New Years Day-offices closed 8/2 9/1 10/13 11/11 11/11 11/2711/28 12/13 12/25 12/31 12/31
FINANCIAL TRUST FUND
PEORIA TRIBAL DIRECTORY
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
aya eeweemilakakoki,
Hello my relatives,
This has been a year of transition and challenges that have tested our unity and resolve, but as always, our Tribe continues to move forward with strength. Like many governments and communities, we've faced some growing pains this year, but we move ahead with integrity and purpose, continuing to ensure programs for our citizens are funded and fully operating.
While we continue to address budgetary concerns to ensure our elder, burial and scholarship programs remain funded, the Business Committee has made the hard decision to put Peoria Ridge Golf Course on the market. At the same time, we are in the initial stages of bringing in a golf management company for loss prevention and technical assistance.
Construction continues on a number of projects, including our greenhouse, food distribution center and Buffalo Run's RV Park. We expect construction on our new Rockdale childcare facility, which will accommodate approximately 120 children and employ up to 25 people, to be completed by the end of this year.This project is fully funded through our Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) grant and will be a great addition to our community.
New programs and initiatives have also begun in
the past several months. We have received Johnson-O'Malley (JOM) funding, which allows theTribe to help fund supplemental educational expenses like tutoring, school supplies, college application fees and many others. All Peoria citizens Pre-K through 12th grade are eligible for reimbursement and applications are now open.
Our Peoria beef has continued to provide income for our Tribe, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work of Bob King, our ranch manager, who has given himself fully to this essential role. We are very proud to announce that our Peoria beef and bison are now being sold at our gift shop in the tribal headquarters.
Another initiative recently completed is fulfillment of the General Council directive to live-stream all of our Business Committee meetings. We are currently utilizing Microsoft Teams to broadcast, which balances transparency and security. I am very proud of this move to inform and engage our citizens, regardless of physical, social or economic barriers.
We have had several wonderful celebrations and gatherings in these past months; the Memorial DayTribute, our 28th annual Pow-Wow, and 4th of July events. During these gatherings, I find an opportunity to reflect as I become acquainted with my new role. I have, and will continue to, make it my mission to have an open-door policy as Chief. If any citizen has any questions or concerns or simply wants to learn more about ourTribe, please contact me at theTribal office. I want to play a role in making an open and positive future for us and our future generations. To those ends, you can expect more communication and frequent newsletters going forward.
I hope everyone has a great summer. kweehsitoolaani, I respect you, akima Dobbs Chief Dobbs
CONDOLENCES
Our deepest sympathies to the families of these Peoria tribal citizens:
Edward Franklin Grayson
Wanda Ellen Hanson
Linda Darlene Knighten
Laura Bea Lammers
Kenneth James Martin
Linda Sue Tadpole
Skylar Alyse Tate
Ashlie Sue Westbrook
Peoria Burial Assistance Benefit
The deceased must be an enrolled member of the Peoria Tribe to qualify for $10,000 in burial assistance. The application must be completed and returned with the original certified death certificate no later than 180 days from the date of death. Payment will be made directly to the funeral home. Please visit with the funeral home concerning this policy.
Visit online to apply: https://peoriatribe.com/burial/ Donna Harp, Tribal Programs Specialist at dharp@peoriatribe.com or (918) 540-2535 We are here to help you during your time of need!
JOHNSON O’MALLEY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
The Johnson O’Malley (JOM) program is a federally funded program authorized by the Johnson O’Malley Act of 1934. This act authorizes contracts to benefit eligible Indian students enrolled in public schools. These programs will be annual, and each incentive is subject to availability. Meaning at any time the amount of the incentives, the availability of the incentives could change or no longer be available.
The purpose of the JOM program is to ensure that Peoria children receive educational opportunities that would not otherwise be provided by the public school system. Providing additional educational incentives helps lower dropout risks (i.e. Additional tutoring), promotes academic achievement and provides financial relief for families.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Student must be ages Pre-K through 12 grade according to the JOM Act regulations th Student must either be ¼ degree Indian blood, blood descendants of a member of an Indian tribe or be an enrolled member of a Federally recognized tribe to be eligible for the JOM program. Student must not be enrolled in a Bureau funded school, private school or sectarian school to be eligible. Student must live in the United States service area and be enrolled in an accredited public school.
Student must be an enrolled member of the Peoria Tribe.
JOM APPLICATIONS
The application and completed paperwork, with all the required documentation must be submitted with a valid tribal ID and signed by legal representative of the student. Applications can be downloaded from the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma website or picked up at Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma headquarters. The submission date of the application will be the date application was received at the tribal office. Please make sure all applications are postmarked before any deadlines.
Deadlines for Academic Incentive program, Chrome book Fees, Graduation Assistance must be submitted before June 30 of the academic year.
HIGH SCHOOL/SENIOR GRADUATE ASSISTANCE: CAP, GOWN,TASSLE, SENIOR PORTRAITS, SENIOR GRADANNOUNCEMENTS (UPTO $150.00 ONE TIME)
Students need to submit a completed application withVendor name, address andW9 for payment going directly toVendor or submit original receipts andW9 for reimbursement.
LETTERMAN JACKETS (up to $150.00 ONE TIME)
Students need to submit a completed application withVendor name, address andW9 for payment going directly toVendor or submit original receipts andW9 for reimbursement.
CHROME BOOK INSURANCE/USER FEES: (Max $30 One application per year per student)
Students need to submit a completed application withVendor name, address andW9 for payment going directly toVendor or submit original receipts andW9 for reimbursement.
COLLEGE
CONCURRENT CLASSES: (Max $300 yearly per year student)
Student must be enrolled in an accredited high school and enrolled in college courses during the same year. Schedules must be submitted from high school and college of current academic year.
PRIVATE
TUTORING/SPEECH THERAPY: (MAX $150 A YEAR)
Students who participate in private tutoring outside of the public school are eligible.
ACADEMIC INCENTIVE: (Grades Pre-K- 12)
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1 grade-3 grade $25 with “Satisfactory” or 2.5 GPA and up
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4 grade-8 grade $50 with a 2.5 GPA - 3.5 GPA
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4 grade-8 grade $100 3.6 GPA - 4.0 GPA
th th
9 grade-11 grade $50 with a 2.5 GPA -3.5 GPA
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9 grade-11 grade $100 with 3.6 GPA – 4.0 GPA
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12 grade $100 with a 2.5 GPA-3.5 GPA
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12 grade $150 with a 3.6 GPA - 4.0 GPA
SCHOOL FEES (MAX $100 A YEAR)
Band equipment rentals,Vo-Tech supply fees,ACT/ SAT, College application fees etc.
For questions about this program, please contact: Raylynn Nair at rnair@peoriatribe.com or call (918) 544-9287
backpack giveaway backpack giveaway
Buffalo Run Casino and Resort Ampitheater
1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami, OK 74354
August 2, 2025 starting at 8:00 am
Ages Pre-K thru 6 Grade th
Open to the Public
Please note: Peoria Citizens will be able to fill out a form to ensure they get first selection. The form will be available beginning July 14, 2025.
Dr. Jessica Blalock, D.O.
OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
Daughter of George Blalock Jr. and Granddaughter of George “Tudge” Allen Blalock Sr.
Dr. Cassie McCoy, D.O.
OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
o n g r a t u l a t i o n s
L to R: BC First Council Nick Hargrove, Chief Rosanna Dobbs, Dr. Jessica Blalock, BC Treasurer Jason Dollarhide, BC Second Chief Paul Attocknie, Jr.
Chief Rosanna Dobbs blanketing
Dr. Cassie McCoy
Julia Kemp
Northern Arizona University, Master’s in Career and Technical Education.
Paige Conrad Charles Page High School
Dr. Hannah Myers
Pittsburg State University, Dr. of Nursing Practice with the Emphasis in Nursing Education. Daughter of Scott and Katherine Myers
Reagan Conrad
Oklahoma State University
“It is time to chase every dream, accept every challenge, strive for greatness, honor every promise, and recommit to your community.”
~Lebron James
Kellan James Stiles Piner High School 2 0 2 5 G r a d u a t e s
Zoe Hope Winterset High School
Madeline Walker Byrd Aston High School
The Peoria Tribe is currently in the process of refining our strategic plan and would like to invite you to share your suggestions and feedback. Your unique perspective can help us identify areas for growth and ensure we align our initiatives with the needs of our tribal community.
It is extremely important for the tribe to gain input from as many citizens as possible and from as many states as possible. Your priorities and needs may be vastly different from those citizens living across the nation. Our goal is to develop a plan that guides the Tribe’s planning and decision-making in a way that provides for the future of the Peoria Tribe with courage and integrity. Your input will help us do just that!
We are using a 9-question online survey tool to collect the necessary data, which should only take about 3 to 5 minutes to complete. If you or someone you know does not have access to complete the survey online, a printed copy can be mailed out upon request.
All surveys must be completed by 4:30 pm on August 29, 2025.
To complete the survey, you can scan the QR code below or go to the provided link. We will also have a link on the Peoria Tribal website.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Annette Clark at our Communications Office at (918)544-6377, or you can email her at aclark@peoritribe.com
MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE
This year’s Tribute was a wonderful day with good people, good food, and cold weather. Yes, that’s right, on Monday, May 26th the temperature was a surprisingly, chilly 64⁰ but felt like 53⁰ - it was wet and cold!
This rainy, gray day may have
impacted participation as we had 50 people when we typically have about 80. All was well though and we were still able to give a few tours of the Old Peery Family Cemetery which is now located on private property. We are so thankful to that property owner for allowing us access to this incredibly important place that means so much to our Nation.
The PeoriaTribe would like to thank all veterans and military personnel for their service. The Tribe would also like to thank the following individuals for their assistance in making this year’s Memorial DayTribute a success:
ChiefDobbsandtheBusinessCommittee
TosanWessFarless
StevaYoung(Peoria),andFlintTyner(Cherokee)
Jonny Sky (Peoria),Tonya Matthews (Peoria), and VeronicaFletcher(Peoria)
Mike Martin (Cherokee/Osage) &The Boyz, aka theTribe’sgroundscrew
Citizen Veterans, Veterans, and all citizens and guestswhojoinedusfortheday
PEER RECOVERY TEAM UPDATE
The Peer Recovery Services office has experienced a rapid and transformative growth spurt over the past 16 months, expanding from a single Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) to now employing twelve staff members. The 988 team is comprised of our program manager, a licensed therapist, five certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists, two Recovery Outreach Specialists (ROS), two Recovery Assistants (RA), and, most recently, a Cultural Liaison.The PRSSled program has implemented a structured and inclusive approach that offers culturally responsive behavioral health support services to at-risk tribal citizens of all ages. The team provides a variety of services, including, but not limited to, therapy sessions with our statelicensed Tribal Response therapist, access to Peer sessions and Peer Support Services, referrals, and linkages to care, and numerous other support services, as well as access to resources. The department has several subprograms. These include our harm reduction program, reentry program, and youth prevention program. Cumulatively, through these programs, we have been able to reduce harm and lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases, providing a diversion option to individuals by
allowing them to seek treatment instead of facing jail or prison time.
Additionally, through several local schools, we have developed and implemented prevention programs and hosted outreach events to reach and engage young people across Ottawa County. As we’re sure many of you have noticed, the 988 Building/Recovery Services is an ever-evolving, almost living, organism. Due to the nature of our field, it is paramount to adapt to change and update information and modalities that are constantly evolving. We would like to thank the entire Peoria Team for their support and encouragement as we continue our mission of helping people and serving the community.
EPA'S FLOODED HOMES CLEANUP GUIDANCE
The EPA's Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance provides step-by-step instructions for homeowners tackling flood damage. It covers essential topics such as safely reentering your home, identifying potential hazards like mold and asbestos, and detailed cleaning procedures. The guidance emphasizes the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N-95 respirators, gloves, and goggles, to protect against contaminants. For more information, visit the EPA's Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance page. Which can be found at As the year unfolds, homeowners are seeking more than just aesthetics—they desire functionality, sustainability, and a deep emotional connection with their spaces. Here are the top interior design trends shaping 2025:
It also contains information on funding resources, creating a safe workplace, first aid, trash disposal, and renter-specific information.
Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning a Flooded Home
Cleaning your home after a flood can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. But with careful planning, safety gear, and the right materials, you can take steps to restore your home safely. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers detailed Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance to help homeowners handle the process step-by-step.
Step 1: Safety First
Bringing the outdoors inside continues to dominate, with organic textures, houseplants, and sustainable materials like reclaimed wood and natural stone enhancing spaces. The goal? A calming, nature-inspired ambiance.
Step 2: Remove Water and Mud
From voice-controlled lighting to smart mirrors, technology is seamlessly blending with design to create personalized, efficient living spaces. Expect to see AI-driven home automation take center stage.
Step 3: Throw Away Damaged Items
Soft browns, muted terracottas, and moss greens are making a comeback, adding warmth and coziness. These hues complement both minimalist and maximalist interiors, creating timeless, welcoming environments.
Step 4: Clean and Disinfect
Scrub hard surfaces with soap and clean water. Then disinfect with a solution of 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. EPA cleaning tips.
Step 5: Dry Everything Completely
Open windows, use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out your home. Mold can grow within 24–48 hours, so drying quickly is critical.
Get Started with Confidence
Visit the EPA’s Flooded Homes page for printable checklists, videos, and multilingual guides to walk you through each phase. Cleaning a flooded home is tough—but by following trusted guidance and using the right tools, you can begin rebuilding safely.
Scan here to access this article and all included links
BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETINGS
NOW LIVE STREAMED
During the 2025 General Council Meeting of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, the Tribal Council voted to start live streaming the monthly Business Committee Meetings by June 1, 2025. The Tribe investigated various options to utilize a portal for tribal citizens to sign in to each meeting; however, all options proved to be very expensive. To meet the deadline established by General Council, the BC decided to utilize Facebook Live to stream the June 1 and June 18, 2025, meetings. Based on input from Peoria Citizens and the BC members, the decision was made to move the July 1, 2025, meeting to the Microsoft Teams platform. This allows the participants for the meetings to be vetted in the enrollment department, then a meeting invitation is sent out via email with the meeting link.
If you would like to participate in viewing the live-streamed meetings, please submit your preferred email address using the form pictured below. If you do not want to participate in the BC meetings but DO want to receive correspondence from the Tribe via email, this form can be used for that as well.
This form can be found on the Peoria website at: https://peoriatribe.com/ wpcontent/uploads/Emailsubmission-fillableform.pdf or just scan the QR code below
To submit your form, just email it to our Communications Manager, Annette Clark at aclark@peoriatribe.com or call her at (918) 544-6377 for any questions.
Natural Resources Department Updates
EARTHDAY FUN & FRIENDLY COMPETITION!
April 22nd marked Earth Day, and we celebrated in style! The Natural Resources Department hosted our third annual Earth Day event right here at the main office— and it was a blast!
This year, we launched an exciting new twist: The Pop Tab Collection Challenge!
From Earth Day through the end of August, each department will compete to collect the most aluminum pop tabs. Why tabs? Because we are recycling, and it helps support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House—and that makes everyone a winner!
At the end of summer, we’ll hold a weigh-in to see which department collected the most, then donate them all to a local Ronald McDonald House.
Want to get involved from home?
We encourage all Citizens to start their own collection! Grab a jar, collect those tabs, and recycle with a purpose. You can also check out local charities near you that accept pop tab donations.
Let’s keep the Earth clean and the spirit of giving strong!
The morning kicked off with our nowtraditional clean-up along the Eight Tribes Trail, and as always, it was full of laughter, teamwork, and a little friendly rivalry. Participants competed for bragging rights (and trophies!) in categories like:
I spy Peoria employees cleaning up our environment. Can you find them??
TCAP Kicks Off Another Inspiring Summer!
Tar Creek Apprenticeship Program – Year 2 Begins with Big Ideas and Bright Futures!
We’re thrilled to share updates from the Tar Creek Apprenticeship Program (TCAP) — now in its second pilot year, which officially launched on June 2, 2025!
TCAP is a hands-on apprenticeship program designed by the Tar Creek Trustee Council Indian Tribes (TCTCIT) to reconnect Tribal youth with the natural resources and cultural heritage of the Tar Creek area. The program tackles the legacy of environmental damage from mining activities head-on, empowering Tribal high school and college students to become the next generation of ecological restoration leaders and cultural stewards.
What’s TCAP All About?
Participants dive deep into the science of restoration ecology, gain real-world experience, and even design their own restoration project proposals. But more than that, TCAP is about reclaiming connection to land, to heritage, and to purpose.
First Week Highlights:
The 2025 session kicked off with an unforgettable keynote by Eastern Shawnee’s Chief Wallace, who shared the powerful story of the local Tribes, their ancestral ties to the land, and the impact of mining, as well as the resilience and restoration efforts being led today. We’re excited to welcome three incredible Peoria women this year — Sarah, Audra, and Ella — who are already diving in headfirst!
Our Day with the Peoria Tribe
Morning Discussions with Chief, Nick, and PJ on Tribal governance, political structure, leadership, and vision for the future.
Mentorship Session with Bryce, the Tribal Administrator, who inspired the girls to reflect on their "North Stars" and personal goals.
Citizen Services Tour – They met the awesome team supporting the Peoria community, including Ray, who discussed scholarships and JOM programs.
At the Cultural Resource Center (CRC), they toured the classroom, kitchen, and most exciting of all, viewed Peoria artifacts! Charla spoke on Peoria history, while Wes shared the Tribe’s language revitalization efforts.
Lunch at Title VI was an opportunity to see how the program supports local elders and meet with Burgundy to learn about the THPO program.
The afternoon included a tour of Health & Human Services, a scenic drive past tribal properties, and a stop at Natural Resources to learn about the water lab and E. coli testing from MJ.
Then… off to the Aquatic Facility to meet Mara and see freshwater mussels and even learned how to inoculate fish with mussel glochidia (yes, they did that!). It was hands-on science at its best!
June 5 – TCTC Town Hall:
At our Town Hall session, students learned all about Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Response (NRDAR) and how the Tar Creek Trustee Council (TCTC) works to review and fund restoration projects.
Then it was time to step into leadership: students broke into work groups, reviewed mock project proposals, and had to decide which ones best aligned with TCTC’s remediation and restoration goals. Future trustees in the making!
June 25 – Aquatic Facility Trip and building Mussel Silos
The full TCAP crew headed to the Aquatic Facility again — this time to learn how to build mussel silos, a tool we’ll use to study mussels in local creeks safely. These silos are key to discovering which tributaries feeding into the Spring and Neosho Rivers are good candidates for future mussel restoration.
To learn more please visit. https://abtmeetings.com/TAR/
EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVENTURES
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program Updates:
March Conference: Focused on updates to the CCDF program, to prepare for the three-year plan for 2026–2028. We submitted for it July 1 . st
Annual Providers Banquet: The nine northeast Oklahoma tribes collaborated to host the annual Providers Banquet, celebrating childcare providers across four states. The Derby-themed event featured an inspirational speaker and a comedy show, providing a well-deserved evening of appreciation and recognition for childcare professionals.
Both KahNe and Woodland Learning Academy have submitted their applications for national accreditation. We are now in the observation phase and awaiting visits from accreditation reviewers.
At Woodland Learning Academy, a new shade structure was installed on the infant and toddler playground. This improvement provides a more comfortable and sun-safe environment for outdoor play, enhancing the daily experience
Current Enrollment
KahNe Early Learning Center: 12 children
Woodland Learning Academy: Infant/Toddler Rooms: 29 children; Preschool: 14 children; School Age: 36 children
Waitlist Total: 193 children
Family Engagement
Gardening Event: Our April family engagement activity focused on gardening. Families participated in planting a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers. It was a great opportunity to come together as a community and promote healthy habits.
For the May Family Meeting, we welcomed K.C. Walker, MA, LPC, RPT™, IMH-E®—a Mental Health Consultant from the Northeastern Tribal Health System—who presented a review of The Anxious Generation. The session focused on the impact of early technology use on children's mental health and offered valuable insights and strategies for families.
During Read Across America Week, our staff members and members of the community joined the celebration by reading to the children each day. This special week is dedicated to fostering a love of reading, and having familiar faces share their favorite books helps create a fun and engaging environment for our young readers. The children will enjoy a variety of stories while also building connections with the adults they see every day, making this a meaningful and memorable experience for all.
SELECTS PEORIA TRIBE AS THE 2025 PARTNER IN PROGRESS
NortheastTech’s Business and Industry Services (BIS) is proud to recognize the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma as the 2025 Partner in Progress. This distinguished honor reflects the Peoria Tribe’s unwavering dedication to advancing workforce development and career technical education, creating pathways for students to succeed in high-demand fields.
The Peoria Tribe has been a pivotal force in expanding educational opportunities and strengthening local industry partnerships, benefiting both tribal members and the wider community. Recently, the tribe made a generous contribution to Northeast Tech’s Afton Campus by providing state-of-the-art welding and metal fabrication equipment through the American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities grant. With nearly $200,000 in funding, this initiative enabled the purchase of a hydraulic shear, plate roll, and press brake, which have already transformed the welding program at the Afton campus.These tools have equipped student with valuable, hands-on experience that closely aligns with industry standards, empowering them with skills essential for careers in welding, fabrication, and manufacturing.
The addition of these advanced tools has dramatically expanded the program’s capabilities. Students now have the opportunity to work with the hydraulic shear and hydraulic press brake, which allow for precise cutting, shaping, and forming of metal componenents. These upgrades ensure that students complete the program with workforce-ready skills and the confidence needed to excel in the welding
and fabrication industry. Beyond enhancing the classroom experience, the Peoria Tribe has also extended a unique opportunity for Northeast Tch students to gain practical, onthe-job experience. By opening the doors to its Henley facility, the tribe has created a pathway for students to intern in the field of metal fabrication. This invaluable internship Experience allows students to apply their technical knowledge in a real-world setting, work alongside industry professionals, and gain insights into the day-to-day operations of a fabrication facility. Such experiences not only reinforce classroom learning but also build the professional competencies that employers seek.
The Peoria Tribe;s commitment to educational advancement goes beyond equipment and internships-it reflects a genuine investment in the future workforce. Their continued support has helped create an environment where students are empowered to pursue fulfilling careers and where tribal and educational partnerships thrive. Their dedication to increasing access to vital tools and knowledge aligns perfectly with Northeast Tech’s mission to prepare individuals for successful careers.
The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma exemplifies the true spirit of a Partner in Progress, and Northeast Tech is deeply grateful for their support, vision, and collaboration in shaping the future of career tech education in our community.
