LOOK FOR US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

QUILT CLASS

The Keetoowah

Museum gets back

to basic with a

quilting class.

COMMUNITY, 4

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 October 2023

COMPACT APPROVAL URGED

Gov. Kevin Stitt signs a letter on Sept. 14 addressing gaming compacts with the United Keetoowah Band and Kialegee Tribal Town. The compacts require a higher percentage of gaming revenue

to be remanded to the state than the current gaming compact most tribes in Oklahoma operate under. OKLAHOMA.GOV

The United Keetoowah Band and Kialegee Tribal Town signed gaming compacts in 2020.

BY CITY SENTINEL STAFF REPORTS

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt, on Sept.

14 and in separate letters with United Keetoowah

Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Joe Bunch, and

with Kialegee Tribal Town Mekko Stephanie Yahola,

called on the Joint Committee on State-Tribal

Relations, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat

and House Speaker Charles McCall to convene to

approve their agreed-upon gaming compacts.

In 2020, Stitt negotiated new gaming compacts

with four Oklahoma tribes: the Comanche Nation,

Otoe-Missouria Tribe, UKB and KTT.

Those compacts were submitted to and approved

by the office of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in

June 2020 (Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria

Tribe) and September 2020 (UKB and KTT).

However, a state lawsuit related to the compacts

resulted in an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that

declared the compacts were not legal under state

law in part because some referenced the possibility

of future forms of gambling, such as sports betting,

that are not currently legal under Oklahoma law.

Also, Stitt did this without the Legislature’s

approval or authorization. Now Stitt, UKB and

KTT officials are calling for McCall to convene and

approve the compacts.

“We thank Gov. Kevin Stitt and his administration

for this monumental day and for their leadership

efforts in this compact. It is a grand day for

Keetoowahs and Native American tribes all over the

country,” said UKB Chief Joe Bunch in 2020.

On Sept. 14, Still said he was proud of the

“compacts Chief Bunch, Mekko Yahola and I

negotiated for Oklahoma, the UKB and the KTT.

“These compacts are better for all Oklahomans,

requiring a higher percentage of gaming revenue

to be remanded to the state while opening up

this industry to the UKB and the KTT,” he said.

“Additionally, these compacts reflect our good faith

efforts and demonstrates our ability and willingness

reach agreements with tribes. I look forward to

continued collaboration with our tribal partners

and I call on the Joint Committee to convene and

promptly endorse the compact.”

In a press release, the communications staff for

Stitt described each compact with these words: “The

financial terms laid out in this compact are more

favorable for the State of Oklahoma than gaming

compacts that exist with other tribal governments.

This compact also gives the UKB and KTT access to

the gaming market that wasn’t previously available

to them. Unlike the Legislature’s recent compactrelated actions, the Legislature’s involvement here

is sanctioned by statute and consistent with the

Supreme Court’s ... opinions.”

This action was, according to the press release,

endorsed by four members of the Legislature.

State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, said, “I applaud

the governor’s decision to submit this agreement to

the Joint Committee. Oklahomans know that the

Legislature sets state policy by making laws, but the

executive branch executes the laws legislators make.

This compact, unlike the bills passed this summer,

is a byproduct of a legitimate process in which the

governor negotiated a great compact for the state

and stands in stark contrast to recent efforts by the

Legislature to overthrow the governor’s authority.

We need to get back into our own sandbox and stop

trying to renegotiate compacts through legislation

that didn’t even address, much less amend, current

law.”

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, said,

“The Joint Committee should approve the compact

the Governor submitted for approval today. Under

existing statute and precedent, it’s clear that the

Governor is the proper party to compact on behalf

of the state subject only to later consideration

by the joint committee in certain circumstances.

Other processes, like the one legislative leadership

spearheaded this summer, conflict with existing law

and should be rejected by the Supreme Court if a

pillar of our form of government — the separation

of powers — is to mean anything at all.”

Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, said:

“Today’s announcement about the compact Gov.

Stitt negotiated with the UKB shows that the

Stitt administration is ready and able to reach

agreements with tribes. It also runs counter to the

narrative others have been telling all summer long

and proves that what happened this summer was all

backwards, at best.

“Rather than letting legal and longtime processes

play out, the legislative body disregarded the law

as it is and put the Legislature in the seat of the

executive.”

State Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, made the same

points in these words:

“The submission to the Joint Committee is

consistent with Oklahoma law — that is, the

Governor negotiates compacts and then submits

them to the Joint Committee for consideration,

when necessary. The Legislature’s recent attempt

to amend and extend tobacco and motor vehicle

compacts, on the other hand, was totally out of

alignment with Oklahoma law applicable to compact

negotiations. If the Legislature wants to insert itself

into those compact processes beyond potential

participation by the joint committee, current law

must be amended. It hasn’t been.”

Proposed Fees for Compact

Exclusivity Fees:

12% for the first $300 million

13% for next $200 million

15 % for $500 million and above

Card and Table Games Fees:

18% of adjusted net win

Source: Signed compact with Oklahoma

2

OCTOBER 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

Time to celebrate our past, future

Chief’s

Corner

Si yo, ni ga da

Celebration time is here and welcome

to the Keetoowah Reservation. I hope you

have a good time catching up on all the

news, seeing old friends and rekindaling

relationships. I thank all who participated,

sponsers, tribal employees, volunteers and

tribal members.

Our theme is the beginning we

were all Keetoowah. Sadly time has

changed. I guess they couldn’t pronounce

Keetoowah. Today, we know there are

three federally recognized tribes of the

historic Cherokee Nation.

Our 73rd celebration, on or about Oct.

3, 1950, the tribal members ratified our

constitution and charter.

The congressional record leading up to

our federal recognition states we speak

the historical Keetoowah dilect. It is said

we are named after Keetoowah Mound,

our mother town near Bryson City, North

Carolina.

Another story is seven of our wisest

wisemen went to on the highest mountain

to receive instructions from the creator.

It was there the creator said, “Your name

will be Keetoowah forever.” We are a

proud, humble people serving and helping

JOE BUNCH

Principal Chief

jbunch@ukb-nsn.gov

each other. Today, the Eastern Band of

Cherokee Indians are building a museum

on the Keetoowah mound and moralizing

all of our birthplace, who we are.

Thank you Eastern Band.

We are continuing our governmentto-government relations, negotiating

with the various federal agencies and

continuing to build stronger relationship

with congress and federal agencies.

We are removing the rumors that in

the 1980s we were a dormant tribe, or

we were a mistake in the 1979 federal

Register listing of federally recognized

tribes.

To see the fruits of our labor, we have

Tori Holland, our delegate to the House

of Representatives, and Assistant Chief

Jeff Wocoche is on the National Tribal

Advisory Board for the Department of

Delaware Dist.

Elmer Panther

918-226-1668

Interion. We have seen historic visits from

Rosland Tso, director of Indian Health

Service, and Michael Newland, assistant

secretary of the Department of Interior.

We are negotiating health care, higher

education, casino property, purchasing

buildings and land. In the immediate

future you will see construction on

our 76-acre reservation. We will begin

renovating the Title VI building, begin

on a housing warehouse, Administration

Building, Courts and Indian Child Welfare

building, as well as a new tag building.

We are expanding behavioral health

to Jay and Vian. We have opened up a

new community building in Kansas. All

important in moving our tribe forward.

Fighting for our sovereignty is an ongoing

battle.

After warding off the worst pandemics

(over a million people died) in recent

history, we survive. COVID is morphing

into new challenges. I recommend

keeping safety practices in place,

including booster shots.

I look forward visiting with you in this

years celebration. We have a lot to be

thankful for, keep us in your prayers as we

have many continuing challenges ahead

of us.

Miss Keetoowah says goodbye

Other’s

View

Si yo, ni ga da

Cooweescoowee

Dist.

Clifford

Wofford

918-822-1953

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

I am very honored and grateful for

serving as Miss Keetoowah. It was a

beautiful experience. I have dreamed of

becoming Miss Keetoowah when I was a

little girl and I have fulfilled that dream

and one of my goals.

I was honored to serve with Chief Joe

Bunch and assistant Chief Jeff Wacoche.

They always made me feel welcomed and

always encouraged me. I will miss being

in parades with them and serving.

I was honored to work with our tribal

council, and I hope that I left a legacy

from my reign as they asked for that to

Kimberly Holmes

Miss Keetoowah

be one of my goals as Miss Keetoowah. I

shared our Keetoowah History to make

us known, I spoke at schools in different

towns.

I went to Powwows to represent

Keetoowah people. A lot of people

was happy to know that we existed.

They always had questions. I had

Keetoowah people come up to me to take

pictures and happy I was in their town

representing.

I met so many elders who came and

spoke to me about our traditions and our

history. I learned so much and it made

proud to be Keetoowah.

I had so many tribal members support

me wherever I went. I will miss being

Miss Keetoowah and will never forget the

experience.

I am proud to have served as Miss

Keetoowah and I am proud to be

Keetoowah.

Flint Dist.

Frankie Still

918-507-1822

Goingsnake Dist.

Willie Christie

918-822-3803

Illinois Dist.

Peggy Girty

918-457-7067

Saline Dist.

Charles Smoke

918-457-7071

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

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Travis Snell

MARKETING SPECIALIST

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.

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

NEWS•ᏗᏕᏃᏣᎸᏍᎩ

OCTOBER 2023

3

Echota Behavioral Health sponsors walk

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH – On Saturday, Sept.

23, the UKB’s Echota Behavioral Health

Center organized a family-friendly event

at Norris Park – the Out of Darkness Walk

– establishing a gathering and support

network for suicide awareness and

prevention.

Also, it was intended to pay tribute to

and honor those in the community who

have tragically taken their own lives.

The community walk was put on

throughout the country with the

American Foundation for Suicide

Prevention.

Partnerships included the Northeastern

State University Center for Tribal

Studies and HawkReach, Southern

Plains Tribal Health Board, Cherokee

Nation Prevention Programs, Keetoowah

Strong and various other nonprofit

organizations.

Funding for this event was provided

by the Substance Abuse Mental Health

Services Association.

Local sponsors for the event included

Emery’s Grille, Stuteville Ford, Century

21 Real Estate, Double Barrel BBQ,

Countryside Wellness and The Lift Coffee

Bar.

Tahlequah’s police chief, Nate King,

and other officers were on hand to

prepare the food.

“We’re thrilled to present an event

that has something for everyone, ranging

from bouncy houses to cultural crafting

activities,” said Jennifer Leep, Echota

Behavioral Health director. “Don’t miss

the free exclusive ‘Hope’ shirts that

are Native American-themed. In our

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the UKB’s Echota Behavioral Health Center organized a family-friendly

event at Norris Park – the Out of Darkness Walk – establishing a gathering and support

network for suicide awareness and prevention. PHOTOS BY ECHOTA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

commitment to mental well-being, we’re

offering valuable resources, opportunities

to connect with behavioral health experts

and immediate sign-ups for services.

Dive into our variety of booths designed

to promote healing from local partners.

All activities and shirts are free, while

supplies last.”

The most important objective for the

‘Out of the Darkness’ walk was to foster

suicide awareness within the community.

Advocating for suicide awareness

is essential. Each life lost impacts

communities deeply, leaving lasting

sorrow. By raising awareness, we

reduce stigma, connect individuals

with resources, and prioritize mental

The community walk was put on throughout the country with the American Foundation for

Suicide Prevention.

well-being, ultimately saving lives and

fostering a supportive environment.

A strong societal prejudice against

discussing suicide exists, causing many

to shy away from the topic and its

association with mental well-being.

Some feel that even broaching the

subject could trigger suicidal tendencies

and thus prefer to remain silent.

Yet, honest conversations are vital to

assist those who are struggling. By openly

addressing the matter, it can create a

supportive environment, prompting

individuals to reach out for the assistance

they need to avert potential crises.

“We take immense pride in seeing our

community unite in support of this event,

addressing a deeply stigmatized subject,”

Leep said. “We eagerly anticipated a

strong turnout, as everyone’s presence

will not only enhance the significance

of the occasion but also exemplify our

collective commitment to rally during

crucial times and increase awareness.”

If you or someone you know is

suffering from depression or possibly

considering suicide, call the Echota

Behavioral Health at 918-708-9009 or

the crisis hotline at 988.

4

OCTOBER 2023

OBITUARIES

Roger Lee Jumper

Roger Lee Jumper, 61, of Spavinaw,

passed away on Wednesday, August

16, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was

born on January 29, 1962, in Chicago,

Illinois, to Roosevelt and Ellamae

(Smoke) Jumper. Roger worked as a

maintenance man for Ketchum Cove

for many years, demonstrating his

strong work ethic and commitment to

his job.

Roger had an incredible zest for

life and pursued various interests

and hobbies. He enjoyed spending

time outdoors, mowing his yard and

caring for it meticulously, as well as

spending time tending to his mom’s

yard. Working on his truck occupied

his spare time as well. Roger also

cherished picking wild onions and

berries during outings. But above all

else, he treasured the moments spent

with his beloved family. His children

and grandchildren held a special place

in his heart that brought him immense

joy.

Roger had an incredible zest for

life and pursued various interests

and hobbies. He enjoyed spending

time outdoors, mowing his yard and

caring for it meticulously, as well as

COMMUNITY•ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

spending time tending to his mom’s

yard. Working on his truck occupied

his spare time as well. Roger also

cherished picking wild onions and

berries during outings. But above all

else, he treasured the moments spent

with his beloved family. His children

and grandchildren held a special place

in his heart that brought him immense

joy.

Fondly remembered as someone who

couldn’t do without his coffee fix,

Roger leaves behind a legacy filled

with love for those dear to him. In

addition to his vibrant personality and

dedication to work and family life, he

will always be known as someone who

adored being surrounded by loved

ones.

Roger is preceded in death by his

father Roosevelt Jumper Sr., brothers

Darryl Jumper and David Jumper,

sisters Angie and Regina Wolfe, and

grandchildren Maliki Luethje and

Ayden Chuckluck. Their memory will

forever remain in the hearts of those

who knew and loved them.

Fondly remembered as someone who

couldn’t do without his coffee fix,

Roger leaves behind a legacy filled

with love for those dear to him. In

addition to his vibrant personality and

Keetoowah Culture Bearer Betty Holcomb explains how to measure and make a pattern to her

“Getting Back to Basics” Quilting Class on Sept. 9. PHOTOS BY MARILYN CRAIG/UKB MUSEUM

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

dedication to work

and family life, he will

always be known as

someone who adored

being surrounded by

loved ones.

Roger is preceded

in death by his

father Roosevelt

Jumper Sr., brothers Darryl Jumper

and David Jumper, sisters Angie and

Regina Wolfe, and grandchildren Maliki

Luethje and Ayden Chuckluck. Their

memory will forever remain in the

hearts of those who knew and loved

them.

Fondly remembered as someone who

couldn’t do without his coffee fix,

Roger leaves behind a legacy filled

with love for those dear to him. In

addition to his vibrant personality and

dedication to work and family life, he

will always be known as someone who

adored being surrounded by loved

ones.

Roger is preceded in death by his

father Roosevelt Jumper Sr., brothers

Darryl

Jumper and David Jumper, sisters

Angie and Regina Wolfe, and

grandchildren Maliki Luethje and

Ayden Chuckluck. Their memory will

forever remain in the hearts of those

who knew and loved them.

Roger is survived by his sons Donavan

Jumper and wife Cassandra of Pryor,

OK; Willie Jumper and Shandah

Kingfisher of Peggs, OK; Joshua

Grass and Trenton Grass of Vinita,

OK; Reggy Mouse, Lyndon Mouse,

and Tandy Mouse of Jay, OK. His

daughters include Brittany Jumper

and William Buzzard, Tiffany Jumper

and Joseph House, both of Eucha,

OK; Whitney Jumper and Tyler

Hogshooter, Shelby Smoke and Chris

Luper, Sabrina Mouse, all of Jay, OK;

and Destiny Jumper of Spavinaw, OK.

Roger is also survived by his brothers

Leonard Jumper and wife Talitha of

Jay, OK; Johnny Jumper of Spavinaw,

OK; Roosevelt Jumper Jr. of Pryor,

OK. His sisters are Rosenell Russell

and husband Joe of Salina, OK; and

Darlene Jumper of Spavinaw, OK. He

leaves behind a remarkable legacy

through his 50 grandchildren and 7

great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Roger will be

held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 25,

2023, at Ribbon Church in Spavinaw.

Burial will follow at Euwasha Cemetery

in Kenwood with Mark Proctor,

William Buzzard, Kevin Jumper, Brad

Thomas, Tyler Hogshooter, and Joe

Russell serving as casket bearers.

Honorary casket bearers include

David Arneecher, Bryce Jumper, John

Easter, Tommy Grass, Maurice Smoke,

and Devin Jumper. A visitation will be

held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.,

Thursday, August 24, 2023, in the

Shipman’s Funeral Home Chapel in

Pryor..

United Keetoowah Band tribal member Shelia Bluebird checks her first seam in the Keetoowah

Museum’s “Getting Back to Basics” quilting class.

Quilting series begins at Keetoowah Museum

“Getting Back to

Basics” is popular as

people suggest topics

for future classes.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH - Future quilters got

their first sewing lessons in the “Getting

Back to Basics” Quilting for Beginners

series on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the John

Hair Cultural Center and Keetoowah

Museum Classroom. Keetoowah Culture

Bearer Betty Holcomb taught the full

class of a dozen participants.

“We put a limit on the number of

participants, so that everyone would get

plenty of one-on-one time with Betty

and have plenty of space,” said Barbara

Girty Foster, Museum assistant director.

“This same group of 12 will be attending

two more quilting sessions, on Oct. 14

and Nov. 11. We are pleased with the

response and interest in these ‘Getting

Back to Basics’ classes. People are already

suggesting topics for future classes in

canning, cooking, and sewing.”

At the first session participants learned

how to find the bias of the material and

how to measure patterns. There was a

good-sized box of material in all colors

and patterns. Everyone picked three or

four pieces of material and then cut out

rectangles and triangles.

The value of using a thimble was

stressed as one of the most important

tips. All the participants were given an

arm’s length of thread and were told to

thread the needle and tie it in one single

knot. They were told to rock their needle

back and forth to make tiny stitches in

a straight line, which they followed by

another row right next to the first one to

try and perfect the stitches.

“It was peaceful and relaxing. It gives

you something to focus on and you really

don’t think about anything else. I liked

the class, it was fun. I can’t wait for the

next one,” said Elainna Belmonte.

Another classmate, Shelia Bluebird

agreed, “It was fun, inspiring, and

relaxing. I can’t wait for the next class!”

LUNCH MENU

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

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

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

Carolyn Swimmer practices sewing tiny stitches in a straight line.

“We are pleased with the response and interest in

these ‘Getting Back to Basics’ classes. People are

already suggesting topics for future classes in canning,

cooking, and sewing.”

Barbara Girty Foster, UKB Museum assistant director

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.

October 2

UKB Tribal 

Offices Closed

October 3

Grilled Cheese

Tomato Soup

Rice Pilaf

Jell-O Cup

October 4

Meatball Sub

Onion Rings

Salad

Cinnamon Roll

October 5

Chicken & Dumplings

Green Beans

Bread

Salad, Jell-O Cup

October 6

Nutrition Center

Closed

October 9

UKB Tribal 

Offices Closed

Keetoowah Day

October 10

Chicken Tortilla Soup 

Mexican Rice

Mexican Corn

Fruit Cup

October 11

Stuffed Peppers

Rice Pilaf

Baby Carrots

Bread, Jell-O Cup

October 12

Fried Chicken

Mashed Potates & Gravy

Green Beans, Hot Roll

Banana Wafer, Pudding

October 13

Cooks’ Choice 

October 16

Lasagna 

Italian Green Beans

Garlic Toast

Cookie, Apple Sauce

October 17

Frito Chili Pie

Corn

Salad

Fruit Cup

October 18

Roast Beef/Gravy

Green Beans/Potatoes

Hot Roll

Pumpkin Pie

October 19

Brown Beans w/Ham

Potato Logs, Hominy

Cornbread

Jell-O Cup

October 20

Chili Dogs & Fixings 

Tater Tots

Pickle

Fruit Cup

October 23

Spahetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Green Beans

Bread Stick

Fruit Cup

October 24

Chicken Fried Steak

Potato & Green Beans

Gravy, Roll, Salad

Mandarin Oranges

October 25

Chili w/Beans

Hominy, Crackers

Cheese Stick

Apple Sauce

October 26

Hamburger & Fixings

Tater Tots

Cake

Ice Cream

October 27

Kitchen Closed 

Cleaning Day

Food

Food

October 30

Hamburger Stew

Yellow Hominy

Cornbread

Fruit Cup

October 31

Ham & Cheese on Wheat

Baked Potato Soup

Rice Pilaf

Jell-O Cup

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

HEALTH•ᎠᏰᎸ ᏄᏍᏛ EDUCATION•ᏧᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ

OCTOBER 2023

5

Prep tips for college entrance exams

STATEPOINT MEDIA – Is the SAT or ACT on the

horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is

placed on college entrance exams, and your child may

be anxious about their scores. To adequately prepare for

the SAT or ACT, consider these tips:

• Practice, practice, practice: Encourage your student

to take free online practice tests early and often. Not

only is this an effective way to get familiar with the

types of questions that will be on the test, it can give

your child a sense of where they stand currently and

help them identify areas where they may need some

extra review. It’s helpful to simulate test day as much

as possible. Have them take the practice test in a quiet

place and time each portion of the test accurately.

• Have the right STEM tools: Acing the math portion

is easier when you fully understand the principles

behind the test questions. Fortunately, you can

affordably equip your student with tools that facilitate

that understanding. Casio, dedicated to making STEM

education more engaging, has developed the fx-CG50,

a graphing calculator in the brand’s PRIZM line-up that

offers a color LCD with a full textbook-style display.

Jam-packed with features that enable students to solve

the most challenging equations, it offers the ability to

Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot

of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your

child may be anxious about their scores. STATEPOINT MEDIA

easily draw three dimensional graphs such as planes,

cylinders and spheres, and view them from various

angles in order to better analyze their shape. Plus, a

cross-section option and special zoom function can be

used for greater analysis.

• Build vocabulary: An expansive vocabulary is not

just useful in the real world, it can greatly improve a

student’s chances of success in the English, reading

and writing sections of the exam. Getting familiar

with some of the more frequently used words on the

test is important. However, it’s best to break up the

studying into chunks. Select a few words to master

each day with flash cards. Hopefully, students will start

to see etymological patterns that will help them make

educated guesses when they don’t know a word.

• Take a break: It’s tempting to assume a last-minute

study session the evening before the exam is going to

make or break their performance, but a mental breather

is actually a better use of time. Urge your child to get a

good night’s sleep not just the night before the test, but

that entire week. Pre-test jitters may lead to insomnia,

but having a solid foundation of rest will help ensure

your student is alert on test day. The morning of the

test, encourage them to eat a healthy, filling breakfast

and do activities that will warm up their brain, such as

reading a book or solving a crossword puzzle.

Sufficient preparation and great study tools can

alleviate college entrance exam anxieties so that your

student walks into their testing center with confidence.

Kids have questions

about their bodies,

now you have answers

With cold and flu season upon us, it’s time to protect yourself, not only from those seasonal threats, but also from other

health risks. STATEPOINT MEDIA

Older adults should protect their health

STATEPOINT MEDIA – With cold and flu season

upon us, it’s time to protect yourself, not only from

those seasonal threats, but also from other health

risks.

Preventive care is critical for everybody, but

particularly for older adults, and especially in fall

when risks can increase, Sobel said. Recommendations

vary based on age, gender and health status, but the

following are some of the most common for seniors,

according to Sobel.

Vaccinations

There are vaccines older adults need to consider to

protect themselves. Flu and pneumonia, for example,

are among some of the most common causes of senior

deaths. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to

vaccination. Timing and frequency vary, depending on

your health history.

• Flu. This vaccine is administered annually,

generally before the end of October, and is designed to

match the latest circulating flu strains.

• Pneumonia. Administration varies based on health

history. If you’re 65 or older and you’ve never had the

vaccine before, then you’ll likely need two shots, which

are administered a year apart.

• Shingles. The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention recommends two doses of the shingles

vaccine for healthy adults aged 50 and older, spaced

two to six months apart, to prevent shingles and

related complications.

• COVID-19. Ask your doctor about current

recommendations for prevention of infections.

• RSV. Earlier this year, the Federal Drug

Administration approved two vaccines to address

respiratory syncytial virus in older adults. RSV, a

common respiratory infection, usually causes mild,

cold-like symptoms, but can be more severe in older

adults and children. Talk to your doctor about whether

you should get an RSV vaccine.

Health Screenings

• Mammogram. Breast cancer is the second leading

cause of cancer death in women in the United States,

according to the CDC. Every woman is at risk, and risk

increases with age. Fortunately, breast cancer can often

be treated successfully when found early. The U.S.

Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends

women 50 to 74-years-old at average risk get a

mammogram every two years.

• Colorectal screening. Colorectal cancer risk

increases with age. Screenings can find precancerous

polyps early, so they can be removed before they

turn into cancer. The USPSTF recommends colorectal

cancer screening for adults age 45 to 75. Though

colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test, there are

other options you may consider with the help of your

provider.

• Bone density scan. USPSTF recommends women

aged 65 and older, and women 60 and older at

increased risk, be routinely screened for osteoporosis,

a disease in which bones become weak and brittle.

Screening may facilitate treatment that helps prevent

fractures.

• Eye exam. Routine eye exams can identify

early signs of eye disease that are more likely as

people age. People with diabetes in particular are

prone to retinopathy, which leads to vision loss. It’s

recommended that people with diabetes have annual

retinal screenings.

• Mental health checkup. Many people experience

seasonal depression during fall. Mental health is linked

to physical health.

STATEPOINT MEDIA – Children have questions

about the way the world works and parents hope to

have straightforward answers. But when it comes to

questions regarding the body, parents and kids alike can

find these conversations awkward, uncomfortable and

embarrassing. Experts say that destigmatizing a child’s

curiosity about their body will not only help them take

better care of their health, it may even spark their

interest in science.

“Kids have so many questions about their bodies,

some practical, some pure curiosity. Sadly, society

sometimes chastises children for even asking these

questions. By better understanding their bodies though,

they can adopt good habits that stay with them for life,

and learn about physics and biology in a fun way,” says

David L. Hu, Ph.D., a professor at Georgia Institute of

Technology and author of “The P Word: A Manual for

Mammals.”

Hu believes it’s important for younger kids to enter

puberty already having all the facts about their biology.

His book, meant for ages 7-12, introduces the penis as

an organ that unites all biologically male mammals. It’s

meant to serve as a gender-neutral, definitive resource

about the penis for kids, providing tools kids need to

recognize and name their body parts, understand when

something might be wrong and practice good hygiene.

If you’re a parent of a curious kid, or a parent of a

child who hasn’t yet voiced questions, Hu offers says:

1. Try not to shy away from these conversations or

make your child feel ashamed for asking a question

about their body. Keep in mind that many children

will turn to the internet for answers if you aren’t

open to answering their questions, where they may

encounter false information or inappropriate content.

Instead, acknowledge their curiosity by answering their

questions as best you can, and by pointing them to

trustworthy resources.

2. Don’t wait until your child reaches puberty. If you

start talking to kids about their bodies when they are

young, you’ll normalize and desensitize the subject,

and the act of talking about it. Helping a child feel

comfortable in their own skin before things start to

change, will set the stage for less stress during puberty.

3. Help kids understand that their body is natural

and normal. In “The P Word,” Hu intentionally presents

colorful, engaging images and facts about different

mammals around the globe alongside information

about human bodies, including how animals use their

penises to pee, mark their territory and reproduce.

“Comparative biology makes learning fun and amusing,

lightens the mood around a serious subject, helps young

kids understand their place in nature, and offers insights

into the role of their penis or vagina outside the role of

sex,” says Hu.

“My hope is that kids realize that every question

they have, no matter how embarrassing it is, can be

addressed by the tools of science. They should be proud

of being curious about their own bodies,” Dr. Hu.

6

OCTOBER 2023

SERVICES•ᎾᎾᏛᏁᎲ BUSINESS•ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

UKB Tribal Enrollment

18300 W. Keetoowah Circle Tahlequah, OK 74464

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

Work continues on a United Keetoowah Band Henry Lee Doublehead Child Development Center.

The center opened its new expansion in August with three classrooms and a storm shelter.

PHOTOS BY SHAYLEY FOURKILLER/GIDUWA CHREROKEE NEWS

UKB child development

center opens in August

BY SHALEY FOURKILLER

Marketing Specialist

TAHLEQUAH – The Henry Lee

Doublehead Child Development Center

opened its new expansion in August

with three classrooms including a storm

shelter.

The expansion will be able to hold 35

more children.

The expansion will also house three

more infant and toddler classrooms.

A new gross motor room, which

includes the storm shelter with be

available to the staff, students and any

parents that would like to shelter in place

with their children should the need arise,

is also part of the expansionl

With the expansion, HLDCDC officials

were also able to update the existing

classrooms with new flooring throughout

the whole center and fun, colored accent

walls for each classroom.

Each room has been renamed to reflect

the theme.

HLDCDC officials were also able to

upgrade their playground equipment

with the new grant resulting in a bigger

area for outside play and exploration for

the children.

The new Keetoowah CDC, located in

Stilwell, is also on track for completed

construction at the end of October.

After construction, licensing by

Oklahoma Department of Human

Services will begin with a tentative

opening in beginning of the new year.

The Keetoowah CDC will house four

infant and toddler classrooms, including

a storm shelter.

A job fair for the Stilwell Keetoowah

CDC will be announced at a later date

with 15 to 18 new positions available.

Childcare Director, Christie Kirk states

“We’re really excited to see the growth in

our department and the positive things

we can add to the community.”

For more information on Childcare,

follow UKB Henry Lee Doublehead on

Facebook or call (918) 871-2799.

The Henry​Lee Doublehead Child

Development Center was established in

June 2006.

The center accepts children 6 weeks

to 4 years of age and its mission is to

provide quality, worry-free, educational

child care for community children.

Working in the center is a service

driven team of individuals dedicated to

the goal of meeting the needs of each

individual child, while educating and

assisting the child’s family.

The Henry Lee Doublehead CDC is a

certified 2-star facility that is currently

contracted with OKDHS and several

tribal subsidy programs

The center is at 18771 W Keetoowah

Circle in Tahlequah.

“We’re really excited to see the growth in our

department and the positive things we can add to the

community.”

Christie Kirk, Childcare director

As with other federally

recognized tribes throughout the U.S., the United

Keetoowah Band has its

own unique process to determine membership. Below are Enrollment documents and a brief FAQ of

the most common questions about membership

into the UKB.

​For additional questions

or if you are a member

who has lost your enrollment card, please contact

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.

The expansion will also house three more infant and toddler classrooms. A new gross motor

room, which includes the storm shelter.

the UKB Enrollment Office

Registrar Amanda Stopp at

918-871-2797.

​Questions

concerning

Keetoowah history, cultural practices, clothing,

language or ceremonies

are better suited for our

John Hair Cultural Center

and Museum. Please visit

https://www.ukb-nsn.

gov/john-hair-cultural-center-museum or call 918871-2866.

Wado!

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.

CULTURE•ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

Eradicating Native language,

culture was U.S. government goal

The United Keetoowah Band

is committed to revitalizing its

language and culture.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH – According to the website, Britannica,

“the American Indian boarding school was a system of

boarding schools created for Native—that is, American

Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian children

by the United States government and Christian

churches during the 1800s and 1900s. Hundreds of

thousands of children attended the schools, which

were sometimes hundreds or even thousands of miles

away from their homes. The schools were intended

to wipe out traditional Native cultures and assimilate

Native children into the dominant white culture.

Richard Henry Pratt, the founder of the well-known

Carlisle Indian Industrial School, described his

philosophy of assimilation as “Kill the Indian…and

save the man.”

The boarding-school system was part of the U.S.

government’s broader policy toward Native peoples.

As the United States

expanded Westward

during the 1800s, tribal

nations occupied land that

American settlers wanted.

Conflicts over land often

led to violence between

the U.S. military and Native peoples.

As evidenced by the Plains Wars, this was a costly

way for the United States to acquire land, in terms of

both lives and financial expense. Government officials

came to believe that assimilation was the safest and

most economically efficient way to deal with “hostile”

Native peoples. They made the education of children

an essential part of their assimilation strategy. They

thought that isolating Native children and educating

them in the white tradition would break the ties

between the children and their families, communities

and lands. This in turn would make it easier to acquire

Native territory.

These practices have resulted in loss of Indigenous

languages. American Indian languages, spoken by

the original inhabitants of the Americas and the West

Indies and by their modern descendants. Before the

arrival of Columbus, more than 300 distinct languages

were spoken in North America north of Mexico by

an estimated population of two to seven million.

Today fewer than 170 languages are spoken, of which

the great majority are spoken fluently only by older

adults.”

Keetoowah Language Revitalization Project

Most indigenous languages in the United States

are being displaced by English—and the Keetoowah

language is no exception. A sharp decline in

intergenerational language transmission following

the federal government boarding school experience

is evidenced by anecdotal stories told by Keetoowah

elders of that time.

The UKB is known for striving to keep the traditional

lifeways of the Keetoowah. The Keetoowah have the

highest percentage of enrolled full-blood Cherokees

who are fluent speakers of the native language.

Nevertheless, the number of speakers continues to

diminish every year with the passing of the older

generation leaving children and grandchildren who do

not know the language.

The numbers of Keetoowah children, youth, and

adults who are fluent or moderately fluent in the

Keetoowah language is quickly diminishing. With

each succeeding generation, the language is being left

behind and Keetoowah culture is giving way to the

dominant society. T

ribal leaders have become increasingly concerned

about the state of the Tribe, believing that generational

transference of Tribal language, history, culture, and

cultural values is imperative to a sense of identity and

well-being.

In the past three years, thanks to a grant by the

Institute of Museums and

Library Services (IMLS)

awarded to the John

Hair Cultural Center

and Museum, the tribe

has developed a multigenerational language

curriculum and program that is geared to Native

learners of all ages.

The language curriculum was developed by JHCCM

Director Ernestine Berry, along with Keetoowah first

language speakers John Chewey, Clara Proctor, Oleta

Pritchett, and Tyler Hodges. Other Keetoowah first

language speakers have joined the team including

Cindy Hair, Ronnie Livers and Roxanna Wilden.

These speakers will be the teachers who will teach

this language pilot program designed to be multigenerational and will be tested in their small family

groups beginning in mid-September. Every two

months or so they will come back together to evaluate

the lesson plans and the experiences of the teachers

and the learners.

“With the experience and knowledge, we have

gained through this IMLS Enhancement grant, we

will apply for a larger language revitalization grant to

expand the spoken language revitalization efforts to

larger groups in communities,” said Ernestine Berry,

JHCCM Director. “We will continue to encourage our

adults, young adults, and youth to learn the language

and to know the culture. As our ancestors, those who

have come before us, have said, “We will never give up

Keetoowah.”

The philosophy of assimilation

was, “Kill the Indian, and save the

man.”

OCTOBER 2023

7

Keetoowah Museum Briefs

Save the Date!

The John Hair Cultural Center and Keetoowah

Museum will be hosting a Christmas Arts and Crafts

show featuring the UKB Tradition Keepers and other

tribal artisans. The event is set for Friday, December 8

and Saturday, December 9 from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m.

Organizers estimate that ten to twelve tradition keepers

will be selling their wares, along with another six to

eight tribal members. That means a lot of beautiful,

handmade, one-of-a-kind items will be available to

purchase.

“One of the most popular parts of the sale is the

Tradition Keepers raffle. All the Tradition Keepers

donate items for the raffle, so there will be a dozen or

more items that you will have a chance to win. The

members and the gift shop will be selling raffle tickets

for several weeks before the sale. For a one-dollar

ticket purchase, you will have multiple chances to win,

“ said Barbara Foster Girty, museum assistant director.

For more information, call the museum at 918-8712866.

Follow us on social media

Go to the UKB Website, follow us on Facebook, like

and share us on YouTube!

For information about the Keetoowah Museum, go

to the UKB website at www.ukb-nsn.gov, then check

services/departments and go down to the John Hair

Museum.

If you would like more photos and additional

information on articles that have been in the

newspaper, please go to our Facebook page, John

Hair Cultural Center, and Museum. Please follow us

and message us with any questions or suggestions.

Subscribe Like and Share us on YouTube! Check out

our videos, learn some Cherokee words, learn about

some talented Keetoowah people!

Visit the Keetoowah Museum and Gift Shop in

person! The shop contains hundreds of items hand

made by the Keetoowah people. Hours are 8:30 am. to

4:30 pm. Monday – Friday. Saturdays by appointment.

(918) 871-2866.

8 OCTOBER 2023

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ