Largest Fire on Record in Oklahoma

Cheyenneand Arapaho Tribal Tribune P.O. Box 38

Concho, OK 73022

“Tribal members receive free subscriptions” “Tribalfree receive members ARAPAHO$35/YEAR - TRIBUNE TRIBAL Arapaho District 4 legislator files in CHEYENNE TO AND THE NOW SUBSCRIBE Supreme Court against decision to remove by Election Commission On April 5, 2018 Arapaho ing their upcoming Arapaho Per the tribes’ 2006 Con- of their term. Each District District 4 Legislator Winslow District 4 Legislative prima- stitution pg. 9, Section 4 Legislator shall be a reg- Sankey filed case number ry and general elections. Qualifications, subsection istered voter in the District SC-2018-20 in the Cheyenne On March 15 the Election (c), it reads, “At time of filing from which they are elected.” and Arapaho Supreme Court. Commission held a public a nomination petition a can- It was determined by the A motion for emergency in- hearing to address residency didate for District Legisla- Election Commission San- junction against the Chey- issues regarding Sankey after tor shall physically reside in key did not reside in the enne and Arapaho Election receiving a notarized state- such District. Each District Arapaho District 4 area, nor Commission from removing ment from an A4 constituent Legislator shall reside in was he a registered voter in Winslow Sankey, A4 Sankey and enjoining the stating Sankey no longer re- the District from which they his district due to losing his Legislator (Photo / Face- commission from conduct- sided within his district. are elected for the duration A4 removal / pg. 3 book)

Largest fire on record in Oklahoma

PERMIT 823 NO.

OKLA CITY, OK

US POSTAGE US PAID PRSRTSTD

Charter school supporters deserve better Burns thousands of acres, killing live- treatment By The Oklahoman stock and destroying homes in its path Editorial Board Oklahoma City School tainly not in Oklahoma. This is the most extreme fire I have ever seen Rosemary Stephens Board members often tout in Oklahoma, unprecedented, and I grew up in Oklahoma and have Editor-in-Chief the importance of diversi- been doing fire management in Oklahoma for over 20 years and have ty and racial sensitivity. Yet never seen anything quite like this here,” Smith said. “Today looks The scent is unmistakable … the scent of charred ashes after a fire. the board’s response to a very favorable for more containment, probably the best we have On April 12, the high Oklahoma winds, low humidity and drought proposed charter school for scene since the beginning of the fire, the winds are very light, humid- like conditions in Western Oklahoma set the stage for one of the larg- struggling American Indian ity will be a little light but not that critical level we have seen over est fires to burn in Oklahoma’s history. Fires that would last for over students suggests this focus the last couple of days, so the fire activity, while it will still be a little 17 days and anticipated not to be 100 percent contained until the end doesn’t necessarily extend active, it won’t be near what we have seen over the past eight days. of April. beyond rhetorical gestures. Smith said there will still be a presence on site for a few weeks As of Monday, April 23, the ‘Rhea’ fire in Dewey County was 74 The mission of the pro- to make sure all it is all extinguished, “and we don’t want any of the percent contained after firefighters received some much-needed relief posed Sovereign Community fires to come back to life. Right now anticipated until the end of April. in the form of rain over the previous weekend. The Rhea fire had School is to provide youth a When we get to a 90 percent containment is a threshold where we will already burned over 286,000 acres. “rigorous, culturally relevant turn it back over to the local firefighters and the local resources” Over 213 personnel with the Southern States Type 1 Incident curriculum that challenges “We appreciate the support from the Tribal Emergency Manage- Management Team were called in to work alongside numerous lo- them to understand and af- ment folks in providing us with information and we are here looking cal firefighters, with many of them being volunteers from across the firm their roles as citizens of out for the best interest of the tribes and the tribal members. That state, and included the calling in of the Oklahoma National Guard. our many Native nations.” coordination and effort has been outstanding and even though Dustin Each morning members of firefighter teams, Bureau of Indian Although focused on Ameri- Affairs Fire Management teams, Oklahoma Na- can Indian students, children tional Guard members would meet at the Com- from all backgrounds could mand Post located at the Pioneer Event Center attend. in Weatherford, Okla. An overview of the status Phil Gover, director of the of the fires, assigning areas that need immediate Sovereign School Project, attention and organizing the day’s events would notes nearly half of Ameri- take place. can Indian sixth-grade stu- “We have a good day to work today with our dents in Oklahoma City do relative humidity being at 69 percent, which we not go on to graduate from haven’t seen it that high so that’s a favorable 12th grade. “Native students thing in our favor. Our winds are out of the east in Oklahoma City Public at 5 mph and that’s really low compared to what Schools have the lowest we’ve seen, “ Todd Schroeder, Southern States graduation rate of any demo- Type 1 Incident Management public information graphic group in the entire officer said. system,” he said. And it was good news after firefighters bat- The Oklahoma City pro- tled, what was called ‘historic’ fire weather con- posal is based on the Native ditions with winds reaching 35-45 up to 65 mph American Community Acad- and humidity as low as seven percent. emy in Albuquerque, New Steve Smith Bureau of Indian Affairs reported Mexico, which achieved a out of the total numbers of acreage 2,056 acres 72.4 percent graduation rate were Tribal Trust Land in the Cheyenne and In the background are the charred remains of what used to be Cheyenne and Arapaho in 2017. About 90 percent of Arapaho jurisdiction and only one tribal mem- elder Leonard Russell’s home. A few feet away stood a swingset seemingly untouched, NACA’s graduating classes ber’s home was destroyed, Leonard Russell. but surrounded by the blackened landscape the Rhea fire left behind. (Photo / Rosemary are accepted into college. “I have seen fires comparable to this but cer- Stephens) Rhea fire / pg. 5 Charter school / pg. 3 PAGE 2 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Native regalia hits the runway at InterCultural Fashion Show Latoya Lonelodge With years of experience inside the powwow arena as a Staff Reporter jingle dress dancer, Blassingame had quite the idea on what and how she was going to feature her models in the show. In the fashion world, runway models and brand name de- “In 2016 I made 18 jingle dresses, that’s my personal re- signs paint an all too familiar picture filled with flashy outfits cord along with other things, I was originally going to enter strutting down the runway of a typical fashion show. this fashion show with powwow outfits only and I said, you However, diversity and distinction among various rich know, I got to push myself to try to make a formal. They cultures take on a whole new meaning in terms of fashion. always have a finale dress, the grand finale formal and that’s For the first time ever, Native American regalia and fash- where I came up with the red corset, I beaded butterflies ion hit the runway at the Intercultural Fashion Showcase that across the top and put the ribbons all underneath, I still want- was held April 8, 2018 at the South Congress Hotel in Austin, ed to incorporate a native twist to it. I already had earrings Texas. Having fulfilled their fifth season, the fashion show and so I made a headband to match the earrings for her to aimed to feature talented designers from a variety of cultural wear, just to give it a little more native touch and that was my backgrounds. favorite,” Blassingame said. For Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizen, Nan Blassin- Blassingame admitted the fashion show had models ready game, who has been making her own regalia ever since she for her, however she was set on having her own models for was 14 years old, experienced the thrill of showcasing native her fashion pieces. designs on the fashion show’s runway. Blassingame, who has “The fashion show, they provided models but I said no, my Native designer Nan Blassingame (left) and model Mal- never been in the fashion show before, was not hesitant in models have to be Native American, so they trusted me to get lory Largo in formal wear with beaded top and ribbon skirt. seizing the opportunity. my own models and I ended up with 11 friends, one girl from (Courtesy photos) “My friend saw this fashion show ad on Facebook, it was Fort Worth, three girls from Houston, and the rest were just an event coming up so she tagged me in it and I immediate- locally here, I really enjoyed that they were Native American ly emailed them because it was an intercultural show, they models that I picked to walk for me in the show, I was really called me back within the hour and said ‘we have never had a grateful they did that,” Blassingame said. Native American designer, we want to see what your culture With help from various friends, Blassingame was able to wears.’ They were pretty much like, you have to do it, you’re tackle the challenge of piecing her designs together just in going to be in our show, so I said okay,” Blassingame said. time for the show. In her rush of excitement, Blassingame was also told she “Everyone pitched in and helped, my friends that came only had three weeks to prepare her wardrobe and designs from Houston they spent the night, they helped me poke the that would be featured in the fashion show. holes in the corset and take all the beadwork off the front and “There was no way I was going to have enough time to do if it wasn’t for my team of friends, we would not have been it, but I did. I made outfits and some of my friends already finished in time because I was saving those little details for had their jingle dresses and the chicken dancer, I made his last,” Blassingame said. shirt so he wore it in the show, but he did all his beadwork, his Once word got out of Blassingames’s Native American family’s beadwork and such. I went through all my stuff and “Powwow wear” that would be featured in the fashion show, was like ‘okay I got to find something quick,’” Blassingame ticket sales went through the roof as various supporters at- explained. tended. With little time to prepare, Blassingame agreed that being A non-profit native group society, Native American No- given such short notice was the push she needed to brain- tions, held a fundraiser for Blassingame within the three short storm new ideas and try something different. weeks to help her prepare for the show. With various support “It really was, I haven’t been sewing as much and I could fueling her spirit, Blassingame was overwhelmed with the ex- not believe I made that many things in three weeks and my citement of witnessing her designs walk the fashion runway. husband was like ‘how many days you got’ and I’m like Blassingame said she had a vision of how she wanted to stop saying that, leave me alone, don’t remind me, I had just present her pieces on the runway. barely made my dress that I wore the morning of the show. I “When we viewed the second walk through, the first two was sewing up until the hour it was time to leave to go down to come out wore the ribbon shirt and the cloth dress, they there,” Blassingame chuckled. carried the Cheyenne and Arapaho flag when they brought Blassingame’s skills were put to the test as she quickly me out as a designer. I mean the feeling is just unbelievably organized various design pieces to be featured in the show. amazing, it was different from a grand entry or being in a Some pieces, were a first of many designs that Blassingame powwow, it was such a rush,” Blassingame said. tried her hand at. As the fashion show aimed to feature one-of-a-kind cre- Model Marisol wears a matching hat and off-shoulder “I’ve never made a corset before, I made two corsets, a ations and ensembles for men and women from various back- dress with buffalo print fabric design by Blassingame. (Photo black one that Ellen Sutton was wearing and I made a skirt grounds and cultures, talented and international designers / Henry Singleton) to go with it and the red jacket that I made wasn’t supposed from Austin and surrounding areas were part of the runway’s to go with her outfit but then once we put it on it looked right lineup. so we put the red jacket on with the dress and just went from Other designers featured in the show were E by Evelyn, there. I had already had the buffalo hat and my friend had Women’s Chic Wear and Handbags, Elrick, Men’s Casual the buffalo fabric, so I asked can I have that fabric and use it Wear, Shavante, African and Multicultural Wear and Suram for the fashion show and of course she gave it to me, I made Fashions, Ethnic Indian Wear. the dress with the buffalos at the bottom to go with the hat I The Intercultural Fashion show was held by the Austin In- already had, I was just throwing things together last minute,” tercultural Network, a 501c3 nonprofit based in Austin, Tex- Blassingame said. as.

Wichita Tribal History Center officially opens doors to public Latoya Lonelodge Staff Reporter

From over 12 centuries ago, in the early days of village farming, the Wichita people, who were known as great farmers and agricul- tural people, roamed areas in what is now present-day Oklahoma. Today, the history and culture surrounding the Wichita is accessible for the public and communities to educate one another on. Just off the to side of Hwy. 81 in Anadarko, Okla., standing tall and sturdy are a Rosemary Stephens, Editor-in-Chief replica grass lodge and sum- 405-422-7446 / [email protected] mer arbor that now mark the spot of the newly established Wichita Tribal History Cen- ter (WTHC). On April 21, 2018 the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes held the official grand open- The main entryway is what first greets visitors when entering the new Wichita Tribal His- tory Center in Anadarko, Okla. (Photo / Latoya Lonelodge) History center / pg. 7 Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 3 Seventh Legislature confirms Supreme Court justices nominees Rosemary Stephens tion, stating when he teaches Constitutional Tribal Council meeting, be- Editor-in-Chief Law to his students, he teaches that the Con- cause that too is a separation stitution is the heart of the community. of powers because it creates (CONCHO-OK) On Saturday, April 14 “Following the Constitution expresses the conflict and there was a lot the Seventh Legislature voted to confirm the will of the people, and it’s the court’s job to of that going on during these three Supreme Court justices nominees, Den- enforce that law to the best of its ability and I particular years we are speak- nis Arrow, Ryland Rivas and Lindsey Robert- take that responsibility very seriously,” Rob- ing of, specifically 2010, 11, son. The next step will be the approval of the ertson said. 12 and 13.” Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Council. There appeared to be some push back The question arose of what According to the tribes’ 2006 Constitution from certain tribal citizens against confirm- to do with the past resolution pg. 15, Article VIII Judicial Branch, Section ing Arrow, Rivas and Robertson, as well as banning both Arrow and Rob- 2. Selection, it reads, “Each Judge and Jus- the issue of an old Tribal Council resolution ertson. Spottedwolf asked if tice shall be selected upon nomination by passed in 2009 or 2010 banning both Arrow the resolution would be set the Governor, subject confirmation by the and Robertson from tribal lands, being re- aside or if there would have to Legislature and approval by the Tribal Coun- ferred to in that resolution as “bad men.” be an opinion written. cil, provided that, if the Legislature fails to Arapaho District 3 Legislator Patrick “If any direction from any approve or disapprove a nominee for Judge Spottedwolf brought up the resolution stating branch of government was or Justice within thirty days of nomination he had called around to attorneys asking for deemed unconstitutional, it by the Governor, then the nominee shall be their opinions about the resolution. would, as you say, set aside deemed confirmed by the Legislature, provid- “I guess what I am asking is that resolu- on the grounds of, no more ed, further that, if the Tribal Council fails to tion the Tribal Council passed, is that the last than the Executive Branch or approve or disapprove a nominee who been word, like the Supreme Law of the land or the Legislative Branch, the Pictured above is Supreme Court justice nominee Ryland confirmed by the Legislature, or who has if the Tribal Council has the authority to do Tribal Council Branch has no Rivas. Below is Supreme Court justice nominee Lindsay Rob- been deemed confirmed by the Legislature, something like that because of the policy?” powers to act beyond what ertson. (Courtesy photos) within sixty days of confirmation by the Leg- Spottedwolf asked. the Constitution authorizes it Not pictured Supreme Court justice nominee Dennis Ar- islature, then the Judge or Justice shall be Arrow responded saying he didn’t recall to do and it’s the Constitution row. deemed approved by the Tribal Council.” that resolution ever being brought to his at- really that is supreme,” Rob- During a public hearing held April 12 in tention, which he could recall. ertson said. Concho, Okla., Arrow, Rivas and Robertson “We had many things to rule on back in The answer to those ques- appeared for a second time before the Sev- 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, but I don’t recall tions may have to wait, how- enth Legislature to answer questions. that ever being in front of us in a case. Enforc- ever, for now the Seventh Introducing the justices, Hershel Gorham, ing the new 2006 Constitution is a separation Legislature has completed General Counsel to the Governor, stated the of powers Constitution assigning specific their confirmation phase for individuals had been nominated by the Gov- powers like the U.S. Constitution, to the Leg- Arrow, Rivas and Robertson, ernor and had, in fact, been Supreme Court islature and the Tribal Council Branch, to the and now will be up to the justices for the tribes in the past. Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch. Tribal Council to approve or “Many that knows the history know that If that were brought appropriately before a disapprove of the Supreme they were here before. In fact, Mr. Arrow be- court, the Judicial Branch, being it relies on Court justice nominees. came a Supreme Court justice back in 1995 things being brought to it, specifically if there Background for the tribes and served up until roughly is nothing brought before us to rule on we Arrow graduated law 2012. Mr. Robertson also served for many don’t rule. My recollection is that was never school in 1974, is a retired years on our Supreme Court and Mr. Rivas brought before us. The question would then professor from the Oklaho- actually served as our Chief Justice for about be, would that be within the powers of the ma City University (OCU) 12 or 13 years,” Gorham said. Tribal Council Branch,” Arrow said. School of Law in Oklahoma Arapaho District 1 Legislator Billie Sut- Spottedwolf went on to say that one at- City, where he taught Federal ton asked each of the nominees if they would torney stated Federal Law supersedes Tribal Indian Law for over 30 years. follow the tribes’ Constitution when deciding Council, and the banishment part comes from Arrow is currently still active cases in the Supreme Court. Each nominee the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867. Where at OCU teaching Indian Law. stated they would, with Arrow stating, “Ab- do we stand? Rivas graduated law solutely, I don’t know any other way to do it.” “Our Constitution does not state specifi- school also in 1974 from the Oklahoma was recognized. Rivas stated he would always follow the cally that the Tribal Council, if you look at University of Oklahoma (OU) and is an en- Robertson graduated law school in 1986 Constitution saying how excited he was for the four areas of power that they have, not rolled member of the Comanche Nation. He from the University of Virginia School of the tribes. one single one of them says the Tribal Coun- is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Law, and later received his Ph.D in 1997, “I can say after being back out here, I re- cil has the power to banish a sitting justice or Bar Association, the Chickasaw Bar Associ- also from the University of Virginia. signed back in 2010, that I am very excited sitting judge for any reason. In the Bob Smith ation, Delaware Nation Bar Association, as Robertson began teaching Federal Indi- for you. Not only do you have your own in- case it was ruled unconstitutional because the well as the Oklahoma Bar Association. Rivas an Law and Constitutional Law at the OU house counsel, and don’t have to seek outside attempt to banish was an attempt to remove founded Rivas Law firm in 1986 in Chick- School of Law in 1997. He is the Faculty Di- counsel, but you have your own court system and did not follow the Constitution as it is asha, Okla. According to the firm’s website, rector, Center for the Study of American In- and this is the way it’s supposed to go and I written,” Gorham said. “The resolution you “Rivas wanted to create a law firm that could dian Law and Policy and Chickasaw Nation am very honored to be here and thank you for are talking about Mr. Speaker, which you compete with large national firms and focus Endowed Chair in Native American Law. In this opportunity.” chaired the meeting, this same court under on each individual client.” 2014 Robertson served as advisor on indig- Robertson said he concurs with both of his the Arrow Court also made a ruling that a sit- Rivas was appointed as one of the first enous peoples law to the Chair of the U.N. colleagues on following the tribes’ Constitu- ting elected official nor an executive officer four judges on the CFR Court, after it was Committee on the Elimination of Racial Dis- of say the Executive Branch, cannot chair the founded in 1978 when tribal sovereignty in crimination. continuedA4 removal from pg. 1 continuedCharter from pg. 1 school voter status by failing to vote in ing separation of powers issues made by counsel and those ex- Sovereign’s support- er not identified; review than your staff asked me the past two elections. with the commission attempting hibits submitted in support of ers submitted their plan team concerned about the about curriculum and in- The Election Commission to remove Sankey. Morsette the pleadings, the Court cannot to Oklahoma City school school’s capacity to pre- struction, school account- Chairman Dale Hamilton stated claimed Sankey was not given find that Mr. Sankey was of- officials, seeking district pare a viable budget.” ability, testing methodol- during the March 15 hearing the due process from the commis- fered due process with notice sponsorship, and have As Sovereign officials ogy,” Gover said. “They commission had sent a certified sion, stating Sankey did, indeed, and an opportunity to be heard since revised it to address note on their website, don’t ask me about that. letter to Sankey on Feb. 13 to reside in his district and had re- in a meaningful manner.” issues raised by school “The feedback was ex- They ask me about die- the address currently listed for sided in the district previously. The court order went on to officials. Yet the school ceptionally poor and un- sel fuel and missing $650 him, however Sankey stated he Cowan argued the Election say, in part, “those elected to had never received a certified Commission declared a va- public office by the members of board still rejected the actionable, and contains in payroll taxes on a bus letter. cancy in the A4 district due to the tribe require that the process plan on a 7-1 vote, cit- about 500 or so words of driver. This is ridiculous.” At the conclusion of that Sankey abandoning his district by which they are removed must ing financial concerns. text in response” to a 200- Acting Superinten- public hearing, the Election and moving to Canton, Okla. be above reproach. We cannot Charles Henry provided plus page document. dent Rebecca Kaye later Commission voted to declare He stated per the Election Law say that with confidence in this the sole “yes” vote. At a school board responded, “The process Arapaho District 4 legislative the commission had the power case. Whether a ‘removal’ or However, the district’s meeting last week, Gover is not a continuous feed- seat vacant and proceeded to to declare a vacancy and cited a ‘declaration of vacancy,’ the de- feedback, provided in told board members, “The back loop.” Apparently prepare for a special election to conflict of interest pertaining to cision of the Election Commis- writing in February, of- first substantive feedback not. To have a continuous fill the seat. Morsette representing Sankey in sion is set aside for a new hear- fered only the following about our budget, that you feedback loop, you need On April 13 Sankey, being his individual capacity. ing consistent with this order.” about the charter’s financ- guys have a huge problem enough specific feedback represented by the Seventh Leg- According to reports, A4 (Note: The Tribal Tribune es: “The 5-Year Budget, with apparently, is feed- to complete an initial loop. islature attorney, Joseph Mor- constituents gave testimony and incorrectly listed a May 3 res- all three versions, cannot back that I got 36 hours No one expects the sette, presented his case to the signed affidavits stating Sankey idence hearing date, however be relied on as a sustain- ago. That is unaccept- board to rubber-stamp Supreme Court with Justices did not reside at one of the four after speaking with Election John Ghostbear, Daniel Webber residences he had provided to Commission Chairman Dale able plan as Sovereign able.” every charter school pro- and Richard Goralewicz presid- the Election Commission. Nor Hamilton, the commission has Charter Schools has not Prior to that 36-hour posal. But Sovereign’s ing. was Sankey registered to vote in been unable to serve Sankey been able to generate window, he noted, issues backers are justified in Representing the Election his district. with notice of hearing, and in sufficient confidence for raised had been minor, demanding specific, -ac Commission was attorney Klint After hearing testimony on order to give Sankey two weeks the reviewer as to their such as disputes over “the tionable feedback rather Cowan. both sides, the Supreme Court notice the commission has financial acumen and forecasted cost of diesel in than vague generalities, Morsette argued the remov- ruled in favor of Sankey, grant- moved the residency hearing to understanding of school 2023.” apparent nit-picking, and al of Sankey by the Election ing the injunction, writing, 1:30 p.m., May 24, 2018. finance common knowl- “I had a more in-depth final-hour responses. Commission was illegal claim- “Based upon the statements edge. Financial Treasur- conversation about that

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] P. O. Box 38, Concho, OK 73022 Fax: 405-422-8204

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Printed by Lindsay Web Press, Lindsay, Okla. 2010-2017 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 Fighting installation of saltwater injection wells Ray Dyer, El Reno Tribune Contributing Rosemary Stephens, C-A Tribal Tribune Protesters are lining up in an effort to stop a proposed saltwater injection well from being created north of El Reno H2OK, LLC Facility Plans is seeking permission from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to build what it describes as a “commercial non-hazardous oil and gas waste receiving and disposal facility.” The well would be established at the “northeast corner of State Highway 81 and Brit- ton Road,” a letter outlining the plan to the city of El Reno states. H2OK, LLC is based in Marble, Texas, documents from the Corporation Com- mission show. The well would operate “24/7,” the letter states. The location is actually U.S. 81, but what matters most, to many, including the city of El Reno, is the proposed injection Family Trust, ZumMallen Ranches, quakes throughout Oklahoma. Accord- well sits on top of the area’s water fields LLC and Mills-Mansell 6M Farms, ing to www.insideclimatenews.org, the as well as the North Canadian River, a LLC. findings expand on the growing consen- water source for Oklahoma City. Joe Weaver, El Reno attorney, is rep- sus among scientists that the earthquake El Reno City Council recently vot- resenting a number of those protesting spike rattling America’s midsection is ed unanimously to have City Attorney the disposal well. He said a hearing be- linked to the oil and gas drilling boom. Roger Rinehart send a formal protest fore the Corporation Commission will The research suggests that even years concerning the well proposal to the take place in June. after heightened activity takes place, Corporation Commission. In its letter to the city, H2OK lists the risk of a big earthquake can remain. Neighboring Cheyenne and Arapaho a number of steps it plans to take “to Thousands of quakes have hit Okla- tribes will hold a public hearing about protect the city of El Reno’s fresh water homa and other states since 2009, the matter at 10 a.m. May 3 in the large supply” should the Corporation Com- when oil and gas production began to conference room located at the tribes’ mission approve its request. skyrocket. The boom, both in fracking headquarters in Concho, Okla. and is David Griesel, one of those protest- and conventional production, has led to open to the public. ing the plan, said estimates are as many much more wastewater and has prompt- Mayor Matt White said the protest as 200 trucks per day could visit the dis- ed increased levels of disposal. means the city would be included in all posal site. A short 20 miles south of El Reno, of the process leading up to the decision Commercial non-hazardous oil and the City of Minco are battling two oil on the proposal. gas waste receiving and disposal facil- companies seeking to each open an oil Others that are protesting include the ity, commonly known as saltwater in- and gas waste receiving and disposal El Reno Rod and Gun Club and Devel- jection wells has been attributed to 90 facility. Minco reported a population of opment Company, The Ronald Griesel percent of the recent increase in earth- 1,646 as of 2016. Oklahoma’s earthquakes strongly linked to wastewater injection depth University of Bristol – Feb. 1, 2018 Man-made earthquakes in Oklahoma, jected on average 2.3 billion barrels of tions between injection volume, depth, “Thanks to an innovative model capa- USA, are strongly linked to the depth at fluids per year into the ground since 2011. and location, as well as geological fea- ble of analysing large and complex data which wastewater from the oil and gas Wastewater is routinely disposed of typi- tures, over a six-year period. sets, our study establishes for the first time industry are injected into the ground, ac- cally at depths one to two km below the The study used innovative new soft- a clear link between seismicity and fluid cording to a new study led by the Univer- ground surface, well below the level of ware, Uninet, which was developed by injection depth.” sity of Bristol. fresh ground water supplies. Also, saltwa- co-author Professor Roger Cooke’s group The study also shows how raising in- Oklahoma has been a seismic hotspot ter is injected deep underground to enable at Delft University of Technology and is jection well depths to above the base- for the past decade, with the number of recovery of oil and gas. freely available for academic users from ment rocks in key areas could signifi- damaging earthquakes—including the Now a major study by the University LightTwist Software. Uninet has previous- cantly reduce the annual energy released magnitude 5.8 Pawnee earthquake in of Bristol and involving the University of ly been used to develop causal risk models by earthquakes—thereby reducing the 2016—regularly impacting on the lives of Southampton, Delft University of Tech- for the aviation industry. relative likelihoods of larger, damaging residents, leading to litigation against well nology and Resources for the Future, pub- The team found that the joint effects earthquakes. Current regulatory interven- operators. lished today in the journal Science, shows of depth and volume are critical, and that tions include requiring operators to either The man-made, or induced, earthquakes conclusively that Oklahoma’s seismicity is injection volume becomes more influ- reduce injection or raise wells above the pose an increased risk to critical infra- strongly linked to fluid injection depth. ential—and more likely to cause earth- basement, often by an unspecified amount. structure such as a major commercial oil Lead author of the study, Dr Thea quakes—at depths where layered sedi- Professor Willy Aspinall, of the Univer- storage facility at Cushing, making them a Hincks, Senior Research Associate at the mentary rocks meet crystalline basement sity of Bristol and Aspinall & Associates, national security threat. University of Bristol’s School of Earth rocks. This is because deeper wells allow who conceived the study, added: “This The connection between ‘seismici- Sciences, said: “Our new modelling frame- easier access for fluids into fractured base- new diagnostic finding has potential impli- ty’—the frequency of earthquakes—and work provides a targeted, evidential basis ment rocks that are much more prone to cations for scientists, regulators and civil deep fluid injection into underground for managing a substantial reduction in in- earthquakes. authorities concerned about induced seis- rock formations is well established, but duced seismicity in Oklahoma, with exten- Dr Tom Gernon, Associate Professor in micity, both in the US and internationally. scientists, policymakers, and the oil sive possibilities for application elsewhere Earth Science at the University of South- The research addresses a growing need for and gas industry have been bewildered in the world. This marks a step forward in ampton, and co-author on the study, said: a broader understanding of how operation- by the unprecedented surge in earthquake understanding the evolution of seismicity “The underlying causes of Oklahoma’s al, spatial and geologic parameters com- activity. At its peak, there has been an in the Oklahoma region.” induced earthquakes are an open and com- bine to influence induced seismic risk. approximately 800-fold increase in Using a powerful computer model in- plex issue, not least because there are over “Our analysis allows regulatory actions the annual number of earthquakes in corporating injection well records and 10,000 injection wells, with many differ- to be evaluated on a rational, quantitative Oklahoma since 2011. earthquake data from the US Geological ent operators and operating characteristics, basis in terms of seismic effects.” Oklahoma’s well operators have in- Survey, the team examined the connec- all in an area of complex geology. BRIEFS AT A GLANCE Employment Law for tion or to register visit www. Embassy Suites in Las Ve- tion & Tradeshow The seventh annual Na- it www.nativenationevents. Tribes and Tribal Organi- falmouthinstitute.com. gas, Nev. For more informa- May 30-June 1, 2018 at tive American Housing org. zations tion or to register visit www. the Marquis San Diego Ma- Conference May 14-16, 2018 at the Native American Indig- falmouthinstitute.com. rina in San Diego, Calif. For June 4-5, 2018 at Dis- The National UNITY Embassy Suites in Las Ve- enous Studies Association more information or to regis- ney’s Grand Hotel & Spa in Conference - Finding Well- gas, Nev. For more informa- Conference The 2018 Native Broad- ter visit www.ncai.org. Anaheim, Calif. For more in- ness & Healing Within Our tion or to register visit www. May 17-19, 2018 at the cast Summit formation or to register visit Cultures falmouthinstitute.com. InterContinental Hotel in May 22-24, 2018 at the The 12th annual Native www.nativenationevents. July 6-10, 2018 at the Los Angeles, Calif. For more Wild Horse Pass Casino & American Economic Devel- org. Colorado Convention Center The Essentials of Indian information or to register Hotel in Chandler, Ariz. For opment Conference in Denver, Colo. For more Law: Everything You Need visit www.aisc.ucla.edu. more information or to regis- June 4-5, 2018 at Dis- Native American information or to register to Know to Work in Indian ter visit www.ncai.org. ney’s Grand Hotel & Spa in Healthcare Conference visit www.unityinc.org. Country Understanding and Anaheim, Calif. For more in- June 4-5, 2018 at Dis- May 16-18, 2018 at the Strengthening Tribal Sov- AMERIND Risk and formation visit www.native- ney’s Grand Hotel & Spa in Embassy Suites in Las Ve- ereignty National American Indian nationevents.org. Anaheim, Calif. For more in- gas, Nev. For more informa- May 21-22, 2018 at the Housing Council Conven- formation or to register vis- Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 5

continuedRhea from pg.fire 1 is new to this he’s done an outstanding job and we have built a really great relationship,” Smith said. Amazingly, only one death has been reported as a direct result of the fire, although there were several instances of firefighters - be ing overcome from smoke and a few with minor burns. Tennis Onco, Southern Plains Forestry and Wildlife Fire Management emergency firefighter from Anadar- ko, has seen his share of wildfires, as big or bigger than the Rhea fire, but never in Oklahoma. “The other day when the This home outside of Seiling, Okla., was spared total destruction, even though siding melt- wind picked up it was just ed away from the home as flames blazed all the way around it. (Photos / Rosemary Stephens) chaos. There was no way of stopping the fire, we gave it ingly untouched. And the our best shot and kept pressing for- most amazing sight where ward and did what we needed to do,” the homes, though siding Onco said. had melted on the outside, He said he didn’t have any fear were untouched by the of making it out alive, not really, be- fingers of the fire. cause of the training he has received Every once in a while, he knew what he had to do. you would come up to “I came out from the New Mexico a tree still smoldering, area. I’ve been doing this since 2007. smoke pouring out of I have had friends who have been in- the trunk, or a smolder- jured before but they are still going ing ember buried in the strong. The good thing right now … ground still fighting to the wind is on our side today and will stay alive. give us a chance to get in there and get “Our main focus has it done,” Onco said. been the tribal properties Touring Seiling, Vici and Fonda and families that were at areas, there seemed to be no rhyme risk, but then we had oth- or reason to the fires that left charred, er folks we had to help blackened landscape behind in its throughout the communi- path. There was a cemetery where the ty,” Tyler Burleson, BIA fire seemed to abruptly stop on one supervisor of Soil Con- side of the cemetery, only to skip com- servation said. “The first pletely over it and begin to burn again couple of days were sole- A child’s big wheel sits unscathed at the edge of on the other side. ly based on point protec- charred and blackened woods surrounding tribal The home, or what was once the tions, structures, life safe- citizen Leonard Russell’s home. It appears the fire home of Cheyenne and Arapaho trib- ty. As it has progressed, stopped, skipped over the big wheel and continued to al citizen Leonard Russell laid in a the winds have helped us burn on the other side. rubble surrounded by soot covered the last couple of days by ground, burnt trees, but standing near- tained, with many firefighters making allowing us to do a lot of operations of their way slowly back to their own by, seemingly untouched, a child’s suppression efforts on the fire itself.” purple big wheel. And a few feet away homes, leaving behind what will long And as of press time, the Rhea fires be remembered as one of the worst from the rubble of blackened remains, were being reported as 84 percent con- stood a child’s swing set, again seem- fires in Oklahoma’s history. Elderly Nutrition Program assists elders with transportation needs

Rosemary Stephens Editor-in-Chief

One of the biggest challenges for elders is mobili- ty … especially if they are wheel chair bound. Their freedom to jump into a vehicle and just go as they once did is taken away, not by choice. But that’s about to change. The Cheyenne and Arapa- ho Elderly Nutrition Program Elderly Nutrition Program director Vanessa Martinez in Clinton, Okla., has just shows off their new 2017 Dodge Caravan. The vehicle will be received a 2017 Dodge Car- used to transport tribal elders to various locations. (Photos / avan, wheel chair accessible Rosemary Stephens) vehicle specifically for transporting tribal elders to doctor appointments, the movies, the grocery store, just to name a few. “A lot of our elders are wheel chair bound and now we are able to transport them. If anything we can make the elder’s life much easier. Instead of I’m not able to get a ride to a certain place or not being able to enjoy life as they should be. Let’s say for instance, going to the movies, going to the grocery store, doing life successfully as they were before they were wheel chair bound,” Vanessa Martinez, The program used to have two vehicles, Elderly Nutrition Program director said. both of which were wrecked in accidents on She said, for her what’s amazing is they the same day in 2015 prior to Martinez’s be- are now able to help tribal elders not only coming director. The 2017 Dodge Caravan is in the Clinton community, but several other the replacement for both of those vehicles. tribal communities as well. “Almost two years we have been waiting. Transportation services will be provided Elder Care had transferred an old vehicle for tribal elders in the communities of Elk over to us but we couldn’t use it for transport- City, Clinton, Arapaho, Weatherford, Geary, ing and that kind of put a halt to our program. Watonga and Seiling, to begin with. Other But now we are good to go. communities will be added as the program The tribes had to contribute five percent grows and another vehicle is obtained. totaling $5,867 towards to the total cost of Martinez put in hundreds of hours filing the van which was $37,614,” Martinez said. paperwork, writing policies to apply for the Martinez said some policies will be de- vehicle through the Oklahoma Dept. of Hu- veloped for the transporting specifically, but man Services (DHS) 5310 Transportation she would like to receive a few days advance Program. notice to ensure they can accommodate the “We are going to start with this vehicle elder’s request and get them to their appoint- and then hopefully within the next one to ments or any other place they might need to three years we will add another vehicle and go. have much more assistance with our elders,” For more information on transporting con- Martinez said. tact Martinez at 580-331-2311. PAGE 6 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Eating Keeping Foods Safe healthy for DIABETES During Warm Weather Tara Conway, MS, RD, LD, CDE C&A Diabetes Wellness Program We enjoy the warm- you and your family safe: arate raw meat, poultry and previously cooked meats and Calendar er weather as it is a time Clean and wash hands and seafood from other items in seafood to a reheat tempera- when we get together with surfaces often, separate raw your shopping cart and gro- ture of 165°. Hot dogs and Cheyenne and Arapaho Graduation Banquet family and friends cooking meat and poultry from ready- cery bag. deli meat need to be reheated Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Frisco Center in Clinton, backyard barbeques or hav- to-eat foods. Cook foods to When eating out, you go to a temperature of 165°F. Okla. Honoring all Cheyenne and Arapaho high school and ing family picnics. When it the right temperatures. Chill out early and beat the crowd Deli meat that has not be college graduates. Please arrive early for an individual photo. comes to food we need to raw meat and poultry as well as kitchens make mistakes warmed up can be very dan- For mor information call 405-422-7646 or 405-422-7439. take extra precautions to not as cooked leftovers promptly more often when they are gerous for pregnant women contract a food borne illness. (within two hours). busy. Be cautious of high- as it could contain Listeria. Graduation Dance for Aundrea & Angel Koshiway Certain populations are at Become a safe shopper by risk food sources such as sal- Raw bean sprouts are anoth- Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Concho Community Center a higher risk than others such checking the sell by or use ad bars, delicatessens, buf- er food that can be contami- in Concho, Okla. Gourd dance begins at 3 p.m., supper at 6 as cancer patients, children by dates, do not buy products fets, potlucks and street food nated with bacteria. p.m. with program to resume at 7:30 p.m. under 5 years of age, persons that are out of date. Don’t buy vendors. Be cautious regard- NYPD camp is ap- Aundrea and Angel are the daughters of Joseph Koshiway with diabetes, HIV/AIDs pa- cans that are swollen, dam- ing fresh fruits and vegeta- proaching and we have a and Leonard Koshiway and the granddaughters of Louella tients, older adults, persons aged, rusted or dented and bles as they may not have waiting list for youth ages OldBear, Deswood Koshiway and Vicky Koshiway. with Autoimmune diseases, choose unbruised fruits and been properly washed and 8-12. If you are interested MC Virgil Franklin Jr., HS Mike Kehega, HMD Jerry Har- and pregnant women. vegetables. Do not eat self- fresh squeezed juices may or please contact The Diabe- jo, HLD Ida Hoffman, Host Redmoon Gourd Dancers, Hon- The recent Romaine let- serve foods, free food sam- may not have been pasteur- tes Wellness Program, we ored Elders Opal & Patrick Spottedwolf and AD TBA. tuce recall is concerning. The ples or buy or use cracked or ized. Make sure all dishes will know next month how For more information call 405-823-8745 or 405-426-2278. recall was for bagged Ro- unrefrigerated eggs. When with eggs have pasteurized many open spots the camp maine because it is contam- shopping pick up frozen and eggs in them as well. will have. Roy Bates Honor Dance inated with E-coli, and now refrigerated items last, right When preparing food, you For more information and Saturday, May 5, 2018. Clinton, Okla. Community Hall all Romaine lettuce has been before you check out and re- want to make sure you pre- tips on wellness contact Tara Gourd Dance starts at 3 p.m. Supper at 5 p.m. Dance to fol- recalled. If you bought Ro- frigerate foods immediately pare your foods to the appro- Conway at Diabetes Well- low. MC Max Watan, HS Craig Hart, HMD Wilbur Bull- maine lettuce return it to the when you get home. Never priate temperatures. Meat, ness Program 405-422-7685, coming, HLD Anna Helen Spottedwolf, HLB Geary Smiles, grocery store for a refund. leave perishable items out poultry, pork and seafood 405-208-0787 or email tcon- HLG Daralis Redshin Aguilar, Honored Elders Belva Hicks Here are some tips to keep more than two hours. Sep- cook to at least 145°F, heat [email protected]. and Joyce Martinez, Honored Veteran Lena Nells, AD Billy Youngbird and Seth Littleman.

All Gourd Benefit Dance May 5, 2018 at the Comanche Community Center in Clinton Playground Improvements Apache, Okla. The 2018 Commemoration Planning Commit- tee fundraiser for 100th year event for the Native American Church of Oklahoma. Supper at 4 p.m. MC Mike Burgess, HS Larry Monoessy, HMD Max Bear, HLD Tomasita Littlecrow, AD Heartsill Sweezy, Co-Host Apache NAC Chapter & Oklahoma City Powwow Club. For more information call 405-206-5402 or 405-596-0006.

Riverside Indian School Class of 2018 Senior Honor Dance 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. May 10, 2018 at the Riverside Indian School baseball fields MC RG Harris, HMS Anthony Monessey, HMD Bart Ste- vens, Deputy Bureau Director School Operations, Bureau of Indian Education, HLD Sydna Moore Yellowfish, AD Jason The Clinton Playground was started for lighting and more wood chips. The and the Tax Commission for approving Lightfoot. as a volunteer project that was com- Sixth Legislature appropriated funds the funding. Thank you to Cheyenne For more information contact Billy Pewo at 405-227-6840. pleted in 2014. Since that time many for twosolar light poles that light up the and Arapaho Housing Authority for tribal citizens living in the area have playground and appropriated funds for assisting with getting the light pole Comanche Little Ponies 50th annual Powwow expressed nighttime lighting. And the artificial turf for the playground. Both concrete bases dug and poured. Clin- May 11-12, 2018 at the Comanche County Fairground, playground used engineered wood areas were funded with tax revenues. ton Lucky Star Casino IT Department 920 S. Sheridan Rd., in Lawton, Okla. Free admission, open chips as the playground fall protec- The solar lights are self-sustaining and who helped put together the solar lights to the public. Arts & crafts and food vendors welcomed. Con- tion. These wood chips, over the last need no hookup to the power grid. The and the casino maintenance crew that tests in all categories. Please bring your own chairs. For more four years, have deteriorated with artificial turf has reused foam under the installed them. This has been a com- information contact Lowell Nibbs at 580-583-5279 or by weeds and grass growing inside the turf that is used for the fall protection mUNITY effort to get the playground email [email protected]. play area. and will last longer than wood chips. up and running again for our children The playground committee got to- The Clinton Playground Commit- and grandchildren to be safe and have Graduation Dance honoring Desiree and Kai gether and made a request to the tribes tee would like to thank the Legislators fun with. Hamilton May 20, 2018 at the Concho Community Center in Con- cho, Okla. Gourd dance begins at 3 p.m., meal at 5 p.m. MC Willie Bullcoming, AD Billy Youngbird, HS Frank Mosqueda, HLD Karen Little Coyote, HMD Kendricks HED Team Increases Impact Sleeper, HLGD Nina Reed, HBD Merlin Big Medicine, Hon- Spreads Awareness on smoking and tobacco cessation ored Elder Viola Hatch and Co-Host Redmoon Gourd Clan. For more information call 405-365-5123. Submitted by Darrel James Community Baby Event HED/MPOWER 5-7 p.m. May 22, 2018 at the Clinton Community Center in Clinton, Okla. Prevention Specialist The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Memorial Day Native Americans from Commemoration across the country are 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the Concho showing an increase in Community Center in Concho, Okla. For more information stating their desire to quit contact Russell Willey at 405-422-7724. smoking, according to an 2018 Oklahoma State Handgame Tournament email from Ruimy Penn, 9:30 a.m., May 26, 2018 at Concho Community Center in Consumer Safety Offi- Concho, Okla. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 12 cer for the U.S. Food and p.m. Lunch served at noon. Teams must be 18 years or old- Drug Administration. er. Entry fee-$250. First place $4,000+trophy, second place During the annual $2,000+trophy and third place $1,000+trophy. Great American Smoke For more information contact Charlotte at 405-479-5971. Out event across the country held in Novem- Oklahoma Indian Nation Princess Coronation Dance ber 2017, the event made The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes’ Health Education team partnered with the Clinton Ser- May 26, 2018 at the Darlington School. Supper at 5 p.m. contact with 1287 individ- vice Unit (CSU) in Clinton and at the tribes’ headquarters in Concho, reaching 175 partici- with gourd dance to follow. uals to spread the word on pants during the Great American Smoke Out. (Courtesy photo) Honoring the 2017 Outgoing Royalty, Senior Miss Morn- smoking and tobacco ces- ingstar Hoffman, Junior Miss Christiana Derenzo and Tiny sation. of planning time for each individual and group and Tot Mahlea Warrior. The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes’ Health Edu- doesn’t include the social media time spent dissem- MC Alan Fletcher, HS Redstone Singers, HM Fred Mosqueda, HL Sarah Orange, HB Bryce Longknife (10), HG cation team partnered with the Clinton Service Unit inating information and taking it all in,” Penn wrote. Annabella Ferrell (8) and AD James Reveles. (CSU) in Clinton and at the tribes’ headquarters in Notable accomplishments include multiple people Concho, reaching 175 participants. trading their cigarettes for gum, multiple individuals “In total, across 12 different sites, 10 separate or- signing the ‘Tobacco Free Pledge’, Turkey to Quit ganizations or OpDIVs, and three social media plat- “Cold Turkey”, and coloring books for children for forms; 25 officers and 16 civilians volunteered over “Youth Prevention” theme. 30 hours of event time to spread awareness,” Penn Agencies and organizations involved were Tribes’ said. Health Education, Indian Health Service, DCCPR, The number of individuals stating a desire to quit Boys and Girls Club of Phoenix, Phoenix COA, FDA, increased by 64 in 2017, up from 61 to 125, accord- USCG, Golden Gate COA, Cal State Long Beach, ing to Outreach Metrics. The number receiving or U.S. Public Health Services Pharmacists, PharmPAC, requesting resources also increased tremendously to and HSOPAC. 303 in 2017, up from 148 in 2016. Events were held from coast to coast in Washington The tribes’ team developed smoking and tobacco and South Carolina, including Oklahoma, Arizona, cessation information for dissemination, including in- Maryland, Minnesota, and the internet. formation referring individuals to the Oklahoma To- For more information about Health Education de- bacco Helpline. liverables, call 405-422-7676. “This doesn’t even include the countless hours Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 7

Wishing happy birthdays to: April 24, 1974 My brother, Arvin Bates Jr.

th May 4 Dee Ann Alexander April 29 th May 11, 1995 Happy 5 Birthday to Happy 16th Birthday May 21 My oldest son, Draven Allen. our Charlee Rose! I to our “pretty baby” Happy Birthday Bob You’re a generous and loving have been blessed to granddaughter Anastasia Lamebull sister. Enjoyed our recent May 3, 1986 watch you grow into the Blaze Emhoolah. We From your friend, Pistol trip to Las Vegas that you My newphew, Brady Jack. outspoken, kind hearted pray God gives you many Pete! Go Pokes! Orange provided for my birthday. and amazing little girl birthdays and good health. Power! Happy 61 Congratulations on the Hope you have a good one boys! that you are. I am so Love you always, grandpa purchase of your new dream See you soon. blessed to be your Mike and grandma Georgia house. Your dedication and Love, Jay. momma! We love you professionalism at Commerce Emhoolah, your Cheyenne so much, mom, Felipe, Dept. /Census mean that and Kiowa Families. Drelyn, Abram, and promotion is inevitable. Great Nayeli. professional role model for Anastasia Blaze Emhoolah, your aspiring young protégé, daddy loves you so much. I Listen to the rain as if fall to the earth, in it’s soft rhythm In loving memory of my sister Jeri Allen and young women and girls. would give and do anything you can hear the old ones singing and dancing once Nov. 12, 1965 – May 3, 2000 Big brother Bill to have you in my arms. again. Listen to the win as it sweeps across the land, the Another year has passed since our Lord called you home. I love you, miss you and wind holds the stories of all the ages, if only you will hear. Yet, it seems like only yesterday that we were laughing always will. Happy early For it is the same wind then, now and always. Listen to around, cruising the back roads in your old beat up green birthday sweetheart. May the stillness of the night, in it’s infiny you can hear what indian car headed to go play bingo, then go play pool. You the Lord bless you in all that you must and know what you must. Listen to the leaves had a big heart, a heart of gold, and your door was always you do. and they rustle. Listen to the grass as it sways. Listen to open to anybody who needed a place to stay, especially the water as it ripples in the stream. Listen to the snow Georgia Siemens around pow-wow time. I always looked up to you, and to as it quietly blankets the ground. Listen to the innocents Feb. 22, 1941 this day I still do, because your spirit is engraved in my of the young. Listen to the wisdom of the old. Listen to April 13, 2018 heart and soul. I miss you sis, but I know that God needed the kindness of the good. Listen to the sadness of the lost. you in heaven to complete his beautiful paradise with your Listen to all these things not only with your ears, but An all-night wake service radiance. I’m always looking up at you, so shine bright for listen with your hear, your mind and hear them in your was held April 17 at the Con- us my big sis. I know I’ll see you again, hand and hand on soul. Yes my people we must listen, we must hear, sad cho Community Building in that golden shore. Missing you! Your brother, Jay. we must know, we must know if we are to maintain the Concho, Okla. Funeral ser- “Across the years I will walk with you – in deep, green existence of our world, our heritage, our future. This we vices were held April 18 at forests; On shores of sand; And when our time on earth is must do for us now, for those to come, and for those who the same venue. through in heaven, too, you will have my hand.” are gone. For like the wind we are then, now and always. Interment followed at Yes my brothers and for always there must be Indians! Sappington Cemetery in Donovan 90’ Cowden, Okla. Wilson, of El Reno; brothers, Solomon Eugene Pedro of El Reno, Fritz Pedro of Clinton, Walter Fire Jr. and Forrest Fire both of El Reno; sisters, Samarrah Pedro Gal- legos of Clinton and Louel- la Pedro and Myra Detten- beck, both of Ogden, Utah; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death Yvonne S. ‘Starwoman’ by father William Pedro Jr.; Wilson was born Dec. 13, mother Eileen Penn Pedro; 1949. She passed away on brothers, William Lee Pedro, April 16, 2018 at Select Spe- Frank Angelo Pedro and Vir- cialty Hospital in Oklahoma gil Pedro; sisters, Toni Kay City. Pedro, Cheryl Pedro Jones A longtime resident of El and Carolyn Hancock White- Reno, Yvonne was a director Cloud. for the Cheyenne and Arap- The wake was held on aho tribes’ Gaming Com- April 19. Funeral services mission. She enjoyed doing were held on April 20, with beadwork, bingo and attend- both services held at the In Loving Memory of Marlena Marie Williams ing powwows. Concho Community Center May 23, 1972 Yvonne is survived by her with Rev. Gerald Panana of- May 10, 2017 husband Robert, of the home; ficiating. Burial followed in Marlena not a day goes by that we think of you and miss you two sons, Woodrow Wilson the Concho Cemetery under every day.” Heaven is beautiful! And so are you. and Robert Wilson Jr. both the direction of Huber-Ben- Marlene, Yolanda, Franklin, Maria and Monte of El Reno; daughter Sunny son Funeral Home.

continuedHistory from pg. 2 center ing of the WTHC. The WTHC project involved “For example we’re working said. partners and so with this Wichita Despite the dull and rainy weath- various members among the Wich- with a museum in Austin, Texas., Gary McAdams, Cultural Pro- History Center, it will be a great at- er of the day, a numerous amount of ita Affiliated Tribes and Anadar- because the Wichita were also in gram Planner for the Wichita Affil- traction for tourism in our commu- attendees gathered at the WTHC as ko community. Timothy Baugh, Texas, they want to tell our story iate Tribes, hopes the WTHC will nity, we have a long history as the the main lobby was overflown with WTHC director, reflects on the nu- down there, we don’t really have be an educational experience not Indian Capitol of the country, we chatter and excitement. merous people involved in the proj- anything to donate for a exhibit only for tribal citizens but also for also have the Southern Plains Trib- With the addition of the WTHC ect over the years and of the signifi- down there, but they went to the the public. McAdams contributed al Museum, we have the National in Anadarko, there is great anticipa- cant structure of the building. Chicago Field Museum and they time towards the WTHC project in Hall of Fame for American Indians, tion of its contribution to the com- “This started in 2014 when are going to borrow a small set identifying photographs, texts and and we’re blessed to have the sev- munity in showcasing the Wichita they first applied for the grant and of objects from them to represent objects for display in the exhibit. en local tribes here and so together, history and educating the public. I wrote a letter of support for that the Wichita, so I’m hoping that, I “I just hope that it will be an the tribes and the city and the busi- The center will also in return gen- in cooperation but Gerald Collins, don’t know if this will happen as it educational experience for our peo- nesses all work together to grow erate tourism for the Anadarko was the real instigator behind all of can be very expensive transporting ple, that they’ll get to learn some our community, we’re excited,” community. that and then he worked with Gary stuff from Austin to here and up to things that they’re not going to find David Scott, Anadarko Chamber of “It’s an exciting time in Anadar- McAdams and Terri Parton, who is Chicago, but what we’d like to do in history books or anything like Commerce Executive director said. ko, there’s a lot of growth and the president, and they worked with is bring those objects here because that. That’s our main priority, to Through the WTHC, the history change here and this is just another various people about the design, those were some of the most im- educate our own people and edu- and life of the Wichita people from one of those changes that I think the exhibits, what they wanted and portant objects that helped us start cate the public in general because the early days of village farming will increase tourism to the area how they wanted to present it and the original traveling exhibit and our history is not very well known, societies to present day are now and that’s really been our focus there is no real timeline in here, we took photos of those objects, our main goal is to have something showcased for the public. from an economic development the structure is circular, so you can bringing the objects here today is a here for our people, especially our “We’re proud of our indigenous point of view, we always were start anywhere in the exhibit and way that I think we can really cap- young ones and those still yet to community and heritage here and known as the Indian capitol of the end up anywhere and you still get ture the interest of the community come,” McAdams said. in terms of our community brand, nation and for some reason that the story of who the Wichita people again,” Baugh said. The center first broke ground we think that this is a great place to started going away as our identity are and for me it’s really fantastic,” Other activities for the center in 2016 and has since been a long be indigenous,” Scott said. and my administration has been Baugh said. are anticipated and being planned awaited project to be completed in The WTHC also hosts a lan- working to revitalize that as our With the center fashioned with to ensure the public stays interest- the Anadarko community. Known guage archive and research library identity, we should embrace who old portraits, facts and displays of ed. as the ‘Indian Capitol’ of the na- that contains books, monographs, we are and this fits very well in that historical information, the hope for “I’m hoping that we can sched- tion, Anadarko was also the very journals and articles covering dif- Indian capitol of the nation theme, WTHC is that the center will flour- ule lectures about Wichita history first municipality in Oklahoma to ferent time periods from the Archa- attracting people from around the ish with new and intriguing exhibits and culture and have programs, as pass the resolution of recognizing ic to the modern period. world to come and learn about the to keep the community interested. well as working with Gary, who’s Indigenous People’s Day in place Hours of operation following tribes that we have here in Oklaho- With fixed panels already in place the cultural planner, and maybe of Columbus Day. the grand opening are Monday – ma and especially the seven tribes at the center’s exhibit, Baugh said have pottery classes here, and oth- “With the Chamber of Com- Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. WTHC is we have here in Anadarko,” Kyle there is hope for future additions er types of arts and crafts to keep merce, we support local business- located at 32210 County St. 2670 Eastwood, Anadarko Mayor said. such as temporary exhibits. the community interested,” Baugh es, tourism and of course, our tribal in Anadarko, Okla. PAGE 8 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei LEGAL NOTICES Employment:JOB Submit a tribal application, OPPORTUNITIES resume, diploma(s), transcripts, valid copy of Oklahoma state driver’s license and a copy of CDIB (if applidable) to Personnel Department, PO Box 38, Concho, OK 73022 or email [email protected]. Family Violence Construction Worker I Transit Drive II – FT Project Inspector II Dept. of Housing Advocate Tribal Transit Program Dept. of Housing Closing: Until Filled Social Services Closing: Until Filled Closing: Until Filled Closing: Until Filled Qualifications: Qualifications: Qualifications: Qualifications: Minimum of three (3) Interview/Photo by Latoya Lonelodge Must have demonstrated Must possess CPR and Bachelor’s degree in so- years of experience in in- construction and landscaping First Aid Certification or cial work or human services spection and/or housing work experience. Must be be willing to attend vari- with experience is preferred. construction work. Ability able to write reports and cor- ous training programs to Knowledge and an under- to read and interpret floor respondence as needed. Must obtain certification. Must standing of mental health plans, blueprint and speci- be able to lift a minimum of pass pre-employment drug counseling, family therapy, fications in order to deter- 75 lbs and be physically fit screening process and be social work or related field. mine appropriate location for to withstand manual labor. subject to random drug test- Ability to work flexible building construction. Must Must possess a High School ing. Should be able to lift, at hours and be willing to work be familiar with federal and Diploma or GED. Must be a minimum, 50 lbs. with no other than normal working tribal procurement practices. willing to submit to a back- physical barriers from doing hours including weekends must have the ability to work ground check. Must possess so. Must possess the ability and holidays. Must maintain independently with mini- valid oklahoma Driver’s Li- to communicate effectively a high level of confidentiality mum supervision. Famil- cense and be insurable. Must to patrons and superiors any on all client matters and other iarize with the Freedom of be able to pass a pre-hire findings, incidents, activities matters protected by the Pri- Information Act & Privacy drug screening. and daily responsibilities. vacy Act. OSBI and criminal Act. Must have a good work- SALARY: Negotiable Must possess a high school background checks required. ing knowledge of plans and diploma and possible com- Adult Education Must possess a current Okla- specifications. Must be fa- pletion of a commercial driv- Counselor homa driver’s license. Prefer miliar with contract require- ing raining program and/or Closing Until Filled knowledge of Cheyenne and ments. Ability to excercise defensive driving program. Qualifications: Arapaho/Native American sound judgment and arrive Must have an accept able Bachelor’s degree in ed- cultures and values. Ability at valid conclusions. Must driving record and if selected ucation or related field pre- to work with difficult clien- be well organized in record for the position, must pro- ferred or an equivalent of tele. Must complete OKDHS keeping. Must have the abil- vide a current Motor Vehicle combination of education Criminal History Review ity to convey expectations Report (MVR) from the Sate and experience, substituting and Supplemental Action. of the Department of Hous- Department of Public Safety. one year of experience in SALARY: Negotiable ing to contractor personnel. teaching for each year of the SALARY: Negotiable Ability to work well with NOTICE OF people. Must be able to work required education. Ability Caseworker Aide HOLIDAY in a busy work environment. to pass OSBI background HOPE Program CLOSURE Ability to work extended check. Must be able to Closing: May 8, 2018 work flexible hours includ- The Cheyenne and hours at certain key times of ing weekends and holidays. Arapaho tribal the year. Must have a valid Must possess a valid Oklaho- offices will be closed Qualifications: Oklahoma Driver’s License Must have valid driver’s ma driver’s license and have on Monday May 28, and be insurable. must be license in order to operate a a clean driving record for 2018 in observance of able to pass a pre-hire drug government vehicle. High insurance purposes. Chey- Memorial Day. screening. Native American school diploma or G.E.D. re- enne-Arapaho preference. All offices will reopen preference. quired. Must be able to pass SALARY: Negotiable at 8 a.m. Tuesday SALARY: Negotiable May 29. a background check. One Health Promotion year experience in secretari- Don’t miss your copy of Specialist al, para-professional or ad- the Tribal Tribune. (Seasonal) ministrative preferred. Chey- Send address changes to Closing: May 8, 2018 enne-Arapaho preference. Tribal Tribune, PO Box 38, SALARY: Negotiable Qualifications: Concho, Okla. 73022 High school diploma or G.E.D. required. Prior experience in health related field. Must have driver’s license and provide clean motor vehicle report. Must be willing to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification. Familiar with organization policies and procedures, knowledge of Cheyenne-Arapaho culture and will to work flexible hours including nights and weekends. Must pass background check and be in good physical condition to lift heavy items. Chey- enne-Arapaho preference. SALARY: Negotiable Cheyenne Junior Apprentice Language Department CLosing: Until Filled

Qualifications: High school diploma or G.E.D. required. Experi- ence in learning Cheyenne, Arapaho or another foreign language. Experience in teaching or leading a group of people. Ability to use language related technology such as recording devices, video conferencing tools and electronic dictionaries. Abil- ity to track data, and mon- itor progress using simple spreadsheets. Ability to work a flexible schedule according to the availability of Master Speakers. Ability to work with children, adult learners and elders. Excellent com- munication and interpersonal skills needed. Must be able to pass a background check, have valid Oklahoma driver’s license and have clean driving record. SALARY: Negotiable Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune PAGE 9

Samuel Horse, El Reno High School Interview/Photo by Latoya Lonelodge Born in Oklahoma City What goals have you Who or what inspires you and raised in El Reno, Okla., set for yourself in sports, the most? standing tall and ambitious, school? My grandma because she Samuel Horse, 18, hopes to Just to lower my times raised me, brothers and sis- make his mark as a senior on and get faster. For school, ters our whole lives pretty the track field. Standing 6’0, graduating. much. Samuel is on the El Reno What actions are you tak- What does your routine High School Track & Field ing to reach these goals? workout consist of to stay fit team. Motivating myself. for your sport? How often? When did you first begin What has been the most For mid distance work- running and how? exciting game you have outs we usually do different Last year, the coach want- played in? stuff all the time, it’s gotten ter. make things worse by retal- ite team? ed me to try it out because he My first track meet this harder and harder ever since Who has had the biggest iating if they, I guess start For track, it would have to said I had a runner’s body, season, when I found out that we started track this year. We impact on your life? acting physical over it. be Carl Albert because their I went to try it out, I didn’t I knocked my time down by work on our take-offs, some My grandma. How do you combat drug distant runners are really really plan on staying on the a whole minute against Put- workouts we’ll start where What are some of your & alcohol use by peer pres- good and their fastest distant team but I stayed because it nam City. we normally wouldn’t race hobbies (what do you like to sure? runs his miles in a 4:30. was fun and I liked the peo- What is the best advice but we wouldn’t have to as do when not playing sports)? I just don’t hang around What are your immediate ple on the team. you have ever been given and long it’s usually just a lap I go to the gym every people that do it. plans after graduating high What is it about the sport who gave you that advice? for practice. We will work on now and then and if not, just If you could change one school? that you love the best? My assistant coach and our finishes too, meaning last hangout with friends. thing in the world, what Getting my certification Just noticing how better she handles all the long 200 meters the coach will What kinds of music do would it be? in welding and enlisting in I’ve gotten since I started distant runners so after my want us to sprint as fast as we you enjoy listening to? Segregation because even the military. running. third meet when I didn’t do could to help us in the race. I It’s mainly underground though it was big in the 18th What would be your ad- What has been your big- as good as I wanted to, she go to the gym maybe four or rap music. century it’s still a thing now, vice to younger kids coming gest accomplishment in the stopped me and said, don’t five times a week. What is one thing about not as bad as it used to be, up behind you? sport so far? worry about everybody else What are one or two you that no one else knows? but it’s still around. To never give up on your Knocking my mile time just worry about yourself and things in your training, that I’m left handed. What would be a dream dreams. down by a whole minute. about your race. you feel are keys to you being Were you ever bullied in come true for you in your Samuel’s parents are Sam- What is your biggest ac- Do you have a saying or successful in your sport? school? What steps do you life? uel Horse, Sr., and Yolanda complishment in the class- motto that you live your life My coaches help and just feel should be taken to pro- To see my grandma again. Littleraven. His grandpar- room so far? by? running. tect those being bullied in Who is your favorite ath- ents are Peggy Beaver and Keeping my grades up. It was movie that had to What is your favorite schools today? lete of all time? Gerald Horse. Samuel has What is your GPA (if do with navy seals, the say- meal before or after a game? Oh yeah, if someone’s Steve Prefontaine, he was three brothers and three sis- known)? ing is, whatever you have to It’s usually a granola bar arguing about something a runner back in the 70’s. ters. 2.0 do just find an excuse to win. and fruit, if not, a lot of wa- pointless then don’t try to Which team is your favor-

March 2018 Johnson O’Malley ~ 2018 Oklahoma Native All State Honor Club Recipients Games convene at Bacone College Malaina Byrd, Hammon As & Bs The Board of Directors for the Oklahoma their dream of furthering their athletic posi- Ignacio Galaviz, Weatherford As & Bs Native All State Association announces the tions and giving them recognition for their Celvin S. Shadden, Del City As & Bs presentation of the Annual Oklahoma All accomplishments in athletics and academ- Ra-Kayah Davis-Pratt, Hammon As & Bs State Games, June 15-16 at Bacone College ics. Tribal governments, Oklahoma public Ryun Hulbutta, El Reno As & Bs in Muskogee, Okla. schools, parents, Bacone staff, and coaches Shane YellowEagle Jr., Thomas-Fay-Custer As & Bs Senior high school American Indian boy have all been more than supportive and we Leah Brewer, Watonga As & Bs and girl athletes in softball, baseball basket- are very appreciative for the benefit of our Kina Black, Watonga As & Bs ball, golf and cross country from Oklahoma Oklahoma public school American Indian Tucker Thunderbull, Watonga As & Bs public schools will be identified and selected students” stated Dwight Pickering, chair of Antonio Baxcajay, Darlington As & Bs to represent their respective high school and the association’s board of directors. Dorene Allyn Whitehorse, Riverside (rural) As tribal affiliation in this popular gathering of Oklahoma Native All-State Association Lakylah Black, El Reno As sport competition and recognition. Planning committee members, coaches and The two day activity begins with a Friday tribal officials, have volunteered their time Elizabeth YellowEagle, Thomas-Fay-Custer As check in and the All State Golf Tournament. and energy in making this opportunity a Alexander Cochran, OKC As & Bs + Perfect Attendance A recognition/award banquet, featuring Cross unique experience for all involved. The pub- Ciela Burns, Clinton As Country Coach Rick Baker of Hopi High lic is invited to come and enjoy the competi- Gianna Burns, Clinton As & Bs + Perfect Attendance School, winner of 26 straight State Champi- tions, recognition and fellowship at Bacone Solomon Vargas, Canton As onships as keynote speaker, will be held on College, a historic college for Indian people, Vicente Baxcajay, Darlington As & Bs + Perfect Attendance Friday evening. The following Saturday will and the host institution. For ticket informa- Yareni Baxcajay, Darlington As feature competitive cross-country meet, soft- tion, programs, and donations, please call Javier Baxcajay, Darlington As & Bs + Perfect Attendance ball, baseball and basketball games. Josh Nichols, committee member, at 918- “This is our way of encouraging our 360-8619 or e-mail him at nichols@bacone. American Indian student athletes to continue edu at Bacone College. Brian Jai Keith among IAIA 2018 graduates (Santa Fe, N.M.) The In- ing -- along with certificates stitute of American Indian in Business and Entrepre- Arts is pleased to announce neurship, Museum Studies, the graduation of Brian Jai and Native American Art Keith (Cheyenne/Tewa/ History -- IAIA is the only Hopi) with a BFA in Studio college in the nation ded- Arts. He will receive his de- icated to the study of con- gree during the commence- temporary Native arts. The ment ceremonies in Santa Fe school serves 517 full time on May 12, 2018. equivalent (FTE) Native Art and Design. Offering undergradu- and non-Native American For more information ate degrees in Studio Arts, college students from across about the IAIA commence- Creative Writing, Cinemat- the globe. IAIA is accredit- ment, please contact Eric ic Arts and Technology, In- ed by the Higher Learning Davis at 505-424-2351, or digenous Liberal Studies, Commission -- and is the [email protected]. For and Museum Studies -- a only college in New Mexico more information about minor in Performing Arts accredited by the National IAIA, please visit www.iaia. -- an MFA in Creative Writ- Association of Schools of edu. (Photo / Jason Ordaz) PAGE 10 Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Trump challenges Native Americans’ historic standing By Dan Diamond Native Americans say they filled with job training, education ing to create a barrier to accessing ments. (115). The White House budget should be exempt from Medicaid and similar activities. necessary Medicaid services.” “The agency’s official response this year proposed eliminating pop- work requirements, which tribes The decision to reject the request Native Americans’ unemploy- was that they couldn’t provide that ular initiatives like the decades-old say put their health at risk and was driven by political appointees ment rate of 12 percent in 2016 was [documentation] because of ongo- community health representative threaten their centuries-old rela- in HHS’ general counsel and civil nearly three times the U.S. average, ing, unspecified litigation,” said program, even though tribal health tionship with the U.S. government. rights offices, say three individuals partly because jobs are scarce on Devin Delrow of the National In- officials say it is essential. The Trump administration dis- with knowledge of the decision. reservations. Low federal spending dian Health Board. HHS did not Tribal officials noted that both agrees. The Trump administration has on the Indian Health Service has respond to a question about why HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Dep- The dispute hangs on a ques- concluded the tribes are a race and also left tribes dependent on Med- those documents have not been uty Secretary Eric Hargan skipped tion with ramifications far beyond exempting them from Medicaid icaid to fill coverage gaps. made available. HHS’ annual budget consultation health benefits. Are the tribes a ra- work rules, which have been ap- “Without supplemental Med- While the tribes say they’re hop- with tribal leaders in Washington, cial group seeking preferences, or proved in three states so far and are icaid resources, the Indian health ing to avoid a legal fight, their go- D.C., last month. The secretary’s do they have special status as a sep- being sought by at least 10 others, system will not survive,” W. Ron to law firm, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & attendance is customary; then- arate government with protections would be illegal preferential treat- Allen — a tribal leader who chairs Walker LLP, in February submitted HHS Secretary Tom Price joined enshrined in the U.S. Constitution? ment. “HHS believes that such an CMS’ Tribal Technical Advisory a 33-page memo to the Trump ad- last year. However, Azar canceled “The United States has a legal exemption would raise constitu- Group, warned Verma in a Feb. 14 ministration, sternly warning of- last-minute. His scheduled replace- responsibility to provide health tional and federal civil rights law letter. ficials that the health agency was ment, Hargan, fell ill so Associate care to Native Americans,” said concerns,” according to a review The Trump administration has violating its responsibilities. Deputy Secretary Laura Caliguri Mary Smith, who was acting head by administration lawyers. allowed three states, Arkansas, “CMS has a duty to ensure that participated in his place. That ag- of the Indian Health Service during Instead, the Trump administra- Kentucky and Indiana, to begin [Native Americans] are not subject- gravated tribal leaders who were the Obama administration and is a tion maintains that Native Ameri- ed to state-imposed work require- already concerned about the Trump member of the Cherokee Nation. cans should meet the same requirements that would present a barrier administration’s policies. They’ve paid through “It’s the largest prepaid health ments as other able-bodied adults to their participation in the Medic- Another point of contention “land and massacres, and system in the world, they’ve paid seeking to qualify for Medicaid in aid program,” the memo concludes. for the tribes is that HHS’ civil now you’re going to take through land and massacres, and states that are imposing work rules. “CMS not only has ample legal au- rights office, while rejecting Na- away health care and add a now you’re going to take away But the tribes say that any claim thority to make such accommoda- tive Americans’ Medicaid request work requirement?” health care and add a work require- of “racial preference” is moot be- tions, it has a duty to require them.” on grounds that they’re seeking an ment?” cause they’re constitutionally pro- Meanwhile, tribal leaders say illegal preference, simultaneously Tribal leaders cite precedents for tected as a separate government, instituting Medicaid work require- the Trump administration has sig- announced new protections sought federal health program exemptions. dating back to treaties hammered ments, and at least 10 other states naled it may be seeking to rene- by conservative religious groups. Native Americans don’t have to out by President George Washing- have submitted or are preparing gotiate other aspects of the gov- HHS further stressed that the ad- pay penalties for not having health ton and reaffirmed in recent de- applications. More than 620,000 ernment’s relationship with Native ministration remains committed to coverage under Obamacare’s indi- cades under Republican and Dem- Native Americans live in those 13 Americans’ health care, pointing to Native Americans’ health. vidual mandate, for instance. ocratic presidents alike, including states, according to 2014 Census a series of interactions that they say “Secretary Azar, HHS, and the HHS confirmed it has rebuffed the Clinton, George W. Bush and data. And more states could move break from tradition. For instance, Trump Administration have taken the tribes’ request on Medicaid Obama administrations. in that direction, heightening the a dental health service sought by aggressive action and will continue work rules several times. CMS And they worry that Medicaid impact. a Washington state tribe was chal- to do so to improve the health and Administrator Seema Verma con- work rules are just the start; Presi- Some states, like Arizona, are lenged by HHS in November, also well-being for all American Indians veyed the decision in January, and dent Donald Trump is eyeing simi- asking HHS for permission to on grounds that it would constitute and Alaska Natives,” according to officials communicated it most re- lar changes across the nation’s wel- exempt Native Americans from an illegal preference for Native HHS spokesperson Oakley. cently at a meeting with the tribes fare programs, which many of the their proposed work requirements. Americans. But tribal leaders and public last week. nearly 3 million Native Americans But officials at the National Indi- “This doesn’t seem to be isolat- health experts say the administra- “Senior HHS officials have rely on. an Health Board say that may be ed to the work requirements,” said tion’s record hasn’t matched its made it clear that HHS is open to “It’s very troublesome,” said moot, as federal officials can reject McCarron Shuy of the National In- rhetoric. considering other suggestions that Caitrin McCarron Shuy of the Na- state requests. dian Health Board. “Work requirements will be tribes may have with respect to tional Indian Health Board, noting Tribal officials say that their The Trump administration also devastating,” said Smith, the for- Medicaid community engagement that Native Americans suffer from planning process has been compli- targeted the Indian Health Service mer Indian Health Service acting demonstration projects,” spokes- the nation’s highest drug overdose cated by HHS’ refusal to produce for significant cuts in last year’s director. “I don’t know how you person Caitlin Oakley said, using death rates, among other health the actual documents detailing why budget, although Congress ignored would implement it. There are not the administration’s term for work concerns. “There’s high unemploy- Native Americans can’t be exempt- those cuts in its omnibus funding jobs to be had on the reservation.” requirements that can also be ful- ment in Indian country, and it’s go- ed from Medicaid work require- package last month, H.R. 1625