Walter Echo-Hawk
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www.pawneenation.org JUNE 2020 YOUR 2020 VOTE COUNTS POSITIONS FOR May 29 - Deadline for Absentee Ballots PAWNEE BUSINESS COUNCIL June 4 - Candidate Forum 2 pm June 20 - Election Day !GO VOTE!June President 21 - Election Results Vice President June 22-24 Protest Deadline Treasurer July 2 - Issue Certification of Election July 6 - Inauguration Council Seat #1 2020 Special Election of the Pawnee Business Council Official Candidate List On May 14, 2020 the Pawnee Nation Election Commission met to review all candidate applications and background checks. There were zero (0) challenges filed. The following candidates have been deemed eligible and will be placed on the official 2020 Special Election of the Pawnee Business Council ballot for voting on June 20, 2020 at the Pawnee Nation Multi- Purpose Building. President Vice-President 2020 Special Election of the Pawnee Business Council Walter R. Echo-Hawk W. Bruce Pratt James E. Whiteshirt Official Candidate List Treasurer Member Seat #1 On May 14, 2020 the Pawnee Nation Election Commission met to review all candidate Tonette Ponkilla Pamela J. Cook applications and background checks. There were zero (0) challenges filed. The following Ralph Nordwall Cynthia Butler candidates have been deemed eligible and will be placed on the official 2020 Special Election of Carol Chapman the Pawnee Business Council ballot for voting on June 20, 2020 at the Pawnee Nation Multi- Purpose Building. Election Day is on June 20, 2020 Pawnee Nation Multi-Purpose Building President Vice-President 808 Morris Rd-Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058 For any questions please contact the Pawnee Nation Election Commission at Walter R. Echo-Hawk W. Bruce Pratt 918/691-9675 or [email protected] James E. Whiteshirt Or you may visit www.pawneenation.org Jordan Kanuho Treasurer Member Seat #1 Tonette Ponkilla Pamela J. Cook Ralph Nordwall Cynthia Butler Carol Chapman Election Day is on June 20, 2020 Pawnee Nation Multi-Purpose Building 808 Morris Rd-Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058 For any questions please contact the Pawnee Nation Election Commission at 918/691-9675 or [email protected] Or you may visit www.pawneenation.org Nawa Aki’ra’ru, On March 14, 2020, and April 11, 2020, Re-call elections were held, resulting in the removal of Councilman Daryl Wildcat, Vice-President; Councilwoman M. Angela Thompson, Treasurer; Councilman James Whiteshirt, President; , and Councilwoman Sammye Kemble, Council seat 1, respectively. On June 20, 2020, the Pawnee Nation will hold a Special Election in accordance to Pawnee Nation Constitution to fill the following positions, respectively: President, Vice-President, Council seat 1, and Treasurer. The current list of candidates include: President—Walter R. Echo-Hawk Vice President—W. Bruce Pratt, James E. Whiteshirt, Jordan D. Kahuno Council seat 1—Cynthia Butler, Pamela J. Cook Treasurer—Tonette Ponkilla, Ralph Nordwall, Carol Chapman All requests for absentee ballots must be received from Pawnee Nation citizens to the Pawnee Nation election commission no later than 12:00 P.M., May 29, 2020. These requests can be made and submitted by FAX; (918) 762-6446, standard mail, and email. Voting polls will be open from 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. CST on June 20, 2020. Any questions or concerns may be addressed to the election commission via email at [email protected], or via phone at (918) 285-6769. Thank you, Pawnee Nation Election Commission Stay updated with #PawneeNation on Facebook, Vimeo, Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter. www.pawneenation.org Message from Pawnee Nation Interim President Nawa Akitaaru, Committee.. The isolation recommendation for their achievements. was made for those individuals with The Coronavirus compromised immune systems or other health It is very sad and disheartening to learn the pandemic has issues, and those of age 65 or older to remain Pawnee Indian Veteran staff has cancelled been a very isolated at home. The decision was made to both the Memorial Day dance and the Annual stressful time disallow in-state and out of state travel for any Homecoming Pow Wow. In addition, the for everyone. governmental functions, including Council Pawnee leaders conferred with the Wichita Hopefully, the leaders, and the decision was made to cancel CHARLES LONE CHIEF members and other officials until further notice. INTERIM PRESIDENT situation will the Pawnee-Wichita visitation. These cultural return to an acceptable level soon. We can be All of these plans are for tribal members’ safety events will be missed very much. thankful that no deaths in our tribe have been and the safety of our employees. attributed to the COVID-19 virus. We must By now, you have probably learned the tribe continue to reach out in prayer to the Heavenly The StoneWolf Casino re-opened on May was awarded $8,261,242.92 by the COVID Father for provision and protection. 15th. Before re-opening, the Casino was Relief Fund. A plan will have to be developed professionally sanitized by Jani King on how to administer the funds. Aid to Tribal There have been other deaths due to causes Company. StoneWolf Casino security officers Government (ATTG) received funding other than those caused by the Coronavirus. now screen patrons at the main entrance of amounting to $1,250,000 from the CARES The Pawnee Business Council members the Casino. A form is filled out containing the Act. express their deepest sympathy to the families following information: personal identification and friends who have lost their loved ones. card, a checklist of questions pertaining to the I want to express my sincere thanks to the Coronavirus, and their temperature taken by an PBC members, our division directors, and Much forethought and discussion went into the infra-red thermometer. Following those steps, our employees of the Pawnee Nation. All of planning on how to deal with the pandemic. a band was placed on their wrist, showing you have contributed to keeping the Nation The Tribal Emergency Response Committee they had gone through the requirements for functioning and operating successfully. (TERC) held several meetings by video/audio admission. No smoking inside the Casino is Don’t forget election day, June 20th. Be sure teleconferencing to develop a comprehensive, permitted. Social distancing was in effect. strategic plan to deal with the crisis. to exercise your right to vote. Continue to pray Casino employees were also required to wear for protection and provision for all our tribal Buildings are to be sanitized before re-opening. masks and utilize hand sanitation. members and non-tribal employees. Also, pray The necessary Personal Protection Equipment On May 14th, the Johnson O’Malley Parent that a cure for COVID-19 is found. (PPE) was ordered to get ready for re-opening. Committee sponsored a 2020 Gift Presentation May Atias Tirawahut bless everyone. The PPE list included infra-red thermometers, recognizing and honoring several Native masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and any required American seniors who were scheduled materials. Social distancing would be in effect. to graduate this year. Vice-Chairwoman Respectfully, The re-opening of the Pawnee Nation buildings Cynthia Butler presented each one with a and the return of employees was set for May laptop. Herb Adson, Director of the Cultural Charles Lone Chief 26th. Division, presented each one with an eagle feather to be worn on their graduation cap. Interim President The employees will be tested for the virus Muriel Robedeaux, Pawnee Nation Executive before returning to their workstations. All Director, was the guest speaker and gave an individuals, clients, and employees will be inspiring address. Banners with photos of each required to have their temperature taken before graduate in their cap and gown, along with being allowed entry. The plan was to entail their names, were displayed on the light poles the wearying of masks while at work and to along Catlett Road and first street. These will utilize hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes, or wash remain on view until the end of May, then will hands with soap and water as needed. Center be mailed to the graduates. Closing remarks for Disease Control (CDC) directives will be were made by Jamie Nelson, Acting Education closely monitored and followed by the TERC Director. The graduates are to be congratulated Message from Pawnee Nation Executive Director Greetings The Pawnee On March 24, the Pawnee Business Council gloves, and sanitizing agents for use by their Nation has been approved an Emergency Declaration staff but also for all visitors in their offices. extremely busy The Pawnee Nation has a Tribal Emergency with several “The Pawnee Business Council does hereby Response Committee that is currently meeting find and declare that conditions affecting public MURIEL ROBEDEAUX things happening weekly to review the status of the COVID-19 PAWNEE NATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR since the last health, welfare, education, and employment Pandemic for possible changes to how we newsletter in December of 2019. The year began have arisen with and throughout the jurisdiction provide assistance to our tribal membership with the submission of a Recall Petition, which of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma caused by based upon existing and future conditions that resulted in a Recall Election in March. Then the COVID-19 Pandemic”. At this time, the may affect our assistance programs. a second Recall Petition was submitted which elders who participated in the Elderly Meals resulted in another Recall Election in April. Program, began receiving their meals at home, By the time you receive this newsletter, the The results of these recall elections resulted delivered by the Title VI staff, along with other Pawnee Nation will be going into Phase 2 of in the Recall of the President, Vice-President, staff from various tribal programs and offices. our plans to re-open the offices, and hopefully, Treasurer and Seat #1 Councilmember. A This practice is ongoing and will continue until some of our guidelines will be less restrictive.