SAC and FOX NEWS Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 42 • No. 10 • October 2020 Black Hawk Health Center Expansion Targeted for April 2023 Completion The Sac and Fox Nation Business Committee has ap- proved a $12.3 million contract with Lambert Construc- tion of Stillwater, Okla. for the expansion and renova- tion of Black Hawk Health Center. The development is projected to take 30 months to complete, and includes phases for construction and demolition pertaining to the renovation portion. The fi rst phase of construction is ex- pected to take 18 months with a targeted fi nish date of Feb., 25, 2022. The demolition portion is projected to take two months, and a move-in date is estimated for 12 months later in April of 2023. The renderings shown here were prepared by the project architects, Studio 45 Architects of Tulsa. Thomas Morris Jr. Remembered as First Tribal Court Magistrate in Okla. History feat before or since. His life will (Editor’s Note: The following Served The Sac and Fox Nation in All Three Branches of Government eulogy was written by former serve as an inspiration to all of Sac and Fox Nation Business I was honored when the fami- tribal service. appointed to serve as the fi rst us who knew him. Committee Member Truman ly asked me to write this eulogy. I am pleased to be a part of Magistrate of a tribal court in Carter.) I would like to express my sin- the celebration of Tommy’s Oklahoma history. The Busi- I had the privilege of calling cere condolences to Tommy’s life - a life that was well-lived. ness Committee’s appointment Tommy my friend and working family, his friends, and all of Tommy was a distinguished and of Tommy as the court’s fi rst beside Tommy at the Sac and his tribal relations. Tommy’s honorable individual who loved lay judge, and the support of his Fox Nation, beginning in the enduring personal legacy is his his God; he loved his family; tribal community, spoke vol- 1980’s. family legacy and his legacy of and he loved his Indian people. umes about the trust and con- In the 1980’s, Tommy served fi dence in Tommy’s ability to as Committeeman on the Sac administer justice and ensure and Fox Business Committee. fairness to the parties and attor- Tommy’s leadership and actions neys who appeared before him were signifi cant as the Sac and in court. Fox Nation led the revitaliza- Tommy leaves a remarkable tion and renaissance of tribal legacy of public service to his governments in Oklahoma. As Tribe. He accomplished the Committeeman, he served in rare, historic and unheard of the executive and legislative ‘trifecta’ of government service: branches of tribal government. Tommy honorably served in all After his service as a trib- 3 branches of tribal government. al leader, in 1985 Tommy was No one has accomplished this Thomas Morris Jr. New Transportation Facility: A Tribal Story of Planning, Design, Chief Justin Freeland Wood’s Address to the Nation September has been a diffi - with those who weep.” on our clinic expansion and is Development and Construction cult month for our family. We We are not the only family to soon to complete the Trans- Construction is completed role in the planning and devel- lost a great man, my best friend lose someone we love and care portation Building, which also on the new Sac and Fox Nation opment process. The tribal proj- and the great-grandfather to my for over the past year. Our peo- houses our Elders and Veteran’s Transportation Facility, which ect manager was Randle Carter. children. Clint taught me how to ple have lost grandparents, par- offi ces. will also house the tribal Elders The tribal inspector was Cecil live and, in the end he taught me ents, and children. I am grateful (Continued on Page 3) and the Veterans organizations. Bernard. how to die. and thank God for each of these The inside furnishings are being “We were well aware that, re- I am grateful for the time I lives and, I weep with you in delivered and installed on a dai- gardless of how well we planned was able to spend with him for death and rejoice with you in ly basis. Although the corona- and designed our facility, if it the past 13 years and especial- the healing that will come to our virus pandemic appeared in the does not get constructed proper- ly for the time we had together hearts and minds. spring, work on the project was ly, we would be making a poor over the past ten months while I thank those of you who were never delayed or interrupted. investment. Our project man- he persevered in the face of able to attend the 2020 Gov- Tribal transportation repre- ager and Inspector oversaw the stage IV cancer. His faith in erning Council. I promised to sentatives led the entire process day-to-day on-site progress of Jesus Christ was apparent in follow up on our progress with of planning, development, plan our project, keeping the general the grace and peace he radiated the powwow comfort stations. design, engineering, contract contractor on task, on schedule, through the end of his earthly Second Chief and the Mainte- development and management, and on-budget. Our efforts were life. nance Department were directed bidding, selection, pre-construc- aimed at cost-control and ensur- I want to thank each of you by Governing Council Reso- tion meetings, project coordi- ing quality professional work- who prayed with me and my lution to add actual comfort to nation, project management, manship and effi ciency during family over the past several the comfort stations. They have specifi cation enforcement and construction,” said Transporta- months. Joy is a strange thing. started the process of selecting a compliance, and inspection tion Director Truman Carter. We are called to have it in the bid and plan to have a full report of the construction work per- Please watch for future an- good times and the bad. And, it at our upcoming Special Gov- formed. Representation of the nouncements regarding the is different than happiness. I am erning Council for RAP Budget Elders and Veterans groups opening of the Transportation joyful in my sorrow. Romans approval. Sac and Fox Nation participated and played a vital Facility. 12:15 instructs me to “Rejoice In other news, the Sac and Principal Chief with those who rejoice, weep Fox Nation has broken ground Justin Freeland Wood Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - October 2020 Sac and Fox News The Sac & Fox News is the monthly Obituaries publication of the Sac & Fox Nation, located on SH 99, six miles south of Mary Elizabeth Eldredge Stroud, OK. Mailing address: Mary “Monkey” Elizabeth Eldredge, ents, husband, four brothers, three sis- Sac and Fox Nation 93, passed peacefully from this life Au- ters, one son George Eldredge, and one daughter Joann Gilman. Administration Building gust 30, 2020. Mary was born on June 9, 1927 in Cushing, OK to Ernest and Eu- Survivors include two siblings, broth- 920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A nice (Gokey) Clark. er Carmen Clark and sister Dolly Hodge; Stroud, OK 74079 Mary was the widow of James El- daughter, Deborah McElroy, and son, Phone: 918-968-3526 dredge. They were married on September Charles Eldredge; seven grandchildren, Fax: 918-968-4837 24, 1947 and shared 50 years of marriage Mark Gilman, Ronald Gilman, Victoria The Sac & Fox News is the official together. She was a mother and home- Brown, Charles Eldredge Jr., Shawn El- publication of the Sac and Fox maker, while James retired from Allied. dredge, Katherine McElroy, and Misty Nation. Our mission is to meet all She devoted much of her time and energy Kirk. Also, eleven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. tribal members information needs as a caregiver to her family. She enjoyed playing solitaire, doing word searches, No services will be held at this time. concerning the Nation. sewing, embroidering, and cooking. Care services are provided by Parks The Sac & Fox News is mailed free, She was preceded in death by her par- Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud, OK. one per address, to enrolled Sac and Fox tribal members. Paid subscriptions are available for $12.00 annually. Editorial statements, guest columns, and letters to the editor published in Larry Wayne Grass Mary Elizabeth Eldredge this newspaper contain the opinions Larry Wayne Grass, age 56 and a res- of the writers. These opinions do not ident of Konawa, Okla., passed away necessarily reflect the opinions of Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at his home. the Sac and Fox News staff or any A Wake Service was held August elected official or department of tribal 28, 2020 at Swearingen Funeral Home government or administration. Chapel in Konawa, Okla.. Funeral ser- The Sac and Fox News reserves the vices were held August 29, 2020 at Grace Community Church in Vamoosa, Okla. right to refuse publication of letters to and, burial followed at the Givens Fami- the editor. All editorials and letters to ly Cemetery near Vamoosa. Rev. Arthur the editor become the property of the Carpitcher and Mike Grass officiated. Sac and Fox News. Larry was born April 4, 1964 in Cla- Submissions for publication must remore, Oklahoma to Lawrence Bor- be signed by the author and include deaux and Carmen Sue Grass. He was an address and contact phone number. a self-employed welder, and he married Alexa Givens June 27, 2009 at Bird- They are limited to 300 words.