eehiši iiyaayankwi 'where we are going' - Volume 21 Issue 4

eehiši iiyaayankwi where we are going

From the Desk of Chief Harper

Aya,

Let me begin by saying that I love the month of November. I have written in years past about the changing of seasons, the cooler air, the beautiful foliage, the hunts and all the stories this season brings. I enjoy all of these markers of time that confirm it is the month of November. Thanksgiving is in November. My wife’s birthday is in November. I love this month and the gatherings that come along with it. They are cherished staples in our lives that provide the setting for stories to be told and the scene for memories to be made. While these gatherings are a part of this month I love, they are but a sample of the events that made this November special.

November brings us Veterans Day and the annual gathering at our Peoria Cemetery to remember an end to the first Great War. We meet to hear from our honored veterans, remember those who served and since walked on in fellowship with one another on peaceful ground set aside for our Peoria People. This year we also gathered for a special Veterans Day Pow-Wow. Our Cultural Preservation Department, along with a tremendous Head Staff, celebrated and honored our community Veterans. During this year’s event, the Peoria Tribe formally and publicly honored battle wounded veterans and was named a Purple Heart Nation.

Lastly, this November brought the White House Tribal Nations Summit. A call was put out for tribal leaders from across the nation to convene at the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. There we gathered with America’s first Native American Secretary of the Interior to discuss the Biden Administration’s unprecedented commitment to meaningful consultation with federally recognized tribes. Corporately, Indian Country listened as both the President and Vice President came and spoke with us. Over the two day gathering Secretary Haaland brought panel after panel filled with cabinet level Secretaries to share a new spirit of commitment to First Americans from the Federal Government.

The common thread this month became clear to me as I wrote this letter--the impact made in our lives as we answer the call “to gather”. Whether we gather as families or as friends, when we gather as Nations or as a Nation, let us look forward to our next Peoria gathering.

Be Well, ChiefHarper

Kuiper Damascus Lee Farless

Bradley

Harvey Steven Lynn Landers

Mark

The Peoria Tribal Burial Assistance Benefit

The Peoria Tribal Burial Assistance Benefit is $10,000 per citizen.

All Burial Assistance Applications must be completed and returned with an original certified death certificate no later than 180 days from the date of death. All deceased must be enrolled members of the Peoria Tribe. Payment will be made directly to the funeral home. Please visit with the funeral home concerning this policy. This application is available online at peoriatribe. com/forms or by contacting the Tribal Programs Manager, Donna Harp via email at dharp@peoriatribe.com or by telephone at 918-540-2535 or 1-800-259-9987.

ELECTION NOTICE AND CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY

November 10, 2022

The Election Committee of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma announces a Tribal Election for the following positions in accordance with Article IX, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma approved August 13, 1997: Secretary, and Third Councilman on the Business Committee.

The annual election will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Peoria Tribal Administration Building, 118 South Eight Tribes Trail in Miami, Oklahoma. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Any member of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma shall be eligible to vote, provided the member is eighteen (18) years of age or over on the date of the election. Each member will be required to show proof of identification in the form of a government-issued photo identification showing their name to match the Official Voters’ List provided by the Tribal Enrollment Office.

The ballots will be counted and tabulated, and the results announced immediately. In the event no candidate receives a majority vote, the Election Committee will immediately call for a run-off election by announcing the time polls will open. Polls for a run -off election shall remain open for a period of two (2) hours. Balloting will continue (by call of the Election Committee) until one candidate receives a clear majority of total votes cast.

In accordance with Article XVI, Section 1(i) of the Election Ordinance, in the event only one candidate files for elective office, that candidate shall be declared elected. In the event a candidate is declared elected, it will not be necessary for the Peoria Tribe to conduct an election, by ballot, for that elective office. Furthermore, in the event a candidate is declared elected, that candidate shall assume office upon taking the Oath of Office.

In the event no one files for an elective office in accordance with the forty -five (45) day Declaration of Candidacy policy, the Election Committee shall issue a second Election Notice.

Candidacy Filing Deadline

All candidates must file their Declaration of Candidacy forms and pay the filing fee, in person, with the Election Committee or the Committee’s designated representative at the Peoria Tribal Office, 118 South Eight Tribes Trail in Miami, Oklahoma, during n ormal working hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday). The deadline for filing is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. *Candidates may provide a typed statement in person when filing for candidacy, or email a statement to ablair@peoriatrib e.com by the filing deadline; all statements will be printed exactly as submitted, and no additions or corrections will be made.

QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES

The following qualifications for candidates must be satisfied in accordance with the Constitution of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma:

Article IX, Section 5

Qualifications of Candidates – Any member of the Peoria Tribe who is at least twenty-five (25) years of age on the date of the election; and who has never been convicted of a felony in a court of competent jurisdiction, shall qualify as a candidate for membership on the Business Committee or Grievance Committee.

Any member of the Peoria Tribe who files for an elective office and is currently holding another elective Tribal office, will upon filing, immediately resign his or her present office. Resigning from a present office will apply only if the incumbent files for a different elective office.

Article IX, Section 6

Nominations – Nominations for the Business Committee and the Grievance Committee shall be filed with the Election Committee at least forty -five (45) days prior to the election in accordance with the Election Ordinance.

FILING PROCEDURES

Filing procedures are prescribed by the Election Ordinance and governed by the Constitution of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

Candidate For Office: Any qualified member of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma who desires his/her name to be placed on the ballot as a candidate for any elective office, shall file a Declaration of Candidacy form with the Election Committee or the Committee’s designated representative. The official form shall be provided by the

Peoria Tribe. The prospective candidate’s membership shall be verified by the Tribal Enrollment Officer and a background investigation conducted by the Election Committee.

Declaration of Candidacy: The Declaration of Candidacy shall be in writing in the form prescribed by the Election Committee and filed in person during normal working hours, at least forty-five (45) days prior to the election, at the Peoria Tribal office building or other designated location. No person shall be a candidate for more than one (1) position on the Business Committee at any time.

Filing Fee: There shall be a non-refundable fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) paid by prospective candidates for the elected offices. The filing fee shall be by cash, certified check, or money order, made payable to the Peoria Tribe. The filing fee shall be paid, in person, on the same date the prospective candidate submits his/her Declaration of Candidacy. This filing fee shall be deposited into the Tribal treasury for the use of the Tribe to defray all expenses incurred as a result of the ele ction.

Withdrawal: A person seeking an elected office may withdraw his/her Declaration of Candidacy by filing a written notice of withdrawal, in person, with the Election Committee or designated representative. The notice of withdrawal shall be filed during normal working hours at the Peoria Tribal office building or other designated location. Such notice shall contain the candidate’s name, address, and the position for which he/she is a candidate. Also, such notice shall be signed by the candidate and notarized. If a candidate withdraws after ballots have been printed, the Election Committee shall post notices to that effect at the voting place and within the voting booths and make a line through or otherwise obliterate the candidate’s name from the ballots. Any votes cast for a withdrawn candidate shall not be counted.

Verify

Qualifications

of Candidates: The Election Committee shall review all filings for the elected office to ascertain that the prospective candidates meet the qualifications set forth in Article IX, Section 5 of the Constitution of the Peoria Tribe. The Election Committee shall make these determinations no later than ten (10) days following receipt of the Declaration of Candidacy form. If the Election Committee determines that a person is not eligible to be a candidate, the Election Committee or designated representative shall notify that person in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, of their decision. That person’s name shall not be included on the ballot. The ineligible person may appeal, in writing, the Election Committee’s decision to the Business Committee at the next monthly meeting of the Business Committee.

Peoria Artist: Mary Martin

Peoria Artist: John David Ballard visit peoriatradingpost.com!

Peoria Artist: Kiyah Sisco

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

FLU DRIVE

Community Health Representative Shelby Betsey

On October 14th, Health and Human Services, Community Health, partnered with Northeastern Tribal Health System to host a Free Influenza Vaccination event for the community. A total of 32 flu shots were given to Peoria citizens, staff and community members between tribal headquarters and Woodland Academy.

During October 2022, the Peoria Tribe Health and Human Services team attended the Wyandotte Community Night Out to share services and connect with surrounding community.

early childhood

Fall brought a new fiscal year for CCDF (Child Care Development Fund). Our program client forms have been finalized and are in use. Our annual reporting will be completed during this summer quarter, with the ACF700 and the 696T both being due by end of year. We are also busy preparing the new CCDF Plan Preprint, which is due in January of 2023. A public hearing was held on November 21st, to receive public comment on the three year plan.

Woodland Academy Learning Center and Kahne Learning Academy enjoyed a beautiful, exciting fall. We brought the pumpkin patch to the children in October, allowing all the infants, toddlers, and preschool children at both sites to choose their very own pumpkin. We also hosted a trunk-or-treat at Woodland on Halloween morning. All of the departments within the Tribal government programs joined in on the fun to help the children celebrate!

Our family engagement component was busy this fall as well. We planned a variety of family meetings, including a body safety meeting, a fun night of stick ball with the most delicious traditional meal, and a family feast during the month of November to wrap up our fall quarter. This winter we have some cozy, engaging pl ans for our families! We will host our family conferences where parents will get to talk with their child’s teacher about their developmental progress so far. We are also introducing our fall/winter menu throughout our Early Childhood sites! Children will have the opportunity to experience new foods and food types.

After the new year we will begin to prepare for spring! The school age children will be here during spring break and will have a fun week planned for them.

natural resources

HOW DOES SNOW AFFECT GROUNDWATER?

Environmental Specialist

EPA 106/319 Grants - Mindy Walker

Water infiltration into the ground occurs most efficiently when the forest is dormant - November to March. Snow in winter, steady temperatures, and a gentle spring are the best scenarios for groundwater replenishment. As it melts, the snowpack provides a slow and steady flow of water into the soil.

Allyson Brownlee Muth, Ed.D.

FRESHWATER MUSSELS

Environmental Specialist Mussel Biologist - Regina Sapp

If you’re brave enough to hazard the cold, freshwater mussels are easy to find come wintertime. In the spring and summer, the trickiest part to locating them is rainwater—when the rivers flood, they fill with sediment that makes the water murky and the mussels nearly impossible to see, and when the water gets too deep, they’re hard to dive down to. By fall, the rains have settled, and by winter, the biggest obstacle to accessing freshwater mussels is the temperature of our local lakes and streams.

When searching for native mussels in the cold weather (or when fishing in it), it’s best to wear insulated waders or dry suits with insulated boots. It’s also best—and safest—to minimize your contact with the water. To do so, you can walk along the streambank, kayak, or canoe to a mussel site, then scan the water’s surface before stepping into it. To prevent hypothermia when out on the river, always check your waders and dry suits for holes before use, wear insulated neoprene gloves, and carry emergency supplies with you, including an extra set of towels, warm clothing, and an aluminized emergency blanket. Additionally, never go to the river alone.

In Oklahoma, many species of freshwater mussels are gravid—pregnant—in the winter. This makes it an ideal time for researchers to collect new mothers and their babies (glochidia) for laboratory use and for restoration and reintroduction projects. Some of the species the Peoria Tribe has searched for in the past include Washboard, Fatmucket, and Giant Floater. Washboard are found in the main tributaries of large, deep rivers, Fatmucket are found in shallow streams in gravel/silt habitats, and Giant Floater are found in silty ponds, lakes, or creeks.

All these animals can survive in extremely cold temperatures as long as they have access to flowing water and oxygen. Despite this, many species throughout the US are endangered, threatened, or imperiled, so it’s best to leave them where you find them and take a picture instead.

MUSSEL ASSOCIATED LEECHES

Environmental Specialist – Intern – Ashlyn Roten

Did you know? North America is home to one-third of the world’s freshwater mussel species? More than 70 percent of our mussels are endangered or have been driven to extinction by pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and natural predation from wildlife, viruses, and parasites. Today we will talk about one intriguing parasite, the mussel-associated leech.

Mussel-associated leeches refer to a recently discovered group of species in the family Hirudinea Glossiphoniidae. While leeches inhabiting the mantle cavity of freshwater mussels have been recorded since the late 1800s, it was initially regarded as an accidental phenomenon. There has been more discussion of them than ever before to try and understand why they are intertwined with the freshwater mussel and host fish’s life cycle.

In a recent study published by Nature Scientific Reports, scientists discovered seven new mussel-associated leech species which require freshwater mussel hosts to survive. Of the over 3,000 freshwater mussels tested, researchers found that 12% housed leeches. It is currently thought that they use freshwater mussels as a secondary host for shelter and to feed off their blood during earlier developmental stages, and freshwater fish as the primary host to reach maturity.

Bolotov, Ivan N., et al. “Freshwater Mussels House a Diverse Mussel-Associated Leech Assemblage.” Scientific Reports, vol. 9, no. 1, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52688-3.

Leeches inside a Freshwater Mussel

BLACK VULTURES

Environmental Specialist - Ashlyn Roten

Did you know? Black vultures can kill calves and other animals and damage property such as cars and buildings. Though black vultures are protected by federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be killed without a permit, it is entirely legal to harass them away from their roosting areas and encourage them to roost elsewhere if they are becoming problematic. They have been a regular seasonal issue at the Peoria Ranch; we have been working with the ODAFF to protect the cattle and calves here. We want to make sure Peoria Citizens are aware of how to protect their private herds!

Black Vulture Effigy

Here are some non-lethal techniques for getting black vultures to relocate:

• Loud noises

• Spraying with a garden hose

• Use of pyrotechnics

• Non-lethal shooting or propane cannons (good for large pasture settings)

• Effigies – real or fake dead vultures can be hung in the area to deter them. Hanging the bird upside down by its feet with the wings spread is the most effective method.

With larger roosts, harassment may need to be continued for 7-14 days for success.

Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Under Wing

The difference between Black Vulture and Turkey Vultures

Turkey Vulture Black Vulture

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HANDLING VULTURES:

If those methods are unsuccessful, Oklahoma farmers and ranchers can now obtain a free depredation sub-permit through ODAFF! This provides producers with five legal takes of black vultures at no cost to the producer upon completion of the subpermit application.

ODAFF’s online sub-permittee application: https://ag.ok.gov/black-vulture-sub-permittee-application/

For further questions or extensive depredation issues (which will require much more than 5 takes), contact ODAFF’s wildlife division at 405.521.4039 or blackvultures@ag.ok.gov. If you live outside of Oklahoma, contact your state’s department of agriculture.

PEORIA RANCH

Rangeland Support Specialist

Trey Seigrist

Fall calving season kicked off on August 8th. Currently, there are 146 new claves on the ground. The total number of cattle on the ranch is currently around 852 head. The Tribe has 15 bulls, 387 cows, and 450 calves (from newborns to steers ready for processing). Cattle working, vaccinating, weaning, and sorting was completed before November. On a normal year, we typically start feeding hay to pastures around the first of November; however, this year, with the severity of the drought, we started haying at the end of September. The ranch’s vertical mixer wagon allows us to mix our dry hay, corn silage bales, and rye silage bales together along with bulk commodities to our cows and be able only to feed what the cows can consume that day. With the dry conditions, we were able to have two ponds cleaned out! This will be a big help for the coming years, they are much deeper and, once the rains return, will hold much more water for the cattle!

Peoria Cow with Calves Spring 2022

Peoria Calf

Peoria Bull

HEALTHY AIR IN YOUR HOME

Environmental Specialist - EPA 105 Grant - La Shell Thomas

Protect Your Pipes – Depending on the region of the United States you’re in, you’ll need to protect your pipes from bursting this winter using tubular pipe wrap, rolled pipe wrap, or insulation fittings.

Time to Weatherproof – Weather stripping or installing storm doors and windows will prevent cold air from entering your home or heat from escaping it, reducing your power bills. Door sweeps are also an effective and easy way to keep the cold out. However, most heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation. While up there, ensure the attic is adequately ventilated to prevent mold and mildew.

Check Your Fireplace – Animal nests or creosote buildup in your fireplace can be hazardous. Have an annual inspection before building your first fire of the season. Also, soot and other debris build up in the chimney. Call a chimney sweep to thoroughly clean the chimney before your first winter use. You should also vacuum or sweep out any accumulated ash from the firebox.

Clean the Gutters – Cleaning your gutters is an essential part of winter prep. A good rule of thumb is to have the gutters cleaned as soon as the last leaves have fallen in the autumn. To prevent clogging, inspect and clean the gutters of leaves and other debris. Clean gutters will also allow melting snow to drain properly, helping keep moisture from leaking into your home. Check the attic and ceilings for staining from water leakage.

Protect Windows from Heat Loss – To help keep chilly air from leaking in through window cracks, swap out the lightweight summer curtains with thermal lined curtains or drapes. They’ll help keep your home warm and lower your heating bill. For the windows that don’t get direct sunlight, keep the curtains or drapes closed to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.

Don’t Forget Your Indoor Air! In our attempt to keep cold air out, we often forgo bringing fresh air in. Here are some ways to help keep the indoor air clean and circulating while we are all bundled up:

1. Keep your space clean with frequent vacuuming. Utilizing a HEPA filter will reduce airborne pollutants. Use non-toxic cleaning products, and if harsh products are needed, make sure the space is adequately ventilated.

2. Replace your air filters regularly!

3. Consider using an air purifier. Activated carbon filters are needed to remove gas, odors, and chemicals. Advanced technology enables some air purifiers to capture and kill even small pathogens like bacteria, viruses, pollen, smoke, animal dander, and other pollutants. When considering air purifing technology, keep in mind your purifier should match the capacity of the job, and avoid ozone causing air purifiers!

AQUATIC FACILITY

Environmental Specialist - Kyle Foster

Often times the bass in winter months will pull off-shore and lay in the lowest, deepest spot they can find off the banks of the pond. Fish like to hang near structures and humps at the bottom of ponds and reservoirs. These areas have the best combination of bait, rock, and residual grass leftover from fall. Since our ponds don’t typically have structure, these fish will school up and spend their time near previous nesting areas where the ground is uneven, and there are small piles of rock.

Fish and their feeding patterns typically change from summer to fall and from fall to winter. During the warm summer months, fish are active and constantly searching for food; but when the days become shorter, and temperatures start to drop, they become less predacious and start to preserve energy for the cold winter months. In return, the fish do not eat artificial food once water temperatures reach roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit. When these temperatures are reached, we will supplement natural live forage for the fish to consume over the winter. This ensures all fish have adequate opportunity to eat, grow and maintain optimal health for the spring spawning season.

Unaudited Summary Expenditure Budget Report

Summary Budget Comparison from 10/1/2022 through 10/31/2022

Unaudited

Account Title-20 All FY 20 Open Programs

ATG Covid 19 Cares Act

Total Current Budget YTD Actual Variance

Account Title-22 All FY 22 Open Programs (Continued)

Total Current Budget YTD Actual Variance

1,136,615.75 366,989.62 769,626.13 Title IV B 10,552.00 172.19 10,379.81

ATG CARES Welfare Assistance 29,894.00 25,596.26 4,297.74 Child Care and Development Fund 3,154,932.00 734,631.39 2,420,300.61 Higher Education Grant 228,426.00 62,251.00 166,175.00 Community Health Representative Contract 171,725.00 0.00 171,725.00 Energy & Mineral Development Program 73,218.00 48,812.00 24,406.00 Maternal Mortality Review 7,500.00 6,034.70 1,465.30 Family 1st PSSF 21,672.00 14,952.96 6,719.04 Language Media Production & Website Developer 50,000.00 17,270.00 32,730.00 DOJ - OVC 524,289.00 402,714.54 121,574.46 PPG EPA 400,868.00 313,505.56 87,362.44 Herd Development Grant Program 22,645.00 21,500.00 1,145.00 ICDBG Food Distribution Center 1,035,000.00 0.00 1,035,000.00

OLHCHH - Healthy Homes Grant 1,718,725.01 0.00 1,718,725.01

Aid to Tribal Government Contract 258,280.00 32,187.23 226,092.77 Promoting Safe & Stable Families 15,764.00 200.00 15,564.00 Covid Treasury 24,200,014.86 8,819,200.00 15,380,814.86 DOJ - OVC 231,094.00 7,581.61 223,512.39

ATG ARPA Funds 2,199,732.00 1,685,000.00 514,732.00 Opioid, Stimulant, & Substance Abuse Site-Bas 600,000.00 101,150.15 498,849.85 Indian Child Welfare Grant 106,125.00 101,043.00 5,082.00 Fish Hatchery Maintenance 241,500.00 40,000.00 201,500.00

Higher Education Grant 190,104.00 62,251.00 127,853.00 Endangered Species 94,000.00 0.00 94,000.00 Historic Preservation Grant 497,262.00 43,860.29 453,401.71

Account Title-23 All FY 23 Open Programs

Total Current Budget YTD Actual Variance

Tribal Transportation CRRSAA 112,659.19 110,693.60 1,965.59 Indian Child Welfare Grant 104,579.00 53,106.20 51,472.80 Elder Summer Reimb. Program 24,000.00 10,168.71 13,831.29 Community Health Representative Contract 188,834.00 0.00 188,834.00 Indian Reservation Roads 2% Planning Funds 7,765.90 6,691.85 1,074.05 Title VI Elderly Feeding Grant 146,760.00 130,114.41 16,645.59 HIP ARPA 149,863.00 109,770.25 40,092.75 Dickson Mounds Museum 100,000.00 0.00 100,000.00 Tribal Youth Development-Aquaculture 47,564.00 47,071.69 492.31 DOJ - OVC 231,092.00 0.00 231,092.00 Invasive Species 71,500.00 58,152.51 13,347.49 Workforce Development Program

1,530,000.00 0.00 1,530,000.00 Fish Hatchery Maintenance 291,050.00 176,130.22 114,919.78 Indirect Cost Pool 1,290,000.00 662,514.81 627,485.19 Endangered Species 88,000.00 41,042.77 46,957.23 Cultural Preservation-Education 408,587.00 143,119.07 265,467.93 National Park Service Grant 497,262.00 0.00 497,262.00 Department of Commerce 500,271.00 142,029.54 358,241.46

CCDF - CRRSA 1,891,983.00 1,891,248.84 734.16 Tribal Properties 1,388,532.00 322,888.81 1,065,643.19 Child Care and Development Fund 2,955,090.00 2,849,961.62 105,128.38 Trading Post 52,384.00 4,918.99 47,465.01 Community Health Representative Contract 362,852.00 219,882.74 142,969.26 Building Lease 85,412.00 51,906.69 33,505.31 TOR Grant - Opioid Response 305,272.00 95,786.49 209,485.51 Cattle Farm Operating 604,401.00 453,736.62 150,664.38 Child Abuse Prevention Grant 205,705.00 117,887.73 87,817.27 Children's Christmas Special Revenue Fund 91,515.00 2,657.30 88,857.70 PPG EPA 365,192.00 332,291.03 32,900.97 Tribal Tags Program 84,924.00 53,704.74 31,219.26

ASARCO Settlement 126,563.26 92,109.76 34,453.50 Gaming Commission 535,000.00 238,038.34 296,961.66

Elder Care and Disability Reimbursement Program

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has established a program to aid the elderly and disabled population that could benefit from an additional funding source to supplement their households, and/or disability needs, without restricting or interfering with other government programs.

The Elder Care and Disability Reimbursement Program (ECDRP) will make available up to $2,500 per fiscal year (April 1st- March 31st) for eligible tribal citizens. Each eligible tribal citizen is limited to 3 requests for services per fiscal year, not to exceed maximum total of $2,500.

Eligibility:

• Individual must be a current enrolled living citizen of the Peoria Tribe, 65 years or older, evidenced by a Photo ID.

• Eligible adult tribal citizen must provide an award letter or benefit statement from the Social Security Administration (dated within last 90 days), to receive disability benefits. All Payments will be made to the representative payee as designated on Disability or SSI records.

• Minors or other disabled individuals already receiving Disability Social Security or SSI benefits payable to a representative payee, will be eligible for tribal reimbursement program

• Minors not receiving SSI benefits must have documentation of state or federal Determination of Disability to receive reimbursement.

• ORIGINAL RECEIPT(S), not copies, must be sent to the tribal office, and be dated within the fiscal year of the application date. All receipts must come from the vendor or service provider, contain the vendor’s contact information, and a detailed summary of product(s) and services.

• An approved application signed by applicant or legal representative must be on file. A new application is to be submitted each Fiscal year.

• Eligibility for both programs cease upon tribal citizen’s death.

of

“disabled.”