2023 Election Candidates and General Council Information

Election Candidates and General Council Information

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

PEORIA TRIBE TO HOLD ANNUAL ELECTIONS

The Election Committee of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma announces the Tribal Election for the positions of Secretary and Third Councilman. The term of office for both positions is four (4) years.

Candidates who have filed for the office of Secretary are:

Tonya R. Mathews

Jenny Rampey

Candidates who have filed for the office of Third Councilman are:

Isabella (Burrell) Clifford

Scott Myers

The annual election will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, will be at the Peoria Tribal Administration Building Conference Room, 118 South Eight Tribes Trail, Miami, Oklahoma, from 7:00 a.m. to 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 at each election 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 will be announced at the Annual General Council Meeting on Saturday, March 4, 2023, convening at 1:00 p.m.

Contact for more information:

April Blair, Administrative Assistant

918-540-2535

ablair@peoriatribe.com

CANDIDATES

FOR THE PEORIA TRIBE BUSINESS COMMITTEE

Tonya R. Mathews

Greetings, fellow Tribal citizens!

My name is Tonya (Stand) Mathews and I am running for a third term as Secretary of the Business Committee. It has been an honor to serve our citizens in this capacity for the last 8 years and I pray that I am able to continue to serve you for many years to come.

A little about me:

I grew up in Quapaw, OK but have lived in Miami, OK for the past 20 years. I have two children that are my absolute pride and joy. My daughter, Meika, is 22, and my son, Rhett, is 15. You can find both of them serving our people at our Tribal events. They take pride in our Tribe and look forward to being involved as much as possible.

I began officially serving our Tribe at the age of 20 when I was first appointed to the Election Committee. I served on the Election Committee for 10 years, where I was Chairman for 9 of those 10 years. I resigned from that position in 2014 - in order to serve as Secretary of the Business Committee. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to meet & know so many of you! I have truly learned so much, but I know there is still so much more to learn. Before my service to the Election Committee, you could find me and my family serving our Tribe at Tribal events, stomp dances, and pow-wows. I consider myself very lucky to have grown up in our Native community and to be able to be involved in and continue to carry on traditions that are so dear to me. Beyond serving our Tribe, I have also been blessed to be employed by our Tribe for more than 18 years. I originally began my employment with our Tribe as a summer youth intern from 1998-2002. After college, I returned to work for our Tribe in August 2004 as the Administrative Assistant to the Environmental Director. In 2006, I transferred to the Gaming Commission Department – beginning as the Employee Licensing Agent. In 2007, I was promoted to the role of Vendor Compliance Agent. In 2008, I was promoted to the role of Internal Auditor. In January 2013, I was promoted into my current role as the Executive Director - a position that I take great pride in!

Regarding my role as Secretary of the Business Committee, I believe in keeping an open mind and an open heart when any issue is brought to us because I know that no two situations are the same nor should they be treated that way. I took an Oath to uphold the Constitution of our Tribe and to protect our tribal citizens, which is not a task that I have taken lightly. In every decision I have made, I have put our citizens first and I will continue to do so. I promise to remain devoted to the needs of our Tribal citizens. My years in Tribal Government and the great relationships I have formed with other Tribal Nations have allowed me the opportunity to have many resources available. Please reach out to me to see how I can help you.

If you don’t know me or just want to know more about me, I invite you to do so. My contact information is available on the Tribal website. My door is always open, and my phone is always on.

I believe it to be a privilege to serve our people and I am so grateful to do so. Therefore, I humbly ask for your vote as Secretary of the Business Committee in our upcoming election on March 4th, 2023.

Thank you,

Tonya R. Mathews

Tonya R. Mathews #peoriapride #peoriaproud

Jenny Rampey

2023 THIRD COUNCILMAN CANDIDATES FOR THE PEORIA TRIBE BUSINESS COMMITTEE

Isabella (Burrell) Clifford

Fellow Peoria Citizens,

I am announcing my intention to run for re-election as the Third Councilman of the Peoria Tribe of Indians. I have been fortunate enough to hold this position on the business committee since special election June 2018. New to the BC the past four years has been full of learning the ropes of tribal government and operations.

During the COVID 19 pandemic the PTOI has faced uncharted challenges and unbelievable opportunities. We’ve seen huge growth in enterprise and employment along with furthering existing tribal programs. I have been able to serve on the Board of Commissioners at the Peoria Housing Authority the past 4 years as well. Through that leadership position I have been able to share in meeting so many of our local family needs through grant assistance programs. I feel greatly blessed to have been able to be a part of so much for our citizens and tribal growth.

I am a business owner in the town of Miami. I have my Masters in Science in Community Counseling and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I have grown up in Miami and remain here with my family of five. I have worked extensively with local families from all tribes. I am well aware of the resources and needs of this community.

I have chosen to lead my position with integrity, honesty and a curious spirit that has not backed down from questioning and challenging what more can be accomplished.

I would greatly appreciate your support to continue representing the interest of the citizens and the well being of the tribe as Third Councilman of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

Sincerely,

Isabella (Burrell) Clifford

Scott Myers

After voting, update your address and information with enrollment to stay up to date on Tribal Business!

Elder Care and Disability Reimbursement Program

The deadline for Elder Care and Disability Reimbursement is March 31, 2023 for this fiscal year.  Please have all applications with supporting documents postmarked by March 31, 2023 in order to be reimbursed for the fiscal year of 2023 (April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023).  All invoices, receipts, and bills must fall within the 2023 fiscal year of April 1st, 2022 through March 31, 2023.

As of April 1, 2023, any reimbursement request with receipts dated before April 1, 2023 will not be accepted.The new fiscal year 2024 will start April 1, 2023 and end March 31, 2024. All receipts and supporting documentation for Fiscal Year 2024 must be dated  between April 1st 2023 through March 31st, 2024.

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.

Insurance and Taxes:

• Life Insurance

• Home Owner’s Insurance

• Automotive Insurance

• Healthcare Insurance

• Personal Content Insurance for renters

• Property Tax

Note: ALL insurance/proof of ownership of property must be in the name of the eligible tribal citizen to qualify for payment.

Utilities:

• Electric

• Natural gas

• Propane

• Water

• Rent/Mortgage

• Trash services

• Telephone services

Note: ALL utilities must be in the name of the eligible tribal citizen to qualify for payment.

Health Care Expenses:

• Prescription eye glasses

• Dentures

• Medical Alert Service

• Prescription medication

• Health care deductibles

• Physician prescribed ambulatory product (wheelchair, cane, walker)

• Hearing aids

• Miscellaneous items prescribed by a physician

Note: ALL prescriptions and deductibles must be in the name of the eligible tribal citizen to qualify for payment

All denied benefits will be reviewed by a 3 person Review Committee comprised of the Chief and 2 accounting staff members. Individuals will not be permitted to receive benefits as both “elderly” and “disabled.” Applicants may only utilize one program.

You may also review the policies and procedures on the tribal website, or contact the office to receive a copy. If you have any questions feel free to contact Tribal Programs at 918-540-2535 at the Peoria Tribal office.

Application for Elder Care & Disability Reimbursement Program

PO Box 1527, Miami, OK 74355

918-540-2535

Tribal Citizen Name:_________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________ City State Zip Code

Phone Number: _____

(Only 3 applications will be accepted per tribal member per fiscal year)

Tribal Roll #:________ Birth date: ____/____/_______

(Attach copy of membership card)

Program Applying for: (check one)

Elder Care: ______ Disability: _____

Total of attached receipts: $_______________

MUST BE ATTACHED: (check list below)

Copy of Tribal Membership Card

Copy of Photo I.D.

Original Receipts of Purchases for items or services (stated in guidelines)

Disability applicants will also need: Award Letter, Benefit Statement or Determination of Disability documentation.

Date: ___________ Signture:_________________________________

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE/OFFICE USE ONLY

Date Received: __________ Membership confirmed: _______

Tag Office: What will I need to bring?

REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW TAG

• VALID OKLAHOMA DRIVERS LICENSE

• ORIGINAL VEHICLE TITLE (properly signed over and notarized)

• VALID CURRENT INSURANCE VERIFICATION (for *non-use vehicles, complete and submit the affidavit of non -use form)

*Non–use registration: a vehicle that is not running

• TRIBAL CITIZENSHIP CARD (not CDIB card)

• LIEN INFORMATION FORM (lien entry or release)

• PEORIA DISCLAIMER FORM

• BILL OF SALE (does not have to be notarized)

REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWALS

• RENEWAL FORM

• VALID CURRENT INSURANCE VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONALIZED TAG

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• COST $10