July 1, 2019 -Vol

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In Rosemarya Stephenssea of RED they march Editor-in-Chief With signs held high above their heads, photos of (CONCHO, OK) Speak her name. Sonia Bernadette Lente. Emily Sue Zanne Morgan. Shan- their mothers, their daughters, their sisters, their non Kay Tahlo. Regina Marie Curtis. Leah Rochelle Mahseet. grandmothers, and their aunts are pictured along Ida Joann Beard. Britney Michele Tiger. And the names continue … with their names … all missing or murdered Indig- Marching to bring awareness to the epidemic spreading across the nation, the Cheyenne and Arapa- enous women (MMIW). ho Tribes Dept. of Social Services hosted a MMIW March on June 14, bringing families and communities together to stand as one and begin the healing process. “Today we wanted to bring awareness to a big issue that is im- pacting Indigenous communities and specifically Indigenous women, but also to honor those families who have lost loved ones. It will be a very powerful day but also a day of healing,” Kateri Fletcher, Chey- enne and Arapaho Tribes’ Dept. of Social Services executive director said. Sometimes being referred to as the ‘silent crisis,’ marches, such as the one hosted by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are taking place across the country in an effort to take the word ‘silence’ out of the dialogue and bring national attention to the alarming numbers of Indigenous women, girls, boys and men continuing to disappear. One lawmaker stated, ‘As a nation we face a crisis, regardless of which number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is cited, the number is too great. The continuing murders, dis- appearances and violence prove that this crisis has escalated to a national emergency that calls for timely and effective responses.” “It is my honor to welcome you here today for this important event. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is an epidemic that is sweeping across our nation, stealing our grandmothers, mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces and aunts. Eighty-four percent of Native women have experienced violence in their lifetimes. And on some reservations Native women are murdered at a rate of 10 times the national average. Those are the statistics. We hear them. We see them. But when it happens to your family, we feel them,” Fletcher, addressing the audience, said. “To the families here who have a missing or murdered loved one. Thank you for being here and for keeping their memory alive. I encourage you to keep telling your stories, because we know as Native people storytelling is healing. Keep speaking her name so that she will not be forgotten. Keep fighting for answers, and most of all keep praying.” MMIW MARCH / pg. 5 Photos / Rosemary Stephens PAGE 2 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes change domain name to reflect sovereign government Rosemary Stephens fairs without interference. Editor-in-Chief Indian tribes are sovereign entities. Tribal (CONCHO, OK) On sovereignty is not grant- July 5, 2019 the Cheyenne ed to tribes by the United and Arapaho Tribe will States, but rather reserved launch their new domain as inherent in their status name, cheyenneandarapa- as governments predat- ho-nsn.gov. ing the formation of the The tribe has operated United States. The fact under the .org domain for that the colonizing nations years, however being a and, subsequently the U.S. sovereign Tribal Nation, government entered into not an organization or a treaties with the tribes sup- commercial entity, chang- ports this view. ing the domain to .gov According to the Bu- reflects the sovereign gov- reau of Indian Affairs ernment of the Cheyenne (BIA) Website, the Dept. and Arapaho Tribe. of the Interior, Assistant “I felt we were not a Secretary-Indian Affairs .org, organization, but two office and the General Ser- Tribal Nations and as such vice Agency (GSA) col- we need to act like a sov- laborated on the Presiden- ereign Tribal Nation and tial eGovernment initiative be represented on the Web, which allows federally Social Media and other recognized Indian tribes media outlets as a sover- the opportunity to create eign Tribal Nation,” Chey- domain names recognized enne and Arapaho Tribe’s as a government entity on Gov. Reggie Wassana said. the World Wide Web. Switching from the eGovernment allows .org to a .gov Website and federally recognized tribes email domain will allow to utilize this unique ser- the tribes to be recognized vice which can transform throughout the world as an their business technologies official government entity. by expanding their Internet This will expand the tribes’ profile, convey helpful in- Internet profile while -get formation to specific users, ting the federal seal and and incorporate a social approval and inherent le- media element to share gitimacy and credibility and connect with the tribe that comes with it. or other intended audience. “We (the tribes) have Beginning July 5, when been in the infancy stage emailing employees of the and we need to grow, ex- Cheyenne and Arapaho pand, set our own pace and Tribes, the new suffix will continue to make good de- be @cheyenneandarapa- cisions for our Tribal Na- ho-nsn.gov, and to access tion as whole,” Wassana the Website use http:// said. cheyenneandarapaho-nsn. A sovereign entity is gov. one that is independent For questions contact from all other authority, re- the Office of the Gover- taining the right and power nor’s Communication Of- to regulate its internal af- fice at 405-422-7928. Librarian of Congress names Joy Harjo the Nation’s 23rd Poet Laureate Harjo is the first Native American to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced the appointment of Joy Harjo as the nation’s 23rd Poet Laureate Consul- tant in Poetry for 2019-2020. Harjo will take up her duties in the fall, opening the Li- brary’s annual literary season on Sept. 19 with a reading of her work in the Coolidge Au- ditorium. Harjo is the first Native American poet to serve in the position, she is a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Na- tion. She succeeds Tracy K. Smith, who served two terms as laureate. “Joy Harjo has champi- oned the art of poetry, ‘soul talk’ as she calls it, for over four decades,” Hayden said. “To her, poems are ‘carriers of dreams, knowledge and wisdom,’ and through them she tells an American story of tradition and loss, reck- oning and myth-making. Her work powerfully connects us Rosemary Stephens, Editor-in-Chief to the earth and the spiritual 405-422-7446 / [email protected] world with direct, inventive lyricism that helps us re- imagine who we are.” or it is to be named the U.S. are powerful and can make Harjo currently lives in Poet Laureate,” Harjo said. change when understanding her hometown of Tulsa, “I share this honor with an- appears impossible, and how Oklahoma, and is the na- cestors and teachers who time and timelessness can tion’s first Poet Laureate inspired in me a love of po- live together within a poem. I from Oklahoma. etry, who taught that words count among these ancestors “What a tremendous hon- POET LAUREATE / pg. 7 Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 3 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes awarded ICDB grant for youth shelter expansion, announces purchase of Clinton VFW building Rosemary Stephens two projects submitted to HUD has in Clinton, Okla. Editor-in-Chief been awarded,” Cheyenne and Arapaho The tribes’ won the bid for the Clin- Tribes Gov. Reggie Wassana stated in ton VFW property and are currently (CONCHO, OK) On June 19, the the press release. “It is a testament to discussing several proposals for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Gover- our staff’s hard work and strong func- building’s use, with two proposals be- nor’s office issued a press release- an tioning administration.” ing a bingo hall and satellite offices. nouncing the tribes have been awarded Established in 1977, the ICDBG “We are excited that we have suc- a $400K Indian Community Develop- Program supports a broad range of cessfully bid on the Clinton VFW prop- ment Block Grant (ICDG) from the housing and community development erty,” Wassana stated. “The tribes have U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban De- activities including: options to produce economic develop- velopment (HUD). Housing rehabilitation and land ac- ment along with helping other tribal According to the press release, $63 quisition to support new housing con- programs who could use the space and million was distributed to 85 Native struction, and under limited circum- we are always looking at other oppor- American communities across the stances, new housing construction. tunities to progress the tribe and local country. Infrastructure construction, e.g., communities to a level of success that The maximum amount for the grant roads, water and sewer facilities, and benefits all.” was $800,000 per tribe. Only 85 out single- or multi-purpose community Nathan Hart, Cheyenne and Arapa- of 573 tribes nationwide received the buildings. ho Tribes Dept. of Business executive grant. Seventeen out of 39 tribes in Wide variety of commercial, indus- director, represented the tribe during Oklahoma were awarded this grant. trial, agricultural projects, which may the bidding process. The tribes’ submitted two applica- be recipient owned and operated or “We were high bid so we will get the tions at $400,000 each for a veteran’s which may be owned and/or operated VFW building, but that sounds boring office and expansion of the tribes’ youth by a third party. so I tell people we bought a tank and shelter and was awarded the grant for Another announcement made by a building came with,” Hart jokingly the youth shelter expansion. Wassana in the press release was the stated in email sent to the Tribal Tri- “We are proud the tribes’ one of purchase of the VFW building located bune. Oklahoma Supreme Court gives Medicaid expansion state question green light to move forward Court’s decision clears the way for Oklahomans to begin collecting signatures later this summer to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot. OKLAHOMA CITY Democrats in the Legisla- of Oklahoma’s population ily of three. Estimates vary (AP) Oklahoma’s highest ture, who say the expansion was uninsured in 2017, as to how many Oklaho- court on Tuesday rejected a will infuse close to $1 bil- giving the state the sec- mans would qualify under legal effort to block a plan lion in federal funding into ond-highest rate in the na- Medicaid expansion, but a for a public vote on wheth- the state’s health care sys- tion, behind only Texas, ac- 2016 study commissioned er to expand Medicaid to tem each year, helping pro- cording to the most recent by the Oklahoma Hospi- tens of thousands of poor vide medical coverage to figures from Kaiser Family tal Association projected residents. low-income Oklahomans Foundation, a nonpartisan about 272,000 Oklahomans Just hours after hear- who don’t receive health health policy research or- would qualify in the first ing oral arguments in the insurance through work or ganization. Nationally, the year. case, the Oklahoma Su- who can’t afford it. uninsured rate is about 10 preme Court rejected the Opponents, including percent, about 7.6 percent challenge spearheaded by Gov. Kevin Stitt and most in expansion states and a conservative think-tank Republicans, say the cost 14.3 percent in non-expan- that has long opposed to to the state, even with a sion states. making the federally fund- 9-to-1 federal match, is a What about Medicaid in ed health insurance pro- significant investment and Oklahoma? gram available to more raised concerns about what About 786,000 Okla- people. will happen if the state’s homans, or 20 percent, The court’s decision share must increase in fu- currently are enrolled in authorized supporters to ture years. Republican pol- Medicaid, and more than proceed with gathering the iticians in Oklahoma also two-thirds of those enrolled nearly 178,000 signatures have spent nearly a decade in the program are children. they will need to get the on the campaign stump de- Children in Oklahoma can question on the ballot. The monizing the Affordable qualify for Medicaid if the plan was challenged by the Care Act, former President annual household income Oklahoma Council of Pub- Barack Obama’s signature is about $35,500 per year lic Affairs, which argued policy victory. for a family of two. Preg- that the proposed ballot Travis Jett, the attorney nant women also can qual- language doesn’t accurate- for the Oklahoma Council ify if their household in- ly describe what the mea- of Public Affairs, on Tues- come doesn’t exceed about sure does. day urged justices to dis- $22,500 for a family of two. If approved by voters, qualify the proposal , say- Able-bodied adults without State Question 802 would ing it was inaccurate and children do not qualify for bring more than a billion could perpetrate deceit and Medicaid in Oklahoma, re- dollars back to Oklahoma fraud. gardless of income. every year from Washing- An attorney for sup- What about Medicaid ton, D.C., to expand Med- porters, Melanie Rughani, expansion? icaid, save our rural hos- argued that the proposal So far 36 states and the pitals, create thousands of meets the requirements of District of Columbia have jobs, and boost the state’s the state constitution and approved an expansion of economy. urged the court to allow it Medicaid, while Oklaho- Here are some things to to proceed with gathering ma and 13 others have not. know about Medicaid ex- signatures. Under Medicaid expan- pansion in Oklahoma: In a two-page ruling, the sion, health care would be Who’s on each side of court said the proposal “is available to those individ- the issue? not misleading and is suffi- uals making less than 133 Supporters of Medicaid cient.” percent of the federal pov- expansion include doc- Who’s uninsured in erty level, or about $16,000 tors, hospitals, business Oklahoma? annually for an individual and faith leaders and most More than 16 percent or about $28,000 for a fam-

Rosemary Stephens, Editor-in-Chief Cheyenne and Arapaho Latoya Lonelodge, Reporter/Advertising Sales Tribal Tribune 405-422-7446 / [email protected] 405-422-7608 / [email protected] 1600 E. Hwy 66, Suite 8, El Reno OK / P. O. Box 38, Concho, OK 73022 Fax: 405-422-8204

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Printed by Lindsay Web Press, Lindsay, Okla. 2010-2018 NATIVE AMERICAN JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION MEDIA AWARD WINNER & 2012-2017 AWARD WINNER OF THE OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST PAGE 4 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei NIEA and Riverside Indian School hosts Journey to Wellness camp for Native youth, promoting healthy lifestyles Latoya Lonelodge, Staff Reporter decision-making skills in native youth. “It’s critical that they make positive choic- (Anadarko, OK) The journey to wellness es at an early age so it becomes engrained and is well underway as native youth participate a part of the thought process much earlier and in a week long camp dedicated to promoting they won’t have to fall into those negative health and wellness. Many know the values patterns that are so prevalent today among of maintaining physical health for the body, our native youth to fight some of the issues however health and education organizations and challenges … we feel like we’ve given in Indian country are working to promote them the opportunity to engage, to be moti- overall wellness for living a healthy lifestyle. vated and to increase their skill levels so that Students sixth through ninth grades par- they’ll be better prepared to handle some of ticipated in native wellness curriculum in the situations that could impact their lives,” classroom experiences to provide awareness Tsotigh said. of holistic approaches to living healthy life- First Kids 1st Organization, an umbrella styles and behavior changes that would en- under the Kellog Foundation provided the hance their journey to wellness. funding for the camp to help support building Through the week of June 17-21, the Jour- the capacity of tribal education departments ney to Discovery and Wellness Camp was and tribal government systems throughout held at Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Indian country. Okla. National Indian Education Association With each day of the camp filled with ac- (NIEA) Tribal Education Specialist Jacob tivities geared towards health and wellness Tsotigh explained the idea for the camp came education, students had the opportunity to ac- about when they heard of programs that were tively involve themselves in the curriculum. trying to implement behavior change in Indi- “We’ve been able to do activities on lead- Photo / Latoya Lonelodge an country. ership, cultural awareness and education, The Journey to Discovery and Wellness Camp was held at the Riverside Indian School in “I came up with the idea, that concept, that we were able to break up into three different Anadarko June 17-21. Student camp aids and mentors helped assist with day-to-day camp we institute a wellness camp here at River- classrooms and rotate every 30 minutes and activities. Pictured l-r: Delsin Tsotigh, Katie Sauhmaunt, Chance Rush, Paige Busick, Josh side for our local native youth. We were able really deliver a great message but we’re also, Tso, Avery Underwood, Rebecca Parks, Abby Rush, Jacob Tsotigh and Melanie Johnson. to contract with UNITY and WeRNatives, I wouldn’t say laid back, but we were really who are based out of the Portland area and encouraging, kids were receptive, everything about, every kid has been participating, we es to health and wellness and we even did we were able to get the services of Chance came together, and its been an amazing three haven’t had any issues whatsoever so it’s some health and wellness exercises in the Rush, who’s a nationally known motivational days and you could tell that the kids are real- amazing for the time that we’ve been given classroom to get our students aware of their and life coach, and that was the idea to help ly perceptive to what NIEA is offering, what and the effort from the host, which is River- own wellness and just take part in that and promote healthy lifestyles and behavioral Oklahoma Indian Education is about and to side and NIEA, how they’ve came together what they can do to better strengthen their change so our native youth can have options just engage and I think that NIEA did a great and they’re making it work,” Rush said. overall livelihood and lifestyle,” Tso said. and opportunities to make good choices in job of assembling a great group of mentors As part of highlighting wellness, Joshua With the help of student camp aids to as- their lives at a younger age before the cri- who are also encouraging and participating Tso, UNITY Wellness Warrior Project Coor- sist with mentoring of camp students, time sis of health, diabetes, drug abuse and those with the young people,” Chance Rush, moti- dinator shared physical fitness activities with was also given to allow students to reflect types of things come into their atmosphere,” vational speaker said. students at the camp. among one another how they’re processing Tsotigh said. Rush said that children like to see and be “Anything from ice breakers and team their time at the camp. In promoting concepts of health and well- around people who want to be great. building exercises to traditional games, the “I hope that this has influenced the camp ness, Tsotigh said the camp would help build “That’s what this whole week has been idea is mostly to share indigenous approach- WELLNESS CAMP / pg. 9

Construction grant awarded to Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ Phase II for Tribal Justice Center (CONCHO, OK) The ipation in the NEPA process Cheyenne and Arapaho promotes both open commu- Tribes receive construction nication between the public grant to build additional floor and the U.S. Dept. of Justice space (Phase II) to the Chey- and better decision making enne and Arapaho Tribal Jus- throughout the construction tice Center in Concho, Okla. process. Phase II will house the All people and organi- Social Service Department to zations with a potential in- centralize administration and terest in the propose action direct services related to the are urged to participate in tribes’ Judicial System. the NEPA environmental The tribes’ primary intent assessment process for this is to provide efficiency and purposed action, to build effective administration ser- additional floor space to the vices from the same facility. existing Cheyenne and Arap- The grant awarded from aho tribal Justice Center for the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) the administration of the So- through the BJA program to- cial Services Department’s tals $1,000,129. The tribes’ staff to process related cases share totals $1,649.689. Proj- through the tribes’ judicial ect costs totals +/$2,649,818 system. The draft Environ- to construct additional floor mental Assessment will be space (7,093 square feet) available for viewing and to the existing tribal Justice comments for 15 days be- Center (9,000 square feet) in ginning June 18, 2019, end- Concho, Okla. ing July 3, 2019. The tribes’ Under regulation issued will reply to all comments in by DEQ, Council of En- writing. vironmental Quality, the For more information evaluation of potential envi- contact the Planning & De- ronmental effects of feder- velopment Program by call- al actions is open to public ing 405-422-7730 or 405- participation. Public partic- 422-7561. BRIEFS AT A GLANCE Understanding the Indi- ister visit www. narmconfer- mation or to register visit Buffalo Thunder Casino & Sept. 16-17, 2019 at the Minn. For more information an Self-Determination Act: ence.com. www.falmouthinstitute.com. Resort in Santa Fe, N.M. For Hotel Albuquerque at Old or to register visit www.niea. Contracting and Compact- more information or to regis- Town Albuquerque, N.M. org. ing Under P.L. 93-638 Professional Commu- The 2019 Diabetes in In- ter visit www.ncai.org. For more information or to July 16-17, 2019 in Las nication Skills for Native dian Country Conference register visit www.eventbrite. The 2019 annual Con- Vegas, Nev. For more infor- Women Aug. 6-9, 2019 at the Cox The National Congress com/e/2019-native-amer- ference & Marketplace of mation or to register visit July 18-19, 2019 in Phoe- Convention Center in Okla- of American Indians Tribal ican-conference-on-spe- the National Congress of www.falmouthinstitute.com. nix, Ariz. For more informa- homa City. For more infor- Unity Impact Days cial-education. American Indians tion or to register visit www. mation or to register visit Sept. 10-11, 2019 in Oct. 20-25, 2019 at the The 18th annual Native falmouthinstitute.com. www.diabetesinindiancoun- Washington, D.C. For more The 2019 National Indian Albuquerque Convention American Risk Manage- try.com. information or to register Education Association’s Center in Albuquerque, N.M. ment Conference Introduction to Case visit www.ncai.org. Convention and Trade- For more information or to July 17-19, 2019 at the Management in Indian The 21st annual Tax show register visit www.ncai.org. FireKeepers Casino & Hotel Country Conference National Inter- Native American Con- Oct. 8-12, 2019 at the in Battle Creek, Mich. For July 23-24, 2019 in Las Tribal Tax Alliance (NITA) ference on Special Educa- Minneapolis Convention more information or to reg- Vegas, Nev. For more infor- Aug. 13-15 2019 at the tion Center in Minneapolis, Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 5 continuedMMIW from pg. MARCH1 Pausing and taking a deep en home and properly laid to breath Fletcher was the first rest. person to share her own per- “To this day there are no sonal story of her aunt Sonia answers to how Sonia died, Bernadette Lente, who went who killed her or what hap- missing in 2002. pened in her final days. Her Sonia Bernadette Lente case remains open and is On Oct. 3, 2002 Sonia left placed on the piles and piles her home in Albuquerque, of cases of missing and mur- N.M., to obtain a bus pass to dered indigenous women downtown. No one imagined that came before her, and that would be the last time those that would come after she would be seen again. her,” Fletcher said. “But So- “Sonia Bernadette Lente nia is not just another name was born Feb. 24, 1958. in a pile. Sonia is not just She was a daughter, a sister, another statistic. Sonia is a a mother and an aunt. She daughter, she is a sister, she was a talented artist that of- is a mother, and she is now ten made traditional Laguna a grandmother to three pre- Pueblo pottery to support cious grandbabies and last herself and her two young but not least, Sonia is my children. She was compas- aunt. Today I honor her and sionate, caring and kind. If all of the missing and mur- you needed something and dered indigenous women. Kateri Fletcher, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Dept. of Social Services executive director shares her personal story of she had it … it was yours,” You will not be forgotten.” her aunt Sonia Bernadette Lente, who went missing Oct. 3, 2002 in Albuquerque, N.M. Fletcher said Finishing, Fletcher intro- our relatives, the elders and shot to death in their car in to be identified using dental grandmother,” Bobbie Ham- For the next several years, duced guest speaker, Merlin children. We had no problem August 2016. Their bodies records. She died as a result ilton said. “At four o’clock the lives of Sonia’s fami- Little Thunder to the au- running into bullets on those were found inside Emily’s of blunt force injuries to her in the morning I got a phone ly would be turned upside dience. Little Thunder is a horses to lay our lives down car in Bache, Okla., in front skull, which was found to be call from my sister who lived down. When Sonia never Cheyenne artist from Can- for you … that’s how im- of a vacant house. Their case broken in 8 places. in Colorado. I knew it was came home, there would ton, Okla. Fletcher invited portant you are to us,” Little remains unsolved. “We come from the Buf- her on the other side of the be question after question. him to discuss the sacredness Thunder said. “My name is Carmen falomeat family. Our little line, but the line was silent. Where is she? What hap- and importance of women as He looked out into the au- Thompson. I have a niece sister was murdered in Sep- I kept saying, ‘hello, hello.’ pened to her? Is she alive? expressed through traditional dience as he said women are that was murdered near tember 1997. Her name is Finally my sister stopped But sadly the family would teachings. McAlester, Oklahoma. She Leah Rochelle Mahseet. Her crying enough to tell me, was around 23, 24 years old. mother is Myrcine Buffalo- ‘sister my baby is gone.’ I Her and her friend were both meat and her father was Ed- didn’t know what happened found murdered in a car east win Mahseet from Apache. because I was waiting for my of McAlester. They still have We’re just here to represent sister to compose herself to not found her murderer yet. our sister. We wonder what tell me what happened. My Her dad is my cousin, Charlie happened, like everyone else niece was found in a hotel Morgan, she is Choctaw, and we’ve never gotten answers, room in Ignacio, Colorado her mother is Kim Merryman but we pray everyday that with a towel wrapped around who made this poster, and someday we will find out her neck. There was a per- wanted me to take it with me who did this to her and that son in that hotel room with wherever I go because I am a justice will be served for her and to this day the FBI member of the Murdered and her.” are still investigating. We do Missing Indigenous Wom- Shannon Kay Tahlo not have any answers, but en’s Indian Capitol from Shannon passed away on we continue to think about Anadarko. Wherever I go Feb. 4, 2006. She was found our niece, our daughter, our I take this with me. We had in a hotel room in Ignacio, mother, our grandmother. the MMIW Awareness Day Colo., with a towel wrapped She still lives with us each at the state capitol on May around her neck. Her case re- and every day in our hearts. 5, held every year, and her mains an open investigation. We will never forget her.” mom brought one of her red “Today I want to speak Regina Marie Curtis dresses. More and more of about my niece that I helped Regina Marie Curtis was our Native women are going raise. The niece I held as a reported missing May 12, missing … everyday.” baby. The niece that I loved 2000 at 16 years of age. Leah Rochelle Mahseet very much. Her name is Her family would wait and sacred within the tribes, “You Leah was 16 years old Shannon Kay Tahlo. She is wonder where she went, if never get answers to their “Today we are here to are heart. All you women are when she was last seen alive the daughter of Frances Fern she was dead or alive for 16 questions. In spite of miss- draw attention to missing important to us.” in Geary, Okla., on Sept. 14, White Thunder. Her dad was years. One month after being person reports filed, and and murdered indigenous Following Little Thun- 1997. She was last seen at Paul Tahlo. Today I just want ing reported missing human flyers made and distributed women. We are here to honor der’s address, the floor about 9:10 p.m. that night to say that it’s hard for my remains were found at Lake by her family, and even So- those women and make peo- was opened to anyone who at a gas station on the north sister to attend these types Draper in southeast Okla- nia’s sisters, son and nephew ple aware. We as Indian men, wished to approach the podi- end of town, merely 100 of functions to talk about her homa City. It would take 16 walking the streets asking our societies, I belong to the um to say the name of their yards from her home. Her daughter, so I am here today years before a DNA match if anyone had seen her, still Bow String Society. There loved one and share their decomposing remains were representing our family and was made. The University nothing. Nothing but fear, are four societies within our story. later found by a farmer in a to be a voice for my niece. of North Texas positively pain and hopelessness that tribe, the Bow String, the Kit Emily Sue Zanne Mor- desolate field near Green- Shannon was born April 2, identifying those remains as her family would have to en- Fox, the Dog Soldiers and gan field, Okla., on Sept. 20, 1970. She had five children, 16-year-old Regina Curtis. dure. the Elk Scrapers. Us Indian Emily Sue Zanne Mor- 1997. It’s believed Leah’s and today she has many To this day, the family still “On Feb. 25, 2004, one men, a long time ago were gan, 24 and her friend To- remains were dragged there beautiful grandchildren who does not have answers, nor day after, what would have protectors of the village, pro- tinika Elix, 23 were found by animals. Her body had will never get to meet their been Sonia’s 46th birthday, tecting all the women and all MMIW MARCH / pg. 9 human remains were found on a remote piece of land on the Isleta Reservation. The office of the medical inves- tigator could not identify the remains, so they were placed in a box, that sat on a shelf, titled unidentified for the next five years. In 2009 a letter was sent out to all New Mexico dentists in the wake of the West Mesa murder investigations, which involved the discovery of 11 women and one fetus bur- ied in shallow graves on the western side of Albuquerque. This letter requested dental records of females in hopes that it would assist in identifying the victims. Among the piles of dental records that were turned over to in- vestigators laid a file with Sonia’s name on it,” Fletcher struggled with her words, her voice breaking as she contin- ued to tell her aunt’s story. It was through those dental records that a match would finally be confirmed between the remains found in 2002 in Isleta Pueblo and Sonia Bernadette Lente. She had finally been found. In June 2009, several years after her disappear- ance, the family was notified that she had been found and Sonia was finally returned to her loved ones to be tak- PAGE 6 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Eating NYPD Camp healthy Tara Conway, MS, RD, LD, CDE for DIABETES C&A Diabetes Wellness Program Another year has come Calendar and gone for our NYPD camp. We had 125 youth Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Dept. of Transpor- ages 8-12 from 15 tribes tation public meetings across Oklahoma for five 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. July 1 at the NAC building in Concho, days at Camp Takatoka in Okla., and 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., July 2 at the Hammon Commu- Chouteau Oklahoma. The nity Center in Hammon, Okla., 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. July 23 at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Carnegie Hall in Elk City, Okla., 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. July 24 at Tribe sponsored 19 of the the Clinton Community Center in Clinton, Okla. and 11 a.m. 125 youth. Bonnie Kraft, - 2 p.m. July 25 at the Kingfisher High School cafeteria in Kingfisher, Okla. Lunch will be served. BSN, RN CSU Public For more information contact Samuel Riffel at 405-295- Health Nurse Director, Mi- 6505. chelle Beshaw CSU Physi- can Assistant, Kathy Shaw- nee, DWP RN and Tara 2019 Men’s Health Day hosted by the Health Ed- ucation Program Conway, DWP RD/CDE July 9, 2019 at the Clinton Church & Community Center, were in attendance at camp. 1801 N. Littell Ave., in Clinton, Okla. First day at camp we did health assessments, fit- Resume Writing Workshop hosted by the Chey- ness assessment, swimming enne and Arapaho Tribes Adult Education Program readiness and pre-test. The 9 a.m. Monday July 15, 2019 at the Clinton Adult Educa- next three days the youth Pictured are the 19 youth and staff at the 2019 NYPD camp. Marietta Jones, 10, Seneca tion Lab (by the R.E.Sp.E.C.T. Gym) in Clinton, Okla. participated in classes rang- Jones, 14 (Jr. Counselor), Jocob Rainey, 11, Taygen Whiteman, 12, Scott Allen Tiger Jr., 10, To register please email [email protected] or call ing from nutrition, Eagle Happy Shortman, 12, Anthony Meely Jr., 9, Bihiya (Blue) Hamilton, 9, Bobby Hamilton, 11, 580-331-2412. Adventure, diabetes preven- Ashton Hamilton, 12, Abbigayle Black Bear, 10, Arril Black Bear, 12, Kyler Graham, 8, Jayna Graham, 13 (Jr. Counselor), Vanessa Hernandez, 10, Isha Gray, 12, Bryston Whiteman, 12, tion, behavior health, cul- Planning & Development Outreach Meetings tural awareness and physi- Niehhi, Hamilton, 12, Tracy Hornsby (Jr. Counselor), 13, Bonnie Kraft, CSU Public Health All meetings will be held from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The pur- cal activity which included Director, Michelle Beshaw, CSU Physician Assistant and Tara Conway, Diabetes Educator pose of these meetings will be to share information with tribal laser tag and archery tag. communities, collect data and hear conments and ideas from how eating processed foods ue. I hope all of the youth pating in this exciting event. The youth had other activ- tribal members on projects they hope to see for their area. and drinking sugar sweet- who attended camp had fun. For more information ities such as rock climbing Aug. 7 at the Seiling Community Center in Seiling, Okla., ened beverages affect their I want to thank the par- and tips on health and well- and swimming. Aug. 27 at the Hammon Community Center in Hammon, health. Some parents have ents for allowing me to ness contact Tara Conway At camp the youth were Okla., Sept. 17 at the Clinton Community Center in Clinton, commented on how their spend the week with your at the Diabetes Wellness served three healthy meals Okla., Oct. 1 at the Canton Community Center in Canton, children are making chang- children, it was an honor Program 405-422-7685/1- and two snacks. They Okla., Oct. 22 at the Watonga Community Center in Waton- es and have been drinking and I hope to see your chil- 800-247-4612 ext. 27685 or learned the importance of ga, Okla., Nov. 5 at the Geary Community Center in Geary, more water. Let’s hope dren next year. Thank you email tconway@c-a-tribes. drinking water every day, Okla., and Nov. 19 at the Concho Community Center in Con- those healthy habits contin- to CSU staff for also partici- org. the importance of activities, cho, Okla. For more information call 405-422-7620.

Congratulations to our new Cheyenne & Arapaho Youth Council Officers, l-r: Allyssa Pineda - Female National OBITUARIES Rep Andrea Blackbear - Thunder Weasel Bear Secretary It is with heavy hearts that er Blake Weasel Bear, sister Jaylin Reveles - Treasurer we announce the passing of Sierra Weasel Bear and her Charlee Bushyhead - Vice Thunder Brey Weasel Bear husband Steven Brown, and President of Ponca City, Okla on June sister Rayne Weasel Bear Ariayna Yellowbank - 17, 2019. He was only 21 all of Ponca City, brother Female Co-President years old. Colbey Milligan of Tonka- Levi Pedro - Male National Thunder was born on wa, brother Lane Kendrick Rep July 15, 1997 in Woodward, of Ponca City and his fiance Jacob Pollock-Black - Male Okla., to Gina Cole Sfragi- Katrina Rhodd, grandfather Co-President das. He enjoyed playing Thomas Kent and grand- video games, spending time mother Rachel Cole both of with his family especially Ponca City, nephews Casen his niece and nephews, and Marshall, Micah, and Eil. drawing. He was a kind, lov- Niece Marionna and his spe- ing, goofy man who loved cial little man Koda Wade. terment at the Ponca Tribal making people laugh. He Traditional tribal services Cemebery. Casket bearers OBITUARIES was known for his teddy bear were held June 20 at the included Steven Brown, Joe hugs. Ponca Tribal Cultural Center Denny, Thunder Lieb, Hugo Josephine ‘Jo’ Buffalomeat He was preceded in death in White Eagle. The fami- Rodas, Max Escudero, Isra- by his grandfather Colbert ly asked everyone to wear of 1988. After high school, by her parents Raymond and el Little Coyote, Tennyson Cole. red, black or purple to the Jo attended the High Plains Norma Buffalomeat and son Rhodd, and Ellsworth Ea- He leaves behind to cher- funeral, purple for epilepsy Technology Center in Wood- Micha Ryan Toas Walker. gle. Honorary bearers are ish his memory his mother awareness due to that being ward, Okla., where she She is survived by her Allen Red Hat, Donny Ken- Gina Sfragidas of Ponca the cause of his death. earned her L.P.N. license. three sons Cody Brock Walk- drick, Lane Kendrick, Cato City, a soon to be born baby Funeral services were Jo worked as an L.P.N. for er and companion Alissa Red Hat, Doug Rhodd III, due in November, sister held June 21 at the same the Seiling hospital and an Lee of Canton, Okla., Bro- Cheston Cole, TC Cole, and Teyonna Weasel Bear, broth- venue, followed by an In- assistant manager at the Can- dy Drake Walker, and Eli- Thomas Kent. ton Lucky Star Casino before jah Raymond Buffalomeat, becoming disabled. She was daughter Devon Rae Buf- a member of the Seiling In- falomeat, grandson Slater Alvin Lee Yellow Eyes dian Baptist Church and she Brock, brother Burl Buffalo- Alvin Lee Yellow Eyes sisters Mary Yellow Eyes of just rededicated her life to meat and companion Theda was born Nov. 30, 1982 in Clinton and Bernice Yellow the Lord in May. of Seiling, Okla., three sisters Clinton, Okla., to Speedy Eyes also of Clinton. One Jo loved her family espe- Rowena Beaver and com- Josephine “Jo” Buffalo- Amaya and Delphine Yellow son Samuel Yellow Eyes of cially her children, grandson panion Cujo Night Walker of meat, 48-year-old resident of Eyes. Alvin passed away June Clinton, and a host of nieces Slater Brock and her girls Is- Seiling, Okla., Dana Buffa- Seiling, Okla., passed from 9, 2019 in El Reno, Okla. and nephews and friends. abella Bates (Gigi), Makayla lomeat and husband Denny this life on June 15, 2019 in Alvin loved Native Ameri- A traditional all night Bates (Rae Rae), Oliva Bates Standingwater, and Susie Seiling. Jo was born Aug. can traditional ceremonies, wake service was held June (Baby “O”), Rihanna Seven- Wolfmule and husband Tim 20, 1970 to Raymond Gene such as Sundance and pow- 16 at the Clinton Communi- star, Dezarae Sevenstar, Lar- of Seiling, Okla., three aunts and Norma Jean (Black) Buf- wows and helping others. ty Center in Clinton, Okla. issa Sevenstar, Kiyah Seven- Edna Sutton, Norma Smith, falomeat in Clinton, Okla. Alvin was raised Funeral services were held star, Adrian(Baby) Ortega and Rita Black and many She grew up in Seiling in the Clinton area. June 17 at the same venue and Vincent (Cotter Brown) nieces, nephews, extended and attended Seiling schools He was preceded in with Rev. Gerald Panana of- McCracken. family and a host of friends. graduating with the class death by his mother. ficiating, followed by an In- Jo is preceded in death He is survived by his father terment at the Clinton Indian who lives in Mexico, two Cemetery. Helen Denise Whiteman Otto Helen was born on Jan. 17, na Whiteman, grandparents, 1977, in Elk City, Okla., John and Lorna Call and Ruby Jean Rishel the daughter of Chester and niece Ke-Yanna Osage. Calumet, Okla. Two daughters, Pamela Whiteman and Virginia Helen was preceded in death Jean was born July 26, Kay Rishel and Tina Louise Osage. Helen was a member by her mother Virginia 1936 in Clinton, Okla. She Gamboa, preceded her in of the Cheyenne and Arapa- Osage, sister Fiona (Osage) served two tours of duty as a death. ho Tribes. She married David Whiteskunk, brother, Peter hospital corpsman in the U. Wake services were held Otto on June 6, 1997. Helen Osage, grandmother Bertha S. Navy before becoming a June 12 at Benson Memori- loved going to the movie Osage, great-grandmother house parent at the Concho al Chapel. Funeral services theatre, dancing, attend- Flossy Prairiechief, aunt Bet- Indian School. She retired in were held June 13 at the ing Sundance ceremonies ty Whiteman and niece and 1984. Concho Community Cen- in Oklahoma, cooking, and nephew, Mayley Amylah and She is survived by many ter in Concho, Okla., with spending time with family. Gunner Redbird. family members including Rev. Gerald Panana and Rev. Helen is survived by her Funeral Services for Hel- her children, Donna Lynn Waylan Upchego officiating. Helen Denise (Whiteman) husband of 22 years, Da- en were held at the Sagi- Rishel Sandoval of El Reno, An Interment followed at the Otto, age 42, of Weidman, vid Otto, children, Henry naw Chippewa Tribal Gym Renee Ann Rishel Island of Concho Indian Cemetery Mich., passed away unex- Otto, Alexandria Otto and on June 13 with Rev. Owen Ruby Jean Rishel died Calumet and George Antho- under the direction of Hu- pectedly, Friday, June 7, 2019. Cobmoosa Otto, her father, White-Pigeon officiating. June 9, 2019 at her home in ny Rishel of Geary, Okla. ber-Benson Funeral Home. Chester and his wife Edwi- Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 7 In Loving Remembrance of continuedPOET from pg. LAUREATE 2 superior ratings in Russell Stoneroad and teachers my Muscogee Award. Her next book of ico Governor’s Award for District and State band Creek people, the librarians poems, “An American Sun- Excellence in the Arts and competitions while playing Russell Stoneroad 01~09~80 to 06~18~18 who opened so many doors rise,” will be published by the Arrell Gibson Lifetime the clarinet. She also for all of us, and the original W. W. Norton in fall 2019. Achievement Award from performed in Jazz Band Not a Day Goes By I Don’t Think Of You, I miss poets of the indigenous tribal Harjo has also written a the Oklahoma Center for the for 3 years and played the nations of these lands, who memoir, “Crazy Brave” (W. Book. Harjo has received fel- bass guitar. She made All You Everyday, Til We Meet Again Babe! were joined by diverse peo- W. Norton, 2012), which lowships from the Guggen- District Band and earned ples from nations all over the won the 2013 PEN Center heim Foundation, the Witter the Outstanding Band Rest In Heavenly Peace Sir...Love Amy Sage world to make this country USA literary prize for cre- Bynner Foundation, and the Member Award three and this country’s poetry.” ative nonfiction, as well as a National Endowment for the years in a row. She was Harjo joins a long line children’s book, “The Good Arts. Her collection “How inducted into the National of distinguished poets who Luck Cat” (Harcourt, Brace We Become Human: New Honor Society. Kiyah have served in the posi- 2000) and a young adult and Selected Poems 1975- continues to volunteer tion, including Juan Felipe book, “For a Girl Becom- 2001” (W. W. Norton, 2002) in her community and Herrera, Charles Wright, ing” (University of Arizona was selected by the National has earned her way Natasha Trethewey, Philip Press, 2009). Endowment for the Arts for into Northeastern State Levine, W.S. Merwin, Kay As a performer, Harjo has its Big Read program. Her University. She is looking Congratulations to Kiyah Ryan, Charles Simic, Don- appeared on HBO’s “Def recent honors include the forward to starting a new Timothy for graduating ald Hall, Ted Kooser, Louise Poetry Jam” and in venues Jackson Prize from Poets & chapter in her life! from Tahlequah High Glück, Billy Collins, Stanley across the U.S. and interna- Writers (2019), the Ruth Lil- We are beyond proud of School in the Top Ten Kunitz, Robert Pinsky, Rob- tionally. In addition to her ly Poetry Prize from the Po- you, Kiyah! percent of her class. ert Hass and Rita Dove. poetry, Harjo is a musician. etry Foundation (2017) and Have fun in your next During her high school Harjo was born in Tulsa, She plays saxophone with the Wallace Stevens Award adventures! career, Kiyah has made Oklahoma, on May 9, 1951, her band, the Arrow Dynam- from the Academy of Amer- Love Mom and Dad. and is the author of eight ics Band, and previously ican Poets (2015). In 2019, books of poetry, includ- with Poetic Justice, and has she was elected a Chancellor Congratulations CATV ing “Conflict Resolution for released four award-win- of the Academy of American Holy Beings” (W. W. Nor- ning CDs of original music. Poets. The Cheyenne and Arap- ton, 2015); “The Woman In 2009, she won a Native Harjo has taught at UCLA aho Tribes Department of Who Fell From the Sky” (W. American Music Award and was until recently a pro- Education and CATV Pro- W. Norton, 1994), which re- (NAMMY) for Best Female fessor and chair of excel- gram met with Oklahoma ceived the Oklahoma Book Artist of the Year. lence at the University of State Department of Edu- Arts Award; and “In Mad Harjo’s many literary Tennessee, Knoxville. She cation to discuss a partner- Love and War” (Wesley- awards include the PEN has returned to her home- ship to highlight the Native an University Press, 1990), Open Book Award, the town where she holds a Tul- Youth Community Partner- which received an American American Indian Distin- sa Artist Fellowship. ship (NYCP) Grant through Book Award and the Del- guished Achievement in the digital storytelling. OSDE more Schwartz Memorial Arts Award, the New Mex- and the Office of Indian Education will award the CATV Program with a Happy $40,000 contract to com- 4th of July plete 8 videos by September 30, 2019. We are excited Freedom Isn’t about the opportunity and Free look forward to producing Thank You To and telling quality stories of Our Veterans our Native Youth.

Cheyenne District 1 Legislator Burl Buffalomeat Achievements Submitted article C-1 Legislator Burl Buf- Casino Hotel and Conven- older will be waived all fees falomeat was sworn into tion Center is anticipated to pertaining to the tribal tags office in January 2016 to open in 2020 and on May 3, in November 2018. represent all the Cheyenne the groundbreaking ceremo- New Land Purchase people in Cheyenne District ny took place at Watonga. The tribes have pur- 1. Over the past three and a The legislature has been in chased 32 acres of prime half years, Burl has done his line with the entire tribes’ property south of Woodward best to listen to the C-1 peo- thoughts to move forward for economic development ple and help move the Chey- and get along for projects that resides close to C-1 dis- enne and Arapaho Tribes such as this casino. trict that have future plans forward. Here is a list of ac- Driveways & Ramps for for economic development. complishments: Handicap Residents Elder Home Repairs New Fonda Community With assistance of the With support of the leg- Building Employment and Training islature and governor, tax For many years, discus- Administration Program, commission appropriated sion to build a new commu- the tribes have been able to $1 million to provide home nity building in Fonda have assist handicap residents in repairs for tribal elders in been discussed. The ground- Seiling. 2018. breaking ceremony took Storm Shelters – Handi- Legislative and Execu- place on Wednesday, April 3 cap accessible tive Working Relationship with many communi- The storm shelters were Through productive com- ty members attending the projects that were support- munication, the executive ceremony. With help of the ed by the governor and ap- and legislative branch have legislature and governor, the proved by the legislature to collaborated to approve Fonda community will have provide access to storm shel- many programs, contracts a new building as the expect- ters safely for everyone. and projects that will help all ed construction time will be Elder Tribal Car Tags tribal members. approximately six months. The Legislature and gov- For questions or informa- Watonga Lucky Star Ca- ernor announced all enrolled tion contact the C-1 Office at sino Hotel and Convention Cheyenne and Arapaho trib- (405) 422-7755. The Watonga Lucky Star al elders 65 years of age and PAGE 8 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei

CLASSIFIEDSVACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS To apply please submit a tribal application, resume, diploma(s), transcripts, valid copy of driver’s license and a copy of CDIB (if applica- ble) to the Personnel Department, PO Box 38, Concho, OK 73022 or call 405-422-7498 or email [email protected]. Or download application by visiting http://cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

Arapaho Junior Appren. Human Res. Generalist Master Teachers Caretaker (ON CALL) Teacher Maintenance Worker Dept. of Housing Language Program Child Care: Clinton & Language & Cultural Child Care - Concho Operations & Mainten. Closing Date: Until filled Closing Date: Until filled Concho Closing Date: Until filled Closing Date: Until filled Closing: Until filled Closing: Until filled Qualifications: Qualifications: Qualifications: Qualifications: Qualifications: Experience learning Bachelor’s degree in busi- Qualifications: Reliable and dependable. Teachers hired after July Completion of high school Cheyenne, Arapaho, or an- ness, human resources or re- Required to be at least 18 Ability to handle weights 1, 1995 are required to be at or GED required. One year other foreign language. Ex- lated field preferred. Five or years of age and have one of and loads. Ability to lift up least 18 years of age, have a experience in maintenance or perience teaching or leading more years of progressively the following, AA/AS degree to 50 pounds, bending, push- high school diploma or GED construction work desirable. a group of people. Ability to independent professional or higher with ECE/CD cred- ing and squatting; climbing certification or have com- Must know methods, ma- use language related technol- work in human resources. it hours, 30 credit hours with ladders; works with hands pleted the10th grade and be terials, and equipment used ogy, such as recording devic- A combination of educa- at least 12 ECE/CD credit in water containing stringent in the process of obtaining a in maintenance work. Must es, video conferencing tools tion and experience may be hours, Oklahoma Certificate cleaning agents. Incumbent GED for a period not to ex- have safe work habits, be and electronic dictionaries. substituted for degree re- of Mastery (Early Childhood should be willing to work ceed 12 months. Must sign physically fit with ability to Ability to track data and quirement. Computer skills. Education or ChilDevelop- other than normal working employee contract stating lift up to 100 lbs and be able monitor progress using sim- Prefer a professional Human ment). Current Child Devel- hours, when necessary, es- employee will attain CDA to work independently in the ple spreadsheets. Ability to Resource certification. Must opment Associate Credential pecially weekends. Due to or Mastery Certification to absence of supervision. Must work on a flexible schedule pass drug and alcohol test- or Current Certified Child- the sensitive nature of Chey- maintain employment. Must pass drug and alcohol testing. according to the availability ing, must pass a background care Professional Creden- enne and Arapaho tribal cus- have a valid Oklahoma driv- Must possess a valid Oklaho- of master speakers. Ability check. Cheyenne and Arapa- tial Oklahoma Competency toms and traditions incum- er’s license, pass a physical ma driver’s license. to work with children, adult ho preference. Certificate in Early Care and bent should be familiar with exam, be able to lift 50lbs., SALARY: Negotiable Education (Oklahoma De- learners and elders. Excel- SALARY: Negotiable Cheyenne tribal customs and be physically fit to work Surveillance Operators (6) lent communication and in- partment of Career Technol- and Arapaho tribal customs. daily with children. Must Gaming Comm. / Clinton terpersonal skills. Must be Cook ogy and Education’s Master Completion of high school demonstrate basic knowl- Closing: Until filled able to pass a background Child Care - Concho Teacher Certificate ONLY). or GED required. One year edge of early childhood check. Must have valid driv- Closing: Until filled Must have a valid Oklahoma experience in custodial work development, attend staff Qualifications: er’s license. Must have clean driver’s license. Must pass desirable. Must know meth- meetings as well as parent Requires mornings, af- Qualifications: driving. a physical exam, be able to ods, materials and equipment meetings when required, ternoons and evenings, High school diploma or SALARY: Negotiable lift 50lbs, be physically fit to used in custodial work. Abil- submit monthly reports and Monday through Sunday. GED certification required. work daily with children and ity to follow oral and written attend workshops. Must have Request to be scheduled off Must have a valid Oklahoma demonstrate basic knowl- directions. Must possess a adequate transportation. for a specific day requires driver’s license. Must pass edge of early childhood de- valid Oklahoma driver’s li- Must have skills to relate to advance notification and physical exam. Must have velopment. Must attend staff cense. Cheyenne and Arapa- the community in general approval. Sit and/or stand adequate transportation. meetings as well as parent ho tribal preference. and pass a criminal back- continuously and perform Ability to pass background meetings when required, SALARY: Negotiable ground check. Must pass job functions for a full shift check and drug screen. Must submit monthly reports, at- mandatory drug and alcohol with lunch break. Requires be willing to work flexible tend workshops and have ad- test. Willing to work flexible bending, twisting, reaching, hours. Must have Food Han- equate transportation. Must work schedule. Cheyenne climbing, stooping, crouch- dlers Card. have skills to relate to the and Arapaho preference. ing, kneeling, lifting and SALARY: Negotiable community in general. Must SALARY: Negotiable pulling. Move objects up to pass drug test and submit to and exceeding 25 lbs. with Don’t miss your copy random drug testing. Must Cheyenne reasonable accommodations. of the Tribal Tribune. pass a criminal background and Arapaho Office environment with Send address chang- check. Cheyenne and Arapa- Tribes some casino floor environ- es to Tribal Tribune, PO ho preference. P.O.Box 38 ment experience preferred. Must be able to work in a Box 38, Concho, Okla. SALARY: Negotiable Concho, OK 73022 smoking environment. Must 73022 pass pre-employment drug (405) 262-0345 / test. Must be able to qualify (800) 247-4612 and maintain a Cheyenne- LEGALS cheyenneand- Arapaho Gaming License. arapaho-nsn.gov NOTICE BY PUBLICATION SALARY: Negotiable Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 9 continuedMMIW from pg. MARCH5 have any arrests been made in connection Britney’s husband Will was there, and they with her murder. took his statement at the house. Ida Joann Beard Family, friends and authorities contin- Ida Joann Beard disappeared in El Reno, ued to search for Britney. And then, on Okla., on her way home on June 30, 2015. March 16, 2018, about a month after Brit- She was 29 years old. Her case remains a ney disappeared, a local cattleman came mystery, and remains open to this day. upon Britney’s body in a wooded area Britney Michele Tiger by Kullihoma Indian Stomp Grounds, 15 At 26 years old, Britney was the young- miles from Britney’s house. est of three sisters living in Ada, Okla. Jes- Britney’s murder remains unsolved, sica, the oldest of the trio, said her baby leaving the family with thousands of unan- sister Britney was “a fire cracker,” but swered questions. “kind, genuine and gorgeous, even on the In closing Creg Hart approached the mi- inside.” crophone and told the audience he wanted In 2017, Britney’s days were dedicated to mention one name before he gave prayer to taking care of her three young children, over the food. Jaylen, 9, Christian, 7, and Sameiya, 4, and “This name I am going to mention, this spending time with loved ones. In Sep- woman who was taken from me, my family tember 2017 the family grew by one when and my community. I want to mention Leah Britney married Will Gomez. The pair was Mahseet. When I was a young teenager she inseparable, according to Britney’s sister. was my first girlfriend. We would always Britney and the kids moved into Will’s meet up at powwows and walk around the house and the newly formed family of five arena together. After our little break up we lived together in what friends described as remained friends. Now she was taken from a happy home. But just five months into us and the family is left with no answers. Jus- the marriage, something inexplicable hap- tice has not found a lot of these families. The pened. federal and state justice departments have On Feb. 11, 2018, the children were failed our Indian women, our murdered and staying with their biological fathers. Will missing Indian women. Some of these cases would later tell police that he and Britney have been swept under the rug and very little took the opportunity to go to bed early and has been done and very little help has come get a good night’s sleep. But at 3:30 a.m., to these families in the form of counseling when Will stirred in his sleep, he found the and assistance to help them cope with their space bedside him empty. Britney was no- broken hearts,” Hart stated. “Today is a very where to be found. important event because we have to raise After not hearing from Britney in a little our voices, we have to scream these ladies’ over a week, Britney’s family grew con- names that have been taken from us in a very cerned. Britney’s sister Jessica and their evil way. And for those who are still miss- mother, Bernadine, live only a half-mile ing we have to continue our prayers that they away from Britney’s house and, according will come back to us. As Indian people we to Jessica, Britney never went far without are a very spiritual and praying people. Each telling her mother. day we wake up we can’t forget our mothers, On Feb. 19, 2018, Britney’s half-sister our sisters, our aunties, our friends and our Christina Lewis reported Britney missing colleagues. The only true, real healing comes to the Ada Police Department. Ada police from prayer, from our Creator, God. We have officers promptly went to the Gomez home to continue these events and I am very happy to conduct a welfare check. Ada Police the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes chose to Department Detective Brian Engel said do this today. I commend them.”

continuedWELLNESS from pg. 4 CAMP aids to want to work with youth, to go weren’t able to do in the past,” Av- loved to have something like out and become mentors themselves ery Underwood, camp aid said. this when I was their age be- and it’s just an opportunity for them Avery said she thinks the camp cause I’ve always been a to kind of see how everything works, is doing a great job at providing re- very shy person and I think it sometimes things don’t work out the sources and of role models to look would’ve helped get me out of way you scheduled it … things just up to. my shell a little bit and help me happen and you just have to adapt “Of people that have gone out and feel involved and just be a part to it so hopefully we’re modeling done great things for Indian country of something,” Busick said. that for them and to be inclusive, we and gave back to their communities With the feeling of togeth- want to hear from the young people, and also allowing the kids to see that erness growing amongst the sometimes as adults it’s hard to step yeah there are people out here that campers, camp aid Delsin Tso- back and turn the reigns over but I’m care about you and you should care tigh, who is about the same age going to give them an opportunity to about yourself as well and invest in as the kids attending camp said do just that, show each other what your own future,” Underwood said. he sees team building among you can do, what resources you have Abby Rush, camp aid, said she the campers. because when you get older this is thinks the camp builds confidence “I’m about the same age as going to be one of those things that for the kids. the kids and I like to encour- you reflect back on,” Melanie John- “Everybody’s encouraging and age them and they look up to son, NIEA camp coordinator said. we talk about the future a lot in a me as a camp counselor, but it’s Johnson said that promoting well- way that’s accessible and the way probably more than that, it also ness among native youth and the that there’s different age groups here brings them together as a team community is important. but everybody’s getting something and lets them know that they “It’s important because having out of it and they have art therapy, always have somebody on their come from a public health back- that’s one of my favorite parts so the side or helping them and guid- ground, it balances you out when kids are learning to talk about their ing them through obstacles or you are able to go to school and future and have that confidence that getting them through challeng- concentrate on your academics and there’s going to be great things in es and it’s not just through ac- Courtesy photos if you are culturally grounded, if their lives and kids need to hear that tivities but it could be through Above: Students present at the Journey to Discovery and Wellness Camp participated in various day-to-day activities you’re spiritually grounded, those as they grow up, it’s like a pivotal life,” Tsotigh said. geared towards health and wellness, including outside are things that are going to get you age right now,” Rush said. With various guest speakers physical fitness activities. through the school day and a lot of With highlighting the importance and tribal programs dedicating Below: NIEA Camp Coordinator Melanie Johnson and our young people might be strug- of wellness and health among the their time to help assist and ed- Camp Motivational Life Coach Chance Rush enjoy in- gling in that area, this camp is to youth and their pivotal age group, ucate student campers through- the-moment experiences at The Journey to Discovery and remind all of us about taking care camp aid Rebecca Parks said she out the week, Johnson said she Wellness camp with camp volunteers. of yourself and being able to mod- wishes she had the chance to have hopes to see the camp resume el that behavior and be able to show attended a wellness camp when she the following year. each other that there are other people was younger. “I think as a native woman who out there that care about you, there “It’s been awesome getting to has said the same things that the are resources out there for you that work with the kids, all the speakers camp aids have said, I wish this was maybe you didn’t think about and so have been really encouraging and something that I could’ve had and I’m hoping that’s what they’re get- engaging and the kids have really I’m in my 50s now and it kind of ting out of it,” Johnson explained. been enjoying all of the activities … makes me sad that our young people Camp aids that volunteered their having this kind of camp at this kind are still saying that … I’m hoping time to the wellness camp also of age is so important to knowing I these young people remember that to shared reflections of their own about can be something one day, I don’t make a difference when you’re with what they’ve gained from the camp. have to be what the world tells me these kids because if you’re saying “We’ve been very thorough in I am, like having people believe in it then these kids are probably think- covering all the different aspects of them is just so awesome,” Parks ing it too … if I would’ve had one wellness and health and it’s not just said. person talk to me or encourage me, about eating right and going outside Paige Busick, another camp aid, things could’ve changed for me, and exercising but also thinking said that she loves that the camp well I am where I am today despite about your future and investing in brings all the students together all of that, everything happened for yourself and taking pride in yourself through activities and keeps every- a reason but if you have a chance to and believing that you can do things body involved. make a difference, that’s what we’re that maybe society had told you, you “It’s very welcoming, I would’ve here to do,” Johnson said. PAGE 10 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Men’s Health Day coming July 9 (CLINTON, OK) On July 9 Health Educa- tion is bringing men’s health to the forefront with Men’s Health Day Mind-Body-Spirit. Men’s Health Day is an annual awareness day solely dedicated to education and activities on the health and wellness of men. Please join us for health screenings, pre- sentations, resources, and of course, free food, t-shirts and door prizes on Tuesday, July 9. We’ve partnered with Clinton Church and Community Center, Clinton Indian Health Service Unit, Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and tribal departments to offer you a great event. For more information call Darrel James at 405-422-7676.