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GYAH’-WISHGYAH’-WISH ATAK-IAATAK-IA THETHE TURTLETURTLE SPEAKSSPEAKS © VOLUME 16, ISSUE 4 website: www.wyandotte-nation.org NOVEMBER 2012 Gyah’-wish Atak-ia Wyandotte Nation Board of Directors Billy Friend Chief Norman Hildebrand, Jr. Second Chief Ramona Reid Councilperson Vivian Fink Children’s Christmas Party Councilperson Juanita McQuistion December 8th at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Councilperson Bearskin Wellness & Fitness Gym Eric Lofland Councilperson Ages 0-12 Gyah’-wish Atak-ia is published quarterly for tribal members by the Wyandotte Nation at its headquarters in New Wyandotte Nation Supplemental Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Inquiries may be addressed to: Healthcare Benefit The Wyandotte Nation 64700 E Hwy 60 Submitted By: Chief Billy Friend administer this new benefit plan on Wyandotte, OK 74370 (918) 678-2297 or We are pleased to announce an ex- behalf of the Nation. (800) 256-2539 citing new benefit for every Wyan- Every adult Tribal Citizen (18 and fax (918) 678-2944 dotte Tribal Citizen. The Wyandotte over) will be eligible for up to (C) Copyright 2011. All information, Nation Supplemental Healthcare $1,000.00 and adult Tribal Citizens photographs, and other materials are copyrighted, and may not be reproduced Benefit will take effect on January 1, who have Wyandotte Nation de- without prior written consent of the 2013. This new benefit is one that pendents (under 18) will be eligible Wyandotte Nation. has long been envisioned by our for up to $2,000.00 maximum per Board of Directors and now due to family. With your Supplemental Contents..... the hard work of our Tribal staff and Healthcare Benefit account, you can Letter from the Chiefs .......... 2 all of our dedicated employees this pay out-of-pocket or be reimbursed Holiday Events ..................... 3 vision will now become a reality. for medical expenses such as pre- Gathering of Traditions ........ 4 Our mission here is to “improve the scriptions and dental or vision ex- Honored Person .................... 5 quality of life for every Tribal Citi- penses, as well as medical Member News ...................... 5-6 zen” and this new benefit will help deductibles or co-insurance which Casino News ........................ 7 fulfill a part of that mission in pro- are not covered by other healthcare Tribal Department Reports .. 8-14 viding funds toward each Citizen’s benefits. In the next few weeks you OK-VDRS Report ............... 15-17 healthcare needs. We have teamed will be receiving information in the Culture Days ........................ 20-21 up with FMH CoreSource out of mail about this plan from our third Pow-Wow Pictures .............. 22-23 Overland Park, Kansas and they will (continued on page 6) Services Provided ................ 24 NOVEMBER 2012 Gyah’-wish Atakia Page 2 The Chief Says...... sons to be thankful. that something had to be done to im- It has not been that many years ago prove our futures. At that time we that the Wyandotte Nation was op- developed what was believed to be erating only a few essential pro- an effective plan with the best grams and services for the chance of success. This plan was put Wyandotte people. None of those into action immediately. programs or services was funded at It was determined in the mid 1990s an appropriate level. The total fund- that the best avenue for success ing was not adequate when com- rested in Tribal Self-Determination pared to the needs of our Wyandotte and Tribal economic development. people. Our Nation, like most oth- The Wyandotte strategy was to cre- ers in that time, relied heavily on ate Tribal businesses that took ad- federal funding. Those funds were vantage of the talents we had to never guaranteed and for many offer, and build those businesses into Kweh, years those resources did not im- success stories. We believed that if I hope this quarters Turtle Talk finds prove enough to cover inflation. we “planned our work and worked you and your family doing well and As Wyandotte’s, we were chal- our plan” we would meet with suc- enjoying the fall season. This time lenged to come up with proposals to cess. We continue on that course of year finds us preparing for the grow our Tribe, reach a level of self- today. Thanksgiving holiday and we as sufficiency and most importantly, Did we encounter some bumps and Wyandotte People have many rea- serve Wyandotte people. It was clear (continued on page 18) From Norman Hildebrand, Jr. -Second Chief when somebody mentions Wyan- thrilled to have Grand Chief Ted dotte Nation Pow-Wow the weather Roll and Second Chief Clyde Pid- seems to change for the better. We geon, their spouses and a small del- had a storm that knocked out the egation from the Anderdon Wyandot power on Friday night and we had to visit our facilities and join us in cel- cancel everything that evening. On ebrating the centennial of Dr. Mar- Saturday and Sunday we were ius Barbeau’s visit to Oklahoma. I blessed with good weather and large want to thank Lloyd Divine, Sallie crowds. Andrews, the Culture Committee Culture Days was another big suc- and everyone that contributed their cess with special interests, language, time and knowledge in making the history and the Marius Barbeau ex- exhibit a huge success. I want to es- hibit from Canada that will be at the pecially thank Dr. Swan and his Sam Noble Museum in Norman, staff, Sam Noble Museum of Natu- Kweh OK. through November 25, 2012. ral History and the University of I hope everyone is well and antici- We took two chartered buses and a Oklahoma as without them this pating the brilliant colors of fall, that van of Wyandotte Nation members, would not have happened. is if we get enough rain. Wyandot of Kansas and Anderdon Once again we had a large crowd at We had another hot summer but Wyandot of Michigan. We were (continued on page 18) thankfully not as bad as last year, but NOVEMBER 2012 Gyah’-wish Atakia Page 3 Holiday List of Events November 9 Preschool Thanksgiving Dinner November 12 Veterans Day (Offices Closed) November 15 Title VI Thanksgiving Dinner November 22 & 23 Thanksgiving Holidays (Offices Closed) December 8 Children’s Christmas Party December 13 Title VI Christmas Dinner December 14 Staff Christmas Party (Offices Closed) December 24 & 25 Christmas Holidays (Offices Closed) December 31 & Jan 1 New Year’s Holiday (Offices Closed) January 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Offices Closed) NOVEMBER 2012 Gyah’-wish Atakia Page 4 The Gathering of Traditions Exhibit at Sam Noble Closing on November 25 casins, jewelry, bows and arrows, and Sallie Cotter Andrews. These Go Soon To See It drum and drumstick, clothing, belt stories, which are on our website, By Sallie Cotter Andrews and more you will find a unique are now a permanent part of our There is a “once in a lifetime expe- door opening to understanding our collection and will never be for- rience” available right now that history. Don’t miss this opportu- gotten. Tizhameh. Get going to will end on November 25. Don’t nity to view this exhibit that will Norman, OK, soon!! Your admis- miss it. Plan a trip and go to Nor- end shortly. Even if you were at sion is free. Confirm their hours of man, OK, before November 25 to the grand opening on September 6, operation at www.snomnh.ou.edu . see the “Gathering of Traditions” please go back again when the at- exhibit at the Sam Noble Okla- mosphere is more quiet and you homa Museum of Natural History. can take a closer look. You proba- You will see before your eyes an bly won’t see these artifacts again. extraordinary collection of 50 The Nation owes a great deal of Wyandotte and Seneca-Cayuga ar- thanks to Chief Billy Friend, Sec- tifacts and photographs that are all ond Chief Norman Hildebrand and over 100 years old. The artifacts the Wyandotte Nation Board of have been stored in the Canadian Directors for their complete sup- Museum of Civilization for these port of this project which demon- many years and will soon go back strates their commitment to to Canada. If you go see them, the educating our people about our his- experience will change the way tory. I would also like to thank the you think about our history and writers and researchers who helped will deeply touch your spirit. compile the individual biographies Most of the artifacts were used in that were gathered for the exhibit. the daily lives of our people, a The writers and researchers are: Chief Billy Friend addresses guests and point of uniqueness about this ex- Barbara Conrad Aston, Paul Bar- dignitaries including representatives of hibit that was noted by the ethnol- ton, John Charloe, Katie Chinn, the Canadian Embassy, the CEO of the ogists and curators of the Sam David Culver, Lloyd Divine, Deb- Canadian Museum of Civilization and Noble Museum. The items were bie Dry, Patty Burnside Garrison, The University of Oklahoma President both useful and artistically beauti- Judith (Hap) Jolitz, Marty Curtin David Boren at the opening ceremonies for "A Gathering of Traditions - A Cen- ful, demonstrating that life was LeBenne, Marcella Monroe, Bev- tennial Celebration of Dr. Charles Mar- hard but that our peoples’ spirit still erlee Pettit, Earlene Angel Roskob, ius Barbeau in Oklahoma" at the Sam maintained a sense of beauty. As Ashley Simmons, Richard Zane Noble Museum on September 6, 2012, you look at the dolls, baby moc- Smith, Jeremy Turner, Holly Zane in Norman, OK. Chief Friend with Jean Moon of Upper Sandusky, Ohio after Chief had spoke at the Roll #3249 Old Mission Church in Upper Sandusky on October 14.