SAC and FOX NEWS Nemîshâtênemo êhthâkîwiyâni Phone: 918-968-3526 • 920963 S. Hwy. 99, Bldg. A • Stroud, OK 74079 • Vol. 42 • No. 1 • January 2020 Crew Vows to Continue Exec. Producer of Thorpe Film Dies Unexpectedly by Mike Brown producers from Utah, Abraham Offi cials at Pictureworks Taylor and Joshua Aker and Entertainment have vowed to photographer and videographer continue working on the fea- David Wilson. While in the ture fi lm, ‘Bright Path: The Jim area, the actor and production Thorpe Story,’ following the re- crew also visited the historic cent unexpected death of exec- Jim Thorpe Home in Yale, Okla. utive producer Rick Hill. Hill and other pertinent locations. was also a former chairman of A statement released by Tay- the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin lor and other Pictureworks En- during the years of 1990-1993, tertainment producers following and 2008. Hill’s passing reads: The Hollywood production “We at Pictureworks Enter- synopsis of the fi lm, to feature tainment are mourning the loss the late Sac and Fox Nation of Rick Hill, our brother, our athlete states: A young Native colleague and our dearest friend. American struggles to hold onto Our hearts go out to Rick’s chil- his identity in the face of a na- dren, his brother and sister, the tion that attempts to strip him of entire Hill family and the Onei- Pictured are some of those in attendance Dec. 10 for the his culture. Spurred on by the da Nation during this diffi cult fi rst-ever outdoor Sac and Fox Nation Christmas Tree Light- last words his father ever spoke time. ing party hosted by the Sac and Fox Nation Employee Com- to him, “Son, you’re an Indian, “For the past three years, mittee and Business Committee. (All Photos by Mike Brown) SFN Inaugural I want you to show other rac- Rick has dedicated himself to es what an Indian can do.” Jim serving as an executive produc- ‘Christmas Tree Thorpe transcends every obsta- er on “Bright Path: The Jim Lighting’ Event cle to become a beacon of hope Thorpe Story” a major motion for his people and “The World’s picture fi lm project. Without Takes Teamwork Greatest Athlete.” his leadership, hard work and by Mike Brown In February 2019, Martin commitment to tell Jim Thor- What began as an idea for a Sensmeier, a 33-year-old actor pe’s story accurately, we would new Christmastime festivity by who is to portray Jim Thorpe not be as far along on the project Sac and Fox Nation Employ- in the movie, was accompa- as we are today. Rick strongly ee Committee Chairman Andy nied by a fi lm production crew believed in telling the true story Warrior, culminated Dec. 10 as he visited the Sac and Fox of Jim Thorpe and correcting the in an outdoor ‘Christmas Tree Nation capitol. Sensmeier dis- depiction Hollywood portrayed Lighting’ party that many hope cussed the history surrounding of Jim in the early 1950s. becomes an annual tradition at the world-famous athlete with “Pictureworks Entertainment the Sac and Fox Nation capitol. Principal Chief Kay Rhoads, is dedicated to continuing to Warrior’s concept rang a bell Treasurer Jared King and others work on this fi lm in truthful- with fellow Employee Commit- in the Sac and Fox Nation Cul- ness and integrity to honor both tee members, as well as, tribal tural Center. of these strong Indian warriors, Business Committee offi cials Sensmeier starred as Red Rick Hill and Jim Thorpe. For- and others. Through the efforts Harvest in the 2016 feature ever Rick, you will be with us in of the Land and Cattle Program, fi lm, ‘The Magnifi cent Seven.’ our hearts.” A release date for which Warrior directs, the Sac Accompanying the actor on his the Hollywood production has and Fox Nation Maintenance visit to the area were movie not been determined. One of Santa’s Helpers, Jenny Rogers, receptionist and as- Dept., directed by J. Paul Wil- sistant at the Sac and Fox Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), son, and other employee vol- helped serve spicy hot coco and cookies to attendees of all unteers, a large cedar tree was Studi Among Native American ages at the Christmas Tree Lighting festivity. harvested and erected and dec- orated between the Administra- 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees tion and Business Committee The National Native Amer- dy Kemp (Choctaw/Muscogee Buildings on the Nation’s capi- ican Hall of Fame held its sec- Creek/Euchee). The Kiowa tol campus. ond annual Induction Ceremo- Black Leggings Warrior Society Volunteers cut-out wooden ny on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the presented the colors. The Anque (Continued on Page 3) Cherokee Hard Rock Hotel and Family (Kiowa) was the drum Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The group. Master of Ceremony was noted Award presenters included: multi-disciplinary artist Ran- (Continued on Page 4) Chief Justin Freeland Wood’s Address to the Nation Sac and Fox Nation Business Committee Takes First Step to Diversify I hope you have all enjoyed a spanning the entirety of Oklaho- move forward! Merry Christmas and a Happy ma. As always, please feel free to New Year celebration! We have Our dollars impact not just call or visit anytime. God bless. been busy at the Nation gearing our own tribal citizens, but all up for an exciting 2020. We are citizens and visitors of Okla- ready to push ourselves to better homa. The most successful serve our people and our com- Nations have diversifi ed their munities. I want to use this op- economies and are now doing Two of Santa’s Elves, Sac and Fox Nation Employee Commit- portunity to reassure our people, so much more than gaming. The tee Secretary Nikki Hendricks, right, and Jenny Rogers hold employees, and the communi- future is bright in Indian Coun- handmade wooden ornaments created by volunteers for the ties we serve. try and Oklahoma will continue fi rst-ever SFN outdoor Christmas Tree Lighting party. In the face of divisive and to share in our success, post Jan- destructive comments coming uary 1st. from Oklahoma’s governor of- One of my goals for our Na- fi ce, I would like you to know tion is to greatly diversify our that we will be operating our economy over the next four casinos on January 1, 2020 and years. I’m proud to announce beyond. the Business Committee has We will not back down to taken that fi rst step with the pur- a false narrative. I’m proud to chase of Shawnee Trophy effec- stand United for Oklahoma tive January 1st, 2020. It creates with the rest of our Sovereign new jobs and a base to build Leaders. We have two choices from for our future purchases in Indian Country: sit idly by or in the months to come. Our Na- boldly move forward. The Sac tion’s footprint, new jobs, better and Fox Nation will not stay services and a greater economy Sac and Fox Nation idle any longer. Indian Gaming for our people is available if you Principal Chief funds jobs, services and projects will stand with us as we boldly Justin Freeland Wood Jan. 3 Jan. 8 Feb. 1 Upcoming Sac and Fox Elders Sac and Fox Elders Sac and Fox Honor Indian Taco Sale Monthly Meeting Guard Veteran Stomp Events Shawnee Multi- Shawnee Multi- Dance, 6 p.m. Purpose Bldg. Purpose, 10 a.m. Community Bldg. Page 2 - Sac and Fox News - January 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 Joseph Celestino Lucero Stroud, OK. Joseph Celestino Lucero was born on his kids. He was a very loving father to my Lucero, Nicholas Lucero, and Ale Mailing address: April 1, 1 in Las Cruces, New Me- all of them and also a great son. Lucero, along with many other family Sac and Fox Nation ico and departed this life on November Joseph was preceded in death by his members and friends. Administration Building 1, 201 in Tulsa, Okla. at the age of 2. grandfather and his cousins. A wake was held November 22, 201 920963 S Hwy 99 Bldg A Joseph was born to Joseph Ronnie Survivors include his mother Cynthia in the Sac and Fo Chapel. Burial fol- Stroud, OK 74079 Lucero and Cynthia Roubidou. He was Roubidou his father Joseph Ronnie Lu- lowed on Saturday, November 2, 201 Phone: 918-968-3526 raised in Sedalia, and completed high cero his children, Aidan Lucero, Joseph at the Sac and Fo Cemetery, Stroud, Fax: 918-968-4837 school at Shawnee High School in 200. Lucero Jr., Aidiana Lucero, and Mary Okla. Services were under the direction The Sac & Fox News is the official Joseph loved art, especially the art of tat- Whiteshirt his only sister, Christina N. of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in tooing. He also loved spending time with Roubidou three half-brothers, Tom- Stroud, Okla. publication of the Sac and Fox Nation. Our mission is to meet all tribal members information needs concerning the Nation. The Sac & Fox News is mailed free, Dona Gene Smith Gregory one per address, to enrolled Sac and Fox tribal members. Paid subscriptions ona ene Smith regory H- MH-KW, Princess), knowing her are available for $12.00 annually. Lord Jesus Christ, went in love, peace, Editorial statements, guest columns, gladness, and faith to Him in the early and letters to the editor published in morning hours, at her appointed time, on this newspaper contain the opinions October 11, 201.