SAC and FOX NEWS Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 41 • No. 3 • March 2019 Lisa J. Billy Appointed to Serve as Secretary of Native American Affairs Oklahoma Governor Kev- Oklahoma Legislature in 2006, in Stitt announced on Jan. 30 Chickasaw Nation Legislator and and has been recognized for her the appointment of Chickasaw work on prison reformation pol- Nation legislator and former Former State Representative icies. Oklahoma House representative “Lisa has been a consistent Lisa J. Billy to serve as the new Chickasaw Nation Legislature various leadership roles includ- and faithful representative for Secretary of Native American from 1996 to 2002. Billy also ing Floor Leader from 2014 to the people of Oklahoma, from Affairs. served in the Oklahoma House 2016, Deputy Whip from 2004 her time serving in the Oklaho- Billy currently serves in the of Representatives from 2004 to to 2008, and vice chair of the ma Legislature to her role today Chickasaw Nation Legislature, 2016, representing District 42. Republican Caucus from 2006 in the Chickasaw Nation Leg- a seat she has held since 2016. During her time in the Okla- to 2008. She formed the Na- islature,” said Gov. Stitt. “She She previously served in the homa Legislature, Billy held tive American Caucus in the will bring her hard-work ethic and wealth of experience to the table in order to serve as an ad- visor to my administration and help foster strong partnerships between our tribal governments and the State of Oklahoma.” Lisa J. Billy AARP Accepting Nominations For 2019 Indian Elder Honors AARP Oklahoma is accept- community, family, tribe and ing nominations for the 11th nation. Whether they are well- annual AARP Oklahoma Indi- known or exhibit quiet devotion an Elder Honors to celebrate to family and community, this 50 Native American elders year’s AARP Oklahoma Indian who have positively impacted Elder honorees represent what their community, family, tribe is best about Native American and nation. Since its inception people- love of family, dedica- in 2009, AARP Oklahoma has tion to culture and respect for all recognized 500 elders from all people.” 39-federally recognized tribes This year’s Indian Elder and nations in Oklahoma. Honors will be held October 1, “The AARP Oklahoma Indi- 2019 in Oklahoma City. Nomi- an Elder Honors recognizes the nation applications are online at extraordinary contribution of https://aarp.cvent.com/2019In- Indian elders – many of whom dianElders. Nominations may are the unsung heroes of their be submitted electronically or communities,” AARP Oklaho- mailed to AARP Oklahoma, 126 Sac and Fox Nation Principal Chief Kay Feb. 5 visit to discuss the late world-famous ma volunteer state president Joe N. Bryant, Edmond, OK, 73034. Rhoads talks with movie producer Abraham athlete, Jim Thorpe. Sensmeier will portray Ann Vermillion said. Nominees must be an en- Taylor and actor Martin Sensmeier, right, in Thorpe in ‘Bright Path,’ a movie by Picture The 2018 Indian Elder Hon- rolled member of a federal- the Sac and Fox Cultural Center during a Works Entertainment. (Photo by Mike Brown) orees from 28 Oklahoma tribes ly-recognized Oklahoma tribe and nations included teachers, or nation, age 50+, and must be veterans, artists, tribal leaders living. Nominees do not have to ‘Bright Path’ Actor and Movie Producers Visit and culture preservationists. be AARP members. For more With Chief Rhoads and Others About Jim Thorpe AARP state director Sean Vo- information, please contact skuhl said, “This event cele- Mashell Sourjohn at 405-715- by Mike Brown tural Center. learning and participating in brates a lifetime of service from 4474 or [email protected] Martin Sensmeier, a 33-year- Sensmeier, who starred as the traditions of his tribes. He is these distinguished elders who . The deadline for submitting old actor who will portray the Red Harvest in the 2016 feature also an ambassador for The Na- have positively impacted their nominations is April 30, 2019. late Sac and Fox tribal mem- fi lm, ‘The Magnifi cent Seven,’ tive Wellness Institute, as well ber Jim Thorpe in an upcoming will portray the late Olympi- (Continued on Page 3) movie, was accompanied by a an athlete in ‘Bright Path: The fi lm production crew on Feb. 5 Jim Thorpe Story,’ an upcoming as he visited the Sac and Fox movie by Pictureworks Enter- Black Hawk Health Center Nation capitol. Sensmeier dis- tainment. A release date for the cussed the history surrounding Hollywood production has not the world-famous athlete with been determined. ‘Kick Butts Day’ Set for March 20, 2019 Principal Chief Kay Rhoads, The actor was raised in a by Staff Writer, hand smoke; What You Can Do: Treasurer Jared King and others Tlingit coastal community in Ed Abuyog, LCSW 2. 5.6 Million Kids today, (1) Be aware. Smoking is not in the Sac and Fox Nation Cul- Southeast Alaska and, grew up Did You Know? (currently under the age of 18), just a personal choice, it impacts Everyone is aware that tobac- will die from smoking unless everyone. co cessation has been a major smoking rates decline; (2) Consider. Look at these Tribal Treaties Being Digitalized health care priority, because of 3. Over 16 Million people in numbers, if you smoke consider the health problem it causes. the United States Suffer from an quitting. If you have a loved For National Archives Web Page However, there are some new illness caused by smoking. one who smokes, help them with by Mike Brown brary, and online at sacandfox- facts that you may not be aware March 21, 2018 is designated information to help quitting. Members of the Sac and Fox nation-nsn.gov. of: 1. More than 480,000 peo- as, “Kick Butts Day,” a nation- (3) Act. Get help to quit Nation and others interested in The Sac and Fox National ple die each year from cigarette al campaign for Tobacco-Free smoking for yourself and for learning more about tribal his- Public Library opened in 1987 smoking or exposure to second Kids. (Continued on Page 2) tory can fi nd an abundance of as one of the fi rst tribal libraries interesting information at the in the nation and the only tribal Sac and Fox National Public Li- (Continued on Page 3) New Transportation, Veterans, Elders Building To Include Geo-Thermal Heating and Air System Workers are shown drilling test wells at the location in Stroud where the new Sac and Fox Nation transportation, elders and veterans building will soon be constructed. Project consul- tant and inspector Cecil Bernard said the test wells are associated with an energy-effi cient Signers of the 1804 Treaty include: William Henry Harrison, underground “geo-thermal” heating and cooling system planned for the complex. The project Layauvois, or Lalyurva, Pashepaho, or the Ciger, Quashquame, architect is fi nalizing plans and drawings to be submitted to the Sac and Fox Nation Business or Jumping Fish, Outchequaka, or Sun Fish, Hahshequarhiqua, or Committee and U. S. Dept of Transportation for approval, prior to the construction bidding the Bear. (Photo courtesy of Sandra Tharp) process. (Photo courtesy of Randle Carter) Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - March 2019 Sac and Fox News Obituaries The Sac & Fox News is the monthly Ashley Kay Ellis publication of the Sac & Fox Nation, located on SH 99, six miles south of Ashley Kay Ellis was born on May 17, She is survived by brothers and sis- Stroud, OK. 1986 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and ters, Marion Stewart, Virgil Ray Ellis Jr, departed this life on January 22, 2019 in Jonathan Ellis, William Ellis, Amy Ellis, Mailing address: Tulsa at the age of 32. Ashley was the Justin Ellis and Cheyenne Scovel; aunt, Sac and Fox Nation daughter of Virgil Ray Ellis Sr. and Cath- Minnie Masquas and cousin, Calvin Administration Building erine Jean Reynolds. She was a Shawnee Rowe Jr. She is also survived by many 920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A resident and was a beloved sister. nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives Stroud, OK 74079 Ashley enjoyed to reading and spend- and friends. Phone: 918-968-3526 ing time with her friends and family. Traditional Sac and Fox Funeral Ser- Fax: 918-968-4837 She was often founded hanging out and vices were held at the Sac and Fox Na- The Sac & Fox News is the offi cial watching television, and was an OU tion Community Building near Stroud, Sooners fan. She was caring, kind and on Thursday, January 24, 2019. Burial publication of the Sac and Fox had a special place in her heart for ani- followed on Friday morning, January 25, Nation. Our mission is to meet all mals. 2019 at the Sac and Fox Nation Ceme- tribal members information needs Ashley was preceded in death by her tery. Services were under the direction concerning the Nation. parents; grandparents, Edgar and Myrtle of Parks Brothers Funeral Service of The Sac & Fox News is mailed free, Ellis and grandmother, Maryann Koonz. Prague. Ashley Kay Ellis one per address, to enrolled Sac and Fox tribal members. Paid subscriptions are available for $12.00 annually. Editorial statements, guest columns, Martin Gaylon Randall Franklin Sr. and letters to the editor published in this newspaper contain the opinions Boyd Gaylon Randall Franklin Sr. was born February 8, 2019 in Sac and Fox Ceme- of the writers. These opinions do not on June 9, 1938, the son of the late Her- tery under the direction of Brown’s Fam- Martin Boyd was born Nov. 14, 1945 man and Doris Dudley Franklin. He de- ily Funeral Home of McLoud, Okla.