The Turtle Speaks Gyah’-Wish Atak-iaA Wyandotte Nation Publication Volume 24, Issue 3 www.wyandotte-nation.org August 2020 Fireworks by Moonlight Page 6 Gyah’-wish Atak-ia is published quarterly for Tribal Citizens by the Wyandotte Nation at its Inside: headquarters in Wyandotte, Okla. • Plans move forward on Park City property The Wyandotte Nation (918) 678-2297 • COVID-19 leads to event cancellations 64700 E Hwy 60 (800) 256-2539 • Annual Meeting still set for Sept. 12 Wyandotte, OK 74370 Fax (918) 678-2944 (C) Copyright 2020. All information, photographs, and other materials are copyrighted, and may not be reproduced without prior written consent of the Wyandotte Nation. Page 2 Wyandotte Nation / Gyah'-wish Atak-ia August 2020 Board of Directors From the Chief Billy Friend Chief .......................................Billy Friend Second Chief ....Norman Hildebrand, Jr. Councilperson ................... Ramona Reid Councilperson ....................... Vivian Fink Councilperson ........ Juanita McQuistion Working hard to serve you Councilperson ......................Eric Lofland Kweh, I hope this quarter’s Turtle Some of the work we now do is away some great news on May 20 when Talk finds all doing well and enjoy- from the office, but the work contin- the Assistant Secretary of the Bu- ing their summer during our current ues to get done. Much of our com- reau of Indian Affairs, Tara Sweeney Content conditions. munication now is tele-conference, called and informed us that she During this unprecedented time, I video conference, email and text had just signed the notice of intent Annual Meeting Notice ....................... 3 want to take the time to let you know almost exclusively. It is a big change, to accept our 10.53 acres of land in Park City Update ............................... 4-5 that the main concern of our tribal but we are handling it and getting Park City, Kansas, into trust for COVID-19 Cancellations ..................... 5 government, now and in the future, the work done. We have a great team gaming purposes. The battle to take Casinos Reopen ..................................... 5 is to provide service to the Wyan- here at the Wyandotte Nation and I this land into trust actually began Fireworks Display .................................. 6 dotte people. Those of us who serve have watched our team grow stron- when we were first informed in 1993 Tribal Department Reports ............ 7-12 you in your government are working ger and work more efficiently than that it did not qualify for gam- Important Numbers ............................11 hard to continue that service. ever before during this pandemic. ing purposes and was denied. We The health and wellbeing of our You should take pride in the fact our re-applied again in 2006 and have people continues to drive our deci- people are adjusting well and are fought for the last 14 years to have sion making. We are dedicated to committed to effective action that this land taken into trust for gaming serving the needs of Wyandotte produces good results for the Wyan- purposes. We have now started the Editor/Design: William Swaim people regardless of the challenges dotte people. process of putting up a temporary Cover Photo: we encounter. Our staff here at the The Bearskin Clinic has done an gaming facility to establish gaming Fireworks dis- Wyandotte Nation has continued outstanding job adapting and im- and are working on a master plan play at the Pow- to go above and beyond their job provising during this unprecedented for a larger development. We will be Wow grounds. descriptions to ensure services are time and should be commended for sharing more about this project in Photo by continue to be provided. all they have done working on the the future, but this is a great victory William Swaim We are now operating in a new front lines fighting this pandemic for the Tribe and will help us secure reality and we have instituted a while still providing excellent care to a better future for our nation. number of changes to adjust to the our patients. We are providing drive- You and your family continue to current environment. We have lost through testing for all citizens who be the focus of all our efforts. We are a significant percentage of our tribal make the request. We have also put doing our business much differently, Contact Us revenue. We were prepared finan- in place rapid testing equipment that but who we serve has not changed. cially to cope with a crisis situation. expedites testing and results. Our job is to keep your government Submit a story idea or your latest news Our team had the insight to set aside The key for us has been our early running at a high level, and to make and photos. To submit, email William funds and have reserves in place. actions. We established health and sure you are healthy, safe and get- Swaim at [email protected] or call We didn’t know we would be specifi- safety guidelines early on. As a result, ting what you need from those of us (918) 932-4778. cally facing a pandemic, but we were we believe, we have experienced fewer who serve you. May God bless you prepared for a crisis situation. cases within the Wyandotte Nation. and your family and keep you safe Have News? Your government is functioning. On a very positive note we received during these trying times. Share it We want to hear from you! Send us news or stories you may have or suggest features for us to work on. From the Second Chief Norman Hildebrand, Jr. Email: [email protected] Coping with a crazy new reality www.youtube.com/WyandotteNation Kweh Omateru for a while. Go out into nature, sit all members of our great little com- Hello my friends, I hope everyone by a creek or a lake or take a walk in munity here. I hope all of our tribal is coping with the crazy world we the woods, clear your head and enjoy citizens all across this country stay are living in right now. With riots, what God has given us, and hope- safe and do not become a statistic to protests, racial issues, politics and fully gain a better perspective. this pandemic. pandemics it seems that nothing Wyandotte is in a rural area so we Now for some history I think you is going to be solved anytime soon. have not been affected by the pan- will find this interesting. www.facebook.com/WyandotteNation This upheaval will probably be with demic like other areas in the country. us for a while until people start com- But we have still taken precautions ing to their senses and just chill out to protect our employees, elders and See SECOND CHIEF, Page 3 August 2020 www.wyandotte-nation.org Page 3 “In order to deserve, we must pay our dues and steadi- 2nd Chief ly work for perfection. We must relish in struggle, and own. After donning his feathers and Continued from Page 2 paint, feasting, and giving honor to relinquish pride. We must dispel fear and seek enlight- his totem, the Wenroronon war chief Why did Iroquoian cousin fight collected his weapons and walked a Iroquoian cousin in one of the most enment. We must shun division and honor love. We short distance to the village of the accidentally decisive wars in history? must know our hearts and seek to understand others. Seneca war chief. At this time the The oral traditions of the Huron- Wenroronon and Seneca tribes were Wyandot people say it was because We must try, live, create, feel, grow and love.” said to be the closest of friends. of a beautiful young woman and her -- Bryant McGill After locating his friend, the Wen- evil scheme for blood revenge. In the roronon war chief brutally killed the story, the ancestors of the Huron- Seneca war chief in front of family Wyandot were named as the instiga- and friends. The anger that raged tors -- they were simply identified people had named themselves. The approval. The war chief was now inside the heart of the Wenroronon as being Wyandot. At this point in name Wenroronon is the name the inspired to obtain her as his mate war chief was pure. The brutality time, whenever this may have been, Wendat people called their cousins. beyond the encouragement and dare inflicted upon the Seneca war chief a tribe by the name of Wyandot did There was a beautiful young of the village’s young men. was nothing less than the rage of a not exist. The Seneca were named as woman of the Wenroronon who all After several advancements, rabid wolf. In his rage the Wenro- the recipients of the Wyandot’s ill- the young men in her village desired the beautiful young woman finally ronon war chief was convinced that fated decision; however, like with the as their mate. The problem was she consented to the war chief’s proposal; every blow he delivered to his best name Wyandot, a tribe by the name wanted nothing to do with the young however, the young woman had a friend, were blows given to the body of Seneca did not exist. There is no men. After many failed attempts proposal and condition of her own. of his devious mate -- who would doubt the two tribes existed, but by by the young men to claim her as The young woman would not divulge never be his mate. what name they called themselves their mate, they gave up. In frus- her condition until the war chief In retaliation, the warriors of the is unknown. Over time as the war tration the young men approached swore an oath upon his reputation Seneca people vowed to destroy the fizzled onward, as a never-ending the village war chief who had an and honor as the greatest warrior Wenroronon people from the Great blood feud, the Europeans arrived to outstanding reputation as a warrior.