Ponca Princess
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The Voice of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska www.poncatribe-ne.org September 2015 Ponca Princess Tribal News Tribe obtains ownership of portion of Chief Standing Bear Trail The tribe held a press conference July 26 at its Lincoln office to an- nounce a special gift from the Ne- braska Trails Foundation and the Homestead Conservation Trail As- sociation. The two trails organizations agreed to give the tribe ownership of a 19 1/2-mile portion of the Chief Standing Bear Trail. The tribe’s portion of the trail runs from Beatrice to the Kansas state line. The trail is on a portion of the “Trail of Tears” that the Poncas were led on during their forced removal from Niobrara in 1877. Several died during the journey, Tribal Chairman Larry Wright Jr., center, signs documents to give the tribe ownership of a 19 including Chief Standing Bear’s 1/2-mile portion ot he Chief Standing Bear Trail in southeast Nebraska prior to a July 26 press daughter, Prairie Flower. conference at the tribe’s Lincoln office. “The trail itself is a reminder of a this trail is that they will take time The trail segment will be main- tragic time in our tribe’s past, a past to reflect on the tragic history that tained by the Homestead Con- that still resonates with us today,” is tied to it, but also think of the servation and Trail Association, Tribal Chairman Larry Wright Jr. beauty the trail provides in its up- and the Nebraska Trails Foun- said. “Our hope when people use dated state.” dation will also assist in raising funds for the maintenance of the trail. Several tribal representatives, in- cluding Wright, Culture Director Randy Teboe and Tribal Council Representative James LaPointe, also spoke during the press confer- ence, as did Nebraska Commis- sion on Indian Affairs executive director Judi gaiashkibos, also a tribal member. A bill introduced by Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry to designate the Chief Standing Bear Trail as a National Historic Trail has been passed by the House of Tribal member Judi gaiashkibos, the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Representatives and currently Affairs, speaks during the press conference. awaits passage in the Senate. On the cover: Taya Wright was crowned Senior Princess during the 22nd Annual Powwow, which was held Aug. 7-9, 2015 in Niobrara, Nebraska. Tribal News Students receive backpacks at Omaha Back to School Event Go online to take Historical Help survey from PEDCO The Ponca Economic Develop- ment Corporation (PEDCO) is seeking input from tribal members. Go to www.surveygizmo.com/ s3/2244982/Native-American- Workforce-Survey to take the Native American Workforce Survey. The 25-question survey is de- signed to help PEDCO better serve your needs and improve services for all Native American members. The tribe needs your help in identifying the people in this photograph. Along with the names of the people in the picture, we would also like to know if you have any stories or information about when There will be gift card drawings and where it was taken. If you can help, please contact Vance Appling at vappling@poncatribe-ne. for those who complete the sur- org or 402-857-3519. vey. weeh Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 1 Tribal News 22nd Annual Powwow held August 7-9 in Niobrara The tribe hosted its 22nd Annual Powwow August 7-9 in Niobrara, Nebraska. A Diabetes Program Color Run kicked the event off before the first Grand Entry on Aug. 7. There were two Grand Entries on Aug. 8 and another on Aug. 9. The tribe also celebrated a grand opening of the Ponca Educational Trail on the morning of Aug. 8. Look for more photos from the powwow and the other events in the October newsletter. nohnbah 2 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska Tribal News Omaha clinic provides school, sports physicals during July The Fred LeRoy Health and Wellness Center offered extended hours for school and sports physi- cals two Wednesdays during July, the 15th and 22nd. Twenty-seven youths took advan- tage of the evening hours. Dental has extended hours on Wednesdays, so many youth were able to have their dental check-ups the same evening. We continue to schedule school and sport physicals for youths at both of our clinics during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A special THANK YOU to the staff that worked the events: Dr. McStay, nurse staff members Mark Wilderman and Rosie Mangen, health support staff Michelle Madrigal, and transporter Nancie Velasquez. Environmental Protection Department to conduct wind feasibility study Submitted by Julia Sage The nvironmentalE Protection Investments will be determined Environmental Manager Department will use a Clima- on data and efficacy of the wind tronic Wind Resource Anemom- turbine compared to the cost of On our path to make the Ponca eter, Vane, Datalogger Campbell installation and operation and service areas self-efficient, the En- Scientific CR1000, and Datalog- benefits from the energy (financial vironmental Protection Depart- ger software LoggerNet Version and environmental). The data will ment is looking into the potential 4.1 to conduct this feasibility show the requirements. of using wind turbines to generate study. energy. Calculations will show the efficacy The Climatronic Wind Resource of the wind turbine collecting and This requires a feasibility study to Anemometer and Vane are to mea- storing energy. Maintenance bills be done. A feasibility study will as- sure the wind speed, wind direc- will show the cost of installation sess a site to identify areas where tion, and longevity of wind events. and operation. Electric bills will the wind conditions meet or ex- give an idea of benefits. ceed wind requirements. Wind The Datalogger Campbell Scien- turbine requirements include: tific CR1000 and Datalogger soft- The Environmental Protection ware LoggerNet Version 4.1 are Department hopes the feasibility • Wind speed used to analyze the data from the study will show that the locations • Wind direction Climatronic Wind Resource An- are a good candidate to install wind • Longevity of wind emometer and Vane. turbines and the tribe can eventu- ally become energy self-efficient. thahbtheen Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 3 Tribal News Tribal youths attend historic White House gathering Twelve young members of the tribe were chosen to attend the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gather- ing July 9 in Washington, D.C. The event was a collaboration be- tween the White House and Unity Inc., and built on President Obama’s Generation Indigenous initiative to improve the lives of Native youth across the country. The youths and their chaperones had the opportunity to do a lot of sight- seeing during their time in Washing- ton, D.C. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska youths who attended the White House Tribal Youth Gathering in During the White House Tribal Washington, D.C., were, front row left to right: Shanna Wolff, Caitlin Howell, Maci Schott Youth Gathering, they heard from and Tessa Wright; back row left to right: Raven Perales, Jacob Ebeltoft, Cami Schott, Cyrus several speakers, including First Lady Vandervoort, Landon Flying Hawk, Taenda Wright, Elena Wright and Benjamin Fuehrer. Michelle Obama. The youths also had the chance to network with oth- er young Native Americans. dubah 4 Ponca Tribe OFNebraska Tribal News sahtdohn Ponca Tribe OFNebraska 5 Tribal News NPHA provides reminder about requirements to be on waiting list If you have applied for housing at 2. Complete and return all re- out new paperwork. Northern Ponca Housing Authori- quired paperwork. Applicants who 4. Recertify annually. Paperwork is ty (NPHA), there are requirements do NOT send in completed ap- mailed out to each individual ap- that applicants must comply with plications that do not include all plicant on the waiting list annually in order to be on the waiting list. required paperwork will not be for recertification purposes. If this Please remember you must do the added to the waiting list until all paperwork comes back to NPHA following: required paperwork is submitted. as undeliverable and NPHA can’t See application cover letter for a reach an applicant by phone to get 1. Have a source of income. Appli- list of required documentation. cants must have enough income to a new address, his or her name will support a minimum rent payment 3. Contact NPHA with address be taken off the waiting list and of $50.00 per month before he or and phone number changes. Ap- the applicant will have to reapply. she can be put on the NPHA wait- plicants must contact NPHA Please contact NPHA Admissions ing list. Income will be calculated when they move or get a new & Occupancy Department with based on HUD guidelines. phone number so we can contact any questions (402) 379-8224. you with any questions and send Six graduate from tribe’s NYLA-HOPE program during Lincoln ceremony Six students graduated from the tribe’s NYLA-HOPE program on July 30 during a ceremony at Em- bassy Suites in Lincoln. The students who graduated were: Jaelee Daniels, D.J. Laravie, Shayla Laravie, Jasmine Paulson, Vanessa Rodriguez and Cortlynn Siers. LaToya Benally was the site coor- dinator. Just a reminder to our college students: You may be eligible for supplementary funding through the Ponca Education Trust fund. If you are interested in learning more about this fund, please contact either Pat or Aubrey in the Education Department at (402) 371-8834 or you may email them at [email protected] or [email protected]. Information is also available on our website at www.poncatribe-ne.org. At the top of the website, click “Departments.” Then under links, click “Education,” and under “Education,” go to “Ponca Educational Trust Fund.” For any questions, you may also go to: [email protected].