Cherokee Phoenix May 1, 2019

Dear Friends, Please join my family and I for a home cooked Cherokee meal on Saturday, May 4, at Noon!

CaraACowanWatts

cara4tribalcouncil@gmail.com Cell: 918-923-3188

Wild Onion Dinner Saturday, May 4, 2019 Noon to 2pm Claremore American Legion 2141 OK-88 • Claremore, OK 74017

Bring your Absentee Ballot.

Free notaries available.

Paid for by Cara Cowan Watts for District 14 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council.

P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, OK 74018 • caracowan.com

SPEAKER PASSES Mack Vann, one of the last monolingual Cherokee speakers, dies on April 22 at age 88. PEOPLE, 11

CHEROKEE CHEROKEEPHOENIX.ORG

PHOENIX

MAY 1, 2019

191 YEARS OF JOURNALISM

Deputy chief hopefuls talk health care, education, culture Meredith Frailey and Bryan Warner field debate questions composed by the Cherokee Phoenix staff.

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

PHOTOS BY CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Dick Lay, Chuck Hoskin Jr. and David Walkingstick stand before voters and supporters during the Cherokee Phoenix’s principal chief debate, held April 16 at the Tahlequah campus of Northeastern State University.

Chief candidates meet in Cherokee Phoenix debate

TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation’s two deputy chief opponents tackled various talking points on April 16 during a debate that began and ended with hugs.

Meredith Frailey, of Locust Grove, and Bryan Warner, of Sallisaw, fielded five predetermined questions composed by the Cherokee Phoenix staff, which hosted the event at Northeastern State University.

Candidates were not given prior access to the questions, but were allowed time for opening and closing remarks.

The winner of the June 1 general election will replace outgoing Deputy

Chief S. Joe Crittenden.

Frailey served on the Tribal Council from 2003-13. She is a Mayes County commissioner and Locust Grove city attorney. Frailey’s running mate is principal chief candidate David Walkingstick.

“I want to help our people become satisfied with their own personal achievement,” Frailey said, “foster happy, functional families, strong and supportive communities and a vibrant tribal government.”

Warner, a former college science instructor, is campus director at Carl Albert State College in Sallisaw. He is the Dist. 6 tribal councilor and represents part of Sequoyah County.

SEE DEPUTY, 2

David Walkingstick, Dick Lay and Chuck Hoskin Jr. answer questions during a 90-minute faceoff.

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – With the general election set for June 1, Tribal Councilors Dick Lay and David Walkingstick as well as former Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. on April 16 participated in the Cherokee Phoenix’s principal chief debate at Northeastern State University.

Preserving Language and Culture “I don’t really know that we have full assessment of where we should go yet,”

Lay said. “The immersion program is probably the most successful that I’ve seen. The outbound programs that we send out speakers to and teach folks in the community and at-large, seem to work pretty well for words and phrases… We need to figure out where we are going. I think we’ve found now that we have about 2,000 fluent speakers left. How do we keep that number from dwindling down?”

Hoskin pointed to development of the

SEE CHIEF, 2

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Deputy chief candidate Meredith Frailey answers a question on April 16 during a debate hosted by the Cherokee Phoenix at Northeastern State University.

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Cherokee Nation deputy chief candidate Bryan Warner speaks on April 16 during the Cherokee Phoenix debate in Tahlequah.

OAKS INDIAN MISSION ALUMNI REUNITE Twins Ray Grass and Fay Arneecher, of Locust Grove, attend a reunion at Oaks Indian Mission on April 6.

Oaks Indian Mission alumni Fay Arneecher, left, and Bobby Joe Sapp, of Bull Hollow, talk on the mission grounds.

Native American children have been calling the Delaware County mission home since 1926.

“You can look at this like a school reunion, but for us who’ve been together so many years, it’s almost close to a family reunion.” Ray Grass,

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

O

AKS – Students raised at Oaks Indian Mission gathered on April 6 to eat, sing, pray, tour the grounds and reminisce about their childhoods.

“It’s changed a lot,” Bobby Joe Sapp, now 71, recalled during the alumni reunion. “But there’s a lot of stuff I remember. That creek back there, we’d

former Oaks Indian Mission resident

SEE OAKS, 3 PHOTOS BY CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Sol Mockicin, left, who lived at Oaks Indian Mission for 12 years in his youth, jokes with fellow mission alumni at an April 6 reunion on campus.

Election Commission DQs Hatfield from At-Large race

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – After an April 18 hearing, Wanda Hatfield has been disqualified from the 2019 At-Large Tribal Council race, in which she was running as the incumbent.

The Election Commission after hearing testimony from Hatfield and Attorney General Todd Hembree unanimously disqualified Hatfield from the June 1 general election.

“It is … the decision of the Cherokee Nation Election Commission that Wanda Hatfield is disqualified as a candidate for the At-Large Council for the Cherokee Nation 2019 General Election,” EC Chairwoman Shawna Calico, reading the decision, said.

EC counsel Harvey Chaffin informed Hatfield of her right to appeal. She had

five business days to appeal the decision with the tribe’s Supreme Court.

Officials said on April 26 the deadline passed without her appealing the ruling.

Wanda Hatfield The commission’s findings and conclusions stated Hatfield had violated Cherokee statute by “providing anything of value to voter(s) for the direct purpose of influencing voter behavior in an election.”

Commissioners concluded Hatfield mailed community assistance checks, each worth $500, to the Mount Hood Cherokees of Salem, Oregon, and the

SEE HATFIELD, 3

Walkingstick, Hoskin disagree about federal election oversight

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter TAHLEQUAH – A principal chief candidate has called for federal oversight of the June 1 general election based on what he called “the malfeasance of this administration to do what is right by our people.”

In an April 3 Facebook post, Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick requested “the Bureau of Indian Affairs to monitor” the election and “make a determination if the United States should recognize the result of the election” for the principal chief, deputy chief and At-Large Tribal Council seat held by Wanda Hatfield.

The Cherokee Nation Election Commission on April 18 disqualified Hatfield as a candidate, citing violations of campaign law. Hatfield

included notes asking voters for support in CN envelopes along with grant checks appropriated to at-large tribal organizations.

In the April 3 post, the Walkingstick for Chief Facebook page states the “deafening silence from the Cherokee Nation officials on this important matter, which highlights a disturbing pattern of pay to play campaign contributions, ballot harvesting and decisions made for blazen political expediency” is troubling.

“I’m troubled to hear the reports of highly unethical, potentially illegal behavior by an incumbent tribal councilor running for re-election atlarge,” the Walkingstick for Chief Facebook page stated April 3. “This is highly disturbing behavior from elected

SEE OVERSIGHT, 4

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CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MAY 1, 2019

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • anszT 1, 2019

CHIEF: Topics included gaming compact negotiations and absentee voting from front page Master Apprentice Language Program, which allows adults to spend two years learning Cherokee. He also pointed to needed expansion with more resources, as well as the development of a language program at Sequoyah High School.

Walkingstick said 85 percent of the fluent Cherokee speakers are at least age 65, and that language should be a funding priority, and that immersion efforts needed to be available throughout the tribe’s jurisdiction.

Officials with the tribe’s Community and Cultural Outreach said its current list of fluent speakers numbers just below the 2,000 mark and that 62 percent of the fluent speakers are 60 or older.

Gaming Compact Negotiations in 2020 “The state of Oklahoma is not going to balance their budget on the backs of the Cherokee people,” Hoskin said. “We have to protect the compact, and if there are opportunities to expand it and bring in more gaming and revenue, we’ll do that. We are partners with the state of Oklahoma. It’s a win-win situation.”

Walkingstick said he was worried about “leveraging” – whereby the state plays hardball in negotiations with the tribe as a pretext to establish state regulation of gaming – and that the Cherokee Nation relied too heavily on gaming revenue.

Lay said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is a CN citizen, which he believed might hold some benefit. He also said it was important to consider the State Legislature’s composition and formulate an approach that accounted for their different perspectives.

More Than $6 Million for Gaming Efforts in Arkansas “It’s not a good decision when we aren’t taking care of our people back home,” Walkingstick said. “I see many of our elders living in dilapidated homes…

When I see those things, I think about re-prioritizing our money – being financially responsible with the Cherokee people’s money. We need to take care of our people first and stop taking care of political elites…. A lot of that money didn’t come back, and I feel like those people in Arkansas didn’t really have our best interests in hand.”

Lay said he understood the concerns of each side. He took issue with the passing of such information to the Tribal Council, claiming he and other councilors were

Dist. 12 Tribal Councilor Dick Lay speaks to the audience during the Cherokee Phoenix’s principal chief debate on April 16 at Northeastern State University.

SCAN not informed or voted CODE on the “done deal.”

Hoskin defended TO SEE VIDEO Cherokee Nation

Businesses’ efforts as a defense against Arkansas building state-run casinos along the Oklahoma border and impacting $25 million in revenue and 1,200 jobs at Cherokee casinos in Roland and West Siloam Springs. He further said the tribe “won” by keeping Arkansas gaming development farther east.

Retaining Doctors for CN Health Services “The (Hastings Hospital) staff we have is doing a lot of (recruitment) now,” Lay said. “I have suggested not only because of the doctors we’ve lost, but because of the health care load of doctors we are going to need at the new clinic, that we form a ‘super staff’ of recruiters, to go out and recruit these doctors. We can’t sit in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, at our desk waiting for a call from a doctor who needs a job. The (Oklahoma State University) program will help six years from now, but we need the help now.”

Hoskin said the Hastings expansion would bring $100 million into the tribal health system over the building’s life, which he said would aid recruiting.

Hoskin said compensation needed to be enhanced because the tribe was competing for resources and talent against other health care providers.

Walkingstick said doctors must be “paid what they’re worth,” to recruit and retain professional personnel, and suggested that if the tribe was having trouble paying then it should stop “giving money” to Arkansas or Northeastern State University and to utilize third party

Dist. 3 Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick responds to a question on April 16 during the Cherokee Phoenix’s principal chief debate in Tahlequah.

Former Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. answers a question during the Cherokee Phoenix’s principal chief debate on April 16 in Tahlequah.

billing such as Medicare.

CNB Under Tribal Council Control “We can amend the Corporations Act, where CNB comes to the Tribal Council and gives a financial report, or an annual budget,” Walkingstick said. “We have CN advisory members on the Tribal Council, but they are advisory. When they make decisions that is outside the control of the Tribal Council. We vote the CNB board in, but they are appointed by the chief.

Unfortunately, we need more oversight, and I think the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council needs to be in the budget planning over the Cherokee people’s money at CNB.” Lay said CNB should not be placed under council control, but said the CEOs for CNB and Cherokee Nation Entertainment should be CN citizens who are knowledgeable about the tribe and live among Cherokees, which he believed would enhance transparency.

Questioning whether successful business ventures should be controlled by politicians, Hoskin said he supported CNB oversight, but added that the board of directors is made up of CN citizens.

Hoskin said CNB has grown and increased revenue during the previous eight years.

Changes to Absentee Balloting “I certainly oppose anything that makes voting harder,” Hoskin said. “I think the Cherokee people consider their right to vote precious. Generations before us, the United States government took away our right to vote for chief or council…. I oppose anything that would suppress the absentee ballot because the absentee ballot helps elders, people who are disabled and people who work on Saturday.”

Walkingstick said at-large voting should be accessible online, but suggested

too many votes are being cast absentee and tend to fall disproportionately toward a single candidate in a race. He also said rural candidates can’t cultivate absentee voters as easily as candidates in more populated areas. Walkingstick said he supported requiring voters to state a reason for voting absentee.

Lay said he had been part of council discussions to add rules to absentee balloting, but had been advised of legal issues “and nobody wants to do that.” He suggested possible requirements to send ballots to the Cherokee Nation Election Commission or have it hand-delivered by a designee with assurances that voters’ rights were being protected.

Protection Against Poultry Industry “I don’t know why we didn’t jump on the idea of suing the poultry industry for polluting our Cherokee lands,” Walkingstick said. “Our administration and attorney general’s office were not sensitive to what they were doing to our culture and our own lands…. (The Cherokee Nation) will go to the state, and we will regulate the poultry industry so that they will not be polluting our lands.”

Lay said it was important to hear the arguments of farmers and residents, but suggested lawsuits would not fix the problem. He wanted the Oklahoma Legislature to tighten regulations to put more distance between production and water resources.

Hoskin said he worked with the state to put a moratorium on new poultry farms, and said the new chief needs a strategy to deal with the concentration of chicken producers and to extend the moratorium, along with continuing to assist in the areas already dealing with the impact of an over abundance of poultry houses.

DEPUTY: Frailey wants more behavioral health; Warner calls for culture dollars from front page Warner’s running mate is principal chief candidate Chuck Hoskin Jr. “I can guarantee you that I want to be a fulltime, all-in, 24/7 deputy chief,” he said.

Cherokee Nation Services Frailey said all are essential, but one of her priorities is “to expand and improve behavioral health.”

“The opioid epidemic in Indian Country and in Oklahoma is tragic,” she said. “It’s the second-largest major cause of death in ages 10-24. It’s important that we build a treatment center that includes a detox center that includes counseling for our families, for our children, because they’re all affected. The community is affected.”

Warner emphasized health care.

“I know for many people listening with discernment, heath care is ultimately one of the most important things that we do,” he said. “We always need to look to how can we improve because our Cherokee people are vital to us. I know that we need more doctors, we’re looking for shorter wait times, we’re looking to cut that red tape, and we’re looking to grow the next generation of Cherokee doctors.”

Scholarships: Grades vs. Needs “I think it should be provided on academic record,” Frailey said. “There are many low-income children who live in poverty who are just as smart as those that are otherwise. That is so important that we

provide scholarships not only for our people that live within the 14 counties, but also provide scholarships for those that live at-large.”

Warner said he was in favor of both.

“For me, it’s not an either/or,” he said.

“What we need to look at is how can we best serve all of our students whether it be financial need or academic record. We fund over 5,000 scholarships each year, but I want to be able to fund more. The Cherokee people have always invested in education. That’s been one of the most important things we’ve done.”

Succeeding in College or Trade Schools “For me, this is something we work on directly at Carl Albert State College,” Warner said. “As we look at national statistics, the trend is that the retention rates and graduation rates aren’t as high for Native students as they need to be.”

Warner said barriers for Cherokee students, such as a lack of transportation or food at home, should be addressed.

Frailey said trade school is just as important as college. “We’ve got to prepare these children from the cradle to their career. Vo-techs are just as important. My grandson wants to be an electrician. So I’ve encouraged him to do that. The whole person has to be considered whenever we

SCAN CODE TO SEE VIDEO

Deputy chief candidates Meredith Frailey and Bryan Warner hug after their April 16 debate at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX help them with their scholarships whether it be to a four-year college or an industrial trade school.”

Preserving Language and Culture “Our language is who we are,” Frailey said. “We need to develop immersion schools within the 14-county jurisdiction and also provide language classes online. We can work with the schools to implement these programs, but we’ve got to have effective teachers in order to do that. There’s got to be a

good training program for teachers that teach the language.”

Warner said preserving culture, history and language takes investing.

“We have the immersion program. They have in the past three years created the master-apprentice language program.

We just need to be leaders that don’t just talk about culture and language. We need to be leaders that make strong financial decisions that will allow us to preserve the language for generations to come.”

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MAY 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

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Complaints filed with EC against Walkingstick

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Complaints filed with the Election Commission in April allege that principal chief candidate David Walkingstick violated campaign finance laws and promised positions within the Cherokee Nation in exchange for election support.

CN citizens Chelsea Huber and Elizabeth Stroud filed separate complaints with the EC against Walkingstick, the current Dist. 3 tribal councilor. Elections Director Connie Parnell said the complaints were handed over to the attorney general’s office for investigation, and Chrissi Nimmo, deputy attorney general, said the attorney general’s office received them.

Walkingstick’s two opponents in the June 1 general election are Dist. 12 Tribal Councilor Dick Lay and former Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr., whose running mate for deputy chief is Dist. 6 Tribal Councilor Bryan Warner.

An April 12 complaint filed by Huber includes allegations that Walkingstick: • Promised to promote a Housing Authority employee and remove her supervisor; • Offered to hide a campaign donation of a Cherokee

Nation Businesses board member; • Used his CN cell phone for campaign purposes; • Promised someone a spot on the CNB board of directors in exchange for support; • Omitted expenses and in-kind donations from finance reports; • Paid for the $2,500 filing fee using campaign donations; and • Used copyrighted images without permission in election-related materials.

In a statement, Walkingstick called Huber’s complaint “nothing more than a desperate attempt from my opposition to drag me down politically because they fear that they cannot win this election on their own merits.”

“Instead of running a clean election and focusing on the issues, my opponent has chosen to file a baseless complaint through Ms. Huber,” Walkingstick said.

Stroud filed complaints on April 23 against Walkingstick and his running mate for deputy chief, Meredith Frailey. Stroud accused the campaign of: • Failing to file a March financial report on time; • Filing an incomplete financial report in April; and • Failing to disclose financial records regarding signage and other donations.

In one of the complaints, Stroud accuses the pro-

CN citizen asks lower court to remove Scott from Dist. 12 race

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation citizen Jimmy Williams is seeking the removal of Tribal Council candidate Don Scott from the general election based on bloodline.

Williams filed a petition against Scott, a Dist. 12 hopeful, and the CN Election Commission on March 27 in District Court.

Williams and his attorney, Deborah Reed, argue that Scott’s tribal citizenship stems from an ancestor who “was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation by Delaware blood,” and therefore does not meet Constitutional requirements to run.

“The CNEC had a duty to conduct a thorough investigation of defendant Scott to determine his eligibility,” the petition states. “The CNEC breached that duty by failing to verify that he is Cherokee by blood. Defendant Scott should be decertified and not allowed to run for elective office.”

General qualifications listed in CN election law state, “The candidate shall be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, in accordance with Article IV of the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation and shall be a citizen by blood of the Cherokee Nation.”

Citizenship requirements in the Constitution’s Article IV state that, “All citizens of the Cherokee Nation must be original enrollees or descendants of original enrollees listed on the Dawes Commission Rolls, including the Delaware Cherokees of Article II of the Delaware Agreement dated the 8th day of May, 1867 …”

On March 24, 2017, the Supreme Court affirmed an EC decision barring CN citizen Randy White from running for the Dist. 11 Tribal Council seat against incumbent Victoria Vazquez.

The court stated that a 2007 amendment to the 1999 Constitution recognizes three separate groups as citizens of the tribe in Article IV, Section 1. “… citizenship of the Cherokee Nation shall be limited to those originally enrolled on, or descendants of those enrolled on, the Final Rolls of the Cherokee Nation… as Cherokees by blood, Delaware Cherokees pursuant to Article II of the Delaware Agreements…and the Shawnee Cherokees pursuant to Article II of the Shawnee Agreement.”

White is Shawnee and not Cherokee by blood.

The opinion added that it’s “evident that Cherokee Shawnees and Cherokee Delawares are citizens by virtue of historical agreements – not by Cherokee blood.”

The opinion also stated that “the only time a legal right, under Cherokee law, depends on Cherokee blood is when a person decides to run for elected office.”

However, a Sept. 1, 2017, Supreme Court order states that Freedmen descendants upon registration as CN citizens shall have the right to run for office, but makes no mention of Shawnee or Delaware CN citizens.

Scott declined to comment of the pending litigation.

The official window for candidacy challenges to the EC ended in February. The window for appeals to the Supreme Court ended in March.

Scott and his attorney, James Cosby, filed a motion on April 17 to dismiss the petition, claiming Williams “failed to exhaust his administrative remedy before filing this action.” They claim that, per election law, protests should have be directed to the Election Commission in writing within five days after the close of the filing period.

The District Court case has been assigned to Judge Luke Barteaux.

Dist. 12 candidates include Scott, Phyllis Lay, Todd Branstetter and Dora Patzkowoki.

CN citizen missing since March 9

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

GROVE – Authorities and family members of a Grove woman are asking for information to help search for Aubrey Dameron, 25, who was reported missing March 11.

Dameron, a Cherokee Nation citizen, has not been seen since about 3:30 a.m. on March 9, when she left her mother’s home near Grove to meet someone.

“We did a search (on March 23) with a small group,” said Pam Smith, Dameron’s aunt. “The only thing found was a sock with possible blood on it. Delaware County (Sheriff’s Office) picked it up and sent it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The OSBI has been brought in because this is no longer regarded as a ‘normal’ missing persons case.”

Smith said a search of Dameron’s Facebook page had not yielded any leads, nor had other social networking apps on Dameron’s phone. Dameron’s GPS last reportedly “pinged” at 3:42 a.m. on March 9, and only about 100 yards from her mother’s home. Attempts to contact Dameron through her phone have been unsuccessful, Smith said.

Dameron is 5-foot-9 and 130 pounds. She is Native American with brown eyes, brown hair, a triquetra symbol tattoo on her back and another tattoo reading “shorty” on her upper left arm. She’s been entered into the National Crime Information Center and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

She was wearing a thigh-length black skirt, black hose, black leather boots with heels and a black shirt.

Smith also said Dameron is transgender. She began identifying as a female during her teens and has since had medical procedures, but has not completed the transition. Smith said she believes it is possible that a hate crime was perpetrated.

Smith said she doesn’t believe Dameron would harm herself, citing her optimism despite harassment in high school. Dameron also reportedly spoke to her mother often, even when living in New Mexico.

Dameron has gone dark on social media, despite her enthusiasm for several platforms, Smith said.

“We are planning other searches…,” Smith said.

“They will include Oklahoma City search and rescue, and we will be working with other search and rescue teams from around the state. They want to continue ground searches in the Grove area where Aubrey lived, and they are planning a water search near the shorelines.”

There have been unconfirmed sightings of Dameron at a Quapaw casino and in Joplin, Missouri, but Smith said neither lead seemed promising. Dameron did not say whom she was meeting, and Smith said Dameron’s phone doesn’t suggest whom she went to see on March 9. It seems she left her mother’s home of her accord.

Anyone with information can call the OSBI at 1-800522-8017 or the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 918-253-4531. Updates can be seen at “Missing-AubreyDameron-from-Grove-Oklahoma” on Facebook.

Walkingstick organization called Cherokees for Change LLC, of “illegally taking actions to influence the elections for the Principal Chief and Deputy Chief” on behalf of Walkingstick and Frailey.

“While it is unknown how much Cherokees for Change has raised, I am aware of several people who have donated to Cherokees for Change,” Stroud’s complaint states. “None of the donors to CFC were listed on Walkingstick or Frailey’s March or April reports.”

Of Stroud’s complaints, Walkingstick’s campaign stated, “Less than a week after Ms. Huber’s initial complaint, a campaign employee for Cherokee Future LLC and the Hoskin Warner campaign named Elizabeth Stroud filed yet another complaint in an attempt to continue the mudslinging. This unethical tactic being used by my opposition only further highlights the need for positive change in our Cherokee Nation. When this administration gets desperate, they turn to fear and deceit as tactics to retain power.”

Hoskin’s campaign responded stating, “We think any complaint of election interference in the Cherokee Nation is troubling. We trust the Attorney General and the Cherokee Nation Election Commission to perform their duties to appropriately investigate the matter as they would any other investigation.”

HATFIELD: She says

she wanted campaign info and checks separated from front page San Diego Cherokee Community, while also including campaign literature, business cards and handwritten notes asking for their support in the election.

Hatfield said when questioned by Hembree that she received 14 community assistance checks intended for use as scholarship funding. She also said she did not ask for the checks, though Hembree called a rebuttal witness, Tribal Council legislative aide Gayle Miller, who said community assistance checks are only mailed to councilors as requested, and Hatfield had made requests. Hatfield told Hembree the checks were received with windowed envelopes.

During examination, Hatfield said the checks, campaign materials and white envelopes were on her dining room table and that supporters and family members were assisting her with filling envelopes.

Through the hearing, she suggested mistakes might have occurred when filling envelopes, and the campaign materials and checks were supposed to be sent separately. However, she further stated, “(the envelopes) left my house, with my stamp and they were put in a mailbox.”

Hembree said the envelopes were “distinctly different” and mentioned that the Mount Hood card with the note found its way into the CN windowed envelope containing the check made out to the Mount Hood Cherokees.

Addressing the envelope to San Diego, Hembree asked Hatfield if she would answer similar questions any differently, to which Hatfield replied, “No.” Hatfield identified her handwriting in the notes on the backs of her business cards and agreed with Hembree that $500 was “something of value.”

Hembree also read Hatfield’s social media post in which she said she would cooperate with his office.

“Late last month I sent grant checks earmarked for scholarships to a few At Large Cherokee Community organizations in Cherokee Nation envelopes,” Hatfield wrote in the post. “In some of those envelopes, I included a campaign walk card with a personal note.

I mailed that correspondence from my home and personally paid for the postage, which is commonplace for me to do. While I took this action without any intention of impropriety, I now understand the unfortunate and unacceptable appearance I have given. Today I am reaching out to each group who may have received this correspondence to apologize. I will forward all records of this correspondence to the Attorney General and will work fully with his office to ensure the appearance of impropriety is quickly and thoroughly corrected.”

Hatfield closed with an appeal to the commission.

“I am aware of the allegations,” she said. “I would like to continue with this election for Tribal Council At-Large. I would like your consideration in doing so…. I’m the candidate, and I am responsible for my candidacy.”

During his closing argument, Hembree suggested Hatfield must have been aware the checks, packaged with the campaign materials and messages, were “an inducement” for votes.

“The evidence is overwhelming,” Hembree said. “It is very unlikely that I put all the ingredients – milk, flour, sugar, eggs – mix them all together, put it in the oven, take it out, and I didn’t intend to make a cake.”

Hembree said “the facts are not in dispute in this issue,” and read into the record the statutes of general prohibition and criminal sanction that his office considered applicable to the case.

There are now four candidates: Steve Adair, Johnny Jack Kidwell, Julia Coates and Pamela Fox.

OAKS: The mission today is with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America from front page swim in that in December.”

Sol Mockicin lived at the mission for 12 years with nine brothers and sisters from the Bull Hollow community in southeastern Delaware County.

“I came in 1948,” he said, adding that instead of using mowers, mission children rounded up nearby sheep for the lawn-care task. “But we ended up riding the sheep. In a mile of this area, there wasn’t an animal not trained to ride, thanks to the mission kids.”

Oaks Indian Mission has for decades cared for abused, abandoned or neglected children from various tribes and backgrounds. There are a total of 20 children living in Oaks’ three cottages.

“You know, that sounds like probably a lot less than what you’ve known from your time here,” Oaks Indian Mission Executive Director Don Marshall told the 30plus in attendance. “We found that about six or seven

kids per cottage right now is kind of the max of what cottage parents can handle, and 20 is about what our staff can handle. Everybody asks how many kids are here. Obviously it’s an important question. But, I think the greater question is what we can do with the kids that are here. It’s not quantity, but the quality of the care we can give the kids that are here.”

Sapp remembers a busier Oaks.

“There was a lot of kids here back then,” he said.

“The boys, about 80 or 90 kids, stayed in that dorm right there.”

Marshall also touched on changes over the decades.

“The culture was different. It’s a different kid that’s here now. Kids are here for shorter periods of time, it seems like. The kids right now, since I’ve been doing this as director, tend to be older, like high school age.”

Fay Arneecher, who turns 73 in May, said she lived among other mission children ranging in age from 5 to 18. “But we all got along,” she said.

Her twin brother, Ray Grass, an artist, said he has “a lot of good memories here.”

“You can look at this like a school reunion,” he said, “but for us who’ve been together so many years, it’s almost close to a family reunion.”

Opened in 1926, Oaks Indian Mission today is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. A majority of the mission’s funding originates from individual donations and congregations of the Lutheran church.

“Right now it takes roughly $700,000 a year to run the Oaks Indian Mission,” Marshall said. “About 95 percent of that $700,000 has to come from donations. The beauty of the Oaks is that it’s funded by the church, by the Christian community. Therefore, there is an emphasis on the faith that’s anchored in the church over here.”

The reunion’s guest speaker was Dr. Irv Janssen, a longtime Oaks supporter, whose subject was “moral injury” versus post-traumatic stress disorder.

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CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MAY 1, 2019

Cherokee Phoenix MAY 1, 2019

Volume 43, No. 9 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

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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

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

Editorial Board Lauren Jones Cusick Kendra McGeady 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.

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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.

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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

News • ᏗᏕᏃᏣᎸᏍᎩ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • anszT 1, 2019

TRUTH REPORT

BY STAFF REPORTS

The election season is upon us, and the Cherokee Phoenix is tasked to provide fair and open coverage of the election process and campaigns. We intend to analyze election campaign statements, political advertisements, as well as statements made during our April 16 debate, to verify the accuracy, and where necessary, provide valuable context and background. We encourage you to look for this report and refer to it if you have any questions about statements made by elected or campaign officials. If you are aware of any political claims or statements that haven’t appeared in this report, please contact us and we will attempt to include them in a future issue.

CLAIMS BY CHUCK HOSKIN JR. · In a campaign flier, Chuck Hoskin Jr. claims that one of his principal chief opponents, David Walkingstick, was forced to resign from Muskogee Public Schools for being missing from work and lying about his whereabouts during that time.

Walkingstick’s resignation as director of Indian Education at Muskogee Public Schools was accepted during a Jan. 23, 2018, school board meeting. Walkingstick’s resignation followed the news story stating he claimed work time at MPS while attending Cherokee Nation functions. On January 24, 2018, another news outlet reported that between August 2017 and December 2017, Walkingstick was absent from MPS eleven times for portions of or most of the school day. He was observed working as a tribal councilor while being paid to work for MPS. According to the story, one example included Aug. 14, the day on which he was sworn in as Dist. 3 representative, but school records show him at the school all day.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that Walkingstick was in fact given the option of either being terminated or resigning. After it was stated he would “appeal termination unless the district agreed to pay out on the remaining months of his contract” he chose to resign. Thus the statements on the Hoskin flier are factually accurate. · In the same flier, Hoskin claims Walkingstick was “missing” 69 percent of the time during his time on Tribal Council. It claims Walkingstick had been late, absent or chose not to participate on 127 of the 184 legislative days, including 91.6 percent in 2016.

According to the Hoskin campaign, the percentages do not stem from individual meeting attendance. For example, according to the spreadsheet the campaign used to tally Walkingstick’s attendance percentages, on Sept. 12, 2011, Walkingstick attended five committee meetings and the Tribal Council meeting. For five of those meetings Walkingstick was present during roll call. For the Health Committee meeting, he came in after roll call was taken and was considered late, according to the spreadsheet. Because he was considered late for that meeting the whole day is considered as one of the 127 legislative days Walkingstick was “missing.”

Council officials said when attendance records are pulled from the legislative body’s website, they are pulled by meeting, not by day. Council officials also said when attendance is taken, councilors who come in late are marked late, but present, if they come in after roll call. If they come in during announcements or adjournment then they are considered absent. If they are absent for the entire meeting, they are considered absent. Council officials also said that all councilors are expected to attend full council meetings as well as meetings for the Rules and Executive & Finance committees. Participation in all other committees and subcommittees is voluntary.

However, according to the spreadsheet, any committee meeting in which Walkingstick did not participate, despite not being a committee member, he was listed as “chose not to participate.” For example, on Dec. 14, 2017, Walkingstick attended the Rules and Executive & Finance meetings, but not the Culture Committee meeting, which he is not a part of.

According to the spreadsheet, he is listed as absent with the note “Chose not to participate in this subcommittee” for the Culture meeting.

According to a 2015 Cherokee Phoenix story regarding attendance, between Aug. 14, 2011, and April 13, 2015, Walkingstick had a perfect attendance record for full council meetings and committee meetings in which he was a member.

According to a 2017 Cherokee Phoenix story, from Aug. 14, 2015, to March 21, 2017, Walkingstick attended meetings 91.5 percent of the time. And according to Tribal Council records, he attended 95 percent of committee meetings and 96 percent of council meetings from April 10, 2017, to March 11, 2019.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that the allegations made on the Hoskin flier, that Walkingstick was “late, absent or chose not to participate on 127 of the 184 legislative days, including 91.6 percent in 2016” is statistically correct. However, the fact that Walkingstick was late on numerous occasions and chose not to participate in certain committees, like Culture and Public Health, skews the numbers to indicate that Walkingstick was “absent” more than he was.

CLAIMS BY DAVID WALKINGSTICK · In a video on his campaign Facebook page, David Walkingstick claims that Cherokee Nation money was spent to help one of his principal chief opponents, Chuck Hoskin Jr., campaign while at At-Large events.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that there is no evidence that the Cherokee Nation spent any money to promote the Hoskin campaign, as no evidence or claims have been brought forth to the Cherokee Nation Election Commission. · In two campaign videos, Walkingstick claims Cherokees have the lowest life expectancy in the country, showing an Associated Press story headlined “Stilwell, Oklahoma, tops troubling list: shortest life spans in nation.” That story was written from a 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control.

The study states Stilwell residents in Adair County are expected to live an average of 56.3 years, which is 22.5 years

lower than the national average. The study reflects Stilwell’s Cherokee and non-Cherokee population, not the Cherokee population as a whole. And CN health officials also question the study’s accuracy.

In a 2019 Cherokee Phoenix story, CN Public Health Medical Director Dr. David Gahn said the study covered the years 201015 and that of 1,408 deaths in Adair County during that sixyear period 196 deaths were listed with no addresses or ages.

Gahn said the national rate of unusable data was less than 1 percent, but for Adair County it was more than 10 percent. He added that 85 deaths had no records at all and 91 deaths were attributed to a single address.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that the CDC study of Adair County is lacking in proper statistical analysis and verification. The information contained in the study was not specific to Cherokee citizens, and has been allegedly compiled from erroneous data. · At a March 11 campaign event, Walkingstick claimed the tribe gave $350,000 to super political action committees.

According to CN records, the tribe gave $5,000 to a super PAC during the 2018 election cycle for Deb Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen who is now a U.S. House member and the first American Indian woman elected to Congress.

CN or Cherokee Nation Businesses did contribute to certain campaign committees, which are not Super PACs. Those were to the Republican Governors Association ($250,000), Republican Attorneys General Association ($125,000) and Democratic Governors Association ($250,000).

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that the allegation made by Walkingstick about Super PACs is false, however, large donations were made to political entities.

Sixty percent of these donations went to Republican entities while the remaining forty percent went to Democrat entities. · At the same March 11 campaign event, Walkingstick said “millions” of CN dollars were “going to career politicians.”

According to CN records, the Tribal Council’s Executive & Finance Committee approves all CN political contributions, and all CNB contributions exceeding $10,000 require Tribal Council notice. CN records show that since 2011, the Tribal Council has appropriated more than $1 million for political contributions.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that, while the total contributions from CN to politicians over the course of the Baker administration do exceed $1 million, that $400,000 is the highest annual amount that has been appropriated by the Tribal Council and that every political donation has to be approved by the Tribal Council. · At the same March 11 event, Walkingstick said the tribe set up a tent at the Democratic National Convention in South Carolina that cost $800,000.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that this allegation is false and that the Cherokee Nation did not set up a tent at the DNC in South Carolina for any amount of money. However, CNB did pay for an event tent during the 2016 DNC Convention in Philadelphia with associated costs of $50,000. CN representatives also attended the Republican Nation Convention in 2016. · At the same March 11 event, Walkingstick said the tribe gave Hillary Clinton almost a million dollars for her presidential run.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that this allegation is false. However based on publicly available information the Cherokee Nation did donate $3,000 to Hillary for America. · At the same March 11 event, Walkingstick said the tribe gave Drew Edmondson $800,000 to run for Oklahoma governor.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that this allegation is false. However based on publicly available information the CN did donate equal amounts of $2,700 to Kevin Stitt and Drew Edmondson for their gubernatorial campaigns. · At the March 11 event, Walkingstick said the CN gave “$8 million to Arkansas for a gaming compact that we didn’t get anything from.” CN records show that no political contributions were made to that state. There is also no gaming compact in Arkansas as the state only legalized commercial gambling in November.

According to an AP story, in 2018 CNB gave $2.2 million to Drive Arkansas Forward, the group that helped get commercial gambling legalized. CNB officials said the donations were for campaigning and advertising to get the proposal on the ballot. The measure passed authorizing gaming expansions in areas that are expected to have minimal impact on CNB gaming markets, CNB officials said.

According to a Cherokee Phoenix story, CNB contributed more than $6 million in 2016 for advertising campaigns for a gaming initiative in Arkansas. After the measure was struck down, CNB was given back approximately $1.5 million. If the ballot had passed, CNB would have operated a casino, hotel and entertainment venue in Washington County. At that time, CNB officials said the decision to support the ballot was based on what was best for the CN, CNB employees and the revenue stream that funds vital CN social services and programs.

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that Walkingstick’s allegation is false and that no gaming compact exists with the state of Arkansas. However, CNB did spend large sums of money in Arkansas to influence the outcome of the gaming initiatives in Arkansas. · At a March 22 campaign event in Vinita, OK, Walkingstick made the statement “You know Hillary Clinton, in her race, it cost $8 million to be an elector to put your name on a ballot.

Guess whose name was on that ballot? Bill John Baker.”

CONCLUSION: The Cherokee Phoenix has determined that this allegation is false. The Cherokee Nation, Cherokee Nation Businesses nor Chief Baker did not donate or pay any money for Chief Baker to be a member of the electoral college.

According to the Democratic Party of Oklahoma, there is no monetary expense to be a member of the Electoral College.

OVERSIGHT: Walkingstick asks the FBI & DOI to step in from front page members of our tribal government, and must be investigated and pursued to the fullest extent of the law.”

The post states because of the current administration’s “malfeasance,” Walkingstick requested the election oversight as well as the “Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to review the alleged abuses for violation of federal law and civil rights.”

As of publication, the EC and BIA had not responded for comment. FBI officials in Oklahoma City said in keeping with its policy it could neither confirm nor deny the existence of any investigation and declined further comment.

Walkingstick also requested that “Todd Hembree as Cherokee Nation Attorney General to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate theses alleged violations of law.”

Deputy Attorney General Chrissi Nimmo in an April 17

email stated the Office of the Attorney General “does not have a comment on Mr. Walkingstick’s calls for outside monitoring of the Cherokee Nation Election.” As for the special prosecutor request, Hembree testified and examined Hatfield in the April 18 hearing in which the CNEC disqualified her.

Emails and calls seeking further comment from Walkingstick regarding the post were not returned. His opponents in the principal chief’s race, former Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr., and Dist. 12 Tribal Councilor Dick Lay, were asked to comment as well. Only Hoskin replied.

“I reject the stunning demands some have made that our elections and our system of justice be handed over to the federal government,” Hoskin said. “I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation and our sovereignty. I have faith that the Cherokee Nation, our Election Commission, our laws and our courts can best address Councilor Hatfield’s actions.”

anszT 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Community • ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

MAY 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

5

In Memoriam Muskogee, OK – Cherokee Nation citizen Ed (Eddie) Lee Summerfield, 71, passed away with his loving family by his side on March 20, 2019 at Pleasant Valley Health Care Center in Muskogee, OK. Eddie or “Sonny,” as affectionately known by his family, was born on November 11th, 1947 in Claremore, OK, to Edd and Mary Helen (Whitecotton) Summerfield. Grandson of Guy and Fannie Dinah (Bruner) Whitecotton (deceased) and Jesse and Lucy Summerfield (deceased). He grew up on the Kenwood Reservation and Little Kansas, OK areas. He was proud of his Muscogee Creek and Cherokee heritage and spent time in both Kenwood and Concharty communities. He attended school in Kansas, OK where he was a graduate of the class of 1966. After high school, Eddie enlisted in the US Army and after completing basic training he began serving in the US Army National Guard in July 1967. He served for 6 years until he was honorably discharged in March 1973. He was assigned to the Engineering armed services division and served as a Demolitions Specialist. Eddie also trained and worked as a welder for the City of Tulsa. His daughter Gretchen, his pride and joy, was born in 1969.

He married his wife of 40 years, Alice (Evans-Blythe) Summerfield in 1979, who shared his love of motorcycles and riding them on the open road.

Eddie enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and cousin Jack, but more for the adventure, talking, and spending quality time together. He was a musician and enjoyed playing guitar, piano, and singing. He also played in a band with classmates for local teens at the Bull Hollow Community Center for parties and community events. He was a big sports fan and loved to watch OU Football. In high school he was a star running back in football, played basketball, and ran track. He was also a pitcher on the winning baseball team and was offered a scholarship to play college ball, but he turned it down to pursue the Army. He loved his motorcycle and enjoyed sitting Gretchen up on the motorcycle like she was going to drive it one day. He liked sporty cars and owned a black shiny Chevelle super sport, a green two seater MG Roadster convertible, as well as a red sporty Ford Fairlane. In later years he enjoyed

Sequoyah Sanders: Sept. 5, 1961 – April 16, 2019 Ada Beth Coombes:

scrabble, dominos, bingo, watching TV and movies, listening to music, playing on the computer, reading e-mails and facebook, as well as visiting with family and friends. Eddie sure did love company. He loved to cutup, joke, and tease and those that could do it right back were some of his favorite people.

Eddie was preceded in death by his mother, father, grandparents, sister, and a nephew. Eddie is survived by his wife Alice Summerfield of Muskogee, OK; daughter, Gretchen SummerfieldNewman of Claremore, OK; sister Dorothy Summerfield of Tulsa, OK; three grandchildren, Alison Johnson, Chelsey Osburn and husband Rex Osburn, Cory Johnson all of Claremore, OK; 2 greatgrandchildren, Hayden and Colton Osburn of Claremore, OK; step-son, Steve Blythe and wife Cindy of Harveyville, KS, step-son, Chris Blythe and wife Nancy of Havasu City, AZ; 4 step-grandchildren, and 12 step-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.

Funeral Services for Ed (Eddie) Lee Summerfield will be held on Tuesday March 26th at 2 PM at Lawson’s Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 311 W. Gray St., Jay, OK 74346.

Eddie’s Wake Service is being conducted on Monday, March 25th from 6 PM until 7 PM, followed by a visitation until 8 PM also at Lawson’s Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Round Springs Cemetery in Eucha, OK. Arrangements are entrusted to Lawson’s Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 311 W. Gray St., Jay, OK 74346 with Shaunda J. Lawson, 3rd Generation Owner/Funeral Director and Staff.

Dec. 14, 1926 – April 9, 2019 William Hummingbird: April 23, 1930 – March 21, 2019

Damon Renee’ Hall the daughter of Bobby Joe and Fern Ruth (Welch) Hall was born May 31, 1950, in Norman, Oklahoma and was welcomed into her heavenly home on October 3, 2018, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 68 years.

The family lived in Norman where her father received his OU degree. They later lived in Klamath Falls, Oregon for four years before returning to their home in Stilwell, where he began his teaching career at Stilwell High School. Damon accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior, was baptized in water, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit at a young age. Her paternal Grandmother, Mary C. (Bigby) Hall Rhodes, prayed over her hands for a special anointing to use her talents for God. She had several piano instructors through the years that told her Father “there is nothing more I can teach her, she knows more than I do.” She was a gifted musician that used her talents well and also wrote many songs. Her parents founded Faith Tabernacle Church aka “Happy Holler” church in the Piney Community. Through the grace of God she became a gifted pianist, a music leader, and a highly knowledgeable Bible instructor, as well as an intercessory prayer warrior. She attended Kenneth E. Hagin’s Rhema Bible Training Center. She truly had a heart for God and His people. Her earthly father instilled in her an undeniable love for his Cherokee heritage and his OU Sooner football team. She fanatically cheered them on and followed many of the players into their NFL careers. Most recently, it’s Baker Mayfield’s Cleveland Browns and Sam Bradford’s Arizona Cardinals. She attended Maryetta and Stilwell schools, graduating in 1968 with honors. She received her B.S. and Masters Degree in Education at Northeastern State College. She was a recipient of three major fellowships and several scholarships. She served on the panel that reviewed the ACT national form for English in Iowa City, Iowa. A fellowship to the prestigious Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois, as a graduate student in the Consortium in American Indian Studies was one of her greatest highlights. She began her teaching career at Christie School, moving onto Peavine, Sequoyah, and Stilwell Schools.

She worked with the Oklahoma Prison System teaching college courses at Bacone College in Muskogee. Damon

Josiah Cynol Sawney: Jan. 26, 1991 – March 21, 2019

taught “Creative Writing Classes” in the schools and in the community.

She was a columnist for the Stilwell, Westville and Tahlequah newspapers.

Her recent column was FAQ “Frequently Asked Questions” about God and life.

Music was such an integral part of her life. She started “Rainbow Jazz” and “Popsicle Jazz” at Peavine School to showcase the creativity and talents of her students. They received numerous recognitions from community and state leaders such as the Stilwell Kiwanis Club, The Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Oklahoma Legislature. In later years Damon and Mary C. Worsham started and Co-Directed the Stilwell Community Choir. They presented seasonal programs to the community that was received with high praise. She followed her dream of teaching and retired in 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her niece Mendi Lenee’ Eagleton. She is survived by a loving family which includes her beloved step-father Kenneth Shaddox of Tahlequah, OK; her sisters Pam Eagleton and husband Larry, Cindy Crozier and husband Charles and her brother David Hall, all of Stilwell, OK. Her nieces Robin Hart of Stilwell, Courtney Blisard and husband Rex of Kansas, OK and Amy Jo Eagleton of Sallisaw, OK; her nephews Cory Crozier and wife Amanda of Stilwell, and David Greyson Hall of Oologah, OK. Damon touched countless lives and enriched them every one. Memorials may be made to the Damon R. Hall Continuing Education Fund c/o Armstrong Bank, P.O. Box 188, Muskogee, OK 74402.

Sally Lawanna Foster: Nov. 24, 1941 – March 20, 2019

Community Events May 2 Greasy Fellowship Community Organization Greasy Community Building, 7 p.m.

Washington County Cherokee Association 300 E. Angus Ave., Dewey, 7 p.m.

Call Ann Sheldon at 918-333-5632 May 4 Rogers County Cherokee Association Rogers State University NASA Powwow Members asked to man outreach booth Contact: rogerscountygwys@gmail.com Call 539-777-2898 May 6

Lost City Community Organization 6 p.m.

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

Belfonte, 6:30 p.m.

Call Sallie Sevenstar at 918-427-4237 Marble City Community Organization MCCO Building, 7 p.m.

Eucha Indian Fellowship Eucha Community Building, 8 p.m.

May 7 Vian Peace Center 604 W. Schley, 5:30 p.m.

Muldrow Cherokee Community Organization

MCCO Building, 6 p.m.

Call Timothy Laney at 918-427-5440 Brushy Cherokee Action Association 465406 E 1010 Rd, 6 p.m.

Call Gary Bolin 918-775-6914 Tulsa Cherokee Community Organization, 6:30 p.m.

Call 805-551-6445 tulsacherokees@gmail.com One Fire Association Kenwood Community Building, 7 p.m. emmahayes87@yahoo.com May 9 Stilwell Public Library Friends Society 5 N. 6th St., Stilwell, 5 p.m.

Call Grace Ferris at 918-315-4279

Native American Fellowship Inc. 215 Oklahoma St., South Coffeyville 6 p.m. Call Bill Davis at 620-252-8883 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, 7 p.m.

May 13 Rocky Mountain Cherokee Community Organization, 6 p.m.

Call Vicki McLemore at 918-696-4965 Brent Community Association 461914 Hwy. 141, Gans, 6 p.m. 918-774-0655 brentcomm@live.com

6

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MAY 1, 2019

Community • ᎾᎥ ᏄᎾᏓᎸ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • anszT 1, 2019

CHEROKEE EATS: WILD ONIONS

At the beginning of the spring season, several Cherokees to search for and gather a delicacy known as wild onions.

BY LINDSEY BARK Reporter Food Type: Wild onions

When and where to find them: Wild onions, a Cherokee staple, can be found in wooded areas in northeast Oklahoma when the spring weather begins to warm the ground, most likely at the beginning of March.

“Usually we find ours around the last of February and early March but this year they (were) behind, they (were) late. Usually we done picked for the year. Usually, we find them by the creek or in a wooded area where a bunch of leaves grow and stuff. We got a couple of places around the lake that we get ours,” Cherokee Nation citizen Cullus Buck said.

He said they try not to pick an entire patch and leave some soil undisturbed so there will be some to grow for next year.

“We always want to leave some to regenerate, let it bud out and lay seed. A lot of (people) anymore, when they find a patch they will pick all of it and it’s all wiped out and they won’t have none next year. But we try to leave as much as we can and just get what we need,” Buck said.

PHOTOS BY LINDSEY BARK/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Cherokee Nation citizen Cullus Buck, second from right, with Eucha community members, cooks an annual wild onion dinner on March 22 in Eucha.

Types of onions: river onion, prairie onion and native onion “The native onion around here, the bulbs are bigger. The prairie onion and the river onion it’s just straight. The bulb is still there but it’s just flat and straight. But the true native (onion) it’s got a bigger bulb on it. I think a lot of the old timers, that’s what they really look after,” Buck said.

There is also a difference in flavor depending where wild onions are found.

“It depends on where you gather them, too. You might go to one patch, they taste different, and you go half a mile away and they’re totally different,” CN citizen Tad Dunham said.

He added that it could possibly be attributed to the minerals in the ground where the plant grows.

Wild onions are a staple in Cherokee communities throughout northeastern Oklahoma and grow each spring in moist wooded areas and are recognized by their bright green stalks.

How to cook them: Using several ingredients, wild onions can be sautéed or boiled using cooking oil, water, eggs and salt.

Buck said his wife, Rebecca, sautés the onions by placing them in a pot in oil, adding water, lets them cook for about 10 minutes. Then, depending on how much onions are being cooked, several beaten eggs are added into the onion and water mix, stirred and cooked until the eggs have a scrambled-like texture and served.

Buck said sautéing the onions will turn them a darker green and keep their flavor.

Other uses: Aside from the wild onions being the main dish, they can be used as an ingredient in other dishes.

“We use them at home in all kinds of dishes. Anything you use a regular onion for we use them, you know, chopping them up and using them with different foods,” Dunham said.

Buck and Dunham said they’ve seen wild onions used in fried or baked potatoes, to flavor meats, and even as a pizza topping.

Dunham said there is no limit on its use. “It’s that flavor. It’s a milder onion.

It’s sweeter.”

Preserving tradition: When eating a traditional wild onion dinner, the dinner may include several components quite often eaten by Cherokee people. Buck said he likes to have a type of meat such as salt pork or hog meat and other foods such as brown beans, fried bread and potato wedges.

Buck added, “Wild onion in the younger generation is going out.”

“A lot of the kids don’t like it. But around here, I think a lot of our kids could actually live off the land (whereas) the other ones in the bigger towns they don’t know what anything is. But we try to keep it up and get the kids to look for wild onion and all the other greens,” Buck said. “It’s just a tradition people have had from years ago. We try to keep up tradition here.”

Wild onions can be cleaned by rinsing off dirt and pulling back the top layer and roots from the bulb.

When wild onions are dug from the ground, they reveal a white bulb with roots. There are several types of onions including the river onions, prairie onion and native onion.

Cooked wild onions are chopped into 1-inch pieces and mixed with eggs. They can be served alone or with other dishes.

When cooked, wild onions can either be boiled or sautéed with eggs. They can change in color and become tender while cooked.

anszT 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Health • ᎠᏰᎸ ᏄᏍᏛ

MAY 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

Faulty blood tests impact 300, CN health official says Thyroid-related tests were performed over a six-month period that ended in February.

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter TAHLEQUAH – Several hundred thyroidrelated blood tests were rendered inaccurate by a third-party company, a Cherokee Nation health official said on April 15.

Dr. Roger Montgomery, Health Services medical director, said 306 patients systemwide were affected by the tests conducted by LabCorp.

“I received a list of names today of patients who had a blood test done by LabCorp using a faulty reagent,” Montgomery told the Tribal Council’s Health Committee.

“So the results were inaccurate. I consider it very low risk. There is no immediate consequence. It’s usually a test used along with several other tests to help diagnose and treat patients with thyroid disease. The

other tests that the clinician typically orders guide their decision about whether to offer that patient thyroid hormone or some other treatment.”

The tests were performed over a six-month period that ended in February, Montgomery said.

“They just notified me about this,” he said, adding that the “unusual” blood test is called thyroglobulin antibody.

“I think I can probably speak for all of us,” Tribal Councilor Mike Shambaugh said, “that we appreciate you identifying that we have a problem, identifying the patients that need to be contacted and doing that in a timely manner like you’re doing. That’s important.”

Patients affected are system-wide, Montgomery said.

“This would include patients that had their

blood drawn at Hastings and the outlying clinics,” he said. “By the way, this isn’t just Cherokee Nation patients. This is testing for patients all over.”

To determine a risk assessment, Montgomery said he consulted with LabCorp, a thyroid specialist utilized by CN Health Services and other experts.

“Based on our discussions, the risk assessment to our patients is deemed to be very low,” he said. “Based on this low-risk assessment, I’m recommending patients be notified by mail to have testing redone at their convenience.”

Health Services officials said patients affected would receive a letter with instructions to repeat their blood tests at their earliest convenience during their next upcoming appointment or if they do not have a scheduled appointment they can contact their primary care providers to request blood tests. If a patient does not have a primary care provider, he or she would need to contact the clinic medical director.

Hastings pediatric chief urges childhood vaccinations

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Since 2014, the American public has been periodically revisited by a health hazard once thought eradicated in the U.S. Measles incidences have been on the upswing since the 2014-15 Disneyland outbreak, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health officials are crediting “vaccine hesitancy.”

In fact, the World Health Organization now lists vaccine hesitancy as one of the most serious health problems facing the global population.

Some states allow parents to refuse vaccinations for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. Oklahoma’s rate of childhood vaccinations remains robust, but has fallen slightly. In 2013, about 1.4 percent of the state’s kindergarteners were not immunized. In 2018, the figure was 2.2 percent.

“In the Cherokee Nation health system, and pretty much throughout the U.S., we vaccinate between 1 and 2 years of age,” Dr. Dante Perez, M.D., Hastings pediatrics chief, said. “We try to provide immunity to 18 to 20 diseases, many of which can be fatal. As children get older, we add different vaccines for different conditions. Our role as pediatricians, more than treating patients with diseases, is to try to prevent them from getting diseases.”

Perez said vaccines contain lab-developed attenuated microorganisms, with additional substances that are intended to prevent virulence.

“The body of the patient creates immunity when we give the vaccines,” Perez said.

However, vaccines may be victims of their effectiveness. Diseases that ravaged populations a century ago no longer manifest today. The American public has little memory of the fear instilled by polio and smallpox.

Polio is nearly eradicated. Smallpox was eradicated in 1979, and younger people may never have seen a smallpox vaccination scar. The nickel-sized blotches were once so common on the upper left arms of Americans that movie costumes and makeup hid them for period films. North America was declared free of smallpox in 1952.

Vaccine hesitancy is not new. The first smallpox prevention was “variolation,” which involved smallpox pustule fluid being inhaled or scratched into the skin. It resulted in a less dangerous – but still sometimes lethal – manifestation of smallpox.

These days it is measles that has gone viral. The disease was last widespread among Baby Boomers. On April 1, the CDC announced 387 cases across 15 states in 2019 – the second highest level since measles was eradicated in the U.S. in 2000.

Perez said vaccination rates among Cherokee children are high, but the number not being vaccinated is increasing.

“It is due to ‘Dr. Google,’” Perez said.

“They get information that, to my knowledge, is not 100 percent accurate. It creates more doubt in patients, and they have questions

7

Claremore Indian Hospital named Baby-Friendly by IHS CLAREMORE – The Indian Health Service’s Claremore Indian Hospital recently received its Baby-Friendly designation by the government’s Native American health agency.

Baby-Friendly hospitals focus on increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration using quality improvement processes to improve breastfeeding rates through maternity care and infant feeding practices. Exclusive breastfeeding protects against obesity and type II diabetes, conditions to which Native Americans and Alaska Natives are particularly prone.

The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund introduced the initiative in 1991 at a time when worldwide breastfeeding rates had fallen to alarmingly low levels, and commercial interests had seeped into maternity care practices. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was created to reverse that trend by changing standard practices in the maternity ward, the setting which is most influential in a mother’s decision to initiate breastfeeding and helping her establish lactation and achieve ongoing breastfeeding success.

Oklahoma veterans center project gets federal funding

D. SEAN ROWLEY/CHEROKEE PHOENIX W.W. Hastings Hospital’s Dr. Dante Perez said he believes in the efficacy of vaccines and tells hesitant parents that his own children were immunized.

COURTESY A child receives a vaccine at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic in this 2017 photo. The World Health Organization now lists vaccine hesitancy as one of the most serious health problems facing the global population. about the safety of vaccines.”

The anti-vaccine movement is small but has a sweeping presence online, particularly in social media, giving the impression that its views are widely accepted.

“I tell patients that there are so many mechanisms we use to control side effects of vaccines,” Perez said. “The CDC and Food and Drug Administration use very strict standards for a vaccine to be used in the U.S. It can take 10 years of research to get a vaccine approved. WHO monitors all vaccines and side effects. Then there are local authorities.”

Possible side effects of MMR immunizations to prevent measles, mumps and rubella are febrile seizure and allergic reaction. A seizure can terrify parents, but they are of short duration and recovery takes about an hour.

Incidence is about 1 per 1,000, and a Danish study suggested the reaction has a genetic link. An anaphylactic response is serious, but only one in 900,000 humans is allergic to MMR vaccine, and the reaction occurs shortly after injection in a physician’s office where

treatment can readily be administered.

“We try to identify patients who might be allergic before giving the vaccine,” Perez said. “If we have any doubt, we keep the patient for 15 to 20 minutes after giving the vaccine, which is the time required to develop a reaction.”

Perez said the most common question concerning vaccinations is a supposed link between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism.

“That was the mistake of one person a long time ago,” he said. “Multiple studies prove that this is not true. Autism is not caused by vaccines, but we are now seeing some genetic predisposition for autism. Someday soon, we may be able to determine the actual cause.”

In 1998, an article in The Lancet linked autism and colitis to the MMR vaccine. The piece has been discredited and retracted, and its author, Andrew Wakefield, has been forbidden to practice medicine in the United Kingdom since 2010.

However, some parents still believe the vaccine is dangerous. The MMR inoculation scare has also fostered a fear of immunizations, which may facilitate outbreaks of other diseases long thought conquered.

The most comprehensive study yet, involving more than 600,000 Danish children born between 1999 and 2011, released its findings in February. Like other studies, it found no link between MMR and autism, but anti-vaxxers are attacking the investigators’ methodologies and motives.

Perez said most parents who worry about immunizations are not militant but “hesitant.”

“If you trust your doctor – if you come to me – I am not going to endanger your children,” he said. “All of my kids were vaccinated. Ask your health providers if they vaccinate their kids.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs says the agency’s federal funding request has been approved for a $60 million project to relocate a veterans center that’s had staffing difficulties.

Oklahoma Veterans Affairs Executive Director Doug Elliott tells the Tulsa World that the state will pay $21 million to help relocate the veterans center in Talihina to Sallisaw. Elliott says the agency will raise the funds through cost savings.

Elliott says officials decided to move the center because of struggles to adequately staff the Talihina facility.

He says 92 veterans currently live at the Talihina center, and most of their families live closer to Sallisaw.

Elliott says the new 175-bed facility will employ about 300 people. The new location could be open in about 2.5 years.

EPA pledges $16M per year for Tar Creek Superfund cleanup TULSA (AP) – The Environmental Protection Agency has pledged more than $16 million annually for the continued cleanup of toxic mine waste at the heavily polluted Tar Creek Superfund Site in northeastern Oklahoma.

Superfund is a law that gives the EPA funding and authority to clean up contaminated sites. Tar Creek, in Ottawa County, covers a 40-squaremile area and is one of the nation’s oldest, most complex Superfund sites.

The Tulsa World reports the EPA, in collaboration with Oklahoma and the Quapaw Nation, announced that their plan is open for a 30-day public evaluation. The plan provides an update on cleanup progress and establishes framework for cleaning up mining waste in Ottawa County over the next five years.

The EPA is expected to release a final Tar Creek Strategic Plan this summer.

8 CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MAY 1, 2019

Education • #n[]Qsd

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • anszT 1, 2019

NSU Native student groups host poultry farm roundtable

Concerned citizens discuss the impact of area industrial chicken farms.

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

D. SEAN ROWLEY/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Cora Flute, left, Phyllis Edwards, Anna Sixkiller and Phyllis Sixkiller were panelists for “Cherokee Women in Language Revitalization” during Northeastern State University’s 47th annual Symposium on the American Indian. Also on the panel, but not shown, was Kathy Sierra.

Cherokee women discuss language preservation Panelists are among the last Cherokee Nation citizens to speak and read Cherokee as their first language.

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter TAHLEQUAH – Through the centuries, the Cherokee Nation and its people have acknowledged and celebrated the indispensable role that women play in the preservation and sharing of tribal knowledge and culture.

As part of Northeastern State University’s 47th annual Symposium on the American Indian – with the theme “Celebrating Indigenous Women” – a panel of five Cherokee women was invited to speak about the importance of preserving the tribe’s language.

The five women are members of the last tribal generation that included people who spoke Cherokee as their first language. Three panelists work for the CN: Anna Sixkiller, translation specialist; Kathy Sierra, Cherokee Language Consortium chairwoman and language program teacher and coordinator for the Cherokee Youth Choir; and Phyllis Edwards, translator.

Cora Flute, master speaker, and Phyllis Sixkiller, curriculum director, serve with the tribe’s Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program.

Anna Sixkiller said she first believed that everyone everywhere spoke Cherokee saying, “I thought everybody lived the same way we did, and talked the language.”

After going through her early childhood as a Cherokee speaker, she and other Native speakers were punished when they entered school in Kansas, Oklahoma. They were often kept inside during recess to catch up on English. But no matter how proficient she became in her second language, she still spoke Cherokee at home.

Edwards, who lived in Marble City, also endured hardship during her early education, and said she “did not understand what the teacher was telling us,” and that she wept every day. Her father told her of the importance of education, and her mother reminded her not to forget her Cherokee language.

The women now work to preserve the language, but some expressed remorse for not teaching their own children Cherokee, believing they were saving their kids from tribulation.

“I think on my part I have failed my

“You can’t say, ‘I would like to speak Cherokee.’ You have to commit to something. It’s all about commitment.”

Phyllis Edwards, Cherokee Nation translator

children because I did not want them to go through what I went through,” Edwards said. “I did not want them to feel like they were not up to where they should be because they could not speak English.”

Flute said the population of Cherokee speakers now numbers only a couple of thousand, most of whom are elderly.

In March, a dozen passed away, and an average of eight die each month. Younger speakers are much less numerous, with those under 60 numbering about 250, and those under 40 amounting to just a handful.

The panelists said immersion was the best way to teach Cherokee to young people, but the students also had to commit to the task.

The Cherokee and English languages are more divergent than most. An English speaker might have an easier time learning Germanic languages (German, Swedish, Dutch) since English is of Germanic origin. Latin-based languages (Spanish, French, Italian) can also picked up more quickly because so much English is derived from French, thanks to French being used exclusively in the English royal court and legal documents for at least 450 years.

Linguists claim Japanese, Russian and many Native American languages, including Cherokee, are among the most difficult to learn for those who speak English as a first language, having evolved far from Western Europe.

Cherokee is “polysynthetic,” meaning single words can convey concepts that might require many English words.

About 75 percent of Cherokee words are verbs, and speakers say changes to the language arise with each generation.

“You can’t say, ‘I would like to speak Cherokee,’” Edwards said. “You have to commit to something. It’s all about commitment. You have to commit to it as something you want to do.”

TAHLEQUAH – A diverse group of Oklahomans concerned about industrial chicken farms turned out for a roundtable discussion hosted by Native American support groups at Northeastern State University.

“I think it went really well,” Brian Barlow, of NSU’s Native American Support Center, said. “I didn’t want to bias the conversation on the front end, so I didn’t invite anyone in particular.

I just put the invitation out. We had some powerful voices come to the table without a special invitation.”

The April 9 discussion, which attracted more than a dozen concerned individuals, was orchestrated by the NASC in collaboration with NSU’s American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

“I’m here just as a concerned citizen wanting to know more about what’s actually going on and what we can do about it,” Katie Easter, 30, of Tahlequah, said.

The public was invited to “become part of the larger conversation” about construction and operation of what some called “massive” or “mega” chicken farms that pepper rural Oklahoma.

“This problem is not just a Cherokee Nation problem,” CN citizen Mark Bolin, 37, said. “It’s an everybody problem. It affects everybody, all those ranchers, all those farms. The way I see it, you’ve got a lot of big corporate interests owned by foreign companies and all kinds of things, coming in here, and they’re basically making a wasteland of our land.”

Barlow, an academic intervention specialist, said he was inspired by Green Country Guardians, a grassroots group that formed to counter the growing number of factory poultry operations the likes of which can be seen along U.S. 412, which runs east and west through Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties in the CN. “As soon as I started seeing that it was proliferating our border, I got with students and asked if they would help me with this,” Barlow said. “The students overwhelmingly said yeah, this

is an important conversation.”

Terrel Mitchell, a CN environmental specialist, said the pressure to build additional industrial poultry operations comes from Arkansas.

“They’re out of space,” he said.

“They’ve overloaded their watershed.

They want to come over and use ours.”

Charles Gourd, Cherokee Heritage Center executive director and former Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission director, described the issue as “something that has to be addressed, not only for the present, but the future.”

“We’re all downhill from somewhere,” Gourd said, “and we have to protect the water.”

In February, the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture approved proposals that require new or expanding poultry operations to be a certain distance away from homes and schools.

New poultry operations with fewer than 150,000 birds are 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. The regulations also call for all poultry operations to be 200 feet from streams, 100 feet from private wells and 500 feet from public wells.

The roundtable discussion, Barlow said, was an attempt to create “a space for people to share their concerns, to engage in dialogue and potentially find partnerships.”

“When we’re all working on our own, it’s hard to get anything done,” he said.

Further conversations surrounding chicken factories may feature alternative formats.

“Now I think we’re identifying these stakeholders, and they’re seeing each other,” Barlow said. “I hope in future conversations, you know, it snowballs.

I can see panels and different ways of doing it in the future. We need the public to know what’s going on.”

“We had some powerful voices come to the table without a special invitation.”

Brian Barlow, of NSU’s Native American Support Center

CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Terrel Mitchell, of Tahlequah, makes a point regarding factory chicken operations during a roundtable discussion on April 9 at Northeastern State University.

Deputy AG Nimmo wins TPS board election

Chrissi Nimmo wins 85 percent of the vote in a special election to fill a vacant seat.

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation officials often assume other roles inside and outside the tribe, and a member of the tribe’s Office of the Attorney General recently won a local special election.

Chrissi Nimmo, deputy attorney general, was elected on April 2 to assume the empty No. 4 Office on the Tahlequah Public Schools board of education.

Nimmo won against Carden Crow, also a CN citizen. Nimmo got 583 votes – or 85 percent of the ballots – to Crow’s 105.

“I have three kids, 4-year-old twins Mattie and James in pre-k at Tahlequah Public Schools, and my baby Emmy, who will start there in a couple of years,” Nimmo said. “Their education is important to me, and I couldn’t think of a better way to have a positive impact.”

Nimmo said she was “not completely” surprised to win the election. She expected some degree of recognition among voters because her name is unusual and area media frequently sources her.

“I also had an outpouring of support from friends, CN employees and fellow Cherokees when I announced I was running,” Nimmo said. “My opponent Carden was very gracious about my victory. He said more than once during the race that he would have voted for me if he wasn’t running, and contacted me immediately on election night with a genuine congratulations.”

The board’s fourth seat was vacated due the death of former State Sen. Jim Wilson, who served eight years in the state House. The Vietnam veteran died on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. “I loved Senator Wilson and what he stood for and am honored to be in his previous seat,” Nimmo said.

Shortly after being elected, Nimmo attended her first board meeting, and she said the board is taking solid steps to help students toward academic success.

“I want to ensure the focus is on academics and make sure we do everything we can to remove barriers to learning,” she said. “In my first meeting we approved a plan by TPS Superintendent (Leon) Ashlock to

“My opponent Carden was very gracious about my victory. He said more than once during the race that he would have voted for me if he wasn’t running…”

Chrissi Nimmo, Tahlequah Public Schools board of education member

provide, free of cost to families, school supplies for all pre-k through fifth-grade students. That is a great start.”

Nimmo said she has frequently volunteered her time, but had never before thought of running for office.

She credited many for their assistance, including those within the CN. “I saw this as an opportunity to give back. Both Chief (Bill John) Baker and AG (Todd) Hembree supported my decision to run,” Nimmo said. “In fact, my first congratulatory call came from the chief.”

As deputy attorney general, Nimmo said her duties and experience as a tribal citizen and employee can help the TPS board address the district’s challenges.

“I see the direct impact the Cherokee Nation makes in our communities every day, but I also know the individual

contributions of our citizens in their own communities are immeasurable,” she said. “I think part of that is because we are steeped in a tradition of taking care of each other, especially our children.

I’ve recently dealt with school boards over this issue of whether Native students could wear eagle feathers at graduation. I think that work for Cherokee Nation may have had a little to do with sparking my interest.”

Nimmo said she would like to see more members of her demographic on ballots for elections.

“Both women and Natives are underrepresented at all levels of public office,” she said. “I hope my decision to step out of my comfort zone and run for public office will encourage other Cherokee women to do the same – whether that is for local, state, tribal or national seats.”

follow us on twitter! @cherokeephoenix and on instagram The Cherokee Phoenix

anszT 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

Services • nnrpH

MAY 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

9

Council OKs more TTP roads

BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter

LINDSEY BARK/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Rebecca Gower buys a Cherokee Nation motor vehicle tag at the tribe’s tag office in Tahlequah for her husband and CN citizen Daren Gower. In 2002, the tribe signed a motor vehicle compact with the state to sell CN license plates to its citizens within its jurisdiction. In 2013, non-jurisdictional areas in Tulsa, Rogers, Mayes, Wagoner, and Muskogee counties were added, with the rest of the state added in 2014.

Tribal car tag process differs for CN citizens in state

BY LINDSEY BARK Reporter

TAHLEQUAH – Cherokee Nation citizens who live in Oklahoma can purchase a CN motor vehicle tag.

However, when obtaining a tribal license plate there are differences in purchasing an in-jurisdiction and atlarge license plates.

In 2002, the tribe signed a motor vehicle compact with the state to sell CN license plates to its citizens within its jurisdiction. It wasn’t until 2013 that non-jurisdictional areas in Tulsa, Rogers, Mayes, Wagoner, and Muskogee counties were added to the compact, and the rest of the state was added in 2014.

Types of tags that can be purchased within the jurisdiction are standard, farm, commercial, mobile home, veteran, farm trailer, commercial trailer, all-terrain vehicles, boat/ outboard motor and private trailers.

All but boat/outboard motor tags are eligible for purchase for at-large citizens, those living outside the tribe’s jurisdiction.

When applying for motor vehicle registration in the jurisdiction, documentation must include a CN citizenship card, vehicle’s title, bill of sale, Oklahoma insurance verification, a valid Oklahoma driver’s license, lien information, proof of residence within the jurisdiction such as a utility bill or physical address on driver’s license and odometer discloser for vehicles that are 10 years old or less. Additional

requirements include a vehicle identification number inspection.

At-large citizens do not need proof of physical address since they do not live in the jurisdiction.

“They just bring in their Oklahoma title and the same documents are required – driver’s license, tribal membership card and Oklahoma insurance. We have to have the vehicle in for a VIN inspection,” Cherokee Nation Tax Commission supervisor Teresa Carder said. “They can mail in the documents or come into a tag office.

When you do mail it in it is a little more tricky just because you have to have documents signed and notarized already whereas if you come in we’re able to notarize those documents.”

Fees charged for a CN tag are tag fees plus 1.5 percent of the excise tax, which is the sale price of vehicles before any discounts, trade-ins or rebates for injurisdiction citizens. At-large citizens pay state rates, which are 3.25 percent of the excise tax, minus discounts, tradeins or rebates, plus an additional 1.5 percent sales tax fee and tag fees. But they receive a 10 percent discount on the excise tax and tag fees. “(For) at-large we give the discount.

The 10 percent comes off of their tag and then their excise tax. The sales tax we don’t discount for that because it came after our compact,” Carder said.

For more information, visit www.cherokee.org/Services/TaxCommission/Tag-Office or call 918-4535100 or email tags@cherokee.org.

COURTESY A veteran gets on a bus as part of the Veterans’ Ride Connect network, a cooperative agency of transit providers who work together to provide veterans with safe, reliable and local transportation services across eastern Oklahoma.

Veterans’ Ride Connect adds JAMM Transit, expands area

BY STAFF REPORTS

BIG CABIN – Veterans’ Ride Connect has added a transit provider to its consortium, expanding its transportation services for veterans to include four new counties, bringing the total counties served in eastern Oklahoma to 29.

According to the VRC, the transit program is a cooperative agency of transit providers who work together to provide veterans with safe, reliable and local transportation.

It uses a state-of-the-art Mobility Management Center in rural Oklahoma.

The consortium established a onecall/one-click system that links its transit providers so veterans with transportation needs anywhere in the service area have only one phone number to call to schedule a ride.

The consortium is comprised of Pelivan Transit, KI BOIS Area Transit (KATS), Cimarron Public Transit System, Muskogee County Transit Authority, Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the newly added JAMM Transit.

JAMM Transit, a public transportation program of INCA Community Services, provides public transportation services in Johnston,

Atoka, Marshall and Murray counties.

The addition of these counties increases the service area to more than 29 counties across eastern Oklahoma.

In those counties, more than 122,000 veterans reside who can benefit from the transportation services offered.

The 29 counties it operates in are Adair, Atoka, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Kay, Latimer, Le Flore, Marshall, Mayes, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington. VRC also serves part of Seminole County.

JAMM Transit has provided transportation resources to the Veterans Center in Sulphur for years.

However, the provider recognized that veterans in its area were still in need of transportation to other veterans’ centers throughout the state. Joining VRC allows JAMM Transit to help more veterans meet their transportation needs. Its transportation services are provided to all veterans regardless of age or financial status. Any person who has served in a military force is considered to be a veteran.

To book a ride, call 855-435-4826.

TAHLEQUAH – On March 11, Cherokee Nation legislators approved a resolution regarding the tribe’s “transportation facilities inventory.”

The language referred to roads included in the Tribal Transportation Program, directed by the Office of Federal Lands Highway under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

TTP services are received through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, hence the Tribal Council measure was a resolution authorizing the BIA to add 28.9 miles of road in Ottawa, Washington and Sequoyah counties to the tribe’s “inventory.”

However, CN Transportation Director Michael Lynn said the CN has no immediate plans for any of the roads.

“The term ‘transportation facilities’ means roads, streets, bridges, parking areas, transit vehicles or other related transportation infrastructure,” Lynn said. “Adding these roadway segments to the Nation’s TTP inventory allows federal funding to be utilized to make potential improvements to these roadways should the Nation ever prioritize them for construction. The Nation currently has nearly 3,300 miles of roads on its TTP inventory.”

Lynn said the included stretches all hold some significance for the tribe.

“All of the routes either provide

access to American Indian homes, access to historical places, access to natural resources, or access to economic developments,” he said. “One of the routes added to the inventory this year leads to Sequoyah’s Cabin located in Sequoyah County. The tribe purchased Sequoyah’s Cabin from the Oklahoma Historical Society in November 2016.”

The only Sequoyah County addition is the 350-yard long road, for which the tribe is responsible for maintenance, between Sequoyah’s Cabin and Highway 101.

In Ottawa County, the longest stretches are a 1.4-mile section of Miami’s E Street SW, which includes a part of Highway 125, and 1.3 miles of 20th Ave. SW that is jointly maintained by Miami and Ottawa County.

In Washington County, 2.9 miles of Hwy. 10 was included in the resolution, with the other designations being under county maintenance.

The longest sections included 5.2 miles of road in the Copan Wildlife Management Area, 3.8 and 0.9 miles of Cotton Creek Road near Wann and 3.3 miles of Cotton Valley Road near the Kansas border.

USDOT reports that the TTP is the largest program in the Office of Federal Lands Highway with an anticipated budget of $505 million in fiscal 2020. The TTP is intended “to provide safe and adequate transportation and public road access to and within Indian reservations, Indian lands, and Alaska Native Village communities.”

School clothing voucher applications available

BY STAFF REPORTS TAHLEQUAH – The Cherokee Nation is accepting applications for its 2019 Clothing Assistance Program.

The program helps Cherokee families buy clothes for school-aged children for the upcoming school year.

In 2018, the tribe helped more than 4,500 students, grades kindergarten to 12th, from across its jurisdiction prepare for school with gift cards totaling more than $450,000.

A student must be age 5 before Sept.

1, a CN citizen, live within the CN jurisdiction and meet additional income guidelines. Once parents have been verified, they receive a $100 VISA gift card for every school-aged child in the home. Gift cards will be able to be used at any store. Applications can be printed

from https://bit.ly/2YA7cGy or picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at any CN Human Services field office and the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.

Human Services offices are located at: • W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex, 17675 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah; • Catoosa field office, 750 S. Cherokee St. Suite N.; • Stilwell field office, 219 W. Oak; • Sallisaw field office, 307/309 N. Dogwood Ave.; • Pryor field office, 219 NE First St.; • Jay field office, 1499 N. Industrial Park Road; and • Nowata Food Distribution Center, 1018 Lenape Dr. All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on May 31 at a CN office or by mail.

For more information, call 1-800-2560671 or visit www.cherokee.org.

10

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MAY 1, 2019

Money • a[w

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • anszT 1, 2019

Wagner runs multi-million dollar Mid Star Lab

BY GRANT NEUGIN Reporter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Cherokee Nation citizen Kari Wagner owns Mid Star Lab, a multi-million dollar business specializing in orthotics and prosthetics that serves veterans and Native Americans.

Wagner was born in Stilwell, Oklahoma, and raised in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and grew up in poverty but she said she always worked hard for what she had. She said her upbringing gave her the resiliency it took to start up Mid Star Lab with her late husband, Ron Wagner.

Before Kari and Ron created Mid Star Lab, they were living in Dallas but recognized a need for manufacturing custom orthotics in the Kansas City metropolitan area. They took up the opportunity and moved to Kansas City in 1998. Within six weeks of arrival, Kari and Ron began creating their company.

“My husband was in the orthotics business before he decided to quit his job in Dallas,” Kari said. “We decided it would be best for us to take our family

to Kansas City to start our own orthotics business to help those in need.”

For years, the Wagners sold wholesale to podiatrists and other foot care providers throughout the Midwest. Then, in the fall of 2011, Mid Star Lab began expanding services to not only manufacturing the devices, but a diversifying its product line to include shoes. The company also started servicing patients directly by adding certified clinicians to its staff. In less than a year, the family would have to move its main manufacturing facility to Edwardsville, Kansas, to accommodate its growing needs. With growth came opportunity and the next step was to open several locations throughout the Midwest In 2016, they decided to purchase a building in Tonganoxie, Kansas, where Kari and Ron’s kids graduated high school. They left the 5,500-square foot building in Edwardsville and moved into an 11,000-square foot facility in Tonganoxie. Over several months they began the process of migrating from a small family-owned business

COURTESY Kari Wagner and her late husband, Ron, are the co-founders of Mid Star Lab in Kansas City, Missouri. Kari is a Cherokee Nation citizen born in Stilwell, Oklahoma and raised in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

BY GRANT NEUGIN ᏗᎦᏃᏣᎵᏍᎩ

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ ᎨᎳ Kari Wagner ᎤᏤᎵᎢ Mid Star Lab, ᎯᎸᏍᎩᎢᏳᏆᏗᏅᏓ ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ ᎠᏃᏢᏅᏍᎬᎢ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᏟ ᏓᏂᏲᎤᏢ ᎠᎴ ᏗᎨᎪᏱᏍᏕᏓ ᎠᎴ ᏗᎨᏥᎳᏯᏕᏓ ᎤᏂᏲᏏᏙᎸᎢ ᎠᎴ ᏅᏁᎯᏯ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎪᎢ.

Wagner Ꮓ ᏝᏬᏚᎯ ᏗᎦᏚᎲᎢ ᎣᎦᎳᎰᎹ ᎤᏕᏅᎢ, ᎠᎴ ᏓᎵᏆ ᎣᎦᎳᎰᎹ ᎤᏛᏒᎢ, ᎠᎴ ᎤᏲᏟ ᎤᏛᏌ ᎠᏎᏅ ᎢᎧᏃᎮᏍᎪᎢ ᏂᎪᎯᎸᎢ ᏍᏓᏱ ᏚᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎳ ᎤᏈᏴᏓ ᎢᏳᏍᏗ ᎤᎲᎢ. ᎢᎧᏃᎮᏍᎬᎢ ᏄᏍᏛᎢ ᎤᏛᏒᎢ ᎠᏎᏅ ᎤᏟᏍᏗᏭ ᎤᎷᏤᎸᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᎴᏅᏗᎢ Mid Star Lab ᎠᏂᏁᎳ ᎤᎾᎵᎪᎯ, Ron Wagner. ᎠᏏᏅ Kari ᎠᎴ Ron ᎣᎾᎴᏅᎲᎾ ᎾᏍᎩ Mid Star Lab, ᏅᏓᎩ ᎤᏔᎾ ᎦᏚᎲᎢ ᎠᏂᏁᎸᎢ ᎤᎾᏕᎶᎰᏎᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏚᎸᏛᎢ ᎤᏃᏢᏅᏗᎢ ᏧᎾᎳᏏᏕᎾ ᏓᏂᏲᎤᏢᎢ ᎤᎾᎵᏍᏕᎸᏙᏗ ᎥᎿ Kansas City ᎠᏍᏛᎢ. ᎤᎾᏟᏅᏓᏁᎳ ᎾᏍᎩ

Ꮓ ᏄᎾᏛᏁᎸᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎤᎾᏓᏅᏒᎢ Kansas City ᏭᏂᎷᏤᎢ 1998 ᏥᎨᏒᎢ. ᏑᏓᎵᏃ ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏩᏍᎩ ᏫᎬᏩᏂᎷᏨᎢ, Kari ᎠᎴ Ron ᎤᎾᎴᏅᎮᎢ ᎤᎾᏂᎩᏍᏔᏅᎢ ᏧᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ. “ᎣᏍᏗᏁᎳᏃ ᎾᏍᎩ ᏚᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎲᎢ ᏧᎾᎳᏏᏕᎾ ᏓᏂᏲᎤᎴᎢ ᏓᏍᏕᎵᎲᎢ ᎠᏏ ᏂᏚᏭᎪᏔᏅᎾ Ꮩ ᏳᏛᏁᏗᎢ ᏚᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎲᎢ ᎥᎿ Dallas,” Kari ᎢᎧᏃᎮᏍᎬᎢ.” “ᏙᎩᏄᎪᏔᏁᏃ ᏱᏓᏤᎳ Kanasa City ᏱᏙᏍᏓᏘᎿᏫᏛᎯ ᎠᏂᏏᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎣᎩᎾᎴᏅᏗᎢ ᎣᎩᏅᏌ ᏦᎩᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗᎢ ᏦᏍᏗᏍᏕᎵᏗᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏚᏟᏗ ᏄᎾᏛᏅᎢ.” ᎾᏕᏘᏯᏃ, ᎾᏍᎩ ᎠᏂ Wagner’s ᎠᏂᏔᏂᏙᎯ ᎠᏂᎾᏕᎬᎢ ᎪᎱᏍᏗ ᎬᏔᏅᏙᏗ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᏟ ᎨᏥᏰᏠᎲᎢ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎠᏂᏐᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏠᏱ ᎢᏯᎾᏛᏁᎯ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᏍᎬᎢ ᏂᎬᎾᏛ ᎤᏕᎵᎬᎢ ᏗᏜ. ᏅᏊᏃ, ᎤᎵᎪᎲᏍᏗ 2011 ᏥᎨᏒᎢ, Mid Star Lab ᎤᎾᎴᏅᎮᎢ ᎠᏂᏁᏉᎬᎢ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᎥᏝᏃ ᎥᏍᎩ ᎤᏮᏌ ᎠᏃᏢᏅᏍᎬᎢ ᎬᏔᏅᏙᏗ ᎪᏍᏗ, ᎠᎴ ᎾᏍᎩᏊ ᎧᏅᏉᎬᎢ ᎢᏳᏍᏗ

to a corporate business. Their platform is based on the need for good quality and better service.

Soon they started honing their business model to meet the need and demand.

In 2017, an opportunity presented itself that would accelerate the growth of their small company. They began negotiations with Capitol Orthopedic. By the end of the year, Mid Star Lab purchased Capitol Orthopedic and overnight jumped from a small company focused primarily on shoes and orthotic inserts to an orthotics and prosthetics company.

“We have 11 locations now and have been working with Cherokee Nation Businesses, who are wanting to get into health care,” Kari said. “Being a Cherokee from Tahlequah, I want to do my best to help the Nation and anyone else in need from the Cherokee County area.”

Ron and Kari’s commitment to serve their customers and patients has also involved their two youngest children – daughter Jennifer and her husband Jack (both podiatrists) and daughter Kelsey (orthoptist) and her

husband Kevin (a podiatrist).

Derrick Wagner, the eldest sibling, serves in the U.S. Air Force with his wife Angela. Kari said she is proud of her children and their commitment to serve others.

She said through her children she hopes there will be a long legacy of helping others. In addition to her children, she has three grandchildren and one on the way.

On Dec. 23, 2017, Ron died.

The family and company were impacted and decided to proceed in his honor. His example paved the way, Kari said.

“It has been really tough this past year without my husband because he supported me through all of the good and the bad,” Kari said. “My family and I are hurt, but we keep pushing on because that’s exactly what he would like for us to do.”

Mid Star Lab is a Cherokee woman-owned, 8a-certified company with a focus to continue growing and sharing its passion for helping physicians and patients with orthotic and prosthetic needs

ᎾᏅᏛᏁᎲᎢ ᏓᏠᏯᏍᏛᏃ ᎾᏍᎩᏊ ᏗᎳᏑᎶᎢ. ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᎤᏙᏢᏒᎢ ᏚᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎲᎢ ᎤᎾᎴᏅᎮᎢ ᏥᏳᎪᏗ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᏟ ᎠᎾᏠᏯᏍᏗᏍᎬᎢ ᎪᏪᎵ ᏧᏂᎳᎾ ᎠᏂᎦᎾᎦᏘ ᏚᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏕᏁᎭ. ᏑᏕᏘᏴᏓᏊ ᏂᎨᏒᎾ, ᎾᏍᎩ ᎠᏂᏏᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎠᏎᎢ ᎤᏂᎲᏍᏗ ᏄᎵᏍᏓᏁ ᎾᏍᎩ ᏄᎬᏫᏳᏒᎢ ᎠᏃᏢᏅᏍᎬᎢ ᎤᏙᏢᏒᎢ Edwardsville, Kansas ᏭᏂᎷᏤᎢ, ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᎪᏗ ᎠᎵᏅᏓᏗᏍᎬᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎧᏁᏉᎬᎢ ᎢᏳᏰᏟᏗ. ᎾᏍᎩ ᎧᏅᏉᎬᎢ ᎤᎾᏟᏅᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎠᏏ ᎯᎸᏍᎩ ᏧᏣᏘᎾ ᏚᏙᏢᏒᎢ ᏧᏂᏍᏚᎢᏍᏗᎢ ᎤᏕᎵᎬ ᏗᏜ ᎾᎯᏳᏃ 2016 ᏥᎨᏒᎢ, ᏚᏄᎪᏔᏁᎢ ᎤᏂᏩᎯᏍᏗᎢ ᎠᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎥᎿ ᎢᏴᎢ Tonganoxie, Kansas, ᎥᎿᏃ Kari ᎠᎴ Ron’s ᏚᎾᏓᏘᎿᎥᎢ ᏚᏂᏍᎪᏛᎢ ᏓᎾᏕᎶᏆᏍᎬᎢ. ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᎤᏂᎯᏰᎢ 5,500-ᏱᎳᏏᏗ ᏅᎩ ᏧᏅᏏᏯ ᎠᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎥᎿ Edwardsville ᎠᎴ ᎤᎾᏓᏅᏎᎢ ᏭᏂᏴᏞᎢ ᎥᎿ 11,000ᏱᎳᏏᏗ ᏅᎩ ᏧᏅᏏᏯ ᎤᏙᏢᏒᎢ ᎥᎿᎢ Tonganoxie. ᎯᎸᏍᎩ ᏱᏅᏓ ᏥᎨᏒᎢ ᎤᎾᎴᏅᎮᎢ ᎠᎾᏂᎩᏍᎬᎢ ᎤᏂᎯᏴᎢ ᎠᏲᏟᎨ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏅᏌ ᎠᏂᏏᏓᏁᎸᎢ - ᎤᎾᏤᎵᎢ ᏚᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎲᎢ ᎤᏁᏉᏨᎢ ᏗᎦᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎲᎢ. ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᏚᎾᎳᏏᏛᎢ ᎣᏍᏓ ᎠᎴ ᏫᏓᏤᏢᎢ ᏧᏂᏍᏕᎵᏗᎢ. ᏞᎩᏃ ᎤᎾᎴᏅᎮᎢ ᏓᏤᏢᎢ ᏩᏟᎢᎶᎢᎭ ᎾᏍᎩ ᏚᏂᎸᎳᏍᏓᏁᎲᎢ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏚᎸᏛᎢ.

2017, ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᎤᎾᏟᏅᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎬᏂᎨᏒᎢ ᎢᏳᎵᏍᏙᏗ ᏄᏟᏍᏛᏭ ᎤᏛᎯᏍᏗᎢ ᎤᎾᏤᎵᎢ ᎤᏙᏢᏒᎢ. ᎤᎾᎴᏅᎮᏃ ᏓᏃᏏᏏᏍᎬᎢ ᏩᏂᏍᎪᎵᏴᎢ ᏂᏓᎾᏛᏁᎲᎢ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ. ᏩᎵᏍᏆᏗᏍᎬᎢ ᎤᏕᏘᏴᏌᏗᏒᎢ, Mid Star Lab ᎤᏂᏩᏎᎢ ᏄᎬᏫᏳᏒᎢ ᏧᏂᏍᏕᎸᎯᏓᏍᏗ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᏟ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏃᏢᏒᎢ ᎤᎪᏙᎢ ᏚᎾᎦᏎᏍᏙᎢ ᏓᏃᏢᏍᎬᎢ ᏗᎳᏑᎶ ᎠᎴ ᏓᏂᏲᎤᏢᎢ ᎨᏥᏍᏕᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᏧᎾᎳᏏᏕᎾ ᏓᏂᏲᎤᏢ ᎠᎴ ᏧᎾᏓᎳᏯᏛᏙᏗ ᏓᏃᏢᏍᎬᎢ. “ᏌᏚᏃ ᏱᎦᎢ ᏙᎪᏢᎭ ᎾᏊ

ᎠᎴ ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ ᏌᏉ ᏙᎩᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᎰᎢ, ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᎤᎾᏚᎵᎭ ᎣᎦᏖᎳᏗᏍᏗ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᎭᎢ,” ᎠᏗᏍᎬᎢ Kari. “ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᏥᏣᎳᎩ ᏥᎩ ᏓᎵᏆ ᏂᏛᏆᏓᎴᏅᎢ, ᎠᏆᏚᎵᏃ ᏫᏓᏤᏢᎢ ᏱᎬᏩᏛᏁᏗ ᎢᏯᏆᏛᏁᏗᎢ ᎦᏥᏍᏕᎸᎡᏗ ᎠᏰᎵᎢ ᎠᎴ ᏂᎦᎵᏍᏗᎲᏭ ᎩᎶ ᎤᏚᎸᏗ ᏄᏛᏅᎢ ᏣᎳᎩ ᏍᎦᏚᎩ ᎢᎬᎾᏕ ᎡᎯ ᏱᎩ.”

Ron ᎠᎴ Kari’s ᎤᎾᏚᏓᎸᎢ ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᏗ ᏧᏂᏍᏕᎵᏗᎢ ᎠᎾᏓᎾᏁᏍᎩ ᎠᎴ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᏟ ᎠᎴᎾᏍᏊ ᏚᎾᏠᏯᏍᏔᏅᎢ ᎠᏂᏔᎵ ᏚᎾᏓᏘᎿᎥᎢ ᎣᏂ ᎠᏁᎯ-ᎠᎨᏳᏣ Jennifer ᎠᎴ ᎠᏂᏁᎳ Jack (ᎢᏧᎳᏃ ᏓᏂᏍᏕᎵᏍᎪᎢ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᎵ) ᎠᎴ ᎤᏁᏥ ᎠᎨᏳᏣ Kelsey (ᏗᏂᎦᏙᎵ ᏧᎾᎦᏎᏍᏗ) ᎠᎴ ᎠᏂᏁᎳ Keven (ᏓᏍᏕᎵᏍᎪᎢ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᎵ).

Derrick Wagner, ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᏓᏂᎵᎨ ᎠᎾᎵᏅᏢᎢ, U.S. Air Force ᎨᎳ ᎢᎩ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏍᏓᏴᎲᏍᎩ Angela.

Kari ᎢᎧᏃᎮᏍᎬᎢ ᎣᏍᏓ ᏧᏰᎸᎯ ᏚᏓᏘᎿᎥᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎤᎾᏚᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᏧᏂᏍᏕᎸᎯᏓᏍᏗᎢ ᎠᏂᏐᎢ. ᏚᏓᏘᎿᎥᏃ, ᏦᎢᏃ ᏧᎵᏏ ᎠᏁᎭ ᎠᎴ ᏌᏉ ᎠᏂᎦᏖᏃᎭ. ᎥᏍᎩᏱ. 23, 2017 ᏥᎨᏒᎢ, Ron ᎤᏲᎱᏎᎢ. ᎾᏍᎩᏃ ᎠᏂᏏᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏙᏢᏒᎢ ᏚᏄᎪᏔᏁᎢ ᏂᎬᏂᎯᎵᏎᏍᏗ ᎠᏂᎸᏉᏗᎲᎢ ᎢᏳᏰᏟᏗ. ᏄᏍᏛᏃ ᏄᏛᏁᎸᎢ ᏂᎬᏂᎯᎵᏎᏍᏗ, ᎠᏗᏍᎬᎢ Kari. “ ᎢᎦᏃ ᎦᏁᏄᏟ ᎨᏒᎢ ᎯᎠ ᎤᏕᏘᏴᏎᏗᏒᎢ ᏥᏛᎦᎶᎯ ᏂᎨᎸᎾ ᎣᏍᏗᏁᎳ ᏂᏗᎦᎵᏍᏙᏗᎭ ᎠᎩᎫᏍᏓᎥᎢ ᏂᏓᏤᏢᏅ ᎠᎴ ᎣᏍᏓ ᏂᎦᎵᏍᏔᏅᏍᎬᎢ,” ᎠᏗᏍᎬᎢ Kari. “ᎣᏥᏏᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎠᏯ ᎣᏥᎩᏟᏲᎦ, ᎠᏎᏃ ᏂᎦᏲᏥᎯᎳ ᏂᏗᎦᎵᏍᏙᏗᎭ ᎥᏍᎩ ᏳᏚᎸᎮᎢ ᎥᏍᎩ ᎢᏲᎦᏛᏁᏗᎢ.”

Mid Star Lab ᎠᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎨᏯ - ᎤᏤᎵᎪᎯ, 8a-certified ᎤᏙᏢᏒᎢ ᎾᏍᎩ ᎤᎦᏎᏍᏗ ᏂᎦᎯᎵ ᎠᏔᏃᏍᎬᎢ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏂᎸᏉᏛᎢ ᏓᏂᏍᏨᎵᏍᎬᎢ ᎠᏂᎦᎾᎦᏘ ᎠᎴ ᏧᎾᏓᏂᎳ ᏗᏂᏲᎤᏟ ᎠᎴ ᎢᏳᏍᏗ ᎤᏂᏂᎬᎬᎢ.

– TRANSLATED BY DAVID CRAWLER

Casino-operating tribes influence sports betting debate ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Native American tribes have emerged as key players in the legislative debates over whether states should legalize sports betting, with some opposing the idea because it could threaten their casinos and others supporting legalization but only if they retain a monopoly.

In many states, tribes are fighting sports betting or taking a go-slow approach because they worry it might force them to reopen decades-old agreements that give them exclusive rights to operate casinos and offer certain forms of gambling.

“The tribes have a major-league seat at the table,” said Bill Pascrell III, a lobbyist for gambling interests that are seeking legalized sports betting across the country.

Six states have joined Nevada in allowing sports gambling since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year opened the door to its expansion. Legalization is being considered in more than 20 others.

In Minnesota, a bill seeking to legalize sports betting cleared its first hurdle earlier this year, passing a committee in the state Senate. But that’s likely to be as far as it goes, in large part because the state’s politically potent tribes oppose it.

Gambling “is the only successful economic development tool the tribes have ever had,” John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, told the committee.

The tribes, which operate 21 casinos and have given millions in campaign donations, are concerned about allowing sports betting on mobile devices, which they fear could invite wider internet gambling that could threaten their casinos.

In Texas, the only sports betting bill is almost certain to die. It was introduced by a Democrat, the minority party, in

a state where casino operators from neighboring Oklahoma and Louisiana have donated millions to keep gambling out.

Two Oklahoma tribes, the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations, have given more than $5 million to Texas officeholders and candidates.

Sports betting measures introduced in Arizona and Washington state are also considered longshots, mostly because of tribal ambivalence or opposition.

In some states where tribal gambling is prevalent, sports betting bills have not been introduced at all. That’s the case in Oklahoma, as well as California and Florida, which are home to influential tribes.

But elsewhere, casino-operating tribes are the ones leading the legalization efforts.

The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes have exclusive rights to casino gambling in Connecticut and are working with the governor’s office to add sportsbooks.

Two tribal casinos in New Mexico began running sportsbooks after the Supreme Court decision, even though the tribes never received explicit permission from the state.

In North Carolina, a bill pushed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians would allow the tribe to offer betting on sports and horse races at its casino near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, without forcing it to make any substantial concessions.

Religious groups have warned about the dangers of more gambling, but the legislation has so far sailed through committees in the state Senate. The tribe is one of the state’s top political contributors.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Jim Davis, lauded the tribe for bringing jobs to a distressed portion of North Carolina.

“They’ve been incredibly good stewards of the revenue, and it’s transforming that community,” he said.

Like other powerful interest groups, tribes ensure they have access to lawmakers and governors through contributions. Tribal governments have contributed more than $114 million to state-level candidates and political committees over the past decade, according to an Associated Press analysis.

In some states, including California, allowing sports betting would probably require a constitutional amendment. That and tribal reluctance means the NBA’s Sacramento Kings will have to wait longer, perhaps indefinitely, to allow gambling in a suite the team dedicated for that purpose inside the Golden 1 Center arena.

Arizona is the rare example of a state where tribes are the key players in the legalization debate but are on opposite sides.

The Navajo Nation is pushing for a measure that would give tribes the exclusive right to operate sports betting off their reservations in exchange for sharing winnings with the state. Tribes could put betting kiosks in non-tribal bars and private clubs. But other Arizona tribes oppose the legislation, saying it could hurt existing casinos on reservations.

Lawmakers in many states are not eager to push the issue without support from tribes, said Hilary Tompkins, a former solicitor with the Department of the Interior.

“It’s not worth the pain of engaging in a fight with the tribes in their states,” Tompkins said. If states “open the door to non-tribal sports betting, the tribes are going to say, ‘We’re going to reduce our revenue to you.’ And that could end up in court.”

Minnesota state Sen. Roger Chamberlain, chairman of the tax committee that passed this year’s sports betting bill, acknowledged that it will be hard for the measure to succeed without backing from the tribes.

Sports gambling, horse wagering on track for EBCI RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gambling operations run by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina could soon let patrons bet on pro and college sporting events and off-track horse racing should legislation clearing a state Senate committee becomes law.

The Senate Commerce Committee voted for the measure, which now heads to another Senate panel.

The Eastern Band is seeking the new options following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year striking down a federal law that made most sports gambling illegal.

Current law already lets the tribe offer live poker, slot machines and video-style games on tribal lands.

The additional gambling could bring another $1 million annually to state government.

Okla. governor signs commercial hemp bill OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation establishing guidelines for producing commercial hemp in the state.

The bill signed by Stitt authorizes the state Department of Agriculture to develop and manage a hemp production program under the 2018 federal farm bill.

The measure received bipartisan support in the state House and Senate, and officials say rules should be in place to allow for planting of industrial hemp in the 2020 crop year.

Hemp, like marijuana, is derived from the cannabis plant, but it contains 0.3% or less THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Industrial hemp can be used in paper, cosmetics, construction materials and other products.

CNT helps with flood relief project TULSA – Cherokee Nation Technologies recently joined its partner Altavian Inc. in flying a complex Unmanned Aircraft System mission for the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service of New Jersey.

As part of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, CNT helped conduct UAS surveys over two coastal easements damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The effort will help provide future flood relief in the Cumberland County, New Jersey, area.

The locations surveyed span more than 400 acres.

“This project was particularly complex because it required our team to fly at low tide with good sun angles, while of course operating within FAA regulations for small UAS,” said John “JC” Coffey, CNB’s executive director for unmanned systems. “During most missions we’re able to wait for optimal weather conditions, but that wasn’t possible when factoring in the tidal requirement needed for this effort. The flight crew showed superb problem-solving and piloting skills in completing this mission safely.”

Keystone XL pipeline must comply with treaties, tribal law GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) – On April 24, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Fort Belknap Indian Community, represented by the Native American Rights Fund, filed an amended complaint against TransCanada and President Trump over the handling of the Keystone XL pipeline. Issues raised included: Maps released by TransCanada show the pipeline corridor and access roads crossing Rosebud territory, some of which is held in trust, as well as Rosebud’s Mni Wiconi Water system. The 1868 Treaty of Ft Laramie and other federal laws require Rosebud consent to cross Rosebud territory. Rosebud has land use, environmental, and utilities codes that apply, and TransCanada must comply with Rosebud law on Rosebud land.

TransCanada agreed to abide by tribal law. Fort Belknap has a Cultural Property Act that applies to the pipeline. TransCanada failed to comply with Rosebud and Fort Belknap law.

New climate change information requires a new environmental impact analysis. Recent governmental reports contain new data about climate change, which necessitates new analysis.

anszT 1, 2019 • ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ

People • ᏴᏫ

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

One of last monolingual Cherokee speakers dies TAHLEQUAH – Mack Vann, one of the last monolingual Cherokee speakers, died on April 22 in Tahlequah at age 88.

Vann was born on March 6, 1931, to James and Susie (Ellis) Vann. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Fayeola Vann; sisters, Eliza Augurhole, Lydia Vann; brothers, George, William, Jack, Allen, Dirthrower Vann; nephews, Roger Vann, Mack Buzzard; and nieces, Mary DuVall and Louella Adair.

According to his obituary, he had a great sense of humor. “He was soft spoken and could make anyone roll out of their seat in laughter.”

It also states he was a traditional bow maker and healer and that he spent his spare time helping other Cherokee speakers understand the language.

“He helped so much that he earned the nickname, ‘Walking Cherokee Dictionary.’ He loved visiting the Holy City of the Wichitas where he is a citizen, stopping by to see his friends and to help as much as possible at the Cherokee Master Program.”

According to a 2014 Associated Press story, Vann was one of an estimated 50 Cherokee monolingual speakers in eastern Oklahoma that year. It states that he was a descendant of Andrew Ross, the brother of Cherokee Chief John Ross, who led thousands of Cherokees to Indian Country during their forced removal from the southeastern United States.

It also states he grew up in Greasy, a predominantly Cherokee community in eastern Oklahoma, and learned some

11

Cherokee veterans awarded Medal of Patriotism

KRISTI EATON/ASSOCIATED PRESS In this 2014 Associated Press photo, monolingual Cherokee speaker Mack Vann holds the start of a handmade bow in the backyard of his Briggs home. Vann was one of the last monolingual Cherokee speakers.

BY STAFF REPORTS

MAY 1, 2019 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX

English in school but dropped out after the fourth grade to help with the family farm and slowly lost the ability to speak it.

In the 2014 story, he said he was too old to learn English and friends and family helped him translate when he needed help.

Speaking through a translator for the story, the United Keetoowah Band citizen said he would like more children to learn to speak Cherokee and that he spoke with two young children on a regular basis in hopes of helping them learn the language.

“Everybody is just changing their ways and not really concentrating on our culture,” he said in the story.

His obituary states he attended “as many hog fries as he could and loved taking pictures with the buffaloes.” His additional hobbies included, hunting, fishing, playing pool and visiting the casino, the obituary states.

Mack is survived by his daughter, Lisa Christine Vann-Christiansen; grandchildren, Ciarre and Cherise; greatgrandchildren, Bobbie and Izabella; and special friends, John Bunch, Leon and Sue Buckhorn. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of other relatives and many friends.

A visitation was held April 25 at the New Baptist Church in Greasy. Funeral services were slated for April 26 at the Cedar Tree Baptist Church in Briggs.

Interment was to follow in the Rocky Point Cemetery in Sequoyah County.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Parsons-Canoe-Beggs Funeral Home in Collinsville.

TAHLEQUAH – Three U.S. Army veterans were awarded the Cherokee Nation’s Medal of Patriotism on April 15.

The CN citizens, honored as Cherokee Warriors, were awarded the medals during a ceremony that has become a staple of monthly Tribal Council meetings. Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden, a U.S. Navy veteran, presided.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank you sir for your service to this country,” Crittenden told the first honoree, Army veteran Lee Chewey, of Broken Arrow.

Lee Chewey Chewey enlisted in 1964, then later served two tours in Vietnam. He was assigned to a unit responsible for “immediate response worldwide in hostage rescue and other emergency crisis situations,” according to the CN. He retired from the military after 22 years with the rank of master sergeant.

“I grew up near Stilwell, Oklahoma,” Chewey said. “I moved away from there in 1960 when my grandmother died, and I’ve been gone a long time. It’s good to come back and see what Cherokee Nation is doing for the Cherokee people, and this is a part of what they’re doing, recognizing veterans. So keep up the good work.”

Chewey’s military honors include: • Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal; • Meritorious Service Medal; • Army commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; • Army Achievement Medal; • Army Good Conduct Medal 6th Award; • National Defense Service Medal; • Vietnam Service Medal; • Vietnam Campaign Medal; • Gallantry Cross with Palm Branch;

• Parachute Badge; and • Pathfinder Badge.

A Medal of Patriotism was also bestowed upon Army veteran Jewell D. Garrison, of Oklahoma City.

“I’m so proud of my heritage,” Garrison said.

Garrison was drafted into the Jewell D. Army in 1953, then Garrison was later shipped to Schwabisch Gmund, Germany, for a tour of duty.

“Mr. Garrison returned stateside, and was honorably discharged as an E4 corporal in 1955,” Crittenden said.

Garrison’s military honors include: • American Campaign Medal (Germany); • National Defense Medal; and • Army Good Conduct Medal.

Korean War veteran George W. Tipton Sr., of Pryor, was the evening’s final honoree. He entered the Army in 1952.

During his tour overseas, Tipton was a battalion mail clerk in charge of delivery George W. to soldiers stationed Tipton Sr. north of the 38th parallel, according to the CN. Tipton returned stateside and was stationed at Camp Carson in Colorado when he was honorably discharged in 1954 as an Army corporal.

Tipton’s military honors include: • Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars; • United Nations Service Medal; • Army Good Conduct Medal; and • National Defense Service Medal.

12

CHEROKEE PHOENIX • MAY 1, 2019

Culture • ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᎤᎯ • anszT 1, 2019

Champions of Cherokee culture flourish back East

BY CHAD HUNTER Reporter

CHEROKEE, N.C. – Experts who specialize in Cherokee history, storytelling, dance and artistry are preserving their tribal ways in western North Carolina and Tennessee.

The Ambassador In a dimly lit museum alcove, 24-yearold Jarrett Wildcatt quietly weaves a twine bag three days in the making.

“I don’t really try to sell anything,” he said. “I can’t really make anything fast enough. Like I tell people, I make it when I make it.”

As an artist, storyteller, pottery maker and general ambassador of Cherokee culture, Wildcatt enlightens visitors to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

From the nearby Wolftown, Wildcatt is an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians citizen and a member of the culturalpromoting group called “Cherokee Friends,” noted for its expertise in tribal dance, music and hands-on craft workshops.

“I’ve been doing this for about two years,” Wildcatt said of his weaving. “I learned the basic style of twine weaving.

From there I just learned different patterns, different colors. I just kind of do my own thing with it really.”

On this day, Wildcatt is using hemp twine. “Besides that we could be using tree bark,” he said. “As long as it’s strong and durable, we can use it.”

Wildcatt has also performed with the “Warriors of AniKituhwa,” a group that brings to life the Cherokee War and Eagle Tail dances.

“Mostly we’re just doing dance educational programs,” Wildcatt said.

“We’re not usually setting up our crafts or anything like that. But when I do get the chance, I usually just sit and talk about what I’m doing.”

The Ethno-historian Draped in historical Native American attire, fellow EBCI citizen Mike Crowe recalls his transition from military life to roles with the 18th century-themed Oconaluftee Indian Village and “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama.

“When I came back to town, I just kind of invested myself in the culture at the village,” Crowe said. “Then, a couple years later, I started working at the drama also. Then I started dancing with the ‘Warriors of AniKituhwa’ a few years later. So I just never looked back.”

Crowe, 36, can trace his family back to the 17th century. Since 2006, he has

PHOTOS BY CHAD HUNTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX Richard Saunooke, 73, works on a leather hunting bag on March 28 in Cherokee, North Carolina. Saunooke has been creating historically accurate Native American dress and crafts for more than five decades. performed lead roles in the outdoor drama, which tells the eastern Cherokee story from 1780 to the 21st century.

“It’s helped me in my life individually as a person to live the right way like we’re supposed to as Gaduwa people,” Crowe said. “It’s also opened some doors for employment opportunities.”

Like Wildcatt, Crowe is a “Cherokee Friends” member.

“This is a dream job,” he said. “It’s living the culture. We kind of pull from all facets of the culture. We’re pretty multi-faceted individuals ourselves for the most part.”

Crowe now describes himself as an ethno-historian.

“We all have more than one area we work in,” he said. “We offer workshops with pottery and things like that. We do traditional dances with patrons. We also do things like guided tours through the exhibit and into the collections room, which is kind of a unique experience.”

The Craftsman With proven dexterity, Richard Saunooke’s weathered hands create historically accurate Native American dress and crafts.

“I recreate a lot of historical pieces,” the 73-year-old from Cherokee said. “It’s kind of a ‘living history’ thing. I’ve been

doing it over 50 years now.”

Saunooke, an EBCI citizen, is skilled in the art of beadwork, woodwork, leatherwork, quillwork and painting.

He creates items ranging from medicine bags to shields.

“Leather is what I do more than anything,” he said. “I even have them come all the way from Oklahoma to get my moccasins.”

Saunooke has demonstrated his craft at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, among other locations.

“You should see the kids when they come up and they can touch the pieces, get it explained to them firsthand and watch how it’s made,” he said.

Saunooke was born and raised in Chicago, but moved to North Carolina in the mid-1980s to live on land owned by his father. While in Chicago, he attended the annual “Feast of the Hunters’ Moon Festival,” a historic re-enactment of 18th century life in West Lafayette, Indiana.

“It’s probably one of the biggest living history-type events in the country,” he said. “They have the fife and drum corps, the soldiers, the canons, the whole thing.

I did that 42 years straight.”

The event inspired Saunooke to create his accouterments for the French and Indian War era, which he wore to the festival.

ABOVE: Mike Crowe, 36, on March 28 stands outside the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, North Carolina. Crowe has spent years promoting the Cherokee culture in the outdoor drama “Unto These Hills,” which tells the Cherokee story from 1780 to the 21st century. BELOW: Jarrett Wildcatt, 24, uses hemp to weave a bag on March 28 at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in North Carolina.

“I was a blanket trader,” Saunooke said. “I’d make whatever and sell it off the blanket.”

For decades he’s researched eraspecific artifacts with the goal of perfecting techniques to create them. He uses glass beads, feathers, fur, porcupine quills, hides and bone. Saunooke collects some materials from the wild and barters for others.

“A lot of it’s just studying it,” he said.

“I can look at something and figure out how it’s done.”

CHEROKEE PHOENIX DISTRIBUTION POINTS CN Environmental Programs: Tahlequah 208 E. Allen Road CN Tag Office: Catoosa 16200 E. Skelly Dr. CN Tag Office: Collinsville 105 E. Main CN Tag Office: Adair 215 W. Main CN Tag Office: Jay 1178 W. Cherokee CN Tag Office: Tahlequah 120 E. Balentine Road CN Tag Office: Sallisaw 1502 W. Chickasaw CN Talking Leaves Job Corps: Tahlequah South Bald Hill Road CN Career Services: Tulsa 10837 E. Marshall St. Ste. 101 CN Department of Transportation: Tahlequah 17812 W. Persimmon St. CN Health Administration Claremore Hospital 101 S. Moore Ave. CN Male Seminary Rec Center: Tahlequah 1123 W. 4th St. CN Mankiller Health Center: Stilwell Hwy 51 East CN Redbird Smith Health Clinic: Sallisaw 301 S. J.T. Stites Blvd.

CN Jay Community Clinic 1015 Washbourne CN A-Mo Health Clinic: Salina 900 N. Owen Walters Blvd.

CN Will Rogers Health Center: Nowata 1020 Lenape Dr. CN Three Rivers Health Center: Muskogee 1001 S. 41st St. E. CN Ochelata Clinic 395200 W. 2900 Road CN Vinita Clinic 27371 S. 4410 Road CN W.W. Hastings Hospital: Tahlequah 100 S. Bliss CN Career Services: Tahlequah 17675 S. Muskogee Ave. CN Career Services TERO Office: Tahlequah 16389 S. Muskogee Ave. CN Career Services: Stilwell 3rd and Oak CN Career Services Literacy Center: Tahlequah 17822 S. Muskogee Ave. CN Career Services: Pryor 2945 Hwy 69A CN Child Care & Development Center: Tahlequah 16947 W. Cherokee St. Cherokee First: Tahlequah 17675 S. Muskogee Ave.

CN Veteran’s Center: Tahlequah 17675 S. Muskogee Ave. CN Community Tourism: Tahlequah 215 S. Muskogee Ave. Tribal Council Office: Tahlequah 17675 S. Muskogee Ave. Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Tahlequah 1500 Hensley Dr. Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Sallisaw 2260 W. Cherokee Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Jay 109 13th St. Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Claremore 23205 S. Hwy 66 Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Stilwell 160 Alyene Dr. Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Locust Grove 320 Willard Stone Circle Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation: Pryor 100 Cherokee Heights Cherokee Casino South Coffeyville 230 S. County Road 414 Cherokee Casino Tahlequah 16489 Hwy 62 Cherokee Outpost Tahlequah 17725 S. Muskogee Ave. Cherokee Casino Ramona 31501 US Hwy 75 Cherokee Casino Roland 205 Cherokee Blvd.

Cherokee Casino Sallisaw 1621 W. Ruth Ave. Cherokee Casino Fort Gibson 103 N. Georgetown Road Cherokee Casino Inn Roland 207 Cherokee Blvd.

Cherokee Smoke Shop – Roland 205 Cherokee Blvd.

Travel Plaza – Roland 101 Cherokee Blvd.

Gift Shop – Tahlequah 17725 S. Muskogee Ave. Welcome Center – Tulsa 1620 E. Skelly Dr. Welcome Center – Kansas 59914 US Hwy 59 Gift Shop – Tahlequah 21192 S. Keeler Dr. Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs 24116 US 412 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: Catoosa 777 W. Cherokee St. Will Rogers Casino: Claremore 20900 S. 4200 Road Cherokee Casino Grove Hwy 59 and East 250 Road