ever. This is a proven statement followed

by the first $2,000+ percapita payment.

In FY2021, the enterprise experienced

their first historical $1 million-cash-drop.

This began a trend that is still occurring

today.

In conclusion, last year was not the

best year but a proven continued success

from the restructured-business-foundation. The extra payment was from interest dollars accumulated from gaming

revenue dollars transferred to the Nation. These are not earned operational

dollars, but interest dollars accumulated

from gaming revenue sitting in the bank.

The consistency of bringing this issue to

light to multiple years and making the

motion to give the accumulated interest

to the membership is how this payment

occurred.

Note, quarterly-transfers began after the 1st quarter-of-FY2021 (October

2020) under the guidance of the previously mentioned team. The team received backlash and criticism from tribal

leadership with scowling remarks such

as “they’ll fail” but, we persevered. All

endeavors to improve were for the betterment of the Nation and the members.

Let’s course correct rumors and create a

cohesive tribal environment. Thank you

for taking a few minutes to read and increase your knowledge for a clearer understanding.

Kind regards,

Lavonda Youngman

Page 6 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

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.

April Comic

Page 7 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Office of Environmental Services

Projects Update

by Daniel Red Thunder Wind

The Office of Environmental Services

(OES) would like to provide an update

of activities and projects underway for

this year. OES has been going through

a restructuring of program activities and

goals. We have been working closely

with EPA Project Officers to develop a

strategy to reach tribal and EPA environmental goals within the time frame and

allotted funding.

OES is operating under two EPA

grants, DOI compact funds, and some

recently approved RAP funds. Currently

OES is staffed by two personnel, an Interim Director, Daniel Wind, and Environmental Technician, Jon Anderson. An

Environmental Specialist is expected to

be hired within the next year.

Current activities include the review,

revision, and/or development of programs and program management plans

for water, solid waste and air quality.

Management and Quality Assurance

Plans must be developed and approved

by EPA prior to any data collection activities. This includes any field data to

be collected i.e. water, solid waste, and

indoor air quality. Some of these plans

have been submitted for approval, while

others are in development. Data collection activities are scheduled to resume

this spring with water quality collection

samples, indoor air quality assessments,

and solid waste inventory for site clean

ups (in association with I.H.S.).

We will be using tribal funds to establish a program to assist tribal members

with environmental issues relating to solid waste removal, septic system repairs,

and water well repairs. This program

is being established to help those members that may not qualify for assistance

through I.H.S. or other RAP programs.

Call us and let us know what concerns

you have.

OES staff will continue to participate

with regional and state environmental

groups such as the EPA Regional Tribal

Operations Committee and Tribal Environmental Coalition of Oklahoma. Other meetings and training courses will be

attended either in-person or online as

deemed necessary. OES networks with

other tribal environmental programs for

assistance and to provide assistance if

needed.

We also meet to develop ideas and

strategies to address common environmental issues, locally, regionally and nationally.

We have had some questions regarding

the recycling program. It is my understanding that it was put on hold during

Covid and has not been revived since.

The recycling program is still currently

on hold due to staffing and funding issues. We are interested in bringing this

program back in the future and are seeking additional funds to do so.

OES provides educational outreach

with tribal members and the community throughout the year when possible.

Some of these events occur during the

annual pow-wow or Earth Day in April.

These events are currently in the planning stages.

We are looking to host a tribal clean-up

day(s) to be coordinated for the Cushing,

Stroud, and Shawnee areas, as well as a

pow-wow clean up day at the grounds.

We would also like to host a document

destruction day in the near future as well.

If there are other events that may be of

interest to us, please let us know.

Our Facebook page will be operational shortly to post these and other events

as they come up. Articles will also be

posted. Reach out and let us know what

you think. You can email us at environmentalspecialist1@sacandfox.com . You

may also call Daniel Wind at 918-9683526 Ext. 2091 or Jon Anderson at 918968-3526 Ext. 2092.

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

(Continued on Page 12)

April 2025

SFN Elders Title VI Menu

Archaeologist Bobi Deere, right, and a few of those attending a March 1 field

trip to the former SFN Mission School site, located near the Sac and Fox

Nation water tower, are shown discussing part of the school’s girls’ dormitory

rock foundation that remain at the site (shown in foreground). The school was

in operation approximately 1872-1917. See article and photos on Page 1 of

this edition.

(Photo by Mike Brown)

SFN Mission (Agency) School On-Site Visit

(Continued from Page 1)

was held in the Community Building following the site visit.

Continuing the Conversation

For those who were unable to attend,

there are still opportunities to share your

family’s stories. Widdecke encourages

community members to reach out if they

would like to set up a time to share their

memories.

“These stories, even if they may be

very short, are invaluable to preserving

the community’s heritage. Interviews can

be conducted in person or via Zoom to

accommodate participants’ availability.

Your voices are essential in ensuring that

the history of the Sac and Fox Mission

School is preserved and shared for future

generations. Thank you all again for being part of this journey,” she added.

For more information or to schedule

an interview, please contact: Cheyenne

Widdecke, Master’s Student, Anthropology Department, University of Oklahoma, Phone 587-679-5133 or:

cwiddecke@ou.edu

April Word Search

Page 8 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

April 2025

SAC AND FOX NATION

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

PROGRAM

STROUD WAREHOUSE

918-968-3030 • 1-800-256-3398

SHAWNEE OFFICE

405-395-0063 • 1-886-622-2310

ALL FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! THANK YOU!!

HOURS (Monday-Friday)

Certification

8 am - 5 pm

Distribution

8 am - 3 pm

Store AM Inventory 8 am - 8:30 am

Store PM Inventory 3 pm - 5 pm

HOME DELIVERIES ARE FOR

HOMEBOUND AND/OR DISABLED

ELDERS. CALL OUR

STROUD OFFICE

TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY.

This institution is

an equal opportunity provider.

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.

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 9 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

SFN Food Sovereignty Community Garden Project is Growing!

by Mike Brown

Members of the Sac and Fox community gathered March 17 in participation

of the SFN Realty Dept.’s Food Sovereignty Community Sauk Garden program. SFN Committee Member Robert

Williamson welcomed those in attendance and presented a brief history pertaining to traditional crops and gardens

involving early-day summer and winter

camps.

Those in attendance planted a variety

of vegetable and fruit seeds in starter

trays for planting in the Community Garden located near the Community Building and family garden locations. Serving as contract technicians for the Sauk

Garden program, being coordinated by

Realty Dept. Director Shanarae Boyd,

are Niabi Hart, Perry Griggs, Allen

Tsoodle and Robert Johnson.

Niabi Hart made special mention of

tribal member Michael Marquez for giving over 80 hours of work last spring,

preparing the garden site and soil. She

noted that some root vegetables were

planted in days prior to the gathering,

and starter plants will be distributed on

two upcoming dates to be announced.

The technicians encourage everyone

to participate in the Sauk Gardens program as a helper, an advocate, a keeper

or donor of seeds or garden materials, or

serve as a teacher or facilitator for future

gatherings.

The program began in 2021, and last

year, over 500 lbs. of organic vegetables

were distributed at multiple locations.

Those locations include: the Merle Boyd

Center, Black Hawk Health Center,

CTSA Center, Cultural Center, Library,

and Multi-Purpose Building. Produce

was also made available for elders’ meals

and to veterans and others during the annual powwow.

A mission of the Food Sovereignty

program is: “Self-determination to be

responsible to nourish ourselves and future generations. To reject privatization

of natural resources in shared territories; To build on traditional knowledge

and pass it on, rejecting technologies or

techniques that contaminate local food

systems.”

The tribal community is encouraged

to visit an ‘Interest to Grow’ forrm via

a Google link on the Sauk Gardeners or

Sac and Fox Nations Facebook pages.

Users must click the box to access the

form:

https://forms.gle/cvKjXgcdqc8fL5Ce9.

Serving as contract technicians for the SFN Realty Dept.’s Food Sovereignty

Community Garden program shown from left are: Perry Griggs, Niabi Hart,

Allen Tsoodle and Robert Johnson.

SFN Committee Member Robert Williamson, left, welcomes those attending

a Community Garden gathering held March 17 in the SFN Community Bldg.

Food Sovereignty Community Garden Contract Technicians Robert Johnson,

Niabi Hart, Allen Tsoodle and Perry Griggs are shown preparing seed starter

kits in preparation for the SFN Community Garden, located near the Community Building.

(All Photos by Mike Brown)

Page 10 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

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

Compliance Officer (Gaming)

Transportation Coordinator

Resident Advisor(s) *NEW SALARIES*

Behavioral Health Licensed Therapist (BHHC, Stroud)

Policy Analyst, #2024-05 (Stroud)

Cashier – Finance (Stroud) #2024-30

Outreach Specialist (Stroud) #2024-32

Realty Specialist II #2024-34 (Stroud)

Self-Governance Specialist #2024-35 (Stroud)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #2024-042

Payroll Technician #2024-54

Registered/Licensed Dietitian #2024-57 (Stroud)

NAGPRA Coordinator #2024-65 Stroud)

Historical Researcher #2024-68 (Stroud)

Pharmacist #2025-03 (Stroud)

Family Practice Physician #2025-10 (Stroud)

JDC Maintenance Supervisor #2025-13 (Stroud)

Staff Accountant #1 #2025-15 (Stroud)

Maintenance Technician #2025-16 (Stroud)

Custodian I #2025-17 (Stroud)

Information Clerk #2025-18 (Stroud)

Radiology Lead Tech #2025-28 (Stroud)

Advocate II (Court) #2025-29

Landscaper/Laborer–Temporary Full Time #2025-31

Laboratory/X-Ray Assistant II #2025-34 (Stroud)

Meal Delivery Driver 1&2 – Part Time #2025-35

PCL Community Health Specialist – LPN #2025-23

PCL Biller – Scheduler #2025-24 (Stroud)

PCL Coder – Scheduler #2025-25 (Stroud)

PCL Supportive Services Worker #2025-26 (Stroud)

Lifeguard #2025-37 (Stroud)

Certified Pool Operations Manager #2025-38 (Stroud)

Executive Assistant – Gaming Commission #2025-39

John Carrington, HR Director

hrdirector@sacandfox.com

NOTICE

A W-9 form is not needed for Per

Capita Payments unless you have a

name change, new address, you are

a newly-enrolled tribal member or, if

required, for RAP applications.

^

Sac and Fox

Nation Telephone

Extensions

Main Number:

918-968-3526

• Chief - 1008

• Second Chief - 1004

• Treasurer - 1006

• Secretary - 1007

• Committee Member - 1005

• BC Front Desk - 1009

• Tax - 1043-1045

• Accounting - 1030-1036

• Property and Procurement 1020-1039-1022

• Maintenance - 2062

• BHHC - 918-968-9531

• ICW - 1711

• Court - 2039

• Library - 2020-2021

• Language - 1075

• JUVI - 4000

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

(Warehouse USDA 2089)

• Education - 2046

• IT - 2041

• Police - 2033

• Self-Governance - 1080

• Capitol Security - 1090

• Realty - 1052

• Enrollment - 1040-1041

• RAP - 2000 - 2001

• Social Services - 2010-2011

• OES - 2091-2092-2094

• Veterans - 1065

• Newspaper - 1060

• Tribal Administrator - 1010

• NAGPRA/Historic

Preservation - 1070

• ARPA - 1819

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

^

Business Committee Meeting

Minutes are

accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

X

X

X

SAC AND FOX NATION

920883 S. HIGHWAY 99 BLDG. “A”

STROUD, OKLAHOMA, 74079

X

X

X

Page 11 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Second Chief Audrey Rose Lee Delivers Priorities, Budgets Requests

(Continued from Page 1)

Tribal level.

The Sac and Fox Nation has pioneered

the Self-Determination and Self-Governance agenda for the past 50 years, but

current Administration actions threaten

our collective progress and warrant immediate intervention by Congress. The

Nation reminds Congress of the statutory

language requiring consultation with

Tribes prior to any Executive action that

will impact Tribal programs and Tribal

funding. We seek your assurances that

Federal funding for Tribal programs is

not paused, reallocated, reclassified, or

de-prioritized when implementing any

Executive Order or other Administration

priority.

Congress needs a remedy that will rescind across-the-board personnel cuts,

dissolution of Federal agencies which

severely impact the U.S. government fulfilling the trust responsibilities and treaty

obligations to Tribes and Native citizens.

Tribal programs, services, functions and

activities must be exempt from rescissions, sequestrations and government

operation shutdowns.

The Sac and Fox Nation strongly request that you protect the policies that

have strengthened the Tribal-Federal relationship and support Tribal Self Determination and Self-Governance.

TRIBAL SPECIFIC REQUESTS:

+$6.52 Million Dollars - BIA/OJS

Detention/Corrections Facility O&M

Account, Sac and Fox Nation Juvenile

Detention Center (SFNJDC).

In 1996, the Sac and Fox Nation Juvenile Detention Center (SFNJDC) was

opened as the first regional juvenile facility designed for American Indians/Alas-

ka Natives (AI/AN), as well as the first

juvenile facility developed under P.L.

100-472, the Self-Governance Demonstration Project Act.

SFNJDC is a 50,000+ square foot, full

service, 24-hour, 60 bed (expandable to

120 beds) juvenile detention facility provides basic detention services to all residents utilizing a classification system

based on behavioral needs to include

special management, medium and minimal security. Prior to opening, the BIA

committed to the Nation to fully fund

the SFNJDC O&M. Unfortunately, that

commitment was never fulfilled and decreases in the base funding (currently

$510,000 which is included in the Nation’s Compact of Self-Governance with

the U.S. DOI), over the past 30 years has

resulted in underutilization and erosion

of the programs the SFNJDC was built

to offer.

The Nation currently has contracts

with (15) Oklahoma Tribes, the U.S.

Marshalls Service and a Memorandum

of Agreement (MOA) with the BIA. The

BIA MOA was signed in 2000 and reserved six beds for $160,000 for which

the BIA did not prepay. The U.S. Marshalls Service contract requires (8) beds

that are also not prepaid. Even though the

Nation continues to receive and use

Federal dollars to address the issue of

juvenile delinquency and detention for

Tribes in the Southern Plains Region and

Eastern Oklahoma Region, it has never

received sufficient funds to operate the

facility at its fullest potential.

+ $3 Million Dollars Tribal General

Assistance Program (GAP), EPA.

The Nation is requesting that GAP is

less restrictive, competitive and provides

more funding for staffing. GAP lacks

flexibility and fails to meet the needs

of Tribes including adequate funding,

sufficient technical assistance to assist

Tribes and to fulfill the trust responsibility. Specifically for the Nation, EPA

does not provide adequate oversight as

our Federal trustee for oil spills or any

environmental incident that impacts our

reservation and citizens. For decades we

have been impacted by industrial negligence and lack of abatement for the removal and decommission of abandoned

wells, mines, pipes, cables and other

remnants related to oil spills and industry contamination footprints across the

Nation’s jurisdictional lands which span

three counties.

The Nation needs funding to conduct

planning and develop our infrastructure

to prepare for oil spills, contamination,

and environmental emergencies that

continue to damage our community and

citizens. In the past we have been severely disregarded and remain vulnerable to

the industry aftermath across our 21,000

acres of allotments and 800 acres of Tribal lands. In 2022,the most recent and possibly the worst oil spill at Skull Creek,

released about 300,000 gallons of oil into

the creek and compromised thousands of

animals, fish, trees, and many other natural resources.

The dam was breached, and the embankments of Skull Creek today continue to slough because of the undercutting

that has occurred. As our Federal trustee,

EPA is still over seeing an emergency

response, however remediation has not

begun – nor has there been receipt of any

of the $7.4 million awarded in civil penalties. As a Self-Governance Tribe, the

Nation has repeatedly requested that EPA

develop a demonstration project that will

allow funding to be used by the Tribe to

address the local needs to mitigate environmental impacts and pollution.

The SFN should be better prepared in

the future and promptly involved in the

remediation plan to address damages

with the industry and our Federal trustee.

We are requesting $3 million to initiate

a preassessment of need for the Nation

as we work to prevent future damages to

our citizens, our cultural sites and the environment.

Increase EPA – General Assistance

Program and the Clean Water Act Section

106 Program - The Nation is requesting

increased funding for the National Environmental Performance Partnership

System (NEPPS), EPA, to support Tribal Solid Waste and Recycling Programs.

Funding for this program is critical to

developing our capacity to develop environmental programs that assist Tribal

members (i.e., mold, water quality, illegal dump clean up) and environmental

quality for cultural activities (i.e., primary body contact with water, fishing).

In addition, it supports Tribal response

to environmental events as necessary

(spills/contamination) and air quality (air

emissions and health).

NATIONAL BUDGET REQUESTS

Reclassify Discretionary Spending for

Section 105(l) Leases and Contract Support Costs (CSC) to Mandatory –Separate,

indefinite accounts support Section105(l)

leases and CSC but have resulted in the

unintended reduction of funding for crit-

ical Tribal programs. Funding for 105(l)

leases and CSC should be reclassified as

mandatory funding to prevent programmatic decreases.

In addition, we urge Congress to take

legislative action to clarify its intent that

space used to provide services within the

scope of the ISDEAA to any patient is

compensable under 105(l). Many Tribes

are the only healthcare providers in their

rural communities and the only ones who

will accept Medicare and Medicaid patients. Tribes generate third party revenue by serving these individuals as authorized under Section 813 of the IHCIA

and this money in turn is used to provide

healthcare to their own citizens. The IHS,

however, has adopted a policy that denies

compensation to Tribes for the portion of

their healthcare facility that the agency

decides to serve non-beneficiaries even

though Congress authorized such services under Section 813 of the IHCIA.

Advance Appropriations for Tribal

Programs and Services – We are grateful

that Congress enacted Advance Appropriations for the Indian Health Service

for FY2024; however, we now urge Congress to make Advance Appropriations

for the Indian Health Service permanent

and to extend advance appropriations to

the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education.

Providing appropriations one year in

advance for the BIA, BIE and IHS will

mitigate the adverse financial effects of

Federal budgetary uncertainties and allow Tribes to engage in more effective

strategic planning, spend funds more efficiently, grow our Tribal economies and

businesses and increase the quality of

care and well-being of our Tribal citizens

and communities.

Support Increase for Special Diabetes

Program for Indians (SDPI) - Congress

extended the 2024 SDPI Reauthorization

and it remains a part of the Continuing

Resolution at an increase from $150 million to $160 million. The Nation joins

Indian country in expressing gratitude

for this increase, but the need is more

like $200 million a year. Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for

Indians (SDPI) in 1997 as part of the Balanced Budget Act to address the growing

epidemic of diabetes in American Indian

and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.

IN CLOSING

Tribal Nations are and always have

been inherently sovereign governments

that have strong political relationships

with their Tribal citizens and community

members. Tribal Nations also have political, government-to-government relationships with the United States, and they

prepaid with their lands and resources

for the trust and treaty obligations that

the United States owes them.

The U.S. Constitution singles out Tribal Nations and Native people as unique,

and the U.S. Supreme Court has time and

again affirmed the principle that United

States actions that deliver on trust and

treaty obligations to Tribal Nations, Tribal citizens, and Tribal communities do

not run afoul of the U.S. Constitution’s

equal protection requirements.

Thank you for this opportunity to provide oral testimony.

Letter to Tribal Members

March 20, 2025

Greetings Tribal Members,

Wishing you and your family all the

health and happiness!

It is challenging, but we must continue to recognize the decisions made by

tribal leadership that are contributing to

ongoing issues. Last year, the Business

Committee approved a budget of $9.37

million for the Tribal Transportation Program and appointed Randle Carter as the

Transportation Liaison.

There are claims that transportation

records are being reviewed, possibly

tampered without supervision, and are

directly accessible to the liaison. Further claims indicate tribal transportation

decisions are allegedly made by the liaison, resulting in unexpected costs for the

tribe.

This approach to leadership is not new.

A recurring theme is appointing leadership duties to one another with a narrow

focus. For example, during the August

2023 Business Committee meeting, the

Treasurer was given direct oversight of

daily financial functions and the Finance

Department. Making daily financial decisions and approvals does not follow General Accounting Principles.

What are the financial impacts of these

decisions? As tribal members, we ask for

clear answers but often get unclear responses. We have questioned the balance

of CARES and ARPA funds and have

repeatedly been told that the funds have

been expended with deadlines that have

passed. Without an accurate account of

funds, we accept much of this is true.

However, the Black Hawk Health Clinic still holds significant CARES funds.

Furthermore, the tribal DOI account

contains undisclosed CARES and ARPA

funds. These discrepancies could result

in a grievance.

When considering candidates for the

positions of Secretary and Treasurer, it

is important to approach the selection

process with an open mind. Look for individuals who not only possess the necessary qualifications and experience but

also demonstrate strong organizational

skills, effective communication abilities,

and a commitment to elevate the values

of the Sac and Fox Nation.

After careful consideration to the well

being of the Sac and Fox Nation and

quest to discover our current financial

status, I am announcing my candidacy

for Treasurer.

Respectfully,

Lavonda Youngman

Roll# 1921

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Page 12 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

(Continued from Page 7)

Business Committee Meeting Minutes

are accessible on the Website

sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov

Page 13 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Sac and Fox Nation 2025 Election Dates to Remember

Page 14 - Sac and Fox News - April 2025

Second Chief Audrey Rose Lee Speaks at UINO Meeting in Tulsa

SFN Second Chief

Audrey Rose Lee

On March 20, Sac and Fox Nation Second Chief Audrey Rose

Lee spoke about seizing opportunities in the new era of energy

on Indian Lands at a quarterly

meeting of the United Indian

Nations of Oklahoma (UINO)

in Tulsa. Other tribal leaders

on the meeting panel, shown

below and at right, included:

Chairman Bobby Gonzales of

the Caddo Nation, Asst. Chief

R. J. Walker of the Osage Nation, Lt. Governor Hershel Gorham of Cheyenne and Arapaho

Tribes, and Kendra Bennett of

Agali Land Services.

(Photos Provided)

Extension Offers Tips & Tricks

For Successful Gardening

Gardening Tips From

OSU Extension Service

If you’re new to gardening – and even

if you’re not – now is the time to develop your spring and summer gardening

plans. Successful gardening doesn’t just

happen. Here are some tips and tricks to

boost your success rate.

For gardeners who are starting with a

clean slate, map out the landscape and

decide what you want to grow where.

Studying the landscape will help gardeners envision where flower and vegetable

beds will go and where shrubs and trees

should be placed. Getting the plan down

on paper while the weather is still cold

will help ensure a successful gardening

season that is rich with healthy plants and

bountiful harvests.

Successful gardening starts with good

soil. Having a soil test done is a good

idea, especially for gardeners starting

with a blank canvas. This will help determine what amendments may need to be

added to the soil. Contact the local Oklahoma State University Extension office

for more information about soil testing.

Once a soil test has been done and

amendments added to increase the quality, consider soil testing every three or

four years. Compost is a great way to

help enrich the soil. OSU Extension has

information on composting on its website. There are a few different methods of

composting so choose the one best suited

for you.

Now comes the fun part – plant selection. The Oklahoma Proven plant selection program is a good way to choose

plants for the landscape. These plants,

trees and shrubs have been thoroughly researched and have shown that they

grow well in Oklahoma’s diverse growing conditions. Beginning gardeners especially can glean some valuable information about plant selection. Be sure to

choose plants that have different bloom

times so you’ll have a beautiful display

of color in the landscape all through the

growing season.

When choosing the sites for flower and

vegetable gardens, make sure they are

located close to a water source. Do the

flowers you want to plant require full- or

partial-sun? It’s a good idea to keep flower and vegetable beds away from trees

and shrubs so they don’t have to compete

for light, water and nutrients. Also, plant

plants that have similar needs close in

proximity.

Growing plants in containers is a fun

way to add color and texture to the landscape. Raised beds can have the same

effect. Make sure to use quality soil in

raised beds and good, non-soil growing

media in the containers.

Proper planning now will help ensure

a good harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with bright, colorful flowers

in the landscape throughout the season.