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TimesNative Volume 20 • Issue 14 April 7-13, 2014 Independent & Native Owned www.nativetimes.com www.nativetimes.com www.nativeoklahoma.us Like Us! Facebook.com/NativeAmericanTimes Follow @nativetimes on Twitter Please Recycle This Newspaper - www.tahlequahrecycling.com - FINAL ISSUE 50¢ A FAding PoPulAtion By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A proposal designed to bring a state-owned casino to southeast Kansas cleared the state Legislature on Wednesday and is going to Gov. Sam Brownback. The House approved a bill that lowers the investment required from a prospective developer for a southeast Kansas casino from $225 million to $50 million by a vote of 84-36. The measure also decreases an extra fee charged by the state to a developer to $5.5 million from $25 million. The Senate approved the bill last week. Brownback has not said whether he’ll sign it, but the bill’s passage capped five years of work by southeast Kansas legislators. “This will be a job-maker and bring more businesses in,†said Rep. Michael Houser, a Columbus Republican whose district includes the most likely site for a new casino in the state’s far southeast corner. A 2007 law authorized one state-owned casino each in southeast Kansas and the Wichita, Dodge City and Kansas City areas. The Kansas Lottery owns Bill for luring casino to southeast Kansas passes By MATT VOLZ Associated Press HELENA, Mont. (AP) – Tribal leaders from Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington state told a congressional panel Thursday that they feel shut out of decisions being made in a $1.9 billion land- buyback program managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The buyback program is the largest part of the $3.4 billion settlement in 2010 of a class-action lawsuit filed by Elouise Cobell of Browning, Mt., over mismanaged trust money held by the government for individual Indian landowners. The buyback program aims to turn over to tribes fractionated land parcels across the nation that amassed multiple Indian owners over more than a century. But the program, which must be completed in 10 years from the settlement, is progressing slowly despite tribal leaders eager to get started, five tribal leaders told a U.S. House panel. The Interior Department is identifying parcels, entering into cooperative agreements to purchase the land and turning the parcels over to the tribes. The tribal leaders said they know the land and their people, so they want to be more involved in identifying parcels, approaching landowners and shaping cooperative agreements. But government officials have been unresponsive, said Mark Azure, president of central Montana’s Fort Belknap reservation. “You pick up the phone, and it’s a dead dial tone there,†Azure said. John Berrey, chairman of the Quapaw tribe in Oklahoma, said his tribe already has done all the preparatory work, identified willing sellers and submitted a proposed cooperative agreement, but the Quapaw has not yet been brought into the program. “We think we can help the department with success if Tribal leaders criticize land-buyback program By SEAN MURPHY Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A plan to tap $40 million from the state’s Unclaimed Property Fund to pay for the completion of a Native American museum in Oklahoma City cleared another legislative hurdle on Monday, despite concerns that the project won’t benefit taxpayers across the state. A Republican-controlled House budget panel voted 8-2 to send the bill to the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee for a vote. The plan would use the $40 million from the state to match another $40 million in pledges from Oklahoma City, each of the state’s 39 tribes, and corporate and individual donors. The Senate has already passed the bill, but House Speaker Jeff Hickman reiterated last week that he wants 51 of the 72 House Republicans to support the plan before he will schedule it for a vote in the House. The chamber’s 29 Democrats already have pledged to support the bill, but many House conservatives remain opposed to continued state funding of the project. “How is this going to benefit all the parts of the state’s economy?†asked Oklahoma House panel OKs $40M Indian museum plan By KRISTI EATON Associated Press BRIGGS, Okla. (AP) – Mack Vann sits in the living room of his single- story home in rural Oklahoma with the television blaring, a news reporter giving details of the latest grisly crime to hit the state. But the 83-year-old Vann doesn’t understand most of what the reporter is saying. Vann, who speaks only Cherokee, instead focuses on the visitors to his home, many of whom know only a few simple words of Vann’s Native American language. “Osiyo,†he says to his new visitors, the Cherokee word for hello. Vann is part of a fading population of American Indians in Oklahoma who speak only their Native American language, no English. Though Oklahoma was once known as Indian Country and ranks second in the nation in the number of Native American residents, many of the tribal languages are endangered or vulnerable to falling out of use. That’s what makes Native Americans such as Vann, one of an estimated 50 Cherokee monolingual speakers in eastern Oklahoma, all the more interesting: They have somehow preserved their cultural identity through decades of pressure to assimilate, and now tribal language departments are turning to them to help keep their languages alive for future generations. “They’re living treasures,†Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker says, “and it’s folks like him we bring in to pick their brains and say, ‘OK, what Tribes draw knowledge from monolingual speakers By MIKE COPPOCK Associated Press JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Alaska Senate Monday unanimously passed a resolution calling for the construction of the American Indian Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The memorial will honor American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans who fought and died in U.S. wars since the American Revolution. Senate Joint Resolution 19, sponsored by Sen. Bill Wielechowski, a Democrat from Anchorage, calls for supporting the American Indian Veterans Memorial Initiative. Wielechowkski noted that of the 151,000 living Native American veterans, some 5,500 are Alaska Natives. In 2011 Florida Seminole tribal member Stephen Bowers, a Vietnam combat veteran, launched a national effort to have the memorial constructed near the Vietnam Wall on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Senate resolution support building Native memorial KRISTI EATON | ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO Monolingual Cherokee speaker Mack Vann, 83, holds the start of a handmade bow in the backyard of his Briggs, Okla., home on March 14, 2014. Vann is part of a dwindling population of Native Americans in Oklahoma who only speak their original traditional language. Tribal language departments are turning to fluent and monolingual speakers to help translate tribal words into English in efforts to preserve the languages. See BUYBACK on Page 2 See MUSEUM on Page 4 See CASINO on Page 6 See SPEAKERS on Page 4 n In December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concluded a 1905 federal law opening over 1 million acres of the reservation to non-Indian settlement didn’t extinguish its reservation status. CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – Wyoming’s two U.S. senators are working on legislation to prevent Riverton from being considered part of the Wind River Reservation after a federal agency ruled the city was on Indian land. The bill would declare that the city’s 171,000 acres have never been part of the reservation shared by the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho and will remain outside its borders, the Casper Star-Tribune reported Wednesday. The legal status of the land has been a point of contentious disagreement for many years between the tribes and state and local governments over taxation issues as well as criminal jurisdiction. In December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concluded a 1905 federal law opening over 1 million acres of the reservation to non-Indian settlement didn’t extinguish its reservation status. The decision came in response to an application from the tribes to treat the reservation they share as a separate state for purposes of implementing the federal Clean Air Act. The bill by Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso was drafted with the help of Gov. Matt Mead’s office. It is being reviewed and has not yet been introduced, said Enzi spokesman Coy Knobel. “Sen. Enzi doesn’t want to change the current boundaries,†he said. “He wants to make sure they stay as they have been for decades.†Mead has blasted the EPA decision, saying it’s up to Congress to determine reservation boundaries. Northern Arapaho Business Council member Al Addison said tribal members have asked Enzi and the rest of the Wyoming delegation to reconsider the bill. “We are prepared to deal with this,†he said. “But tribal members at Wind River should not be misled. The people in leadership for Wyoming are not our friends.†The Eastern Shoshone seem less worried about the bill. Tribal attorney general Kimberley Varilek said such legislation can avoid costly litigation. “I think once the tribe has the chance to review the proposed bill they will certainly reach out to the congressional delegation and engage with the senators and the state of Wyoming in regards to the impacts across the board,†Varilek said. they would just come to the table and meet with me,†he said. Lawrence Roberts, the deputy assistant secretary for Indian affairs in the Interior Department, said the agency is looking to streamline the process after hearing complaints of it being burdensome and complex. The buyback program so far has sent purchase offers to about 18,000 Indian landowners on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Roberts said. The equivalent of about 40,000 acres has been returned to tribes in the past four months, he said. Land fractionation was caused by the 1887 Dawes Act, which split tribal lands into individual allotments of 80- to 160-acre parcels, in most cases. Those allotments were inherited by multiple heirs with each passing generation, leaving tens of thousands of parcels with hundreds or even thousands of owners. Using or leasing those tracts requires approval of all the owners, so often they sit without being developed. Also testifying before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs were Michael Finley of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Gary Burke of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Grant Stafne of the Fort Peck Reservation. 2 | APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2014 | NAtIve AmeRIcAN tImes | COURTESY PHOTO The new Cherokee Nation Veterans Center Earn credit toward your Professional indian Housing Manager Certification and visit Austin, texas too? Yes! Join the national American indian Housing Council May 13-15 in Austin for the second 2014 leadership institute training. the following courses will be offered: introduction to indian Housing Management Environmental Compliance Admissions & occupancy Acquisitions Basics Since 1999, the leadership institute has served thousands of housing professionals with timely, informative, and relevant courses customized specifically for the indian housing industry. don’t miss your opportunity to earn credit toward your Professional indian Housing Manager Certification! For more information or to register visit: www.naihc.net John Berrey BUYBACK Continued from Page 1 TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) – The Cherokee Nation has opened a $2 million center in Tahlequah for military veterans. The 8,700-square-foot Cherokee Nation Veterans Center has a community room, library, kitchen and sunroom. It was funded by the Cherokee Nation and is open Monday through Friday for military veterans to visit or seek guidance from the tribe’s office of Veteran Affairs. Center manager Ricky Robinson says a lot of veterans just want to talk, often about their experiences. Robinson says they can do that at the center, but that it can also help them get help from a licensed counselor in the tribe or through Veterans Affairs. The Cherokee Nation estimates there are more than 4,000 Cherokee veterans. Cherokee nation opens new center for veterans State senators working on bill to move reservation boundary Sen. Mike Enzi | NAtIve AmeRIcAN tImes | APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2014 | 3 Native hiring preference? Advertise your jobs to Natives! www.nativetimes.com e-mail your ad for a price quote to: advertising@nativetimes.com Publisher & Editor Lisa sneLL Cherokee editor@nativetimes.com k Contributing Writers Dana attocknie ComanChe Lenzy krehbieL-burton Cherokee news@nativetimes.com karen shaDe Cherokee/Diné k Advertising Sales aDam Proctor keetoowah Cherokee Adam@nativetimes.com Lisa sneLL Cherokee advertising@nativetimes.com k Distribution cheryL GouGe kiowa WesLey mahan Cherokee brenDa sLauGhter Cherokee The Native American Times, formerly the Oklahoma Indian Times, is published weekly (except the first and last week of the year) by Lisa Hicks Snell, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The Native Times is not tribally owned, operated, or influenced. Mailing address is PO Box 411 Tahlequah, OK 74465. All the contents within the Native American Times are copyrighted material. Any reproduction, redistribution without the written consent of the NATIVE AMERICAN TIMES is strictly prohibited. CONTACT NATIVE AMERICAN TIMES P.O. Box 411 Tahlequah, OK 74465-0411 k Phone: (918) 708-5838 Fax: (888) 689-4873 Email: Info@nativetimes.com www.nativetimes.com News from the crossroads of Indian Country nativeoklahoma.us Native people, places & entertainment CALL 1-800-454-8100 TO LEARN MORE American Truck Training | 3200 Aluma Valley Drive | Oklahoma City www.oklahomalovestrucking.com AN OKLAHOMAN OWNED AND OPERATED COMPANY • FLEXIBLE CLASS SCHEDULES • JOB PLACEMENT • 16 DAY TRAINING • PATIENT INSTRUCTORS • EARNING POTENTIAL - $37k - $67k 1st YEAR! • PAID VACATION & ORIENTATION • HEALTH • DENTAL • 401k • ETC. American Truck Training will help you begin your New Career in just 16 days! BRINGING BETTER JOBS TO OKLAHOMA TRIBAL SCHOLARSHIPS or TUITION ASSISTANCE (to those who qualify) CDL Training • Some Oilfield / Local Opportunities Available WANTED Native americaN iNdiaN Goods Pawn • Buy Sell • Trade www.deanspawn.com DEAN’S DRIVE-THRU PAWN SHOP 2617 S. Robinson Oklahoma City, OK 405-239-2774 By FELICIA FONSECA Associated Press FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation lawmakers voted Friday to place their legislative leader on indefinite paid administrative leave rather than oust him, months after he was charged with bribery and conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that Johnny Naize and other tribal officials engaged in a scheme to divert tribal funds to their families. Naize has denied wrongdoing. Lawmakers met in a special session in Window Rock to consider legislation sponsored by Alton Joe Shepherd to remove Naize from the post he’s held since 2011. The amendments to Shepherd’s measure came as a compromise, some lawmakers said, because Naize’s criminal case hasn’t wrapped up in tribal court. Under the revisions brought forth after the executive session, Naize will continue to draw the speaker’s $55,000 annual salary and retain his position as a lawmaker on the Navajo Nation Council, but he will not oversee council sessions or legislative staff. “We, again, want to see a different direction and this is one way to start,†Shepherd said following the vote. Naize questioned the legality of the council’s action and said he would challenge it in tribal court. Nothing in Navajo law speaks specifically to placing the speaker of the council on administrative leave, nor does it specify a vote requirement, attorneys for the legislative branch and the tribe’s Department of Justice said. But Navajo law gives broad discretion to lawmakers to discipline council members, the attorneys said. Removing a speaker from office requires a two-thirds vote of the 24-member council, or 16 votes. Lawmakers sought the advice of attorneys on what was required for administrative leave and passed the legislation by a simple majority vote, 12-0. Staunch supporters of Naize left the council chambers without voting. Naize said the action, if allowed to stand, “would make a mockery of our laws and legal process. “I am confident the courts will protect our nation’s institutions and laws from what amounts to an illegal overthrow of our government,†he said. An attempt earlier this year to unseat Naize as speaker failed to get enough votes to pass. Shepherd said his intent was to preserve the integrity of the speaker’s post and the image of the Tribal Council. He said he didn’t exactly foresee a challenge, but “with anything, we have to take it as it is.†Naize’s second, two-year term as speaker was set to expire in January. He has said he will not seek re-election to the Tribal Council after serving four terms. The lawmakers chose LoRenzo Bates, head of the council’s Budget and Finance Committee, as speaker pro- tem. Prosecutors allege that Naize and several other current and former council delegates conspired to divert roughly $74,000 from a now-defunct discretionary fund to their families. The money was intended to assist elderly Navajos, people facing extreme hardship and students seeking financial aid. Criminal complaints allege that Naize’s family received about $37,000 in exchange for his providing a nearly identical amount to members of other families in the years before he was elected speaker. Some of the roughly 30 people who faced criminal charges or ethics violations in the investigation have settled their cases while others await trial. Some have pleaded guilty and agreed to aid prosecutors. Shepherd renewed his legislative effort to remove Naize from the speaker’s post after former lawmaker Raymond Joe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and named Naize as a co-conspirator. Naize suggested that prosecutors took advantage of Joe, who was not represented by an attorney in the case. The council has not taken action against any of its members since the late 1980s when it ousted former Chairman Peter MacDonald because of a corruption scandal. The tribe later established a three-branch government. Lawmakers place council speaker on leave Johnny Naize BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – One of two suspects in the killing of a single mother on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Clad in white prison garb and shackles, Garrett Sidney Wadda entered his plea at a hearing attended by dozens of relatives of victim Hanna Harris, 21, who disappeared on July 4. Her body was found four days later southwest of Lame Deer. Several relatives of Harris broke into sobs as Wadda entered the courtroom flanked by U.S. marshals. “I just hate him, knowing that he’s guilty,†Theda Foote, the victim’s grandmother, said outside court. “It isn’t closure yet, but at least we’re one step closer to closure.†Authorities have been tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding the death of Harris, and an indictment filed in the case offered few details. The charge of aggravated sexual abuse indicates that authorities believe Wadda forced the victim to engage in a sexual act. Co-defendant Eugenia Ann Rowland was arrested and detained last week in South Dakota. She faces a count of second-degree murder. Both defendants face potential life sentences if convicted. Family members of Harris said Wadda and Rowland were the last two people seen with her before she disappeared. The suspects were seen packing a pickup truck with their belongings and leaving town while the search for the Harris was underway, said Kateri Foote, an aunt of Harris. It was unclear how Harris came into contact with the suspects. Theda Foote and other family members said they did not know each other. At the hearing, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby appointed public defender Steve Babcock to represent Wadda. About a month after Harris’ body was found, frustration with the pace of the investigation prompted a rally and march in Lame Deer attended by about 200 people. The victim’s mother, Melinda Harris Limberhand, demanded justice for victims of unsolved murders on reservations across the U.S. Even in the wake of last week’s arrests, relatives of Harris expressed lingering disappointment with how the case was handled. “For this it took months,†said Merlin Sioux, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council and a distant uncle of the victim. Suspect denies guilt in reservation murder case 4 | APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2014 | NAtIve AmeRIcAN tImes | Follow Us! www.twitter.com/nativetimes OklahOma’s Native americaN travel & tOurism maGaZiNe a New Publication of the Native american times Available at Oklahoma & Tribal Welcome Centers Tribal Travel Plazas, Hotel Rooms & Native American Times Distribution Points Across Oklahoma! For advertising information contact: adam Proctor | 918-409-7252 | adam@nativetimes.com lisa snell | 918-708-5838 | lisa@nativetimes.com to submit event calendar information: email: magazine@nativetimes.com www.nativeoklahoma.us MUSEUM Continued from Page 1 Native Times recycles with Tahlequah Recycling Incorporated… you should too! Rep. Charles Ortega, R-Altus, whose rural district is more than 130 miles from the museum site along the banks of the Oklahoma River at the intersection of interstates 35 and 40. Ortega and Rep. Dale Dewitt, R-Braman, opposed the bill. Preparations on the 210-acre museum site began nearly two decades ago, and more than $95 million already has been spent on the project, which has been plagued with cost overruns and mismanagement. Rep. David Dank, R-Oklahoma City, who sponsors the bill in the House, said the project is more than just a museum and will tell a critical part of Oklahoma’s story to the rest of the world. “This is about us,†said Dank, who recalled the forced relocation of Indians from several tribes to modern-day Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. “This is about our heritage. This is about what we are as a state.†––– Online: Senate Bill 1651: http://bit.ly/1nLlOZc ANADARKO, Okla. – A federal judge denied a claimant tribal leader’s request for an emergency restraining order against a BIA court Tuesday. Citing the statutory limitations of the lower court, Brenda Edwards, one of two claimant chairmen of the Caddo Nation, filed for a emergency temporary restraining order last month with the Western District of Oklahoma against the Court of Indian Offenses at the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Anadarko agency. Re-elected as chairwoman last summer, Edwards was subject to a recall petition within weeks of taking office. Since then, the tribe has had two factions claiming to be its legitimate authority. One administration, currently led by Anthony Cotter, is working out of the Caddo Nation complex. The other, led by Edwards, is off-site. As per federal statute, the Court of Indian Offenses cannot adjudicate election disputes, take jurisdiction over lawsuits involving the tribe or referee internal government disputes unless the tribe grants the court the authority to do so. The two governments have passed conflicting resolutions concerning the Court of Indian Affairs’ relationship with the Caddo Nation’s affairs. The Cotter administration has granted the court jurisdiction while the Edwards administration has filed paperwork to have the tribe removed from the court’s oversight. Meanwhile, the Court of Indian Offenses is considering evidence to potentially issue a permanent injunction that would bar Edwards from conducting business on the tribe’s behalf. Judge Phil Lujan handed down a temporary injunction last month that, among other things, prohibits the claimant chairwoman from spending any tribal funds or grants. Noting the restrictions on the BIA court in his April 1 order, District Judge Timothy DeGuisti pointed out that the Edwards administration is actively participating in the Court of Indian Offenses’ proceedings. “Plaintiffs continue to raise the jurisdictional challenge in the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) proceedings and have the opportunity to obtain relief in that forum,†he wrote. “Plaintiffs also have the ability to seek to stay enforcement on injunctive relief ordered in the CFR proceedings. Thus, Plaintiffs are not without relief. “At this early stage in these proceedings, Plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden of demonstrating that the requirements for issuance of a temporary restraining order…are met.†With Edwards lacking access to the tribal complex for about six months, DeGuisti also noted that the court’s temporary injunction could not be the cause of immediate and irreparable harm to her authority and ability to act as the tribe’s chairwoman. After an evidentiary hearing Monday on the injunction application, the Court of Indian Offenses amended the temporary order to allow Edwards to sign paychecks for the approximately 55 employees on her administration’s payroll. The hearing is scheduled to continue on April 30. The initial injunction request before the lower court stems from a March 10 Caddo Tribal Council meeting affiliated with the Cotter government. Twenty-one tribal citizens – one more than the constitutionally-required minimum for quorum -- signed off on bringing a case forward to the Court of Indian Affairs. Headquartered in Binger, the Caddo Nation has about 5,500 enrolled citizens. Federal judge denies restraining order in Caddo dispute, hearing scheduled to continue April 30 LENZY KREHBIEL- BURTON Native Times PAWHUSKA, Okla. – With more than 20 people coming forward, the filing period for potential members of the fourth Osage Nation Congress closed March 31. Pending certification by the Osage Nation Election Board, 21 candidates have submitted paperwork to run for the six seats on the June 2 general election ballot. Listed in chronological order by when they filed for office, the candidates include: Alice Buffalohead, Dr. Ron Shaw, Otto Hamilton, Michael Kidder, Tony Whitehorn, Clair Wood, Doug Cowan, Troy Big Eagle II, Daniel Boone, Angela Pratt, William “Kugee†Supernaw, James Norris, Beverly Brownfield, Teresa Bates Rutherford, W. Jacque Jones, Justin Mays, John Star Bighorse, Rick Luttrell, John Free, Joe Connor and Cecilia Tallchief. Buffalohead, Boone, Supernaw and Free are members of the third Osage Nation Congress. March 31 was also the deadline for potential Osage Minerals Council candidates to pick up paperwork from the council’s election office to run for one of the eight seats up for grabs this summer. Candidates must submit a petition by 4:30 p.m. Monday with at least 25 shareholder signatures on it in order to be included on the ballot. As of Friday, 14 candidates, including six incumbents, have submitted completed paperwork, including signed shareholder petitions. As per the tribe’s election code, there will not be a primary to narrow the field, with the top six finishers taking the oath of office on July 2. Absentee ballot requests for the general election are due May 5. Absentee ballot requests for the June 2 Osage Minerals Council election are due May 23. For more information or to request an absentee ballot, call the Minerals Council election office at 918-287-5288. Absentee ballot requests for Minerals Council elections must be renewed in writing each election cycle. A debate for Minerals Council candidates is scheduled for April 26 at the Wah-Zha-Zhe Cultural Center in Pawhuska. The Congressional candidates’ debate is the following weekend at the same location. Osage filing period closes, voters have 21 candidates do you call the white oak tree? What do you call the other medicine trees? What’s the Cherokee word for them? What’s the old word for them?’ And the more we can pick their brains and the more the translation department can put it down, the more we can put it in not only hardback but on the web or a platform (and) the closer we’re coming to not even losing words.†The Cherokee Nation has been at the forefront of language preservation. In the last few years, the tribe’s language department has worked to get the language added to Microsoft Windows 8, Google Gmail, and Apple’s iPhone and iPad. Most recently, a dozen Cherokee speakers spent last year translating 150,000 modern English terms into Cherokee so people can use the language on Microsoft Office web apps including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. To make all that happen, the tribe draws upon the knowledge of speakers such as Vann, a descendant of Andrew Ross, the brother of Cherokee Chief John Ross, who led thousands of Cherokees to Indian Country during their forced removal from the southeastern United States. Vann, who grew up in Greasy, a predominantly Native American community in eastern Oklahoma, learned some English in school but dropped out after the fourth grade to help with the family farm and slowly lost the ability to speak it. Now, he says, he’s too old to learn it. Instead, friends and family help him translate when he needs help. Vann, whose wife died several years ago, worked at the Cherokee Heritage Center for years and continues to sell handmade bows. Speaking through a translator in the backyard of his Briggs home, Vann, a member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, says he would like more children to learn to speak Cherokee. He speaks with two young children on a regular basis in hopes of helping them learn the language. “Everybody is just changing their ways and not really concentrating on our culture,†he says. And as more tribal members like Vann age, it becomes increasingly important for tribes to preserve their vast cultural knowledge. In January, the Chickasaw Nation, another large Oklahoma tribe, announced the passing of their last monolingual speaker, Emily Johnson Dickerson, 93. Dickerson, who died at her Ada home in late December, was among only about 70 fluent Chickasaw speakers. “Emily Dickerson was a treasured elder who held the Chickasaw language and ways of life close to her heart,†Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said in a statement. “This is a sad day for all Chickasaw people because we have lost a cherished member of our Chickasaw family and an unequalled source of knowledge about our language and culture.†SPEAKERS Continued from Page 1 TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — As excited baseball fans, many of them wearing Cleveland’s smiling Chief Wahoo logo, headed into Progressive Field for Friday’s home opener, a smaller group stood by unable to share their enthusiasm. Holding hand-painted signs that read, “We Are Not Honored,†and “Our Children Are Not Mascots,†a contingent of Native Americans and some of their supporters demonstrated against the Indians’ use of their red- faced Wahoo logo. The protesters, who have been gathering outside the ballpark’s entrances on opening day for years to voice their displeasure about the team’s use of the long-standing logo, stayed behind barricades as Indians fans walked by for the game against the Minnesota Twins. Robert Roche, executive director of the American Indian Education Center, is adamant the team should abolish the logo permanently. “The issue is simple,†said the 66-year-old Roche, his hair braided with white threads. “We are not mascots. I’m nobody’s mascot. My children are not mascots. It mocks us as a race of people. It mocks our religion.†Roche and other organizers believe the protest is gaining support because of the growing national debate over sports mascots. The Washington Redskins have received harsh criticism for their nickname, and several colleges and high schools have made changes to their logos, mascots and nicknames. “If you’re looking at the average opening day fan, actually I see a little bit of a difference,†said Sundance, a member of the Muscogee tribe, who has been protesting on opening day since 2008. “I see that there are a lot of people who have refrained from wearing Wahoo much more than in previous opening days, but I also see that there are a lot more people who have come out with the most bigoted Wahoo that they could find.†There wasn’t much exchange between the groups in the hours leading up to the first pitch. However, a few fans yelled out derogatory comments toward the protesters, who either ignored them or disarmed them with compliments. The Indians have made Chief Wahoo less visible in recent years, even adding a “Block C†to their inventory of logos. Roche, though, said the team’s efforts to minimize Wahoo “are a facade.†Sundance finds more than the Indians’ logo offensive. “We want the logo gone. We want the team name changed,†he said. “You can’t do one without the other. There is this propaganda around Cleveland that somehow they are honoring us by having a team named the Indians and the Wahoo logo. So the tide is turning, the wind is changing. They feel that perhaps the Wahoo logo is not honoring us, but somehow the team name is and they haven’t listened to the message.†Roche feels the movement to abolish Wahoo has grown. “I do see a change, a slow change,†he said. “It’s progressively happening. The young people are more in tune to it, where a lot of these older people grew up with it and so did their parents. We have nothing against the game. I know it will change in time. 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SUPERNAW’S OKLAHOMA INDIAN SUPPLY Wholesale items for Pow Wow Vendors Bone chokers $20 per dozen Handmade lamp worked glass bead bracelets $1.00 each Glass bead stretch bracelets 5 for $2.50 12 Necklaces: Chain w/ pendant and display pad $13.50 36 inch gemstone chip strands Reg. 3.95 now $2.00 36 inch turquoise chip strands Reg. 7.95 now $4.00 Always our regular stock of seed beads from 16/0 to 8/0, findings, leather, hackles, fluffs and thousands of other supply items. Remember we’ve moved around the corner 109 North Broadway, Skiatook, OK 74070 New Dealers Cash or Credit Card Only. Open Noon-6pm Mon. thru Fri. • 10am-5m Sat. • Closed Sun. Local: 396-1713-Countrywide Toll Free 1-888-720-1967 Website: www.supernaw.com • Email: Supernaw@flash.net SUPERNAW’S OKLAHOMA INDIAN SUPPLY SKIATOOK, OKLAHOMA SUPERNAW@FLASH.NET 1-888-720- 967 LENZY KREHBIEL-BURTON Native Times OKLAHOMA CITY – For at least the month of April, OETA’s lineup is going Native. Featuring segments from the Osage, Cherokee, Ponca and Choctaw Nations, as well as the Kiowa and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, “Native Oklahoma†is a 30-minute pilot program set to debut this month on Oklahoma’s largest public television network. “I’m really excited,†Cheyenne and Arapaho TV Content Producer Darren Brown said. “Don’t think this has ever been done before. If it has, I’m not aware of it and I’ve been in TV for more than 30 years.†The idea for the pilot stems in part from a change in leadership at the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority. When Dan Schiedel became the executive director of OETA in November 2012, the station’s administrators took a long look at the network’s programming line-up and hit the road on a listening tour, soliciting feedback from OETA viewers across Oklahoma. “We got lots and lots of feedback,†Schiedel said of the tour. “We heard lots of requests for more Native-focused content, including language, culture and history.†That feedback eventually led to a summer 2013 meeting among representatives from OETA and several tribes’ communication departments about possibly utilizing footage already being produced for tribal communities on a larger scale and eventually, the pilot was born. The show’s title was eventually selected by an online poll and has no connection to the Native Times’ sister magazine of the same name. Thanks to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ low-power public television station based near El Reno, Okla., CATV Director of Operations Randy Burleson and Brown took the lead on the program’s production front, including coordinating video submission and editing the finished product. With the participating tribes sending in stories with a wide array of topics and lengths, the pair’s production responsibilities included shooting brief introductory segments to help tie it all together. “There’s an audience out there for this kind of product,†Brown said. “Oklahomans say all the time that we’ve got a rich history, but it’s true. We’ve got so many different tribes and we barely scratched the surface with this. The people who watch OETA are looking for stuff like that – if you’re watching that versus say, ‘Two and a Half Men,’ you’re definitely in the right frame of mind.†The show made its world premiere at the Native Media Summit Thursday night at Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma. The pilot episode is scheduled to air four times throughout the month of April, with the show’s future beyond that first episode still uncertain. Although there is interest at OETA in making the program a regular part of the network’s schedule, there is the ever-present question of securing sufficient funding for the production side, as well as the challenge of engaging more of the state’s tribes to participate and contribute content. “There are so many more tribes in Oklahoma,†Brown said. “If there are another six or seven interested, that’s another 30 minute show right there. I know they don’t all have production departments, but if you can just get a fraction of those tribes involved, it could easily be a quarterly show. The fact that OETA is willing to give it air time and their general manager (Schiedel) is willing to get on board is huge.†“We are really interested in getting more of our tribes involved with OETA and try to bring about more of what they’re producing to the people of Oklahoma,†Schiedel said. “Look at our schedule – we don’t have that many American Indian stories or voices on our air. They represent such a great, strong people in the state of Oklahoma that we should be hearing more about them.†– As of press time, the pilot for “Native Oklahoma†is scheduled to air four times in April. Those times are: April 10 at 7 p.m.• April 15 at 9:30 p.m.• April 24 at 7 p.m.• April 27 at 11:30 p.m.• OETA launching Native themed programming in April Commentary t t t t t Cherokee Chat By CARA COWAN WATTS Cherokee Nation citizens throughout the 14-counties and outside of the Tribe often have a local community group who meets monthly offering Cherokee culture, community, language and govern- ment. In Rogers and Tulsa Counties, we have the Tulsa Cherokee Com- munity Organization (TCCO), Victory Cherokee Organization (VCO) and Rogers County Chero- kee Association (RCCA) who meet monthly. TCCO meets, monthly, on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm at the Tulsa Indian United Methodist Church, 1901 North College. Enjoy brief, monthly, historical presentations by noted Tribal Elder and Historian, Mary- belle Chase. Social time begins at 6pm. At Large Councilmembers Jack Baker and Julia Coates are members and may attend meetings. Chairperson, George Hoos, may be reached at P.O. Box 582363, Tulsa, OK 74158-2353, tulsacherokees@ gmail.com or on Facebook. VCO of Collinsville meets, monthly, on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. For BINGO fundraising nights on Thursdays following their monthly meeting, contact VCO. VCO meets in their own community building with sur- rounding land for stickball, picnics, Hog Fry events and a historical Cherokee cemetery maintained by VCO volunteers. VCO is located at 1025 North 12th in Collinsville on the Northwest side of town past the new Collinsville Food Distribution site. Chairperson, Keith Holland, may be reached at P.O. Box 298, Collinsville, OK 74021, victory- cherokee@att.net, http://victory- cherokee.org or on Facebook. RCCA in Tiawah, typically, meets the second Sunday of each month at 2pm. RCCA meets in their own community building with surrounding land for stick- ball, picnics, Hog Fry events and Cherokee marbles. Map the build- ing online at the RCCA website or map address 15488 East 523 Road, Claremore, OK to the historical Cherokee community of Tiawah, USA between Claremore and Inola. To contact President, Bob McCuis- tian, write P.O. Box 142, Claremore, OK 74018, call Vice-President, Beverly Cowan, at (918) 760-1735 or email beverlycowan@sbcglobal. net. For more about RCCA, go to http://rogerscountycherokees.org/ or visit Facebook. RCCA will meet on Sunday, April 13, 2014, for a Clean-Up Day at Building where college students may earn community service hours for their Tribal scholarships. On May 4, 2014 which is early due to Mother’s Day, RCCA is hosting a hands-on Cherokee double-walled basket class for members. Satur- day, June 7, 2014, will be the Annu- al Hog Fry to honor graduating Se- niors from local High Schools and RSU plus the RCCA RSU Scholar- ship Recipient. On Sunday, July 13, 2014, RCCA will host a Watermel- on Bust and Family Potluck Picnic, Stickball, Marbles and Cornhusk Dolls. On Sunday, August 10, 2014, Gourd Painting with David Scott which requires an RSVP. On Sunday, October 12, 2014, nomi- nation of officers and contempo- rary Cherokee History with former Chief Ross Swimmer. On Sunday, November 9, 2014, election of of- ficers and Holiday Family Potluck, honor Veterans and annual Volun- teer Awards. No September or De- cember meeting. At each of the three monthly meetings, Councilman Lee Keener and I provide a verbal legislative update and answer constituent questions or listen to concerns. Cara Cowan Watts is an elected Tribal legislator within the Chero- kee Nation for portions of Rogers and Tulsa Counties. Cherokee culture and community meetings near you Enter for a chance to win a pair of GeorGe Strait ticketS at Muscogee Creek Nation Travel Plazas Okmulgee Travel Plaza Give-Away Friday April 11th 10a.m.-12p.m. with KOKL doing a live broadcast! Muskogee Travel Plaza Give-Away Saturday April 12th 3p.m.-5p.m. Come see if you’re a winner and have some fun with our participating vendors Pepsi, Coke, Love Bottling, Frito-Lay, Monster, Budweiser, and One Fire Casino. They will be onsite doing some free taste testing and give-aways! Enter for your chance to win a pair of George Strait tickets at either one of our Creek Nation Travel Plazas. No requirement is necessary to register. LISA SNELL Native Times Publisher I’ve been putting this week off for awhile now. Business was bad for me last Fall and Winter. I’ve been forced to watch the bottom line with a sharper eye this year and each week I’ve found myself asking the Creator, “Is this the week it goes down?†From week to week the difference between yes and no has been a single adver- tising order or the promise of a few orders in the weeks to come. People often ask me, “How can you put this paper out for free week after week?†The answer is “advertising†and not many businesses ad- vertised last Fall and Winter. I had to skip two weeks in December because the ads I did have simply weren’t enough to cover the cost of printing, much less the cost of distributing the paper. It helps that I don’t rent of- fice space or have a support staff to pay. But the trade off has been too many week- ends holed up in my office instead of enjoying the time with my family. Something had to change. You may have noticed the price of 50¢ on the front of your newspaper. I thought that if enough papers sold each week, it would cover the cost of printing and dis- tribution. Brilliant idea in theory. It didn’t work out so brilliantly. As Kenny Rogers sings, “You gotta know when to fold ‘em.†It’s time to fold and change tables. I’m sad to see it go. I prefer a newspaper to a computer screen. But I’ll keep the news coming - online at www.na- tivetimes.com. And I’ll still be around publishing Native Oklahoma Magazine each month and posting online at www.nativeoklahoma.us. If you’re a subscriber, I hope you’ll enjoy Native Oklahoma Magazine in place of the Na- tive Times. If not, please call me at 918-708-5838 so I can refund the balance of your subscription. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Native Times going online only, final print edition this week 6 | APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2014 | NAtIve AmeRIcAN tImes | NATIONAL INDIAN GRANT DIRECTORY Two volumes, over 820 pages. Descriptions of 550 foundations, corporations, religious organizations, and others who make grants to Indians. This is the fourth and final edition of this book, first published in 1983. CATCHING THE DREAM 8200 Mountain Road, NE, Suite 203 Albuquerque NM 87110 Phone (505) 262-2351, e-mail CTD4DeanChavers@aol.com or Joy Noll at NSCholarsh@aol.com. Cost $99.95 each, plus $3.50 shipping and handling. FOR SALE Follow Us! www.twitter.com/nativetimes Classifieds t t t t t t EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, located South of Stillwater, is accepting applications for the following positions in the Perkins, oK area: Court Administrator Gaming Commission Compliance Officer Internal Control Auditor Maintenance Director Community Health Nurse Contract Health Specialist View job descriptions under government/Human Resources/Job Postings at www.iowanation.org Great Benefits! Health, dental, Vision, group life, Flex, 401(k) with employer match, sick, vacation, holidays, Std, ltd, Voluntary life, Accident & Cancer plans. Apply online at www. iowanation.org/jobs * click on the position to apply * equal employment Opportunity employer native American preference Native American Scholarship Assistance Native students should apply for all the funds they are eligible for. We will help you with your scholarship search, NO CHARGE. We will also help you develop your essay, NO CHARGE. Log on to our website and read the instructions, then print out the application. Seniors in high school should start the process as soon as they are in school. The scholarship season is October to April, so get busy. Contact Dr. Dean Chavers or Ms. Joy Noll any time. We want to hear from you as early as the sixth grade. CATCHING THE DREAM 8200 Mountain Road, NE, Suite 203 Albuquerque NM 87110 Phone (505) 262-2351, fax (505) 262-0534 www.catchingthedream.org SERVICES We are pleased to announce that a waiting list is being created for Linden Knolls Apartments, a five story building with 99 affordable apartments. These units are located at 261 South Franklin Street, Hemp- stead, NY 11550. Rents will range from $1100 -$1600 per month for one bed- room, two bedroom and three bedroom apartments. Unit rents are determined by annual income. The maximum annual income for a single person household will be $44,160, a two member household is $50,460, a three member household is $56,760, a four member household is $63,060, a five member household is $68,160, and a six member household is $73,200. LINDEN KNOLLS APARTMENTS To be eligible for occupancy, all prospective tenant incomes must be verified and certified by onsite housing staff. For an application, please call (800) 240-6388 or visit www.lindenknolls.us. Submit your name, address, and telephone number. An application will be mailed to you. Only one application per household may be submitted. No Brokers. APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN APRIL 25, 2014 Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner/CEO, New York State Homes and Community Renewal The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing on the basis of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Federal law also prohibits discriminationon the basis of age. This apartment community does not discriminate on the basis of handicap/disability status. The management coordinates compliance with the nondis- crimination requirements contained in HUD’s Regulations imple- menting Section 504 (24 CFR part 8 dated June 2, 1988 FOR RENT SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking to fill one Secretary vacancy to assist administrative functions and provide receptionist support. Beginning salary is $35,256 annually. See vacancy announcement 14-OKW-1079624- DE at www.usajobs.gov for specific information. Applications must be submitted on-line or by fax. See “How to Apply†section of announcement for specific information. Questions may be directed to Lisa Engelke, Administrative Officer, (405) 553- 8777. Open application period is April 1, 2014 through April 7, 2014. MUSEUM AID The U.S. Department of the Interior/Indian Arts and Crafts Board is announcing an exciting opportunity to serve as a Museum Aid at the Southern Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Are you interested in the historical preservation of Native American artifacts in a museum setting? If so, this could be the job for you! If you are interested in applying for this position it will be open from March 31, 2014 through April 14, 2014. To apply, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ ViewDetails/365194200 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Business Office will begin accepting applications for Executive Assistant. The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Executive Director. The incumbent will serve as an assistant to the Kiowa Business Committee and KBC Chairman. The incumbent is responsible for a wide variety of special assignments, most of which involve confidential, sensitive an/or complex issues which can have an significant impact on the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. QUALIFICATIONS: Must possess an Associates Degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a Valid Oklahoma drivers license. Must submit to and pass a OSBI background check and drug testing. APPLY AT: The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Personnel Department, P.O. Box 369,Carnegie, OK 73015 or call for an application at (580)654-2300 extension 356/360. CLOSING DATE: April 18, 2014 C.O.B. EOE UP PL-93-638 INDIAN PREFERENCE APPLIES TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Transportation Department will begin accepting applications for a Transportation Director. The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Executive Director. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall administration of the Tribal Transportation Program grant and all applicable laws. QUALIFICATIONS: Preferred- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related engineering field or Masters Degree in Civil Engineering or Registered Professional Engineer. Minimum- Bachelor’s Degree, three (3) years experience managing the design, construction, or maintenance of a transportation system. Two (2) years supervisory experience of at least five (5) full time employees. REQUIREEMENTS: Must possess a valid Oklahoma Drivers License. Must submit to and pass an OSBI background check and Drug Testing. Salary range $25.00 ph to $38.00 ph. APPLY AT: The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Personnel Department, P.O. Box 369, Carnegie, OK 73015 or call for an application at 580-654-2300 extension 356/360. CLOSING DATE: May 5, 2014 C.O.B. EOE UP PL-93-638 INDIAN PREFERENCE APPLIES ADA – Ofi’ Tohbi’, the legendary white dog who protected the Chickasaw people while they searched for a homeland centuries ago, is back on the job with new orders to follow. This time, he’s breaking trail for children on an educational excursion through Chickasaw Country, and posing as the symbol for the Chickasaw Nation’s new creative literary venture. Chickasaw Journeys, an activities book aimed at youngsters, is hot off White Dog Press, a new imprint under Chickasaw Press. Children and even parents will learn a thing or two from the book, said Chickasaw Press Director Wiley Barnes. With winter showing signs of exhaustion, Chickasaw Journeys offers a guide for spring and summer exploration at four cultural destinations special to Chickasaw people, and takes children of all ages on an educational adventure through Chickasaw Country. The book includes questions, mazes, word games and more activities, all based on Chickasaw history, language and culture, for kids to complete during trips to Chickasaw the Chickasaw Council House, the Chickasaw Historic Capitol, the Chickasaw White House and the Chickasaw Cultural Center, Barnes said. Ofi’ Tohbi’ can also be found at the destinations. Each reader who completes the puzzles and tasks during visits to the four destinations will receive a commemorative oksop (bead) and a stamp to fill in blanks in the book. Each participant who completes his or her book will become an official member of the Ofi’ Tohbi’ Club, earning a commemorative patch and a collector’s coin. Chickasaw Journeys is available for purchase at: Chickasaw Council House, 209 N. Fisher, Tishomingo, Okla.; Chickasaw Historic Capitol, 411 W. Ninth St., Tishomingo, Okla; Chickasaw White House, 6379 E. Mansion Road, Milburn, Okla.; Chickasaw Press, 1500 Hoppe Blvd, Suite 1, Ada Okla.; Chickasaw Arts and Humanities, 201 N. Broadway, Ada, Okla; and Chickasaw Cultural Center, 867 Charles Cooper Memorial Drive, Sulphur, Okla. Chickasaw Journeys is the second publication by White Dog Press, which debuted in 2013 as an outlet for Chickasaw fiction, poetry and other creative works. Barnes said the Chickasaw Press was started in 2006 to produce scholarly and academic works based on Chickasaw history and culture, written from a Chickasaw perspective. It has published many such books and continues to do so. Those books also won recognition and awards. Among them are the three-volume Chikasha Stories series, written by highly respected elder and traditional oral storyteller Glenda Galvan and illustrated by Jeannie Barbour; Ilimpa’chi’ (We’re Gonna Eat): A Chickasaw Cookbook, by JoAnn Ellis and Vicki Penner; a poetry book titled Picked Apart The Bones, by Rebecca Hatcher Travis; and two art books by renowned Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen and his wife, Martha: Proud to be Chickasaw and They Know Who They Are, featuring the stories of elders and early sketches and paintings of them by Larsen. Still, Barnes and the staff of Chickasaw Press felt aware of the need for a distinct outlet for creative Chickasaw and Native literature. To address that, he and the staff proposed the creation of White Dog Press. “That way, we didn’t have to change the Chickasaw Press’s vision. We could start a new imprint for fiction, poetry and other genres,†he said. White Dog Press, Barnes said, “opens doors of opportunity for writers. We get a lot of submissions and proposals that we didn’t have an outlet for in the past because they weren’t a fit for Chickasaw Press.†The first book to appear under the White Dog Press imprint was Footsteps Still Whispering in the Wind, a collection of poems written by Chickasaw elder Margie Testerman and illustrated by 18 young Chickasaw artists. The book debuted last year. This year, besides Chickasaw Journeys, Barnes said, Chickasaw Press senior staff writer Phillip Carroll Morgan has produced a can’t-put-it-down, page- turner of a historical fiction novel set 140 years before the first documented encounter between Chickasaws and Europeans. Morgan’s novel is scheduled for release in the fall. Other adventures await Chickasaw Press, such as a new website complete with an online store. In the past, book buyers either wrote the Press and requested books, or picked up copies where available. One also could go to the Press’s website, but when it came time to buy a book, patrons were redirected to the University of Oklahoma Press’s e-commerce site. The Press also looks forward to April and May, the awards season for books. Chickasaw Press has earned 16 awards for the 25 books it has published, and has entered titles in several competitions this year. Chickasaw Press opens alternative outlet the rights to the gambling but hires private developers to build and operate each casino, with the state claiming a share of the revenues. Only one company initially showed an interest in a southeast Kansas casino: Penn National Gaming Inc., of Wyomissing, Pa. However, it walked away from its 2008 contract with the lottery, citing competition from a casino opened by the Quapaw Tribe of northeast Oklahoma. The casino sits so close to the state line that its parking lot is in Kansas. The Great Recession also dampened interest in a casino, and local officials and legislators have said the investment and fee required by law are too high. Meanwhile, state-owned casinos opened south of Wichita and in Dodge City and Kansas City, heightening the frustrations of southeast Kansas officials who for years were among the most vocal supporters of expanded legalized gambling. But during Wednesday’s brief House debate on the bill, one southeast Kansas lawmaker, Rep. Virgil Peck, a conservative Tyro Republican, was skeptical that developers would be interested in competing against multiple tribal casinos in Oklahoma, even with the lower investment requirement. He also said a new casino would hurt local businesses and increase the number of people with gambling addictions. “If we want to increase social costs in southeast Kansas, you should vote for this,†Peck said. –––– Information on pro-casino bill: http://bit.ly/1mtVLcT Kansas Legislature: http://www. kslegislature.org CASINO Continued from Page 1 Currently Providing Recycling Services to: TAHLEQUAH and MUSKOGEE | NAtIve AmeRIcAN tImes | APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2014 | 7 FILE PHOTO Edmond Harjo holds his Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington on November 20, 2013. Dance of the Two Moons fundraiser helps children become tomorrow’s leaders By EMILY BOLUSKY TULSA, Okla. – The 2014 Dance of the Two Moons will take you back to the glitz and glamor of Vintage Hollywood. This year’s gala will be held Saturday, April 26, at the spectacular Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, located at 777 W. Cherokee St., Catoosa, OK. The 2014 Dance of the Two Moons will feature an extraordinary dinner, silent auction and a live auction. We are also pleased to bring the musical talents of The Rebecca Ungerman Combo. The live auction will feature a stunning original painting by the late Bill Rabbit, a case of Switzer Family Wine signed by Barry Switzer, a suite at Drillers Stadium, a seaplane tour for 2 of Grand Lake, dinner for 10 at Juniper, a private wine tasting for 12 at Parkhill South, jewelry and much more! The Honorary Chairs of the 2014 Dance of the Two Moons are Jim and Sharon Ruley. Jim and Sharon Ruley are owners of their independent insurance firm. Their philosophy is giving back to the community and have been avid supporters of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc. and numerous other local agencies. Jim currently presides on the Tulsa Boys Home Board of Directors and both Jim and Sharon are actively involved with Emergency Infant Services, Life Senior Services, Meals on Wheels, Saint Francis Hospital, St. John’s Medical Center. The monies raised by Dance of the Two Moons will fund a multi-faceted summer wellness camps that provides extraordinary experiences for more than 300 elementary and middle school youth each year. Youth learn healthy lifestyles as well as life, leadership, and team building skills through fun and exciting activities designed with them in mind. Field trips to Tribal Nations offer urban youth the opportunity to experience firsthand the traditions of their rich Native American culture. These leaders of the future depend on Indian Health Care Resource Center to provide opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them. This year, Indian Health Care Resource Center is honored to recognize Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma as its inaugural “Circle of Life Community Partner.†This new recognition is awarded to individuals, foundations, and corporations who have continually and consistently been a part of the Center’s “Caring is Strong Medicine Team.†Members of the Circle of Life have given at the highest level and have been an integral partner in ensuring quality care for the almost 20,000 Indian people served each year by Indian Health Care Resource Center. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is the first corporation to be a member of the Circle of Life. The company’s generous spirit and genuine concern for the Native community of Oklahoma are evident in its partnership with Indian Health Care Resource Center. Tickets to the Dance of the Two Moons are $125 each or $225 per couple. Sponsorship levels are available ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. For more information about the Dance of the Two Moons or to purchase a sponsorship or tickets, please contact Emily Bolusky at 918-382-1206 or email at twomoons@ihcrc.org. DANA ATTOCKNIE Native Times SEMINOLE, Okla. – Everyone rises as the first note of a Seminole hymn fills the chapel. Soon after, an American flag is gently rolled back to the middle of the casket, so the top can be opened and a hero revealed. Friends and family have gathered to pay respect and say their final goodbye to Edmond Andrew Harjo, 96, who died on March 31, at Mercy Hospital of Ada. Harjo was the last surviving Code Talker for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. His funeral was held on April 4, at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, and he was laid to rest at the Seminole Nation Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Seminole. Yellow, red, pink and purple sprays of flowers flanked each side of Harjo, and a video screen in the middle of the chapel allowed everyone in the filled pews to watch a portion of the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony that took place on Nov. 20, 2013 in Washington, D.C. The ceremony honored Code Talkers from 33 tribes. Harjo attended the ceremony and was recognized for his dedication and valor as a World War II Code Talker. He was the only living Code Talker to attend. During the video, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Harjo and his brothers were at Normandy and Iwo Jima, and they mobilized the simplest weapon, which was language. The video shown during his funeral also showcased Harjo sitting in front of a memorial water fountain in his wheelchair and telling of the time he served in the Army as a private first class. He recalled some of his time in Germany and described what he saw and the villages he traveled through. The unit he served with was Battery “A†195th Field Artillery Battalion. He received a Good Conduct Medal, and a European-African- Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign service Ribbon with one Silver Service Star for his service as a Code Talker. The Seminole Nation is the recipient of the gold medal for his service. “Edmond Andrew and his brother were conversing in their first language with each other and they were overheard by their commander,†the Rev. Dr. Eugene Wilson, said during Harjo’s service. “The language was used as military code, not just to enable war but … sustain peace.†Rick Harjo said another solider caught Harjo’s attention when he overheard the soldier singing in their Native language. That encounter eventually led to their service as Code Talkers. A picture of Harjo in front of the U.S. Capitol remained on the video screen throughout the service, while shared memories of him ignited smiles, shared laughter eased the heartache, and shared song provided comfort. “He’d sit there and tickle that ivory ... It was beautiful, very beautiful,†Rick Harjo recalled. “I enjoyed listening to him play the piano and how he played Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.†Harjo also played the piano in some gospel quartets and at the nutrition center in Maud. He studied composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Pyotr Iiyich Tchaikovsky. “Andrew said often that his first love was music and the piano,†Rick Harjo said. Harjo was born on Nov. 24, 1917, on the original allotted land in Maud that belonged to his mother, the late Yanna (Grant) Harjo. His father is the late Tony Harjo. Harjo graduated from Seminole High School and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Oklahoma City University. He became a school teacher and taught at Maud Schools, at Justice Schools and at Pickett Center. He was also well versed on the Seminole Trail of Tears, and has been heard saying, “Speak your language, you may lose it.†Not long before his uncle died, Rick Harjo said a language lesson was shared between them. They were exchanging what came to be some of their last words together when Harjo hushed his nephew from speaking by saying “Shhh.†Harjo and his nephew were speaking in their Native tongue when Rick began to translate their conversation to his family. Harjo said he didn’t want to hear the translation and reminded his nephew that when they speak their Native language to each other, its true intent is delivered. But, once words are translated the truth isn’t told; it’s contaminated and the strength in the words is lost. Rick Harjo then shared the last moments he had with his uncle, and choked up when he recalled one of his uncle’s favorite songs, “The Little Church in the Wildwood.†That song was sung to Harjo for the last time during his service. Last living Seminole Code Talker walks on, loved ones pay respects, honor hero 8 | APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2014 | NAtIve AmeRIcAN tImes | *Email your powwow or other event info to: powwow@nativetimes.com. Name, date, time, place and contact information is free. EVERY WEDNESDAY Kiowa Class - through April 23, 2014, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Room 302, Oliphant Hall, Tulsa University (1 block north of stadium). Instructor: Leon Hawzipta, Jr. (918) 440-0337; e-mail: leonhawzipta@yahoo.com THIRd THURsdAy American Indian Chamber of Commerce Tulsa Chapter luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Tulsa Country Club, 707 N Union. For reservation or more info email Traci Phillips, tphillips@ naturalevolution.com EVERy 1st FRIdAy: Indian Taco sales – from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Angie smith Memorial UMC, 400 s. W. 31st street, Oklahoma City EVERY 2nd sATURdAy Indian Taco sales - from 11-2:30pm at OK Choctaw Tribal Alliance, 5320 s. youngs Blvd, Oklahoma City www.okchoctaws.org EVERy 3rd sATURdAy: All you can Eat Breakfast sALE – from 8- to 11:00 am at Angie smith Memorial UMC, 400 s.W. 31st street, OKC yOUTH COUNCIL The Native Nations youth Council (NNyC) bimonthly meetings from 6:30pm - 8:30pm @ the youth services of Tulsa Activity Center (311 s. Madison - on 3rd just west of Peoria). Call to confirm location. Info Call: Trenton Rabbit/918.382.2219 THROUGH AUGUsT 31, 2014 Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center presents Comanche Code of Honor, a new exhibit honoring the heroic Comanche Code Talkers of World War II. For more information call 580- 353-0404 or go to www. comanchemuseum.com. *The American Indian Exposition Osage director is announcing the 2014 Osage Princess Applications are available for girls ages 16-24 interested in applying. The voting will be held at the Osage Tribal Princess sorority dance, the date & location has not been confirmed. In order to vote, your Osage CdIB card or Membership card is required. For applications, it is on the Osage Nation News website or contact Angela satepauhoodle Toineeta #918.885.2976. APRIL 12 Benefit Powwow for United Indian Methodist Church, Apache, Okla., at the Comanche Community Center. Gourd dancing at 2pm, social and War dancing starts at 7pm. Memorial service and Family Gathering for Paul Travis Rhodes at 12 pm, Glenpool Creek Indian Community Center 13839 south Casper North of intersection Highway 75 and 141st Meal will be served following service. Gourd dance 2 - 4 pm stomp dance 4 – 5:30 pm supper served 5:30 – 6:30 pm Gourd dance 6:30 – 7:30 pm War dance 8 – ? pm Contests for Men and Women 18 and older Crowning of White Buffalocalf Princess. Contacts: 918-606-1447 and 918-760-3039 APRIL 13 UCO Contest Powwow Hamilton Fieldhouse Edmond, Okla. Gourd dancing at 2 p.m., Grand Entry at 7 p.m. APRIL 19 sapulpa Public schools NAsA contest powwow at sapulpa High school gym, 3 s. Mission street, sapulpa. Gourd dancing at 3, grand entry at 6:30 APRIL 19 80th Birthday Honor dance for dr. Henrietta Mann, sWOsU Wellness Center, Weatherford, Okla. Gourd dancing begins at 2:30pm. Contest Powwow! More info call 580-774-3742. APRIL 25-27 United Cherokee 16th Annual Festival and Native American Powwow, 9:00AM ‘til 5:00PM at 3550 Creek Path Road, Guntersville, Alabama 35976 Contact: (256) 582-2333 or ucanonline@bellsouth.net MAY 3 Restoring Harmony Powwow at Westside yMCA, 5400 s. Olympia, Tulsa. dance contests, stickball games, awareness hike, Gourd dancing. Grand Entry at 7pm. More info call 918-382-2217. Vendor info call 918-382-2219. MAy 17 Old Fashioned Cherokee Picnic and Traditional Games at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oolagah – gate opens at 10 am. Hogfry, games, children’s activities and more. Information call Ollie starr at 918-760-7499. JUNE 6-8, 2014 Chilocco Indian school Class of 1964 50th year Reunion - The Chilocco Indian school class of 1964 will be celebrating their 50th year reunion at the annual June 2014 Chilocco reunion. For contact and planning purposes, the 1964 Chilocco graduates are requested to contact Charley Johnson, Jr., P.O. Box 531, Bixby, OK 74008 - Telephone No. (918) 366-6158, e-mail address is johnson6158@olp.net or Lucian (Jake) Larney, 524 s. 2nd st., Okemah, OK 74859, telephone No. (405) 401- 8881, e-mail jake74868@ hotmail.com. JULy 3-6 68th Annual Pawnee Homecoming. Parade at Noon July 5, 2014. Hawk Chief Run 8am July 5, 2014. For more events, download a FREE copy of the 2014 Powwow Guide from www. nativeoklahoma.us or look for the link on www. nativetimes.com Events t t t t t t t
