Cherokee Phoenix March 1, 2019

MUSICAL DREAMS Cherokee Nation citizens Austin Jones and Katelyn Morton are studying performance arts at Oklahoma City University. EDUCATION, 7

PHOENIX CHEROKEE Cherokee Phoenix to hold debates CHEROKEEPHOENIX.ORG

MARCH 1, 2019

191 YEARS OF JOURNALISM

The tribe’s independent media organization will host debates for deputy chief and principal chief candidates on April 16 at Northeastern State University.

BY TRAVIS SNELL Assistant Editor TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Phoenix is hosting two debates – one for deputy chief candidates and one for principal chief candidates – beginning at 6 p.m. on April 16 at Northeastern State University.

The debates will be held in the auditorium of the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center.

Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the deputy chief debate will begin at 6 p.m.

This year there are two candidates running for the Cherokee Nation’s deputy chief office: Meredith Frailey, of Locust Grove; and Bryan Warner, of Sallisaw. The winner will replace Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden.

Linda Sacks, of Muskogee, withdrew from the race on Feb. 21, Election Commission officials said.

After the deputy chief candidates’ debate and a short

intermission, the principal chief candidates’ debate will begin at 7:30 p.m. This year’s principal chief’s race is between Chuck Hoskin Jr., of Vinita; Dick Lay, of Ochelata; and David Walkingstick, of Tahlequah. The winner will replace Principal Chief Bill John Baker.

As of publication, the tribe’s Election Commission on Feb. 21 had ruled Rhonda Brown-Fleming, a Cherokee Nation citizen living in California, ineligible to run for principal chief because she does not meet the CN Constitution’s residency requirement. The Constitution states all principal chief and deputy chief candidates must live within the CN jurisdiction.

Also, as of publication, Brown-Fleming had not appealed the EC decision to the CN Supreme Court, court officials said.

Dylan Goforth, editor in chief of The Frontier, a

SEE DEBATES, 3

WALK-ON WONDER

WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Former Community Services Group Leader Charlie Soap, far left, answers a question at the Cherokee Phoenix’s principal chief debate in 2015. On stage with Soap were his opponents, from left to right, former state Rep. Will Fourkiller, Principal Chief Bill John Baker and former Principal Chief Chad Smith. The Cherokee Phoenix will host this year’s debate on April 16 at NSU.

EC tosses 2 challenged candidates

Tribal Councilor Buel Anglen and principal chief candidate Rhonda Brown-Fleming are disqualified from the 2019 general election.

BY chad hunter Reporter

COURTESY Cherokee Nation citizen Gabe Simpson is a successful walk-on player for Oklahoma State University’s football and basketball programs.

Simpson may be the only football/basketball walk-on player in Divsion I.

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

S

TILLWATER – Gabe Simpson was certainly a decorated athlete during his years at Jay High School and was expected to further his achievements in college, but he has now added another accolade, even if it doesn’t include any official recognition.

As a freshman, Simpson successfully walked on to the Oklahoma State University football and basketball rosters. It seems he is the only current football-basketball walk-on in all of NCAA Division I athletics.

“I wanted to see how I measured up to other collegiate athletes, considering I played (both sports) in high school,” the Cherokee Nation citizen said. “And I wanted to balance time for everything between football workouts, basketball practice and homework.”

Simpson signed with the Cowboys for the same reasons he played for the Jay Bulldogs. He wants

to compete, and he enjoys challenges. As a walk-on, there is no athletic scholarship money involved.

“I am definitely just always striving to push myself a little further than I thought I could,” Simpson said.

“I would love to receive a scholarship, but I don’t need one since I have the Bill Gates Scholarship.”

The Gates Scholarship is among the most sought-after scholarships offered to qualified high school seniors. It covers all educational expenses for academically successful minority students who are eligible for federal Pell grants and have demonstrated leadership skills. Each year, about 30,000 students from across the U.S. apply for the scholarship, and in 2018, Simpson was one of 300 who received the award.

With an eye on a possible medical career, Simpson is in a pre-med curriculum, majoring in chemistry.

He plays safety on the gridiron and forward on the court. At Jay, he was a two-sport academic all-state athlete, an all-star by class and a district MVP in

SEE SIMPSON, 3

“I am always asked by players not from around Oklahoma about my race, and when I tell them Cherokee, they always have a lot of questions.”

Gabe Simpson, Oklahoma State University student-athlete

TAHLEQUAH – The Election Commission on Feb. 21 disqualified a tribal councilor and principal chief candidate from running in the June 1 general election.

The EC handed down the decisions following six hours of hearings. Commissioners were tasked with determining the eligibility of five candidates who were challenged by CN citizens.

Buel Anglen, the Dist. 13 representative, was disqualified from running following a term-limit challenge from his lone opponent, Joe Deere.

Anglen’s lengthy role as a councilor was impacted over the years by redistricting and the implementation of staggered terms. Anglen’s initial stint on the council began in 2002, when he was appointed to fill a Dist. 8 vacancy left in the wake of Councilor Dorothy Jean McIntosh’s death. Anglen was elected to the seat in 2003, serving a full term.

“Term limits wasn’t in effect back then,” Anglen said during the Feb. 21 hearing.

SEE CHALLENGES, 2

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Dist. 13 Tribal Councilor Buel Anglen listens Feb. 21 to a decision by the Election Commission regarding his candidacy in the June 1 general election. Anglen was disqualified based on term limits.

General election voter registration ends March 29 Cherokee Nation citizens who are 18 years old prior to, or on, election day may apply to become a registered voter.

BY STAFF REPORTS TAHLEQUAH – According to a Cherokee Nation Election Commission release, March 29 is the last day to apply for voter registration to be eligible to vote in the June 1 general election and July 27 runoff, if a runoff is necessary.

CN citizens who are 18 years old prior to, or on, the day of the election may apply to become a registered voter. Any CN citizen who is 17 years old and can show that his or her birthday is prior to the election date shall be allowed to register to vote.

Citizens who have never registered to vote before or who are not registered in the district of their respective residences, as well as people who are registered but need to change their registration information, may apply by completing a CN Election Commission Voter Registration Application on or before March 29.

The EC release also states that absentee request forms are being accepted through April 19 for the general election. A CN citizen only has to apply one time to receive the absentee ballots for the general and the runoff elections.

According to the release, CN Voter Registration and the Absentee Applications are available at the EC Office located at 17763 S. Muskogee Ave. and online at cherokee.org/elections.aspx.

Any CN citizen who would like to receive a voter registration application may also request the form in an email, phone call or fax.

To call the EC, dial 918-458-5899 or toll free at 1-800353-2895 or fax 918-458-6101. To request an application by mail, write P.O. Box 1188, Tahlequah, OK 74465-1188 or email election-commission@cherokee.org.

Forms may be returned by mail, fax, email or in person to the EC Office.

ARCHIVE In this 2015 photo, Rain Thompson, of Hulbert, signs in at the Hulbert Community Building to cast her votes in the Cherokee Nation general election.

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CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MARCH 1, 2019

News • ᏗᏕᏃᏣᎸᏍᎩ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • AnIl9 1, 2019

CN officials visit state Capitol for Legislative Day

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Fannie E. Robinson, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, shakes hands with Tribal Councilors on Jan. 31 after support for her reappointment to the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission. The Tribal Council confirmed her appointment, along with several others, on Feb. 18.

Councilors approve 5 appointments, budgets

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – During its Feb. 18 meeting, the Tribal Council approved a pair of budget adjustments and confirmed a series of appointments.

Confirmations consisted of the reappointment of Fannie E. Robinson, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission; appointment of Dr. Stephen Jones, of Tahlequah, to the CN Health Partners board; reappointment of Shaun Shepherd, of Tahlequah, to the Cherokee Nation Businesses board; reappointment of Johnnie Earp, of Jay, to the Economic Development Trust Authority board; and reappointment of Marty Matlock, of Fayetteville, to the Environmental Protection Commission.

Councilors also authorized the donation of 85 surplus intravenous pumps from W.W. Hastings Hospital to the Northeastern Health System.

During his State of the Nation address, Principal Chief Bill John Baker mentioned plans to visit the Oklahoma Capitol for Cherokee Nation Legislative Day on Feb. 20, the groundbreaking for eight energy efficient homes for elders in Hulbert near the town’s community center and the donation of five lots, including the historic Attucks School, by Vinita Public Schools to the CN. Baker also mentioned the launch of the CN Film Office. “We have a lot of talented people in this part of the state,” he said.

“We also have some of the most beautiful settings in the entire country.”

Councilors also increased by $2.6 million the comprehensive 2019 budget to bring the total to $750.3 million.

Authorized funding increases included $207,796 to the General Fund, $4,684 to the Indirect Cost Pool and $787,013 to the Motor Vehicle Tax budget.

Legislators also approved an increase of $952,003 in the fiscal year 2019 capital budget to $280.4 million.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Cherokee Nation officials on Feb. 20 visited the Oklahoma Capitol to meet with lawmakers and explain the tribe’s economic, social and political role in the state.

The dignitaries were welcomed at the state capital for CN Legislative Day. “Cherokee Nation Legislative Day is an opportunity for our tribe to not only showcase our programs and services but also the important collaborations with state agencies,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker said. “The Cherokee Nation has a $2.2 billion economic impact as well as provides more than 11,000 jobs.”

By speaking to lawmakers, CN leaders explained their interests, community support and partnerships with local governments. “We also invest millions into public schools, infrastructure and other areas,” Baker said. “It is important that lawmakers at the capitol know the value of not just the Cherokee Nation but all tribes because Indian Country is a driving force in this state and will be a major partner in helping the state succeed.”

State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, was among the lawmakers who welcomed the CN delegation.

“It was a positive and upbeat day,” Pemberton said. “(President Pro Tempore) Sen. Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) and (Minority Leader) Sen. Kay Floyd (D-Oklahoma City) gave the citation and welcomed them on the Senate floor.”

Pemberton said the House of Representatives was in session during the morning, and the CN delegation split to visit both houses.

“In the Senate, (CN Tribal Councilor)

Joe Byrd spoke to an ovation, and shook everybody’s hand,” Pemberton said.

“They had a lot of visitors.”

Oklahoma’s legislative session was in its first few weeks meaning most bills with a chance of becoming law were in committees. The deadline for measures and resolutions to emerge from their respective committees was Feb. 28. All bills must receive their third reading in their houses of origin by March 14.

The CN Legislative Day also allows tribal officials to express support for or concern about specific measures.

Two CN-supported bills, one moving through each chamber, would amend the date of “Oklahoma Native American Day,” moving it to the second Monday of each October – the same date as Columbus Day. Observation is currently on the third Monday in November. The state holiday asks Oklahomans “to devote some portion of Oklahoma Native American Day to commemorate the accomplishments of Oklahoma’s Native Americans” and suggests teachers observe the day with “appropriate activities.”

Pemberton said the CN had not yet expressed any direct input on any other legislation, but anticipated he would hear from the tribe during the session.

“I’ve not seen anything right now that would be detrimental to the tribes,” he said. “Of course, we have only had about a half dozen bills on the Senate floor so far, but there are also none that have come through my committees.

I also haven’t had the chance to talk with the Nation directly about any legislation they might be promoting or not promoting, but I normally have that conversation at some time. They know what the bills entail and what is good or not good for the Nation, and they will let me know.”

CHALLENGES: Brown-Fleming can’t run because she lives in California from front page

In 2007, Anglen was elected again, but the typical four-year term was extended to six during a time of redistricting, according to attorneys involved.

“Some us had to be pushed out two more years so we wouldn’t stagger all of us at the same time,” Anglen said.

After losing his Dist. 8 seat due to redistricting in 2013, Anglen sat out two years before winning the Dist. 13 seat in 2015.

Deere’s attorney, Carly Griffith Hotvedt, said Anglen did not sit out the required four years between terms.

“That two-year gap is not a full term,” she said. “While the facts are slightly convoluted considering the change of the district, the redistricting and the terms of service, it’s clear here Mr. Anglen has not sat out four years as Constitutionally required. He should be required to sit out four years before he’s eligible to be a candidate again.”

Attorney Deborah Reed said Anglen did not serve two consecutive terms and “should be allowed to run.”

“The facts are Buel Anglen has run for Tribal Council Dist. 13 only one time after he sat out for two years,” she said. “This is his second time running for this Tribal Council seat.”

She attributed Anglen’s situation to “the conversion to staggered terms” and mandatory redistricting.

“We will concede that that facts are unusual in this case,” Reed said. “But, he doesn’t meet the definition of having served two consecutive terms … since there were term limits implemented, which I believe started in 2007.”

Commissioners deliberated behind closed doors twice before disqualifying Anglen.

THOMPSON, PENNINGTON VS. BROWN-FLEMING Principal chief candidate Rhonda Brown-Fleming, a Cherokee Freedmen descendant, was disqualified from running based on residency requirements.

Challengers Marcus Thompson and Twila Pennington said Brown-Fleming resides in California and outside of the tribe’s jurisdictional boundaries.

“It’s hard to lead a nation when you’re over in California,” Pennington said.

According to the Constitution, principal chief and deputy chief candidates must live in the CN jurisdiction

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Attorney Carly Griffith Hotvedt argues against Dist.

13 Tribal Councilor Buel Anglen’s eligibility to run for office on behalf of her client, Joe Deere, also a Dist. 13 candidate, on Feb. 21 at the Election Commission Office. for at least 270 days prior to the general election.

Brown was not represented in person, but documents were presented on her behalf, EC officials said.

The race to replace outgoing Principal Chief Bill John Baker now consists of Dist. 3 Councilor David Walkingstick, Dist. 12 Councilor Dick Lay and former Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr., who was also challenged.

MAYES VS. HOSKIN, WARNER, PROCTOR The three challenged candidates deemed eligible to run were Hoskin, his deputy chief running mate Bryan Warner and Dist. 3 council candidate Debra Proctor.

Challenger Robin Mayes argued the candidates accepted contributions via a professional campaign manager “way before” they were legally allowed to under CN election law.

“These candidates that I have named, I’m sure, haven’t claimed that,” he said. “I’m saying that these candidates should have claimed that as an in-kind contribution on their reports. So there’s two issues there. They failed to report it and they received it before Dec. 1.”

Section 44 of the election code states no candidate “shall receive campaign contributions prior to the beginning of the six month period immediately

preceding” an election, which in the case of the June 1 general election would be Dec. 1.

Attorney Doug Dodd represented Hoskin and Warner, the current Dist. 6 councilor. Dodd claimed his clients meet the general eligibility requirements under CN law.

“His entire challenge is based on something that has nothing to do with eligibility of candidates,” Dodd said.

“If he wants to complain about something having to do with fundraising or in-kind contributions or whatever it is he’s talking about, there may be a process for that. But this is not it.”

According to CN election law, a candidate must be a CN citizen; have not been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a felony; not hold office in other tribes if elected; not have outstanding fines imposed by the EC during a previous election; and not be a CN employee.

Dodd described Mayes’ challenges as “a big cloud of dust against” the candidates. Proctor’s attorney, Michael Parks, called Mayes’ claims “speculation, innuendo and rumor.”

Of his challenges, Mayes said, “This is not a personal thing. I’m not going to say it’s not political, but it’s important these kinds of questions need to be addressed.”

At one point Mayes told commissioners, “The only thing left for me, if you rule against me, is to appeal.”

The losing parties of the challenges had five business days to appeal to the CN Supreme Court. No appeals had been filed as of early Feb. 22.

CANDIDATE WITHDRAWALS Two candidates dropped out of the election before the Feb. 21 withdrawal deadline.

Deputy chief candidate Linda Sacks and Dist. 1 hopeful Randy Dirteater are no longer in the running, EC officials said.

Sacks’ departure leaves two deputy chief candidates in Warner and Meredith Fraley. The winner will replace S. Joe Crittenden.

On his Facebook page, Dirteater stated that his reasons for dropping out were personal “and for the benefit of my family.”

The remaining two candidates in the Dist. 1 contest are incumbent Rex Jordan and Ryan Sierra.

Based on the withdrawals and disqualifications, a total of 32 election candidates remain.

AnIl9 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

News • ᏗᏕᏃᏣᎸᏍᎩ

Catron elected as Tahlequah mayor Sue Catron beats Jason Nichols in municipal elections.

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter TAHLEQUAH – After months of campaigning and balloting that only drew 25 percent of the electorate, Tahlequah has a new mayor - Sue Catron.

She unseated Jason Nichols, a Cherokee Nation citizen who held the mayoral seat for eight years and ran for Oklahoma’s Second U.S. Congressional District in 2018. Nichols won the Democratic primary, but lost the general election to incumbent Republican Markwayne Mullin, also a CN citizen.

Catron is not Cherokee, but her spouse is a CN citizen. After growing up in Wagoner, she moved to Tahlequah to attend Northeastern State University.

“I fell in love with Tahlequah and Cherokee County,” Catron said. “Shortly after graduation I got a job as an accountant at NSU. It was there that I met and married Jerry Catron. Thirty-four years later, we have a blended family of five adult children and 13 grandchildren.”

Jerry Catron grew up along Caney Creek at Tailholt, and Sue said he has encouraged and supported her endeavors throughout the years.

“It is because of him that I was able to return to school to earn an MBA and become a CPA,” she said. “Most recently, his urging helped me decide to run for mayor.”

Within its 14-county jurisdiction, the CN observes local politics with significant interest because the tribe often collaborates with municipal and county governments on projects.

“There would be no Tahlequah without the Cherokee Nation,” Catron said.

“The Nation is our past and it will be a significant part of our future. While we are two separate entities, many of our objectives are similar. I definitely am interested in exploring future collaborations and agreements with the Nation.”

Catron said she wants to complete the remaining bond projects, “fixing the streets and building sidewalks with the funding available.” Grant and partnership opportunities will

be sought, and she hopes to minimize the inconveniences of construction projects with “planning and communication.”

“Tahlequah’s current growth is Sue Catron being spurred by the Hastings (hospital) expansion, the (Oklahoma State University) medical school and the new (Cherokee Nation) casino,” Catron said.

“One of my priorities is also to recruit new businesses and support our existing businesses. Our challenge is to encourage the families who move to the region in support of these new opportunities to make their home in Tahlequah. We must be the city of choice, welcoming these new additions to our family.”

With the election decided, Catron said she is mayor of a city unique in its historical culture, and that progress would not be accomplished through any single entity or group.

“Our citizens with their caring, cando attitude and pride in our community will make our change possible,” she said.

“I look forward to working with our community, the new (city) council and with our regional partners.”

Now out of elected office, Nichols isn’t sure what he will do next, but expects to continue serving the public.

“I’ve always viewed public service as an expression of the sense of community I feel about Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma, or even the country as a whole,” Nichols said. “It’s one thing to say you feel connected with others, but that connection has to be backed up with deeds and action.”

Nichols credits his upbringing and awareness of his lineage as factors influencing his wish to serve his neighbors. “I was fortunate to grow up being taught an extra concept of community, of tribe,” he said. “I’ve tried to couple that with a work ethic I was also taught when I was young and consider myself fortunate to have been able to have been of simultaneous service to my hometown and my tribe’s capital.”

PISTOLSFIRINGBLOG.COM Cherokee Nation citizen Gabe Simpson says he enjoys the challenges of balancing his coursework with membership on two athletic teams at Oklahoma State University.

SIMPSON: The tribal citizen says he

also serves as a Cherokee ambassador from front page

football. As a senior quarterback, he threw for 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns, while on defense he amassed 60 tackles and eight interceptions.

When being recruited, Simpson was sought by many Division II football programs, and a few Division I schools.

OSU offered him preferred status as a walk-on, which tilted the school into Simpson’s favor.

The OSU basketball roster lists Simpson as 6-3, 208 pounds. He was the first prospective player added to the roster after coach Mike Boynton held walk-on tryouts on Jan. 17.

On Feb. 13, Simpson made his first appearance for the team in its 78-50 loss to Texas Tech at Gallagher-Iba Arena. He accounted for an offensive rebound.

Simpson said he is handling the demands presented by many responsibilities, adding that “college is

really all about time management and still having fun.”

He is also an ambassador for his tribe, ready to talk about the Cherokee Nation and its people.

“Being Cherokee helped me receive the Gates Scholarship and gave me the opportunity to attend this university,” he said. “I am always asked by players not from around Oklahoma about my race, and when I tell them Cherokee, they always have a lot of questions. It’s good to be able to share that with them.”

Simpson could also be considered an example of perseverance, and being neither limited nor discouraged by a lack of recognition.

“I want to let all kids who haven’t been highly recruited, because they don’t attend all these camps to get stars or ranked, to not give up,” Simpson said.

“You have the ability to use your brain to keep playing, and get yourself in the door to show what you have. Don’t hesitate.”

DEBATES: The Cherokee Phoenix

hosted debates in 2007, 2011 and 2015 from front page

nonprofit journalism group in Oklahoma, will moderate the debates. The Cherokee Phoenix staff will formulate all debate questions, and no candidate will have prior access to the questions.

Seating in the auditorium will be firstcome, first-serve. The debate will also be streamed live at www.cherokeephoenix. org and Rogers State University TV at https://rsu.tv

The Cherokee Phoenix has previously hosted three similar debates in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

For Tribal Council candidates, the Cherokee Phoenix will publish a Tribal Council questionnaire in the April 1 issue. Council candidates will get questions via email on March 1. The deadline for completed questionnaires will be 5 p.m. on March 15. To ensure the Phoenix has a good email, candidates can email travis-snell@cherokee.org.

MARCH 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

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OPINION • ᏃᎵᏍᎬ

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MARCH 1, 2019

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • AnIl9 1, 2019

Cherokee Phoenix MARCH 1, 2019 Volume 43, No. 5

The Cherokee Phoenix is published monthly by the Cherokee Nation, PO Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465.

Application to mail at Periodicals postage rates is pending at Tahlequah, OK 74464.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cherokee Phoenix, PO Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465

Editorial Staff Brandon Scott

Executive Editor brandon-scott@cherokee.org 918-453-5000 ext 7258

Travis Snell

Assistant Editor travis-snell@cherokee.org 918-453-5358

Will Chavez

Assistant Editor will-chavez@cherokee.org 918-207-3961

Mark Dreadfulwater

Multimedia Editor mark-dreadfulwater@cherokee.org 918-453-5087

Reporters D. Sean Rowley

Senior Reporter david-rowley@cherokee.org 918-453-5560

Lindsey Bark

Reporter lindsey-bark@cherokee.org 918-453-5000 ext 4223

Chad Hunter

Reporter chad-hunter@cherokee.org 918-453-5000 ext 7256

Grant Neugin

Reporter grant-neugin@cherokee.org 918-453-5000 ext 7365

Multimedia Staff Roger Graham

Multimedia Producer roger-graham@cherokee.org 918-207-3969

Administrative Staff Dena Tucker

Administrative Officer dena-tucker@cherokee.org 918-453-5324

Joy Rollice

Administrative Assistant joy-rollice@cherokee.org 918-453-5269

Samantha Cochran

Advertising Specialist samantha-cochran@cherokee.org 918-207-3825

Terris Howard

Advertising Representative terris-howard@cherokee.org 918-453-5743

Justin Smith

Distribution Specialist justin-smith@cherokee.org 918-207-4975

Editorial Board Lauren Jones Cusick Kendra McGeady Maxie Thompson Brenda Thompson Ceciley Thomason-Murphy Cherokee Phoenix P.O. Box 948 Tahlequah, OK 74465 (918) 453-5269 FAX: (918) 207-0049 1-800-256-0671 www.cherokeephoenix.org ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Within the United States: $15 for one year Please contact us at the number above to subscribe.

Mail subscriptions and changes of address to the Cherokee Phoenix, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465, phone 918-207-4975. Please include the words “Change of Address” or “Subscription” on the envelope.

Back Issues may be purchased for $2.50 postage and handling. Please inquire to make sure the issues are in stock by writing to Back Issues, Cherokee Phoenix, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465; or calling 918-207-4975.

Member

Copyright 2018: The entire contents of the Cherokee Phoenix are fully protected by copyright unless otherwise noted and may be reproduced if the copyright is noted and credit is given to the Cherokee Phoenix, the writer and the photographer. Requests to reprint should be directed to the editor at the above address. Material provided through membership with Associated Press NewsFinder, identified by (AP), may not be reproduced without permission of the Associated Press.

Oklahoma Press Association

Native American Journalists Association

More than just a car tag

BY Bill John Baker Principal Chief

Every time a tribal citizen registers a vehicle with the Cherokee Nation, they make an investment in public education and our young people. You see, our vehicle tags are more than just a pretty tag. By Cherokee Nation law, 38 percent of the revenues from our tag sales are earmarked specifically for public education. This year, thanks to our flourishing Motor Vehicle Tax program, Cherokee Nation is awarding a record-breaking $5.7 million to more than a hundred school districts in northeast Oklahoma.

Since 2002, Cherokee Nation has contributed more than $56 million to public education. Today, that investment in public education is more important than ever for the Cherokee Nation and the state of Oklahoma.

More tribal car tag revenue means we are able to serve more students.

When we expanded the sale of Cherokee Nation tags statewide to all 77 Oklahoma counties in 2013, we knew the school systems in northeastern Oklahoma would reap the benefits.

Indeed, it has proven to be an essential component of their annual budgets for many schools here.

Supporting local school districts is important to the Cherokee Nation’s long-term success. These partnerships with schools represent our investment for the future of our great state and our tribal government. Our tribal funding comes with no strings attached and is not earmarked for specific budget items, so every pupil benefits. This means we are helping area students in our local schools, regardless of whether they are Cherokee.

For Cherokee people, embracing education has always been a community value. It creates hope for a better future

for our children and the generations to come. I come from a long line of teachers and administrators devoted to learning.

My family’s background helped build a foundation and reinforced an ideal that I have embraced as a public servant: Supporting access to educational programs is the best investment we can ever make as a sovereign tribal government. Over the last several years, public education in Oklahoma has taken numerous financial hits and the proceeds from Cherokee car tags allow us to help fill in the gaps in school budgets.

I am extremely proud of the many ways our region benefits from these revenues. The Cherokee Nation Motor Vehicle Tax program not only saves our people money on their car tags and instills Cherokee pride, it also has a positive and lasting impact in our communities and schools. With every vehicle registered, we are investing in our children, in our families, and in our future as Cherokees and Oklahomans.

AnIl9 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Community • ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

MARCH 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

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Landowner says poultry farm rules not enough

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

TERESITA – A landowner who rallied residents against expanding poultry farms in Oklahoma considers new regulations “a bit of a win,” but is bracing for a long-term struggle.

“Am I glad there are setbacks? Yes,” Cherokee Nation citizen Pam Kingfisher said. “Thank you. We have something.

Are they adequate? No. They will not protect our water. We had hoped for the stronger setbacks.”

On Feb. 19, the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture approved proposals requiring new or expanding poultry operations to be certain distances away from homes and schools.

New poultry operations with fewer than 150,000 birds will be required to be at least 500 feet from homes. Larger operations must be at least 1,000 feet away. All operations must be at least 1,500 feet from schools.

“Thank God they added schools,” Kingfisher said. “There’s a few things in there we were able to get in. The first setbacks didn’t include schools or churches. They didn’t define anything.

So we know we’ve made a lot of progress with our comments.”

The proposal moves to the Legislature and, if approved and signed by the governor, would take effect in September. The regulations call for operations to be 200 feet from streams, 100 feet from private wells and 500 feet from public wells.

“If you can put six barns with 190,000 chickens a year 200 feet from an intermittent spring – which I live on – that’s not going to protect anybody,” Kingfisher said. “But I have to consider it a bit of a win. We have some setbacks now where there were none.”

The 68-year-old lives on her grandmother’s allotment land in Cherokee County near the Delaware County line. “I have the deeds in her name as an 8-year-old girl. I’m not going anywhere. I will fight to the death.”

CN Natural Resources Secretary Sara Hill said she keeps in touch with state legislators and officials regarding “chicken issues” in eastern Oklahoma.

Prior to the Feb. 19 agriculture board’s vote, Hill said she “submitted another written comment from Cherokee Nation expressing our desire that we have setbacks in place.”

“It would still be a 100-percent increase in the amount of setback, which is zero,” she said.

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Regulations are in the works to govern Oklahoma poultry operations similar to these seen in western Washington County, Arkansas.

Hill said the chicken issue “has been a decades-long fight for eastern Oklahoma.”

“That’s not going to change or go away any time in the near future,” she added.

“But if we can make improvements in that, I think that we’re going in the right direction.”

Kingfisher organized the Green Country Guardians to combat poultry operations the likes of which can be seen along U.S. 412.

“I’m not against farming,” she said.

“We’ve lived with chicken houses forever. They’re off the road, they’re smaller. They’re not these industrial complexes. These things are massive.”

She said it was “incredible” how the community rallied to the cause.

“We’ve had a lot of wins,” she said. “In October, we got a suspension on all new poultry farms. It’s still on until May 31 – that’s the other next battle. In October, we got the governor’s poultry council appointed and six of our local people on it.

So we won every battle we showed up to.”

Upon learning of plans for six chicken houses last May, residents and the CN intervened.

Community Events March 4 Lost City Community Organization 6 p.m.

Native American Association of Ketchum 280 East Gregory, Ketchum 6:30 p.m.

Belfonte Sallie Sevenstar 918-427-4237 6:30 p.m.

Marble City Community Organization MCCO Building 7 p.m.

Eucha Indian Fellowship Eucha Community Building 8 p.m.

March 5 Vian Peace Center 604 W. Schley 5:30 p.m.

Muldrow Cherokee Community Organization MCCO Building Timothy Laney 918-427-5440 6 p.m.

Brushy Cherokee Action Association 465406 E 1010 Road Call Gary Bolin 918-775-6914 6 p.m.

Tulsa Cherokee Community Organization Call 805-551-6445 tulsacherokees@gmail.com 6:30 p.m.

One Fire Association Kenwood Community Building emmahayes87@yahoo.com 7 p.m.

March 7 Greasy Fellowship Community Organization Greasy Community Building 7 p.m.

Washington County Cherokee Association 300 E. Angus Ave., Dewey Ann Sheldon 918-333-5632 7 p.m.

March 10 Rogers County Cherokee Association 15488 East 523 Road, Claremore Cherokee Nation Heirloom Seeds with

Feather Smith-Trevino Contact: rogerscountygwys@gmail.com Call 539-777-2898 March 11 Rocky Mountain Cherokee Community Organization Vicki McLemore 918-696-4965 6 p.m.

Brent Community Association 461914 Hwy. 141, Gans Call 918-774-0655 brentcomm@live.com 6 p.m.

Fairfield Community Organization, Inc. Jeff Simpson 918-605-0839 6:30 p.m.

Marble City Pantry Clifton Pettit 918-775-5975 7 p.m.

Oak Hill/Piney Dude Feather 918-235-28117 p.m.

March 12 No-We-Ta Cherokee Community 1003 Lenape Drive, Nowata Carol Sonenberg 918-273-5536 6:30 p.m.

Victory Cherokee Organization 1025 N. 12th St. Collinsville Call Ed Phillips at 918-371-6688 victorycherokee@att.net 7 p.m.

March 14 Stilwell Public Library Friends Society 5 N. 6th St., Stilwell Grace Ferris 918-315-4279 5 p.m.

Native American Fellowship Inc. 215 Oklahoma St., South Coffeyville Bill Davis 620-252-8883 6 p.m.

Adair County Resource Center 110 S. 2nd St., Stilwell 6:30 p.m.

Okay Senior Citizens, Inc. Okay Senior Building, 3701 E. 75th Street 7 p.m.

Lyons Switch Karen Fourkiller 918-696-2354 7 p.m.

For the complete list through March 31, go to www.cherokeephoenix.org

“The Cherokee Nation bought the land from the chicken farmers and pulled it out of the conversation,” Kingfisher said.

In what was its lone land purchase in 2018, the tribe bought 60.81 acres from Tran Tran LLC near the Oaks Indian Mission in Delaware County. There is a historical association between the tribe and those lands because it was an arrival point for those who survived the Trail of Tears.

Green Country Guardians have pushed for poultry regulations via public comments and meetings.

“I didn’t know half of these people six months ago,” Kingfisher said. “I have a background in organizing, so I understood immediately how to go about that part. People were so affected and upset, they all showed up. The community drove the bus. I’d invite (Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry) and water resources.

They all came and spoke to us. They all got yelled at, but in a nice way. It was like, ‘Are you kidding?’”

Anticipating future wrangles, Kingfisher is urging lawmakers to support a proposal broadening setback

requirements for new or expanding poultry feeding operations.

House Bill 2534 authored by Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, modifies certain setbacks, establishes others and requires pre-site inspections.

“We really want our House bill to be heard,” Kingfisher said. “(Blancett has) worked with us to really put forth a bill the industry could live with and still make money, and that citizens could live with and feel that our health and our environment is halfway protected.”

Kingfisher is concerned the proposal will be scrapped.

“We were told all last year the only way for us to do anything is to work with the legislators,” she said. “They need to allow us citizens to have that democratic process with our legislators to put forth a bill we believe in. I would be very disappointed if they circumvent the process for citizens to participate by dropping our bill and not hearing HB2534.”

While uncertainty looms around HB 2534, Kingfisher is certain the fight is unfinished.

“We know there’s more coming.

They’re not done with us yet.”

6

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MARCH 1, 2019

March 20 marks National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day ATLANTA – March 20 marks National Native HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day, a time to recognize the impact of HIV/ AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (collectively referred to as Native people).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in five American Indians and Alaska Natives who were living with HIV in 2013 were unaware of their HIV-positive status. Thus National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is set aside each year to promote HIV education and testing in Native communities.

Medical pot sales in Oklahoma top $4.3 million in January OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Numbers from the Oklahoma Tax Commission show medical marijuana sales topped $4.3 million in January, a four-fold increase from the previous month.

The agency released figures on Tuesday that show the 7 percent tax on medical marijuana sales generated $305,265 in January.

That figure doesn’t include the standard sales tax that varies from city to city that is also being assessed on medical pot sales.

Oklahoma voters approved a medical marijuana state question in June, and the industry has taken off quickly. Nearly 44,000 Oklahoma patients, 950 dispensaries and 1,600 growers have been licensed since August.

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority also has generated more than $13 million in licensing fees.

Oklahoma bill to classify abortion as murder won’t be heard OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A bill that would classify abortion as murder in Oklahoma law apparently will not be heard in the state Legislature.

The bill by Republican state Sen. Joseph Silk was assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Committee Chairman Sen. Jason Smalley, a Republican, said he opposes abortion, but does not want the bill to go forward because he believes it is likely to be ruled unconstitutional.

During a rally at the state Capitol by supporters of the proposal, Silk said Republicans were “protecting the abortion industry.”

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, also a Republican, allows committee leaders the leeway to hear whatever legislation they want. Treat said he also opposes abortion, but agrees with Smalley and said losing a legal challenge would “hurt the pro-life movement.”

Oklahoma lawmakers to consider Medicaid expansion proposals OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – State lawmakers are considering a bill that would use Medicaid expansion funds to boost Oklahoma’s privateinsurance subsidy program.

Insure Oklahoma provides health coverage for low-income, working residents or Oklahomans who don’t have employer-provided benefits.

The measure would require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the state’s Medicaid agency, to seek federal approval for a waiver to expand Insure Oklahoma. A Senate Committee approved the proposal Feb. 18.

Sen. Greg McCortney, the bill’s sponsor, said Oklahoma would be able to obtain around $1.2 billion in federal dollars at a state cost of $141 million in the first year. He noted the state’s money would come from partnerships with providers.

If passed, the federal government would eventually provide a 90 percent match on state dollars.

Health • ᎠᏰᎸ ᏄᏍᏛ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • AnIl9 1, 2019

Hypertension, diabetes top diagnoses

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter TAHLEQUAH – Although it may not have been a clinical study, the Cherokee Nation’s health clinics recently tracked the frequency of diagnoses among their patients, and at seven of 10 facilities, hypertension and type 2 diabetes were the most common.

Primary hypertension, or high blood pressure, was the most common diagnosis at nine clinics.

“A lot of blood pressure and a lot of sugar is genetic,” said Dr. James Baker, medical director for the CN Three Rivers Health Clinic in Muskogee. “You’re stuck with that, and of course Native American populations seem to be – this diet they have adopted, the modern day American diet – is not conducive to the Indigenous people. That makes it really frustrating. The fry bread and lard given through the commissaries was not what constituted diets of the Native Americans. The buffalo ran free, different grains and berries were available – that was Native America. Today’s diet is not conducive to good health, but good health is still achievable.”

Within the CN jurisdiction, the effects of technology are impacting health. Baker said cell phones, the internet and extended screen time are allowing calories to accumulate around people’s middles.

He said the “5210” program encourages five fruits and vegetables, less than two hours of screen time, an hour of exercise and zero sodas per day.

Efforts to prevent high blood pressure and weight gain are aimed at fewer diagnoses at the clinics, but there will always be a need for treatments because of hereditary factors.

“The bottom line to all of the trials that have been done, is that it doesn’t matter what type of blood pressure medicine you’re on, the most important thing is getting control,” Baker said. “The Joint National Committee on the Treatment of Hypertension has changed the criteria, and the new number is 140 over 90. You’re blood

D. SEAN ROWLEY/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Dr. James Baker, medical director for the Three Rivers Health Clinic in Muskogee, speaks with a patient. He said parents can teach children to make healthy dietary choices to avoid hypertension and diabetes, the most common diagnoses at Cherokee Nation health facilities. pressure should not be over 140/90 if you are an adult less than 60 years age. If you are over 60 years of age, you can now be at 150 over 90.”

Baker said the first steps to treating hypertension involve lifestyle changes – diet and exercise, smoking cessation and reducing sodium intake.

“They now say to keep sodium down to 2400 milligrams a day,” he said. “Watch your cholesterol.

Watch your sugar numbers if you are diabetic, moderate alcohol if you are a drinker. If you’re not, don’t do it at all.”

A sedentary lifestyle exacerbates health dangers, and Baker said regular exercise can mitigate hypertension, adding that something is better than nothing.

“Eat better, move more and be tobacco free,” he said. “Those things go a long way to help out.

Find ways to make it happen for you. If you can’t go run a marathon, OK, but move. If you just can’t stop smoking, decrease the amount that you smoke.

If you love your steaks and burgers and grilling, try to cut back on portion sizes. Anything you can do to have a degree of moderation.”

Baker said “all or nothing” also need not apply to

medication. Some patients may be hindered by the expense of prescriptions or health conditions.

“If you can’t take all your medications, then take those that you can,” he said. “They will help. Those who can get closer to all those goals are in better shape, but those way out of kilter on blood pressure need to get some degree of control.”

Only the Gadugi employee health clinic in Tahlequah did not list hypertension as its most common diagnosis.

Across 339 patient visits to this clinic, there were 73 diagnoses of acute maxillary sinusitis, which is a common cold symptom, and another 73 cases of “unspecified” acute maxillary sinusitis.

There were 62 cases of allergic rhinitis due to pollen, and hypertension was fourth most common with 61 diagnoses.

At the Cooweescoowee Health Center in Ochelata, hyperlipidemia, or an overabundance of fats, triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, was the second most common diagnosis.

At the Muskogee clinic, the second most common “diagnosis” was the child wellness examination.

“Our pediatricians are very

aggressive about wanting to ensure that our children our fully taken care of,” Baker said. “Preventative screenings, anything they can pick up early on. They focus on the child’s wellness. There is a strong effort to determine if children are above the body mass index for their age groups. Are they showing appropriate growth? Are there changes that can be made so they don’t go on to develop hypertension or diabetes?”

Baker said child welfare exams are essential to identifying health issues, and they educate children and parents.

“It can help parents get on the right wavelength,” he said. “It’s important for your children to make the correct choices, and parents can go a long way to teach those choices.”

Baker said taste is a learned behavior. Kids might have a proclivity for sweets, but parents can explain how mom and dad grew up strong by eating healthy and encourage a good diet through action.

“A bowl of apples on the table is not enough,” Baker said. “The tender loving care of the parent slicing the apples and taking them around to the children, or glasses of water, will make the child more apt to do that.”

Hanes pursues nursing degree at TCU

Cadie Hanes graduates from Baylor University with a nursing degreeand is pursuing a doctor of nursing practice.

By GRANT NEUGIN Reporter DALLAS – Cherokee Nation citizen Cadie Hanes is a student in the Nursing Practice Program at Texas Christian University who is persuing a doctorate.

Hanes graduated from Lake Dallas High School in 2013 and received the Gates Millennium Scholarship to help pay for her undergraduate degree in nursing at Baylor University.

“I graduated from nursing and decided to go the nurse practitioner route or the DNP,” Hanes said. “I am doing this through TCU and in three years should graduate with a doctorate in nurse practice.”

Hanes works in the emergency department at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas as part of her nursing studies. Her job allows her to see patients immediately to quickly diagnose them. Hanes said she uses her critical thinking skills to see what will help patients who are dealing with a sickness or injuries.

Once Hanes earns her doctorate in nurse practice, she said she should be given many opportunities in the medical field. She said she could work in general medical and surgical hospitals, public health offices, research facilities, independent practice or a physician’s office.

Working in a hospital with a doctorate in nursing means playing a bigger role in influencing patient treatment plans, she said.

She added that many doctorate-level nurses become experts in public health, which is a great place to put their expertise to work.

She said she would be able to influence policymakers and health officials and help craft smart, research-based solutions to health issues.

Starting her own practice is no easy task, but as a soon-to-be advanced practice nurse holding a doctorate degree, it’s entirely possible, she said. She also said if she decides

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not to start her own business and works in a smaller office, a doctorate in nursing makes her eligible for a higher-paying management role in a physician’s office.

Hanes said she plans on working at a family practitioner clinic after she graduates from TCU because she wants to create a longterm bond with her patients, while gaining work experience.

She said she hopes to stay in Dallas to begin her career but would like to hone her skills before she decides to move somewhere else.

Hanes said she is proud and honored to be a CN citizen. “Being Cherokee to me means that I will honor my resilient ancestors by continuing to exist and be proud of who I am.

This is why I will make sure to carry on the spirit of my ancestors in everything I do.”

Cadie Hanes

AnIl9 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Education • ᏧᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ

MARCH 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

Jones sets sights on Broadway’s bright lights

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

OKLAHOMA CITY – Inspired by his love for music, a self-professed “art kid” from Lost City veered from a political path to chase the bright lights of Broadway.

Austin Jones, 19, a 2017 Tahlequah High School graduate, is studying and performing his way to a bachelor’s degree in music theater at Oklahoma City University.

“I pretty much learn to sing, act and dance in hopes that one day I get a job doing those three things,” Jones said. “Broadway is the center that everyone wants to go to. It’s ideal, and it’s open to everyone.”

However, he began his higher learning journey down a different avenue.

“I came to OCU as a political science major because I wanted to do tribal law,” Jones said. “That was always a passion of mine because I felt like I wanted to change the world for the greater good. But I soon realized that politics was not where I was meant to be.”

A trip to Branson, Missouri, sparked the course change in the Cherokee Nation citizen. There with his parents, he witnessed a performance that made him cry, he said.

“I thought to myself, if I can do on that stage what these people did to me just now, I’d change someone’s life and be the inspiration for people who want to pursue something in music,” Jones said. “You know, growing up in Tahlequah, that’s not always really the option for people. People don’t know that is an option out there, that you have the ability to study your craft.”

Jones wrestled with his future for months.

“I thought long and hard of what my true passion in life was. It just led back to music.

I sang all my life. I live for music. When I decided to switch my major, I was very hesitant because people were very doubtful.

But I auditioned and I made it. It was one of the best feelings in the world.”

OCU’s music theater degree is “one of the most music intensive in the country and couples rigorous music training with equally rigorous courses in dance, acting, performance techniques, stagecraft and general studies,” according to the university.

“That’s one thing about being a music major that people don’t realize,” Jones said.

“I’m in class usually from 8 a.m. to around 4 or 5 p.m. It’s difficult because you go from class to class to class.”

But the work is paying off as he was recently cast in an opera at OCU. “So every day after I get done with classes, I have to practice piano and my opera score on top of working and doing homework,” he said. “We love what we do, but we have to study it so intensely so one day we can make a living out of it.”

PHOTOS BY CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Cherokee Nation citizen Austin Jones, 19, plays piano and sings on Jan. 17 at Oklahoma City University. Jones is studying for a bachelor’s degree in music theater.

His music interest blossomed while with the Cherokee National Youth Choir, which performs songs in the Cherokee language.

Jones was with the choir from grades six through 12.

“Those were probably the best years of my life, you know, singing in my traditional language and being a part of such a great organization,” he said. “I love to sing in Cherokee. I think one of the things that really guides my musical experience is my heritage.”

As Jones spent his middle and high school years performing, he was also planning for a government-related occupation. He spent time on the CN Tribal Youth Council, in which the young ambassadors advise the CN on youth-related issues.

“Without a sense of identity, you don’t really know yourself,” Jones said. “Being involved within my tribe helped me so much growing up because it gave me a place to belong. I met some of my best friends on the Tribal Youth Council and in the Cherokee youth choir.”

Thanks to his extracurricular efforts, he now attends OCU via its full-ride American Indian Scholarship, which includes full tuition and room and board. “Because I did youth choir, the challenge bowls back in high school and was also president of the Tribal Youth Council, I had the opportunity to come here free of charge,” Jones said.

Oklahoma City University music theater major Austin Jones, 19, of Lost City, sings on Jan. 17 on campus.

His post-university plans include travel, Broadway and potentially teaching.

“I’ve thought about going to graduate school to get a teaching degree because I really want to teach music theater one day to students,” he said. “I do know that life will one day put me in New York City. But we don’t know when or how long.”

His advice for fellow teenagers is to seek inspiration from the arts.

“Even if you don’t want to go into a field that deals with art or music or dance or acting, I think it’s so crucial to find something you like within the arts and just do it,” he said. “Make it a hobby. It allows your mind to grow and open to see bigger and better things.”

Morton studying voice at Oklahoma City University

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter OKLAHOMA CITY – Sometime in the coming years, Katelyn Morton hopes to entertain audiences through her singing and stage performances.

Morton, a Cherokee Nation citizen and 2018 Sequoyah High School graduate, is studying vocal music at Oklahoma City University.

“I want to tell stories through the songs I’m singing, the stories of the characters, and the story of myself,” Morton said. “That’s why I love singing so much. I’m telling stories to people, and I hope when they leave the theater they leave with more than what they walked in with.”

In her second semester, Morton is immersed in learning her crafts within OCU’s nationally renowned arts curriculum.

“Coming to OCU has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said. “I had no knowledge of music theory before I came here. Now I know so much. Me at the beginning of the school year in August would be baffled by how much I know now.

The education I have received is amazing, and I love the community here as well…

They want you to succeed.”

Morton said she’s been involved with the CN since childhood. Family members have

served as tribal councilors and advisers, authored books and supervised departments.

Her résumé includes two years with the Cherokee Nation Tribal Youth Council.

“I became involved with the Cherokee National Youth Choir in eighth grade,” Morton said. “They taught me a lot about my culture. All the traveling I experienced, and singing in a language that we have to preserve.

It was a wonderful experience for me.

“I got to represent my tribe and learn the workings of my tribe,” Morton added.

“Here (at OCU), I’ve done Native American Heritage Week. I sang some traditional Cherokee songs and hymns that I learned while I was in the Cherokee National Youth Choir. I got to share that with some of my classmates.”

On Jan. 17, Morton was paired for halfhour one-on-one instructional trainings from OCU vocal coaches Joe Fitzgerald and Rachel Barnard.

“She comes into this studio twice a week, and we will work on her vocal technique,” Barnard said. “We work on classical, musical theater, popular music. With Kate, we have worked a lot on character and the acting side because she gets in her own head – as a lot of us do – with the technical side of the singing of her music. That’s just actually something that most undergraduate college students do at this stage.”

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Cherokee Nation citizen Katelyn Morton, a vocal music freshman at Oklahoma City University, is a former student of opera star Barbara McAlister.

Barnard said many of her students are not as “advanced” as Morton.

“She had a lot of experience in high school, and she has had some private vocal training as well,” Barnard said. “Not all of the students I see come in with that kind of background.

Most of my BA candidates are at about that level, but I also see a lot of actors and dancers that have not had a lot of voice training. I would say she is on the advanced end of my studio spectrum for sure.”

Morton said she has always sought the spotlight, and wanted to sing and act since her earliest years. She said two people who support her academic pursuit of vocal performance are Amanda Ray, SHS drama department director, and Barbara McAlister, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano and OCU alumnae.

“I was never in a drama department until I attended Sequoyah High School,” Morton said.

“Mrs. Ray taught me so much about myself, and how to tell the story to the audience about the characters and how to make it seem real.

She helped me grow and prosper as an actress.

I love the support and knowledge that she has given me. I used to be such a quiet person.

Now, I am not afraid to use this voice that I have, and I love that Barbara McAlister has given me so much confidence. She gave me all these tools to hone what I have. She has always supported me.”

However, Morton offered the most thanks to her mother, Kathryn Wood, whom she called her “absolute best friend.”

“She has supported me through everything and believes in me,” Morton said. “She is the solid foundation on which I can grow and SCAN prosper, because I have her support always. She CODE has always pushed me and TO SEE driven me, and I would D. SEAN ROWLEY/CHEROKEE PHOENIX VIDEO not be where I am today if Between her classes, freshman Katelyn Morton receives some one-on-one instruction from adjunct ROGER GRAHAM it weren’t for her.” vocal coach Joe Fitzgerald on Jan. 17 at Oklahoma City University.

7

NSU ‘Breaking the Silence’ art exhibit calls for entries TAHLEQUAH – The Center for Tribal Studies and American Indian Heritage Committee is calling all artists for the 47th annual Symposium on the American Indian Breaking the Silence: #MMIW #MeToo art exhibition at Northeastern State University.

Artwork of any medium may be submitted. Deadline for entries is March 8. The exhibition will be displayed April 1-30 in the John Vaughan Library.

“April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and our focus of the symposium theme being Indigenous women, I was wanting to bridge the two and raise awareness about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Me Too movements,” Alisa Douglas, Center for Tribal Studies coordinator for student programs, said.

Submissions are open to anyone, and there is no fee to apply or participate. Find more information and entry forms at cts.nsuok.edu/events.

Governor-backed raise for Oklahoma teachers clears House OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A $1,200, across-the-board pay boost for Oklahoma teachers is moving quickly toward new Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has made the pay raise one of his top priorities for public education.

The Oklahoma House voted unanimously on Feb. 21 for House Bill 1780 , which now heads to the Senate where it’s expected to pass and be sent to Stitt, who is expected to sign it into law.

The $1,200 pay hike would cost the state a little more than $70 million annually, which includes expected costs for retirement, Medicare and Social Security benefits. The pay boost is an addition to an average annual raise of $6,100 that teachers received last year from lawmakers who were trying to avert a statewide teacher walkout that happened anyway.

Report shows 30K Oklahoma teachers have left profession OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A State Department of Education report shows about 30,000 Oklahoma teachers, or 10 percent of the teaching workforce, have left the profession in the last six years.

The report shows Oklahoma’s exodus compares to a national rate of 7.7 percent.

The report highlights several effects of the state’s ongoing teacher shortage, including teacherstudent ratios and an increasing number of emergency-certified educators who are teaching subjects in which they lack expertise.

The report notes that it is not clear what effect last year’s teacher pay raise will have on the shortage.

The Legislature approved an average annual pay raise of $6,100 a year for teachers.

Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club to host scholarship fundraiser CLAREMORE – The Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club will host a wild onion dinner at noon on March 23 to raise funds for its scholarship.

The dinner will be held in the First United Methodist Church at 1615 N. Highway 88.

To reserve tables or tickets, call Ollie Starr at 918-760-7499 or call Vicki Baker at 918-798-0771.

Applications for AICF Full Circle Scholarship open DENVER – As the American Indian College Fund celebrates its 30th year the application for its signature scholarship program – The Full Circle Scholarship – has opened to support Native American college students during the 2019-20 school year.

Every year, AICF distributes millions of dollars to thousands of Native students seeking degrees in higher education. Students who are citizens or descendants of federally and state-recognized tribes can apply for support until the application deadline of May 31. There are no financial need requirements, and students can learn more about the application guidelines and apply at www. collegefund.org/scholarships.

8

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MARCH 1, 2019

Services • ᎾᎾᏛᏁᎲ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • AnIl9 1, 2019

Tribe’s burial aid available for needy families

BY LINDSEY BARK Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation’s Human Services Burial Assistance Program continues to help families with funeral expenses. For approximately 20 years, the program has helped provide tribal citizens financial aid to bury family members who have passed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs paying a portion of those expenses.

“It’s for people that have little or no resources to bury a loved one,” CN Family Assistance Manager Angela King said.

In fiscal year 2018, BAP provided aid for 331 burials. The tribe’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

The program is designed to alleviate financial stress that comes with funeral costs for low-income families. The deceased’s immediate family’s income must not exceed greater than 150 percent of the National Poverty Level income standards.

King said for example a family of two must not exceed $2,058 a month.

To be eligible, the deceased must be a citizen of a federally recognized tribe; have resided in the CN jurisdiction six months

prior to date of death; must not, or family must not, have resources that exceed $2,900, which include life insurance, veteran’s benefits, savings, checking or prepaid burial; and must select a funeral home that has an active burial contract with the tribe.

The CN is contracted with many funeral homes in Oklahoma. The CN and BIA pay depending on two options offered through the BAP. Option 1 is restricted to CN citizens, if eligible, and services will be paid in full to eliminate financial burdens. This service provides at minimum a 20-gauge steel casket, concrete outer container/grave liner, tent and cemetery set up, memorial package, death certificate, burial notice in a local newspaper and traditional professional services provided by a contracted funeral home to conduct the service.

The CN and BIA payout for the Option 1 contracted service must not exceed $3,600 for the service to be paid in full.

Option 2 is available to any citizen of a federally recognized tribe, who must meet all income and eligibility standards. The selected funeral home will provide services for any eligible non-CN citizen, as negotiated

by the funeral home and the family. The CN will make a single payment up to $2,800 toward the service’s total cost. The family is responsible for the remaining balance due toward the funeral home costs.

An eligible Cherokee family that wishes to switch from Option 1 to Option 2 may do so under the negotiation between funeral home and family. The CN will make a single payment of $2,800 toward funeral costs with the family responsible for the remaining balance.

King said the reason some families switch is because a family member wants a different service not provided in Option 1. She said the family is allowed to switch but is responsible for any extra expenses.

“Since this is an income-based program it has to be someone outside of the household that is responsible for the remaining amount.

Because we don’t want that family owing a funeral home because if they really can’t afford a funeral they’re going to pick the Option 1 where they don’t owe anything,” King said.

For more information, call 918-453-5000 or email human-services@cherokee.org.

Vet sales tax exempt cards tops 360 mark

BY STAFF REPORTS

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation Tax Commission officials said earlier this year that they have issued 363 sales tax exemption cards to Cherokee veterans to use at certain CN-licensed businesses.

The tribe began issuing the cards in 2013. With it, veterans are exempt from sales tax on gross receipts or gross proceeds of items of value or goods or services bought, sold, rented, leased or exchanged, or any combination thereof, on transactions on, through, by or with any business enterprise located on CN lands.

The card cannot be used to receive exemptions on gas, tobacco or alcohol.

The exemption applies to all veterans who are enrolled CN citizens who have been honorably discharged from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces, National Guard or Military Reserve.

“This is for any veteran that is a Cherokee citizen,” Sharon Swepston, CNTC administrator, said. “It’s just that you can only use it at our licensed facilities.”

Swepston said when the CNTC mails the cards, a list of CN-approved locations such as the Cherokee Arts Center and CN smoke shops is included. If the retailers’ list is changed, a new one will be sent out to those who have the cards.

The card also allows for tax exemptions at CN casinos for rooms, retail items, concert tickets and food.

For a qualifying CN veteran to a receive sales tax exemption card, he or she must complete and mail in an application form, along with copies of his or her tribal citizenship card, Oklahoma driver’s license and DD-214 form, a Defense Department form that identifies a veteran’s condition of discharge.

A card will have the vet’s name, address and tracking number. Swepston said Social Security numbers and DD214 information are not listed on the cards.

Applications for the veteran sales tax exemption cards and a list of businesses where the can be used can be found at www.cherokee.org under the “Our Government” tab then by clicking on the “Commissions” tab and by selecting “Tax Commission.”

Swepston said the cards are only good for retailers licensed by the CN.

SALLISAW – Cherokee Nation Human Services officials have announced that the Human Services office in Sallisaw has moved to 307 and 309 N. Dogwood from 101 E. Quesenbury.

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The main phone number for the location is 918-775-6226.

Human Services officials said the office provides Child Care Subsidy, Child Care Licensing, Child Care Resource, Child Support Services and Family Assistance services.

CN donates $12K to local nonprofits STILWELL – The Cherokee Nation on Jan. 18 donated a total of $12,500 to two local Adair County nonprofit organizations – the Stilwell Public Library Friends Society and Cherokee Children’s Mission.

Of the $12,500 donated funds, $5,000 will be used for new shelving at the Stilwell Public Library with the remaining $7,500 helping the mission purchase a new air conditioning unit for its kitchen and dining area.

The tribe donated the money from its special projects fund.

Projects funded through the special projects fund are selected

by Tribal Council and Principal Chief Bill John Baker’s office and allow the tribe to partner with communities and organizations on projects that benefit both Cherokee Nation citizens and non-Cherokees alike.

CNMS donates computers to high school students COURTESY Cherokee Nation citizen and 2017 Summer Youth Employment Program participant Madison Shoemaker, right, visits with Zomac School of Music owner Jeffrey Jones. Applications for the employment program are available at any of the 11 Cherokee Nation Career Services offices and are due by April 5.

Summer Youth Employment Program apps available

BY STAFF REPORTS TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation will accept applications for its Summer Youth Employment Program, which annually provides work experience to hundreds of Native youth, until April 5.

Applications for the program are available at any of the 11 CN Career Services offices in Bartlesville, Claremore, Jay, Miami, Muskogee, Pryor, Sallisaw, Stilwell, Vinita, Warner and Tahlequah. According to a CN SYEP flier, all offices are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for applications.

“Cherokee Nation and the tribe’s business arm, Cherokee Nation Businesses, continue to grow and diversify not only here in northeast Oklahoma but across the country. Because of that growth, it’s to the Cherokee Nation’s benefit to train up the next generation of employees through the Summer Youth Employment Program,” former Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said.

“Whether these young men and women later become employees of the tribe or find their careers elsewhere in the public and private sectors, it’s rewarding to know we will have given them the tools they need for success.”

The six-week program kicks off June 10 and

ends July 19, with participants working 40hour weeks and earning $7.25 per hour.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program continues to be extremely beneficial for Cherokee youth who are trying to determine what career path they might like to take,” Cherokee Nation Career Services Executive Director Diane Kelley said. “Through the Summer Youth Employment Program, participants have an opportunity to learn many of the skills they will need in the workforce through hands-on experiences, all while earning a paycheck.”

To qualify for the program, youth ages 1624 must be a citizen of a federally recognized tribe and reside within the tribe’s 14-county jurisdiction. Applicants must also meet program income guidelines, and all males 18 or older must be registered with the Selective Service System at the time of application.

All out-of-school youth will be given priority for placement services, and all participants must be able to pass a drug test at the time of application.

For more information about Career Service offices, visit http://www.cherokee.org/ Services/Career/OfficeLocations.aspx.

For more information about the SYEP, call 918-453-5555.

CN’s Dislocated Worker Grant could go up to $6M

BY STAFF REPORTS

TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation has been awarded up to $6 million from a U.S. Department of Labor grant to provide jobs and employment services to those impacted by the health and economic effects of opioid use, addiction and overdose.

While the initial funding is nearly $2 million, the Dislocated Worker Grant could ultimately be worth about $6 million for CN. “At the Cherokee Nation, we recognize the best way to help unemployed Cherokees is to get them back to work as soon as possible,” Chief of Staff Chuck Hoskin said. “With the help of this Department of Labor grant, we will be able to equip many of our citizens with the training and skills that Oklahoma employers will be searching for as these individuals prepare to enter the workforce.”

A portion of the grant will be used to place about 50 participants in support staff positions within Behavioral Health.

These individuals will work in the tribe’s outpatient health centers to help expand opioid-related treatment through services such as counseling and pain management.

Funding will also provide training to 250 participants for careers in health care, manufacturing, hospitality or constructionrelated occupations.

The tribe anticipates serving Cherokees

Human Services office moves in Sallisaw

COURTESY Cherokee Nation Grant Development Manager Christina Carroll speaks on Feb. 6 to members of the CN Opioid Response Task Force. The CN has received up to $6 million from federal grants to provide jobs and employment services to those impacted by the health and economic effects of opioid use. and non-Natives throughout it jurisdiction.

“Being awarded a large federal grant exclusively to work with individuals affected by the opioid crisis will really open up new doors for many of our unemployed citizens who have unfortunately been impacted by the crisis,” Career Services Executive Director Diane Kelley said. “We look forward to getting started and helping hundreds

of our Cherokee citizens find the training opportunities they need.”

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017 and did so again in January 2018, enabling the CN to request federal grant funding.

The CN was the first tribe to file a lawsuit against retail distributors of opioids in 2017. In 2015 and 2016, distributors shipped and pharmacies dispensed 184 million opioid pain pills in the tribe’s jurisdiction, equating to 153 doses for every man, woman and child in that area. The tribe later filed a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers Purdue Pharma L.P., Purdue Pharma Inc., Purdue Frederick Company Inc. and Purdue Pharma Manufacturing Inc. The complaint charges the companies with conducting marketing that resulted in the overprescribing and distribution of opioids, and failing to prevent the flow of illegally prescribed opioids in the CN. Both lawsuits are pending.

TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service recently surprised five high school students with desktop computers to use for both high school and college studies.

Sequoyah High School freshman Alexia Glory and SHS sophomore Katherine Sanchez, Oaks senior Harlie McKie, Bluejacket senior Hannah Brewster and Muldrow senior Lacy Smithson each received a computer through the North Pole Project. The CNMS receives desktop computers each year to present to deserving students who are chosen by their school leaders. CNMS Community Resource Investigator Shawnna Roach said 2019 marks the eighth year the marshals have worked with the North Pole Project to reward deserving students.

Firm: Oklahoma securities agency’s computer files breached OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma agency that protects investors from fraud is investigating whether its data was breached after a cybersecurity research team discovered that a computer server had left millions of files unsecured and open to the public.

Oklahoma Department of Securities Administrator Irving Faught said Jan. 17 a forensic team is trying to determine the type and number of files that may have been exposed by the breach and who may have accessed them. Faught says the breach happened during the installation of a computer firewall designed to keep data secure.

The UpGuard Data Breach Research team found that millions of files could have been accessed by virtually anyone. The data included details about FBI investigations and information about those involved in the exchange of financial securities.

CNSS partners with Interior TULSA – Cherokee Nation System Solutions is partnering with the Interior Department via a contract with its Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians to improve operations at the Trust Beneficiary Call Center.

The Cherokee Nation Businesses subsidiary provides automated and manual customer support services to respond to inquires and requests. It helps improve TBCC’s services by focusing on efficiency, accuracy, and employee engagement.

AnIl9 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Money • ᎠᏕᎳ

BY GRANT NEUGIN Reporter

PHOTOS BY GRANT NEUGIN/ CHEROKEE PHOENIX Several 500-gallon brewing tanks are visible from the taproom of Muskogee Brewing Company.

Parris turns fire station into brewery MUSKOGEE – Cherokee Nation citizen Bill Parris, his family and close friends have transformed an old tattered building in downtown Muskogee into a business.

The Muskogee Brewing Company is housed in Muskogee’s first fulltime fire station – Fire Station 1.

Built in 1904, it was active until 2000 when the city built a new station.

“This one (the fire station) set empty for 15 years,” Parris said.

“The city used this building as basically a catch-all so all the stuff that they didn’t want at city hall, they hauled in over here. They were about to tear the building down. Me and my partner were looking for a building when we kind of stumbled upon this one. We got to talking to the city and we were able to save it.”

He said they kept and used as many original items as possible.

“The ceiling is original…I had to fill in a few places, but the best thing that we found in the building, underneath the concrete floor, is the original brick floor,” Parris said.

Parris said refurbishing the building was a three-year project to get the brewery going. He said the roof leaked and there was moldy and mildewed garbage piled in the main taproom. He said they used heavy equipment to clear the room before they were able to progress to the next phase.

The first phase of getting the brewery, he said, started before acquiring the building. “It started as

9

Ned’s passes test of time, becomes Tahlequah staple

The custom-built bar back, two of the 15 taps and the growler-packaging machine are on display at the Muskogee Brewing Company.

BY MARK DREADFULWATER Multimedia Editor

MARCH 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

what we called SCAN plan a, which CODE is…two guys TO SEE in a shack in VIDEO the middle of MARK DREADFULWATER the woods just making beer. This (the brewery) was originally my partner’s ideal and it…just spiraled, which is a good thing.”

He said the city announced that it was getting a brewery so they opened the restaurant first to establish themselves.

“This is not an overnight thing.

Licensing alone, for the federal side, took over a year and a half,” Parris said. “So it was important to us to get our restaurant open so the people could see the actual progress…and that things were happening on this (the brewery) side.”

The restaurant, called Station 1, is housed on the side where offices and common areas would be, and its décor is firefighter gear and equipment.

“We were able to get a lot of historical fire equipment…jackets and hoses and that type of thing,” Parris said.

The menu includes sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and desserts.

On the brewery side, half of the room that housed the fire truck and equipment now houses large brewing tanks. The other half is the bar area that features original brick flooring, a bar face made from repurposed bricks, a stage for live music, a sitting area with tables and 15 craft beer taps.

“When we opened the doors for

the taproom, we had six beers on tap but we had 15 taps,” he said.

“So we planned on filling all 15. We consistently keep all 15 filled.”

Parris said with the exception of a few beers their flavors are never the same and their style of craft beer doesn’t taste like any other brewer’s.

“Every craft beer should taste different ‘cause they’re made by a different brewer,” he said. “We do our menu with the thought of ‘a beer for everybody.’ For the people that don’t typically drink beer…that’s why we have the flavors so they find flavors that they like. We have our staples that are always here, but then we have new styles...new flavors.”

He said they have three brewing systems and that their recipes are created in-house. They typically start with a small batch and then “step it up.”

“We have a five-gallon, a 50-gallon and we have the 500,” he said. “So we’ll run a small batch…and then we’ll put it on the 50, and from there we’ll step it up and put it on the 500 if it’s going to…a restaurant or send it to be canned.”

Patrons can also buy 32-ounce growlers directly from the tap, and Parris said there are two establishments in Tahlequah and two in Muskogee that sell their beer.

The Muskogee Brewing Company and Station 1 Restaurant is located at 121 S. Second St. The brewery is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

TAHLEQUAH – In 1985, Ed Kirkpatrick opened his downtown bar, Ned’s. During the years it’s become a staple and was passed down to Ed’s son, Gary Kirkpatrick, in 2017.

“The bar was named after my dad whose nickname was Ned,” Gary said. “Before the bar was passed down to me, after my mother’s passing in 2017, I was down in Texas playing music.”

The Cherokee Nation citizen was 21 years old when his father opened Ned’s. He was born in Tahlequah and left a couple of years after Ed opened it on Muskogee Avenue. Being a musician, he decided to go to Austin, Texas, to pursue his dream. He played music for seven years before coming back to take over Ned’s.

“Ned’s has passed the test of time in Tahlequah since its opening in 1985,” he said. “We do everything we can to change with the time and make the bar experience good for everyone.”

Ned’s hosted many music acts throughout the years, including the Pumpkin Hollow Band for New Year’s Eve. For a bar with a small venue, it has also brought in bands such as Ragland and Doc Fell & Co., which are both from Tahlequah and in the Red Dirt\ Americana music genre.

Kirkpatrick’s band, Flabbergaster, also plays in the bar throughout the year. Ned’s has events posted on its Facebook page letting people know about activities and when bands are playing.

“We love having events during the week to give our customers something to enjoy,” said Kirkpatrick.

“My favorite to see is our open mic night because it’s cool to hear all of the talent Tahlequah has.”

Every Monday, Ned’s host a trivia night. The first and third Tuesday is open mic night. Thursday nights include karaoke. The weekends are usually open to bands. For more information visit Ned’s Facebook page.

GRANT NEUGIN/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Ned’s bar in Tahlequah is a popular gathering place.

Since opening in 1985 it’s become a city staple.

10

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MARCH 1, 2019

People • ᏴᏫ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • AnIl9 1, 2019

Arrowsmith writing, recording her music

Cherokee singer Natahne Arrowsmith learns of a songwriting method that has led to recording songs for two EPs.

BY WILL CHAVEZ Assistant Editor ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Natahne Arrowsmith has been singing since she could talk, which led her to studying music and now singing with a group called Dark Mondays.

“It’s mostly acoustic, and it’s all of my heartbreak songs. It’s not necessarily going to be an uplifting one, but hopefully it will be pretty,” the Cherokee singer said describing her music.

She also describes the music she and her husband, Russell Adamson, write and produce as indie-folk. The group’s five-song EP “Come Sundown” was released in September, and its second EP will release this spring.

In November, the group also released “Dark Merry,” which includes the Christmas songs “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells.”

People can find Dark Mondays’ music on iTunes, Spotify, Napster, Tidal, Google Play and Deezer.

“I’ve been singing since I could talk.

I started studying music when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I had voice lessons and joined every choir I could find, did musical theater as a child and in high school and college,” she said. “I made a few attempts to write when I was in my 20s and 30s and just got distracted by kids, then work and everything else.”

After moving to Rohnert Park north of San Francisco, she wrote poetry and short stories about her Cherokee mother who passed away four years ago. Then she heard an interview with the singer Sia, who described her songwriting process and how she plays the piano and starts “making funny noises and then she would start humming.”

“Those hums became vowel sounds, and then those vowel sounds would become words, and then the song would just come to her. And I thought, OK, I always did it backwards where you wrote the lyrics first and then you try to create the music around it, and that was never working for me,” Arrowsmith, 44, said.

“So, I just sat down with my ukulele and started playing cords that sounded good together and kind of looped them all together and did that. I started humming and started oohing and aahing and then those became words and then that became one of the songs on the EP we released, which is called ‘Anything,’ and it’s about my mom.”

She said using this method took her about 20 minutes to write the song, which impressed her husband. “I showed him the chords, and he started playing. We always used to play music together, but we’d always cover other people’s things.

That’s kind of what I felt like I was good at was taking other people’s songs and just arranging them differently and doing them how I would do them. After that song was written, I would just sit down every couple of days and do the same thing and see what happened, and 17 songs later I had all this music.”

She said it was “a process” to find a producer who understood what she wanted to do with her songs and help her make a bigger sound beyond her ukulele and produce what she was “hearing in her head.” Eventually she found producer/engineer Murray Orrick of The Grove Studio.

Arrowsmith said she would like to collaborate with other artists, and is looking at doing a cover album because that’s how the band started playing music together.

“It’s just hard to get permission to use other people’s music,” she said. “I’m just kind of interested in putting it out there and seeing where it takes us and to sing as many things as I can.”

Some of her favorite songs to cover

with her ukulele are “Boys Don’t Cry” by the Cure, “You’re the One That I Want” from the movie “Grease” and the song “Funny Valentine.”

“I really like changing the song. I feel like the original artist did it the way they wanted to do it, so if you’re going to do a cover, you might as well really play with it and make it your own,” she said.

She said making music allows her to be an artist and show the world Native people are just like everyone else, as opposed to “the Hollywood or stigmatized definition of whatever a non-Native might think a Native person is.”

“We are not mythical creatures, we are present, current everyday people. We are doctors, teachers, artists, carpenters, etc.,” she said. “Music and art have always been an important part of being Cherokee for me. Like most cultures, it’s how we express ourselves and use the things around us in daily life to tell stories about people we know and things we’ve experienced and seen.”

She said her mother gave her a good foundation for what it is to be Cherokee even though she was raised in California.

Arrowsmith said her mom told her people would judge her she and ask about blood quantum.

“She would just tell me you wake up every day and you’re Cherokee. You know what’s in your heart, and you know what it is to be Cherokee,” she said. “For me or for us, that meant we honor who we are and we honor the earth and we honor our mothers. We just try to walk in beauty every day and do ourselves proud.”

ROHNERT PARK, ᎠᏕᎳ ᏧᏢᎢ.

– ᎦᏬᏂᏍᎬ ᎤᎴᏅ ᎾᎯᏳ ᎤᎴᏅᎮ ᏕᎧᏃᎩᏍᎬ Natahne Arrowsmith. 8ᏁᎳ ᎠᎴ 9ᏁᎳ ᎢᏳᏕᏘᏴᏛ ᏥᎨᏒ ᎤᎴᏅᎮ ᏓᎦᏎᏍᏗᏍᎩ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏛ. ᎦᎸᎾᏗ ᏧᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᏗ ᏬᎴᏅ ᏗᎧᏁᏍᏗ ᏚᏃᏴᎬ ᏚᏕᎳᏆᎡᎢ. ᏂᎦᎥᏊ ᏗᏂᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᎤᎾᏓᏡᎬ ᎠᏖᎳᏗᏍᎨᎢ. Dark Mondays ᏧᎾᏙᎢᏛ ᏗᏂᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᎤᎾᏓᏡᎬ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᎢᎩ Natahne. ᎠᎾᎦᎵᏍᎩ ᏂᏗᎫᏓᎸᎾ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᏙᏗ ᏓᏅᏗᏍᎪᎢ. ᎤᏲᎢ ᎠᏆᏓᏅᏓᏛ ᎧᏃᎮᏍᎩ ᏕᏥᏃᎩᏍᎪᎢ. ᏝᏃ ᎣᏓᏅᏛ ᎠᏓᏌᎳᏗᏍᎩ ᏱᎨᏐᎢ. ᎠᏎᏃ ᎠᏬᎯᏳᏐ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᎨᏒ ᎧᏃᎩᏛ ᎠᏗᏍᎨᎢ ᎠᏣᎳᎩ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᎩ. ᎠᏂᏁᎵ Russell Adamson ᎤᎾᎵᎪᎯ ᏓᏃᏪᎵᏍᎪ ᎠᎴ ᏓᏂᏂᏗᏍᎪ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏛ Indie-folk ᎠᏃᏎᏐᎢ. ᎯᎠ ᎤᎾᏓᏡᎬ ᎯᏍᎩᎧᏃᎩᏛ EP ᏧᏂᏂᏔᏅ ᏧᏂᏃᎩᏛ “Come Sundown” ᎬᏂᎨᏒ ᏄᏅᏁᎴᎢ ᏚᎵᏍᏗ ᎧᎸᎢ. ᏔᎵᏁ EP ᏧᏂᏂᏔᏅ ᎧᏃᎩᏛ ᎪᎨᏱ ᎬᏂᎨᏒ ᏂᏛᏅᏁᎵ. ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᎧᎸ ᎯᎠ ᎤᎾᏓᏡᎬ ᏗᏂᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᎬᏂᎨᏒ ᏄᏅᏁᎴᎢ ᏧᏂᏂᏔᏅ ᎧᏃᎩᏛ “Dark Merry,” ᏓᏂᏍᏓᏲᎯᎲ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᏗ ᏓᏠᏯᏍᏗ “ᎡᏢᏪ ᏒᏃᏱ” ᎠᎴ “ᏧᏯᎸᏂ” ᏴᏫ ᏳᎾᏚᎵ ᏧᏂᏩᏛᏗ ᎯᎠ “Dark Mondays” ᏧᏂᏃᎩᏛ ᎯᎠ ᎬᏙᏗ. iTunes, Spotify, Napster, Tidal, Napster, Google Play and Deezer. ᏞᎦᏃ ᎠᏆᏁᎸᏔᏅ ᎧᏃᎮᏢᏍᎩ ᏗᏬᏪᎶᏗᎢ. ᎠᏎᏃ ᏗᏂᏲᏟ, ᏓᎩᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎲ ᎠᎴ ᎪᎱᏍᏗ ᏧᏓᎴᏅᏓ ᎠᎩᏲᏍᏓᏁᎸᎩ ᎠᏗᏍᎬᎢ Natahne. ᎤᎾᏓᏅᏌ Rohnert Park ᏭᏂᎷᏤᎢ, ᎠᎿᏃ ᎤᎴᏅᎮ ᏕᎪᏪᎵᏍᎬ, ᎯᎸᏍᎩ ᏍᏆᎳᎢ ᎧᏃᎮᏛ ᏚᏬᏪᎳᏁᎢ ᎤᏥZ ᎧᏃᎮᎬᎢ. ᎤᏥᏃ ᎠᏣᎳᎩ ᎨᏎᎢ. ᎤᎩ ᏧᏕᏗᏴᏓ ᎢᎩ ᏁᎲᎾ ᏥᏅᎵᏍᏓᏅ ᎤᏥ.

Sia ᏧᏙᎢᏛ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᎣᎩᎾᏟᏃᎮᏢᎢ, ᎠᏇᏲᏅᎢ ᏯᏆᏛᏁᏗ ᎧᏃᎩᏍᏗ ᎠᏬᏪᎶᏗᎢ.

Ukulele ᎬᏗ ᏃᎴ ᎠᏆᏚᏩᏍᏗ ᎠᏆᎴᏅᎲ ᏕᏥᏃᎩᏍᎬ oohing ᎠᎴ aahing ᎾᎿᏃ ᏭᏓᎴᏅᎲ ᏗᎧᏁᏗ ᏂᏕᎦᎵᏍᏗᏍᎬ. 20 ᎢᏯᏔᏬᏍᏔᏅ ᎤᎯᎵᏙᎴ ᎪᏪᎵᏍᎬ ᎯᎠ ᎧᏃᎩᏛ “Anything” ᎤᏥᏃ ᎧᏃᎮ ᏕᎧᏃᎩᏍᎬᎢ. 17 ᎢᎦ ᏧᏬᏢᎯᏌᏅ ᏚᏬᏪᎳᏁ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏛ ᎠᏂᏐᎢ ᏗᏂᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᏧᏂᏃᎩᏛ. ᏍᏓᏱᏃ ᎨᏒ ᎠᏣᏛᏗ ᎩᎶ ᏗᎪᏢᏍᎩ.

COURTESY Cherokee singer Natahne Arrowsmith has been singing since she was a child and has studied music, which has led her to a singing career. ᎦᏂᎵᏃ ᏥᏩᏛᎲ ᏗᎪᏢᏍᎩ/ᏗᎯᎴᎩ Murry

ᎤᏥᏃ ᎤᏃᏎᎴ ᎢᏳᏍᏗ ᏧᎾᎳᏏᏙᏗ ᎨᏒ

COURTESY The band Dark Mondays includes the vocals of Cherokee singer Natahne Arrowsmith of Rohnert Park, California. The band is recording its second EP to be released in the spring.

“I started humming and started oohing and aahing and then those became words and then that became one of the songs on the EP we released, which is called ‘Anything,’ and it’s about my mom.”

Natahne Arrowsmith, Cherokee singer

Orrick ᏧᏙᎢᏛ Grove Studio ᏧᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎯ ᎠᏗᏍᎨᎢ Natahne Arrowsmith. ᏍᏓᏱᏃ ᎢᎩ ᎠᏂᏐ ᏗᏂᏃᎩᏍᎩ ᎤᎾᏓᎵᏍᎪᏓᏁᏗ ᏧᏂᏃᎩᏛ ᏗᎪᏢᎯᏐᏗ ᎠᏗᏍᎬᎢ Natahne. ᏦᎢ ᏫᏓᎩᎸᏉᏛ ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏛ ᏯᏆᏚᎵ ᏗᏉᏢᎯᏍᏐᏗ ukulele ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏍᏙᏗ ᎬᏗᏍᎬᎢ.

“Boys Don’t Cry,” “You’re The One I Want” “ᏃᎴ Funny Valentine” ᏕᎧᏃᎩᏍᎬ ᎬᏂᎨᏒ ᏂᏕᎬᏁᎰ ᎠᏂᏐ ᏴᏫ ᏄᏍᏛ ᎠᏁᎲ ᎠᏁᎯᏯ ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ. ᎢᎦᏛ ᎠᏂᎦᎾᎦᏘ, ᏗᎾᏕᏲᎲᏍᎩ, ᏗᎾᏟᎶᏍᏔᏅᏍᎩ, ᏗᎾᏁᏍᎨᏍᎩ ᎢᎩ etc.,

ᎠᏂᏣᎳᎩ. ᏂᏚᎩᏨᏂᏒ ᏱᏣᏰᏣ ᎯᏣᎳᎩ ᎨᏐᎢ. ᏣᏅᏔ ᎸᏍᏛ ᏣᏓᎤᏛ ᏣᎾᏫ ᏂᏓᏳᏓᎴᏅ. ᏣᏅᏔ ᎯᏣᎳᎩ ᎨᏒ ᎠᏗᏍᎨᎢ. ᎠᏯ ᏃᎴ ᎾᏂᎥᏊ ᎤᎵᏍᎨᏗ ᎢᎩᏱᎸᏐ ᎢᏗᏣᎳᎩ ᎨᏒ ᏃᎴ ᎤᎵᏍᎨᏗ ᎢᎩᏱᎨᎸᏐ ᎠᎭᏂ ᎡᎶᎯ, ᎠᎴ ᎤᎵᏍᎨᏗ ᏕᏗᏰᎸᏐ ᎢᎩᏥ. ᎤᏬᏚᏒ ᎬᏂᎩᏍᏗ ᎨᏒ ᎣᏣᏁᎸᏗᏍᎪ SCAN ᎣᎦᏂᎩᏍᏗ ᎠᎴ CODE ᎣᏍᏛ ᏙᎦᏓᏰᎸᏐᎢ.

TO – TRANSLATED HEAR

BY PHYLLIS TRANSLATION EDWARDS

AnIl9 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Culture • ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

MARCH 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

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CHC accepting Trail of Tears Art Show submissions

BY STAFF REPORTS

MALLORY SEMROW/NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY National Public Radio’s Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep gives a lecture at Northeastern State University about his book “Jacksonland” on Feb. 18 in Tahlequah.

Inskeep discusses his book ‘Jacksonland’ at NSU

BY GRANT NEUGIN Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – National Public Radio’s Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep on Feb. 18 visited Northeastern State University to discuss his research novel “Jacksonland: President Andrew Jackson, Cherokee Chief John Ross, and a Great American Land Grab.”

The NSU Foundation selected Inskeep to be the speaker for the 2019 Larry Adair Lectureship. He was nominated because of the popularity of “Jacksonland,” which was published in 2015. The book examines the interactions between President Andrew Jackson and Cherokee Chief John Ross that led to the Trail of Tears and forced the Cherokee Nation to establish a government in Tahlequah.

“The Larry Adair Lecture was established to highlight issues in politics, government and public policy,” NSU Development Director Peggy Glenn said.

“By exploring the Cherokee Nation’s past history and experiences with the United States government, we can better understand the issues of trust and tribal sovereignty that still impact public policy today.”

Principal Chief Bill John Baker introduced Inskeep to the audience,

and Inskeep opened his presentation by saying his story would be about two men, Jackson and Ross, and American democracy.

“A character in the story that I would like to talk about is John Ross, and it’s my respectful suggestion that Ross and the Cherokee Nation he represented also added significantly to the American democracy and democratic tradition in their battle against Andrew Jackson,” he said.

As Inkseep’s book explains, before Ross was chief of the CN and before he met Jackson, he was a young man navigating his complex and perilous world on a wooden raft he would buy at age 22. At the end of 1812, Ross sailed down the Tennessee River. His starting point being present day Chattanooga, Tennessee.

There he would try to help stranded Cherokees on the river who had decided to move west before being forced to move.

Inskeep gave examples of how Ross and the CN influenced a self-governing nation and how for 27 years they fought America’s young political system to stay in what remained of their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina.

“The Cherokees have become more prosperous and have adopted the ways

of their white neighbors. Good and bad, Cherokees adopted European-style agriculture and adopted the ways of slavery to help with the fields,” said Inskeep. “The government still demanded that the Cherokees make room for new settlers coming in. Chief Ross gave (the U.S. government) other options such as going to Florida instead of Georgia, or even living amongst the Cherokees.”

Inskeep researched his book by going to Cherokee, North Carolina, and finding real estate receipts from Jackson in Georgia. He also visited the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., to search for all the Cherokee-related documents he could find, even a copy of the original Cherokee Phoenix.

NPR hired Inskeep in 1996 to cover that year’s presidential primary in New Hampshire. He has gone on to cover the Pentagon, the Senate and the 2000 presidential campaign of George W. Bush.

After the September 11, 2001, attacks, he covered the war in Afghanistan, turmoil in Pakistan and the war in Iraq. In 2003, he received a National Headliner Award for investigating a military raid gone wrong in Afghanistan. He has twice been part of NPR News teams awarded the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Silver Baton for coverage of Iraq.

PARK HILL – The Cherokee Heritage Center is accepting submissions until March 15 for the 48th annual Trail of Tears Art Show.

The Trails of Tears Art Show is the longest-running American Indian art show in Oklahoma. Artists compete for more than $15,000 in the following categories: painting, sculpture, pottery, basketry, graphics, jewelry and miniatures.

Those looking to enter artwork must be a citizen of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or nation and complete submission requirements before 5 p.m. CST on March 15. A $10 fee is charged per entry to help support art show expenses.

A photograph of the completed work, an entry form and the entry fee must be submitted to calliechunestudy@cherokee.org before the deadline. A list of accepted artwork will be posted on www. cherokeeheritage.org on March 21.

An awards reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 5 at the CHC to recognize honorees in each category. The reception is open to the public and free to attend.

The Trail of Tears Art Show will be open to the public from April 6 to May 5.

The show began in 1972 with the intent to create a venue where diverse art forms can be used to exhibit American Indian heritage. Initiated before the completion of the museum, the art show was held in the rain shelter of the Tsa-La-Gi Amphitheater.

In 1975, it became the first major exhibition in the present museum.

The CHC is the Cherokee Nation’s cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture and the arts. It is located at 21192 S. Keeler Drive.

For information on the Trail of Tears Art Show, 2019 season events, operating hours and programs, call 1-888-999-6007 or visit www. cherokeeheritage.org.

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CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MARCH 1, 2019

Culture • ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • AnIl9 1, 2019