LOOK FOR US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

LEGAL AID

LOOK FOR US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

AND AT WWW.UKB-NSN.GOV.

The Oklahoma Indian

Legal Services visits

the UKB complex.

NEWS, 5

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ ᎪᏪᎵ Official News Publication of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma September 2023

TIME TO CELEBRATE

United Keetoowah Band Chief Joe Bunch makes his address to the crowd at the 2023 Keetoowah Celebration in Tahlequah. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

The 73rd annual Keetoowah Celebration will be Oct. 5-7, 2023.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

T

AHLEQUAH – The United Keetoowah Band

will celebrate its 73rd Annual Keetoowah

Celebration on the first weekend of October.

This year the theme is “In the beginning…We

were all Kituwah.” The celebration falls on the

first weekend of October, to honor when the tribe

officially voted to have its constitution and by-laws

ratified, which happened Oct. 3, 1950.

“The theme was voted on by the celebration

committee, who have been coming together in

preparation since February,” Celebration Coordinator

Michelle Downing said. “The meaning of this theme

is saying we’re all Kituwah, and that we have been,

even before Cherokee Nation became who they are.”

Chief Joe Bunch said the theme relates to our

creation as a tribe.

He stated, “Two years ago at the Kituwah Mound,

I heard the phrase ‘anigiduwagi’ meaning we’re all

Kituwah, the Creator gave us our name and we are

all still here today.”

Downing who also serves as the Executive

Administrative Assistant for the UKB four officers,

took on the role as coordinator of the Celebration

for 2023. This was her first year to step up in

planning for the event, after helping with last year

alongside Barbara Girty-Foster.

The celebration is a time for friends and families

to come together to share memories, laugh and get

rekindled with traditional games and arts and crafts.

It is also a time for Chief Bunch to come and share

what the tribe has been and will be doing for the

people, during the Chief’s Address.

This year in collaboration of the Celebration, the

tribe will be having the Jr. Miss and Miss Keetoowah

pageant.

According to the UKB website, this pageant

includes a variety of activities including presenting

a platform and a talent showcase. Once chosen,

for two years each young lady serves as a goodwill

ambassador for the UKB to promote the culture,

traditions and heritage of the Keetoowah people.

The pageant is also a time where current Miss

Keetoowah 2021-2023, Kitana Foreman will say

her farewells and pass down the reign. The pageant

will take place on September 29th, at 6 p.m. at The

Venue with UKB Delegate Tori Holland as the Emcee

for the night. Official crowning ceremony will take

place on Saturday, Oct. 7th.

“We do invite everyone to come out and support

these young ladies, they will be representatives

of the tribe as they go out and attend different

functions,” Chief Bunch said.

The Keetoowah Celebration will continue with

a two-day golf tournament on Oct. 5-6, Seniors,

2-Man Scramble and 4-Man Scramble.

The chili supper and stompdance will take place

on Oct. 6. On Saturday, Oct. 7, will be all the

activities such as the car show, kids fishing derby,

Chief’s Address, arts and crafts vendors, children’s

activities, traditional games, traditional meal,

volleyball, turtle races, cornhole and entertainment.

“We have Blaine Bailey and his band coming to

play for us this year, and ‘Saved by Grace’ a local

gospel group,” Downing said.

Everyone at the United Keetoowah Band is excited

to see everyone this year. The dates are Oct. 5-7,

2023.

For more information, contact Michelle Downing

at 918-871-2753.

Cornhole was

a popular

activity at

last year’s

celebration,

and the UKB

is bringing it

back this year.

LANI HANSEN/

GIDUWA

CHEROKEE

NEWS

Participants

take part

in the 2022

cornstalk

shoot, which

will happen

again this

year. LANI

HANSEN/

GIDUWA

CHEROKEE

NEWS

UKB

Traditional

Keepers set

up at a past

celebration.

The annual

event is in its

73rd year in

2023. ARCHIVE

PHOTO

A musical

group

entertains the

crowd during

a past UKB

Celebration.

This year’s

event is set

for Oct. 5-7.

ARCHIVE

PHOTO

2

SEPTEMBER 2023

Assistant Chief

Jeff Wacoche

jwacoche@

ukb-nsn.gov

Secretary

Joyce

Fourkiller

jfourkiller@

ukb-nsn.gov

Treasurer

Sonja Gourd

sgourd@

ukb-nsn.gov

Canadian Dist.

Eddie Sacks

918-822-1957

Cooweescoowee

Dist.

Clifford

Wofford

918-822-1953

COUNCIL•ᏗᏂᎳᏫᎩ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

Revisiting gaming after 10 years

Chief’s

Corner

Si yo, ni ga da

Summer arrived with the temperature

souring over 100 degrees! It has been hot,

so I am not leaving the air conditioning.

Be on the lookout for the little ones on

the roads as school has started.

Waiting on the cooler evening to watch

high school football. Boy I can’t believe

I survived the 2-a-day football practices

in high school and 3 a day practice at

college.

The officers visited the Oklahoma

Indian Gaming Association meeting

at the Cox Building in Tulsa, it was

good to reconnect with Gaming, new

developments in gaming laws, new

games and machines, and the industry, we

are looking forward to the day we have

gaming again.

On September 1, 2023 will mark 10

years since our forced closure of our

casino, which shut down our economic

opportunities and attacking our tribal

sovereignty. We are addressing this

inequity through the Department of

Interior.

Our government-to-government

JOE BUNCH

Principal Chief

jbunch@ukb-nsn.gov

consultations are ongoing, we met

with our Oklahoma congressional

delegates, staffers for the congressional

representative Josh Brakeen, came to

our complex for a visit and to keeping us

informed of the opportunities through up

coming legislature.

We are building a trust relationship

with congress to improve the quality

of life for our tribal members, through

health care, adult education, funding for

higher education and other programs.

We had a unsuspected visit from the

Eastern Band of Cherokee, they gave a

one-time donation of 25,000.00 to our

youth school supplies. We had Seaker of

the Council Richard French and Deputy

Speaker Albert Rose here aiding us with

the donation and making presentations.

We thank, the Speaker and Council of

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for

their generous donation.

October 7, 2023 is our 73rd celebration,

our staff are preparing for a fun and safe

celebration. there will food, children’s

games, state of the state address, gospel

singing, and more, my favorite is eating

traditional food.

What you will see is friends, department

services, vendors, kids laughing, archery,

horseshoes, demonstration stomp dance

and more. I hope to see you at the 73rd

Celebration.

We are finalizing requests for bid for

the title 6 center, council, court building

and the child care expansion is almost

complete and we look forward to the

Stilwell Child Care Center completion

soon.

We welcome the opportunity to visit,

if you have any question, please contact

your District Representative and if not

please call me or any officer at 918-8712800. God bless the United Keetoowah,

pray for the officers, and district

representatives.

CATCHING UP

AROUND THE UKB

Delaware Dist.

Elmer Panther

918-226-1668

Flint Dist.

Frankie Still

918-507-1822

Goingsnake Dist.

Willie Christie

918-822-3803

The United Keetoowah Band Tribal Court held its first Supreme Court case meeting on July 14. Wado to UKB Supreme Court Justices, from left,

Kimberly Anthony, Brian Berry and Shelly Harrison. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Illinois Dist.

Peggy Girty

918-457-7067

Saline Dist.

Charles Smoke

918-457-7071

Nurses came to Oklahoma via a Florida Atlantic University program.

The visitation was started by Dr. John Lowe but is now overseen by Dr.

Melessa Kelley. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Sequoyah Dist.

Junior Catron

918-315-0970

Tahlequah Dist.

Alvin Hicks

918-931-1462

Giduwa Cherokee News

P.O. Box 746

Tahlequah, OK 74465

The Giduwa Cherokee News is mailed free to

Keetoowah registered voters, governments, other

offices and upon request, to other citizens.

Mail subscription requests and address changes to

Giduwa Cherokee News, P.O. Box 746, Tahlequah,

OK 74465.

MANAGING EDITOR

Rita Courtwright

SENIOR REPORTER

Lani Hansen

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Travis Snell

MARKETING SPECIALIST

Shayley Fourkiller

A UKB Tradition Keeper teaches a Florida nurses how to weave a

basket. The nurses came to Oklahoma with Florida Atlantic University.

LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Editorial statements of the Giduwa Cherokee News,

guest columns and letters to the editor reflect the

opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of the

Giduwa Cherokee News editor, staff or tribal administration of the United Keetoowah Band.

All editorials and letters must be 650 words or less

and will become the property of the Giduwa

Cherokee News. Editorials must be signed and

include an address and telephone number. Send all

inquires to: Giduwa Cherokee News, P.O. Box 746,

Tahlequah, OK 74465. The Giduwa Cherokee News is

the only official publication of the United Keetoowah

Band. It operates a Giduwa Cherokee News

Facebook page, as well as the tribe’s YouTube and

Instagram accounts,@UKBMedia. Any other

publications or online pages are not an official source

of news and are not endorsed by the editor, tribe or

tribal administration. For advertising rates and media

inquiries, including permissions to reprint stories within

this publication, email lhansen@ukb-nsn.gov.

NEWS•ᏗᏕᏃᏣᎸᏍᎩ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

SEPTEMBER 2023

3

UKB musician’s music on HULU show

Blaine Bailey’s music

is featured in Season 3

of Reservation Dogs.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – While chasing his dream

in music, United Keetoowah Band

member Blaine Bailey was recently

noticed by FX’s Reservation Dogs music

production team.

Reservation Dogs is a series that airs

on FX and HULU and centers around

four young Indigenous teens living in a

rural Oklahoma town. It is a half-hour

comedy written by Sterlin Harjo and

Taika Waititi. The series released its first

episode in August 2021 and recently

premiered season three. According to

Harjo’s social media, this is the last

season for the show.

When Bailey was notified by the music

production, he sent them a few songs

to choose from. He was excited about

being recognized from them. His song

‘Cigarettes and Roses’ was chosen for a

scene in episode one.

“There’s a bus scene on the episode, and

my song talks about leaving Nashville

and coming home to Oklahoma,” Bailey

said. “I think it was a pretty good fit for

that scene.”

United Keetoowah Band member Blaine

Bailey’S music was used on Reservation

Dogs. COURTESY

Last year Blaine Bailey performed in front of the audience at the UKB Celebration. The artist

recently had his original music used by a popular TV show on the streaming sermive HULU.

LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Bailey has been in the music industry for

a while, releasing his first official album

‘Lost City’ back in 2021. After season

three, episode one of Reservation Dogs

premiered, his song caught the attention

of watchers and his numbers in listeners

have more than doubled.

Meanwhile, a week before Reservation

Dogs came on Bailey dropped another

single called ‘Home Again.’

His new song is just the beginning for his

new album ‘Home.’ Bailey said he must

release three singles before the album

officially comes out.

“The first single is my favorite one,

because I lived that song,” Bailey said.

“The song talks about leaving home

when you’re young and then coming

back to your family. People seem to

like this song; it has helped me with

attraction.”

While he finalizes his plans on releasing

his new album, Bailey continues to play

shows at different venues. With Diamond

Stone Music Festival on September 7-9

at Diamondhead Resort, Bailey and his

band will play on Friday the 8th.

With everything going on for Bailey

and his music he is thankful for the

Reservation Dogs music production for

reaching out to him. He has watched

the show since the first season and had

dreamed of hearing his music on at least

one episode.

Blaine Bailey’s music can be found on

YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. Be

sure to follow him on Facebook at Blaine

Bailey Music, where he keeps his fans

updated on the latest.

SYEP

2023

NEWSLETTER

June 5th - July 28 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

The SYEP highlight for our Environmental

Department was when Otoe-Missouri

Environmental Services had the summer

youth for their Environmental Youth Day!

Taking part in the Colors of the Clans run

the night before. Our summer youth had

a really good time and look forward to

comeback!

MEDIA DEPARTMENT

Our Media Departments SYEP highlight

was their "Cherokee Word of the Week".

Every Thursday our summer youth would

come up with a word in Cherokee

somewhat related to summer! You can

find the CWOTW on our Instagram

@ukbmedia!

SYEP HIGHLIGHT

Out of all the Departments one of the main

SYEP highlights were about our Cultural

Fridays, where our summer youth got

together every Friday and learned various

things about their cultures and even had

lessons on the Cherokee language! Every

lesson was different and everyone was

included making every week indulging.

MUSEUM DEPARTMENT

One of the many different SYEP

highlights for the Museum Department

along with Graphic design, language

program, ect was their trip to the First

Americans Museum in OKC on June 28th!

They were given different ideas for the

Gift Shop display here at our Museum,

and had a great time!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PROVIDED DOOR PRIZES, ALL ORGANIZERS, SUPERVISORS

AND ANY ONE ELSE WHO HELPED THE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM!

4

SEPTEMBER 2023

OBITUARIES

Miles “Brandon” Gifford

Miles “Brandon” Gifford was born on

March 23rd, 1984 in Tahlequah, OK,

the son of Miles Albert and Sharon Lee

(Champlain) Gifford. He was raised in

the Park Hill Community and attended

Keys Elementary School. He has one

sister, Sarah who often called him her

doney boy growing up. The family

moved to the Lost City Community

when Brandon was 9. He enjoyed

fishing, hunting, riding his 4-wheeler,

playing baseball, riding horses, and

coon hunting with his dad. He couldn’t

wait to spend time at his grandparents’

home, especially at the holiday, playing

with the cousins and getting into

mischief. In 2001, he began dating the

love of his life and his best friend, Katey

Lynn Kelley, a relationship that lasted

until his passing. He joined the Army

National Guard during his senior year of

high school. Following his graduation

from Hulbert in 2002, he attended basic

Alex Samuel McCoy

Alex Samuel McCoy was born on

November 15th, 1995 in Tulsa, OK, the

first son of two that day to Billy Ray and

Christa Ann (Petersen) McCoy Sr. He

had a twin brother, Billy McCoy Jr born

minutes later. These two boys joined

three brothers, Matthew, John and

Mark. Alex grew up in the Tahlequah

Community and attended school here.

He loved playing sports, especially

football in school. There was nothing

better than a day spent hanging out with

his friends and playing video games.

Alex listened to music of almost every

genre. He was quiet and thoughtful, and

kept to himself. He liked time spent with

the family he loved, and the view from

his front room window was enough. He

worked at the Cherokee Nation Casino

Leon Washington

Leon Washington was born December

6, 1952, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to

Emma Jane Washington.

He was raised in the Cherokee

County area by his grandparents Watt

and Jennie Washington of Tahlequah,

Oklahoma. Leon remained and lived his

life in Cherokee County.

Leon met the love of his life Norma

McCoy and they were joined in union on

December 8, 2000.

He lived the remainder of his life with

Norma in Cookson, Oklahoma where

COMMUNITY•ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri

with his classmate Chad Keener. He

then went on to complete his Advanced

Individual Training in Carpentry and

Masonry at Gulf Port, Mississippi. He

dedicated the next 6 years into the Army

and served one tour in Iraqi Freedom

with classmates Chad Keener and

Michael Clinton.

He was deployed for a second tour in

2007 in which he returned home early

with an honorable discharge in 2008. He

returned to make a home with Katey and

to raise a family of three children, Sierra

Whitney, Miles Coale, and Agustus

Issac.

Early in his career he worked as a

Lighthorse Police for the UKB. He then

went on to work in his family trade of

carpentry. He gained an Electrician

apprenticeship at the vocational school

in Muskogee, OK. He worked on cars

not necessarily for fun but when needed

and excelled at the trade. He loved to

ride horses and mules with his children,

often taking them

on trail rides in the

Lost City area. He

liked shooting pool

in leagues, and loved

to teach his son the

skills of this game. He

often spoke of stories

told by family and his

own personal life experiences. There

was nothing better than hunting deer

or hogs, fishing at the creek, or doing a

little noodling. He was a great friend and

would do anyth

ing in his power to help them

whenever he could, no matter the time

or place, anything that was needed. He

passed from this life on the evening of

August 8th, 2023 following a sudden

illness. Brandon was 39 years old and

will never be forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his

grandparents, Isaac and Ruby (Shade)

Gifford and Robert and Shirley (Johnson)

Champlain. He joins his Aunt Georgia

Mae Bowlin, and two uncles, Daniel

Gifford and Marion “Bub” Gifford.

Those left to his memory include his

loving wife, Katey Gifford of the home in

Hulbert, OK; their three children, Sierra

Whitney Gifford, Miles Coale Gifford

and Agustus Issac Gifford, all of the

family home; his father and mother,

Miles Albert and Sharon Lee Gifford of

Hulbert; one sister, Sarah Guinn and

husband of Hulbert, OK; two sister

in laws, Sarah Arndt and husband of

Hulbert and Mary Harper and husband

of Canton, NY; five aunts, seven uncles,

many nieces, nephews and cousins;

and a host of friends and loved ones too

numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Miles “Brandon”

Gifford were Tuesday, August 15, 2023,

at the Hulbert High School Gymnasium

with Pastor Sam Keener officiating. His

family hosted a visitation on Monday,

August 14, 2023, at Reed-Culver

Chapel. He was laid to rest at Keener

Cemetery with his family.

Pallbearers for Brandon included JD

Smith, Mikey Longan, Chad Keener,

Sammy Brave, Billy Wayne Wacoche,

Tyler Forrest, Shane Griffith, and

Brandon “Bub” Adair.

Honorary Pallbearers included Clay

Gifford, Logan Hubbard, Cory Jo Smith,

Michael Gourd, Kyle Ray, and Bo Luna.

in Ft. Gibson as a

Security Guard, a job

he enjoyed. When he

wasn’t working, he

spent a lot of time

with his girlfriend,

Lauren. They both

worked at the casino,

and loved chilling out

at the house and drinking a couple of

cold beers. His Dad had passed from life

in May, and this loss was keenly felt by

Alex. He missed his dad so much. Alex

passed from this life on July 24th, 2023

in Tahlequah, OK. He was 27 years old

and leaves an empty chair that will never

be filled.

Alex is preceded in death by his

grandparents, Alex and Rachel

(Bearpaw) McCoy, his great

grandparents, Levi and Ida (Chunstudy)

Hooper, his dad, Billy McCoy Sr., his

uncle, Clarence McCoy, and his good

friend, Austin Trapp.

Those left to cherish his memory

include his mother, Christa McCoy

of the home in Tahlequah, OK, and

his brothers, twin Billy McCoy Jr of

Muskogee, OK, Matthew Cook and

wife Deanna of Bristow, OK, John Cook

and wife Amy of Ft. Gibson, OK, and

Mark McCoy and wife Amanda of Ft.

Gibson, OK. He leaves his four adored

nieces, Eden, Avery, Randi and Zoie

Cook. He will be forever loved by his

aunts and uncles, Brenda McCoy of

Muskogee, Rick McCoy and companion

Maxine of Sallisaw, OK, Ronnie McCoy

of Ft. Gibson, OK, Jackie McCoy of

Muskogee, OK, Tommy McCoy and

wife Teresa of Muskogee, OK, Chris

Petersen of Lost City, OK, and Allene

Allison of Lost City, OK. He also leaves

his co-workers and especially his loved

companion, Lauren, as well as many

friends and a host of loved ones too

numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Alex Samuel

McCoy were Monday, July 31, 2023, at

Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Pastor

Drew Dinnel officiating. He was laid

to rest at Bolin Cemetery next to his

grandfather, Alex McCoy.

Pallbearers for Alex included his

twin brother, Billy McCoy Jr., Mark

McCoy, Matthew Cook, John Cook, Will

Park, Brent Carey, Michael Stockton,

Jacob Stockton, and Cody Yancy. His

honorary pallbearers included Rick

McCoy, Dakota Moreland, Connor Cook,

Hayden Houle, Kevin Town, Clyde Byrd

II, Chance Stockton, Nathan Farrar, and

Noah Manus.

they enjoyed gardening, taking care of

their chickens and spending time with

their family.

Leon Gave his life to the Lord on April

29, 2012, and was baptized in the Illinois

River on June 3, 2012.

Leon was a member of the United

Keetowah Band of the Cherokee Indians

of Oklahoma where he had a deep love

for his heritage.

Throughout his life he served in many

capacities, he was a tow truck driver,

diesel mechanic, and the best shade

tree mechanic around, if something

needed to be fixed he was the man for

the job. Leon was a

tree trimmer but only

from the ground as he

refused to get in the

bucket truck.

Leon is preceded

in death by his

grandparents

Watt and Jennie

Washington, his mom Emma Jane

Washington, brother Jimmy Washington,

daughter Shelby “Missy” Washington all

of Tahlequah.

He is survived by his wife Norma

Washington of the home. Brothers

Curtis Washington and wife Jeanette of

Hulbert, Oklahoma, Leo Washington of

Durant, Oklahoma. Children Christopher

Fourkiller and wife Julie of Cookson,

Oklahoma, William Washinton and wife

Erica of Parkhill, Oklahoma, Kimberly

Fourkiller and husband Wesley Davis of

Cookson, Oklahoma. Nine grandchildren

and 10 great grandchildren

Leon lived a long happy life and will

be greatly missed by many.

The Washington family hosted a

Memorial Service, August 17, 2023, at

Dry Creek Community Building.

BURIAL ASSISTANCE

The United Keetoowah Band wants to be a source of comfort during a family’s most difficult

time. The UKB’s Burial Assistane program can assist members with up to $3,000 for funeral

services or cremation costs. Please call 918-871-2800 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday

through Friday for a list of approved funeral homes we partner with and income guidelines

for this program.

www.ukb-nsn.gov/human-services info@ukb-nsn.gov

918-871-2800

LUNCH MENU

We have moved to a temporary building while our dining room is repaired. Park

in the drive-thru so meals can be brought to you. Protect yourself by wearing a

mask, staying 6 feet away from others, washing your hands and staying home if

feeling sick. Meal service is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Meals are free to Keetoowahs 55 and older, as well as their spouses. Members of

The United Keetoowah Band’s Title VI Lunch Menu for September 2023 in the

Jim Proctor Community Center at 18419 W. Keetoowah Circle in Tahlequah, other tribes and their spouses must show their CDIB cards and contribute to the

cost of a meal. Guest meals are $5, while meals for children 0-17 are $3.

Oklahoma. For information, call 918-871-2800.

September 1

Kitchen Closed 

Staff Development

September 4

Kitchen Closed

Labory Day

September 5

Ham/Cheese Sandwich

Potato Soup

3 Bean Salad

Pickle, Fruit Cup

September 6

Meatloaf

Mashed Potato

Broccoli Cuts

Biscuit, Apple Cobbler

September 7

Chicken & Dumplings

Sweet Peas

Garden Salad

Hot Roll, Applesauce

September 8

Cooks’ 

Choice

September 11

Goulash

Broccoli/Cauliflower

Garlic Toast

Jell-o Cup

September 12

Meat/Cheese Nachos

Mexican Rice

Refried Beans

Pineapple Cake

September 13

Pigs in a Blanket

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Potato Chips

Pudding Cup

September 14

White Beans, Fry Bread

Hominy

Spinach

Jell-o Cup

September 15

Fish & Chips

Coleslaw

Hushpuppies

Fruit Cup

September 18

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Green Beans

Ceasar Salad

Garlic Toast, Fruit Cup

September 19

Chicken Fajitas

Mexican Rice

Mexican Corn

Jell-o Cup

September 20

Pepperoni Pizza

Garden Salad

Fruit Cup

September 21

Chili w/Beans

Corn

Salad, Crackers

Peaches & Cream Cup

September 22

Reubin Sandwich

Potato Chips

Salad, Pickle

Cookie, Fresh Fruit

September 25

Hamburger Stew

Yellow Hominy

Saltine Crackers

Fruit Cup

September 26

Chicken Strips

Mashed Potato

Green Beans

Bread

September 27

Chef Salad

Potato Salad

Crackers

Fresh Fruit

September 28

Hamburger on Bun

w/ Fixings

French Fries

Ice Cream Sandwich

September 29

Kitchen Closed

Cleaning Day

NEWS•ᏗᏕᏃᏣᎸᏍᎩ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

SEPTEMBER 2023

5

UKB Back

to School

Bash proves

a success

The UKB Education Center and

HLDCDC host the yearly event

for returning students.

BY SHAYLEY FOURKILLER

Marketing Specialist

An Oklahoma Indian Legal Services specialist helps a woman with legal questions on Aug. 4, the day OILS visited the United

Keetoowah Band Tribal Court Office. PHOTOS BY SHAYLEY FOURKILLER/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

OILS visits UKB court

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services host a wills clinic and

answers legal questions at the UKB Tribal Court Office.

BY SHAYLEY FOURKILLER

Marketing Specialist

TAHLEQUAH – On August 4, Oklahoma Indian Legal

Services (OILS), visited the United Keetoowah Band

Tribal Court Office to offer answers to legal questions,

as well as conduct a Will’s Clinic.

OILS is a firm covering various legal services from

Indian Child Welfare Act, Natural Resources, Housing,

Sovereignty, Natural Disaster and Individual Rights.

OILS is a nonprofit legal aid office that provides

services to low-income Native Americans living in

Oklahoma.

The attorneys and staff at OILS represent Native

American people in civil cases that are connected

to their Native status. OILS’s clients are members of

federally recognized tribes who are facing problems

that are related to that status.

At the Will’s Clinic, OILS was able to draft

participants a ‘Last Will and Testament’ to ensure

that their estate is properly handled AFTER THEIR

PASSING.

The OILS staff also brought their new van, ‘The

Native Navigator’, which served as a mobile office.

“The mobile office will be able to provide more

assistance throughout Indian Country,” said Stephanie

Hudson, Executive Director of OILS.

OILS will be coming back to Tahlequah to offer their

services on October 7 for the 73rd UKB Celebration.

Applications for services are taken over the phone

Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. To apply, one must be a resident of

Oklahoma, be a member of a federally recognized tribe

and fall within OILS’ low-income eligibility guidelines.

OILS cannot assist individuals who are incarcerated

or represent applicants with criminal charges in state

district court or federal court.

When calling OILS, you will be asked to leave a

message. Please leave a name, phone number with

area code and a description of the legal assistance

request.

Applicants must have a voicemail set up in order to

receive a call back. Call toll free 1-800-658-1497. Dial

118 for will preparation, 116 for family situations and

103 for all other situations. If you are a current client

and need to speak with your attorney, call 405-9436457.

For more information, visit oilsonline.org.

Shown is the Oklahoma Indian Legal Services’ mobile office

called the Native Navigator. It visited the United Keetoowah Band

Complex on Aug. 4 to assist UKB members.

For legal advice,

call toll free

1-800-658-1497

or visit oilsonline.

org for more

information.

COURTESY

GRAPHIC

Shown is the inside

of the Oklahoma

Indian Legal Services’

mobile office, the

Native Navigator.

OILS provides legal

help to low-income

Native Americans in

the state.

TAHLEQUAH – The annual UKB Back to School Bash

was held on Saturday, August 5 at The Venue. This joint

effort was between the Henry Lee Doublehead CDC

and Education Center, serving approximately 250 UKB

students.

According to Kim Gourd, CCDF Manager, “The Backto-School bash was such a fun event. We had a good

turnout and it’s always fun when we get to see the

kiddos faces as they get ready to go back to school.”

The UKB CCDF Program served students 4-years old

to 12-years old. They saw quite a few 4-year-olds get

ready to start big school and saw the excitement on

their faces to get a backpack of school supplies.

“Many kids wanted to put the backpack on right away

and one of the parents took a picture as we handed the

backpack to the child- for scrapbook purposes,” Gourd

said.

And then they had those students that this was the

last year that they would be on the 4- to 12-year-old list;

many of their parents thanked the staff for helping them

through the years.

According to Gourd, they also rented a water

slide inflatable and served cotton candy to the kids

enjoyment.

Gourd said, they were happy to also have a couple of

Henry Lee Doublehead CDC alumni parents give free

haircuts to any student wanting a fresh look for back-toschool. Haircuts were provided by Chloe Patrick, Season

Callaway, Anthony Kingfisher, Emily Hullinger, and

Teegan Fourkiller.

“Thank you to all of the hairstylist who came out

again to help with this event; we are truly grateful for

their willingness to offer their services and were glad to

see them come back,” she said.

“We would also like to thank the Tahlequah Fire

Department for cooking hot dogs so that everyone was

able to eat while they waited for haircuts or visited

the many booths set up and for dessert that was

prepared by Katie’s Creations,” she added. “We enjoyed

partnering with the Education Department, Keetoowah

Strong & UKB Housing Dept., Echota Behavioral Health,

and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in making

this a successful event.”

“No matter if the child was Keetoowah or not, they

did not leave empty handed,” said Jacqueline WatsonBaker, Assistant Director of the Education Center.

UKB Education Center also partnered with Felts Shoes

to give each exclusive school aged UKB member in

attendance a $100 voucher to spend on shoes or apparel

in Felts.

The Housing Department gave out personal hygiene

kits and Echota Behavioral Health gave out drug

prevention supplies.

Echota also sponsored cultural activities which

included storytelling, gourd masks, bow making, and

rivercane bracelets. The many amenities of the Back to

School Bash were a huge hit to all in attendance.

“Many kids wanted to put the

backpack on right away and one

of the parents took a picture as we

handed the backpack to the childfor scrapbook purposes.”

Kim Gourd, CCDF manager

6

SEPTEMBER 2023

SERVICES•ᎾᎾᏛᏁᎲ BUSINESS•ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

The first Elder Committee in 2007 were, from left, John Hair, Barbara Girty, Dora Grayson and

Lois Fuller. The next UKB Elder Committee meeting is set for Sept. 18, 2023. COURTESY

UKB Elder Committee

continues to meet, inviting

all Keetoowah Elders

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – The United Keetoowah

Band Elder Committee continues to

meet bi-monthly; the next meeting is

scheduled for September 18, 2023.

It was in 2007, when former Chief

George Wickliffe brought to Council

the request of establishing an Elder

Committee.

The committee would advise and

inform Chief and Council about elder

issues and concerns. Making up the

original committee was former Chief

John Hair as the Committee Chair, along

with Dora Grayson, Barbara Girty and

Lois Fuller.

According to the committee’s secretary,

Barbara Girty-Foster, members received

small stipends to help with gas for elders

to make it to the monthly meeting.

Before the casino closed in 2013, the

tribe paid for elders to go on field trips

representing the UKB at various events.

Since the closure, activities and

stipends ended with many elders unable

to attend.

Meetings continued voluntarily, except

during COVID, and the committee agreed

on hosting fundraisers of selling t-shirts

and raffles at Celebration.

“We wanted to still provide handmade

condolence cards with a small monetary

gift to families after losing a loved one,”

Foster said. “One day we would like to be

able to offer the family a UKB Flag and

headstone to honor our passing elder.”

The Elder Committee currently

meets bi-monthly, with Pete Kingfisher

as Chairman. Kingfisher joined the

committee meetings 10 years ago under

Hair, he said the meetings were on

Saturday’s back then.

Serving alongside Kingfisher is Mary

Girty as the Treasurer and Lois Fuller as

Vice Chair.

“It’s usually just us four in the

meetings, and Chief Joe Bunch comes

most of the time,” Kingfisher said. “I’d

like to see this as a one-on-one with Chief

when he’s in attendance.”

The committee has seen a decrease in

numbers of attendance since COVID and

are hoping to rebuild, not only seeing

elders in the meeting but young people

too.

Kingfisher said they changed their

meetings to Monday evenings because

people are busy on Saturday’s now.

If you would like to help with

fundraising or just attend the meeting,

committee meets on the 3rd Mondays

at 5:30 p.m. every other month (odd

months) at the John Hair Cultural Center

and Keetoowah Museum. It is open to all

Keetoowah Elders.

The next meeting is scheduled on

September 18, 2023.

For more information on the Elders

Committee meeting, contact Barbara

Girty-Foster at 918-871-2794.

“We wanted to still provide handmade condolence

cards with a small monetary gift to families after losing

a loved one. One day we would like to be able to offer

the family a UKB Flag and headstone to honor our

passing elder.”

Barbara Foster-Girty, UKB Elder Committee member

UKB Tribal Lighthorse Police

An officer is always on-call if you are ever

in need of emergency assistance or

assistance with a civil or criminal matter.

Call 918-207-9955

Phone: 918-871-2773

PO Box 60, Park Hill, OK 74451

18300 W. Keetoowah Circle, Tahlequah, OK 74464

2023 UKB HOUSING PROGRAMS

v Repair/Rehab/Includes Emergency Repair

v College Student Housing Assistance

- To Assist Eligible UKB Members with the

necessary home Repairs and Rehab for them

to have decent, safe, and sanitary homes.

- Will Assist Income-Eligible, full-time

students who are attending an accredited

College within the United States. This Program

is active during the Fall and Springtime.

v Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance

- To Assist Eligible Tribal Members with

down-payment and closing costs in an

amount of $10,000 per household.

v Lease-Purchase Homeownership Program

- To Assist Eligible UKB Tribal Members in

becoming first time Homeowners.

v Storm Shelters

- To Assist Eligible UKB Members with a

storm shelter to be installed on their property

for security and safety.

v Rental/Mortgage Assistance

- Will Assist Income-Eligible Tribal Members

who reside within the Jurisdictional area of

the Tribe. Participants must establish that they

are renting a suitable affordable housing unit

or that they are delinquent in the payment of a

mortgage.

v Elder Cottage Program

v To Assist Elderly Tribal Members who

are precariously housed but who meet the

minimum income guidelines and the selection

criteria set forth in the program operating

policy.

v Weatherization Program (Wood Stove/AC)

- To Assist Elderly & Disabled with a window

unit air conditioner or wood stove and/or

weatherization materials as necessary to

control the climates of dwelling units and to

prevent infiltration of the elements.

v Coosa Wattee Income Based Homes

- Assisting UKB Tribal Members with

income-based housing in our Coosa Wattee

neighborhood.

v Goingsnake Elder Apartments

- Assisting our UKB Elders with a small

community in Stilwell. All are one-bedroom

apartments and fully furnished. This Program

is also income based.

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

CULTURE•ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

SEPTEMBER 2023

7

73rd annual Keetoowah

Celebration seeks vendors

Arts and crafts and food vendor spaces are

available for the annual UKB holiday.

“Getting Back to Basics” class participants prepare dill pickles on Aug. 12 in Tahlequah.

PHOTOS BY MARILYN CRAIG/UKB MUSEUM

‘Getting Back to Basics’

finishes canning series

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH - The canning portion of

the “Getting Back to Basics” series ended

Saturday, August 12 with a session on

canning pickles.

Participants learned how to can bread

and butter and dill pickles and were able

to take two quarts of dills and 2 pints

of bread and butter pickles home with

them.

The class was taught by a tribal elder,

Betty Holcomb.

“I enjoyed every minute of the canning

series. The most important tip I learned

was the importance of sterilizing the jars

and lids and using the right equipment.

I would recommend anyone to take this

class and to keep this tradition going.

It’s been very enjoyable,” said Norma

Jimerson.

Cucumbers are sliced

to make bread and

butter pickles as part

of the UKB Museum’s

“Back to Basics”

canning series held

Aug. 12 in Tahlequah.

The group started with 25 pounds

of pickling cucumbers, pickling spices,

pickling salt, dill, sugar, and white

vinegar.

Destini Goins, said she and her teenage

daughter took the class for personal

interest, self-sufficiency, and to expand

knowledge.

Her favorite class was canning

strawberry preserves.

“It’s not as hard as I made it out to be.

Wonderful experience! We loved Betty!

She has so much to teach, it could be a

continuous class,” said Goins. “I have

already recommended this and future

classes to my family and friends.”

The next series in the ‘Getting Back to

Basics’ series is the Quilting series. The

classes will be held on September 9,

October 14, and November 11.

For more information, call Barbara

Girty Foster, at 918-871-2866.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH – Booth spaces are still

available for arts and crafts and food

vendors for the 73rd Annual Keetoowah

Celebration.

Vendors will be able to be open from 8

am to 5 pm on Saturday, October 7. All

booth sizes are 10 x 20. Arts and Crafts

booths are $25 or $50 with electric. Food

vendors are $50 with electric.

Mail-in payments should be paid

by check or money order only. Checks

should be made payable to: United

Keetoowah Band. Mail to John Hair

Cultural Center and Museum, 18280

West Keetoowah Circle, Tahlequah, OK

74464.

To pay in person, come to the John

Hair Cultural Center and Keetoowah

Museum, and pay with cash, VISA,

Mastercard, Discover, and American

Express.

Applications are accepted on a first

paid basis. Booth locations will be

assigned when payment is received. No

Vendors are being sought for the upcoming

73rd annual UKB Celebration slated for Oct.

5-7 in Tahlequah. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA

CHEROKEE NEWS

refunds will be issued after registration

is closed on September 22, 2023.

For more information, contact vendor

coordinator, Barbara Girty Foster at 918871-2794.

UKB Museum announces

new YouTube channel

UKB officials urge citizens to subscribe to the

online channel.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH-The John Hair Cultural

Center and Keetoowah Museum is

asking the public to join their new

Keetoowah Museum YouTube channel.

There have been thirty-five videos

posted in the first few weeks since the

launch of the channel.

“When you see a video you like,

please hit the like button for us,” said

JHCCM Director Ernestine Berry. “And

if you love it, go ahead, and share it on

your Facebook page, in an e-mail, or in

a text.”

The most recently added video is

a video from UKB’s Ethnobiologist

Roger Cain, talking about a Historic

Preservation project on rivercane. His

video currently has the most views on

the channel.

“We have so many culturally talented

and knowledgeable people in this tribe,

there is so much potential to grow this

channel with more programs, classes

and entertainment,” said Berry.

If you have suggestions on future

programs, would like to take a class or

if you have a question about Keetoowah

history or culture, call the museum at

918-781-2866.

8

SEPTEMBER 2023

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