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The Turtle Speaks Gyah’-Wish Atak-iaA Wyandotte Nation Publication Volume 24, Issue 4 www.wyandotte-nation.org November 2020 Still plays with dolls Page 4-5 Gyah’-wish Atak-ia is published quarterly for Tribal Citizens by the Wyandotte Nation at its Inside: headquarters in Wyandotte, Okla. • Board approves 2nd Round of COVID-19 The Wyandotte Nation (918) 678-2297 Relief Payments, APPLY NOW! Page 6 64700 E Hwy 60 (800) 256-2539 • Ingram earns 'Trainer of the Year' honor Wyandotte, OK 74370 Fax (918) 678-2944 (C) Copyright 2020. All information, photographs, and other materials are copyrighted, and may not be reproduced without prior written consent of the Wyandotte Nation. Page 2 Wyandotte Nation / Gyah'-wish Atak-ia November 2020 Board of Directors From the Chief Billy Friend Chief .......................................Billy Friend Second Chief ....Norman Hildebrand, Jr. Councilperson ................... Ramona Reid Councilperson ....................... Vivian Fink Councilperson ........ Juanita McQuistion State of the Nation Councilperson ......................Eric Lofland (State of the Nation address given at other entities. As a part of the com- that have plagued our people. Today the Annual Meeting) munity, we believe that is essential to Bearskin Fitness Center is one of the So today is a great day to be Wy- work together to address challenges. premier fitness centers in the area. We andotte, but I think that we can also Our commitment to build community continue to look for opportunities to ex- Content say that every day is a great day to be and partnerships with our neighbors pand the reach of our health programs. Wyandotte. We are a nation of people makes our nation strong. We have As you can see, the state of our nation Calendar ................................................. 3 who have helped shape the history worked hard to be good neighbors. We is strong because our people continue of this country. We have persevered continue to partner with our com- to become stronger and healthier. FEATURE: Still plays with dolls ...... 4-5 through times of great adversity and munity to provide vital resources and Our nation is also strong because the Trainer of the Year ................................. 6 enjoyed times of great success. Over infrastructure that benefit all Oklaho- Wyandotte Nation continues to respect COVID-19 Relief ................................... 6 the years we have focused on our tribal mans. The Wyandotte Nation Police and treasure our elders. We continue Summer youth at cultural center ......... 6 Sovereignty because it is crucial to Department have been a longstanding to build more elder duplexes and Tribal Department Reports ............ 7-12 our identity as a nation of people who partner with local and state organiza- expand and enhance our elder service Important Numbers ............................11 have the right to govern themselves. tions striving to keep our communities programs. This next year will begin a Wyandottes have been sovereign since safe. To date, we have established meal delivery service within a 10- time immemorial. While our form of cross deputation agreements allowing mile radius of Wyandotte and hope to government has changed over the us to partner with city, county, state expand it over the next several years. years, our sovereignty always remains. and federal law enforcement agencies, We are also looking at the opportu- Editor/Design: William Swaim We understand that the power of our maximizing our shared resources to nity of adding a Community Health nation resides in our people. Many of protect and serve communities. Representative to help with pharmacy Cover Photo: our past leaders worked tirelessly to As our businesses have prospered, deliveries and to check on the well- Corn husk dolls reestablish our government. Those we have been able to invest in new op- being of our tribal elders. created by Julie before us understood that sovereignty portunities and diversify our portfolio. Strong homes and even stronger Wills West is foundational to our government that This economic success has enabled families make our nation strong. A Photo by the core purpose of our government is us to expand existing programs and safe and quality home is important to William Swaim to secure those rights given to each of services and develop new ones. These a family’s individual health and their us by the Creator. We are a great na- programs and services have helped wellness, as well as a key contributor tion. We honor our agreements and we hundreds of Wyandottes to achieve toward financial stability. Housing live by our word. We expect others to their own dreams. Today, the Wy- programs and services have helped do the same. It is our duty and respon- andotte Nation -our nation - is the many Wyandottes gain the benefits sibility to protect our sovereignty, and strongest it has ever been. of homeownership. We have assisted Contact Us we will do so with diligence and with Our nation is strong because we many Wyandottes to secure new storm resolve to be steadfast in our defense of invest in people. The revenue gener- shelters, down payment assistance, Submit a story idea or your latest news our nation and our rights. Our nation ated from tribal businesses is used to and wells and septic systems over the and photos. To submit, email William has made tremendous progress in a offer more programs and services to past several years. We will continue Swaim at [email protected] or call relatively short period of time. the Wyandotte people. We continue to searching for better and innovative (918) 932-4778. We, as Wyandottes, are part of add to that list. We are always looking solutions to help meet the housing our great nation no matter where we at the programs that we have to make needs of Wyandotte families. Have News? live. A nation is sometimes defined sure they are working well and if we Our nation is strong because we Share it by a constitution, a set of laws and a need to change, we make a change to know who we are and continue to keep government. This is also true of the those programs. our culture, language and traditions We want to hear from you! Send us Wyandotte Nation. The Wyandotte Educationally, this past year we alive. The Wyandotte Nation is strong news or stories you may have or suggest Constitution outlines the structure, have invested $900,000 in scholarships because the Wyandotte people are features for us to work on. duties and powers of our government. and other forms of financial support to strong. Many years ago, our people Email: [email protected] And yet there is more to our nation our Wyandotte students. This com- came together, we came together than its constitution and its govern- mitment to future generations is what and collectively dreamt of a stronger ment. At the heart of our nation is makes our nation strong. nation. A nation with self-governance our people - the Wyandotte people - a Our nation is strong because the and self-determination, a nation people who share a common heritage, a Wyandotte Nation is committed to the with financial stability and economic culture and traditions. health and well-being of its people. prosperity, a nation that provides Wyandotte culture and values help Recent remodeling and future expan- opportunities for its people to achieve shape our vision for the future. We sion of our pharmacy and the addition their dreams. Year after year, we are www.youtube.com/WyandotteNation have made great progress toward of physical therapy services at the fulfilling our vision. The Wyandotte fulfilling our vision to be a nation of Bearskin Healthcare and Wellness Nation is positioned to do even more. successful and united people with a Center are allowing us to serve even We are strong, because our people are strong cultural identity. We exercise more patients. This year, we celebrated strong. Regardless of the challenges self-determination and sovereignty to the 22nd anniversary of our Health we face, we will push forward toward offer opportunities for our people to Center. The Wyandotte Nation was together. I want you to know that the learn and grow and achieve individual one of the first tribes in the state of state of the Wyandotte Nation is strong success. We also develop essential Oklahoma to build a Wellness Center and getting stronger. Thank you, and www.facebook.com/WyandotteNation partnerships with state and local to promote preventative measures God bless you and may God continue to governments, businesses, schools and to offset many of the health issues bless the Wyandotte Nation. November 2020 www.wyandotte-nation.org Page 3 From the Second Chief Norman Hildebrand, Jr. Get out and vote, fill out your census Kweh Omateru Hello Tribal Citizens needless to “All power in human hands is liable to be abused.” say this has been a very trying year -- Sarah Bernhardt that has affected everyone’s life in told me, “persons brought back to life, some form or fashion. However, the who have reported it.” Thus it is the Wyandotte people are resilient and are devil deceives them in their dreams; certainly not strangers to hardships as out and make a difference. I’m not shamans who specialized in out-of- thus he speaks by the mouth of some, we have endured many throughout our going to tell you how to vote but all I body trances would frequent it. I also who having been left as dead, recover history and survived everything that ask is that you do your research on the would speculate that propitiatory health, and talk at random of the other was thrown at us. We will definitely candidates and see what their plan offerings were left there and sacred life, according to the ideas that this survive this pandemic and come out is for Indian Country and then make rituals conducted, because there were wretched master gives them.