Poarch Creek News February 2016
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Cokv-Tvlvme/Newspaper (joh-guh duh-luh-mee) Poarch Creek News February 2016 Volume 34, Issue 2 Hotvlē Hvse (February) Keeping the friends & family of Poarch informed A Moment With The Tribal Chair February 2016 Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair [email protected] Our elder population represents only in the accomplishments of Attendees say the wedding a precious group of individuals her family and grandchildren, ceremony, which took place at that are vital to the history, legacy, but also in the families and a lake, was a beautiful event. As and future of the Poarch Band individuals of those she knew. is customary at most weddings, of Creek Indians. Currently, our the matriarchs of the families In the weeks leading up to her Tribe has about 570 individuals were escorted down the aisle death, Sister Ruthie Mae was that are 65 years of age or older. to their designated seats. Those excited about attending an Each of these elders has a story present recall that, just at the upcoming wedding, and had to share with you if you are moment when Sister Ruthie even ordered a beautiful blue willing to take the time to sit Mae would have been escorted dress for the occasion. Although and listen to them. I encourage down the aisle to be seated she wasn’t able to physically you all to dedicate time this year in her designated place as the attend the wedding and wear to visit with our elders and learn grandmother, a swan fluttered her beautiful dress, members of all you can from them. They offer by and caught the attention of her family believe that she was so much wisdom and perspective the crowd. present just the same. to us that is truly priceless. This month, I am honored to share a beautiful story (as told to me by her children) about a loving elder who truly touched the hearts of many: “Sister” Ruthie Mae Rackard (February 27, 1920 – September 18, 2014). Born on February 27, 1920, Sister Ruthie Mae was known as a Godly woman who loved her people and her Tribe very much. She took great pride not 2 Hokkolen Poarch Creek News While it may not have meant children knew that their Mama touches your heart as it touched much to some there, Sister had not gone far from them, and mine. And, may it serve as a Ruthie Mae’s children knew that she still watched over them. reminder for us to take joy in that their Mama had made it to the small things and cherish the Death and grief are difficult the wedding that she had been moments we have with our loved things to overcome and accept, so excited to attend after all. ones while they are still with us. and it’s a different experience for As time passed, the children each person. However, we can As always, may God continue to decided to get together for the often find comfort by recalling bless you and the Poarch Band first Mother’s Day that they the happy memories that we’ve of Creek Indians. would spend without Sister shared with our loved ones. In love, Ruthie Mae. A few days before And sometimes, comfort can their get together, several of be found in the appearance of Stephanie A. Bryan, the children noticed none an unexpected guest, such as a Tribal Chair/CEO other than a beautiful swan swan. I will not leave you comfortless... swimming around in a pond I want to thank the family of John 14:18 just a short distance from her Sister Ruthie Mae for sharing house. Amongst themselves, the this story with me. I hope it Ask About The Native American Indian Program (184 Program)* - No minimum credit score requirement - 2.25% down payment - Low monthly MI insurance - One time construction loan available - Primary Residence Only 251-965-5315 www.unitedbank.com/mortgage *All loans subject to credit approval, verification and collateral evaluation. 184 Program is only offered to members on active tribal roll and in designated geographic areas. See a United Bank representative for complete details. United Bank NMLS# 494759 February (Hotvlē-Hvse) 2016 3 Tuccēnen 5 Submissions Guidelines Note From Editor > 6 There Inare 3054 This enrolled membersIssue of the 2016 Word Limits & Deadlines Poarch Band of Creek Indians. 8 2015-2016 Tribal Council 10 Congressional Update 27 Birth Announcements 28 Wedding Announcement 29 Deep Appreciation and Thanks 30 Tribal Member Submissions 31-34 Community Services Division • Cultural • My PCI Wellness 35 Facilities Division A MOMENT WITH 2 9 TRIBAL COUNCIL THE TRIBAL CHAIR UPDATE Health & Elder Services Division • Assisted Living Facility 36-38 • Health Department Public Safety Division 39-43 • Tribal Court • Tribal Emergency Management Regulatory, Grants, & Compliance 44 Division Tribal Member Services Division 45-47 ON THE COVER WISHES DO • Family Services 12 15 CREEK TRAVEL PLAZA COME TRUE Non-Divisional Departments • Human Resources • Legal Department 48-52 • Office of Archives & Records Management • Tribal Enrollment • Tribal Utilities Authority 53-57 CIEDA News & Updates 58 NRCS News & Updates 60 Monthly Calendar AN EDUCATION VETERANS SALUTE SUCCESS STORY JACK COLBERT 16 18 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4: 31-32 4 Osten Poarch Creek News SUBMISSION GUIDELINES • Submission Criteria • In Memoriam: Tribal Member submissions Published month before, the for publication in the Poarch month of, or the month after the Creek News are limited to birthday of the deceased or the Tribal Members & spouse, first anniversary of the death of the generation, as submitted by deceased. Photos will be cropped to Tribal Member, and those living reflect deceased only. Limit one In in Tribal Member households Memoriam submission per deceased unless exception is noted. When individual per issue. BIRTHDAY 20 submitting information, please WISHES identify the person featured as a • Birth Announcements: Tribal Member, Tribal Member Submit information by the spouse, first generation descendant, last business day of the month or individual living in a Tribal immediately following the birth. Member household. A Tribal Member may submit the birth announcement of their • Copyright Materials grandchild, even if the child is not Copyrighted poems, graphics, first generation. etc. will not be published without permission from copyright • Engagement/Wedding holder. It is the responsibility Announcements: of the individual submitting Submit information by the OBITUARY- 28 the information to determine last business day of the month IN MEMORIAM if material is copyrighted and immediately following the to obtain applicable copyright engagement/wedding. license. • Photo Submissions: • Birthday & Anniversary Wishes: One per article submission; May be published the month photos will be cropped to fit before, the month of, or the month available space. High resolution after, the birthday/anniversary. .jpg or PDF format. Poor quality/ inappropriate photos will not be • Obituaries: published. Submit information by the last business day of the second month • Corrections: Corrections will occur only if immediately following the death. DEPARTMENTAL 31 Photos will be cropped to reflect error/misprint is made by Poarch INFORMATION deceased only. Creek News. In order for annual Tribal Member distributions and benefits to be processed accurately, Tribal Member Benefits must be informed of any changes you may have to your address, phone number, banking information, and/or other personal information. Numerous newsletters and other Tribal correspondences have been returned by the Post Office marked ‘undeliverable as addressed’, ‘insufficient address’, ‘unable to forward’, etc. Contact Tribal Member Benefits CIEDA/ 53 at (251) 368-9136 x 2209 if you need to update your information. NRCS UPDATES February (Hotvlē-Hvse) 2016 5 Cahkepen All questions or concerns about the Poarch A NOTE FROM OUR Creek News should be addressed to: Gayle Johnson, Editor Poarch Creek News EDITOR 5811 Jack Springs Road Atmore, AL 36502 The Poarch Creek News is the official newsletter of the Poarch Band of [email protected] Creek Indians and is published by the (251) 368-9136 x 2210 Government Relations Department at Direct Dial # 251 446-5210 the direction/discretion of the Tribal Council. Regular Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Poarch Creek News is not the forum where individuals/groups can submit their The Poarch Creek News office is located in views regarding matters of operations Building 400 of the Tribal Complex. of Tribal Government or any decisions or policies enacted by Tribal Council, The Poarch Creek News reserves the right Authorities and/or Boards. Nor is it the to edit or refuse any item submitted for vehicle to submit policies issues/concerns publication. of individuals/groups. 2016 WORD LIMITS DEADLINES Birthday 40 words or less Poarch Creek News is generated one month prior to month of publication. Anniversary 50 words or less Submission Deadline: 5th of the Engagement 50 words or less month prior to the month of publication. Reunions 50 words or less If 5th falls on weekend or holiday, TM Submissions 100 words or less the deadline is extended to the next business day. Birth/Wedding 200 words or less Keep the established deadline in Graduation 200 words or less mind when submitting information for all sections of the newsletter. Achievements 200 words or less Please submit information as soon In Memoriam 250 words or less as possible, delay may cause you to miss the established deadline. Obituary 250 words or less News Article 400 words or less 6 Ēpaken Poarch Creek News February (Hotvlē-Hvse) 2016 7 Kolvpaken Y OUR 2015-2016 TRIBAL C OUNCIL Stephanie A.