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GIDUWA CHEROKEE NEWS

October 2025

UKB Housing program gives tribal UKB Celebrates Renewal of IHS

member a place to call home

Funding for PRC Program

Beverly Robison receives key to her home under the Lease to Purchase program

Housing Director Roxana Wilden presents Beverly Robison with keys to her new

home along with Goingsnake District Rep Willie Christie.

Roxana Wilden, Ashlea Kingfisher, Beverly Robison and Willie Christie stands in

front of the new home in Kansas.

LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter

Pictured L-R: Roxana Wilden, Beverly

Robison and Willie Christie

since 2019 before receiving her new

home for her family.

KANSAS, Okla- The United Kee“We appreciate her patience with

toowah Band Housing Department

us,

because

it’s really hard to find a

Lease to Purchase program proudly

two-bedroom

home that she qualified

presented UKB Member, Beverly Robfor

in

Kansas,

Ok,” Wilden and UKB

ison a new home.

Assistant

Housing

Director Richard

The Lease to Purchase program

Vann

said.

is to help tribal members become

In September, the UKB Housing

homeowners. Some of the requireDepartment

gladly met with Robison

ments are as follows:

to present her with keys to her new

-Must be a UKB member

-Must not be on any public or Indi- home.

“It’s an amazing experience to

an Housing program

actually

be able to give somebody a

-Never been a homeowner

home

that

they have been waiting

-Must not be a convicted sex offor,”

Wilden

said.

fender or drug offender

“It

was

hard

to find one in the

-Must not owe any debt

area

that

she

wanted,”

Vann added.

“With this program we prioritize

“We found a house that was closer

our families and elders with famito her relatives, so that made a huge

lies,” UKB Housing Director Roxana

difference for her and her family. So

Wilden said. “We’re trying to help

people that can take responsibility of that was a good feeling that we could

get where she wanted, where she is

their home.”

more comfortable with family.”

This includes younger families

Many of these applicants come

too, as many homes UKB Housing

from

Delaware, Goingsnake, Flint

has purchased are three bedrooms it’s

about providing stability and keeping and Tahlequah district. UKB Housing

Department stresses on everything

those involved with the tribe. The

starts with an application when it

housing department goes out into

comes to their programs. If you have

the districts to look for houses to

already put an application in with the

purchase for tribal members on the

department, you must update inforwaiting list or who have put in an

application for this specific program. mation every year.

For more information contact

Robison was on the waiting list

UKB Housing at 918-871-2773.

The UKB has announced the

renewal of critical funding from the

Indian Health Service for its Purchased and Referred Care Program.

The renewal of program funding is

a testament to the Tribe’s need for

its own PRC funding and significant

initial success of the program. This

news comes one year after the Tribe

first secured IHS funding for the

UKB’s PRC program and coincides

with the program celebrating service

of its 1,000th patient.

“Announcing the renewal of PRC

funding and celebrating serving the

1,000th patient are moments of pride

and of a promise that we are building something lasting,” said Jennifer

Leep, Director of Echota Behavioral

Health. “With PRC in place and a

growing health team, we’re making real, tangible progress toward a

healthier Tribe. The future for the

UKB is brighter and healthier because

of the PRC funding.”

Chief Jeff Wacoche highlighted

the deeper meaning of the achievement. “This is a reflection of the trust

our people place in us and the hard

work our entire health team puts in

every day. Together, we’re expanding

the UKB healthcare system to support

our people today and to strengthen

the collective UKB wellbeing for future generations.”

Launched on January 1, 2025,

with IHS funding, the PRC Program

provides UKB Members access to vital

health services not available through

IHS or Tribally operated clinics.

These include hospital care, dental

and optometry services, emergency

treatment, specialty care, and patient

travel reimbursement. As the payer of

last resort, the program serves UKB

Members living within a 14-county

service area in Oklahoma.

The PRC Program is part of a

larger network of UKB health initiatives, which include Echota Behavioral Health and the UKB Wellness

Center. Over the past 13 months, the

Tribe has secured more than $11.5

million in federal healthcare funding

to expand and strengthen its services.

“Securing $11.5 million in healthcare funding over the last 13 months

is a significant milestone for the UKB.

This ensures Tribal Members are able

to access the care that they need.

This program renewal strengthens

services for our Members and reinforces our sovereignty,” said Bryan

Shade, UKB Member, Tribal Attorney,

and Partner at Lippes Mathias.

Despite challenges from the CNO,

the UKB’s ability to both secure and

re-secure federal healthcare funding affirms UKB’s sovereign right to

administer its own programs to its

people. The UKB is unwavering in its

commitment to quality and accessible

health care for UKB Members.

UKB Calls for Action: Oppose Mullin Legislative Language

TAKE ACTION NOW !

Defend UKB Rights!

PROTECT OUR RIGHTS, LAND AND FUTURE

The UKB is asking Tribal Members and supporters to take immediate

action against proposed legislative language — secretly advanced by Senator

Markwayne Mullin at the request of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma —

that would terminate UKB land and economic development rights within the

Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation.

The provision, revealed only after a Freedom of Information Act request,

would strip the UKB of its ability to place land into trust undermining sovereignty, identity, and the tribe’s legal standing.

“This is a deliberate act of termination,” said UKB Chief Jeff Wacoche.

“It is a betrayal of the federal government’s trust responsibility and a direct

attack on our sovereignty. If our rights did not exist, there would be no need

to erase them through legislation.”

Senator Mullin Must Be Held Accountable

To date, Sen. Mullin has not publicly commented on this language. The

UKB is calling on him to explain why such a provision was drafted in secret,

and to meet publicly with UKB leadership to withdraw his UKB termination

provision.

What Members Can Do

A secret provision drafted by Senator Markwayne Mullin, coordinated by the

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), threatens to strip the UKB of trust land rights

and future economic development opportunities. This is a direct attack on our

UKB has launched a letter-writing campaign that makes it quick and easy

to send a message directly to Senator Mullin and Congressional leaders. By

visiting ukb-nsn.gov/DefendUKBRights, Members and allies can join together

in demanding that the draft language be withdrawn and that UKB rights be

respected and upheld.

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

Assistant Chief

Amos Ketcher

aketcher@

ukb-nsn.gov

Secretary

Caleb

Grimmett-Smith

csmith@

ukb-nsn.gov

Treasurer

Sonja Gourd

sgourd@

ukb-nsn.gov

Cooweescoowee

Dist.

Clifford

Wofford

918-822-1953

Delaware Dist.

Tishaleta

Smith-Guevara

918-718-4366

tguevara@

ukb-nsn.gov

Flint Dist.

Frankie Still

918-507-1822

Goingsnake Dist.

Willie Christie

918-822-3803

Illinois Dist.

Janelle Adair

918-457-7067

Saline Dist.

Charles Smoke

918-457-7071

Sequoyah Dist.

Donald Adair

918-931-0941

Tahlequah Dist.

Sammy Allen

918-931-0177

Siyo UKB Family,

When we face challenges, we

unite as Keetoowahs. I am grateful

to Members who are defending UKB

rights and have spoken out against

Sen. Mullin’s draft legislative provision that would strip UKB of rights.

In addition to updating you on

our united stand against Senator

Mullin’s legislative language, we are

grateful to enjoy a wonderful UKB

Celebration – providing fellowship

and a proud display of UKB history, rights and sovereignty. We also

celebrate the 1st anniversary of our

UKB Courthouse – a symbol of UKB

rights, sovereignty and justice for our

people.

Defending Sovereignty

October Edition

Chief's

Corner

JEFF WACOCHE

Principal Chief

jwacoche@ukb-nsn.gov

nomic development rights within the

Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation. We

must not stay silent. I am asking every UKB Member to stand with us by

visiting our website, where we have

launched a letter-writing campaign

that makes it easy to send a message

of opposition directly to Senator

Mullin and other leaders. Your voice

matters, and together we can make

sure they hear us loudly. https://

www.ukb-nsn.gov/defendukbrights

I know many of you are following

Celebration

the issue with Senator Mullin’s draft

I want to thank everyone for

legislative language in Congress. This attending Celebration. Celebrating

draft legislation – coordinated by

the October 3, 1950, ratification of

the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma –

the UKB constitution is a testament

would terminate UKB land and eco-

OCTOBER 2025

to our history, resilience, and unity

as Keetoowahs. As we come together

to share songs, food, and fellowship,

we also show our Cherokee Reservation community who we are and our

progress as a Tribe.

Marking a UKB Judicial System

Milestone

We are marking the first anniversary of our UKB Courthouse. This

is more than just a building – it is a

symbol of our sovereignty and our

ability to provide justice for our people on our land. Over the past year,

the Courthouse has stood as a place

of fairness and accountability, and

it will continue to serve as a cornerstone of Tribal justice at work.

Wado for your continued support

and engagement. In times of challenge, I call on all UKB Members to

stand together. Voice your opposition

to Sen. Mullin’s ugly legislative provision.

Chief Jeff Wacoche

Voter participation over 45 percent for

EBCI General Election

CHEROKEE, N.C. – Over 45 percent of the registered voters of the

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

cast a ballot in the General Election

held Thursday, Sept. 4. According

to information from the EBCI Board

of Elections, 3,031 of the 6,702

registered voters cast a ballot for a

voter participation of 45.23 percent.

That percentage is up from the

31.97 percent voter participation

rate for the July Primary Election.

The number of registered voters also

increased from the 4,285 registered

by the Primary.

The results given below are

unofficial until they are certified.

According to Cherokee Code Sec.

161-16.1(a), “At the meeting of Tribal Council on the first Monday of

October following a general election, or after the first meeting of the

Tribal Council following a special

or primary election, the Board of

Elections shall certify the election to

the Tribal Council.”

Following are the unofficial

results, per the EBCI Board of Elections, for the Sept. 4 General Election:

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council)

Kolanvyi (Big Cove)

Lavita Hill 214 (32.72 percent)

Venita K. Wolfe 188 (28.75 percent)

Perry Shell 132 (20.18 percent)

Richard French 120 (18.35 percent)

Joi Owle 183 (12.23 percent)

Aniwodihi (Painttown)

Sean Michael Stamper 273 (38.40

percent)

Shannon Swimmer 166 (23.35

percent)

Jeff Thompson 163 (22.93 percent)

Bill Taylor 109 (15.33 percent)

Tutiyi/Tsalagi Gadugi (Snowbird/

Cherokee County)

Adam Wachacha 213 (28.59 percent)

Michael Smoker 185 (24.83 percent)

Bucky Brown 174 (23.36 percent)

Janell Rattler 173 (23.22 percent)

Wayohi (Wolftown)

Bo Crowe 505 (39.00 percent)

Mike Parker 328 (25.33 percent)

Joey Owle 320 (24.71 percent)

Glenn Bradley 142 (10.97 percent)

Elawodi (Yellowhill)

David Wolfe 204 (29.91 percent)

Shennelle Feather 185 (27.13 percent)

Tom Wahnetah 170 (24.93 percent)

Chris Reed 123 (18.04 percent)

Gloria “Punkin” Griffin 355 (46.04

percent)

Following is a breakdown of voter

participation by community:

Kolanvyi (Big Cove) – Registered

voters: 759; Voters casting ballots:

346; Voter participation: 45.59

percent

Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) – Registered

voters: 1,711; Voters casting ballots: 812; Voter participation: 47.46

percent

Tsalagi Gadugi (Cherokee County) –

Registered voters: 384; Voters casting ballots: 130; Voter participation:

33.85 percent

Tutiyi (Snowbird) – Registered voters: 520; Voters casting ballots: 285;

Voter participation: 54.81 percent

Elawodi (Yellowhill) – Registered

voters: 911; Voters casting ballots:

374; Voter participation: 41.05

percent

Aniwodihi (Painttown) – Registered

voters: 813; Voters casting ballots:

389; Voter participation: 47.85

******************************** percent

Wayohi/Widagalinidisgv (Wolftown/Big Y) School Board

Berdie Toineeta 319 (60.76 percent)

Timmy Ray Smith 206 (39.24 percent)

Tsisqwohi (Birdtown)

Tsisqwohi (Birdtown) School Board

Jim Owle 471 (31.48 percent)

Melanie Lambert 416 (53.96 perBoyd Owle 425 (28.41 percent)

cent)

Patrick Lambert 417 (27.87 percent)

Wayohi (Wolftown) – Registered

voters: 1,223; Voters casting ballots: 539; Voter participation: 44.07

percent

Widagalinidisgv (Big Y) – Registered

voters: 381; Voters casting ballots:

156; Voter participation: 40.94

percent

OCTOBER 2025

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE

OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

September 9, 2025

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

PO Box 746

Tahlequah, OK 74465

(918) 871-2836

These Notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural

requirements for activities to be undertaken by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. To all interested Agencies,

Groups and Persons:

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about September 24, 2025 the United Keetoowah Band of

Cherokee Indians will authorize its Housing Department to submit

a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Southern Plains Office of Native American Programs, for

the release of funds in the amount of $800,000 Indian Community Development Block Grant #22RP4015820 under the Native

American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996

(NAHASDA) to undertake a project known as Development of a

Facilities Storage Shed to warehouse maintenance equipment,

surplus property and supplies of the Department that are used in

support of low-income housing activities. The legal description for

location of the project is:

Part of the S/2 SE/4 NW/4 NW/4, Section 8, Township 16 North,

Range 22 East, Cherokee County, Oklahoma, consisting of 5 acres,

more or less.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians has determined

that the project will have no significant impact on the human

environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not

required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the office of the United

Keetoowah Band Housing Department, 18263 West Keetoowah

Circle, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 74464, and may be examined or

copied on weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determi-

nation or wishing to comment on the project may submit written

comments to Mr. Jeff Wacoche, Chief, United Keetoowah Band of

Cherokee Indians, PO Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465. All comments received by September 24, 2025, will be considered by the

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians prior to submission

of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which

Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians certifies to the

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Jeff

Wacoche, in his capacity as Chief, United Keetoowah Band of

Cherokee Indians, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce the responsibilities in

relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The U.S. Department of Housing

and Urban Development’s acceptance of the certification satisfies

its responsibilities under NEPA and allows the United Keetoowah

Band of Cherokee Indians to use funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will

accept objections to its release of funds and the United Keetoowah

Band of Cherokee Indian’s certification for a period of fifteen days

following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of

the request (whichever is later) only if it is on one of the following

bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians; (b) the

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians has omitted a step

or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD Regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has incurred costs

not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of

funds by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; or (d) another Federal Agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR

Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required Procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to the

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Southern

Plains Office of Native American Programs, 301 N.W. 6th Street,

Suite 200, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102. Potential objectors

should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Jeff Wacoche, Chief

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

UKB Tribal Enrollment

18300 W. Keetoowah Circle Tahlequah, OK 74464 Open Monday-Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As with other federally recognized tribes, the United Keetoowah

Band has its unique process to determine membership.

Visit ukb-nsn.gov/membership for Enrollment documents and a brief

FAQ section of the most common questions about UKB membership. Find forms for Membership Applicaitions, CDIB Instructions,

Update Your Information and UKB Relinquishment.

For additional questions, or if you are a member who has lost your

en-rollment card, call the UKB Enrollment Office Registrar Amanda Stopp at 918-871-2797. Questions concerning history, cultural

practices, cloth-ing, language or ceremonies are better suited for our

John Hair Cultural Center and Museum. Visit ukb-nsn.gov/john-haircultural-center-muse-um or call 918-871-2866.

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

OCTOBER 2025

Cherokee Growing Readers Unite for Literacy program begins

book garden initiative

BROOKLYN BROWN, One Feather Reporter

CHEROKEE, N.C. – During Reports to Council on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 3, Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) Superintendent Consuela Girty,

Center for Native Health (CNH) Relational Health Program Director and

Growing Reader Associate Kristina Hyatt, and Hope Center Director Michele

Galloway, presented the Cherokee Growing Readers initiative through Unite

for Literacy, which will include book gardens and a community writer’s workshop.

“Cherokee Growing Readers is an initiative that puts books into the hands

of Cherokee children and families through free book gardens, nurturing a

lifelong love of reading and connection,” Hyatt said.

“This reading initiative made possible through a partnership between Unite

for Literacy, National Center for Families Learning, and Cherokee Central

Schools, is planting the seeds of literacy across the Qualla Boundary.”

Free book gardens are available at Cherokee Central Schools, Qualla

Boundary Head Start, Qualla Boundary Public Library, the Cherokee Dental

Clinic, the Center for Native Health Mothers’ Gatherings, and Nurse-Family

Partnership.

Hyatt also shared that the initiative is working to partner with other organizations like the Cherokee Boys Club to place free book boxes on the school

buses.

The initiative will also include a writer’s workshop on Oct. 29, details to be

announced, for Cherokee community members to produce 9-page books that

will be distributed in the book gardens.

Girty said the writer’s workshop is important for representation. “The

writer’s workshop is to get more Cherokee people involved and creating more

books so that they are Cherokee driven…Our kids will be able to see themselves in these pictures, they will see our local community. I believe in the

quote, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’”

There is also a free subscription of books that can be mailed to your home

by signing up at www.uniteforliteracy.com/register/cherokee

Schon Duncan, Regina McLemore named 2025 Tradition Keepers

tion. They each received a plaque, a personalized

display banner and a check for $250.

TAHLEQUAH - The UKB Tradition Keepers

Since 2005, the United Keetoowah Band has

named the newest recipients of the 2025 Tradition

honored

Keetoowah artists, artisans, and others

Keepers Awards. Exclusive members Schon Duncan

who

continue

the traditions and their efforts to

from the Goingsnake district and Regina McLemkeep Keetoowah arts, crafts, and language alive in

ore from the Tahlequah district were officially

recognized at the 75th Annual Keetoowah Celebra- Keetoowah families and communities.

Schon Duncan is a member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, a

Keetoowah language teacher, filmmaker, and community advocate dedicated to the revitalization

of the Cherokee language. He currently teaches

Cherokee at the University of Oklahoma, where

his courses consist of conversation and the cultural

history of the Cherokee peoples. Duncan co-directed an award-winning documentary, ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ We

Will Speak, which follows Cherokee speakers and

learners in their efforts to sustain the language. He

has also contributed to Cherokee-language media

through ᎢᎾᎨᎢ Inage’I, a children’s television

series, and ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ Anvdvnelisgi, a compilation album of Cherokee songs across multiple

genres. As a 2024 Forge Project Fellow and 2025

Rooted Future Fund recipient, Duncan continues to

create Cherokee language films and resources that

connect traditional knowledge with future generations. His teaching, scholarship, and creative

practice all seek to sustain and expand spaces for

Cherokee language, identity, and futures.

Regina McLemore is a member of the United

Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and resides

in Tahlequah. Regina is a seamstress and quilter

who learned how to sew by making doll clothes

Regina is a seamstress and quilter who learned how to with her granny. She worked for Mr. Hendricks at

sew by making doll clothes with her granny.

the sewing factory in Tahlequah, where she sewed

Marilyn Craig, Museum Marketing Coordinator

Schon is a Keetoowah language teacher, filmmaker, and

community advocate dedicated to the revitalization of

the Cherokee language.

clothing and taught people how to sew. She has

sewn traditional clothing including tear dresses,

ribbon shirts, wrap skirts and trade shirts and

also does quilting. She has made clothing for the

UKB Youth Choir. Regina is passing on this skill by

teaching her children and grandchildren how to

sew.

These two new Tradition Keepers will join a

group of thirty-five tribal members who have received the honor in past years. For more information, visit the museum’s, tribe’s or Tradition Keepers’ Facebook pages, go to ukb-nsn.gov., or call the

museum at (918) 871-2866.

75TH Annual Keetoowah Celebration presents: River Cane Blowgun Competition

TAHLEQUAH, Okla- The 75th Annual Keetoowah Celebration is among

us, and as part of this fun-filled holiday is the Keetoowah River Cane Blowgun Competition.

This event will take place at the Northwest corner of the UKB Pavilion

on the celebration grounds. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This is a

free event. There will be categories for males: youth, adult and elder. Female

categories youth, adult and elder.

Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places receive trophies and t-shirts. Come

check out your target skills. Contact Roger Cain at 918-871-2826.

UKB HP Director Roger Cain explains to Senior Reporter Lani Hansen about blowguns

and what the materials are made of.

Trophies for the blowgun competition.

LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter

OCTOBER 2025

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

Previously unseen photo of Charles George donated to Post

Troy Morrow served for 15 years,

over 10,000 hours, at the VA Medical Center in Ashville, N.C. which

CHEROKEE, N.C. – A new phowas renamed the Charles George VA

to of PFC Charles George, Medal of

Medical Center after his retirement.

Honor recipient, has surfaced. The

Along with the photo, Doug Morrow

photo, which shows PFC George

donated several pieces of his father’s

with his unit during the Korean War,

Army memorabilia including a Drill

was donated to the Steve Youngdeer

Sergeant parade helmet, dog tags,

American Legion Post 143 for its

photos, his Combat Infantryman’s

museum during a meeting at Post

Badge, and an Ambassador of Peace

Headquarters in Cherokee, N.C. on

medal.

the evening of Monday, Aug. 18.

Commander Dupree told Doug

PFC George, a member of the

Morrow,

“Thank you for your kindEastern Band of Cherokee Indians

ness.

Your

father’s memory will live

(EBCI), received the Medal of Honor

on

with

Charles

George.”

posthumously after throwing himOn

the

same

evening, Joey Owle,

self on a grenade to save two fellow

an EBCI tribal member from Wayohi

soldiers during the Korean War. He

passed away from his injuries on Nov. (Wolftown), donated a U.S. Navy

30, 1952 near Songnae-dong, Korea. peacoat that belonged to his grand“This is a never-before-seen pho- father, James Driver Jacobs, who was

also an EBCI tribal member.

tograph of Charles George,” Warren

Owle noted, “He enlisted into the

Dupree, Post 143 commander, told

United

States Navy on June 11, 1946.

the crowd. “This was probably taken

The

highest

rank he attained was

right before he was killed in 1952. He

seaman, a construction recruit, as I’ve

is the young man right at the center

come to find out. He was discharged

and he looks like a seasoned warat the United States National Acadrior – bad to the bone, hard. This is

emy of Sciences in Jacksonville, Fla.

amazing.”

on the fifth of May, 1948.”

The photo was donated by Doug

He added, “I came here last year

Morrow whose father, Troy Morrow,

for

the

Veteran’s Day honoring, in this

served with PFC George in the U.S.

room,

and

I was looking around at

Army’s 179th Regiment, 3rd Battalion. Both served in a unit nicknamed all the wonderful memorabilia that

represent members of the Eastern

the “Pagan Raiders”.

Band of Cherokee Indians that have

Doug Morrow commented, “It

served. So, this is his peacoat. I’m

was a nickname because there was

very amazed at the quality of it, made

a core group of guys within the

179th and 3rd battalion, that Charles in the United States…my grandma

kept mothballs and everything so

George was in and my dad was in,

all the clothes that we have are very

that were picked to do nighttime

raids into the North Korean trenches well-preserved and nothing is eaten

up. But, I would like to donate it to

and the Chinese trenches to bring

the American Legion for display.”

back prisoners. So, if you read the

Commander Dupree said, “This is

citation, it states that.”

SCOTT MCKIE B.P., One Feather Asst.

Editor

Warren Dupree, left, Steve Youngdeer

American Legion Post 143 commander,

holds a never-before-seen photo of PFC

Charles George which was donated by

Doug Morrow, right, whose father served

with PFC George in the Korean War. The

photograph was donated to the Post 143

Museum during an event at Post Headquarters in Cherokee, N.C. on the evening

of Monday, Aug. 18. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./

One Feather photos)

a very rare item, indeed. What we are

going to do is we will have a mannequin with this on…as we expand our

museum and build on it, this will be

in it…This way his memory will live

on. To be in the closet with nobody

watching, nobody looking, that’s

when we disappear from everything.

This way, he will live on forever.”

Gerard Ball, EBCI tribal veterans

service officer, helped facilitate both

donations. “I’m extremely glad that

the office was able to coordinate

with Joey and Doug and to be able

to make these connections and bring

these items to the Post to be displayed for our community.”

Doug Morrow contacted Ball and

texted the photo of PFC George to

him as they began discussing the logistics of the donation. “As soon as I

saw that picture I was like, ‘wow, that

is an amazing story’.”

Ball went on to say, “This is prob-

This is a never-before-seen photo of PFC

Charles George which was donated by

Doug Morrow whose father served with

PFC George in the Korean War.

Joey Owle, left, donates a U.S. Navy peacoat that belonged to his late grandfather,

James Driver Jacobs.

A photo, taken after the presentations,

shows, left to right, Joey Owle, Gerard

Ball, Doug Morrow, and Warren Dupree.

ably a once in a very seldom opportunity to get two pieces of our military

history in great shape and with a

story…both of these items are where

they’re meant to be.”

One Feather reporter attends Indigenous Media Conference

Cherokee One Feather collaboration with the Qualla Boundary Historical Society to document the

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Indigenous Jourstories of our community through video and audio

nalists Association (IJA) held the 2025 Indigenous

recordings paired with written articles.

Media Conference (IMC) in Albuquerque, N.M. at

Throughout the conference, I networked with

the Isleta Pueblo Resort & Casino from Aug. 13-15.

several

Indigenous media outlets including the

I, Brooklyn Brown, One Feather reporter, attended

Cherokee

Phoenix, Smoke Signals from the Conthe conference to speak on a panel titled, “Reportfederated Tribes of Grande Rhode, Buffalo’s Fire

ing on MMIP,” held by the International Women’s

out of North Dakota, and more.

Media Foundation (IWMF) Fund for Indigenous

I was also able to network with vendors such

Journalists Reporting on Missing and Murdered

as

the

Kewa Shop owned by Mary V. Rosetta from

Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People

the

Kewa

Pueblo in New Mexico, and 19Twelve

(MMIWG2S).

Clothing

Co.

founded by Fred Franco.

The panel was held on Aug. 13 at 2 p.m., with

The

conference

ended with the IMC Awards

IWMF grantees participating in breakout group

Banquet,

where

I

received

second place in Excelsessions. I discussed my coverage of MMIW on the

lence in Beat Reporting for my coverage of MMIW

Qualla Boundary through the grant, noting the imon in the Qualla Boundary. Troy Littledeer, a memportance of taking a family-centered approach to

ber

of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee

this type of reporting, patterns of intimate partner

Indians,

received the Tim Giago Free Press Award.

violence in the cases, and highlighting the work of

Throughout

the week I was able to explore

the Qualla Boundary MMIW grass roots organizaOne

Feather

Reporter

Brooklyn

Brown

is

shown

with

her

the

ancient

homelands

of the Isleta Pueblo, visit

tion and the We Are Resilient Podcast in bringing

historic

Old

Town,

and

even discover a Cherokee

award

from

the

Indigenous

Journalists

Association.

She

awareness to the movement in Cherokee.

wall-hanging

basket

signed

by Alyne Driver in an

took second place in Excellence in Beat Reporting for her

I also attended the opening night reception

antique

store

in

Old

Town.

coverage of MMIW on in the Qualla Boundary. (Photo by

on Aug. 13 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center,

Overall, the conference was a significant opCody Hammer, Osiyo TV)

which featured an art exhibit by Eastern Band of

portunity

for the Cherokee One Feather to share

“Preserving Our Stories in Real Time,” led by the

Cherokee Indians (EBCI) artist Skye Tafoya. The

our

work

with

Indian Country, network with other

opening night reception included traditional Pueb- Sequoyah National Research Center from the UniIndigenous

media

outlets, and explore future colversity of Arkansas. I attended the session to learn

lo foods and dancing.

laborations

with

media

institutions.

more about oral history archiving for a potential

I then attended a session on Aug. 14 titled,

BROOKLYN BROWN, One Feather Reporter

UKB Veteran McIntosh and Veteran Phillips took the Gold Medals home

LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla- His name and face might

sound familiar within the tribe, as Seneca McIntosh serves on the United Keetoowah Band Honor Guard but his extracurricular activity playing

billiards – 8 ball is taking him places.

Back in September, McIntosh and his partner

Sharon Phillips played in the Oklahoma State

senior games billiards – 8 ball tournament at Magoo’s in Tulsa. The senior games help Oklahomans

ages 50 and over build recreational sport skills,

discover new physical pursuits and boost participation. The OK State senior’s games hosted 34 games

in different sports.

The billiards tournament had men and women singles, plus Scotch doubles. The participants

in the singles played for gold, silver and bronze

medals.

“Sharon and I never played together in scotch

doubles” McIntosh said. “We didn’t know this, but

we were the final team playing and Sharon made

the final shot for us to win the gold medal in this

event.”

Sharon, has only been a pool player for two

years she was a farmers daughter. She didn’t get

into pool playing until she met McIntosh.

“When we signed up for the Oklahoma State

senior games, we only went for the singles not

knowing we could play as a team in the Scotch

doubles,” Phillips said. “Seneca played in the men’s

singles and placed third, well they needed more

people in the Scotch doubles, so we decided to

play.”

They went up against teams who have won

gold medals and silver medals.

“I was shocked that we won the gold medal in

the Scotch doubles,” Phillips said.

McIntosh placed third in the men’s singles, and

in the Scotch doubles with Phillips they placed

first. Both will appear at the Celebration of Athletes on November 22nd in Broken Arrow, OK

along with all the Oklahoma State senior games

participants.

Sharon Phillips on the left and Seneca McIntosh on the

right

Phillips and McIntosh proudly show off their medals.

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

OCTOBER 2025

OCTOBER 2025

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

TAKE ACTION NOW !

Defend UKB Rights!

PROTECT OUR RIGHTS, LAND AND FUTURE

A secret provision drafted by Senator Markwayne Mullin, coordinated by the

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), threatens to strip the UKB of trust land rights

and future economic development opportunities. This is a direct attack on our

sovereignty, our identity, and our treaty-protected relationship with the United States.

UKB Affirmation of Rights is clear:

Congress’ Confirmation of Rights: Keetoowah Status Act – 1946.

Courts Confirmation of Rights: The U.S. Court of Appeals

upheld UKB trust land rights. The Supreme Court left that

decision intact. Cherokee Nation v. Bernhardt, 946 F.3d 1222

(10th Cir. 2019), cert denied.

Executive Branch Confirmation of Rights: In 2025, the

Department of the Interior reaffirmed that the UKB and the CNO

share equal rights over the Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation.

SEND CONGRESS A MESSAGE NOW!

Raise your voice and protect our treaty rights.

It only takes a minute. Scan the QR code or visit

ukb-nsn.gov/DefendUKBRights to demand your

representatives defend UKB rights.

UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND of

CHEROKEE INDIANS in OKLAHOMA

UKB-NSN.GOV/DEFENDUKBRIGHTS

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

OCTOBER 2025

OCTOBER 2025

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

GIDUWAH CHEROKEE NEWS

OCTOBER 2025

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