Check out profiles of

GRADUATES!

Check out profiles of

UKB members who

recently graduated.

EDUCATION, 5

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 June 2023

SNAKE SAFETY

Tribal

member

earns NAJA

fellowship

Aspen Ford will participate

in the Native American

Journalism Fellowship.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

and many other places on the safety of snakes.

Through his years of handling snakes, Hansen

has come across other species of poisonous

and non-poisonous snakes. Commonly known

snakes of Northeast Oklahoma are copperheads

(ambushers), cottonmouth (territorial), pigmy

rattlesnakes (small and hot tempered) and on

very rare occasion the coral snake (red and

yellow, hurts a fellow).

“All of these become partners of the

menagerie of my traveling venomous educators,

or the cat eyed and the triangle headed ones,”

Hansen stated. “For balance, my program

includes the non-venomous family of snakes

who are all sleek and round eyed.”

Some of the non-poisonous snakes include

the rat snake (climber), hognose spreading

adder (acts like a cobra but harmless), blue

racer (fast), water snake (crawdad stealer) and

others that may present themselves.

Hansen goes over what to do and what not

to do, he said “snake handlers have a saying, it

is not a matter of if you get bit, it is a matter of

when you get bit.”

He said, it was 20 years of snake handling

before he was injected with venom from just

one fang piercing his finger. This bite sent him

to the hospital where he stayed for three days.

Another time he was bit by a copperhead in the

palm area, which caused a lot of swelling but

no overnight stay at the hospital.

TAHLEQUAH – The Native American Journalists

Association (NAJA) recently selected seven students

to participate in their Native American Journalism

Fellowship (NAJF) Class of 2023. UKB member Aspen

Ford has been given the opportunity of a spot in the

fellowship program.

Ford grew up in Tahlequah, attending school at

Woodall and graduating high

school from Sequoyah in 2018 as

Salutatorian. She then attended

college at Northeastern State

University, where she served as a

member of the President Leadership

Class. Ford double majored in

Spanish and Media Studies, with

a minor in Applied Linguistics in

Aspen Ford

graduating in May 2022.

“Whenever I was in newspaper,

I had reached out to Mark Dreadfulwater to help

edit a story of mine, and he’s the one who helped my

interest in NAJA,” Ford said. “I am so glad I signed up

for a student membership, because they have so many

opportunities.”

It was at the end of her last semester at NSU, when

she learned about the NAJA conference which was held

at Arizona State University.

“Not knowing what to do after college, I signed up

to go to this conference because I had been interested

in ASU’s investigative journalism master’s program,”

Ford said. “I thought it was awesome to see so many

Native journalists. That’s where I met my current boss

Ryan Sharp, who is the editor at The Oklahoman and

informed about the fellowship program.”

After speaking with Sharp, Ford was hired on

and moved to Oklahoma City where she began her

fellowship.

“I have learned so much being in this fellowship

with The Oklahoman,” Ford stated. “I loved the NAJA

conference so much last year, I had to apply for their

fellowship program which I did in February. And in

order to apply I had to be a student so I applied at ASU

and got accepted.”

The NAJF Program begins in June, the fellows will

participate in a virtual curriculum with selected mentors

representing broadcast, radio, print and digital media.

This innovative experience will be designed to leverage

the advantages of a digital newsroom while allowing

fellows to strengthen reporting skills, pitch stories

to news outlets, participate in the National Native

Media Conference, and network with other Indigenous

journalists.

“They’ll fly us out to the National Native Media

Conference in Winnipeg, Canada, I am excited,”

SEE HANSEN, PAGE 3

SEE NAJF, PAGE 2

Woody Hansen educates students at Wickliffe Schools this past year about venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Hansen is an outdoor wildlife educator in the field of snakes, particularly those of northeast Oklahoma.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Snake handler Woody Hansen shares the importance

of learning about local snakes.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

T

AHLEQUAH – Many people do not know

the difference between a poisonous snake

and a non-poisonous snake. With warmer

days and evenings starting, snake handler

Woody Hansen educates on the types of reptiles

plus what to do and what not to do when

dealing with a snake bite.

Hansen is an outdoor wildlife educator in the

field of snakes, particularly those of northeast

Oklahoma. His hobby began in 1989, when

a fellow Cherokee and a Seneca Cayuga man

invited him to join them to travel out to Western

Oklahoma (Okeene) to hunt rattlesnakes.

“Little did I know that the ‘trio’ that was

formed on my first rattlesnake roundup would

last for 33 years,” Hansen said. “Sadly, one of

my mentors passed in December of 2022, now

the ‘Fang Gang’ is now a duo. This past snake

roundup was emotional as Calvin and I sat

around the campfire without Ed with us.”

Hansen started educating the public

after observing certain men of the Okeene

Rattlesnake Association. They entered the

“snake pit” an enclosure with up to 100 rattlers,

handling and demonstrating the fangs, skin and

rattles of live diamondback rattlesnakes.

“I began to imitate these men and the rest is

rattlesnake history, 34 years later and I am still

educating the public and enjoying it,” he said.

He has presented at schools, camps, tribes

Echota Behavioral Health sets up Cave Springs drug prevention

In-school suspension

students take a break from the

classroom to visit the UKB.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Students from Cave Springs High

School who were in the “in-school suspension” program

took a field day to the United Keetoowah Band complex

for a day of learning and fishing.

Echota Behavioral Health has been working with the

school bringing the drug prevention education program

to its ISS students.

The program started when Superintendent CD

Thompson and a former teacher who is currently

director of Outreach from Echota Behavioral Health,

Jessica Thompson, spoke about what they could do to

prevent students from using drugs and taking the wrong

path, according to a release sent by Thompson.

“We’ve been going out working with some of the

kids in the ISS program who have been in trouble for

drugs or other things. We go over the dangers of drugs

and finding other things,” Thompson said. “One of our

programs is the ‘natural high’ and some of the kids said

they liked fishing.”

Thompson visited with Education Director Dr. Leslie

Hannah at the complex one day, and he showed her the

pond. She had mentioned some of the kids liked fishing,

“I asked him if he would be interested in partnering

with us and taking the kids fishing? And he said

absolutely,” Thompson said.

Cave Springs was able to bring out four students from

ISS and the peer mentor who has been working with the

students also.

“It was nice giving student’s opportunities that they

wouldn’t normally have, we got to watch a kid catch a

fish that has never been fishing,” CD stated about the

program.

On their visit at the UKB complex, the students got to

meet with people who worked for the tribe such as the

Education Department and Tribal Lighthorse. They also

got to learn about the culture and history of the tribe by

visiting the John Hair Cultural Center and Keetoowah

Museum.

The drug prevention program just started at

Cave Springs this past spring semester. According

to Thompson’s research, the program emphasizes

SEE CAVE, PAGE 2

Cave Springs High School peer mentor Jessica Olvera holds

fish caught during a recent trip by Cave Springs students to

the United Keetoowah Band complex in Tahlequah. Echota

Behavioral Health is working on a drug prevention prevention

program at the school. SHAYLEY FOURKILLER/GIDUWA

CHEROKEE NEWS

2

JUNE 2023

Assistant Chief

Jeff Wacoche

jwacoche@

ukb-nsn.gov

Secretary

Joyce

Fourkiller

jfourkiller@

ukb-nsn.gov

Treasurer

Sonja Gourd

sgourd@

ukb-nsn.gov

Canadian Dist.

Eddie Sacks

918-822-1957

Cooweescoowee

Dist.

Clifford

Wofford

918-822-1953

Delaware Dist.

Elmer Panther

918-226-1668

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

COUNCIL•ᏗᏂᎳᏫᎩ

Treaties, mounds and tri-council

Si yo, ni ga da

June is here with many graduates this

past May. Congratulations to all!

I missed the opportunity to be in the

Stilwell Strawberry Festival parade as it

was attended by Assistant Chief Wacoche,

Secretary Joyce Fourkiller Hawk,

Treasurer Sonja Gourd and tribal Reps.

Junior Catron and Alvin Hicks.

I was at the Bacone College graduation

where they had 20 graduates. That

was a glorious sight to see Native kids

graduating, walking the walk and

preparing to become tomorrow’s tribal

leaders and professionals.

I attended a treaty right activity where

the Fon Du Lac Band of Lake Superior

Chippawa’s celebrated their annual treaty

right. They cite the 1854 Treaty of La

Pointe as when they ceded millions of

acres of land to the federal government,

and in return they would retain their

hunting, fishing and gathering treaty

rights in the ceded areas.

It is amazing, witnessing century’s

Chief’s

Corner

JOE BUNCH

Principal Chief

jbunch@ukb-nsn.gov

old tradition as we move into the 21st

century. It makes me wonder, as we

review our 1817, 1828,1833 and 1846

treaties, that they clearly state we have

had land on our reservation. Today, this

is reinforced by the McGirt decision.

Only Congress can award or remove a

reservation and Congress has not removed our land.

In June, we celebrate the Keetoowah

Mounds restoration, symbolic, as we

as Native people never went away. The

mounds have existed for thousands of

years, and this is clear evidence of the

Keetoowah existence. The Creator said

Tahlequah Dist.

Alvin Hicks

918-931-1462

your name shall be Keetoowah forever.

We will come together for the tricouncil meeting in Cherokee, North

Carolina, this month. I am sure one

agenda item will be the treaty right of

a tribal representative in the House of

Representatives.

This means, we will have a

representative in all discussions that affect

Native people. The representative will

be a non-voting member and can serve

on various committees, in the House of

Representatives. We are excited. We have

selected a tribal member, who also serves

as our tribal prosecutor, to serve as our

House Representative delegate. Her name

is Victoria Holland, and we know she will

represent the United Keetoowah Band of

Cherokee Indians well.

Pray for an M Opinion from the solicitor

general in our favor as we move forward.

I have a new cell phone number 918772-0666.

Wa do, ni ga da, oo ne le nv, a do ls di,

gi du wa.

June is Pride Month for LGBTQ people

Identity and gender have become topics

of conversation across many platforms.

At times, these conversations can become

contentious.

Whether individuals simply do not

understand the LGBTQ community, they

are trying to understand, or they disagree

with the community, the focus on the

movement should be centered around

inclusivity.

Among Native American communities

throughout the world, the communal

aspect of Native culture is the framework

of Native American communities today.

When Native Americans connect with

their cultures, they are far less likely

to use substances and have depressive

feelings about their lives.

Often, individuals who have been

removed from their cultures, or they are

forcibly exited, Native Americans find

themselves recovering within the world

of substance and alcohol abuse. The

LGBTQ community, or the Two-Spirited

community as it is known within Native

American culture, is no stranger to

abandonment.

In early Native American society, those

who identified as Two Spirited were

respected as spiritual leaders within

the tribe. They dressed in both men’s

and women’s clothing, and they often

served special roles such as storytellers,

Sanj, a non-binary member of the

Echota

LGBTQ community, understands the need

both formal and informal support

Behavioral for

where these communities face a shortage.

“Both formal and informal support is

Health

necessary for the whole-health wellness

counselors, and healers. In addition

to being cross-represented between

the male and female residents among

the community, Two-Spirited people

also served as mediators between the

male and female camps. If there was a

feud between the sexes, Two-Spirited

individuals would provide the remedy to

help resolve the conflict.

Sanj Cooper, a therapist at Echota

Behavioral health, highlights some of the

disparities within the LGBTQ and TwoSpirited community. Sanj offers group

therapy sessions centered around the

LGBTQ and Two-Spirited experiences.

Echota Behavioral Health also offers

individual therapy sessions for individuals

who are LGBTQ and/or Two-Spirited

humans who need support.

“LGBTQ and Two-Spirited communities

are at risk for not receiving proper access

and treatment for their experiences.

Often, these communities are underserved

within all spaces, but specifically within

the rural areas.”

of individuals who are members of the

LGBTQ and Two-Spirited communities.

Social, spiritual, and environmental

support is necessary for these individuals

to feel like beneficial members of the

community instead of like disposable

outcasts.”

While there are some

misunderstandings among individuals

who are not fully aware of the plight the

individuals within these community’s face,

what Native Americans do understand is

a sense of community and the importance

of community.

Within every Native American

community, Two-Spirited people exist.

These individuals are not only our

relatives, but they are also our family

members, our friends, and they are

people who are loved. It is important to

remember the sacred value their existence

brings to Native American culture and

lifeways. Without their presence, life

would be less sacred.

nani’v yvwi detsatloyasdisgesdi.

Include everyone, all humankind;

however many.

CAVE: The program aims

to motivate rather than

punish and discourage.

FROM PAGE 1

the importance of setting a

good example, of working with

influencers to change the negative

culture, and finding their natural

high or passion.

“Students are more likely to

abstain from drugs and alcohol

when they discover their actual

passions,” she stated. “Those

pursuits that inspire, uplift, and

motivate them and are encouraged

Cave Springs students roast

marshamallows during a day at the

UKB complex. COURTESY

to pursue them by their friends,

family, school, and community.”

The program is to help students

be positively involved in the

conversation about substance

usage and guided toward what

motivates them rather than just

being punished and discouraged.

With the goal of inspiring

students, Thompson said they use

the Natural High stories/videos

(from their website) that empower

students to discover their own

“natural highs” and provide them

with the tools they need to live

fulfilling lives.

Thompson plans to continue

bringing the program to Cave

Springs. For more information,

email jessica.thompson@

echota.org or visit https://www.

echotabehavioralhealth.com/.

Echota Behavioral Health has three

locations: 16414 W. 760 Road

inTahlequah, 2727 E. Admiral

Place in Tulsa and 282 S Hwy 10 in

Kansas, Oklahoma.

GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Sequoyah Dist.

Junior Catron

918-315-0970

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

Giduwa Cherokee News

P.O. Box 746

Tahlequah, OK 74465

The Giduwa Cherokee News is mailed free to

Keetoowah registered voters, governments, other

offices and upon request, to other citizens.

Mail subscription requests and address changes to

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

OK 74465.

MANAGING EDITOR

Rita Courtwright

SENIOR REPORTER

Lani Hansen

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Travis Snell

MARKETING SPECIALIST

Shayley Fourkiller

Fellows have virtual training by Indigenous journalists.

COURTESY

NAJF: Ford plans

to attend Arizona

State University.

FROM PAGE 1

Ford said.

During her fellowship, they will have virtual

training by Indigenous journalists, work with their

mentors and then present all their work at the

conference.

After finishing the fellowship program, Ford will

be attending ASU in the fall working on her master’s

degree in investigative journalism.

For more information about the Native American

Journalists Association, please visit https://

najanewsroom.com/

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

JUNE 2023

3

Biden admin releases FY 2024 budget

The budget’s request for Indian Affairs

programs in FY 2024 is $4.7 billion, an increase

of $690 million over FY 2023.

BY STAFF REPORTS

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris

administration recently released the

President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024.

The FY 2024 budget makes significant

investments in tribal sovereignty and

revitalization, providing new and

expanded funding opportunities and

resources for tribes to manage their lands

and waters.

The president’s budget request for

Indian Affairs programs in FY 2024 is

$4.7 billion, an increase of $690 million

over FY 2023. This includes $3 billion for

the Bureau of Indian Affairs, $1.6 billion

for the Bureau of Indian Education and

$109.1 million for the Bureau of Trust

Funds Administration.

“The 2024 budget request makes

significant investments in Tribal

sovereignty and revitalization, upholding

our steadfast commitment to honor the

nation’s treaty and trust responsibilities

and strengthen government-togovernment relationships with Tribal

Nations,” said Assistant Secretary for

Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “This

Administration’s commitment to

supporting the sovereignty of Tribal

Nations and addressing long-standing

disparities is unprecedented and will

remain an important moment in our

nation’s history.”

These proposed investments include:

Community Safety

· $316.3 million for Criminal

Investigations and Police Services

programs, an increase of $42.2 million

above FY 2023.

· $154.6 million, an increase of $18.3

million above FY 2023, to support the

operational needs of Indian Country

detention and corrections programs

encountering growing personnel,

equipment, and technology costs.

· $75.3 million for construction

supporting public safety and justice

programs, an increase of $23.8 million

above FY 2023.

Support for Families and Communities

· $78.1 million for the Tiwahe

Initiative, an increase of $33.5 million

from FY 2023.

· Tiwahe is an extensive and bold

approach to furthering Indian selfdetermination and self-governance. It

allows flexibility in the administration

of key tribal programs to address unique

community needs, supports tribal

economic self-sufficiency, and strengthens

tribal cultural connections. Tiwahe

fosters systemic change in the delivery of

services to children and families through

the integration of tribal practices,

customs, values, and traditions.

· The 2024 budget request further

expands Tiwahe in the Social Services,

Indian Child Welfare Act, Housing,

Tribal Justice Support, and Economic

Development programs.

Roads

· $51.3 million to improve road

maintenance, an increase of $11 million,

addressing a long-standing tribal priority.

· Poor road conditions directly

impact the quality of life in many tribal

communities, limiting transportation for

public safety and emergency response,

travel to school, and travel to work.

· Funding will also increase bridge

maintenance and safety reviews of 1,100

bridges needed to inform prioritization,

project selection, and planning to better

implement construction funding available

through the Bipartisan Infrastructure

Law.

School construction and classroom

support

· $1.6 billion for BIE programs and

school construction, an increase of

$209.2 million above FY 2023, to provide

a strong educational foundation for

Native children to succeed. Indigenous

students face stark inequities in access

to education, many of which were

highlighted and exacerbated by the

pandemic.

· $508.7 million for Indian Student

Equalization Program formula funds,

which provide the primary support for

academic activities.

· $416.2 million in annual funding for

Education Construction, an increase of

$148.3 million over FY 2023 that will

allow BIE to support seven school and

facility replacement projects.

· $189.6 million for postsecondary

schools and programs, including $133.5

million for Haskell Indian Nations

University and Southwestern Indian

Polytechnic Institute, Tribal Colleges,

Universities and Technical Colleges and

$56.1 million for Tribal scholarships and

adult education programs.

· $98.7 million to fully fund the

estimated requirement for Tribal Grant

Support costs to cover the administration

costs for Tribes that choose to operate

BIE-funded schools.

· $33.7 million, a program increase of

$5.8 million over FY 2023 to maintain

support for distance learning and

enhanced technology at BIE schools.

· $7.5 million for Native language

immersion programs.

Subsistence Management

· Subsistence practices are vital to the

life ways of Alaska Native communities

and people, who depend heavily on

subsistence practices for their nutritional,

social, economic, and traditional cultural

needs. During tribal consultations and

listening sessions participants have

consistently pointed to the adverse

impacts the changing climate is having

on Alaska Native subsistence practices

and Alaska Native communities, as

well as the need to expand tribal comanagement partnerships and the

incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge

into subsistence management.

In response to tribal recommendations

heard through these engagements, the

FY 2024 budget proposes to transfer the

functions of the Office of Subsistence

Management from the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service to the Office of the

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs,

along with a program increase of $2.5

million for the program. The requested

increases directly respond to comments

received on ways to strengthen the

program going forward.

Supporting Tribal Programs

· Contract Support Costs funding is a

critical tribal sovereignty payment, which

enables tribes to assume responsibility

for operating federal programs by

covering the costs to administer the

programs. The budget proposes to

reclassify Tribal Contract Support Costs

from discretionary to mandatory funding

beginning in 2024. The President’s 2024

budget proposes mandatory funding

totaling $431.4 million.

Investing in Tribal infrastructure

· Providing resources to support

the construction and maintenance of

critical infrastructure used in tribal

communities, Section 105(l) of the

Indian Self-Determination and Education

Assistance Act provides tribes and tribal

organizations carrying out federal

functions under a self-determination

contract or self-governance compact

may enter into a lease agreement with

the Interior for the tribally owned or

rented facility used to carry out those

functions. This tribal sovereignty

payment is allowing BIA to get tribes

closer to meeting the full cost of program

implementation and improve their

facilities. The 2024 budget proposes

to reclassify 105(l) lease agreement

requirements from discretionary to

mandatory funding beginning in 2024.

The budget requests mandatory funding

totaling $82.5 million.

Native Language Revitalization

· $34 million, a $27.5 million increase

over FY 2023, to expand BIA grant

awards for tribal native language

revitalization programs which are

imperative to restore generational

continuity and tribal culture which help

to strengthen Ttibal sovereignty.

Land Conservation

· $12 million for the creation of a new

Tribal Land and Water Conservation

Fund land acquisition program. Tribes

identified having direct access to Land

and Water Conservation Fund resources

for conservation and recreation projects

as one of their top priorities. The funding

will provide tribes the opportunity to

acquire lands or easements to protect and

conserve natural resource areas, which

may also be of cultural importance to

the tribe or have significant recreational

benefits for tribal communities, and will

further enhance the ability of tribes to

address the climate crisis.

Indian Land Consolidation &

Acquisition

· $30.5 million for Indian Land

Consolidation, an increase of $22.5

million above FY 2023. The Land

Buy-Back-Program for tribal nations

made significant progress in reducing

fractionation and achieving tribal

majority interest, but additional funds

are needed to sustain the progress of the

program, and ensure Tribes are able to

manage their lands.

· $12 million to support the acquisition

of lands for Tribal purposes including

funding needed to support newly

recognized tribes without established

lands.

Missing something?

Woody Hansen holds a non-venomous hognose spreading adder. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA

CHEROKEE NEWS

HANSEN: If bitten by a

venomous snake, call 911 for

an ambulance or have a person

transport you to the hospital.

FROM PAGE 1

“Afterwards was three very

uncomfortable days and nights my

swelling subsided, and I was able to

conduct a snake safety program later that

afternoon,” Hansen said.

According to Hansen, when bitten by

a snake do not cut an “X” or tie off the

area, in contrary to what the elders were

taught or what was seen in movies or

television. Hansen said do not use any

tourniquet methods. The most important

and wise action is to either call 911 for

an ambulance to transport you or have

someone calmly drive you to the nearest

hospital.

Other methods to do when bitten by a

snake are stay calm, remove any type of

tight clothing or jewelry, limit physical

activity, keep the bite at the level of the

heart and wash the wound with soap and

water.

“A poisonous snake bite will typically

show two entry points due to having two

fangs, and it will be painful with a hot

sensation,” Hansen said. “Whereas the

non-poisonous bite will be U-shaped,

with some stinging and surface bleeding.

You want to make sure to wash with soap

and water and treat with antibacterial

ointment.”

Hansen added that he was chasing

after a garter snake (sharp teeth and

non-poisonous) one day and it had bit

him at least seven times.

He had treated it but a week later

broke out in a rash and so he called the

Oklahoma Poison Control Center.

He had it checked out and the doctor

asked him about eating anything

unusual, he said a garter snake as he

laughed at the joke.

The Oklahoma Poison Control Center is

a program of the University of Oklahoma

College of Pharmacy at the OU Health

Sciences Center. Hansen helps promote

for the center when presenting on snake

safety. They are staffed by medical

professionals dealing primarily with

poison situations.

It is important when bitten by a snake

to call the poison control center at 1-800222-1222.

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4

JUNE 2023

OBITUARIES

Nona Lou Burris

Nona Lou Burris, age 85 of Stilwell,

Oklahoma, passed away on April 18,

2023, at her home in Stilwell.

Nona Lou Burris was born May

4, 1937, in Stilwell to Nola and Ada

Steven Lee Fields

Steven Lee Fields, or Mud” to his

many family and friends, was born

on October 8th, 1961 in Tahlequah,

OK, the son of Tom P. and Frances

(Reese) Fields. He was raised in the

Briggs Community and grew up with

six brothers and six sisters, Joy, James

“Rex”, Judy, Julia Belle “Bee”, Thomas

“Porky”, Rita “Boo”, Larry “Ducky”,

Johnny “Donut”, Ella Mae “Saogee”,

Ludavene “Oopie”, and and Barbara

“Dolly”. He attended school and

grew up in Briggs, where he enjoyed

wrestling, running track, and playing

football. When he wasn’t in school,

he loved time on the river swimming,

fishing, and riding bikes. After leaving

school, he began his working career

at Midwestern Container farm. He met

a lovely young lady and began flirting

with Nora Claudette Reynolds. Before

long, he asked her to marry him and

they were united in marriage on August

14th, 1982 in Ft. Gibson, OK. Together

they shared years of memories, laughter,

and raised a family with their son,

Dakota James Fields, their pride and

joy. He was always working , first as a

Cherokee County Mounted Patrol for 5

Francine (Galcatcher) Frogg

Francine (Kay) Galcatcher Frogg of

Stilwell, Oklahoma, passed away in

Stilwell, Oklahoma, on April 13, 2023, at

the age of 65. Kay was born on October

21st, 1957, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma

to Emma Ruth Teehee Galcatcher and

Josh Galcatcher. Kay was one of five

children and the only girl.

From an early age she learned to

hold her own with her brothers and it

made her a very strong woman in all

ways. Kay was a very hard worker and

held jobs at Greenleaf and CNI. Later in

Janet C. Handle

Janet C. Handle was born in Rocky

Mountain on August 21, 1946 to Levi

and Maggie Handle. She passed from

this life on April 15th 2023 at the age of

76 years,7 months and 25 days.

She was preceded in death by both

parents; brother Ellis Handle and other

loved ones.

Janet was a daughter, a big sister,

Bill George Sawney

Billy George Sawney, age 69, passed

away on May 2nd, 2023 in Bunch, OK.

He was born on August 17th, 1953

in Stilwell, Oklahoma to John Henry

Sawney and Pauline (Long) Sawney. Bill

loved his family, friends and life.

He was a devoted member of the

United Baptist Church in Metalton,

Arkansas. He was an active member

of the church community. He enjoyed

Mozzelle (Buzzard) Turner

Mozelle Buzzard Turner was born

on December 19th, 1945 in Tahlequah,

OK, the daughter of Easley and Lydia

(Swimmer) Buzzard. She grew up in

a family with one brother and three

sisters, EJ, Lucille, Shirley and Sylvia.

She decided she was ready to start her

family and married Roy Turner Sr on

January 4th, 1965, in Tahlequah, OK.

This union was filled with love, laughter

and twelve children. Tammy, Lisa,

Chooch, Sally, David, Maggie, Steven,

J.R, Amanda Matthew, Lana and Lonnie.

Mozelle spent her days caring for

Roy and the kids, keeping house and

cooking some of the most amazing fried

chicken, biscuits and gravy, dumplings

and the best Thanksgiving turkey and

all the trimmings. The day started off

with her morning cup of coffee and her

cigarette, and the chores began, mixed

with her favorite soap operas, As the

World Turns, All My Children, One Life

COMMUNITY•ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

(Gonzalis) Glass. She grew up in Chalk

Bluff and Piney and attended the Piney

School. Nona married Paul Burris in

Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and the couple

made their home in Stilwell. Paul

preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2017.

Nona was a homemaker. She loved

flowers, animals and

working in the yard.

Survivors include

seven children,

Darlene Glass

and husband

Bo Drywater of

Tahlequah; Wynona

Robison and

husband James of Chalk Bluff; Paul

Burris Jr. and wife Evie of Proctor;

Debbie Burris of Hulbert; William Burris

and wife Sheila; David Burris and Paula

Burris, all of Stilwell; one brother Nola

Glass Jr. of Chalk Bluff; one sister Cleta

Fourkiller of Stilwell; 13 grandchildren

and 20 great-grandchildren. She was

preceded in death by her husband

Paul, her parents Nola and Ada Glass,

stepmother Juanita Terrapin and one

brother Randy Glass.

years, then at Briggs

Public Schools as

a bus driver for 13

years, finally as the

grounds keeper and

maintenance man at

Keys Public Schools.

One of his most

treasured jobs was as

a foster father to children needing him,

from 2000 until 2005. When he wasn’t

working, he was feeding livestock or

attending a livestock show. He never

missed a baseball, basketball or football

game. There was nothing better than

a day at Barron Fork Creek fishing,

camping and cooking out.

He liked his yard to look good and

he enjoyed displaying his various

collectibles, oddities and antiques. The

gathering of the family was a wonderful

event he loved, and he would make his

special meat rub and smoke all day ,

this included his famous bologna, to

share a meal, and fellowship with his

family and friends. He was a teddy bear

at heart yet knew how he liked things

done and how they should be.

The driving force of his life was his

family, his wife, son, and especially his

grandchildren were what made him

complete. His grandchildren made his

face glow with a sense of pride and

love like nothing else could. A Christian

by faith, Mud liked the old-time gospel

songs and listening to Joyce Meyer on

the TV.

For all the dreams he had for the

future, the Lord called this kind and

gentle spirit home from his many

labors on April 26th, 2023 in Tulsa, OK,

surrounded by those that knew and

loved this wonderful man. He was 61

years old and leaves an empty chair that

no one else can ever fill.

He is preceded in death by his

grandparents, George and Bessie

(Dreadfulwater)Reese and Edna Gritts,

his Mother and Father, brothers Thomas

and Larry Fields, four sisters, Joy

Gobble, Julia Belle Foreman, Dolly

Webster and Ella Mae Fields, and

several nieces and nephews.

Those left to cherish his memory

include his beloved wife, Nora Fields

of the home, and his son, Dakota

James Fields and wife Brittney of

Perkins , OK, and his brothers and

sisters, James “Rex’ Fields of Lowell,

AR, Judy Danford of Lowell, AR, Rita

“Boo” Bigmeat and husband Moe of

Cherokee, NC, Johnny “Donut” Fields

and wife Cynthia of Tahlequah, OK,

Ludavene “Oopie” Hudson and husband

Randell of Mannsville, OK, and brother

in law, Gary Webster. He lives on in his

grandchildren, Paizlee Jeanette Fields

and Brayden Wesley Fields of Perkins,

OK, and his daughter by choice,

Bethany Metcalfe and her children,

Briyah, Bryleig and Conor Metcalfe, as

well as many nieces, nephews, cousins

and a host of friends and loved ones too

numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Steven Lee

Fields were held on May 1, 2023, at

Reed-Culver chapel with Pastor Rodney

Chuculate officiating and Pastor DJ

McCarter doing the eulogy.

The family received guest on April 30

at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. He was

laid to rest at Pumpkin Center Cemetery

along with his family.

Pallbearers for Steven include Doo

Reese, Kirk “Hog” Reese, Billie Hiers,

Joseph Hiers, Jon Mathis, Kristopher

Mouse, Brandon Fields and Justin

Wright. His honorary pallbearers include

Danny Deckard, Billy Gibson, Frank

Reese, Charles Hiers, Michael Mouse,

Dewayne Crittenden, Darrell Hood,

Lancer “Turkey’ Reynolds and Rowdy

Reynolds.

her life she became a homemaker and

put her heart and soul into her children,

grandchildren, and husband. She was

a member of Salem Baptist Church, a

prayer warrior, and had a zest for life

and compassion for people.

Many came to her for advice and

prayer. Kay has often fed and given

shelter to those who were without.

She firmly believed in the “Golden

Rule” and loved and gave all she had to

others, even if that meant she would go

without.

Aside from helping others, Kay

enjoyed spending time with her family

and going to church.

Kay had a love/

hate relationship

with cats. She did

not like them but

leaving them out in

the cold just broke

her heart.

Her family

even put her picture on the front of a

magazine they made and titled it “Feline

Fancy”. She was so mad, but it was all

in good fun.

Francine (Kay) Galcatcher Frogg is

preceded in death by her husband Leon

Frogg, her brothers Woodrow Galcather,

Monroe Galcatcher, Marvin Galcatcher,

and Johnny Galcatcher, her mother

Emma Ruth Teehee Galcatcher and

father Josh Galcatcher, and one nephew

Chris Galcatcher.

Those left to cherish Kay’s memories

are her son Brian Frogg and wife Niki of

Kansas, Oklahoma; her daughter Brandi

Galcatcher of Stilwell, Oklahoma; and

grandchildren Paul, Destinee, Tiana,

Hunter, Zakkariah, and Brooklyn, and

two great-grandchildren Roxanne and

Steven, and a host of nieces, nephews,

aunts, and uncles.

an aunt, a cousin, a

niece, a dumpling

maker and most

widely a friend to

all who knew her.

Her religion was

everything to her;

she grew up and

continued to attend

Echota First Baptist her entire life.

She attended every service she could

and would even walk if she had to. She

would also go and visit and sing at other

churches as well as many other events.

Throughout the years she was a

member of the Echota 4, secretary for

the church as well as director of WMU,

and when not in church she worked as

a provider for many loved ones and was

a super big fan of the Rocky Mountain

rockets and would go see every game

she could.

She was also a big fan of Walmart

and usually had her brother take her

multiple times in a day.

She is survived by her brother Tom

“Levi” Handle of Stilwell, Oklahoma,

cousins: Eugene Handle, The Ketchers,

The Adairs, an aunt in Arizona, nieces

and nephews, many cousins and friends

as well as other loved ones.

attending church, singing, playing his

guitars and fellowship. He also loved

and appreciated his friends; Dave,

Steve, Dean, Gary and Jim.

Bill also had a passion for his farm, he

loved his horse, Bill and his dogs, T &

Elizabeth.

He is survived by his daughter:

Jodie Kester and her husband Bobby

of Bunch, OK, sisters: Martha Hendrix

and husband Darrell, Tammie Prince

and husband Hayward, both of Stilwell,

OK, Brenda Galbavy

and husband Dan

of Fayetteville, AR,

his granddaughters:

Leslie Jennings of

Stilwell, Erin Elmore

and husband Dolton

& Brynnley Kester

of Bunch, great

grandchildren: Lexie, Gemma & Conner

Elmore, Baker & Allyson Jennings.

Bill also leaves behind many nieces,

nephews, other relatives and friends

He was preceded in death by his

parents: John Henry and Pauline (Long)

Sawney, wife: Nina Sawney, son: Billy

Wayne Sawney, sisters: Frankie Bartlett

& Betty Jo Scott, brothers: Rick Sawney,

Scott Sawney, Roger Sawney and

Johnny Sawney.

A ceremony to honor Bill’s life was

May 8 at CC Camp in Stilwell, OK.

to Live and General

Hospital. She would

watch wrestling

religiously, “Stone

Cold” Steve Austin

being her all time

favorite. She could

be found listening to

country music early

mornings after watching the news.

She never ran out of chores to do,

mouths to feed, scrapes and bruises to

tend to, and grandbabies to love and

tend. The good Lord blessed her with

35 grandkids and 32 great grandkids,

and she loved each and every one of

them. When she had a little spare time,

she liked to go check out a yard sale or

two or a good resale shop. She had a

wonderful sense of humor and the best

smile, always making those around her

feel at ease.

She loved to have long conversations

with everyone. She was also a good

listener. She was funny and loved a

good laugh. She took care of her pride

and joy Matthew, until her last days.

Her heart belonged to the Lord she

served and then the family she adored.

She was happiest with all her animals

she had throughout her life, especially

Homer, her goose. And when she was

surrounded by every child, grandchild,

niece, nephew, cousin and friends she

had.

She passed from this life on April

19th, 2023 in Tahlequah, OK, after

reaching the age of 77 years. She leaves

a vacant chair that can never be filled.

She is preceded in death by her

grandparents, her mother and father,

her beloved husband Roy, two

sons, Timothy “Chooch” Turner and

Roy Turner Jr “J.R.” as well as two

daughters, Tammy Wagnon and Sallie

Budder, one brother, EJ Buzzard and her

sister, Lucille Samples.

Those left to cherish her memory

include her children, David Turner and

wife Glenda, Steven Turner and wife

Tami, Matthew Turner, Lonnie Turner

and wife Misty, Felicia Foreman and

husband Travis, Maggie Jones and

husband Ricky, Amanda Chuculate

and husband Hootie (Adam), and

Lana Turner and husband Lance Nells,

daughter in law, Sandra Turner, sons in

law, James Wagnon and Rick Budder

and Karen Bell companion of Roy Turner

Jr. She also leaves two sisters, Shirley

Fourkiller and Sylvia Wilson. She will

live on in her 35 grandchildren, 32 great

grandchildren, and a host of friends and

loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Mozelle BuzzardTurner will be held on Tuesday, April

25th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver

Chapel with Reverend Jason Gann

officiating.

Pallbearers include Jordan Wagnon,

Jerrid Foreman, James “J.J.” Wagnon

Jr., Jacob Foreman, Eric Budder, and

Shawn Budder. Mozelle’s honorary

pallbearers include her nephews,

grandsons and great grandsons.

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

HEALTH•ᎠᏰᎸ ᏄᏍᏛ EDUCATION•ᏧᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

JUNE 2023

2022-2023 GRADUATES

Mackenzie Buzzard

Dr. Cassandra Cline

Ericka Fourkiller

Ketchum High School

Doctorate of Education,

Lamar University,

December 2022

Tulsa Community College,

Associate degree in

science,

pre-veterniary medicine

major

Mackenzie Buzzard is a member

of Cooweescoowee District and

will soon enter a new phase in

her educational journey. Through

her high school career, Kenzie

has been a member of student honor roll, student

of the month and was selected to join the National

Society of High School Scholars. A member of the

Lady Warriors fast and slow pitch teams earned her

Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.

Kenzie will be attending Missouri State University,

majoring in sports medicine. We are so proud of

you as you continue this path God has planned for

you!

Dr. Cassandra Cline is the

daughter of Frankie Smith,

Timmie Smith Sr. and Norman

Swake. She and her husband, Nathan Cline,

are parents to Rylie, Nash and Ever Cline.

Her dissertation, “A Mixed Methods Study of

Experiences of Native American College Students

in Online Learning Degree Programs,” focused on

experiences of Native American college students

in fully online degree programs. She grew up in

Stilwell and lives in Norman. She is an admissions

counselor and coordinator of American Indian

Student Recruitment of the University of Oklahoma.

5

Ericka Fourkiller’s plans are to

attend the veterinarian tech program in the fall at

Tulsa Community College.

Jonah Garza

Beau Grimmett

Teala Wildcat-Johnson

Eighth Grade

Stilwell High School

Sequoyah High School

Jonah Garza will attend

McDonald County High School in

Anderson, Missouri. He is a lifelong member of New Life Church

in Anderson, and a current

member at Mountain Movers in Grove, Oklahoma.

Beau Grimmett plans to go to the

Institute of Technology after high

school.

Teala Wildcat-Johnson graduated

from Sequoyah High School

on May 19. She received an

academic award in social studies

for Native American Current

Events. In her senior year she attended Indian

Capitol Technology Center. She plans to continue

her education at ICTC and earn her certificate in

graphic design. ICTC has awarded Teala the Senior

Scholarship. Teala was a member of Honoring Our

Peoples Existence at SHS. Her first year she traveled

with HOPE to educate local schools on American

Indian culture. SHe is a member of a military

family. Her family’s last duty station was Fort Lee,

Virginia. She is a United Keetoowah Band member.

Adriana Jones

Rozlyn Hana Locust

Licensed Practical Nurse

Northeastern State

University,

Master of Business

Administration and

certificate of Healthcare

Administration

Michiah Lewis

Springwater

Adriana Jones will graduate

with her licensed practical nurse

degree in June 2023. She plans

to attend Tulsa Community

College after to obtain an

associate degree in science of nursing.

After graduation, Rozlyn Hana Locust plans to

develop health resources to serve the Keetoowah

people and continue her education.

LUNCH MENU

Ponca City High School

My Ponca name is “Haawh

theh,” which means (dusk is to

begin to lose light or whiteness).

Our last name in Keetoowah

is Ah-mah-nu-gu-goo-ee (water coming out). I’m

a proud member of the United Keetoowah Band.

My dad is 4/4 Keetoowah and my mother is half

Ponca and half Navajo. My parents are Clifford and

Jo Ann Springwater. Because of their commitment

to the Lord, it has taken me to different Native

reservations in the United States. I will continue

my education at Northern Oklahoma College in

Tonkawa and then complete my degree in computer

animations at Oklahoma State University.

The United Keetoowah Band’s Title VI Lunch Menu for June 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.

June 1

Stuffed Peppers

Rice Pilaf

Mixed Veggies, Roll

Applesauce

June 2

Biscuit & Gravy

Scrambled Eggs

Bacon, Hashbrowns

Mixed Fresh Fruit

June 5

Sloppy Joe

Ruffle Chips

Macaroni Tomato

Jell-O Cup

June 6

Beef Tacos

Spanish Rice

Refried Beans

Oatmeal Cookie

June 7

Lasagne

Italian Green Beans

Yellow Squash, Salad

Garlic Toast, Fruit Cup

June 8

Chef Salad

Potato Salad

Crackers

Waldorf Salad

June 9

Bologna Cheese/Wheat

Potato Chips

Pasta Salad

Jell-O Cup

June 12

Goulash

Broccoli/Cauliflower

Garlic Toast

Fruit Cup

June 13

Cold Cut Suyb

Fritos

Macaroni Salad

Peaches & Cream

June 14

Meatballs over Rice

Sweet Peas

Salad, Bread

Oatmeal Cookie

June 15

White Beans w/Ham

Hominy

Spinach/Cornbread

Strawberry Shortcake

June 16

Corndog

Chips

Potato Salad

Cookie, Fruit Cup

June 19

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Green Beans

Garlic Bread

Pudding Cup

June 20

Cabbage Roll

Sweet Potatoes

Fried Zucchini, Bread

Fruit Cup

June 21

Chicken Salad on

Croissant

Potato Salad, Pickle

Jello-O Cup

June 22

Catfish w/Tartar Sauce

Black-Eyed Peas

Greens, Hushpuppies

Mixed Fresh Fruit

June 23

Philly Steak Sandwich

Fried Zucchini

Potato Chips

Cherry Cake

June 26

Hamburger Stew

Hominy

Cornbread

Fruit Cup

June 27

Taco Salad

Spanish Rice

Mexican Corn

Oatmeal Cookie

June 28

Chicken Strips w/Gravy

Steak Fries

Salad, Hot Roll

Jell-O Cup

June 29

Hamburger w/Fixings

Potato Chips

Birthday Cake

Ice Cream

June 30

Kitchen Closed

Cleaning Day

6

JUNE 2023

SERVICES•ᎾᎾᏛᏁᎲ BUSINESS•ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

UKB Tag,

Enrollment

bring services

to Stilwell

Every second Tuesday of

the month Tag Agency and

Enrollment will be available for

service in Stilwell.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

The United Keetoowah Band’s Echota Village offers camping, an RV park as well as kayaking and rafting.

LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Echota Village now

open for 2023 season

The UKB’s Echota Village is open, offering patrons camping

and floating adventures along with an RV park.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Summer is here, which means

everyone is looking for something to do. With just a

quick trip to the outskirts of Tahlequah to the Illinois

River is some amazing camp sites and floats with the

Echota Village.

Echota Village sits on nearly 200 acres of land just

off Highway 10 next to the Illinois River. They are

nestled in between two mountain ranges in a valley

and only use 10 acres for the store and campgrounds.

Echota is going into its fourth season as a business

from when it officially opened in 2019.

The village features 16 RV slips for campers, trailer,

etc with a full-service setup such as water, electricity

and sewage. Primitive camping is also available on the

grounds, and there are 10 sites for reservations.

“Our camping is offered year-round, and our floating

is now open from April through October,” Echota

Village Manager Ben Orwin said. “We offer kayaking

and rafting, with prices starting at $20.”

The Echota Village store is also open, and it carries

convenience store items such as snacks, drinks,

sunscreen, etc. for the water. There are 24 rafts and 20

kayaks available to rent through Echota.

The Echota Village is open seven days a week,

from 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. They do not send people out

after 4:30 p.m. They offer a 3-mile raft trip, which

according to Orwin takes about 2.5 hours. The 5-mile

trip runs about 6 hours, the 8-mile is an all-day trip

and the 13-mile is an overnight trip.

“The 8-mile if you get on the water at 10 a.m., you’ll

get off the water at 6 in the evening,” Orwin said. “And

we offer the 13-mile float, where the person or group

will need to be prepared to camp somewhere along the

river.”

Raft rentals start at $20 per person for the 3-mile,

$25 per person for the 8-mile and $32 per person for

the 13-mile. Children under 10 years old is $15 each.

All raft trips have a four-person charge.

Kayaking rentals start at $20 for a 3-mile single

person, 5-mile is $20, 8-mile is $25 and 13-mile is $32

with an additional $15 for double person.

Camping rates for a full-service RV slip is $35

per night, primitive camping is $20 per night and

they offer a monthly rate for RV parking for $550

per month. Echota Village offers rental for a fully

furnished double-wide cabin that sleeps 12 people,

The Echota Village General Store offers camping and

floating supplies. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

TAHLEQUAH – The United Keetoowah Band Tag

Agency and Enrollment office recently collaborated for

an outreach day at the Stilwell sub-office.

Both departments bring in resourceful help for tribal

members. The Tag Agency offers services such as car tag

renewals, handicap placards and adding tribal members

onto the title of the personal vehicle. The enrollment

office offers membership applications, enrollment

updates, change of address and tribal ID cards.

The outreach was requested by tribal members and

Flint District Rep. Frankie Still, according to Tag Office

Supervisor Sheila Bluebird.

“I felt with the tag office receiving this request I would

go with them, just because they must have a tribal card

in order to get their tag,” Enrollment Registrar Amanda

Stopp said. “I figured it would be more convenient for

me to be there to update addresses or help anyone with

getting their new tribal ID.”

Since their first outreach day started in May, Stopp

said it was more of their trial run. She assisted four

people and Bluebird assisted with five people.

Bluebird added, “Frankie had asked Tax Commission

if we could go to the sub-office and issue tags and

renewals, so they had let me know to represent and go

out every second Tuesday of each month.”

Members who are wanting a tag must bring the

car title and insurance. For a payment, bring the lein

information of the name making payments to with

an address. For renewals, bring the paper members

received in the mail, the insurance or just the insurance.

Members coming in for enrollment updates, for a new

custom laminate card bring in the old card and it will be

free of charge. Stopp said all the enrollment forms will

be available on site for the Stilwell area. Addresses will

be available for updates and pictures will be taken on

site for the new cards.

“I will not be able to print the new cards, but as

soon as I get back in office from Stilwell I will get them

printed and mailed off,” Stopp said.

Both departments are looking to expand their

outreach of services in the future for the Goingsnake

District, Saline District and Illinois District.

The next outreach event will be June 13, the tag office

will be set up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and enrollment will

be there from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The location of the UKB sub-office is set up at the

Stilwell Transit office, 83981 Hwy 59, Stilwell.

The Echota Village’s rafting and kayaking season opened

May 13. For information, call 918-453-9060. COURTESY

including a wheelchair accessible ramp. Rental is $190

per night, including a cleaning fee (one time) of $40

and service fee (one time) that is non-refundable of

$15 per night. There is a 10% discount for veterans

and UKB members.

“We do offer a discounted rate for all UKB members

and military at 10%, for rafts, kayaks, camping and the

airbnb trailer,” Orwin added.

The Echota Village is at 16315 Hwy 10 across from

Falcon Floats. For more about RV rates or to book a

reservation, visit www.echotavillagerv.com or call 918453-9060. “Like” or “Follow” the Facebook page at

Echota Village-Rafting, Kayaks, RV Park, Camping.

Enrollment Registrar Amanda Stopp, left, helps tribal member

Mary Canoe Scott. COURTESY

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

ANI GIDUWAGI• ᎠᏂ ᎩᏚᏩᎩ

JUNE 2023

7

Holcomb to teach ‘Back to Basics’ Series

Betty Holcomb is not one to

rest on her accomplishments

or experiences of the past. She

remains regularly active with

her family and tribe.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAILHOLT – Betty Holcomb grew up in the Tailholt

community, in Adair County, Oklahoma. Keetoowah was

the first language spoken in the home and she was a

member of the Long Hair Clan.

She grew up as a tribal member of the United

Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma and

attended Sequoyah High School. Holcomb is a culture

bearer for the Keetoowah tribe. One way she preserves

the culture is through traditional cuisine.

Whether picking, cooking, or canning, Holcomb is

knowledgeable about it all. Holcomb’s mother taught

her to cook at an early age. She learned how to cook

for a family of 11. Holcomb was a middle child with

six brothers and two sisters. When she had her own

family, she was still cooking for a family of seven, which

included her husband and five daughters.

Holcomb has cooked for large groups for decades.

One of the places she worked at includes Sequoyah

High School, where she served as the Food Service

supervisor with a staff of 11 that prepared meals

for 350 people three times per day. Other places she

cooked for groups included Go Ye Village, Community

Development Institute Head Start, and KIBOIS

Community Action Foundation Head Start.

Holcomb also has been very active in her tribe,

the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in

Oklahoma. She has both cooked and served at the

annual Keetoowah Celebration Free Feed and Hog Fry

for many years.

She has also cooked for the UKB Elder Committee

fundraisers, for district meetings, and for special

guests and groups at the John Hair Culture Center and

Keetoowah Museum. She is also known for her pies

that always sell out at her booth at the Keetoowah

Celebration.

Holcomb served on the UKB Tribal Council for

several terms, representing the Tahlequah District.

She was a hands-on councilor with a servant’s heart.

She was always helping tribal members to do better,

whether they were in her district or not.

Another way Holcomb helps to preserve the culture is

through her sewing. She started sewing when she was

16 and continued sewing for herself and her daughters.

She has made and sold scores of tear dresses and ribbon

shirts, and she has made quilts for over 30 years.

Holcomb is not one to rest on her accomplishments.

She remains regularly active with her family and tribe.

Holcomb continues to work on sewing projects.

Betty Holcomb shows off the Stilwell strawberries that she will be using to can jam this summer. Holcomb will be teaching how

to make strawberry jam in the Keetoowah Museum’s “Back to Basics” Summer Series. COURTESY

Betty Holcomb’s jars of canned poke salad, mustard greens

and spinach. COURTESY

Betty Holcomb hangs her states quilt that fits a queen or king

size bed. She makes quilts and sells them. COURTESY

She cooks for special events, groups and camps. She

also teaches these skills. She is committed to teaching

others about her heritage, culture and lifeways.

Holcomb will be teaching two different subject

areas during the “Back to Basics” Summer Series,

beginning June 17 at the John Hair Cultural Center

and Keetoowah Museum. The Summer Series group of

classes is “Canning for Beginners” and will meet June

17, July 8 and Aug. 12.

The Autumn Series group is “Quilting for Beginners”

and will be held Sep. 9, Oct. 14, and Nov. 11. Holcomb

will teach all six of these classes.

For information on the classes or to enroll, call

Barbara Girty Foster at 918-871-2866.

8

JUNE 2023

CULTURE•ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

UKB’s museum

joins Blue Star

Musuems group

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

The UKB Historic Preservation is putting together an Indian Youth Service Corps crew to assist with environmental, historical

conservation and preservation on ancestral Cherokee homelands in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. COURTESY

UKB Service Corps offers

work, travels to Tenn.

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH – Are you interested in historic

preservation and working with the U.S. Forest Service?

The United Keetoowah Band Historic Preservation and

Education departments are offering a summer program

to work with the forest service.

The UKB Historic Preservation is putting together

an Indian Youth Service Corps crew to assist

with environmental, historical conservation and

preservation on ancestral Cherokee homelands in

collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service.

The program is set for July. The IYSC program hopes

to create employment, education and co-stewardship

opportunities for tribal young adults. Some of the

expected activities include implementing cultural

resource surveys, timber/vegetation management, bald

eagle habitat management and river cane restoration.

Site visits to cultural sites include the Cahokia

Mounds and Trail of Tears route, and many activities

across other fields. The crew will work at the Cherokee

National Forest in Tennessee from July 10 to Aug. 4.

Corps members must be between ages 18 and 30

(35 if a veteran). Lodging, meals and transportation

will be provided. The pay range is $15 to $21 an hour.

Crew members will earn Public Land Corps hours that

can be used as hiring preference within the USFS.

There will also be internship opportunities virtual or in

person (GIS, Natural Sciences, Anthropology, etc.)

“This is the first Indian Youth Service Corps ever, and

I hope this will become the template across the nation

and not just between the UKB and Forest Regions 8

and 9,” Acee Watt, acting Tribal Historic Preservation

officer, said. “We’ve participated in the past with

programs such as YCC, but what makes IYSC unique

and special is it was constructed from day one with

tribal input, interests and perspective in mind.”

IYSC was essentially built from the ground with the

focus of engaging Native young adults with interests in

environmental conservation and historic preservation

and will give them the opportunity to learn and work

on ancestorial homelands with the USFS.

The historic preservation built in opportunities

with this program, including internships and possible

future careers in environmental services and historic

preservation with the USFS. This program prefers UKB,

but all interested young adult Native Americans are

encouraged to apply. Must have a valid driver’s license.

No prior experience is needed. Deadline to apply is

June 16. Visit the UKB website for an application or

email awatt@ukbnsn.gov or call 918-871-2852.

TAHLEQUAH – The United Keetoowah Band’s

John Hair Cultural Center and Keetoowah Museum

is announcing their participation as part of Blue Star

Museums. This partnership will provide free admission

to active-duty military personnel and their families this

summer from Armed Forces Day, May 20, 2023, through

Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023.

The free admission program is available for those

currently serving in the U.S. military – Air Force, Army,

Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force,

members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public

Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned

Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified

members must show a Geneva Convention common

access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent

ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation

Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a

participating Blue Star Museum.

“Our museum is proud to be part of Blue Star

Museums, a national appreciation program to thank

our military families for their service and share with

them America’s cultural treasures. We are glad to have

the opportunity to honor our military members and

their families and are happy to meet them as they tour

our museum.” Barbara Girty Foster, assistant museum

director, said.

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the

National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families,

the Department of Defense and participating museums

across America.

“It is a well-known fact that Native Americans serve in

the military at a higher percentage of any ethnic group.

We are proud of all our warriors,” said Girty Foster.

The John Hair Cultural Center and Keetoowah

Museum is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays by appointment. For more

information, go to ukb-nsn.gov or on Facebook, or call

918-817-2866. For a list of participating museums, visit

arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

The partnership will provide free admission to active-duty

military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day,

May 20, 2023, through Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023. COURTESY