LOOK FOR US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FROSH PHENOM

UKB citizen Reagan

Longbird Smith is

making a name at

Carl Albert State.

ANI GIDUWAGI, 7

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 July 2023

TRI-COUNCIL

UKB responds on

law enforcement

jurisdiction issue

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – It has been brought to attention at the United Keetoowah

Band that the UKB Lighthorse Policemen have been lacking the civil and

criminal law enforcement jurisdiction.

The Adair County Sheriff Jason Ritchie released a statement saying, “as

you know, there has been some discrepancy about the jurisdiction of the

Lighthorse police in Indian country,” his statement continued, “Research done

by myself and information provided by Cherokee Nation, leads me to believe

that you do not have jurisdiction within Adair County.”

UKB was quick to respond with a statement from the attorney’s office, the

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (“UKB”) is aware

of recent unsubstantiated statements by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

(“CNO”) that the UKB and its Law Enforcement Officers lack civil or criminal

law enforcement jurisdiction. These statements threaten the public safety

and welfare of the Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation. One tactic the Cherokee

Nation of Oklahoma (“CNO”) has used to threaten the public safety is its

unfounded letters to multiple county sheriffs on the Oklahoma Cherokee

Reservation.

SEE LAW, PAGE 3

United Keetoowah Band Sequoyah Dist. Rep. Junior Catron, left, opens a Tri-Council meeting

with a prayer in Cherokee, North Carolina. The Tri-Council consists of the UKB, Eastern Band of

Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation. PHOTOS BY LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

EBCI hosts annual meeting

of the 3 Cherokee tribes

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians hosts

the UKB and Cherokee Nation in the homelands

of Cherokee, North Carolina.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

C

HEROKEE, N.C. – In continuation of

the theme “Completing the Circle of

Fire,” the United Keetoowah Band

of Cherokee Indians (UKB), Eastern Band

of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and Cherokee

Nation (CN) met for Tri-Council to discuss

topics regarding the Cherokee people.

Tri-Council has brought together the

three Cherokee tribes since 2012. This

year the meeting was hosted by EBCI at

Harrah’s Cherokee Convention Center in

Cherokee, North Carolina.

Three days in June, the tribes took part

in different activities together. There was

the annual Tri-Council golf tournament

held at the Sequoyah National Golf Club.

Those who did not golf had the options of

horseback riding, ATV rides and fishing.

Tours of the Cherokee Indian Hospital

and the Medical Cannabis Farm were also

available. Ladies from the UKB, EBCI and

CN met on how to make ribbon skirts.

On the second day, the three tribes had

met for the Tri-Council pre-meeting in the

Cherokee Convention Center. In the premeeting the tribes discussed topics placed

on the agenda, where CN Council made

a comment of renaming Cherokee Nation

of Oklahoma to Cherokee Nation in the

resolution summary.

UKB Chief Joe Bunch stated, “The

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma does not

represent all Cherokee’s to be called The

Cherokee Nation, therefore it would mean

changing the history.”

After a long discussion the decision

Councils from

United Keetoowah

Band, Eastern

Band of Cherokee

Indians and

Cherokee Nation

gather for a group

photo after the

2023 Tri-Council

meeting in late

June in Cherokee,

North Carolina

was made to uphold the change, and the

meeting moved forward. The resolution

UKB submitted of having the UKB

delegate to serve in the US House of

Representatives was discussed and did

not pass during the pre-meeting. After

two more resolutions were added to the

agenda by EBCI the pre-meeting was

dismissed.

The tribes also took part in a gift

exchange and watched stickball as part of

the last activities.

When the tribes had met for the TriCouncil meeting sovereignty, identity and

culture were just a few topics discussed

in the four resolutions on the agenda.

The resolutions approved ranged from a

land exchange proposal, Indian Arts and

Crafts Act, National Congress of American

Indians membership policies and renaming an Army base.

Res. No. 1, which was submitted by the

EBCI solidifies opposition from the TriCouncil to a land exchange proposal that

would authorize a copper mining project

at the Apache site Chi’chil Bildagoteel

(known as Oak Flat) located in the Tonto

National Forest.

According to the resolution, this site has

played an essential role in Apache religion,

traditions, and culture for centuries and

is a sacred area and traditional cultural

property with deep tribal religious,

cultural, archaeological, historical, and

environmental significance.

Res. No. 1 had called for Congress to

enact H.R. 1351, the Save Oak Flat From

SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 3

UKB Lighthorse Police s​ erves the tribe, its properties and its communities across 14

countieS. LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

UKB Housing Director Roxana Wilden presents Sandra Scraper keys to her new home.

LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

UKB Housing replaces

Scraper’s childhood home

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

LYONS SWITCH – The United Keetoowah Band Housing Department

helped change the living situation for one tribal member after asking for

assistance of a simple water leak.

“She had called in for a water leak, and the plumber we sent out said it was

bad,” Housing Assistant Director Richard Vann said. “We had gone to look at

it, the rehab for the house was not worth it so we placed her on our elders list

as an emergency. It was during the wintertime too; she didn’t have heat or

insulation.”

As Sandra Scraper was living in her childhood home, which was built in

1907, she came to the tribe looking for a rehab on her home but learned it

was needing more work. Vann and Housing Director Roxana Wilden said the

house was not up to code.

“She had no heat but was using a wood stove,” Vann said. “Her pipes were

freezing, so she was a good candidate for a new house.”

As the Housing Department continued finding more projects in her home

that needed fixed such as the plumbing and flooring, they stopped the rehab

and suggested giving Scraper a replacement home.

It was about two years ago when Scraper was placed on the elders list for

her replacement home. From the time her home was demolished to receiving

her new home, she patiently waited three months.

“I was excited and overwhelmed, I hardly slept the night before because I

knew the next day I could go home,” Scraper said.

Scraper’s new replacement home sits on the original land where her

older home was on. It is a one-bedroom house provided with central heat

and air, dishwasher, refrigerator and a handicapped accessible bathroom. A

SEE HOME, PAGE 3

2

JULY 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

COUNCIL•ᏗᏂᎳᏫᎩ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

NCAI, ICWA case and Tri-Council

Si yo, ni ga da

June, a somewhat wet month, with

severe weather happening all around

us, has come and gone. The girls and

boys of summer are winding down their

respective seasons of little league softball

and baseball. But even with summer

beginning to slow down, things are still

progressing here at the tribe.

I attended the National Congress of

American Indian where the agenda

was filled with a lot happing in Indian

Country. One of the major activities

was the federal budget, with deadline

looming and the possibilities of budget

cuts. Thankfully, Congress averted a shut

down, loss of programs and loss of pay for

federal employees.

Another issue, which was settled, was

the Haaland vs. Brackeen ICWA case

being heard by the Supreme Court.

Advocates for ICWA included tribes

from all over the country signing on to

advocate for the Indian Child Welfare Act

case.

In this case, the birth mother, adoptive

parents and the state of Texas fought to

derail 200 years of Indian Sovereignty

by filing a challenge against the ICWA

as unconstitutional. The challengers

claimed the law exceeds federal

Chief’s

Corner

JOE BUNCH

Principal Chief

jbunch@ukb-nsn.gov

authority, infringes state sovereignty and

discriminates based on race. On June 14,

2023, The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in

favor of ICWA.

We support the Federal Recognition

process. Last year at the Tri-Council

meeting, we three Keetoowah Tribes

signed a resolution supporting the Federal

Recognition process, anyone who is

recognized as a Federally Recognized

Tribe, we will welcome and support.

NCAI recognizes State Recognized Tribes

for membership and as equals, with full

voting benefits as a Federal Recognized

Tribe and support from the NCAI.

There is a suggestion that until a state

recognized tribe is federally recognized

they be treated as an Associate Member

with Associate member benefits (nonvoting). I am sure there will be more

discussion over this in November at

the year-end meeting in New Orleans,

which will also mark the NCAI 80th year

supporting Indian Country on an array of

Indian Rights and sovereignty issues.

I attended both the Kituwah Mounds

celebration and Tri-Council meeting

hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokees.

The Kituwah Mound was great to share

in recognition of the historic way of life

in mound development. For me, it was

like coming home. In the words of the

Eastern Band, I di gi du wa gi, we are all

Keetoowah.

During the Tri-Council meeting we were

happy to announce Torrie Holland as our

delegate to Congress, and Kim Teehee as

the CNO delegate, and EBCI is currently

picking their delegate.

Our resolution supported the

three Cherokee tribes each having a

representative to the House, however

it was met with opposition from CNO

and was killed during the discussion and

planning session.

In closing, come by or call if you have

a question, my phone number is 918772-0666. Pray for our officers, district

representatives and our Keetoowah Tribe,

bless the United Keetoowah Band of

Cherokee Indians.

Wa do, do da go hv i.

Individuality within our community

Individually, we all experience life in

a unique way which is understood by

our singular perspective. Even though

we all experience life differently, every

one of us understands human emotions,

feelings, and thoughts. While these

human conditions are all unique to the

individual, we must remember these

responses are also part of the total human

condition.

While there are times we might feel

alone, sad, and stricken with grief, it is

important we do not forget that each one

of us can experience those same feelings

at any time. This is why it is important

to keep in mind many of us are going

through struggles other individuals may

know nothing about.

When we remember our struggles,

and how they made us feel, we can then

relate and empathize with someone who

appears to be struggling with their own

responses.

The month of July is filled with

anticipation for many individuals.

There are fireworks, cookouts, lakes

and rivers to swim, and hopefully warm

family gatherings for people to enjoy.

July is a commemoration of United

States independence, and for many

people, a reason to celebrate unity and

Helping combat the negative stigma

Echota

that can be attached to mental wellness is

Matthew Gibbons.

Behavioral therapist

Regarding mental wellness, Matthew

says, “There are different stages of the

Health

healing process. Each of us is dealing with

camaraderie.

While happiness and excitement are

filling the air in the form of colorful

explosions and the smell of late-night

campfires, the month of July also

highlights some of our less heard issues

plaguing our marginalized communities.

July is not only about sticky fingers

from marshmallows, but July also

highlights the significance of mental

health for individuals and communities

who might struggle with the impacts of

mental wellness.

Many communities which are

categorized as a minority can at times

struggle with the stigma attached to

mental health wellness. Public perception

indicates seeking help means something

is wrong with an individual. At Echota

Behavioral Health, we do not believe

something is wrong with individuals, we

believe individuals deserve the right to be

seen, heard, and valued.

stressful situations and circumstances in

our lives, and I want to help create an

environment that enables individuals

to become the healthiest versions of

themselves.”

“For me,” states Gibbons, “Echota feels

more like a family environment. The

pace is healthier, and the workload is

healthier. Echota emphasizes community.

Individuals coming through our doors

are meant to feel like part of a family, not

part of a clinic. The clients are the most

important part of the Echota family.”

Certainly, we will all experience

challenges in life which questions

our mental, spiritual, and physical,

toughness. At Echota Behavioral Health,

we recognize every individual from every

community in hopes of helping restore the

preciousness that is meant to accompany

life.

July is meant to celebrate our collective

mindfulness of one another past and

present. Let us remember our individual

presence as it belongs to our community.

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

SENIOR REPORTER

Lani Hansen

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

JULY 2023

3

SCOTUS upholds federal ICWA by 7-2 vote

BY LIONEL RAMOS

Oklahoma Watch

WASHINGTON - In a 7-2 decision, the

U.S. Supreme Court on June 15 affirmed

the constitutionality of a federal law

meant to keep Indian children with their

families and tribes.

The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978

was passed in response to federal policy

allowing Indian children to be removed

from their homes by state social service

workers and put up for adoption by white

families or sent to religious boarding

schools, where they lost connection to

their cultures and identities.

The majority opinion in Brackeen v.

Haaland, written by Associate Justice

Amy Coney Barrett, rejected arguments

by Texas and individual plaintiffs that the

act discriminates against white families

based on race and allows Congress to

overstep its authority by directing states

to carry out federal law.

“The issues are complicated,” Barrett

wrote, “but the bottom line is, we reject

all the petitioners’ challenges to the

statute, some on the merits and others

for lack of standing.”

Barrett explained that Article I of the

Constitution, specifically the Indian

Commerce Clause, grants Congress the

exclusive power to regulate tribal affairs,

and that the plaintiff’s claim that they

were discriminated against for being

white wasn’t strong enough because they

Members of the American Indian Movement rallied on Nov. 9, 2022 on the steps of the U.S.

Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. during oral arguments for Brackeen v. Haaland. DARREN

THOMPSON/NATIVE NEWS ONLINE

already successfully adopted an Indian

child.

Associate justices Neil Gorsuch and

Brett Kavanaugh wrote concurrent

opinions. Gorsuch wrote that the court’s

decision ensures tribal members can raise

their children without interference from

states or third parties. Kavanaugh wrote

that the court’s majority opinion leaves

the equal protection question — that

which asks if the ICWA discriminates

based on race — unanswered for lack of

standing. Kavanaugh wrote the claim can

still be argued in lower courts.

“In my view, the equal protection issue

is serious,” Kavanaugh wrote. “Courts,

including ultimately this Court, will be

able to address the equal protection

issue when it is properly raised by a

plaintiff with standing—for example, by

a prospective foster or adoptive parent or

child in a case arising out of a state court

foster care or adoption proceeding.”

Two justices, Clarence Thomas and

Samuel Alito, wrote the dissenting

opinions, which argue the majority

decision ignores that family law is the

purview of the states, and upholding the

ICWA directs state courts to place Indian

children with Indian caretakers even if

it’s not in the best interest of the child.

Federal Indian Law experts called

the decision a major victory for tribal

nations.

Mike McBride III, an Indian law

attorney in Tulsa with the Crowe and

Dunlevy law firm, said he was pleased

the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ICWA

based on of the Constitution’s Indian

Commerce Clause, which grants a broad

authority to Congress to legislate matters

relating to tribal nations and individuals.

He pointed to cases cited in the opinion

such as Cotton Petroleum Corp v. New

Mexico and United States v. Holliday,

which together say Congress can legislate

tribal affairs beyond commerce as they

apply to nations and individuals, as

foundational decisions by the Court that

ensure Congress was acting within its

powers when it passed the ICWA in the

seventies.

“It’s a resounding victory for tribes

and for native families” said Kathryn

Fort, who directs the Federal Indian Law

Clinic at Michigan State University and is

a frequent contributor to the blog Turtle

Talk, which discusses tribal legal issues.

Fort said that as of right now,

implementing ICWA is business as usual.

COUNCIL: The tribes urge the U.S. to narrow Indian arts laws.

FROM PAGE 1

Foreign Mining Act, as well as repeal

Section 3003 which is a “legislative

rider to the FY15 National Defense

Authorization Act (NDAA) which

was enacted into law in December of

2014…under 3003, the United States

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

must begin implementation of the Land

Exchange, which includes preparing

an environmental impact statement

for the Land Exchange and conducting

government-to-government consultation

with impacted Indian tribes”.

In conclusion of this resolution,

the Tri-Council of the three federally

recognized Cherokee Tribes urged

the Administration to make all

appropriate and necessary efforts to stop

implementation of Section 3003 and

ensure full transparency and information

sharing to the general public of the

outcomes and status of the ongoing

environmental analysis and studies of

impacts on tribal religion and culture

prior to issuing a final environmental

impact statement.

Res. No. 2 was submitted by EBCI and

CN asking for Congress to amend the

Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA).

The current definitions of ‘Indian’ and

‘Indian Tribe’ within the Indian Arts

and Crafts Act allow members of staterecognized groups to produce and sell

arts and crafts associated with tribes and

culture.

The resolution stated, the three

federally recognized Cherokee tribal

governments hereby urge Congress to

take action to narrow the Indian Arts

and Crafts Act’s definitions of ‘Indian’

and ‘Indian Tribe’ to ensure that only

works made by members of federally

recognized tribes may be called ‘Indian’

arts and crafts.”

Res. No. 3 was submitted by EBCI

and called for amendments to the

Constitution and By-Laws of the National

Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

regarding its membership policies.

The NCAI currently allows staterecognized groups to join as full voting

members. The resolution encouraged

NCAI “to allow for inclusion of

‘organizations and groups recognized by

states as tribes’ as non-voting members of

NCAI”.

Res. No. 4 was submitted by EBCI

and called for Congress to re-name Fort

Jackson, a U.S. Army base located in

Columbia, S.C. and named for President

Andrew Jackson who, as the resolution

states, “pressed the Congress to enact

the Indian Removal Act that led to

forcible removal of Cherokees from our

homelands”.

The legislation stated that Tri-Council

calls on the Department of Defense to do

a naming review of Fort Jackson Army

Base considering Andrew Jackson’s racist

treatment of Cherokees and other Native

tribes.

Each resolution brought to the TriCouncil meeting will go into action. The

meeting is available to watch on the EBCI

Communications Department Facebook

page.

The Tri-Council 2024 will be hosted by

the Cherokee Nation.

LAW: The BIA has issued the

UKB’s Lighthorse credentials

over the tribe’s Indian lands.

FROM PAGE 1

The UKB announced that on May

10 the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued

Special Law Enforcement Commission

credentials to UKB Lighthorse Law

Enforcement in recognition of the UKB’s

civil and criminal jurisdiction over UKB

Indian Country and their ability to assist

federal, state, and local law enforcement

agencies in the enforcement or carrying

out of the laws or regulations the agency

enforces or administers.

The simple fact is that the UKB

Lighthorse possesses law enforcement

jurisdiction recognized by the United

States Government. Any statement to

the contrary is false. We call on federal,

state, and local law enforcement agencies

to move forward with the UKB in the

spirit of cooperation as we continue to

protect the public health, safety, and

welfare.

Assistant Chief Jeff Wacoche said,

“Everyone needs to pay attention to

this, it’s not tribe-on-tribe. We have

jurisdiction to provide public safety but

Cherokee Nation is saying we don’t.

Right now, Cherokee Nation have the

clout with the sheriff’s and police chiefs,

who are listening to them and abiding by

what they are stating.”

UKB Lighthorse Director Charlie

Dreadfulwater agreed with Wacoche’s

statement. Dreadfulwater stated, “We are

still going to exercise criminal jurisdiction

in the 14 counties. The counties, state

and Cherokee Nation are not able to tell

us what we cannot do, that comes from

a higher authority. We are just trying to

help serve the people.”

A video statement regarding UKB Law

Enforcement made by Assistant Chief

Jeff Wacoche can be found on the United

Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in

Oklahoma Facebook page.

For information about UKB Lighthorse,

call 918-871-2811.

HOME: Replacement homes

are available through housing

and only to eligible elders.

FROM PAGE 1

hookup for the washer/dryer is available

but not included with the house.

“It was a blessing seeing my new

home,” Scraper said as she reflected on

her last living situation. “It made me

think back of when the old house was

there and how it will be different.”

The replacement home program is

through housing and only available to

eligible elders. Most of the homes built

are one or two-bedroom depending on if

the elder has a caretaker.

To qualify for the program the elder

must own the property and have no

mortgage or deed restrictions.

When the Housing Department handed

Scraper the keys to her new home, Vann

stated he was excited because he had

been with her every step of the way.

“There were many days I went to

visit her at our elder apartments in the

Goingsnake District to update her on the

process,” Vann said. “After I told her that

her house was completed, you could see

her spirit raise up on her face.”

Scraper was so thankful to receive

assistance from the Housing Department

as she never used the services before

then.

She added, “I wanted to thank

everyone, it made me want to cry.

Frankie Still was behind me all the way,

reminding me not to give up.”

The UKB Housing Department are

always working on different projects and

provide homes for tribal elders. They

continue to accept volunteer workers to

help build homes.

For information about the Housing

Department services, call 918-871-2773.

Missing something?

OPT IN and get the Giduwa Cherokee

News DELIVERED to your mailbox!

Email your name, mailing address and UKB membership number to:

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4

JULY 2023

OBITUARIES

Sue Lynn Bird

Sue Lynn Bird, age 58, day care

Fonda Renee Davis

Fonda Renee Davis, age 55, of

Kenwood, OK. She was born in

Claremore, OK on November 10, 1967

to Earl and LeeAnn Davis. Fonda went

home to be with her Lord and Savior on

Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Pryor, OK.

She is preceded in death by her

parents Earl and LeeAnn Davis and

daughter Kayla Leanne Davis.

Fonda is survived by her boyfriend

Darrell Rock of 15 years of the home;

her brothers Anthony “Puddin” and

his wife Christy of Kenwood, OK

and Randall Davis and Talia Tehee

of Kenwood, OK; daughters Kirstie

Davidson and her husband Allen “Boo”

Jacqueline Deerinwater

Jacqueline Deerinwater was born

on July 12th, 1953 in Lawton, OK, the

daughter of Jack R. Gourd and Verna

Tsotigh. She grew up with one sister,

Valerie. Jacqueline was so very proud of

her Cherokee-Kiowa heritage and loved

everything about her culture. She loved

attending POW WOW and never missed

the chance to reconnect with her roots.

Her family is what made her happy, she

was the proud mother of two sons and

Barbara Sue Wyatt

Barbara Sue Wyatt,67, of Miami,

Oklahoma, passed away at Freeman

Medical Center, in Joplin, Missouri,

on May 30, 2023. She was born July

22,1955, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to

William and Opal (Christie) McKee. On

February 5, 1977, she married Jack

Wyatt Jr. in Commerce, Oklahoma. They

COMMUNITY•ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

teacher, a resident of Tahlequah, OK;

passed away, June 4, 2023.

According to her Green Country

Funeral Home Tribute page, she was

born Dec. 14, 1964. The page also

states her funeral service was June 9

at Edify Church in Watts, Oklahoma,

with burial at Thompson Cemetery in

Chewey, Oklahoma.

To send flowers or a memorial gift

to the family of Sue Lynn Bird, visit the

Sympathy story at tahlequahfuneral.

com.

To share a memory or send

condolences to the family, visit the

Tribute Wall at tahlequahfuneral.com.

of Kenwood, OK and

Delaney Gonzales

and husband Zack of

Salina, OK; Stepsons

Darren Rock and

wife Ashley from

Henryetta, OK,

Shane Rock and

girlfriend Amber

from Okmulgee, OK;

grandkids, Damon, James, Karson,

Maddie, Lexi, Kael, Cynthia, Rhylee,

Joslyn and Niko; many nieces, nephews,

cousins, extended family & friends.

Fonda graduated from Salina High

School in 1986. In 2001 she pursued her

career in Phlebotomy and worked with

Sam Hider Clinic and Claremore Indian

Hospital. In her younger years, Fonda

played softball and loved to watch her

family members play sports in school

and during the summertime.

In the summertime she enjoyed being

at the creek and looking for crawdads

and spending time with family and going

to play bingo and casinos.

She loved her Mountain Dew and

Marlboro 100’s. Fonda especially loved

being on the water floating down the

creek or river. She also enjoyed yard

sales and hording it all so that one day

she would have her own yard sale!

She loved to joke around and make

people laugh. Her smile would light up

the room.

Over all her grandchildren had

her heart and soul and she enjoyed

spending as much time as possible with

her beautiful grandchildren. Fonda is

going to be dearly missed by all who

knew her.

Fonda’s Wake Service will be held

on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 6:00pm

followed by her family visitation to

greet friends until 8:00pm at Lawson’s

Funeral Homes & Cremation Services,

311 W. Gray St. Jay, OK 74346. Fonda’s

Celebration of Life Funeral Service

will be held on Wednesday, 2:00pm,

May 31, 2023 at Kansas High School

Dome, Kansas, OK., with Pastor Richard

Budder officiating. Followed by her

funeral procession to Cloud Creek

Cemetery, Colcord, OK

two daughters, Ricky, Solen, Shena,

and Cody. Later this love went on to her

grandchildren, AJ, Roman and Aubriana.

She loved her family unconditionally,

and always made time for them. She

had a wonderful smile and always made

you feel at home around her. For all the

plans she had for the future, she passed

from this life to the next on May 11th,

2023 in Tahlequah, OK. She was 69

years old and will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her

grandparents, her mother and father,

and several other

family members.

Those left to

cherish her memory

include her children,

Ricky G. Mitchell

Jr. of Tahlequah,

Solen Deerinwater

of Tahlequah, Shena

Deerinwater and

Cody Deerinwater also of Tahlequah.

She leaves her sister. Valerie Hudson

and husband Phillip Joe of Bixby ,OK

and lives on in her grandchildren,

AJ Deerinwater, Roman Deerinwater

and Aubriana Deerinwater and other

grandchildren. She also leaves two

nieces and one nephew, Elizabeth

Hudson and Tara Gutierrez, and Jacob

Hudson, and Tara’s children, Kiowa and

Kaylyn, as well as numerous friends

that she loved in her lifetime. Memorial

Services for Jacqueline Deerinwater

were held in Swimmer Cemetery on May

22 with Pastor Sam Keener officiating.

She was laid to rest next to her family.

made their home in

the Miami area where

they raised their son,

Justin Wyatt. She

was a member of the

Wayside Assembly

of God Church,

in Wyandotte,

Oklahoma. Barbara

enjoyed working word puzzles, board

games, and games of chance. She loved

her family and made great frybread.

She loved family gatherings and having

grandchildren around. Barbara held

a special place in her heart for all her

family. She will be missed by all who

knew her.

Preceding Mrs. Wyatt are her parents,

William, and Opal McKee, husband,

Jack Wyatt Jr., and siblings, Kenny,

and Sadie McKee. Survivors include

her son Justin and wife Mindy Wyatt, of

Lithia, Florida, grandchildren, Jocelyn

Wyatt, Brooklyn Wyatt, Maverick Wyatt,

siblings, Bill McKee, Rick McKee, Mary

Pickup, other relatives, and a host of

friends.

Memorial services were held June

2, 2023, at Luginbuel Funeral Home in

Vinita, Oklahoma.

LUNCH MENU

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

July 3

Bologna/Cheese on

Wheat, Potato Chips

Pasta Salad

Fruit Cup

July 4

UKB Offices Closed

Independence Day

July 5

Meatball Sub

Potato Chips

Pickle

Jell-O Cup

July 6

Chicken & Dumplings

Potatoes & Green Beans

Bread

Fruit Cup

July 7

Grilled Hot Dog

Fritos

Potato Salad

Jell-O Cup

July 10

Tuna Salad on Wheat

Potato Chips

3 Bean Salad

Fruit Cup

July 11

Meat/Cheese Nachos

Mexican Rice

Refried Beans

Pudding Cup

July 12

Pork Chops

Green Beans

Potatoes

Bread, Jell-O Cup

July 13

BBQ Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Corn on Cob

Fruit Cup

July 14

Skillet Scrambled Burrito

Hashbrowns

Cinammon Roll

Yogurt & Orange Juice

July 17

BLT Sandwich

Vegetable Soup

Crackers

Peaches & Cream Cup

July 18

BBQ Chicken Wings

Onion Rings

Hot Roll

Jell-O Cup

July 19

UKB Offices Closed

Redbird Smith’s

Birthday

July 20

BBQ Chopped Beef

Baked Beans

Pickle, Texas Toast

Fruit Cup

July 21

Chili Dogs

Fritos

Potato Salad

Watermelon

July 24

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Green Beans

Garlic Toast

Pudding Cup

July 25

Chicken Strips w/Gravy

Broccoli Casserole

Salad, Hot Roll

Jell-O Cup

July 26

Grilled Chicken Sub

Potato Chips

Pasta Salad

Fruit Cup

July 27

Cheeseburger w/Fixings

Steak Fries

Birthday Cake

Ice Cream

July 28

Kitchen Closed

Cleaning Day

July 31

Hamburger Stew

Hominy

Crackers

Dessert

Drink plenty of water.

Please check on your

elders and neighbors.

Wado

If weather is bad there

will be no homedelivered meals due

to safety of driver.

RECIPES

Breakfast Smoothie With Berries and Greek Yogurt

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain nonfat strained yogurt (Greek or

Icelandic)

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries or frozen mixed

berries with cherries

• 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice

• 2 tablespoons nonfat milk or any tart juice

(cranberry, pomegranate, cherry)

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender or a container for

an immersion blender. Process until smooth.

If you are not using frozen fruit, you will need to

add several ice cubes to make the smoothie thick.

To submit a recipe, email it to travissnell75@gmail.com or mail it to Giduwa

Cherokee News, P.O. Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465.

Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon

Ingredients

• 8 ounces gluten-free penne pasta or whole-wheat

penne pasta

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or

thighs, trimmed, if necessary, and cut into bite-size

pieces

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup dry white wine

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• 10 cups chopped fresh spinach

• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain

and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over

medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper;

cook, stirring occasionally, until just cooked

through, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook,

stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in wine,

lemon juice and zest; bring to a simmer.

Remove from heat.

Stir in spinach and the cooked pasta.

Cover and let stand until the spinach is just wilted.

Divide among 4 plates and top each serving with 1

tablespoon Parmesan.

Catchall Lunch Salad

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups sliced romaine or leaf lettuce

• ¾ cup rinsed canned chickpeas

• ½ (5 ounce) can light tuna, drained

• ½ cup thinly sliced red cabbage or coleslaw mix

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 2 scallions, sliced

• 1/4 cup Easy Anchovy Vinaigrette

Directions

Combine lettuce, chickpeas, tuna, cabbage (or

coleslaw mix), tomatoes, and scallions in a medium

bowl or food-storage container. Just before

serving, add vinaigrette and toss to coat.

To make ahead

Refrigerate salad and dressing separately for up to

2 days. Toss together just before serving.

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

HEALTH•ᎠᏰᎸ ᏄᏍᏛ EDUCATION•ᏧᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ

JULY 2023

5

What Okla. lawmakers did, Donate plasma

to save lives

didn’t do in healthcare

BY KEATON ROSS

Oklahoma Watch

OKLAHOMA CITY – House and

Senate Republicans moved quickly

to advance a bill outlawing certain

transgender youth healthcare, but

measures clarifying or carving out

exceptions in the state’s near-total

abortion ban stalled early in the

legislative process.

Here’s a look at what state

lawmakers did and didn’t do on

healthcare policy during the 2023,

which ended May 26:

The Big Impact: Lawmakers

passed a bill barring Oklahomans

18 and under from receiving

gender-affirming care, though the

state attorney general’s office has

agreed to delay its enforcement

while a lawsuit challenging the

measure is pending.

Senate Bill 613 prohibits

healthcare providers from

performing transition surgeries

and giving puberty blockers to

children and adolescents 17 and

under. Physicians suspected of

violating the terms of the law may

be charged with a felony, face

civil action and risk losing their

professional licensing.

The American Civil Liberties

Union of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit

seeking to overturn SB613,

A procedure room at the Tulsa Women’s Clinic. RIP STELL FOR OKLAHOMA WATCH

saying it

unjustly targets

transgender

youth and

violates

their right to

healthcare

under the Equal

Protection

Clause of the

14th Amendment. Attorney General

Gentner Drummond agreed in May

to temporarily block enforcement

of the measure, saying in a

statement the pause will give the

state time to “mount the strongest

possible defense” as the case

progresses through federal court.

Federal judges have temporarily

blocked similar bans on

transgender youth healthcare

passed in Arkansas and Alabama.

Also Notable: Beginning in

November, fentanyl testing strips

will be added to a list of items

excluded from being classified as

drug paraphernalia.

House Bill 1987 aims to prevent

overdoses and help users who

are trying to break an addiction,

said author Mickey Dollens,

D-Oklahoma City. Fentanyl

overdoses killed 300 people

statewide in 2021, according to the

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, up

from 47 in 2019.

“Oklahoma is facing a serious

addiction crisis and synthetic

fentanyl is extremely deadly,”

Dollens said in an April statement.

STATEPOINT MEDIA – Plasma donation is an

impactful, meaningful way to give back to your

community. By donating plasma, you can help people

like Machelle Pecoraro.

Pecoraro lives with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE),

a disease that can cause attacks of swelling, and

often pain, in specific parts of the body, including the

stomach, hands, feet, arms, legs, genitals, throat and

face. Like with many serious and rare diseases, the

therapies used to treat HAE require plasma donations.

“Plasma donors directly impact my ability to live a

full and productive life. Therapies made from these

donations allow me and my son, who also lives with

HAE, to receive ongoing treatment for our conditions,”

said Pecoraro.

Plasma carries red blood cells, white blood cells and

platelets to maintain steady blood pressure, supports

the immune system and delivers nutrients to cells.

Plasma donations are used to replace crucial proteins

people living with rare and serious diseases lack,

and to produce therapies that treat diseases such as

primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema,

hemophilia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and various

bleeding and neurological disorders.

Every year, it takes more than 1,200 plasma

donations to treat one hemophilia patient, more than

900 plasma donations to treat one alpha-1 patient

and more than 130 plasma donations for one primary

immune deficiency patient. To donate, you must be

in good health, between the ages of 18-74, weigh at

least 110 pounds, and have had no tattoos or piercings

within the last four months. You must also meet the

health and screening requirements and have valid

identification with a permanent address.

Visit cslplasma.com for information and to find a

center. The CSL Plasma donor app is also available.

Okla. board OKs religious charter school

The Catholic virtual charter

school will be run by the

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

and the Diocese of Tulsa.

BY PAUL MONIES

Oklahoma Watch

OKLAHOMA CITY – Despite the threat of lawsuits,

an Oklahoma educational board on June 5 approved

the nation’s first application for public tax dollars for a

religiously affiliated virtual charter school.

The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2

to approve a revised application by St. Isidore of Seville

Catholic Virtual School.

The decision is certain to set up lawsuits that could

go before the U.S. Supreme Court in a key test of

the separation of church and state. At a minimum,

the approval may run afoul of Oklahoma’s Blaine

Amendment, which forbids state money for the direct or

indirect benefit of any religion or religious institution.

The Catholic virtual charter school will be run by the

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa.

Pending approval of a contract with the state, it expects

to be able to take students by the fall of 2024. The

virtual school would teach religious tenets similar to

those found in traditional private Catholic schools.

The 3-2 vote came after the board heard an update

from school officials. Among those voting in favor was

new board member Brian Bobek, an Oklahoma City

businessman who previously served on the State Board

of Education.

Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall appointed

Bobek. Bobek signed his oath of office just before the

vote on the Catholic virtual charter school.

Bobek’s vote in favor came despite an appeal by board

Chairman Robert Franklin at the start of the meeting

that Bobek abstain. Bobek did not comment after the

meeting. Franklin was joined by William Pearson in

voting against the application. Board members Scott

Strawn and Nellie Sanders voted to approve.

Brett Farley, executive director of the Catholic

Conference of Oklahoma, said his group was excited

by the vote. He said they’d be ready for any possible

lawsuits.

“We think this is just an extension of what we’ve

been doing in Oklahoma, which is providing more

opportunities for education for kids that need it,” Farley

said.

Opponents of an application by a Catholic virtual charter school wait for the start of a meeting by the Statewide Virtual Charter

School Board at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, June 5, 2023. PAUL MONIES/OKLAHOMA WATCH

In an interview with reporters

after the meeting, Franklin said he

was disappointed in the vote and

disheartened by the contention that

the board was just playing a role in

the inevitable next step at court.

Apart from the discussion on the

constitutionality of the application,

Franklin said it continued to fall short

on how the Catholic virtual school

would help children who need special education.

“I’ve watched schools and I’ve watched families and

I’ve watched teachers who sometimes have a difficult

time meeting all of the needs that are presented. It’s a

difficult, hard process,” Franklin said. “I just don’t think

that they (the virtual school) felt that was going to be

onerous.”

The approval came just two months after the

Statewide Virtual Charter School Board unanimously

rejected an earlier version of the school’s application.

That rejection came amid threats of possible lawsuits,

including an assertion by Oklahoma Attorney General

Gentner Drummond that his office could not represent

board members who went against their oath of office.

On June 5, Drummond again reiterated his position

that the vote was unconstitutional.

“The approval of any publicly funded religious school

is contrary to Oklahoma law and not in the best interest

of taxpayers,” Drummond said in a statement. “It’s

extremely disappointing that board members violated

their oath in order to fund religious schools with our

tax dollars. In doing so, these members have exposed

themselves and the State to potential legal action that

could be costly.”

2022-2023 GRADUATE

Paul Matthew Frogg

Northeastern State Univ.

Paul Frogg of Kansas, Oklahoma,

will graduate in December from

Northeastern State University

in Tahlequah with a bachelor’s

degree in health and human

performance and a minor in social services. He

is the son of Brian and Niki Frogg of Kansas,

Oklahoma, and the grandson of Marlin and Patty

Mayes of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and of the late

Leon and Francine Frogg. He is passionate about

health and sports, and was involved in football and

basketball during junior high and high school years.

He recently became certified as a personal trainer

as well. He plans to work as a personal trainer or in

the sports health field and marry his fiancée.

6

JULY 2023

SERVICES•ᎾᎾᏛᏁᎲ BUSINESS•ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

UKB Venue now available to rent

The Venue was purchased by

UKB, it is available for parties

and events.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

The UKB Venue is located at 109 W. Willis Road in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The UKB bought the site in 2022 with federal American

Rescue Plan funding. PHOTOS BY LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Tables are stacked on tables at The UKB Venue, Before it

was renamed, the building was formerly known as T-bones

Steakhouse. With the purchase of the building, United

Keetoowah Band officials have planned to utilize it for

gatherings for tribal and non-tribal members.

The UKB Venue also includes a pool table. Because it is owned

by the tribe, alcohol use is prohibited. For information about

renting out The UKB Venue, call Bud Vance at 918-623-4722.

An agreement for the use of the building must be completed

and returned to the manager before use.

Don’t let battery chargers

ignite a disaster: Top fire

prevention tips

STATEPOINT MEDIA – According to

the National Fire Protection Association,

local U.S. fire departments responded to

an estimated 1.35 million fires in 2021

– an average of every 23 seconds. These

fires resulted in 3,800 civilian deaths and

14,700 reported civilian injuries, but the

devastation didn’t stop there. They also

resulted in an estimated $15.9 billion in

property damage loss.

Fires can affect not just the health and

safety of family, friends and community,

but also take a major financial toll

on homeowners and businesses. The

International Code Council’s 2023

Building Safety Month campaign focuses

on general building safety awareness,

including how to recognize and practice

fire prevention strategies and be aware of

potential risks in your home or business.

Over the years, lithium-ion batteries

and chargers have caused many fires.

Found within household products such

as electronic toys, small and large

appliances, headphones, cellphones,

laptops and more, their popularity

has grown thanks to their high-energy

density and longer lifespan. But with this

growth comes the need to learn how to

properly handle these products.

Below are actionable steps and fire

prevention tips from Beth Tubbs, chief

fire protection engineer for the Code

Council, to help ensure lithium-ion

batteries and chargers are used and

stored safely. These are general tips, so

refer to each device’s owner manual for

specific safety instructions.

Buyer Beware: Only purchase an

appliance or device with a lithium-ion

battery and charger from reputable

manufacturers to ensure it’s designed,

manufactured, tested and maintained

according to applicable safety standards.

Use an Approved Battery Charger,

Correctly: When charging a lithiumion battery, use a proper charger that

is manufacturer-approved or listed

as acceptable on the device. Lithiumion batteries are sensitive to charging

conditions and using an incorrect

charger, or using it incorrectly, can result

in the battery overcharging. When a

battery overcharges, it can overheat,

catch fire and possibly explode.

Never charge lithium-ion batteries

when you aren’t home to supervise it. If

a potentially dangerous situation does

arise, you can act quickly to rectify it by

unplugging the battery, using a portable

fire extinguisher or calling your local

fire department for help. When charging

appliances, such as micromobility devices

(scooters and e-bikes), plug them directly

into the electrical receptacle, not through

multiplug adaptors or extension cords.

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines,

including the recommended charge

time. This will increase the safety and

performance of your battery.

Location, Location, Location: When

it comes to safety, where you use a

lithium-ion battery device or charger is

important. Because these batteries can

pose a fire risk, it is crucial that they

aren’t located in front of an exit or escape

route. If the battery is mishandled or

exposed to extreme conditions and a fire

erupts, you will need an escape route.

Store batteries in a cool, dry

environment to maintain their

performance and safety. It is

recommended to store batteries indoors,

away from direct sunlight, excess heat,

combustibles and potentially flammable

substances.

Follow Maintenance Guidelines:

Reputable manufacturers provide

instructions on how to best maintain the

performance and safety of their batteries,

often found online or in the device or

appliance’s maintenance guide.

Some maintenance tips include:

• Regularly inspecting the battery and

charger for visible damage

• Routinely checking the battery’s

charge status

• Observing and noting the runtime

of your battery (and any changes in this

time)

• Disconnecting the battery from the

charger once it reaches full capacity.

Lithium-ion battery fires can start in a

matter of seconds; it’s important to use

them safely. Visit iccsafe.org for resources

to help you understand and implement

fire prevention measures and protect

your home or business.

TAHLEQUAH – Looking for a place to rent out for an

event? The United Keetoowah Band has that place for

you. Come check out The UKB Venue in Tahlequah.

According to Assistant Chief Jeff Wacoche, The Venue

was purchased by UKB in 2022 through the American

Rescue Plan funding. Before it was given the name, the

building was formerly known as T-bones Steakhouse.

With the purchase of the building, UKB has planned

to utilize it for gatherings for tribal and non-tribal

members.

The tribe has used it for their 2022 Tri-Council

meeting area, 2023 Council Inauguration, Veteran’s

Day lunch, 2023 UKB Education Graduation party,

gatherings for the employees and is currently being used

by the Title VI program.

The Title VI program serves lunches to the elders,

drive-thru only during the week Monday through Friday

unless the tribe is closed for holidays. They have been

using the kitchen area as they wait for the Jim Proctor

Elderly Community Center to re-open.

The UKB Venue is available to rent for birthdays,

weddings, reunions and other events. It is currently

managed by Bud Vance. The tribe is hoping to make this

an actual event center one day for larger gatherings.

“Just this last year we have rented it out for several

birthday parties and celebrations,” Vance said. “We even

rented it out to for a watch party for a council candidate

for Cherokee Nation.”

Because it is owned by the tribe, alcohol use is

prohibited. The kitchen appliances and equipment are

off limits to those who rent out the building. Tables and

chairs are provided, which are set up and taken down by

manager upon request.

Payments are to be discussed with the manager of the

UKB Venue. An agreement for the use of the building

must be filled out and returned to the manager.

For more information about renting out The UKB

Venue, contact Bud Vance at 918-623-4722.

The UKB Venue is located at 109 W. Willis Road in

Tahlequah.

“Just this last year we have rented

it out for several birthday parties

and celebrations. We even rented it

out to for a watch party for a council

candidate for Cherokee Nation.”

Bud Vance, The UKB Venue manager

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

ANI GIDUWAGI• ᎠᏂ ᎩᏚᏩᎩ

JULY 2023

7

Wacoche family revives community garden

Assistant Chief Jeff

Wacoche helps

maintain a community

garden for the

Keetoowah people.

someone’s table.

“My wife is the main one who works

in the garden, and I go help in the

evening times,” Wacoche said. “But we

do welcome anybody who wants to

come help maintain it or have any new

ideas to produce. It is hard work, and I

recommend having a green thumb.”

When the Wacoche family first saw

the area of the garden, it was overgrown

with weeds where the fence posts were

up, but the fencing was not placed.

They put in a lot of work to get it

started with pulling weeds, fencing and

sectioning out the garden.

The community garden, as Wacoche

calls it, currently has six sections of either

fruit or vegetable growing.

There are tomatoes, lettuce, yellow

onion, green onion and cucumbers.

“Once our first round of produce comes

out, I would like to see the garden grow

larger,” Wacoche said.

He hopes to see more people out in

the garden helping. Tools are provided

shovels, rakes and water hose.

“We are looking for a gate, we had

some deer come through when we first

started,” Wacoche said. “And be prepared

to haul water, we use about ten gallons

a day.”

When the garden has produced a large

amount, Wacoche plans to place what

was grown in the front lobby of the

community service building for people to

grab and go.

If anyone would like to help in the

garden contact Assistant Chief Jeff

Wacoche at 918-871-2822.

The garden is located at 18300 West

Keetoowah Circle in Tahlequah.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – A garden that

was started two years ago, has now

been revived by the family of United

Keetoowah Band Assistant Chief Jeff

Wacoche.

“We checked out the property which

was being unused, so me and my family

took it upon ourselves to obtain some

seeds with the help of maintenance

coming out and tilling for us,” Wacoche

said.

The garden was maintained by the

UKB Title VI program in 2021, starting

out as a community garden. It was

placed on the tribal complex behind

the Wellness Center, located by the Jim

Proctor Elderly Community Center.

“I remember when Title VI had another

garden here, it was back in 2005 through

2007 and we used to gather all the

produce placing them in the front lobby

of the service building for people who

wanted some could take what we had,”

Wacoche said.

Growing up, Wacoche’s grandpa had

a garden and one of his memories from

that was trying out the hot peppers.

He would like to see this garden be

utilized by not just his family but others

so what is produced will help provide for

A revived community garden is between the UKB Wellness Center and Jim Proctor Elderly

Community Center in Tahlequah. PHOTOS BY LANI HANSEN/GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

Tomatoes begin to sprout at the community

garden in Tahlequah.

A photo of the garden before it was treated. It

now has six sections of fruits and vegetables.

UKB member

showcases talent

for Carl Albert

State softball team

Reagan Longbird Smith is ranked fifth in stolen

bases in the NJCAA conference.

BY LANI HANSEN

Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – A United Keetoowah Band

member, Reagan Longbird Smith is making

a name for herself in college softball. She is

currently ranked number 5 in stolen bases

for Carl Albert.

Smith grew up in Bunch, Oklahoma,

a small community outside of Stilwell.

She is the daughter of Christopher Smith

and Natasha Storm. Smith is also the

granddaughter of Florene Smith. She

attended high school at Sequoyah High

School and graduated from Stilwell. During

Smith’s freshman year at Sequoyah, she was

on the softball team when they won state.

“It was during my junior year when I

transferred to Stilwell, because of COVID,”

Smith said. “I did play softball there too.”

Smith has been playing softball since she

could walk.

She will be going into her sophomore

year at Carl Albert State College, studying

in allied health to be a physical therapist.

Smith plays in the left-field position for the

Lady Vikings.

With one year of college ball under her

belt, Smith has been ranked number 5 in

stolen bases in the National Junior College

Athletic Association. She was also named

Offensive Player of the Year for Carl Albert

Softball.

If it was not for her supporters, she would

not be where she is today.

“I want to thank my family and friends

for pushing me on going to college,” Smith

said. “I want to thank them for always being

by my side when things get rough.”

Aside from college ball, Smith is currently

working with the Stilwell Nursing Home.

She also enjoys helping with events at

the Greasy Community Center. Smith will

return to college in August where she will

continue playing softball.

For the 2023-2024 softball season

schedule, visit https://www.cascathletics.

com/sports/sball/index.

“I want to thank my family and friends

for pushing me on going to college. I

want to thank them for always

being by my side when things

get rough.”

Reagan Longbird Smith, Carl

Albert State freshman

UKB member and Carl Albert State College

student-athlete Reagan Longbird Smith grew up

in Bunch and graduated from Stilwell HIgh School.

COURTESY PHOTOS

8

JULY 2023

CULTURE•ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᎩᏚᏩ ᏣᎳᎩ

UKB Museum’s

‘Back to Basics’

series begins

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

UKB Summer Youth participants, sitting around table, learn the Keetoowah language from UKB language instructors, from

top left to right, John Chewey, Tyler Hodges and Oleta Pritchett. MARILYN CRAIG/UKB MUSEUM

UKB Summer Youth gain valuable

employment, cultural experience

BY MARILYN CRAIG

UKB Museum Marketing Coordinator

TAHLEQUAH – The UKB Summer Youth Program

began on June 5 with 10 young adults signed up

for the program, which was available to exclusive

Keetoowah ages 16-24.

Participants in the program consisted of Mia Allen,

Zayden Dreadfulwater, Teala Wildcat-Johnson, Kyndal

Neugin, Jesse Sexton, Sebastian Sexton, Aubrey Smith,

Delia Smith, Nevaeh Thirsty and Kadden Whitmire.

Most of the students work Monday through Friday

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All were given the opportunity to

work in an area they plan to pursue in their education

or in a location that interested them.

“We wanted to put together a program that would

engage our young people and give them a variety

of work experiences, and also teach them about the

tribe,” said Sara Thompson, UKB Human Resources

Director. “I connected with our John Hair Cultural

Center and Keetoowah museum assistant director

Barbara Girty Foster and the marketing/public

relations coordinator Marilyn Craig, and we all put our

heads together to come up with a program that would

be educational and fun.”

“Cultural Fridays are what we came up with,

and it has been very educational and entertaining

already,” said Girty Foster. On the first Friday, we

went downtown to visit three museums. It was a fun

morning. Human Resources is also providing lunch

for the students on Friday. So, the students do cultural

activities in the morning and after then after lunch,

our language instructors teach them the Keetoowah

language, practicing and tweaking the curriculum they

have developed.”

“I joined the UKB summer work program because

I enjoy being active within my tribe and community.

It provides many different opportunities for members

to gain new work experience and learn more in depth

about how UKB functions. I especially enjoy cultural

activity Fridays and learning how to make crafts that

make me feel more culturally involved. I like getting

to see the new items being brought into the gift shop

and some of the archived pieces while working at the

museum,” said student Mia Allen.

On June 16, the group painted gourd masks, made

corn husk dolls, and made a basket. After a corn dog

and chili lunch, topped off with strawberry shortcake,

they all settled down for a two-hour language lesson.

On June 23, the group was set to make pinch pots,

mini stick ball sticks and a stick ball.

The UKB Summer Youth Program was set to run for

eight weeks and end July 28. For more information,

call Thompson at 918-871-2800.

TAHLEQUAH – The John Hair Cultural Center and

Keetoowah Museum kicked off the “Back to Basics”

series at the Speedway on June 17.

Keetoowah traditional elder and culture bearer Betty

Holcomb began the class talking about her experiences

with canning. Like most women of an era 60 years or

longer ago, Betty learned to can when she was just a

child, and it was a regular summer and fall activity from

then on.

“It just tastes so much better when you grow it

yourself,” said Holcomb. “You also know exactly what

goes into the food you are eating. No GMOs and no

additives.”

While the class did not grow the berries, the berries

came right off the field the evening before the class.

“We would like to thank Miller Farms in Stilwell for

making these berries available,” said Barbara Girty

Foster, JHCCM assistant director.

The project of the day was making strawberry freezer

jam, and all the participants were eager to learn these

skills. As the women prepared the strawberries, they

talked about their childhood, their mothers, aunts and

grandmothers. They also shared things they learned

from them and canning and gathering experiences. One

participant said she used to help her mom pick and snap

green beans and that one of her favorite memories is of

her mom sitting on the porch snapping green beans.

“At a time when many things are too new and

confusing, something old and familiar feels very

comforting. Growing, harvesting, and preserving food

is one of those practices. It is also a way to connect

with our ancestors, who had no choice but to hunt and

gather food. It takes us back to our roots, and back to

nature, and for many of us, it is a great place to be.”

said Girty Foster.

The next class in the canning series will be held on

July 8. The participants will learn how to can corn and

green beans.

The last class of the canning series will focus on

making bread and butter pickles and dill pickles and

will be held Aug. 12. For more information, call the

museum at 918-871-2866.

“It just tastes so much better when

you grow it yourself. You also know

exactly what goes into the food you

are eating.”

Betty Holcomb, Tribal Elder