Tribal officials and

NEW LOOK

Tribal officials and

students paint the

halls at Bell School.

NEWS, 3

LOOK FOR US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

AND AT WWW.UKB-NSN.GOV.

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

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

INAUGURATED

Ground

broken on

tag office

BY LANI HANSEN

Reporter

The 2023-25 UKB District representatives with the tribe’s four officers. From left are Cooweescoowee Rep. Clifford

Wofford, Delaware Rep. Elmer Panther, Saline Rep. Charles Smoke, Secretary Joyce Fourkiller, Illinois Rep. Peggy Girty,

Canadian Rep. Eddie Sacks, Treasurer Sonja Ummerteskee Gourd, Flint Rep. Frankie Still, Chief Joe Bunch, Goingsnake

Rep. Willie Christie, Tahlequah Rep. Alvin Hicks and Assistant Chief Jeff Wacoche. PHOTOS BY LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA

CHEROKEE NEWS

UKB swears in Council

for tribe’s districts

TAHLEQUAH – On Thursday, Jan. 12 the United

Keetoowah Band Tag Agency, tribal administrators,

district representatives and employees celebrated the

groundbreaking of the new tag agency building.

The UKB Tag Agency was started in 2000, when

former UKB Chief Jim Henson received the first tribal

tag. In 2018 the office was placed in the UKB Services

Building, where it is currently located. The UKB Tag

Agency is directed under Sheila Bluebird, working

alongside employees Connie Martinez and Jamie

Studie-Dick.

“The Tag Agency has moved around to multiple

places, when they first started it was in a small shack

behind the casino,” Bluebird said.

The new office is expected to be done by summer

2023, it will be located on the southeast corner of

Whittmore Lane and Keetoowah Circle. Construction

will be completed under Industrial Tribal Services LLC.

SEE TAG, PAGE 2

With seven representatives returning, Delaware District Rep.

Elmer Panther begins his new term on the UKB Council.

BY LANI HANSEN

Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – On Saturday Jan. 7 the United

Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians kicked off the

new year swearing in the councilors who will represent

the nine tribal districts for the next two years.

The inauguration took place in Tahlequah at The

Venue, where family and friends gathered to celebrate

the new term of the UKB Council.

Seven of the individuals returned to serve another

term, while the Delaware District representative will

be serving his first term and the Sequoyah District seat

remained vacant.

At the beginning of the inauguration, UKB Assistant

Chief Jeff Wacoche gave his opening remarks followed

by the posting of colors by the UKB Honor Guard.

Pastor Bill Pettit from Freedom Fellowship gave

the invocation, and Lani Hansen sang the National

Anthem.

After Chief Joe Bunch stated his address, Pettit

and Ronny Livers sang a few Cherokee songs for

entertainment.

Eight district representatives were sworn in by UKB

Court Judge Tripp. Representing Canadian District is

Eddie Sacks, Cooweescoowee District Cliff Wofford,

Flint District Frankie Still, Goingsnake District Willie

Christie, Illinois District Peggy Girty, Saline District

Charles Smoke, Tahlequah District Alvin Hicks and

Delaware District Elmer Panther who is serving for his

first term.

“It’s good we have a minimal change in our council,

because everyone knows what is going on and what

needs to be done,” Assistant Chief Wacoche stated

about majority of the Council returning. “With Elmer,

it will be an experience to learn on the go. But he

expressed he is ready to take on the actions of serving

our tribe.”

After the inauguration ended, the Council had the

first meeting of the year. On the agenda the Council

was to appoint Levi Catron to the Sequoyah District

seat. The approval was made after the reading of the

Constitution.

Now that the UKB Council filled all district seats,

Chief Bunch wanted to thank those who applied and

went through the election process and those who were

elected.

“This is a proud moment for the tribe,” Chief Bunch

added. “And for Elmer he has a grand opportunity to

learn from council who have been on board before.”

An artist’s rendering of the UKB’s new tag office, which is

expected to be done by the end of summer. COURTESY

UKB Housing

celebrates Bolin

with new home

Tribal member David Bolin is a

new homeowner thanks to the

UKB Housing’s Elder Cottage

Program.

BY LANI HANSEN

Reporter

Rep. Charles Smoke (Saline) gets a handshake while Reps.

Peggy Girty (Illinois), Eddie Sacks (Canadian) and Frankie

Still (Flint) look on during the Council inauguration event.

From left, Reps. Clifford Wofford (Cooweescoowee), Elmer

Panther (Delaware) and Charles Smoke (Saline) raise their

hands as they take their oaths of office for the UKB Council

on Jan. 7 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Council Reps. Elmer Panther (Delaware) and Charles

Smoke (Saline) sign their oaths of office on Jan. 7.

DRY CREEK – To bring in the New Year, the United

Keetoowah Band Housing Department presented tribal

member David Bolin a key to his new home, which sets

on top of the hill in the Dry Creek community.

Bolin, a fluent language speaker, has lived in this area

his whole life. His living situation was not the best for

an elder. It was right before COVID hit when his sister

Ella Bolin took matters upon her own hands and came

to the tribe for help. She was taking care of him, as he

recovered from a stroke.

Ella had learned through the UKB Housing

Department about the elder cottage program. She

SEE HOME, PAGE 2

New homeowner David Bolin is surrounded by UKB Housing

Department as they helped him celebrate. LANI HANSEN/

REPORTER/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

2

FEBRUARY 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

COUNCIL•ᏗᏂᎳᏫᎩ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

Looking for good things, bright future

Gi du wa, go whl la

February is here. Area basketball is

in full swing and headed into March

Madness and we have been blessed with

not much winter this past January.

We inaugurated our 36th Tribal

Council the first Saturday in January,

and followed a few hours later with our

regular Council meeting. Please, welcome

our district representatives as they play

a vital role in providing service and

information to our tribal members in our

districts.

We have one new district representative

in the Delaware District, Elmer Panther.

So if you have the chance, please

welcome him to this position. All the

remaining district representatives were

re-elected. Three had no contest, and

one was re-appointed to the district

representative position by the supreme

governing body, the Council.

Some would argue, “why did we have

a referendum vote to amend the election

policy to include a drivers license and

high school diploma or equivalent to be

an elected official?”

The Constitution provides in Article V,

Governing Body, Section 3, the following:

The term of office of members of the

Council, other than officers of the band,

shall be for a period of two years, or

until their successors are duly elected

Chief’s

Corner

JOE BUNCH

Principal Chief

jbunch@ukb-nsn.gov

and qualified. In this case there was no

successor elected and qualified candidate.

The Council approved Councilman Levi

Catron to continue his role as district

representative.

Another district representative race, the

Saline District, was challenged, and citing

electioneering and loitering, a hearing

was held by the Election Board, and they

upheld their decision to disqualify Charles

Smoke from office.

In Smoke’s appeal in the tribal courts,

the court decision filed in his favor and

the disqualification was dismissed. Rep.

Smoke was re-elected as the Council

member in the Saline District.

In seating a House of Representative

delegate, Assistant Chief Jefff Wacoche,

House Representative Torie Holland and

myself discussed with then-Chairman

James P. McGovern of the House Rules

Committee the UKB’s history and the

need for the three federally recognized

Cherokee tribes having representation in

the House, provided by treaties with the

Cherokees. This was articulated due to

no consultation with either the Eastern

Band of Cherokees Indians or the United

Keetoowah Band of Cherokees. Rest

assured that we will continue to fight this

until all three federally Cherokee tribes

are represented, or no representation is

permitted.

We held a groundbreaking ceremony

for the new tag office building, and we

look forward to the drive through access

it will have.

We are negotiating the repair of our

T-6 building, building back better. The

groundwork on the south side of our

grounds is the Housing Warehouse

already in progress, other activities

include the first time ever, visit by the

Indian Health Service Secretary Rosland

Tso, who listened to our health concerns

and discussed a possible general medical

facility for the UKB. During her visit, she

and the Oklahoma Regional IHS Office

toured our complex and museum.

We look for good things happening

in 2023. The future of Keetoowah looks

bright. Thank you and God Bless the

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee

Indians.

Do da go hv I, until we see again. My

office is always open call or come by.

HOME: Bolin’s home sits on his family’s land.

FROM PAGE 1

Cooweescoowee

Dist.

Clifford

Wofford

918-822-1953

Delaware Dist.

Elmer Panther

918-226-1668

Flint Dist.

Frankie Still

918-507-1822

Goingsnake Dist.

Willie Christie

918-822-3803

applied for him, and they waited about

three years or more before the home was

completed.

“COVID had set us back and finding

a spot for a well to the house,” Housing

Assistant Director Richard Vann said.

Bolin’s home sits on top of the hill in

the Dry Creek community on his family’s

land. It is a one-bedroom house with a

handicapped accessible bathroom, a living

room area and kitchen area.

“I’m 100 percent thankful for the tribe

of getting this home built for me,” Bolin

said.

The UKB Housing Department Elder

Cottage program was started a few years

ago, with seven homes that were then

replaced by one or two-bedroom cottages,

with Bolin being one of the seven

recipients according to Housing Director

Roxana Wilden.

In order to be eligible for the program

one must be exclusive UKB elder (ages 62

and up), meet an income guideline and

never have owned a home.

On days like January 13th when the

Housing Department went to Bolin’s new

home and presented him with a key, they

saw how much appreciation comes from

the family.

“I look forward to giving the

homeowner the keys, because sometimes

they are speechless, but the families see

more of appreciation because the tribe did

something for their family member that

needed help,” Vann said.

As the director, Wilden was the one

Housing Director Roxana Wilden, Tahlequah District Rep Alvin Hicks and Assistant Director

Richard Vann present the key to the new home of David Bolin.

to hand the key over to Bolin as he was

surrounded by a few of his sisters.

“We are helping out our elders, but

we relieve the burden from most of their

family members,” said Wilden.

Bolin’s key presentation was the first

one Wilden and Vann did together as

Director and Assistant Director.

To apply for an elder cottage or other

programs, hard copy applications are

provided at the UKB Housing Department

located at 18300 W. Keetoowah Circle in

the main complex.

For more information about the

Housing Department, call 918-871-2773.

The new home of UKB member David Bolin.

Bolin received his home in Dry Creek via the

UKB Housing Department. PHOTOS BY LANI

HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

TAG: The new facility will be 1,217 square feet.

FROM PAGE 1

Illinois Dist.

Peggy Girty

918-457-7067

Saline Dist.

Charles Smoke

918-457-7071

“We are thankful for the AARP funding,

it has helped us with getting this new

place,” Bluebird said. “It will be exciting

to call it our own, once completed.”

The new facility will be 1,217 square

feet and come with a larger waiting area

with a restroom, one breakroom for

employees, one employee restroom, one

office, one large service area and a drive

thru.

“The facility is a testament to the tax

commission who had come together

and built this plan,” Assistant Chief Jeff

Wacoche said.

The groundbreaking ceremony

was held on Jan. 12, when tribal

administration, ITS representatives,

district representatives and employees

came together to celebrate.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for

the tag office, it’ll be more convenient for

customers with the drive thru services,”

THE UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND’S OFFICES

WILL BE CLOSED

FEB. 20 FOR PRESIDENTS DAY

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Sequoyah Dist.

Junior Catron

918-315-0970

Tahlequah Dist.

Alvin Hicks

918-931-1462

Chief Joe Bunch said.

The new facility will continue operating

the same services such as registration

renewal, personalized tags, activeduty tag, adding and removal of name,

duplicate title/lost tag, repo affidavit,

adding a tribal member, updating

information with Tag Agency and

delegation forms.

Hours of operation will remain the

same, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MondayFriday. For assistance, call 918-871-2770.

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.

MEDIA SPECIALIST

Rita Courtwright

REPORTER

Lani Hansen

GRAPHICS DESIGNER

Travis Snell

SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Shayley Fourkiller

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

FEBRUARY 2023

3

Bell School gets new coat of paint

UKB Education, tribal

employees, Cave

Springs students and

Bacone students

paint the halls of Bell.

“We had a lot of

volunteers from the

Keetoowahs and thanks to

Dr. Hannah, after 35 years

we got it painted.”

BY LANI HANSEN

Reporter

Tony Davidson, Bell

principal

BELL – UKB employees, students from

Cave Springs and Bacone College all

came together to give Bell Elementary

School a new look inside the building

from what was a southwestern style to a

more modern look of school colors.

Bell serves about 75 students from

Pre-k to eigth grade. The school sits 9

miles southeast of Stilwell, Oklahoma.

It is one of the oldest schools that

was established in the 1870s that serves

Native American children, according to

Bell Principal Tony Davidson.

The school has 17 staff members, with

Davidson serving as the principal for the

past 15 years.

After having the hallways painted a

southwestern design for more than 35

years, it was time for a change for the

school, he said.

Davidson said the students and

teachers decided they wanted a new

color and look.

“We had contacted Dr. (UKB Education

Director Leslie) Hannah with the UKB,

and he set us up bringing donations from

Lowe’s,” Davidson said. “So we painted

it in the school colors now which are

black, white and yellow. We had a lot

of volunteers from the Keetoowahs and

tape the walls. Helping were some staff

members from Bell and students from

Cave Springs. Hannah was overwhelmed

by all who came on the days to paint.

“We had employees from almost each

department, some students from Cave

Springs who are a part of the FFA group

and students from Bacone College come

help,” Hannah said.

Many of the staff at Bell were happy

with the tribe coming in and helping

with upgrades for the school. Bell teacher

Eileen Tidwell said with the new look she

hopes it will make the students proud of

their school.

Davidson plans the continuation of

working with the tribe, as the education

department has already begun a

reading program with the students from

kindergarten through second grade.

The environmental department will

be tree cutting and hauling off brush, so

the school can have more access to their

property.

“We are hoping to do some remodel to

the gymnasium as it needs, and hope the

tribe will help out,” Davidson said.

Hannah said he was really proud of

the outcome to paint the hallways of Bell

School.

Bell Elementary before the paint job.

A Bacone student helps paint the walls at

Bell Elementary School. Students from Cave

Springs and UKB employees also helped

give the school a new look. PHOTOS BY LANI

HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Bell Elementary after the paint job.

thanks to Dr. Hannah, after 35 years we

got it painted.”

Lowe’s donated all the material such

as brushes, paint and tape. Fors Marsh, a

consultant company out of Virginia made

a monetary donation which went toward

the paint. On Jan. 4, Hannah and some

tribal employees went to Bell to prep and

Stitt inauguration & IHS visitor

UKB Chief Joe Bunch, third from right, and Assistant Chief Jeff Wacoche, fifth from right, attend Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s

inauguration on Jan. 9 in Oklahoma City. Stitt, center, won a second term as governor in November. PHOTOS BY LANI HANSEN/

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Indian Health Service Oklahoma City Area Director Rear Adm. Travis Watts, IHS Director

Roselyn Tso, UKB Chief Joe Bunch and Treasurer Joyce Fourkiller tour UKB facilities on Dec. 21

in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, during Tso’s visit to the state.

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

Assistant Chief Jeff Wacoche, left, and Chief Joe Bunch take a

picture with Oklahoma first Lady Sarah Stitt on Jan. 9 during

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s inauguration.

Indian Health Service Director Roselyn Tso, center, poses with UKB Chief Joe Bunch, left of Tso,

along with other UKB and IHS officials on Dec. 21 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, during Tso’s visit to

the state.

UKB Tribal Enrollment

18300 W. Keetoowah Circle Tahlequah, OK 74464

Open Monday-Friday | 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As with other federally recognized tribes in the U.S., the United

Keetoowah Band has its unique

process to determine its own

membership.

Visit ukb-nsn.gov/membership

for Enrollment documents and

a brief FAQ section of the most

common questions about UKB

membership. Find forms for Membership Applicaitions, CDIB Instructions, Update Your Information and UKB Relinquishment.

For additional questions or if

you are a member who has lost

your enrollment card, call the

UKB Enrollment Office Registrar

Amanda Stopp at 918-871-2797.

4

FEBRUARY 2023

OBITUARIES

Johnny Lee Bird

Johnny Lee Bird was born on

March 4, 1945 to John Bird and Betty

Smith(Bird) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

He departed this life on December 14,

2022 surrounded by those who loved

him most at the age of 77 years old.

Johnny loved life and lived it to the

fullest. He had a huge heart and would

Norma Jean Gifford

Norma was born in a log cabin near

Kenwood, OK, December 20, 1934, to

Eugene and Flonnie Partain.

The eldest of three daughters,

she attended elementary school in

Kenwood and graduated from Kansas

High School.

In 1963, she received her Bachelors

in Elementary Education, later returning

Katherine Lou (Holmes) Ketcher

Mrs. Katherine “Kathy” Ketcher

was born January 24th, 1955 to Ted

Holmes and Annie Ruth Holmes

(Buzzard). She passed this life on

December 27th, 2022 in Tahlequah,

Oklahoma. Kathy was a proud member

of Church On The Rock. She enjoyed

going on long car rides, the sounds

Michael Shondell King

Michael (Shon) Shondell King, 49,

passed away on Friday, November

18, 2022. He was born on September

2, 1973 in Gravette, AR to James &

Nancy King.

Shon was raised up around the

Zena and Jay area where he was well

known by many for being a handyman

that would do anything for anyone that

he could to help his neighbors and

friends. He attended Public Schools

for many years. Shon enjoyed being

outdoors, he liked to hunt, work on

vehicles and was always tinkering with

something. If it didn’t run fast or good

Thelma Jane Kingfisher

Thelma Jane Kingfisher, 81, of

Salina, passed from this life on

Monday, November 14, 2022, in Tulsa.

She was born on June 2, 1941, in

Claremore, Oklahoma to Sam and

Jennie (Christie) Blossom.

She married Clarence Kingfisher

on July 1, 1975, in Salina and spent

many wonderful years with him until

his passing in 2017. She took any

opportunity to go on the road and

travel, especially with her husband

Clarence. She enjoyed any time she

could take a drive and loved looking at

the foliage in the fall.

Lillie Mae Ross

Lillie Mae Ross, daughter of Levi

Ross and Mary Hardbarger Ross,

was born on October 10, 1944 in

Tahlequah, Oklahoma and went home

to be with the Lord on Wednesday,

November 9, 2022 at her home on

Ross Mountain.

Lillie was a teacher’s aide and a cook

for Greasy School for several years.

She loved singing Cherokee Hymns

Lorene Ross

Lorene Ross, 91, of Kenwood,

passed away on Dec. 9, 2022, at her

home. She was born on Dec. 21, 1930,

in Teresita; the daughter of Elwood

Whittington and Arlene (Levi) Sac.

She married Archie Leroy Leaf in 1947

and had four children, Fred, Leroy,

Sharon and Carolyn. In 1969, Lorene

married Stanley Budder of Kenwood,

and together had 4 children as well,

Stanley, Melissa, Sheila, and Briana. In

2007, Lorene married Woodrow Ross.

Lorene loved her Lord and Savior. She

attended Emmanuel Baptist Church

with Woodrow and also attended

Amazing Grace Church. She loved

spending time outdoors, especially

when it came to cutting grass and

tinkering in her flower garden. In

COMMUNITY•ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

help anyone in need.

He was always laughing, smiling

and joking with everyone. He loved

spending time with his friends

and family but especially his wife,

grandkids and great grandkids.

It was his greatest joy was to serve

the Lord and encourage anyone he

came across to join in his fellowship.

His hobbies included tinkering with

cars, fixing/building

things, fishing,

going on adventures

and teaching his

grandkids about life.

He was an

amazing husband,

father and

grandfather. His life

was loving the Lord and his family.

Johnny was proceeded in death

by his father John Bird, mother Betty

Smith both of Stilwell, Oklahoma,

sisters Janie Greyson, Laura Bunch,

Lila Gonzales, brothers Ocie Bird,

Sammy Bird, Wesley Bird and Fabian

Bird. Those left to cherish his memory

are his wife, Shirley Bird, his two

daughters, Nona Price and husband

Jeff, Cheryl Powell and husband Floyd,

two nephews/sons Donnie Bird, Dennis

Bird, grandkids, Jacob Shell, Megan

Shell, Lauren Shell, Kendall Todd,

Hayden Price, Krymsen Price, Cheryl

Jean Willis, Natasha Bird, Kyle Bird,

Delaney McGee, Nikolas Bird, greatgrandkids, Jade Henson, Azakiah Ellis,

London Ellis.

to receive her Master’s in Special

Education. After teaching at Tahlequah

Public Schools and Lost City for 40

years, she retired in the late 90s.

In 1955, She married William Smock.

They had two children, William (Bill)

and Candis, before divorcing in the late

1960’s.

In 1993, she married her best friend,

Isaac Gifford. They loved to camp and

fish, enjoying too few years together

before Issac’s passing in 2004. She

was a talented cook and seamstress,

and enjoyed creating many crafty

home decorations.

She is survived by her two children

of the home and two sisters, Jeri

of Prairie Grove, Ark., and Ruby of

Salina, Ok. Norma leaves behind

3 grandchildren; Casey, Cody, and

Jacob. Also blessed by 4 greatgrandchildren; Mya, Maci, James, and

Juniper of Tahlequah. They all Loved

their Memee so much. She will be

remembered by her numerous cousins,

friends, and those she took in as her

family for the love she radiated and

taught to everyone who knew her.

She was a member of the Seventh

Day Adventist Church and joined her

Savior and loved one waiting with Him

on December 12th, just shy of her 88th

birthday

of gospel singing

bellowing through

the air, and attending

church. Being with

grandkids and family

is where you could

find Kathy enjoying

quality time spent.

Kathy was forever

lending a helping hand to those in

need. Her gifts of giving to others is

the legacy she leaves her friends and

family. Kathy will be dearly missed by

all who knew and loved her.

Kathy is survived by a loving and

devoted family who include husband

Jimmy of the home. Two daughters:

Rita Stockton of Muskogee, OK,

Veronica Hubbard and Reece of

Blackwell OK, Three sons: Donnie

Ketcher of Stilwell, Jimmy Jr. Ketcher

of Stilwell, Lonnie Ketcher and Jamie

of Stilwell. Four sisters: Mary Drywater,

Ella Mae Gilberth, Gracie Wilburn,

and Ramona Finch. Two brothers: Joe

Holmes and Mitchell Holmes. Kathy

was also survived by a beloved and

cherished friend Brenda Adair.

She was perceeded in death by her

parents.

enough, he was always trying to find

a way to make it run better or faster.

In 2000 he became a father to Dalton

James King. Shon dedicated his life to

raising his son, he was a devoted and

loving father and made sure that his

son always had everything he needed.

Shon was a member of the UKB tribe

and participated actively in his Indian

heritage. He will be dearly missed by

his family and friends.

Shon is preceded in death by his

father James Edward King; Mother

Nancy Sue King; Grandparents

Sherman King, Dorothy King, Cephus

Sourjohn, Ella Mae Sourjohn and

Wilma “Bruce” Sourjohn.

He is survived

by his Son Dalton

James King and

Finance’ Lacrecia

Patterson of Zena,

OK; Brother Kenny

King and wife Patti

of Eucha, OK ; Niece

Casey Goins and

husband Wayne of Eucha and Niece

Keeta Tillman and husband Marcus

of Eucha, OK; his one Nephew Cody

King of Eucha, OK; One Great Niece

Madison”Dude” King of Eucha ,OK;

Four Great Nephews Kaylib “Cotton”

King, Korbyn “Roper” Tillman, Bayler

“Rider” Tillman and Lawson “Newt”

Tillman; As well as many Aunts,

Uncles and Cousins from the King

and Sourjohn Side of the family that

he loved dearly; extended family and

friends.

Shon’s Wake Service were

November 25, followed by his family

visitation to greet friends at Lawson’s

Funeral Homes & Cremation Services.

Shon’s Celebration Of Life Funeral

Service were November 26 at

Lawson’s Funeral Homes & Cremation

Services Chapel with Rev. Jheri

Roberts officiating. Followed by his

funeral procession to Hilderbrand

Cemetery, Zena, OK.

She also liked

cooking, sewing,

and making quilts for

her grandkids. Most

of all, she loved

going to church,

church events and

activities, serving

her Lord, and

spending time with her family. She was

a wonderful wife, mother, grandma,

and aunt. She leaves behind many

memories for all to cherish and will be

dearly missed by all who knew and

loved her.

Funeral services for Thelma were

held November 21 at the Salina First

Baptist Church with Reverend Richard

Budder officiating.

Burial followed at the Little Rock

Indian Cemetery with Jacob Kingfisher,

Bryce Kingfisher, Traiven Kingfisher,

Jacob “Earl” Smoke, Darrian

Kingfisher, and Trent Brown serving

as casket bearers. Honorary casket

bearers were Josh Smoke and Easton

Kingfisher. A wake service was held

November 20.

She is survived by her sons, Samuel

Kingfisher of Salina, and Daniel

Kingfisher and Wendy of Salina;

daughter, Jennie Rogers of Salina;

sister, Roselene Lenio of Salina;

grandchildren, Whitney Rogers of

Pryor, Brooke Rogers of Locust Grove,

Summer Smoke, Kristen Smoke,

Josh Smoke, Sarah Smoke of Grove,

Jacob “Earl” Smoke of Locust Grove,

Jacob Kingfisher of Claremore, Traiven

Kingfisher, Brailee Kingfisher of Salina,

Cadence Kingfisher of Salina, Emily

Kingfisher of Pryor, Darrian Kingfisher

of Pryor, and Easton Kingfisher of

Salina; 8 great grandchildren and 3 on

the way. She is preceded in death by

her parents, Sam and Jennie Blossom;

husband, Clarence Kingfisher; son,

Kelly Smoke; daughters, Lisa and

Diane Rogers; twin sister, Wilma

Kingfisher; sister, Vionita Littledave;

and grandson, Brett Owen Rogers.

and was a member of the New Baptist

Church in Greasy.

Lillie enjoyed family, playing softball,

wrestling, playing jar rings and OU

Sports.

Lillie was a blessed Mom to her 3

children: daughter – Jimmie Lynn Ross,

son – Terry Ross and son – Jerry Ross.

Lillie was preceded in death by her

father – Levi Ross, mother – Mary

Hardbarger Ross; 3 brothers – George

Ross, Albert Ross and Ronnie Ross;

2 sisters – Emma

Swimmer and Ollie

Ross; and niece

Sharon Sawney.

Lillie is survived

by her loving

family: Children –

daughter Jimmie

Lynn Ross, son

Terry Ross, son Jerry Ross and wife

Lori. Granddaughters: Catherine

Emujakporue and husband Moses;

Tiffany Gonzalis and husband Omar;

Jayme Stepp and husband Wes.

Grandsons: Sheldon Gatewood,

Jayson Steeley, and Lane Trammel and

wife Andrea. Great grandchildren: Jay

Emujakporue, Jaelyn, Wyatt, Kayden,

Gage, Emmy and Korbin. Brothers:

Johnny Ross and Richard Ross. Her

special kin, Joe Grayson.

A host of nieces, nephews, other

relatives and many friends also survive

her.

1985, she watched

children at home and

was offered a job at

Kenwood Schools

to watch the kids.

Lorene became a

home health care

giver to Cherokee

speaking elders.

She spent time on the Tax Commission

for the UKB. She loved spending time

with family and friends, and having

cookouts. In the fall, she would gather

hickory nuts to make kanuchi. Lorene

enjoyed watching TV and sitting on

her porch. She was also writing stories

about things God was revealing to her

and how her life was growing up as

a child and the hardships they faced.

She was a strong Christian woman,

fluent Cherokee speaker, and was

loving and kind to all she met. She will

be missed by all who knew and loved

her.

Funeral services were Dec. 19, 2022

in the Little Rock Indian Baptist Church

in Locust Grove. Burial followed in the

Little Rock Indian Cemetery with Keith

Jason, Jr., Brad Davis, Ashton Budder,

Brian Proctor, Dakota Jackson, and

Rob Chumwalooky serving as casket

bearers. Honorary casket bearers were

Paul Leaf, Bo Leaf, Braydon Thomas,

Keelan Davis, TJ Cummings, and

Josh Butcher. Lorene is survived by

her sons, Leroy Leaf of Salina; and

Stanley Budder, Jr., and Rose Lyman of

Kenwood; daughters, Sharon Proctor

of Colcord; Carolyn Chumwalooky

of Kenwood; Sheilah Thomas and

husband Brandon of Pryor; and Briana

Lamb and husband Keith of Kenwood;

sisters, Joan Garnett and Ida Sac

both of Tulsa; 19 grandchildren, 37

great grandchildren, 31 great-great

grandchildren, and 7 great-great-great

grandchildren; and many relatives and

friends. She is preceded in death by

her parents; husbands; sons, Baby

Boy Leaf and Johnny Leaf; daughter,

Melissa Budder Davis; sons in law,

William Chumwalooky and Dallas

Proctor; siblings, Charley Sac, David

Sac, Mary Sac, Marlene Sac Tiger,

Juanita Sac Rice and Katherine

Whittington Alderman; grandsons,

Marwin (Boy) Leaf and Wes Proctor;

granddaughters, Chassidy Butcher

and Layla Leaf; great grandsons,

Trifton Wacoche, Rylan Smith, Jordan

Proctor and Shanendoah Leaf; and

great-great-great granddaughter, Jovi

Backwater.

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

COMMUNITY•ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

OBITUARIES

Jerry Dale Shade

Jerry Dale Shade, 69, passed away

on Nov. 23, 2022. The night before,

he went to bed with thoughts of

when to begin deep-frying this year’s

Thanksgiving turkey. He would not

wake again.

Jerry (Tsuhisata) was born Feb. 5,

1953, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to

Tommy (Dinisogi) and Betsy (Quedi)

Shade of Gore, Oklahoma. Cherokee

was the language spoken in the

home, but he learned English quickly

from his older brother Emmett (Dvnai)

Shade and from elementary school.

Younger brothers Richard, William,

Thomas, Albert and Robert looked

up to him. Jerry took care of family

from his earliest years. After high

school, he attended Bacone College in

Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1971 where

he met Judy Ann Lovato. Though he

didn’t stay at Bacone, Jerry and Judy

wrote to one another and eventually

met again at Northeastern State

Katherine Ann

Summerfield-Newcomb

Katherine Ann SummerfieldNewcomb (Kat), passed away

peacefully at Saint John’s Hospital

in Tulsa, OK, November 25, 2022 on

Friday afternoon to be with her Lord at

the age of 65.

Kat was born on February 7, 1947

in Claremore, OK to John Wayne

Alex William Swimmer

Alex William Swimmer was born on

March 31st, 1971 in Riverside, CA, the

son of Charley and Imagene (Miller)

Swimmer.

He was raised in the household with

two brothers and one sister, Larry,

Charles and Kim. He attended school

at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa,

OK, where he played football, baseball,

but most of all, volleyball. Alex decided

to earn his living as a machinist. He

married Sheila Douglas in Tulsa,

OK on April 29, 1991, and together

they would raise a family of Brittnee,

Jordan, Alex, Amber, Jayden, Talon,

Koi, and Amiyah. After he graduated,

he continues his love of volleyball

FEBRUARY 2023

5

University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

They married on Dec. 31, 1973,

and their children Karen, Gloria and

Christopher soon followed. In those

early years, Jerry and Judy moved

to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and later to

Sequoyah County. Jerry was a welder

for several companies, including Lee

C. Moore Company. For a time, he

made the 1 ½-hour commute between

Tulsa and the place he would call

home for the rest of his life. With help

from family and friends, Jerry built a

home for his family from the ground

up. He and Judy raised their children in

the quiet, rural countryside surrounding

Lake Tenkiller and the Illinois River that

he knew as a child.

He worked long, hard hours in road

construction that tested him when

summer temperatures climbed into

triple digits. Winter could be even

tougher on work boots and will. As

their children left home for college

and, eventually, their own lives, Jerry

and Judy looked toward their own

pursuits. Judy

finished her college

bachelor’s degree.

Jerry filled his timeoff with the outdoor

activities he loved

most, especially

fishing. He retired

from construction in

2015. In early 2020, Jerry underwent

surgery to remove a benign brain

tumor. Though slow, his recovery

was remarkable to everyone around

him. He wore a walking path around

his land to make himself stronger. He

spent time with friends jugging for

catfish. When he had enough catfish

in the freezer, he had a fish fry. He also

liked to smoke ribs in the cast-iron

smoker he built himself. Jerry loved

time spent with his kids, especially

on long nature walks. He spent hours

in the backyard doing what he called

“piddlin’ around.” Jerry especially

loved drinking morning coffee on

the front porch with Judy and their

miniature schnauzer, Pepper. Jerry and

Judy’s bond only strengthened over

time. He was proud of and loved his

family and the life that he and Judy

made together. He was also proud to

be part of Cherokee Nation’s Cherokee

language preservation efforts as a

Cherokee elder and language speaker.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Judy

Shade; daughters, Karen ShadeLanier and husband Jim Lanier of

Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Gloria Shade

and husband Ross Greenawalt of

Tulsa, Oklahoma; and son Chris

Shade of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He

is also survived by brothers William

Shade and wife Joann of Tahlequah,

Oklahoma; Thomas Shade of Gore,

Oklahoma; Albert Shade and wife

Karen of Riverside, California;

and Robert Shade of Muskogee,

Oklahoma. He is also survived by

cousin Rosa Mae Carter of Gore,

Oklahoma; aunt Sally Gourd of Gore,

Oklahoma; uncle Jake Phillips of

Stilwell, Oklahoma; and many cousins,

nieces and nephews. He was preceded

in death by his parents, Tommy and

Betsy Shade; and brothers Emmett

Shade and Richard Shade.

Memorial services for Jerry were

December 2 at Blackgum Baptist

Church in Vian under the direction of

Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service.

Summerfield and

Mary Louise Tanner

Summerfield.

Kat enjoyed

most of her time

spent with her

grandchildren,

who she loved

dearly. She was an

excellent cook, always in the kitchen.

She was an artist, she loved to

paint with her music loud. Never wore

the same outfit twice, however you

remember her she was sure to leave a

lasting impression.

Kat was preceded in death by her

father John Wayne Summerfield;

mother Mary Louise TannerSummerfield; brother Marvin

Summerfield.

Kat is survived by her loving

husband, Don Newcomb; lovingly

remembered by grandchildren, Skye,

Mahki, Jaylem, Jeron, Armando,

Kameron, Johnny, Jordan, and Andres;

extended family and friends. Kat will be

missed by all that knew her.

Kat’s family was to have a Private

Celebration of Life Memorial Service

at a later date. Arrangements are

entrusted to Lawson’s Funeral Homes

& Cremation Services in Jay, OK.

coaching OKRVA, the mens team, the

womens team, and his beloved Red

Wing Team. There was a good day

spent hunting, or fishing or sometimes,

working with his gun collection. He

loved any chance to gather his family

together, do a great meal on the grill,

and be with the children he adored. He

was quick with a joke and loved having

fun. The Oklahoma Sooners were

always on his TV. He was outgoing

and loved to hang out with his friends,

and in his younger years, could break

dance with the best of them.

He always wanted the best for

his children, wanting them to get

an education, wanting them to play

sports, and so very grateful for the

love and support he showed them. A

Christian by faith, he

attended the Victory

Church in Tulsa, OK.

The Lord called

this loving and kind

man home from his

labors on December

2nd, 2022 at his

home in Tulsa, OK.

He was 51 years old and will be greatly

missed.

He is preceded in death by

grandparents, Alex William and Maud

(Scott) Swimmer and Sherman Thomas

and Eliza (Wilson) Miller. He also joins

his mother and father, his beloved son,

Alex Kanyon Swimmer in 2022, two

brothers, Larry Swimmer in 2020 and

Charles Swimmer in 2018.

Those left to celebrate his life include

his wife, Sheila Swimmer of the home

in Tulsa, and his children, Brittnee

Swimmer and Nathan Soap of Oaks,

OK, Jordan Swimmer and wife Robin

of Red Oak, OK, Amber Swimmer

of Tulsa, Jayden Swimmer of Tulsa,

Talon Swimmer of Tulsa, Koi Swimmer

of Tulsa, and Amiyah Swimmer of

Tulsa, OK. He leaves his sister, Kim

Swimmer Holmes and husband Derrick

of Tulsa, OK. He lives on in his four

grandchildren, Rhiyah Soap of Oaks,

Chayton Swimmer of Broken Arrow,

OK, Renaya Soap of Oaks, and Nizhoni

Badoni of Tulsa, OK. He also leaves a

lot of nieces, nephews, cousins and

a host of friends and loved ones too

numerous to mention.

LUNCH MENU

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

Proctor Community Center at 18419 W. Keetoowah Circle in Tahlequah,

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

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

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.

Feb. 1

Chicken Fried Steak

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans, Hot Roll

Fruit Cup

Feb. 2

Dorito Beef Taco Salad

Mexican Corn

Chips/Cheese

Fruit Cup

Feb. 3

Cooks’ Choice

Breakfast or

Lunch?

Feb. 6

Goulash

Italian Green Beans

Garlic Toast

Fruit Cup

Feb. 7

Chicken Fajitas

Mexican Rice

Refried Beans

Pineapple Cake

Feb. 8

Potato Soup

Ham/Cheese Sandwich

Salad

Fruit Cup

Feb. 9

Baked Fried Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans, Hot Roll

Fruit Cup

Feb. 10

Meatball Sub

Potato Salad

Coleslaw, Roll

Fruit Cup

Feb. 13

Frito Chili Pie

Mac N Cheese

Fried Zucchini Sticks

Fruit Cup

Feb. 14

BBQ Brisket on Bun

Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Cake & Ice Cream

Feb. 15

Pork Chop Smothered

Mushroom Gravy

Rice, Brussel Sprouts

Hot Roll, Fruit Cup

Feb. 16

Catfish w/Tartar Sauce

Black-eye Peas

Coleslaw

Cornbread, Fruit Cup

Feb. 17

Soup & Sandwich

Salad

Fruit Cup

Feb. 20

UKB Tribal

Offices Closed

Presidents Day

Feb. 21

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Green Beans

Garlic Toast

Fruit Cup

Feb. 22

Tuna Sandwich

Coleslaw

Garden Salad

Ruffles, Fruit Cup

Feb. 23

Hamburger w/Fixings

French Fries

Birthday Cake &

Ice Cream

Feb. 24

Kitchen Closed

Cleaning Day

Feb. 27

Veggie-Hamburger Stew

Hominy

Crackers

Fruit Cup

Feb. 28

BBQ Pulled Pork on Bun

Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Pickles, Fruit Cup

WOOD RECYCLING PROGRAM

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians’ Wood Recycling Program offers a FREE

and safe alternative for the removal of downed timber on your property. Tribal membership

is NOT required. The timber will be ricked and donated as firewood for UKB elders and

tribal members unable to harvest their own firewood for the winter season.

The Wood Recycling Program will under certain circumstances cut intrusive or unwanted

trees down, but a special assessment and waiver will be required. For information or if

interested in donating/need timber removed, contact the Office of Environmental Services.

918-871-2825 or 918-871-2800 · oes@ukb-nsn.gov · www.ukb-nsn.gov

6

FEBRUARY 2023

HEALTH•ᎠᏰᎸ ᏄᏍᏛ EDUCATION•ᏧᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

Student prep program yields college scholarships

In 2018, of the 500 scholarships offered through the Dell

Scholars Program, 281 were awarded to Advancement Via

Individual Determination students.

NEWSUSA – The Dell Scholars Program was

developed by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to

assist high-school seniors who have overcome significant

obstacles to obtain a college education.

In 2018, of the 500 scholarships offered through

the Dell Scholars Program, 281 were awarded to

Advancement Via Individual Determination students.

Students in the program work to overcome

challenges, including funds for college and limited

family experience with college and college preparation.

AVID is a nonprofit that provides training and

support to educators, so they can ensure that all of their

students are college-ready. AVID educators are trained

to tutor as well as mentor students, and to provide

opportunities for the students to develop friendships

and support networks with peers. Many of the AVID

participants are first-generation college students who

benefit from the mentoring and social support as well as

from the academic instruction.

“The Dell Scholars are an inspiration to all of us

at AVID. These students have overcome significant

obstacles to succeed, and we’re honored to be a part

of their college journey,” said Dr. Sandy Husk, CEO of

AVID. “I’m excited to see what they will achieve in the

Dell Scholars Program.”

All students who become Dell Scholars receive not

only financial assistance to help defray the cost of

college, but also resources and mentoring throughout

their college experience. These supports reinforce their

study habits and relationship-building skills from AVID

and similar high school programs that will help them

succeed and earn a bachelor’s degree in the subject of

their choice.

According to the Dell Scholars website, “Our support

is constant until they leave campus with a degree in

hand.” Dell and AVID share the common goal of leveling

the playing field for promising high school students

who might not otherwise have been empowered and

motivated to prepare for and attend college.

For information about AVID, visit avid.org. For details

about the Dell Scholars Program, visit https://www.

dellscholars.org.

5 tips to jump

start weight loss

post-pandemic

Two in three Americans say the

past two years showed them

how important health really is.

There are 2.5 million children in the United States growing up in “grandfamilies,” meaning they’re being raised by relatives

or close friends without their parents in the home. For more information, www.gu.org. STATEPOINT MEDIA

Ensuring good nutrition, health

of children and their caregivers

Grandfamilies are disproportionately Black, Latino and

American Indian and Alaska Native populations that already

have disproportionate rates of food insecurity.

STATEPOINT – There are 2.5 million children in the

U.S. growing up in “grandfamilies,” meaning they’re

being raised by relatives or close friends without their

parents in the home, and they face higher rates of

hunger and food insecurity, states a report.

The Generations United report, “Together at the

Table: Supporting the Nutrition, Health and WellBeing of Grandfamilies,” shows the struggles of such

households, which are often unprepared financially for

the job of raising a child and may encounter difficulty

accessing food and nutrition programs that help.

In fact, 25% of grandparent-headed households

experienced food insecurity between 2019 and 2020,

which is more than twice the national rate. The longterm health implications of food insecurity – including

diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity and

eating disorders – are dire. Also, food insecurity

negatively affects a child’s ability to learn and grow.

While families from all U.S. areas face food

insecurity, for the large number of grandfamilies

living in the South and in rural areas, services are

often limited or challenging to access. What’s more,

grandfamilies are disproportionately Black, Latino and

American Indian and Alaska Native populations that

already have disproportionate rates of food insecurity.

Recently, the White House released a strategy to

reduce hunger. While advocates describe the plan as

welcome and comprehensive and say that it identifies

the importance of improved outreach to grandfamilies,

they also believe it must go further. According to

Generations United, some policy changes to reduce

food insecurity for grandfamilies include:

• Develop kinship navigator programs that connect

grandfamilies to support and services in communities.

These programs should provide food and nutrition aid

to grandfamilies outside the welfare system.

• Expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program access by making a “child-only” benefit that

is based on the child’s needs as opposed to household

income and by increasing outreach to grandfamilies.

• Ensure automatic access to free and reduced

school meals for children living in grandfamilies.

• Improve outreach of the Special Supplemental

Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

to reach more grandfamilies and connect them with

benefits for which they are eligible.

• Create joint meal programs for grandfamily

caregivers and the children they raise.

“Research shows that being raised by family

members or close friends is the best option for children

who can’t be raised by their parents,” said Donna

Butts, Generations United executive director. “But

unfortunately, these families face hunger and food

insecurity at much higher rates than the average

family. The need for basic nutrition and adequate food

is universal, and every family deserves to be healthy

and thrive. The fact that many of our policies and

programs to reduce hunger were not designed with

grandfamilies in mind should not stand in the way of

this right.”

STATEPOINT – With the New Year here, new survey

results suggest that 2023 will finally be the year that

Americans bring their health back into focus.

According to a recent poll of 2,000 U.S. adults

aged 30 and above commissioned by Nutrisystem and

conducted by OnePoll, two in three Americans credit

the past two years with teaching them how important

their health really is. And 71% believe the pandemic

has taught them to be more observant of their health.

The poll also revealed that two-thirds of Americans said

weight loss is a “top health goal” over the next year.

However, for many, losing weight seems like a

hard task. The truth is it doesn’t have to be. Courtney

McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem, offers

these tips to help you achieve a healthier you.

1. Having healthy food at

arm’s reach can make losing

weight easier. A Cornell

study found that women who

kept a bowl of fruit where

they could see it weighed an

average of 13 pounds less

than those who didn’t.

2. Children aren’t the only

ones who need a bedtime.

Adults need a set bedtime

as well to be productive the

next day. Setting a certain

bedtime and sticking to it

will also help your body

Courtney

get the rest that it needs

to burn stubborn fat. “Not

McCormick,

having a good night’s rest

can lead to craving sugar and Nutrisystem

fatty foods, which can also

dietitian

lead to weight gain,” said

McCormick.

3. Work out in 10-minute sets: If you’re short on time

or have back-to-back meetings, working out in intervals

of 10 minutes three times a day creates more flexibility

in your busy schedule. Doing this creates long-term

healthy habits that will help you lose and maintain

weight.

4. Drink more water: What’s not to love about water?

It’s hydrating and keeps your body healthy. Water aids

digestive health, regulates body temperature and even

aids in losing weight and maintaining the weight loss.

This is because water helps you stay full between meals

and avoid unnecessary snacking. In fact, feeling hungry

is often a sign that you’re actually thirsty and it’s time to

get hydrated.

5. Forgive a slip-up: Mistakes can actually help you

understand what is healthy for your body. Having a slipup allows you to consider the progress you’re making

in your weight loss journey and be able to hold yourself

accountable when making future healthy decisions.

For more tips, visit leaf.nutrisystem.com.

“Not having

a good night’s

rest can lead to

craving sugar

and fatty foods,

which can also

lead to weight

gain.”

UKB HOUSING DEPARTMENT

Homeowner Assistance

Fund (HAF Program)

The United Keetoowah Band Housing Department is providing funding assistance for the

following delinquent homeowner expenses:

· Mortgage Assistance

· Property Taxes

· Homeowner Insurance

· Homeowner Utility Expenses (Must have checked with Human Services Program for

LIHEAP availability first.)

The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program was developed by the Department of the

Treasury to assist homeowners who are experiencing financial hardships associated with

the Coronavirus Pandemic after January 21, 2020.

For questions, please call Housing at 918-871-2773

ANI GIDUWAGI•ᎠᏂ ᎩᏚᏩᎩ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

FEBRUARY 2023

7

Deere creates language tools via VR

Jesseca Deere, a UKB tribal member, learns to

create a language classroom inside a game.

UKB tribal member Jesseca Deere

shows how to use a virtual reality

gaming world to create a language

learning tool. LANI HANSEN/

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

BY LANI HANSEN

Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – UKB tribal member Jesseca Deere

recently completed a XR Terra class where she studied

how to create objects within a virtual reality gaming

world, and turned it into a language learning tool.

Deere who currently works for American Indian

Resource Center as the media specialist, wanted to

take what she learned from this class to the children

in Native Aces, which is an after-school program at the

rural schools the center serves. A former contractor

wanted to introduce VR to these schools.

“We learned that many of the schools love STEM,

so we wanted to create way to involve that into

classrooms,” Deere said. “We had to train the teachers

on how to use virtual reality headsets.”

In order to do what she created in the virtual reality

game; Deere went through an eight-week course

which during the first four weeks she went through

a developer bootcamp. She learned the language of

coding, how to move a cube around, opening a script

and building miniature games.

Then she went through the designer course, where

she learned how to build the world inside the game.

“I was excited for this course,” Deere said. “I made a

little mushroom village for my class. They paired up two

designers and two developers where us designers made

the world look pretty.”

Deere wanted to make the VR games more cultural

related, since they are taking it to the schools.

The Cherokee language makes up a big portion of

representation for the schools, and Deere thought of an

idea on how to include it within the VR games.

“We use a program called ENGAGED, it’s a virtual

classroom,” she said. “We had to create free accounts for

the schools, and I already use it, I created a classroom of

my own.”

In her virtual classroom, Deere brought in a chicken

with the Cherokee phonetics and syllabary.

“The whole

premise of

this activity is

to bring in an

object and see

if the kids know

Cherokee.”

Jesseca Deere,

UKB member

“The whole premise of this activity is to bring in an

object and see if the kids know Cherokee. If not it will

teach them how to say the object in Cherokee. Inside

the game, they will be able to write the syllabary of the

word too,” Deere said.

Another project she is working to add in the virtual

classroom is mushroom hunting and how to hunt for

them. Deere said this activity is language mixed with

science. She hopes to create more cultural activities in

these gaming worlds, adding on a storytelling section

which is a big project.

About AIRC, it is to develop culturally appropriate

resources to meet the needs of American Indian

communities. It provides professional expertise to and

on behalf of American Indian tribes, organizations and

schools and other interested agencies.

AIRC currently operates the following programs:

Educational Talent Search, Four Directions Project and

NETSTAR.

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Keetoowah Museum Director Ernestine Berry, front left and Assistant Museum Director

Barbara Girty Foster, front center, along with other Oklahoma Rural Museum staff who

attended the Standards of Excellence workshop. MARILYN CRAIG/UKB MUESEUM

UKB Museum leaders complete

state’s ‘Standards for Excellence’

training program in Oklahoma City

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

OKLAHOMA CITY - Keetoowah

Museum Director Ernestine Berry and

Assistant Museum Director Barbara GirtyFoster attended a training session offered

by the Oklahoma Museums Association

and presented by the Oklahoma Center

for nonprofits.

This program was made possible

by a Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma

Community Grant from the Oklahoma

City Community Foundation.

Oklahoma Museums Association

(OMA), located in Oklahoma City, assists

Oklahoma’s 500 museums with their

efforts to educate, inform and entertain.

OMA is a one-stop shop where teachers

can learn about all Oklahoma museums

and what they have to offer.

OMA is the primary provider of

professional training and technical

information to staff and volunteers of

Oklahoma’s 500 museums, historic sites,

tribal cultural centers, and historical

societies.

The two-day “Standards for

Excellence” program was held Jan.

9-10 at the Oklahoma History Center in

Oklahoma City.

Sessions included museum best

practices information on mission,

strategy, and evaluation; leadership, staff,

and volunteers; finance and operations,

and public awareness, engagement, and

advocacy.

Other museums’ staff participating

included the Chickasaw Museum

in Sulphur, Blues Hall of Fame in

Rentiesville and the Forest Heritage

Center in Idabel.

“‘Standards of Excellence’ was an

intensive workshop. Much of it addressed

legal issues that nonprofits encounter,”

said Berry. “It also made me aware of

some areas in our museum that we can

improve. We will complete an update

of the Museum Disaster Plan soon.

Disaster recovery from a tornado or

earthquake can be extremely expensive.

I was pleased to learn that the Oklahoma

Museum Association has a disaster

response team that is ready to help with

disaster recovery efforts for member

museums.”

Girty-Foster also said the training was

beneficial.

“As one of Oklahoma’s top 10 Model

Native Cultural Center & Museums, it is

our duty to be accessible and responsive

to the public,” she said. “We want to be

accountable to our community and will

practice the ‘Standards of Excellence’ in

all our museum operations.”

The Keetoowah Museum and store

are open Monday through Friday, 8:30

a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays, by

appointment. For more information, call

918-871-2866.

17310 S. Muskogee Ave. x Suite B x Tahlequah

M-F: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. x Sat: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. x Sun: Closed

www.cczallthingswestern.page x 918-414-5233

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8

FEBRUARY 2023

CULTURE•ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

Pinch pot class

offered during

UKB Museum’s

Lunch and Learn

The series offers learning

opportunities for employees.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

Film students work on editing film of Keetoowah language instructor and tribal member John Chewey taken during the

week of the 2022 Keetoowah Celebration. From left are Olivia Briggs, Christopher Coursey, David Barnoski, Aubrey Mouse,

Amadeus Thorne and Kelsey Nicolette Cooper. MARILYN CRAIG/UKB MUSEUM

Red Pony Film Academy produces

films on Keetoowah people, culture

Film is a good medium to

revitalize the culture.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH – UKB’s John Hair Cultural Center and

Museum presented Part 2 of the UKB Red Pony Film

Academy on Dec. 8-10 at the museum classroom.

Students took raw footage they captured during the

first Film Academy Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 during the

UKB Celebration and learned how to select frames and

edit film.

The result will be a series of videos that UKB can use

to inform people about the tribe and culture.

All the class participants were given a manual,

written by instructor and UKB member Dr. Eddie

Webb, titled “A Place of Belonging – Lesson Plans,

Rubrics and Technological Designs – A Guide to

Building Sustainable Tribal Nation New Media Labs in

Higher Education.”

Paul Hickey and Keegan Choffat were contributing

authors in the manual and illustrations were done by

Timoteo Ikoshy Montoya.

“When I presented the idea of producing a language

documentary before my council of elders in Jay,

Oklahoma, I was quickly corrected when I said we

need to ‘preserve our language.’ I was told we need to

revitalize our language,” said Webb. “It was explained

to me that archaeologists preserve cultures by

displaying them behind glass cases. What we are doing

by producing essay documentaries that record elders

speaking and teaching our language is breathing life

into future generations of our people.”

“It was rewarding to see the students working so

intently to find just the right segments that will be

used in the final product,” said Barbara Girty-Foster,

museum assistant director. “The students who are

participating in this program are excited to learn about

film making, and we have had calls from others who

want to be involved next time. This is a wonderful

way to revitalize the language and culture, while also

providing tribal members with skills they can use to

help us document projects in the future.”

For more information about the UKB Red Pony Film

Academy, call the museum at 918-871-2866.

“When I presented the idea of producing a language documentary

before my council of elders in Jay, Oklahoma, I was quickly corrected

when I said we need to ‘preserve our language.’ I was told, “We need to

revitalize our language.”

Dr. Eddie Webb, UKB language instructor

TAHLEQUAH – The John Hair Cultural Center and

Museum continued its monthly cultural series for UKB

employees. Titled “Lunch and Learn,” this series is an

opportunity for employees to do a make-and-take craft

project during their lunch times.

All supplies are provided, as well as a light lunch.

Most sessions last about an hour, from noon to 1 p.m.

Due to limited space and supplies, participation is

limited to 10 employees per class. Clay pinch pot was

the topic of the class held on Jan. 18.

Keetoowah pottery was primarily designed for

function. Most were made using the coil and pinch pot

method. Keetoowah ancestors made pottery jugs, bowls,

cooking pots, storage jars, and other types of dishes for

storing and serving food.

During the January class, nine employees

participated, including UKB Natural Resources Director

Merinda Reamy.

“It was a great experience with what little time

we had. I did some culture classes in high school but

that was long ago. To be able to do it again brought

me much joy. Learning about our culture is always

a blessing,” said Reamy. “I would take a full-on class

for pinch pots if the museum offered one and I look

forward to doing other culture classes sponsored by the

museum. I liked the hands-on experience we got in the

class and being able to have some relax time with coworkers and fellowship with co-workers. All around it

has been great.”

Acee Watt, who is the Section 106/NAGPRA

coordinator, also enjoyed the class. “This was my first

class hosted by the UKB. I enjoyed how calming the

class was. It ended up being very good mental therapy

as well as educational,” he said.

Watt expressed an interest in seeing other classes

offered in the future such as cooking, medicinal plants,

and carving either wood or stone.

Assistant Museum Director Barbara Girty-Foster, series

coordinator, was also the presenter for this class. Some

of the remaining classes from this Lunch and Learn

series will include basket weaving, finger weaving,

and stickball balls. The summer series will include

traditional games and stone carving.

For more information about Keetoowah history,

language, or culture, contact the Keetoowah museum at

918-871-2866.

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