November 2012 - Cherokee Phoenix

Game On
Peek-A-Boo
Twelve Sequoyah football players can
play the final two games before a Nov. 7
OSSAA hearing. NEWS, 3
A Cherokee-owned petting zoo near
Lake Tenkiller is getting a steady
flow of business. MONEY, 8
November 2012 • cherokeephoenix.org
We Served
CHEROKEE
The Cherokee Phoenix continues to
honor Cherokee veterans through
feature stories and videos. NEWS, 4
184 Years of Cherokee Journalism
PHOENIX
CN to close
Washington
headquarters
The tribe will shut its D.C. office in
preparation for possible budget cuts
and hire a lobbying firm.
BY jAmI CuStEr
Reporter
Guests enjoy sports at the “Replay” media bar inside the new hotel tower at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tulsa. The bar features more than 50 high-definition television screens ranging from 32 inches to 103 inches and
a digital sports ticker above a bar that serves more than 50 beers. PHOTOS BY WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
New Hard Rock gaming,
entertainment tower opens
It replaces a portion of
the casino that was lost
in a 2011 blizzard.
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
CATOOSA, Okla. – As tribal officials
opened the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tulsa’s latest addition, they took a
moment to reflect on how far they have
come in 18 months and gave thanks for
their good fortune.
On Feb. 1, 2011, part of the Hard
Rock casino collapsed under the weight
of a record storm that dumped 12-15
inches of snow. As snow accumulated on
a casino section that was built 20 years
ago, an employee saw snow entering
the building from the roof. This led to
an evacuation of patrons and personnel
from the area before the collapse
occurred.
Cherokee
Nation
Enterprises
Executive Vice President Shawn Slaton
said the Sept. 28 opening ceremony
could have been different if employees
had not acted quickly and evacuated
people. He said about 15 minutes
after the evacuation, the roof caved in
covering games, card tables, a remodeled
sports bar and restaurants. No one was
injured.
Tribal officials used the collapse to
their advantage, cleared the collapsed
area and built a new 10-story hotel tower
and casino. The entire building is a nonsmoking area, including the 98 new
hotel suites.
Senior Director of Hospitality Services
Jon Davidson said having a facility that
is entirely non-smoking was a “strong
request” by guests, who also requested
more suites for the Hard Rock property.
He said the hotel routinely has a 90
percent occupancy rate.
In the two-story gaming and
entertainment area there are 500
electronic games, a 12-table poker room,
15 table games and the “Replay” media
bar that features more than 50 highdefinition televisions ranging from 32
inches to 103 inches, as well as a digital
sports ticker above a bar that serves
more than 50 beers.
There is also a food court where guests
can enjoy pizza at “Slice,” Mexican food
A 10-story hotel tower and casino at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is
expected to be complete this year. On Sept. 28, Cherokee Nation officials
opened the first two stories, which has gaming and entertainment areas.
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
OKLAHOMA CITY –The impact and contribution of
the 38 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma on the state
economy equals $10.8 billion, according to an economic
impact analysis released by Oklahoma City University’s Steven
C. Agee Economic Research & Policy Institute.
The ERPI study additionally found that tribal activities
support the equivalent of 87,174 jobs in Oklahoma, as well as
$2.5 billion in state income when multipliers impacts are taken
into account.
The report titled, “The Statewide Impacts of Oklahoma
Tribes,” was funded by several Native American tribal
governments to quantify the impact of tribal activities on the
state’s economy and was also founded and sponsored by the
Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
What we’re
gaining with
Cornerstone is
a higher level of
experience and
exposure...
See OFFICE, 5
The first floor of the new Hard
Rock Hotel & Casino tower holds
electronic games and card tables.
at “Salsa” and burgers, sandwiches or
breakfast at “Flipside.”
“It will be the best property in the
region by far. I don’t think you’ll find
anyone who will argue that point,”
Davidson said. “I’d like to thank our
guests for staying with us through the
trials of not only the collapse, the clean
up and demolition of the building, but
as well as the last year and a half or so
of building. I think you’ll find out it’s
turned out really, really nice.”
The next construction phase will be
the hotel tower that is expected to open
in late November to mid-December,
Slaton said, making Hard Rock Hotel
& Casino Tulsa the largest hotel in
northeast Oklahoma. The addition of
100 suites will increase the room count
to 454 rooms and suites.
The property will employ nearly 1,500
people when the tower is complete. The
cost for the entire expansion project is
$52 million.
See tOWEr, 3
Tribes’ impact on economy in billions
A study finds that tribes influence
the state’s economy by $10.8 billion
and support more than 87,000 jobs.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation will close its
Washington, D.C., office as of Jan. 1 with hopes to save money
and will hire in its place a lobbying firm on an “as-needed
basis.”
The office’s purpose is to monitor issues happening in
Congress such as laws, proposals and budget cuts.
“Things that would effect both favorably and unfavorably the
CN and its business,” CN Secretary of State Charles Head said.
In lieu of possible budget cuts coming down from Congress,
Head said the tribe chose to go into a “different direction”
regarding the office by closing
it and hiring a lobbying firm
“on an as-needed basis.”
He said Cornerstone
Government Affairs is the
firm the CN has chosen
to hire. The company was
founded in 2002 and has
offices in Washington, D.C.,
Louisiana, Illinois, Texas and
Mississippi.
“What we’re gaining with
Cornerstone is a higher level
– Charles Head
of experience and exposure
Secretary of State
for us and gain us access to
higher levels of government,”
Head said. “Although our guys were hardworking…we think we
can improve our position in Washington with a higher level of
experience.”
According to the CGA’s website, it has a team of “45 senior
professionals,” in which it puts “hundreds of years of collective
management, legislative counseling, communications, political
and government experience to work for a diverse group of
clients.”
“Our firm provides clients discreet and hands-on public
affairs, lobbying, strategic consulting, advocacy, and marketing
services,” the site states.
“This study represents the first time that economists have
attempted to quantify the total direct and indirect impact of all
tribal operations to the state economy,” Kyle Dean, associate
director and research economist at OCU’s Meinders School
of Business, said. “The results show that the tribes’ economic
activities positively impact the entire state of Oklahoma and
serve as a vital source of income and opportunity to residents
in the rural areas of the state.”
In addition to $6.7 billion in direct contributions to the local
economy from tribal businesses and government spending,
tribes accounted for $4.1 billion in spillover production of
non-tribal firms that support their operations. The total direct
and indirect economic impact represents 7 percent of the
state’s $148 billion total economic output in 2010, based on
figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Seven Oklahoma tribes participated in the study: the
Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
and Muscogee (Creek) nations as well as the Peoria and
Shawnee tribes.
See ECONOmY, 2
Oklahoma House
speaker, delegates
tour Nation
House-Speaker elect T.W. Shannon says
he wants to grow the government-togovernment relationship between the
tribe and state.
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The next speaker of the Oklahoma
House of Representatives, T.W. Shannon, and a team of state
representatives got a firsthand glimpse into the Cherokee Nation
and its services during an Oct. 9 tour of the Tahlequah area.
“It’s important our state lawmakers have a good understanding
of the services Cherokee Nation provides, and how those
services are an asset to all Oklahomans, regardless of whether
or not they are Cherokee,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker said.
“The best way to showcase all we do is through a personalized
tour, and we’re pleased these representatives are taking time out
of their busy schedules to visit our Nation.”
Speaker Shannon, R-Lawton; Rep. Tom Newell, R-Seminole;
Mike Jackson, R-Enid; and Fred Jordan, R-Jenks toured W.W.
Hastings Hospital, Sequoyah High School, Talking Leaves Job
Corp, Cherokee Elder Care, a new home construction project
and other CN sites.
“Whether it’s creating jobs or serving our citizens, the
See tOur, 2
Principal Chief Bill John Baker honors state Rep. Fred
Jordan, R-Jenks; incoming House Speaker T.W. Shannon,
R-Lawton; Rep. Tom Newell, R-Seminole; and Rep. Mike
Jackson, R-Enid, with tribal Pendleton blankets during
their Oct. 9 visit to Tahlequah, Okla. COURTESY PHOTO
2
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
NEws • dgZEksf
Roads crew finds Cherokee County cemetery
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
BARBER, Okla. – In this small community
in eastern Cherokee County, the Cherokee
Nation’s Roads Department while preparing
for a new project found a forgotten cemetery
in September.
Roads Department Director Michael Lynn
said his crew was acquiring right-of-way land
for utility placement and ditches when they
found two unmarked tombstones. He said the
stones were not disturbed and construction
had not started.
On Sept. 28, the CN brought in its groundpenetrating radar team and identified what
could be 61 gravesites in the area of the two
stones. Each possible grave was marked with
a small pink flag, and Lynn said it’s unknown
whether they are Cherokee graves.
CN Environmental Programs Director
Wayne Issacs said the tribe has hired Cojeen
Archaeological Services in Norman to perform
an archeological study of the possible cemetery.
He added that archeologist Christopher Cojeen
has done archeological work for the CN in the
past.
Past archeological studies usually involved
a shovel test to determine if artifacts were
present. However, this time Issacs said he was
unsure what tests would be performed. A
report of Cojeen’s findings will be presented to
Environmental Programs when it’s completed.
Oklahoma Archeological Survey archeologist
Bob Brooks said federal and state laws must be
considered before performing archeological
surveys of gravesites because they are protected
under both sets of laws.
“This would fall, state-wise, under cemetery
law, which means you should not disturb these
graves,” he said.
However, when there is no other alternative
than to move the graves, for example, when a
lake is being built, then graves can be relocated
to another cemetery, Brooks said.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation
officials said all regular full-time and part-time
tribal employees will receive an across-theboard 3 percent raise in fiscal year 2013 instead
of merit-based raises determined by supervisor
evaluations.
Treasurer Lacey Horn said the intent behind
the “uniform” increase is to “equitably promote
all employees, regardless of rank or title.”
“The cost of living adjustment for 2013,
according to a report from AARP, is expected
to be between 1.3 percent and 1.8 percent,” she
said. “The 3 percent base increase is well above
these estimates and is generous in comparison.”
The raises are slated to take effect the first pay
period of FY 2013, which runs from Oct. 1 to
Sept. 30, 2013.
All regular full-time and regular part-time
employees are eligible for raises. According to
the CN Merit Compensation Policy, “temporary
employees are not eligible” and “employees on
employment agreements will receive increases
TOUR
from front page
Cherokee Nation is a major economic force
in the state of Oklahoma,” Baker said. “Our
state policymakers vote on hundreds of bills
ranging from education to health care, so
when the 2013 Oklahoma State Legislature
convenes in January, it’s important for them
to understand the needs and contributions of
Cherokee citizens.”
Shannon will be the first African-American
to hold the position of House speaker and is a
citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. After the tour,
while being honored with a Pendleton blanket
and decorative Cherokee seal, Shannon said
he wanted to continue to grow the sovereign
2012
Chief Baker part of
tribal delegation
traveling to Russia
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
Pink flags mark 61 possible gravesites at a lost cemetery in eastern Cherokee County.
The Cherokee Nation’s Roads Department found the cemetery while preparing to
build a new road through the area. WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Brooks said rather than digging into the
ground for answers, Cojeen Archaeological
Services would need to perform detective
work on the cemetery by conducting archival
research and gathering oral history. Families
living in the area may help solve the mystery
of who is buried, and the CN could use its
networks to ask people to share any knowledge
of the cemetery, he said.
“At some point back through the deed records
I would think there would be some notation
of this being used as a cemetery,” Brooks said.
“This (archeological study) is going to be more
historical than archeological. You trace back
history. Was there someone important that
lived there or what’s the history that goes along
with what’s in the ground?”
He added that it’s possible the cemetery is
empty and the graves were moved long ago.
“The problem is the radar will treat an
empty location of a grave the same as it would
if someone were still buried there,” Brooks
said. “And sometimes they don’t remove all of
the headstones when they do that (relocate a
cemetery).”
He said another possibility may be the
cemetery was abandoned when people moved
from the area and headstones were later
removed and the cemetery was no longer seen.
If that’s what happened then the cemetery is
not a unique situation, Brooks said.
Lynn said his department would avoid the site
and doesn’t believe his crew has to significantly
alter plans for the road project. He said the
Tenkiller School Road Project is still slated for
a 2013 completion date. A three-mile stretch of
863 Road, located north of State Highway 100,
is to be widened, blacktopped and will connect
Welling and Rocky Mountain roads.
“Whatever the finding, we are going to avoid
the area,” Lynn said. “The Cherokee Nation
promotes preserving history and culture and
would never cause harm to a community
resting place.”
[email protected]
918-207-3961
tribe axes merit-based raises for FY 2013
BY jAmI CuStEr
Reporter
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
based on the terms of the agreements.”
CN Communications Director Amanda
Clinton said the amount of the across-theboard raises would not cost any more than the
merit-based raises.
She said the 3 percent raises for 3,184
employees is more than $3.9 million and that
all of the departments’ respective accounting
units budget a flat 3 percent merit increase in
their annual budgets.
“In the past, departments were allowed
to distribute the total merit budgeted per
accounting unit at their discretion,” Clinton
said. “This year it is a flat 3 percent per
employee unless it is lowered at the discretion
and justification of an executive director.”
Principal Chief Bill John Baker said he has
identified several things in need of improvement
since taking office and that merit increase is
one. He said it needs revising because it was
not being “applied fairly” to employees at the
highest and lowest levels.
“For example, under the current system, one
employee may have received a 7 percent merit
increase, while others in the same department
government-to-government
relationship
between the tribe and state.
“The Cherokee Nation, like many of our
tribal sovereign nations, is one of the great
business partners that the state has. I don’t
know of better corporate citizens than our
tribal governments,” Shannon said. “In the
Cherokee Nation, we’ve seen their investment
in health, investment in housing and the
corporate investment they’re making in rural
Oklahoma. I think our tribal governments,
particularly the Cherokee Nation, are some of
the greatest assets the state has.”
The other state representatives said they left
with a greater understanding about the CN
and its impact.
“Getting to come here and see a different
perspective has been extremely beneficial,”
Jackson said.
It’s important our state lawmakers have a good
understanding of the services Cherokee Nation provides.
– Principal Chief Bill John Baker
received no increase at all. Thus, the current
system is being reviewed for possible changes
in the next fiscal year,” Baker said. “In order to
create some fairness right away, however, I have
mandated that all employees across the board
receive a 3 percent merit increase for 2013.”
Salary, he said, is just one part of the “overall
benefits package” the CN provides.
“Cherokee Nation employees enjoy one of
the most comprehensive health, dental and
life insurance plans offered by employers, as
well as a 401K matching program, educational
opportunities and other fringe benefits,”
Baker said. “I deeply appreciate the work our
Cherokee Nation employees perform every
day. I look forward to revising the current
merit increase policy so that employees are
more fairly evaluated and rewarded for that
hard work, regardless of rank.”
Horn said there are plans to review possible
improvements to the merit system for FY 2014.
[email protected]
918-453-5560
ECONOMY
from front page
ERPI collected business and government
data from participating tribes, compiled the
data and extrapolated or extended it to all
Oklahoma tribes on a per citizen basis in
order to capture total tribal spending, business
revenues and employment figures. Then,
study authors used this data to determine the
multiplier effect of tribal economic activities–
the number of non-tribal jobs and income
supported by the tribes.
“We have always known that the tribal
operations and economic development
activities of the Cherokee Nation and the
other Oklahoma tribes have had a strong
positive social and economic impact on our
citizens and the entire state of Oklahoma,” said
Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “Now, this
groundbreaking study allows our contribution
to the state to be quantified. Going forward,
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – During the
awards ceremony for the Cherokee Art
Market on Oct. 12, Principal Chief Bill John
Baker announced he would be leaving Oct.
16 on a trip to Russia.
Speaking to room full of artists and their
families, he emphasized the trip would not
cost the Cherokee Nation “a dime.”
“I’m going over there because a delegation
from Russia came to the Cherokee Nation,
and they tell me that in Russia there’s lots
of new money and they are extremely
interested in Native America. They are
extremely interested in our arts and our
crafts, and I truly hope that I come back
with the possibility of opening up some
new markets for everybody in this room,”
he said.
He added a Russian company is building
an “Epcot-type” center in Russia that may
offer the possibility of having a Native
American-themed area. Epcot is one of four
theme parks built at the Walt Disney World
Resort in Bay Lake, Fla., that spans 300
acres and is dedicated to the celebration of
human achievement, namely technological
innovation and international culture. It is
often called a “permanent World’s Fair.”
Baker said the Russian delegation toured
the Cherokee Heritage Center during their
visit to possibly get ideas for their center.
Delegates from other Native nations also
have been invited to visit Russia this month.
Former state representative and Cherokee
citizen, Shane Jett, is also making the trip to
Russia as Executive Director of the Citizen
Potawatomi Community Development
Corporation. Formed in 2003, CPCDC
is a nationally recognized Community
Development
Financial
Institution
providing loans to Native American-owned
businesses.
“We will be participating in a cultural
exchange in Kaluga, Russia, just outside of
Moscow at the ETNOMIR cultural theme
park,” Jett said. “We will participate in a
dedication ceremony for a plot of land,
three to five acres, dedicated to Native
American indigenous peoples. I will be
participating and promoting tourism in
Oklahoma Indian Country.
“I believe this trip will be the first step in a
journey of cultural and economic exchange
between Oklahoma and Russia.”
On it’s website, ETNOMIR is described
as a cultural and educational center that
combines the functionality of a museum
complex, ethno-park and educational
institution. Jett also described the theme
park as an Epcot-like center, and also
wanted people to know the entire trip is
being sponsored by ETNOMIR.
“Not a dime of taxpayer or tribal
government money is being spent,” he said.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
our desire is to continue to partner with the
state government to achieve long-term growth
for all Oklahomans.”
The study found that the tribes generated
$5.6 billion from business activities, including
professional services, hospitality and
entertainment, gaming and retail operations.
Tribal expenditures include $1.5 billion
in direct payroll contributions and $792
million to Oklahoma entities for medical
care, education, social services and economic
development opportunities for tribal citizens.
The study also reported that Oklahoma
tribes employed 53,747 people in 2010, with
approximately one-third employed by tribal
governments and the remainder employed by
tribal businesses.
Native American tribes have 483,000
citizens living in the state, representing close
to 13 percent of Oklahoma’s entire population,
according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
To view the full report visit http://
goodengroup.wistia.com/medias/gh6nl3l74v.
NEws • dgZEksf
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Judge allows SHS athletes
to play, coach ineligible
BY tESINA jACKSON
Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee County Special
District Judge Douglas Kirkley on Oct. 26 upheld a
temporary restraining order against the Oklahoma
Secondary School Activities Association allowing 12
Sequoyah High School football players to compete
the last two weeks of the regular season.
Kirkley upheld a decision from a day earlier that
states eight players could finish the regular season
despite the OSSAA ruling them and head coach Brent
Scott ineligible to participate from Oct. 26 to Nov. 7.
Cherokee Nation Attorney General Todd
Hembree said the OSSAA declared the players and
Scott ineligible because in the summers of 2009 to
2012 Sequoyah paid for players to attend sports
camps, which violates OSSAA rules.
According to OSSAA Rule 10 Section D-2c, “no
fees or expenses for the camp or clinic may be paid
by the school, or by school personnel, or by any
booster club or organization associated with the
school, or by any non-family member...”
OSSAA Rule 10 Section E states any student
participating in a camp in violation of OSSAA
policies shall be ineligible unless reinstated by the
board of directors. It also states that a coach who
violates OSSAA policies shall not be permitted to
coach unless reinstated by the board.
The OSSAA has set a Nov. 7 hearing for the
players and Scott to present their arguments.
Kirkley’s ruling covers only the players until
the appeal. Scott remains ineligible and will miss
the games against Hilldale on Oct. 26 and Lincoln
Christian on Nov. 2.
Sequoyah officials have named Shane Richardson
the acting head coach until further notice.
The Oct. 26 ruling followed a show-cause hearing
in which attorneys for the players and OSSAA
presented their cases to Kirkley.
Attorneys Tim Baker and Deanna Wales
represented the players and their families, as well as
Hembree and former Principal Chief Chad Smith
after they filed motions to intervene.
They argued the OSSAA didn’t follow its policies
of due process by ruling the players ineligible before
finishing an investigation and by not properly
notifying the students.
Sequoyah High School football coach Brent Scott, shown here during a 2007 game has been
ruled ineligible to participate with the team by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities
Association for rules violations regarding summer camps.
MARK DREADFULWATER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Section 6, subsection B of the OSSAA
Constitution state that “if the investigation may
impact the eligibility of a student to participate
in interscholastic activities or contests, or may
result in the imposition of penalties or sanctions
on individual school personnel, before reaching
any determinations, the investigator shall direct
the member school’s representative to notify the
parent(s) or legal guardian of the student of the
alleged violation or the school personnel involved,
and to invite them to submit any information they
deem pertinent to the investigation.”
In his ruling, Kirkley told the OSSAA that it did
not follow its own rules.
Hembree said he was pleased with ruling and that
it was the right decision.
“The football players, they play football. They
are not expected to know the rules. That’s why they
have coaches and administrators,” he said. “We
will continue to cooperate with the OSSAA on
the investigation. If there are penalties to pay, the
Correction
In the story “3 named 2012 Cherokee National Treasures” in the October
2012 issue, we misidentified the father of 2012 National Treasure Victoria
appropriate parties will pay those penalties, but we
know that the student athletes shouldn’t be one of
those responsible parties.”
Attorney Mark Grossman and Executive Director
Ed Sheakley represented the OSSAA.
“It’s disappointing what happened today, but
we’ll continue to move forward and work with the
schools,” Sheakley said.
An initial restraining order was granted on Oct.
25 after several players’ parents and one player
filed motions against the OSSAA. Following that
decision, the OSSAA ruled four other Sequoyah
players ineligible for the same offense.
According to court documents, the 12 players
are Tanner Sheets, Dakota Karter Woodruff, Niko
Hammer, Ryan Dalton Helsley, Kyle Peyton Helsley,
Tyler Lee Chaffin, Brayden Scott, Greydon Elrod,
Chandler Gordon, Trinton Herron, Robert Smith
and Ty West.
[email protected]
918-453-5000, ext. 6139
Mitchell Vazquez as Robert Clay Vazquez when his named should have read
Robert Clay Mitchell. Also, in the story “EC picks tribe’s new election service
company,” we reported that the $274,000 estimate given to the Cherokee
Nation Election Commission by Unisyn Voting Systems included potential
run-off election costs, it does not.
3
TOWER
from front page
“We
are
proud
to
continue offering the best
entertainment
options
in northeast Oklahoma.
Although we’re celebrating a
new casino today, there is a
greater purpose being served
here,” Principal Chief Bill
John Baker said. “The first act
I signed in to law as principal
chief mandated an additional
5 percent of casino profits
be directed specifically to
Contract Health Services to
fund things like eyeglasses,
dentures and special surgeries.
Every time a person visits one
of our casinos, it helps to
strengthen our people.”
The Cherokee Nation
first opened the property in
Catoosa in 1993 as Cherokee
Bingo Outpost with 80
employees. It later became
Cherokee Casino Resort, and
in 2009, assumed the Hard
Rock Hotel & Casino brand.
In November 2008, CNE
entered into a licensing
agreement with Hard Rock
Hotel Holding LLC and
HRHH IP LLC. According to
the CN fiscal year 2011 audit,
CNE is required to make
monthly license payments
based on a percentage the
property’s revenues, with a
minimum annual payment of
$5 million for each of the first
three years. The audit states
that in FY 2011, CNE paid
approximately $5 million in
license fees. The total amount
paid to HRHH for FY 2012
is not yet known because the
tribe’s audit is not complete.
In addition to the license
fee, CNE is required to pay
approximately
$175,000
annually as a lease payment
for memorabilia displayed
throughout the Catoosa
property.
Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino Tulsa is located off of
Interstate 44 at exit 240. For
more information, visit www.
hardrockcasinotulsa.com or
call 1-800-760-6700.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
4
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
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2012
A Tribute to Cherokee Veterans
Ward retires from military after 31 years
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Col. Joel Ward
retired from the Oklahoma Army National
Guard in September after 31 years of military
service to the United States.
The Cherokee Nation citizen recently
returned from an 11-month deployment to
Afghanistan where he commanded the 3,000man 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, also
known as the “Thunderbirds.”
The “Thunderbirds” were responsible for
helping liberate and protect three Afghan
provinces. Fourteen of the 45th’s soldiers were
killed and many more injured.
Ward, 53, has been in the ONG since 1988.
Before that he served with the 2nd Armored
Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas.
“I’ve been in the brigade most of the time
that I’ve been in the guard. So, the 45th Infantry
Brigade is my home as far as the military goes,”
he said. “It was a real honor to be chosen to
command the brigade. I didn’t expect to get
it, and I was selected to command after the
brigade was notified that it was going to deploy
to Afghanistan.”
The state notified the brigade in December
2009, and the brigade began preparing.
In June 2011, the 45th arrived in
Afghanistan and assumed the mission in the
Laghman Province on July 19. The brigade was
responsible for three provinces in the country–
Laghman, Panjsher and the three western
districts of the Nuristan Province.
“We went there at a tough time of the
year–the height of the fighting season in
Afghanistan–into a pretty kinetic environment
with a lot of combat going on,” Ward said.
“That became area of operations Thunderbird,
and our mission was to conduct counter
insurgency there targeting the al-Qaida, the
Taliban, any other insurgent groups that were
attempting to exert control in those provinces.”
He said each district has a center and his
soldiers put together operations to go in and
kill or capture insurgents around that center
and then empower the district governor so
that he could govern the province.
“When we went into Afghanistan, the
governor of Laghman Province could only
exert governance there in Mehtarlam, the
capital of the province. We went in and
immediately starting opening up additional
districts in the province,” Ward said.
By the time the brigade left in March, they
had opened up all of the districts they were in
responsible for in Afghanistan, including some
districts in the northern part of Laghman
Province that had never been in control of the
Afghan government since the war started.
Soldiers also helped strengthen the
government by helping train the Afghan army.
“We were partnered with an Afghan Army
brigade. We provided training, and we also
provided a lot of the firepower that the Afghans
don’t have,” Ward said.
In recent history, the 45th had not been
asked to do the tasks of the regular Army, but
Read the stories and watch the videos of the
Cherokee Phoenix’s “We Served” series online
at www.cherokeephoenix.org. To access the
story, photos and video of a featured veteran,
type into your browser the web address
located next to the veteran’s photo below.
Unfortunately, there is no video available for
Deroin Peak. To submit a veteran for a profile,
call Senior Reporter Will Chavez at 918-2073961 or email [email protected].
william
Johnston
World War II
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.org/
Article/Index/5755
william
Phillips
Vietnam War
Col. Joel Ward, right, talks with Lt. Col. Tommy Mancino atop a mountain
observation post in the Bad Pach District of Laghman Province in Afghanistan.
that all changed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks
on the country by al-Qaida. Ward said the 45th
was one of the first combat brigades to deploy
on the global war on terror.
Following Sept. 11, the Army provided the
brigade with additional training time and
upgraded its equipment.
“You build combat power through your
soldiers and also through your equipment,”
he said. “Our first deployment took place
in 2003-2004. That deployment was also to
Afghanistan, and during that deployment, we
were responsible for building the Afghan army.”
Ward said losing 14 of the brigade’s soldiers
in combat in Afghanistan during its most
recent deployment was one of the hardest
things he had to deal with.
“The other part of that is that we had a lot
of soldiers that were wounded. The brigade
earned 180 Purple Hearts. Almost 300 soldiers
had combat-related injuries,” he said. He added
that commanders and soldiers knew they were
“going into a pretty tough situation.”
“In Afghanistan the summer months are
when the combat really takes place. In the
winter, things kind of slow down,” he said. “The
most dangerous time for a unit in Afghanistan
is the first few months. You really learn about
the enemy and how you are going to fight the
enemy in those first few months.”
The 45th’s soldiers began to come home
a little at a time this past March. Ward said
it took almost an entire month to get all the
soldiers home. The brigade also had a battalion
Soldiers from C Company of the 1-179 Infantry, which is part of the 45th Infantry
Brigade, discuss operations with Col. Joel Ward, left, commander of the 45th, in the
Nuralam Valley, Laghman Province in Afghanistan. COURTESY PHOTOS
of about 120 men in the Paktika Province in
southeast Afghanistan and sent two battalions
to Kuwait and Iraq in 2011.
“So the brigade of the Oklahoma National
Guard had accomplishments across the
spectrum,” Ward said.
He said the brigade’s recent accomplishments
should go a long way in ridding the
misconception that National Guard soldiers
are not as prepared to be deployed as regular
Army troops.
“I think that we went there prepared. We were
well trained. We were well equipped. There was
really no difference in the way that the soldiers of
the infantry brigade performed and the way that
the soldiers of an active duty unit performed,” he
said. “By the time we made it to Afghanistan, we
were all active-duty soldiers”
He said he’s proud of the young soldiers he
commanded and as a person gets older they
always hear a lot of doubt about the younger
generation. But he does not have that doubt.
“I think the soldiers of today are as good as
any soldier in the history of the U.S. Without
a doubt they are the most educated and best
trained. They are a great group of young men
and women,” Ward said. “The thing that’s really
unique, every one of them is a volunteer. Every
soldier that we have has either volunteered to
enlist or has re-enlisted since Sept. 11.”
The 45th has a tradition of having Native
American soldiers. The brigade’s Thunderbird
patch was designed by a Native artist and
represents a powerful figure in Native life.
“We still continue to have a strong Native
American influence in the brigade, and I think
it will be that way in the future as the brigade is
based totally in Oklahoma,” he said.
Ward said it means a lot to him to be
Cherokee. He said his family came to Indian
Territory during the Trail of Tears and has
lived there since.
He lives in Claremore with his wife of 24
years, Debbie. They have three sons. On July
1, he expected to return to his civilian job with
the Tulsa Police Department’s Gang Unit. He
has worked for the TPD since 1992.
Ward turned over the brigade to another
commander on June 3 after leading it for a
little more than two years.
“The big thing for me is the legacy that you
leave behind, and a legacy for a unit are the
soldiers and officers that you have a hand in
developing through their career,” he said. “And
so you look back and you make a lot of close
acquaintances, but then you’ll also see those
soldiers, as I retire, continue their careers and
have a great influence on how the brigade
operates in the future.”
[email protected]
918-207-3961
Artie joe
haley
World War II
Korean War
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/5672
Deroin
peak
Vietnam War
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/6317
Darrell
parks
Korean War
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/6311
millard
kelley
World War II
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/5673
Joel ward
Operation Enduring
Freedom-Afghanistan
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/6398
John
Thompson
World War II
Vietnam War
Bill
Rabbit
When: 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9
Vietnam War
Where: Cherokee Warriors Memorial
located on the Tribal Complex at 17763
S. Muskogee Ave., in Tahlequah, Okla.
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/5756
What: Cherokee Nation pays tribute
to Native American veterans who have
served and/or are serving.
Who: Principal Chief Bill John Baker,
Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden, Tribal
Councilors, Marine veterans Dr. Richard
Allen and Debra Wilson, as well as local
dignitaries, will speak. There will also
be a wreath-laying ceremony.
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/6309
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/5751
Cherokee Nation
Veterans Day Ceremony
Cherokee Nation Color Guard members
Frank Squirrel, left, and Juan Rodriguez
stand at attention during the 2010 CN
Veterans Day ceremony at the Cherokee
Warriors Memorial in Tahlequah, Okla.
WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
‘We Served’
profiles online
John
Ketcher
Cherokee veteran Elizabeth Setser
speaks during the 2010 Cherokee Nation
Veterans Day ceremony at the Tribal
Complex in Tahlequah, Okla. In the
background is the Cherokee Warriors
Memorial. WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
World War II
http://www.
cherokeephoenix.
org/Article/
Index/5665
NEws • dgZEksf
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Men’s homeless shelter in need of funding
BY jAmI CuStEr
Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Project
O-Si-Yo, a men’s homeless shelter, was
founded in February 2007. However,
after 45,000 meals and more than 450
residents, the shelter suffers from a
lack of funds.
“Funding that we counted on,
which was over $60,000 worth from
this private individual over five years,
is no longer available. Those funds are
going to somebody else now,” Project
O-Si-Yo CEO Tom Lewis said.
Lewis said the shelter’s average
clients are men in their mid-30s with
about 49 percent of them being Native
American. He added that an average
stay at the shelter is three months, but
the men can stay as long as needed.
“We don’t have an end date for
clients,” Lewis said. “People are
allowed to catch their breath here and
get their feet under them and then
begin to enter a life plan for being able
to get back out onto the street.”
He said since January the facility has
operated on savings and estimated that
Project O-Si-Yo will discontinue services
by the end of the year unless a more
permanent funding source is found.
According to a Project O-SiYo release, officials are requesting
emergency and long-term assistance
because
shelter
and
service
costs average $1,200 per month.
Operational costs such as insurance,
medicine and transportation add
another $200 per month. Overall, it
takes $3.12 a day per individual to
operate the shelter, the release states.
Project O-Si-Yo board member Sam
Bradshaw said he and other volunteers
Project O-Si-Yo client Ron Grisham, left, and volunteer Jim Master
cook pancakes for the men’s homeless shelter brunch fundraiser at
the First Christian Church in Tahlequah, Okla.
JAMI CUSTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
fed the homeless from 2002-05 at a
Tahlequah park. He said during those
years, numbers grew from seven
people to sometimes 40. In 2007,
he said he and other “like-minded”
people collaborated about what to do
about the area’s homeless population.
“For years, and I’m talking 30, 40,
50 years, there’s always been a group
of homeless men in Tahlequah…
primarily because there wasn’t any
facilities for them to go,” Bradshaw
said. “We have homeless shelters for
women and for women in domestic
violence situations, but there wasn’t
anything particularly for a homeless
man and that was because of different
reasons. I guess the perception is that
men are supposed to be head of the
household and their supposed to be
able to pick themselves up by their
bootstraps and go on I guess.”
So he said he and his collaborators
talked about the need for a men’s shelter.
“There’s more to it than someone
being homeless,” he said. “There’s a
mental, physical and spiritual and
emotional issues going on that leads
up to a person (being homeless)…so
we knew that we needed something
comprehensive.”
Bradshaw said he knows how bad
Tahlequah’s homeless problem is
because there was a huge gap in services
before the men’s shelter opened.
“Project O-Si-Yo has been able
to fill a small gap, but a critically
important gap. So if this wasn’t in
place there is a lot of people whose
lives wouldn’t be different today,” he
said. “Having something in place like
this can change someone’s life because
a lot of times people just need a little
bit of time and a safe environment
with someone that knows what they’re
doing to get them back on their feet.”
Project O-Si-You co-manager
Dave Stickels said he’s lived at the
home since October 2011 because of
problems with his spouse.
“That caused me to go out on the
street. I didn’t have any place to go. I
didn’t have any relatives nearby so I
ended up coming here,” he said. “They
put a roof over my head and gave me
some food to eat when I didn’t have
any money and helped build up my
self-confidence.”
Stickels said it would be unfortunate
to be without Project O-Si-Yo, not
only for the individuals who use the
shelter, but for the community, too.
“There’s a great need for this shelter
for men in the community. Not
having one here people would be out
on the streets. There would probably
be more crime,” he said. “Guys that
come in here, they are able to get food
stamps…they get a place they get call
a living home…If they don’t have that
then they’re out on the streets. They’re
going to end up stealing from the store
or robbing someone on the street and
that’s bad for the community.”
Stickels added that the men who
come to the shelter really do benefit.
“Somebody comes in, you help
them get a job…You can see their
eyes light up when they finally get
something. It’s really a good feeling.”
For more information or to donate,
call 918-453-2520.
[email protected]
918-453-5560
5
OFFICE
from front page
Head said it costs the tribe
nearly $350,000 annually to
run the Washington, D.C.,
office and that hiring CGA
should cut that cost.
“It will cost, well we
don’t really know the total.
We’re going to do it on a
conservative and as-need
basis, but we should be able to
save at least $150,000 a year or
more,” he said.
Legislative
Assistant
Clint Hastings, Legislative
Officer Clint Bowers and
Senior Legislative Officer
Joel Williams run the
Washington office, but
will be laid off when the
office closes. However, CN
Communications Director
Amanda Clinton said the
employees are encouraged
to seek employment with
the tribe.
“They do have first priority
on jobs here,” she said.
Head said hiring an outside
lobbying firm is not an unusual
trend for tribes. He said to his
knowledge there’s just one
other tribal office besides the
Nation’s and that belongs to
the Navajo Nation.
“Most tribes over the years
have tried a Washington office
and found out that it really
wasn’t economically feasible
and gone to other methods
as we are,” he said. “Of all the
federally recognized tribes,
this kind of tells you what the
trend is.”
According
to
the
Washington D.C. office’s
website, it opened in 2001 to
serve as the CN’s Government
Relations division by working
for the more than 300,000
CN citizens as their liaison to
Congress, the administration,
U.S.
agencies,
national
organizations and other tribal
governments.
The office is located on the
Senate side of the Capitol and
is open to all visitors from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
[email protected]
918-453-5560
6
OPINION • Zlsz
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
2012
November 2012
Bryan Pollard
Executive Editor
(Cherokee)
Travis Snell
Assistant Editor
(Cherokee)
Talking Circles
Will Chavez
Senior Reporter
(Cherokee/San Felipe Pueblo)
Jami Custer
Reporter
(Cherokee)
Tesina Jackson
Reporter
(Cherokee)
Kevin Scrapper
Intern
(Cherokee)
Dillon Turman
Reporter
(Cherokee)
Mark Dreadfulwater
Multimedia Editor
(Cherokee)
Roger Graham
Media Specialist
(Cherokee)
Nicole Hill Carter
Advertising Coordinator
(Cherokee)
Dena Tucker
Administrative Officer
(Cherokee)
Joy Rollice
Secretary
(Cherokee)
Anna Sixkiller
Linguist
(Cherokee)
Editorial Board
John Shurr
(Cherokee)
Jason Terrell
(Cherokee)
Robert Thompson III
(Cherokee)
Gerald Wofford
(Cherokee)
Clarice Doyle
(Cherokee)
Cherokee Phoenix
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
(918) 453-5269
FAX: (918) 207-0049
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www.cherokeephoenix.org
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Copyright 2012: 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
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The Cherokee Phoenix also publishes an In memoriam section at no cost to families to honor Cherokee
citizens who have recently passed away. That section
includes the name of the deceased; age; birthplace and
date of birth; place and date of death; and occupation.
Oklahoma Press
Association
Native American
journalists Association
Honor the vote
I could have written the letter that Edwin J. Jackson of Kent, Wash.,
wrote that the Cherokee Phoenix published in a recent issue. I was
born in Sallisaw, Okla., and the majority of my distant family still live
throughout Oklahoma. I would still be there also if my dad, Harvey
Hightower, wasn’t out of work in 1936. A Dallas man came through
and offered him a job in his chicken hatchery, tending to incubators
and turning them when necessary. I am a registered Cherokee and
have been for years. Been to your fair city several times before I got too
old to drive that far. It’s so informative to wander everywhere, read the
literature and check the museums. And don’t start me on the subject
of non-voters if you don’t live in Oklahoma. I feel it an honor to be
able to vote in your elections. I pray for the changes you want and the
way life is for the Cherokee. My ancestors Hightower, Ross, Seabolt,
McEver are just a few. I have traced my family several centuries back
even to the Trail of Tears. I carry my Cherokee card. I show my card to
friends when we start talking about our family history. Being 85 years
old and having been married 62 years has made my life good. I read
my Cherokee paper cover to cover. Keep it up and with it, I know the
good work being done and also the bad that goes with it.
As Mr. Jackson said, voting is a privilege and I too hope to be able
to for a long, long time.
Ruby Hightower Wolford
Corpus Christi, Texas
Adopt Elizabeth Warren
I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, referred to by Republicans
back East as an umbrella group headed by Principal Chief Bill John
Baker. Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown attacking his challenger
Elizabeth Warren for being Cherokee or not Cherokee, not looking
Cherokee. Chief Baker, who I voted for, does not look Indian,
according to Brown. Our chief looks Cherokee to me. I have known
Indians who were Seminole and Creek who could not prove degree
of blood and they are white even though they cannot prove their
heritage.
I think that Warren is Cherokee. Born in Oklahoma City, she cannot
prove role numbers. Some people were ashamed of their blood, and
did not pass the information down. I was fortunate to be in a family
proud of our heritage.
It makes me mad to hear Rush Limbaugh laughing at all Native
Americans. I heard them making fun of the Trail of Tears. As a tribe
we should take in Warren. After all, she wants to be with us. We
should throw her an honorary bone. When one family’s parents died
other Cherokees would take the children in. As a Cherokee family lets
take in this child. This child could grow up to be a U.S. senator.
Samuel Leroy Muzny
Prague, Okla.
Where’s the outrage?
I am a blue card-carrying citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and I
would like to know where all of the outrage is over Elizabeth Warren’s
falsely pretending to be a CN citizen to help get into college and highpaying jobs. She’s basically stolen these things from us and nobody
will speak against her because she’s a Democrat.
Why hasn’t she been forced to print an apology in the Cherokee
Phoenix and to pay restitution to the Nation for falsely using our
name for personal and political gain. If she refuses then the Nation
should activity oppose her for Senate.
This should transcend politics outside of the Nation. This was a slap
at us all as a people and it shouldn’t be tolerated. Every time we turn
around something is stolen from us and now they are even stealing
our name.
Robert Emery
Salem, Ore.
Remain neutral
The reason I am writing is because I read about Principal Chief Bill
John Baker with other delegates from the Cherokee Nation attending
the Democrat National Convention, representing the Nation as
Democrat. Does our Nation pay for this? And do we pay to send
delegates to the Republican National Convention as representatives
of the Nation. Are these funds allocated or can the chief just take
and promote at his on discretion. Shouldn’t our Nation’s government
remain neutral as it represents our people who are not all patriots of
the Democrat party or any certain party? I am concerned as being
represented as Democrat because I am Cherokee. What if there is a
change in president and our government has to deal with a Republican
president? It might do our leaders good to realize that it was Andrew
Jackson’s followers that created the modern Democrat party and the
need for us to remain neutral.
Steve Mathis
Mount Pleasant, Texas
Editor’s Note: Cherokee Nation funds covered Baker and three
other CN officials’ travel costs, while Cherokee Nation Businesses
covered travel expenses for one of its officials. According to CN
Communications, the Nation paid $8,310.46, while CNB paid
$1,214.64. Expenses consisted of flight, hotel, meals and ground
transportation.
The Cherokee Phoenix reserves the right to exercise editorial discretion
on all content appearing on the Web site or in the newspaper, including
columns and letters to the editor. Opinions expressed by citizens, Tribal
Councilors or officials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the
editorial staff or Editorial Board of the Cherokee Phoenix.
The deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior to the
month of publication. Letters shall not exceed 350 words in length.
Letters intended for publication must be addressed to Talking Circles or
identified as a letter to the editor. Submissions from Cherokee citizens
will be given preference. Submissions from non-citizens will be published
only as space permits and must be Cherokee related. Anonymous letters
will not be published.
CHIEF’S PERSPECTIVE
Wado for a first great year
BY BILL jOHN
BAKEr
Principal Chief
Last
month
I
marked
the
anniversary of my
first year as your
principal chief. On
Oct. 19, 2011, as I
took the oath of office on the steps of our
Capitol building, I envisioned all of the
wonderful things I wanted us to achieve
together in this first year. I promised
increased funding to contract health,
housing built for Cherokees by Cherokees
and more support to our elders. I’m proud
to say we’ve accomplished all those things.
After just one week in office, we were able
to get $33 million in frozen Housing and
Urban Development funding released so
we could help Cherokees who were waiting
for housing assistance. And this past spring,
for the first time in more than a decade,
Cherokee citizens moved into new homes
built for them by the Cherokee Nation.
Although my heart was filled with pride, it
paled in comparison to the gratitude on the
faces of those we were able to help. This past
summer I walked with families into their
new homes for the first time. It was truly
one of the most gratifying moments I have
experienced as principal chief.
Another memorable moment came when
I signed into law the first piece of legislation
that came to me from our Tribal Council.
The Health Care Dividend Act, which I
signed in November 2011, mandates an
additional 5 percent of casino profits go
directly to contract health. Contract health
is essential for our Cherokees who need
things such as eyeglasses, dentures and
special surgeries. Now every time someone
visits one of our Cherokee Casinos or the
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, they can
know they are helping to save Cherokee
lives.
In May, we launched the Elders in Need
program, which provides a $200 stipend
twice a year to help Cherokee elders with
their utility bills. That stipend will be
especially beneficial to our elders now as
winter approaches.
This past month we wrapped up the
annual Cherokee Art Market. For the
seventh year, the Cherokee Art Market
has attracted the finest Native American
artisans competing for one of the largest
purses of any Native art show in the country.
It also attracts art lovers from all over,
helping to boost the local economy and
fostering appreciation for our Cherokee art
and artists.
Also in October, we donated more
than $150,000 to area Boys & Girls Clubs.
Similar to the CN, these clubs are all about
cooperation in the community and leading
by example. We’re happy that our young
Cherokees, as well as many non-Cherokee
youth, have a safe place to go after school,
where they can seek advice and mentoring
from caring adults.
Most recently, our Tribal Council
approved a plan that would pump $80
million into our CN health system. About
$50 million would be allocated to build a
new hospital near W.W. Hastings and $1.5
million for the new Jack Brown Center,
both in Tahlequah, to treat citizens with
drug or alcohol dependency. The rest
would go toward expanded, renovated or
new clinics in Jay, Bartlesville, Sallisaw,
Stilwell and Muskogee. We’re currently
seeking funding sources for this master
plan, and I will work with the council to
secure funding during my administration.
The past year has been rewarding beyond
measure, but our work is not finished.
While the calendar year may be winding
down, Oct. 1 marked the start of our new
fiscal year. With funds provided by the
$526 million budget passed by the council
in September, we now start the work of
allocating services to those Cherokees
in need of jobs, housing, health care,
education and other assistance. Citizens
can find information at any time on how
to apply for CN services by visiting www.
Cherokee.org or by calling 918-207-3936.
Thank you for a wonderful first year
in office. The outpouring of support I’ve
received from all of you this year is deeply
appreciated. As we go forward, I will
continue to seek your support, as well as
your input, on how to best serve you as
your chief. Thank you all and God bless.
[email protected]
918-453-5618
COuNCIl • d/wWf
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
7
New ethics act approved by Tribal Council
It replaces the Sunshine Ethics Act
and addressess “issues relating to
conflicts of interest” pertaining to
tribal employees and appointed and
elected officials.
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – A new ethics act for the Cherokee
Nation was discussed at length before the Tribal Council
approved it during its regular meeting on Oct. 15.
Titled the Cherokee Nation Ethics Act of 2012, its purpose is
to codify the issues relating to conflicts of interest pertaining to
employees and officials of the Cherokee Nation. The new act,
which passed by a vote of 10-5-2, replaces the Sunshine Ethics
Act of 2007.
The act also regulates the use of businesses owned wholly or
partially by CN employees and appointed and elected officials;
contracting with relatives of elected officials; and the parameters
under which CN employees and officials must operate with
respect to conflicts of interest.
Councilor Julia Coates voted against the act because she said
she believes the act favors some tribal councilors who have
relatives who are employed with the CN through contracts
while “penalizing” some councilors who have relatives who
are working for the tribe through a sub-contract. She did not
provide details of whom she believed benefitted from the act
and who is being penalized.
Councilor David Walkingstick said he voted for the act
because he believes the tribe contains many large families and
some of those family members would like to work for the CN,
which is one of the largest employers in the area.
He added he believes as long as an employee is not working
directly under the supervision of a tribal councilor there is no
conflict. He said going back to the previous administration,
Cherokee community people have wondered about the
contracts provided to some employees and the new act allows
for more transparency.
A section in the act states, “There shall be no prohibition in
employing relatives of elected or appointed officials or employees
of the Cherokee Nation so long as it is for wages, salary, per diem
or expenses. However, in no instance may a relative within the
first degree be employed within the direct chain of command of
another immediate family member.”
Another section in the act states, “No elected or public
official, member or officer of the council, cabinet member,
or relative within the first degree of such individual shall be
authorized to contract with the Cherokee Nation or its entities
or instrumentalities or any entity where the tribe owns 51
percent or more shall contract with any primary contractor or
sub-contractor who is contracting with the Cherokee Nation.”
Even though the act may call for more transparency, Councilor
Lee Keener said the last sentence in Section 28 states “individual
employment contracts are exempt from this provision.”
Councilor Jodie Fishinghawk said a poll was taken of other
area tribes and it was found the “act is consistent with the other
Dist. 5 Tribal Councilor Lee Keener asks a question during the Oct. 15 Tribal Council meeting. Seated to his right is
Dist. 1 Tribal Councilor David Walkingstick. WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
tribes, and “it is consistent with what the constitution says.”
The tribe’s constitution states that, “No official, member
or officer of the council, cabinet member, employee of any
official, council, cabinet, or subdivisions thereof, or any person
employed in any capacity by the Cherokee Nation shall receive
from any individual, partnership, corporation, or entity doing
business with the Cherokee Nation directly or indirectly, any
interest, profit, benefits, or gratuity, other than wages, salary, per
diem, or expenses specifically provided by law.”
Councilors Joe Byrd, Tina Glory Jordan, Walkingstick, Curtis
Snell, Fishinghawk, Frankie Hargis, David Thornton, Janelle
Fullbright, Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Dick Lay voted for the act.
Voting against the act were Councilors Don Garvin, Meredith
Frailey, Keener, Coates and Jack Baker while Cara Cowan Watts
and Buel Anglen abstained from voting.
In other business, an act related to the CN guardianship
and conservatorship code was passed unanimously. The
purpose of this act is to promote the general welfare of minor
Cherokee Nation citizens or minors eligible to be CN citizens by
establishing a system of general and limited guardianships for
minors, which provides for the protection of their rights and the
management of their financial resources.
“The act establishes a guardianship and conservatorship
rule. This legislation will strengthen their (courts) efforts in
helping Cherokee children when reunification (with parents) or
adoption is not possible, a legal guardianship with a relative or
a caring adult can be a way for a child to have a safe permanent
family,” Frailey said.
The council unanimously confirmed Dawnena Mackay to the
CN Community Association Corporation board.
Dr. Roger Montgomery and Elmer Tadpole were unanimously
confirmed to the board of CN Home Health Services.
Montgomery and Tadpole also were unanimously confirmed to
the CN Comprehensive Care Agency board.
Cherokee Nation Enterprises Executive Vice President,
Shawn Slaton, reported Cherokee Nation Businesses now
has 4,155 employees with 77.5 percent of those being Native
American and 69.4 Cherokee citizens. He also reported the new
Fort Gibson Cherokee Casino will open in late November or
early December. The new 10-story hotel at Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino will open in mid-December.
Principal Chief Bill John Baker reported that more than 2,200
blue CN citizenship/Certificate Degree of Indian Blood photo
identification cards have been issued to Cherokee citizens.
Also, a portable camera is now available to take to community
meetings for the ID cards.
“Hopefully we’ll have the mobile unit in all the areas very
soon. It’s (card) really pretty neat. It very much looks like a
driver’s license,” Baker said.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
Cherokee artists to have better
copyright protection on works
The council amends an act
to prevent the purchase of
artwork copyrights when
the tribe or its entities
initially buy art from an
artist.
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
Dist. 3 Tribal Councilor Don Garvin waits to ask a question during the Oct. 15
Tribal Council meeting. Seated to his left is fellow Dist. 3 Tribal Councilor Janelle
Fullbright. WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Councilors pass law on
guardianship for minors
BY tESINA jACKSON
Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Tribal Council
on Oct. 15 approved an act intended to promote
the general welfare of minor Cherokee Nation
citizens.
The Guardianship and Conservatorship
Act of 2012 establishes a system of general
and limited guardianships for minors, which
provides for the protection of their rights and
the management of their financial resources.
“The (tribe’s) District Court has been
following court rule for some time and
now they will have legislation to guide and
strengthen their efforts in helping children,”
said Tribal Councilor Meredith Frailey on
Sept. 27, when it passed the Rules Committee.
Frailey said she created the legislation
because of the increasing number of Cherokee
children in foster care.
“When reunification or adoption is not
possible, a legal guardianship with a relative or
caring adult can be a way for a child to leave
foster care for a safe, permanent family,” she
said. “It is particularly helpful for children
needing to get in school and for children
who have been abandoned with relatives,
particularly grandparents. I respect the fact
that most of our placements allow children
to maintain their relationship with their
extended family and support the transfer of
culture to the child.”
The legislation states that any guardianship
or conservatorship in existence on or created
on or after the effective date of the act will
comply with the act’s provisions. All guardians
or conservators are expected to retain the
powers assigned to them, unless otherwise
modified or terminated by the court.
Frailey said the guardians are reviewed
every six months to ensure the children are
benefitting from the guardianships in the least
restrictive environment.
“I’m glad to see our court works closely
with Indian Child Welfare,” she said. “The
ICW employees are very ardent about home
visits and ensuring the children are safe and
receiving the proper education and health care
needs.”
Frailey said in the future she would like
to see guardians subsidized by the CN and
federal government.
“Many caregivers are over the age of 50
and many grandparents on fixed incomes are
unprepared to handle unexpected expenses
of raising more children,” she said. “Since the
preventive services budget has been extended
to 14 counties at a reduced rate, I can foresee
that foster care has the potential to increase.
Therefore, subsidizing guardianships would
be good for government as it would help
somewhat to relieve the ongoing casework and
supervision that is required when children
remain in foster care.”
[email protected]
918-453-5000, ext. 6139
TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. – The Tribal
Council’s Education and Culture Committee
voted to amend the Native American Arts and
Crafts Copyright Act of 2007 on Oct. 15 to
provide better protection for Cherokee artists’
copyrights.
The main purpose of the amendment is to
prevent the purchase of the copyright of a work
of art when the Cherokee Nation or its entities
initially purchase the art from the artist.
“In the event Cherokee Nation or its affiliated
entities request bids for arts or crafts or solicit
for the purchase of arts and crafts, the purchase
of copyrights of the item is prohibited in the
initial sale,” the act states. “Cherokee Nation
and its affiliated entities shall establish policies
to include in their contracts in purchasing arts
and crafts to avoid any prohibitions of this act.”
Councilor Meredith Frailey said the
amended act does not include “a right of action”
or a right to begin and prosecute an action in
court, but once the tribe establishes policies to
protect artists’ work, it should prevent the CN
from violating an artist’s copyright.
“I’ve had artists that have concerns with the
Cherokee Nation Arts and Crafts Act. They’re
copyrights have been violated,” Frailey said.
The definition of arts and crafts in the act
includes any traditional or contemporary
skill or activity or creative work of graphics,
painting, sculpture, music, basketry, jewelry,
pottery, metalwork, photography or other
crafts or media that an artist chooses to
produce works of art.
During the Education and Culture
Committee meeting, Frailey explained
contracts or purchase orders currently used by
the CN to purchase art do not require artists
to give up their copyright. However, in the
past some artists were forced to give up their
copyrights when they sold art to the CN.
“And there has been some artwork that
has been reproduced without the artist’s
permission,” Frailey said. So, hopefully, by
establishing this policy within those entities
like CNB (Cherokee Nation Businesses) it
prohibit that from happening again.”
The amended Native American Arts and
Crafts Copyright Act was unanimously
approved in committee and would become
effective 30 days after its approval and only
applies to future transactions after the effective
date. The act will likely be voted on during the
Nov. 12 Tribal Council meeting.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
Health facilities funds search OK’d
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Tribal Council
at its Oct. 15 meeting approved a resolution
allowing the Cherokee Nation’s administration
and Health Services to seek about $80 million
to renovate current health facilities and build
new ones.
According to a CN Communications press
release, the plan could pump about $80 million
into expanding or replacing the tribe’s eight
health centers and W.W. Hastings Hospital
and that the council’s approval “opens the door
to seeking out more funding sources for full
implementation.”
Part of the plan includes a $50 million
hospital to be built on tribally owned land near
W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah.
“The new facility would become a surgical
hospital and allow Hastings to become a
complete out-patient center,” the release states.
According to the resolution, the Bartlesville
Health Center, Sam Hider Community Health
Center in Jay and the Wilma P. Mankiller
Health Center in Stilwell would each get $7
million for new 28,000-square feet facilities.
Currently, the Bartlesville facility is 4,700
square feet and the Jay and Stilwell clinics
are 26,176 square feet and 37,362 square feet,
respectively.
The Redbird Smith Health Center in Sallisaw
would get $2 million for renovations, while
the Three Rivers Health Center in Muskogee
would get $3.2 million for facility and parking
lot repairs, states the legislation.
“The act would also devote $1.5 million to
build a new Jack Brown Center in Tahlequah
that treats citizens with drug and alcohol
dependency,” the release states.
Principal Chief Bill John Baker said the bill
would “dramatically improve the health and
well-being” of citizens and be “a great service
to our non-Indian neighbors” by alleviating
pressure on other health care providers in the
CN jurisdiction.
Health Services officials said the tribe does
not currently have the money to be used for
these expansions, but the approval of the plan
gives them the option to seek grant funding
and fulfill the plan.
8
MONEy • a[w
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
2012
Gambling’s role up
in Okla. economy
Emily McBrien feeds Sprinkles, a miniature donkey, at the Peek-A-Boo Petting Zoo in Paradise Hil, Okla.
PHOTOS BY JAMI CUSTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Peek-A-Boo Petting Zoo
fulfills owners’ wish
The Cherokee-owned
petting zoo near Lake
Tenkiller is getting a
steady flow of business.
BY jAmI CuStEr
Reporter
PARADISE HILL, Okla. – Geese,
donkeys, goats and chickens are just a
few animal sounds one can hear at the
Peek-A-Boo Petting Zoo in Sequoyah
County. Owned by Will and Jill Gates,
a Cherokee Nation citizen, the zoo
is located about 25 miles south of
Tahlequah and has only been open since
this past Easter.
Jill said her husband always wanted to
own a petting zoo, but neither ever had
the time pursue the project.
“Several years ago, my husband
wanted to open a petting zoo. At the
time, it wasn’t the thing to do because we
both worked shift work and we couldn’t
work our regular jobs and work the
petting zoo,” she said.
In 2011, Jill took off work for personal
reason. During that time, she and Will
decided she wouldn’t go back to her job
and thought about purchasing animals
for a petting zoo.
“We had a chance to buy some animals,
farm animals, and they had been used as
a traveling petting zoo. That’s what we
started out doing,” she said.
Jill said because it’s pretty where they
live, they decided to open a petting zoo
near their home.
“So this summer, we’ve mainly been
busy here at the petting zoo and not
doing a lot of traveling, which we’ll
pick back up on this winter. But we just
decided to have the petting zoo here. We
built all last winter and opened up in
April of this year,” she said.
Jill said she does a lot of the zoo work
while Will works his full-time job.
However, most of his days off are spent
working or helping at the petting zoo,
she said.
The zoo includes rabbits, homing
pigeons, sheep, donkeys and llamas, and
people are encouraged to pet, handle
and feed them.
“The animals that we have here are
mostly farm animals,” Jill said. “We
have several different kinds of unusual
chickens.”
Recently, the Gates added a pumpkin
patch, hay maze and bounce house for
seasonal activities.
“Right now for Halloween, the fall
activities we have are the petting zoo.
When children come they get a cup of
feed to feed the animals…They also can
visit the pumpkin patch and can pick
out a pumpkin to take home with them.
They can also play basketball, and we
have a bean bag toss.”
The zoo is equipped with a hand-
Teacher Melissa Bray helps Warner Head Start
students Jordan Beckett, left, and Chase Rowland hold
a baby chick at the Peek-A-Boo Petting Zoo.
washing area and small pavilion available
for birthday party rentals or family
gatherings. There is also an option to
rent a traveling zoo.
The zoo is normally closed on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but it is
available by appointment on those days.
During the week, it’s open from 12 p.m.
to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on
the weekends.
“Normally our charge is $3 for
children and adults also. Kids under 2
are free,” Jill said. “During the month
of October, and if we take it on through
November for the fall activities, it’s $6 for
children and $3 for adults.”
Building the zoo and running it is a lot
of work, but that’s what it takes to run a
business, she said.
“We’re constantly needing to build
something or add another attraction or
something like that,” Jill said. “I think
if someone wanted to open their own
business, it would be a really good thing.
But it is a whole lot of work, a whole lot
of time, a whole lot of investment and
you really need to be dedicated to what
you’re planning to do.”
For more information, call 918-8166506 or visit Peek-a-boo Petting Zoo
on Facebook or go online at www.
peekaboopettingzoo.com. The zoo is
also found on Google Maps.
[email protected]
918-453-5560
Robby Beason, of Warner, Okla., feeds a pygmy goat
at the Peek-A-Boo Petting Zoo in Paradise Hill. The zoo
is co-owned by Cherokee Nation citizen Jill Gates.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Gambling – the biggest chunk
coming at Indian casinos – represents 2.33 percent of Oklahoma’s
economy, according to the latest Casino City’s North American
Gaming Almanac.
Only in Nevada, Mississippi and Vermont was gambling
a bigger piece of the state gross domestic product in 2010,
according to the report, the most comprehensive annual survey
of gambling trends in the nation.
The role of gambling in the state’s economy has been growing.
In 2007, it represented 1.9 percent of the state GDP.
Oklahoma gambling revenue totaled $210 million in 2010
with $99.8 million from casinos and $93.1 million through the
Oklahoma lottery. The rest was at the state’s racetracks.
The 2010 gambling report was essentially flat in the state –
0.13 percent lower – compared to 2009 levels. Casino revenue
was up 6 percent. Lottery revenues were down nearly 3 percent
and racing revenue was off more than 15 percent.
2010 marked the first year that more money was spent in
Oklahoma casinos than on the lottery.
Oklahoma had 64,198 gaming machines - including 25,874
slot machines and 37,974 video gaming machines - at 111
casinos and two racinos in 2010, the report shows.
Thackerville’s WinStar World Casino rated as the thirdlargest casino - in terms of total gaming machines - in
North America. The casino, located in southern Oklahoma
along Interstate 35 and attractive to Dallas traffic, had 6,200
machines, the report shows.
Five Oklahoma casinos were among North America’s 100
largest, the report says. The largest gambling machine mecca
in North America is the 6,500-machine Foxwoods Resort and
Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
Oklahoma’s total gambling revenue ranked ninth among the
states. Nevada remains the nation’s largest gambling state with
total revenue of $10.4 billion in 2010 from casinos. The state
also had racetracks but no lottery. California is the secondlargest gambling state with total revenue of nearly $3 billion, but
the largest single form of gambling in that state was the lottery,
accounting for almost $1.5 billion in 2010.
Nevada also led the nation in per-capita gambling revenue
(nearly $4,000 per person) and gambling as a percentage of
gross domestic produce (more than 8 percent). Oklahoma
ranked third in per-capita gambling revenue with $914.
Patrons play compact or Class III-style electronic games
at the Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah, Okla. Gambling
represents 2.33 percent of Oklahoma’s economy, with
the biggest chunk coming from Indian casinos.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
CNI named ‘Outstanding
minority Supplier of Year’
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
CATOOSA, Okla. – The Oklahoma Minority Supplier
Development Council has named Cherokee Nation Industries,
the manufacturing and distribution division of Cherokee Nation
Businesses, as its “Outstanding Minority Supplier of the Year,
Class 3.”
The award is given annually to a minority business that
exemplifies excellence in service and business performance.
Awards were given in four categories based on sales. CNI’s Class
3 award represents sales ranging from $10 million to $50 million.
“It is an honor for CNI to be recognized for its dedication to
world-class service,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker said. “The
Cherokee workforce has built a reputation for excellence that
continues to create new opportunities and job growth within the
Cherokee Nation.”
CNI officials received the award on Oct. 4 at the 22nd annual
Minority Business Leadership Awards at the Sheraton Oklahoma
City Hotel.
“This award belongs to our employees. They work hard each
and every day to make sure that the service we provide continues
to exceed our clients’ expectations,” CNI President Chris Moody
said. “They take pride in what they do and the fact that our
reputation for excellence reflects not only on this company, but
on the Cherokee Nation as a whole.”
For more information, visit www.cherokee-corp.com.
COMMuNIty • nv 0nck
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
Classifieds dgCAm
GENEALOGY
AttENtION: judge john martin descendants. A family reunion will be held in
Tahlequah, likely June 7-9, 2013. Please contact Joe L. Martin 308 N. Riata ST., Gilbert,
AZ. 85234 or [email protected], or 480.365.8202.
Cherokee Adairs book. Large, hard bound, well-referenced. $60 plus $6 s/h. Send to
Adair Reunion Association, 104320 S. 4610 Rd., Sallisaw, OK 74955
FOR SALE
union Floor loom 2 harness; chain driven excellent for rug making asking $425. Call
918.253.4841 message phone. 918.760.1828 cell.
REAL ESTATE
tulsa 3-2-1 $750.00, 1519 E. 66th Ct. 918-371-2316
Verdigris 3-2-2 $795.00, 9284 E, 530 Rd. 918-371-2316
tulsa 2-1-2 $675.00, 6712 E. Newton 918-371-2316
Owasso 4-2-2 $2500.00 , 9206 N. Garnett 918-371-2316
Owasso 2-2-2 $850.00, 8707 N. 120th E. Ave. 918-371-2316
ANNOUNCEMENTS
the Sequoyah Schools policy for free or reduced-price means for children served
under the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program and the
After-School Snack Program is available in the office of the Cafeteria Secretary. For
more information, contact Deena Johnson at (918)453-5191 or P.O. Box 520, Tahlequah,
OK 74465.
The Cherokee Phoenix publishes classified ads in good faith. However, we cannot guarantee the integrity
of every ad. If you have doubts concerning a product or service, we suggest contacting the Better
Business Bureau and exercising proper caution.
Classified ads are a minimum of $5.00 for the first 10 words and 25¢ for each additional word. Ads
must be prepaid by check or money order to the Cherokee Phoenix, Attn: Classifieds, P.O. Box 948,
Tahlequah, OK 74465
In Memoriam dmcdsdi
Betty jo Bohannon
Betty Jo Bohannon, resident of rural
Checotah, died at Muskogee on September
10, 2012, at the age of 90 years. She was
born in Warner on January 11, 1922, to
Cruce Lansford and Ruby Esther Casey. She
married Fred Allen Brown on December
28, 1938 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She
later married Wilford Ellsworth Bohannon
in Checotah on May 14, 1949. They were
married for over 50 years until his death.
Betty Jo received her bachelor’s degree
from Northeastern State College in
Tahlequah, and then as master’s degree
in reading from Central State College in
Edmond. Her first eight years of teaching
were in Muskogee County at Blackjack
School, one of the last of the old all-grade
one room country schools. She subsequently
spend the next 22 years teaching at Moore,
Oklahoma until her retirement.
She was a proud member of the Cherokee
Nation of Oklahoma, with her father being
an original Dawes Commission enrollee.
Surviving are two sons, Arthur Richard
(Connie) Brown of Nisswa, Minnesota, and
Fred Allen (Lavern) Brown, Jr. of Muskogee;
a sister, Jean (Paul) Lewis of Muskogee; two
brothers, Cruce (Betty) Lansford of Kansas,
Oklahoma and Richard (Joyce) Lewis of
California; numerous grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents;
her husband, Wilford Bohannon; and one
brother, Lance (Wanda) Lansford of Boulder
City, Nevada.
Private service and interment at Memorial
Park Cemetery, Muskogee.
joyce jean Allen
Joyce Jean Allen, born Joyce Jean Maxwell,
passed away Monday, September 17, at her
home in Bartlesville.
A Cherokee native, Joyce was born May 29,
1928. Her parents were Forrest and Florence
Goodman. She graduated from Ochelata High
School in 1947. She met Everitt Allen at the
Crown Drugstore in Bartlesville. They wed
November 6, 1947, and they were happily
married for 65 years.
Joyce loved to dance, quilt, crochet, knit,
paint, cook and travel. She also loved to play
her stand-up bass and visit with friends at the
Shade Tree Pickin’ held at her and Everitt’s
place for 25 years. An energetic, and creative
lady, Joyce owned and operated her own
business, Joyce’s Kut and Kurl, which had two
locations in Dewey and Bartlesville. Joyce is
remembered for being a beautician, loving
wife and grandmother, talented musician and
artist, and avid animal lover and dog breeder.
She was known to accomplish anything she
set her mind to do.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband
Everitt Allen; her grandchildren Jason Morgan,
Bryan Allen and wife Summer, Crystal
Larson and husband Brandon; her greatgrandchildren Bryson Allen, Emma and Ella
Larson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions
may be made for cancer research at the OU
Stephenson Cancer Center, PO Box 26901,
6th Floor, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901. For
donations via credit card, contact Von Allen at
405-271-4880.
Arrangements for Joyce Jean Allen are
under the direction of the Davis Family Funeral
Home. Memorial services will be announced
at a later date and will also be available at
www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
9
10
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
Boyd, Marcus Monroe
Boyd, Monty Dewayne
Boyd, Randall Glenn
Boyd, Ronald Lynn
Boyd, Ruby Juanita
Bracken, Lorene Margie
Bray, Jama Rachelle
Bray, Matthew Ray
Breedlove, Carrie L.
Breedlove, Jim
Breedlove, Mattie
Brewer, Freida Earnestine
Brewer, Mack
Brooks, Jerry DeWayne
Brooks, Lucille
Brown, Carla Annette
Brown, Crystal Carole
Brunk, Charles Burl Jr.
Brunk, Sherry Lynne
Bucholz, Lillian Ruth
Bunker, Carolyn Faye
Bush, Brenda Sue
Bush, Carnell
Bush, Evelyn
Bush, Jackie Wayne
Buster, Junior Lee
Buster, La Nell
Butcher, Anne Lynn
Butcher, Peggy Jean
Risenhoover, Mary Lois
Wilson, Ronald Herbert Jr. Buckner, Euphema Oleta
Hawkins, Karen LaDon
Locust, Thomas III
Vian
Bynum, Davonna Leanne
Risinger, Mary Lou
Wiltshire, Carol Jane
Hawkins, Summer Elaine
Lutz, Clarence Martin
Burrows, Becky Lynne
Allenbaugh, Patsy Dale
Byrd, Debra S.
Risley,
Ervin
Andrew
Winsel,
Ruby
Dee
Hay,
Mildred
Francis
Mannon,
Deborah
Ione
Burton, Martha Sue
Bailey, Adolphus Fred III
Byrd, Jason Dale
Roberts, Savilla May
Woodruff Hershel Ernest
Henley, Donnie Louise
Bush, Barbara Elaine
Baldridge, Thomas Garnet Marguez De La Plata,
Byrd, Tammy Lynn
Robertson, Jerry Ben
Wooten, Ervalee Maxine
Henning, Teresa Dawn
Alberto Raul Miguel IV
Bush, Norman
II
Cardova, Ollie Mae
Rogers, Brandon Jack
Yahola, Raymond Jr.
Henry, J. Fulton
Martin, Brenda Kay
Butcher, Donnie Brett
Ballard, Patricia Willene
Cash, Karen Vanessa
Rogers,
Franklin
Earl
Yocham,
Billy
Lee
Henry, Virginia J.
Martin, Sandra Kay
Byers, Linzey Wayne
Ballard, Tommie Keith
Chabot, Doris Coline
Wayne
Young, Robert Earl
Hill, Cherry Arlene
Mason, Janet Denice
Byrd, Carolyn Sue
Barker, Britney DeShone
Chastain, Lanita Adel
Ross, Jacqueline
Marble City
Hill, Frankie Cameron
Mathis, Lora Diana
Cain, Zachary Scott
Barnoskie, Jimmy Joe
Cherry, Charlene
Ross, John Lee
Abercrombie, April Denise Cal Houn, Betty Carol
Hill, Sherri Lynn
Mathis, Robert Lynn
Barrett, Deanna M.
Christopher, Garney
Ross, Michael Ray
Baldridge, Curtis Eugene
Hodges, Doris Sue
Mattis, Bertha Alene
Calhoun, Lance Warren
Barrick, Fred Eugene
Chunestudy, Bernice
Roth, Julie Anne
Baldridge, James Ervin
Holman, Jessica Lea
Maxwell, Rebecca A.
Callahan, Kenneth Jr.
Barrick, Steven Edward
Chunestudy, Ronald Dean
Roth, Susanne
Barton, Earl Jr.
Mayo, Richard Wheeler
Callahan, Mildred Florene Holson, Deliah Delaney
Berry, Shannon Vanessa
Clark, James Van
Rowland,
Roger
Dale
Beaver,
Elrita
House,
Stacy
Lynn
McCoy,
Jimmie
J.
Callaway, Myron Doran
Bias, Artis Leelmy
Click, David Lee
Runyan, Leta May
Beaver, Nancy
House, Thaduse
McElhaney, Willis Arthur
Calloway, Darla Janeice
Bigby, Lois Mae
Click, Debra Sue
Salinas, Anthony Pete
Bradshaw, Thomas Allen
Hudson, Donna Jean
McMahan, Wauhilla
Calloway, Gary Don
Birdtail, Kimberly Ann
Click, Rita Wanell
Bush, Isaac
Hummingbird, Shelly Dawn Sanders, Faye Elizabeth Lee
Mendenhall, Dawn Marie
Campbell, Carol Jean
Bolin, Melissa Yvonne
Click, Stephen Don
Sanders,
Geo
O.
Jr.
Bush,
Margaret
Merriott, Chester
Campbell, Catheryn Diane Humphries, Erma
Bradley, Billy Frank
Coker, Shirley Kay
Sanders, Jimmy Dwayne
Bush, Michelle
Jackson, Doris Levonne
Miller, Shawnee Glenn
Campbell, Dale Mitchell
Brady, Sarah Margaret
Coleman, Anita Mae
Sanders, Rikki Jo
Bush, Rider
Mills, Christopher Aaron
Campbell, Mickey Lorraine Jackson, Robin Lee
Breedlove, Iv William
Coleman, Brandon Keith
Sanders, Rodney George
Bush, William
Jackson, Sadie
Mills, Ruby
Cams, Tracey Lynn
Otway
Coleman, Curtis
Sanders,
Theodore
Malloye
Carter,
Jerry
Wayne
Jenkins, Patricia Mae
Monholland, Mathew
Cantrell, Patricia Ann
Brocker, Evelyn Bernice
Coleman, Dora
Sanders, Tommy Clayton
Carter, Reba Marie
Johnson, Betty Marie
Shawn
Cantrell, Pluma Belle
Brown, Carrie Lynne
Coleman, Hank
Sasser, Ervin Thomas
Cheater, Jackie J.
Johnson, Henry Edward
Moore, John
Cantrell, Shelly Lyn
Brown, James Lee
Coleman, Jerry Don
Scott,
Jimmy
Lee
Cheater,
Joe
Bob
Johnson,
Sharon
Lenora
Morgan,
Jerri
Kay
Capehart, Timothy Daniel
Brown, Ronald Vee
Coleman, Kie Jr.
Scott, Leona
Cheater, Larry Wayne
Jolly, Catherine Joanne
Morgan, Kathy Ruth
Carter, Ricky Neal
Brown, Stephanie Renee’
Coleman, Leona Mae
Scott, Sunday Sue
Cheater, Timothy Wayne
Morris, George W.
Cartwright, Brian Dewayne Jones, Daryl Wayne
Brown, Tammy Renee
Coleman, Norma Jean
Scott, Travis Lee
Christie, Jill Monroe
Jones, Floyd Ray
Morris, Leo
Caughman, Tyler Dean
Budd, Janice Kay
Collins, Betty Sue
Scoufos,
Jennifer
C.
Co
sey,
Benton
Thomas
Jones,
Ruby
Frances
Morris,
Rachel
Genevieve
Cawhorn, Harold Bro s Jr.
Buffington, Maggie
Collins, David Lynn
Seabolt, Arnold Lee
Co sey, Paul Edward Jr.
Jordan, Doris Marie
Myers, Deborah Kay
Cawhorn, Jennifer Bro
Bush, Ricky
Collins, Dawson Lonall
Seabolt, Arthur Almon
Copeland, Edward Eugene Jr. Cheater, Deronie Lee
Jordan, Tamera Lynn
Noisey, David Dale
Buttery, Brad Marcus
Condren, John Eric
Seay, Jessica Dawn
Cowett, Sherry Lavaugen
Keith, Monty Joe
Nutter, Delana June
Cheater, George
Buttery, David Barton
Corbit, Gerald
Sharp,
Margaret
Elk,
Charles
B.
Jr.
Kellogg, Darlene Estell
Ogdon, Oma Lee
Cheater, Joe Jr.
Buttery, Delmer Keith
Courtney, Loretta Lucile
Shepherd, Lana Kay
Emerson, Debra Doreen
Kelly, Cleo Edward
Ogdon, Terry Alan
Cheek, Bertha Leola
Buttery, Donnie Wayne
Courtney, Rhonda Lee
Shipman, Tonya Ann
Emerson, Diana Irene
Kennedy, Michael Keith
Paden, Stacey Lynn
Cheek, Garland Wayne
Buttery, Janet Kay
Cox, Shannon Lee
Shoemake, Paige Allan
Emerson, Donald
King, Jason Edward
Parker, Diana Sue
Christie, Andrea M.
Buttery, Matt Bryan
Crawford, Hollie A.
Shrum, Cathy Diane
Emerson, Donnie Dean
Krueger, Kathy Eillene
Pascale, Clayton
Christie, Elvis
Buttery, Monte Keith
Crawler, Marilyn S.
Silk, Cynthia Jan
Kuykendall, Carlotta A
Patterson, Darryl Winford Farris, Alicia Ann
Christie, Jerry Wayne
Buttery, Rhonda Lea
Curry, Wadie
Sizemore, Billy Youl
Farris, Michael Allen
Kuykendall, India Opal
Peters, Reta Jane
Christie, Shawn Farrell
Bynum, Caroline Sue
Czarnikow, Roy James
Sizemore,
Edwin
Wayne
Fields,
LaShawna
Tay
Lamb,
Shawna
Beth
Phillips,
Geneva
Christie, Vickie Jo
Calcote, Jackie Lee Jr.
Daugherty, Brenda Kay
Sizemore, Mary Fay
Fields, Trent Little Snow
Lasiter, Brenda Rose
Pigeon, Leon
Coble, Hazel
Campbell, Lahoma
Daugherty, Dianna
Sizemore, Randy Neal
Flute, Carrie
Lee, Cynthia Jean
Pigeon, Nellie
C er, Jerry David
Carter, Ralph Rudolph
Sizemore, Roberta Margaret Daugherty, Regina Ann
Flute, John Cleveland
Lee, Darrin Wade
Pinson, Lillie Emily
Cole, Kay
Caseboldt, Jackie Ray
Sizemore, Timothy Wayne Daugherty, Sam Lee
Flute, Shanelle Dawn
Lee, Elaine Annette
P., Richard Allen
Collins, Jackie Eileen
Cato, Cornelia Edna
Davis, Edgar Charles
Slaton, John Carr
Flute, Thomas
Lee, Jerome Q.
Price, Alton Leonard
Comstock, Lillian Ruth
Chapman, Anthony Lynn
Davis, Glen Carlin
Smith, Angelia Michelle
Fogg, Leroy
Lemons, Kimberly Jean
Pruitt, Bert James
Connelly, Harrell Lynn
Charcoal, Qush-Lah-Tah
Davis, Glen Stuart
Smith, Carol June
Fogg, Sarah
Lewis, Donald Paul II
Pruitt, William Lee
Connelly, Lorna Dean
Archillah
Davis, Jeffrey Wayne
Smith,
Katherine
Fogg,
Vanessa
Ann
Lineberry, Nancy Sue
Ragsdale, Kenneth Rex
Conrad, Mildred Waneva
Chester, Peggy Jo
Davis, Mark Allen
Smith, Katherine Lynn
Gibson, Donna Lynn
Lockhart, Billy Edward
Real, Roger Alan
Co, Vina Nellie
Choate, Cooie Cleatis
Davis, Paul Gregory
Smith, Marilyn Vada
Goad, Charles Wayne
Locust, Bertie May
Reed, James Dale
Crase, Paula Renea
Chuculate, James Taylor
Davis, Phillip Ralph
Smith,
Paula
Kaye
Gragg,
Lavada
Gail
Long,
Carolyn
Sue
Revas,
James
Harry
Crawford, Shelly Renee
Chuleewah, Toneh
Davis, Stacey Lynette
Smith, Stacy Lynn
Henning, Charles Daniel
Long, Roger Ray
Reynolds, Carolyn Sue
Crenshaw, Julie Suzanne
Cloud, Hiawatha
Davis, Steven Shawn
Smoke, Henry
Henning, Wanda Lou
Longshore, Betty Louise
Reynolds, David Wayne
Crosslin, Joe Ernest
Coble, Paula Ann
Daws, Roger Dale
Smoke, Kevin Darryl
Luper, Ethel
Richards, Deborah Annette Henry, John Kenneth
Curry, Dorothy Mae
Cole, Nathan Scott
Day, George Robert
Smoke,
Sarah
Jane
Hightower,
Gayla
Michelle
MacDonald,
Winifred
Richerson,
Frank
Douglas
Curry, Hedy Faye
Collins, Beth Ann
Day, Harvey James
Smoke, Virgil Franklin
Johnson, Angela Jean
Elizabeth
Riggs, Arnold
Daily, Laura Faye
Collins, Roger Dale
Day, Jennifer Ann
Southerland, Travis Lee
Johnson, Bessie Marie
Mainus, Dianna Sue
Riggs, Arnold Todd
David, Virgie Lee
Comstock, Johnnie C.
Day, Pattie Sue
Sparks, Deborah Elaine
Keen, Teddy Clarence
Manley, Richard C.
Risley, Jerry Dwyne
Davis, Carlotta Virginia
Connelly, Opal Louise
Day, Tracy Darlene
Sparks,
James
Claude
Korbelik,
Pamela
Gail
Marrs, Monte Phillip
Roach, Viola
Davis, Stanley Todd
Connelly, Sheridan Lee
Denny, Ashley Nicole
Sparks, Joyce Jean
Ladrillero, Marie
Martin, Ella Geneva
Robertson, Pamela Ann
Deese, Lester D.
Connelly, Will Rogers
Denny, John Israel
Sparks, Kerrie Renee’
Lockhart, Billy Edward Jr.
Martin, Joy Beth
Rodden, Larry Joe
Delozier, Natisha Leigh
Co, Jamie Lynn
Denny, Lillian
Springwater, Glen
Locust, Edna Louise
Martindale, Arley Jafar
Rogers, Houston
Denny, Phillip Kie
Copeland, Billy James
Dick, Brad Elliott
Springwater, Jacob S.
McGrath, Frank Vore
Mathis, Amber Dawn
Rogers, Shawna Anne
Denny, Vickey Ann
Cordray, Dennis Alan
Doyle, Tonya Sue
Stephens, Leslie Caroline
McGrath, Larry Frank
Matthews, Mark Duane
Rolston, Ronald Dale
Dickens, Angela Marie
Cordray, Roger Alan
Dustman, Shirley June
Stipes, Randi Lynn
Noisey, Shawna
Maxwell, Ray Allen
Ross, Arthur Harvey
Dickey, Loris Lahoma
Cramp, Bobby Gene
Dyer, Peggy Lee
Sutton,
Geneva
Noisey,
Viola
Jean
Mays,
Virginia
Marie
Russell,
Jess
Lee
Diffee, Jessie Gertrude
Croslin, Buddy
Eagle, Bird
Tart, Debora Gean Kay
Owens, Trina Lorine
McClanahan, Gary Alan
Dobbs, William Berry
Cunningham, Tommy Don Rutledge, Esther Lou
Earls, Susie Mathelia
Taylor, Latricia Kay
Pettit, Janice Suzan
McConnell, Edith Louise
Dorr, Shelah Gale
Daugherty, Blufford Junior Sallee, Linda Rene
Edwards, Tommy Lee
Taylor, Linda Joyce
Pettit, Marlin Wayne
Sanders, Darrel W
Dotson, Pauline Gertrude McCoy, Brian Keith
Davis, Curtis Gene
Efurd, Pamela Kay
Patricia,
Mae
Pettit,
Onawake
McCoy, Twyla Jean
Sandlin, Tammy Renee
Dreadfulwater, Anthony
Davis, Dwayne Boyd
Elkins, Carl Ray
Taylor, Stephen Roger
Pettit, Phoebe Lou
McGee, Jeannetta K.
Seabolt, Joseph H.
Wayne
Davis, Hester
Ellison, Ernest Clayton
Teague, Amanda S.
McKinney, Michael Lee
Sequichie, Kenneth O’Dell Pettit, Thomas Jr.
Dunn, Ronnie J. Sr.
Davis, Michelle Lea
Eubanks, Connie Jo
Teague, Rebecca Jo
Rider, Irene
Sequichie, Wiley Joe
Duty, Christopher Carnell McLemore, Billy Jack
Davis, Nannie Lee
Falkner, Jimmy Lee
Tehee,
Louella
Roberts,
Jeffrey
Don
McLemore, Robert Earnie
Shade, Betsy Mae
Edwards, August June
Davis, Preston
Fargo, Edgar Junior
Thomas, Bettye Lee
Robertson, Juanita
Meek, Cynthia Ranae
Shade, Christopher Alan
Ekberg, Tina Michell
De Salvo, Janice Virginia
Fargo, Nyla Devon
Thomas, Charlotte Ann
Rodriguez, Johnna Renee’ Ellis, Brenda Mae
Miller, Melanie Faye
Deerinwater, Jeannie Marie Shade, Gloria Jean
Fargo, Raymond Richard
Thomas,
James
Perry
Rosin,
Carl
Reece
Miller,
Ruby
Shade,
Jerry
Dale
Ellis, Krista Dea
Diamond, Renea Ellen
Fargo, Terry Lynn
Thomas, John Arven
Sanders, Charles Edmond Ellis, Pearlene
Mitchell, Linda Lou
Shade, Karen JoAnn
Downing, Kenneth Ray
Fargo, Woodrow Wilson
Thomas, Sandra Gail
Sanders, Evelyn
Moore, Bessie E.
Shade, Tommy
Ellis, Ronald Shawn
Dugan, Tonya Lynn
Farmer, Frankie Dale
Thomas, Vida O.
Sanders, Tammie Alene
Moore, Virgie Ruth
Shafer, Karen Teresa
Emerson, Laura
Duke, Kimberlee Gaye
Farrell, Lavonna B.
Tootle,
Newlin
Shamblin,
Chance
Elliott
Morgan,
Bonnie
Marlene
Sheffield,
Fowler
English, Debra Kay
Duke, Sharon Sue
Faulkner, Perry William
Treadway, Barbara Jean
Stealer, Bardie Lee
Morgan, Christel Charrel
Shermer, Craig Lee
Enloe, Alisha Rae
Eagle, Kee-Kee
Fears, Jason Lee
Vann, Cheryl Lynn
Stealer, Lawrence David
Morgan, Stacy Lea
Shivers, Robert Lee
Ensminger, Roger Lee
Edwards, Kenneth Paul
Fears, Willie Mae
Wagers, Teresa Gail
Steeley, Bob
Morris, Gerald Clayton
Smith, Betsy
Estep, Joseph Dean
Edwards, Margaret Ellen
Fimple, Clovis Micheal
Walker,
Jerry
Calvin
Steeley,
Katie
Morse, Erma
Smith, Donna Eileen
Fair, Leigh Ann
Ellis, Goldie Ilean
Flanagan, Denita Jo
Walker, Robby Lynn
Stool, Sam Jr.
Morton, Johney E.
Smith, Edward Lee
Fargo, Hazel Lorene
Ellis, Nola Pear
Flanagan, Jana Dawn
Walls, Doris Jean
Strickland, Willie Lee
Morton, Leila Diane
Smith, E.O.
Fargo, Ruby May
Estes, Susan Dianne
Flanagan, Lillian Beaulah
Walters, Gladys Aliene
Tarin, Tamera Lynn
Neel, Patricia Diane
Smith, Florence Christine
Faulkner, Bryan Lee
Everett, Teresa Dawn
Flanagan, O. C. Jr.
Walters, Louie Leon
Wade, Elsie
New, Lillian Lucille
Smith, Michelle Marie
Faulkner, Fred Bradley Jr.
Farris, Tommie Edith
Fletcher, Doris Ann
Walker, Lola Mae
Newman, Leland Cornelius Walters, Mary Ann
Smith, Nancy Sue
Fields, James Robert
Fine, Ronald Lynn
Floyd, Jana LeAnne
Walters, Pluma
Williams, India Ola
Nicholson, Cheryl Leann
Smith, Ralph Dwayne
Fields, Melissa Faye
Fleetwood, Roger Dale
Frazier, Marla Jo
Ward,
Dorothy
Evelyn
Williams,
Kenneth
Wayne
Nobles,
Truman
Thomas
Smith,
Richard
Lee
Jr.
Fox, Walter L. Jr.
Floyd, Beulah Vesta
Gann, Harlan James
Watie, Jerry Lee
Willson, Birdie Lou
Noel, Anita Kay
Smith, Terry David
Frye, Charles Oliver III
Ford, Beulah Ellen
Gann, Jesse James
Watson, Kristie Ann
Wilson, Edward
Noel, Shelby Ray
Smith, Vernon Louis
Frye, Charles Stinson
Foreman, Nancy Ann
Gann, Joyce Dean
Watts, Juanita
Woodward, George Osborn Frye, Lori Catherine
Oates, Freddie D. Jr.
Solosky, Juanita Marie
Fowlkes, Angela Carlotta
Gann, Junior Gary Wayne
Webber,
Raymond
Woodward,
Minnie
Ruth
Ogden, Mamie Marie
Solosky, Patrick Dewayne
Frye, Michael Kelly
Free, Clarence R.
Gann, Jr. Harlan James Jr.
Welch, Nannie
Young, Lucas Marlin
Ortega, Kelli Dawn
Spencer, Ardith F.
Frye, Michael Leroy
Gannaway, Lisa Gail
Gardner, Paula Dee
Wells, Mary Elizabeth
Sallisaw
Osburn, Bentley Earl
Spurgeon, Homer David
Fullbright, Billie Ray
Gantt, Delbert Hamilton
Whitener, Peggy Berthena Garvin, Lisa Kaye
(McDonald) Covey, Sheila Fullbright, Gary Alan
Osburn, Jesse William
Spurling, Teresa Lee
Garrison, Vicki Marie
Gibbons, Alice Edna
Wiley, Susan Louise
Ann
Owens, Jill
Stamps, Linda Kay
Fullbright, Jennifer Kay
Glass, Bonnie La Jean
Gilbert, Frankie Cleo
Wilhelm, Elizabeth Lynn
Abernathy, Jennifer Ann
Parker, Opal Gean
Gann, Vicky Dale
Glenn, Edgar Leroy Junior Stewart, Tip Newman
Glasco, Crista Diane
Wilson, Jimmy Ray
Adams, Isaac Anthony
Parker, Silva Mae
Stool, Beverly Ann
Gardenhire, Kenneth Ray
Gold, Kimberly Lynette
Goodson, Katherine Ann
Wilson,
Tanya
Michelle
Alberty,
Albert
L.
Parris,
Bobby
Dean
Strader,
Lorraine
Gardenhire, Ossie Harling
Gourd, Joan Lee
Gordon, Angie Deguare
Wood, Virgie Betty
Anderson, Janet Lynn
Parris, Carol Ann
Strong, Tyrone Patrick
Gardenhire, Patricia Ann
Gragg, Jared Dewayne
Gordon, Bobbie Janelle
Baber, Abby Gail
Pemberton, Harold Dee Jr. Wren, Clyde Haverson
Sweet, Patsy Sue
Gash, Virginia Lee
Graham, Pamela Ann
Gordon, John Douglas
Bair, Courtney Nicole
Pettit, Chester Leon
Swimmer, Terry Lyn
Giboney, Anita Lynn
Grass, Ed
Wright, Danny Steven Jr.
Gordon, Kathy Sue
Ball,
Clarissa
Dawn
Pettit,
George
William
Swimmer,
Vergial
Lee
Gilbert, Eva Mena
Hallmark, Allen
Wright, Danny Steven
Graham, Martha Ellen
Ball, Dustin M.
Pettit, Justin Troy
Taylor, A. Lealon
Gindhart, Betty Jean
Hawk, Marlin
Wyly, Michael
Gray, Mary Ann
Barger, Cynthia Diane
Pettit, Melissa Kaye
Taylor, Dorothy Faye
Girdner, Sandra Lee
Hearon, Janet Lorene
Yahola, William
Green, Margie L.
Barger, Darrell Ray
Pettit, Virgil
Taylor, Krista Shannon
Wynema
Hefley, Frank McCoy
Young, Brenda Lee
Green, Rebecca Ann
Barger,
Sadie
Phillips, Angela R.
Terrell, Arlena Elizabeth
Girten, Ruth Ann
Hogan, Brenda Sue
Muldrow
Gregory, Donovan Lynn
Barger, Tracey Michelle
Philpot, Jennifer Michelle
Terrill, Linda Kay
Girty, Charley
Honeycutt, Billy Jack
Acosta, Sherry Annette
Hail, James Franklin
Barnes, Katherine Sue
Pinkerton, Kathleen
Terrill, Manuel Ray
Glass, Kelly Lynn
Horton, David Gene
Alderson, Robert Jay
Hallum, Mark Arlin
Barnes, Steven Lee
Pitts, Barbara Jean
Thomas, Jammey Dale
Goad, William Bro
Houston, Carol Ann
Allen, Lester John
Hamlin, Kelly Alene
Barrett, Patsy Wynema
Pointer, Myrtis Janice
Godoua, Mary Francine
Hummingbird, Brian Dale Thornton, Herman Edward
Allen, Mildred Lou
Hancock, Jo Ann
Bates, Jimmie Louis
III
Goodwin, William Sherrill Poor, Barbara May
Hummingbird, James
Amon, Deana Mae
Harden, Sandra Darlene
Begley, Clinton C.
Poorboy, Jimmie Ray
Trammell, Kara LeAnn
Jr.
Isham, Jerry Dale
Anderson, Charlotte Sue
Harding, Annette Barbara
Begley,
Clinton
T.
Potts,
Mable
Alice
Treat,
Michael
Dale
Griffin, Audra Mae
Jackson, Kella
Anderson, Donna Diane
Harkreader, Karen Ann
Benge, Dewey Gene
Truett, Lula Mae
Grizzle, Christopher Wade Price, Donald Ray
Jackson, Willie B.
Armer, Amanda Nicole
Harmon, Jessie D.
Berglan, Judy Lee
Proctor, Candace Renae
Tyner, Hugh McCoy
Gunter, Addie Charlene
Johnson, Anita Lynn
Armer, Jamie Lynn
Harvell, Mary Alice
Bethel, James Douglas
Quackenbush, Rachel
Vance, Pamela Ann
Gunter, Dennis Gerald
Johnson, Bruce Dean
Asbill, Bevi Kyle
Harvell, Ronald Gene
Bethel,
Scotty
Don
Liliane
Vaughan, James Robert
Gunter, Gary Paul
Johnson, Sherry Leigh
Bailey, Charles Albert Jr.
Harvey, Joyce Marie
Ragsdale, Ralston D.
Vinson, Grace Laveda
Gunter, Joe Bailey
Johnson, Ted William
Bain, Betty Ann
Bianco, Mike Preston
Hawk, Jimmy D.
Ramer, Carleen
Vinzant, Bobby Allen
Gunter, John Edward
Jones, Nicholaus Bradley
Barker, Walter Lee
Bittle, Mary Faith
Helms, Wilma Carlene
Randolph,
James
H.
Walker, Austin
Hale,
Gary
Merle
Jones, Willis
Barnes, Gary Wayne
Blount, Derrick Reid
Henderson, Delinda Kim
Randolph, Nancy Jane
Walter, Karla Trickett
Hale, Nancy
Keck, Lovely Joseph
Barnes, Irene Martha
Blount, Loretta Rene’
Henson, Cheryl Ann
Randolph, Sammy Eugene Barnes, Mary Ann
Walters, Genevieve May
Hale, Stanley Wayne
Keith, Mark Dwayne
Blount, Marty Don
Henson, Gerald Wayne
Real, Barbara Sue
Walters, Paul Leon
Hall, Opal
Ketten, Katie Ruth
Barnes, Ryan Don
Bolin, Cassie Louise
Henson, Herbert
Real,
Gordon
Gentry
Ward,
Jill
Deann
Hanks, Georgia
King, Connie A.
Barnes, Tina Lavonn
Bolin, Jennifer May
Henson, James Percy
Real, Michael Eugene
Warren, Pamela Sue
Hardbarger, Raymond
Kugal, Bryan Douglas
Barrow, Edward Jacob
Bolin, Jonathan Glenn
Henson, Janice Darlene
Real, Michelle Annette
Webb, Nickie Lea
Harmon, Billy Joe
Larios, Ruby Darlene
Bearce, Katherine
Bolin, Little John
Henson, Janice Kay
Reavis, Mildred Iona
Webb, Tanya Annette
Harmon, Jewell Richard
Lemley, Neva Nell
Benge, Floyd Nelson
Bouquet, Oleta J.
Henson, Jimmie Dale
Reece,
Cecil
Eugene
Webber,
Theresa
Annette
Harmon, Melinda Ann
Lincoln, Johnnie Lee
Benge, Loretta Mae
Bradley, Paul Harold
Henson, Kyle Rogers
Reed, Bobby Joe
Wells, Misty Michelle
Harr, Mary Lea
Lincoln, Martin Lee
Bethel, Hubert Chris
Brewer, Wendell Lee
Henson, Larry Glen
Reed, George Doel
Wildcat, Tina Marie
Harrison, Dianna
Linker, Gary Andrew
Bird, Emma
Brown, Coeta Fay
Henson, Phillip Dean
Reese, Bonnie Gladys
Wilson, Bill Steven
Harrison, Garey Curtis
Livers, Richard
Blevins, Leisa Kay
Brown, Edith
Henson, Sherfield
Rhodes, Thomas Nye
Wilson, Edward Jr.
Harrison, James Alvie
Locust, Cekuwe
Bottoms, Nancy Lucile
Brown, Jeff Buster
Henson, Warren George
Rider, Alex
Wilson, Finnie Edward
Harrison, Scott Shannon
Locust, Kn ovtee
Boyd, Bobby Glen
Brown, Jo Ann
Holford, Karla Kay
Riggs, Johnny Wayne
Wilson, Paul Rupert
Hartley, Karlan Rodger
Locust, Leroy Vincent
Boyd, Donald
Buark, Weetona Lea
2012
Holloman, Mildred Faye
Holt, Billy R.
Holt, Calvin
Holt, Dennis Dayton
Holt, Granville
Holt, Kennith
Holt, Marcella Louise
Holt, Mary Nell
Holt, Sidney Albert
Holt, Stephen Todd
Holt, Teresa Diane
Horton, Misty Dawn
Howard, Shawn Phillip
Howell, Robin Sue
Howington, Sherry Anne
Hubbard, Louise
Hunter, Jennifer Rose
Hutchcraft, Joellen Marie
Hyde, Cody Dee
Jackson, Brandie Nicole
Jackson, Gary Dean
Jackson, James Wayne
Jacobs, Aubrey Harman
Jacobs, Kellie Jo
Jahn, Sonya Ann
James, Sharon Kay
Jeremiah, Andrea Dawn
Jeremiah, Angelita Yvonne
Jeremiah, Dempsey Newton
Jeremiah, Dennis A.
Jeremiah, Flaura Ellen
Jeremiah, Golda
Jeremiah, Ima Jean
Jeremiah, Jackie Kevin
Jeremiah, Kendall Blaine
Jeremiah, Nelson Eddie
Jeremiah, Sherry Lee
Johnson, Brenda Joyce
Johnson, Denver Lee
Johnson, Linda Kay
Johnson, Tanya Marie
Jones, Ellen Mae
Jones, Randall Lee
Jones, Robert Alva
Keen, Arley Junior
Keen, Dwight Anthony
Keen, Freda Louise
Keen, Richard Wayne
Keith, Brian Lee
Keith, EJ
Keith, James William
Keith, Jeffrey Allen
Keith, Kimberly Diane
Keith, Michael Dean
Keith, Misty Donnell
Keith, Timothy David
Kelley, Dawn Leora
Kelley, Mary Audra
King, Laverne
Langley, Moore Amber Rae
Lankford, Roger Wayne
Lawson, Ann Marie
Leaf, Damon Douglas
Leathers, James Robert
Lee, Bill Gene
Lee, Christopher Dean
Lee, Fred Junior
Lee, George Harold
Lee, George Hyles
Lee, James Paul
Lee, Raymond Leon
Lee, Robert Elmo
Lee, Steven Collins
Lee, Sybil Olene
Lee, Thomas Collins
Leininger, Jordan Kay
Lewis, Bryant Jess
Lewis, Debra Jo
Lewis, Donald Dean
Lewis, Fred Harding
Lewis, Freddy Patton
Lewis, Freddy Patton II
Lewis, Gary Marlon
Lewis, Justin Blake
Lewis, JW Wayne Jr.
Lewis, Kerrie Lynn
Lewis, Steven Carl
Lewis, Tammy Renee
Lewis, Ted Roosevelt
Lewis, Virginia Lucille
Limore, Wendy Michelle
Linker, Andrew Allen
Linson, Christopher Allen
Linson, Marlene
Lockwood, Tammye Lee
Lowder, Johnny Baxter Jr.
Lynch, David Lewis
Lynch, Marty Leland
Lynch, Maurita Gail
Mabray, William Edgar
Mabray, William Samuel
Marisco, Reba Jane
Martin, Deborah Kaye
Martin, Gayla Lynn
Martin, Lisa Gaye
Martin, Marcedith Gail
Martin, Phillip Lee
Mason, Donna Sue
Mathews, Corena Maxine
Matthews, Augusta D.
Matthews, Nadie Lee
Mayes, Contrel Lynn
Michael, Christopher Paul
Michael, Janet DeAnne
Miller, Christine Marie
Miller, Darrell Eugene
Miller, Darrell Mack
Mize, Evelyn Nora
Monroe, James Timothy
Monroe, Tammy Darlene
Montgomery, Vivian Viola
Morgan, David Gene
Morgan, Patsy Marie
Morris, Brandon Edward
Morris, Ricky Don
Morton, Earl Dean
Morton, John Paul
Myers, Helen B.
Nakedhead, Amanda Kay
Neighbors, Roy Dean
Nelson, Angela Dawn
Nelson, Donna Sue
Nelson, James Christopher
Newton, Micheal James
Nichols, Debbie Jean
Nofire, Angelicke Marie
Nofire, Benny Lee
Odom, Willia Mae
Ogdon, Justin Cleon
O’Neal, Jason Burl
O’Quin, Dana Gayle
Orms, Carole Jean
Owen, Larry Dale
Owen, Mark Landon
Owen, Patricia Gayle
Owens, Gregory Allen
Patterson, Carl K.
Patterson, Syble Inez
Peaslee, Kevin Stewart
Pendergrass, Terry Wayne
Pendergrass, Wilma Lee
Peters, Kathy Lynn
Peters, Sandra Kay
Pettit, Jack Kelly Jr.
Phelps, Manuel Fay
Powell, Pearlie Mae
Price, Melladean
Qualls, Carolyn Sue
Qualls, Cecil
Qualls, Irene
Qualls, Joshua Wayne
Qualls, Teddy Wayne
Quinton, Dorothy Mae
Ramey, Lisa Lynn
Ransom, Jeffery Paul
Ransom, Tori Latrece
Redden, Cleve Glenn
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
Redden, David Dwain
Redden, Omer Dean
Redden, Reva Leaton
Redford, Bobby Jack
Reed, Deborah Louise
Reed, Michael Dean
Reed, Paul Kevin
Reed, Rhonda Kay
Reed, Richard Dee
Reed, Shirley
Rhodes, Joanna Rania
Rice, Melinda Kay
Riddle, Clarence C.
Riddle, David Lee Jr.
Riddle, David Lee Sr.
Riddle, Owen Bee
Riddle, Robin Sharice
Riddle, Vernan Lee
Riddle, Winston Wavel
Riggs, James Dean
Rinehardt, Ronald Earl
Roberts, Billy Gene
Roberts, Delmas Odell
Roberts, Earl Hilton
Roberts, Kenneth Wayne
Roberts, Kevin Dewayne
Roberts, Ralph
Roberts, Ruby Mildred
Roberts, Shelly Dawn
Roberts, Tommy Odell
Robertson, Sandra Lou
Rogers, Bonnie Juanita
Rogers, Bridget Michelle
Rogers, Debra Jean
Rogers, Hersal William
Rogers, Kirby Lee
Rogers, Raquel Lorraine
Rogers, William Hershall III
Rogers, William Hershall Jr.
Ross, Margaret Minnie
Rowe, Rose Ann
Rowland, Mabel Velora
Ruckman, Gary Wesley
Ruckman, Lois Lucille
Rupe, Linda Sue
Russell, Adrian Brian
Russell, Charles Edward
Russell, Geraldean
Russell, Hayden Jean
Russell, Kimmie Raelene
Russell, Lysa Jo
Russell, Pamela Denise
Russell, Patricia Ann
Russell, Raymond Cecil
Russell, Richard Lee
Russell, Rick Ray
Russell, Skyler Don
Russo, Christopher Louis
Rutherford, Carol Jean
Rye, Donna Gail
Sagely, Mary Pauline
Sanders, Kathleen
Sanders, Samantha Lynn
Scheel, Tabetha Marie
Schuster, Marilyn Jane
Scott, Brandon Alan
Scott, Cora
Scott, Susie Jean
Seabolt, Laura Gwen
Seabolt, Rebecca Belle
Seabolt, Robert Emmette Jr
Sena, Almetia
Sequichie, Jimmy Donald
Sevenstar, Billy JR
Sevenstar, Dewayne
Sevenstar, Donald
Sevenstar, Donald Lee
Sevenstar, Emma
Sevenstar, Frank
Sevenstar, James
Sevenstar, Lee
Sevenstar, Leon William
Sevenstar, Martin
Sevenstar, Melvin
Sevenstar, Pitman
Sevenstar, Riley
Sevenstar, Ruth May
Sevenstar, Sally Mae
Sevenstar, Samuel Allen
Shackelford, Owen
Dewayne
Shakingbush, William Loye
Shamblin, Danny Ray
Shamblin, Jeffery Rondon
Sharp, Dayla Garlene
Sharp, Mark Edward
Shaver, Veronica Elanie
Sims, Ramona Mae
Sisco, Roger Dale
Small, Leota
Smith, Cathy
Smith, Grace Marie
Smith, Melba Sue
Smith, Wilma Louise
Snider, Elizabeth Jean
Snider, Lizzie Mae
Snider, Vickie Annette
Soap, Billy Lee
Soap, Emma Lou
Soap, Flora May
Soap, Lora Mae
Soap, Nancy Marie
Soap, Pearlene
Soap, Sandra
Solner, Amber Dianne
Southerland, Bobby Dale
Southerland, Joy L.
Southerland, Robert
Donald
Southerland, William
Clifford
Southern, Glenda Darlene
Southern, Lance Kyle
Spears, Jo A.
Spivey, Ashley Jean
Spivey, Candace Gail
Spivey, Linda Sue
Spoon, Carolyn Sue
Spoon, Norma Jean
Stancil, Betsy Mae
Stanley, Lisa Nan
Starr, Irene
Steffy, Alecia Ann
Stephens, Angela Beth
Stiles, Sean Paul
Stimson, Troy Arbry
Stites, Nathanial Lewis
Strong, Araminta W.
Studie, Thomas
Sutherland, Albert Jr.
Sutton, Dena Ranee
Sutton, Doug D.
Sutton, Marquita Lois
Sutton, Misty Dawn
Sutton, Tony Dewayne
Sutton, Viola Mae
Swift, Debra Lynn
Tabor, Amanda Jane
Tabor, Barbara Jean
Tabor, Donald Ray
Tabor, Emma Evelyn
Tabor, James Elmer
Tabor, Jennifer Dawn
Tabor, Kristie Dawn
Tate, Danny Allen
Taylor, Irene
Taylor, Lucille
Teehee, Berniece
Teehee, Dorothy Lynn
Teehee, Gloria June
Teehee, Jeffery Dwyane
Teehee, Ricky Don
Tehee, Clyde Lee
Testerman, Karen Jean
Thomas, Beverly Anita
Thomas, Brandon Leann
Thompson, Debra Ann
Thompson, Pearline
Tippetts, Martha Jane
Townsend, Norene
Trammell, James W
Trammell, John Henry
Trammell, Stacy Bryant
Treat, Elsie Marie
Treat, Tommy Steven
Turner, Kathryn Ruth
Vann, Christopher
Vann, Delois L.
Vann, Jack Franklin
Vann, James Lynn
Vest, Bobby Eugene
Vest, Diana Sue
Vest, Tara Bro e
Vest, Velma Jean
Viles, Nola Mabel
Vinh, Margart Kay
Wade, Misty Dawn
Wade, Saundra Lee
Walker, Carolyn
Walters, Janice Trilba
Waters, Billy Wayne
Waters, Bobby Clay
Waters, John Edward
Waters ,Stephen Loran
Watie, Christopher Michael
Watts, Harold Douglas
Weavel, Ella
Weavel, Tom
Webb, Kimberly Ann
Webb, Rebecca Ann
Welch, Elaina Jo
Welch, Mackie Joe
Wells, Christina Renee
Wells, Shannon Wynell
West, Angela Dawn
Wheeler, Elizabeth Elaine
Wheeler, Shawn Wayne
White, Neva Jo
Wickett, John Perry II
Williams, Christina Dawn
Williams, Edward Scott
Williamson, Bobby Allen
Wilson, Joseph Franklin
Wilson, Otis Allen III
Wilson, Timmy Len
Wofford, Della Denise
Woodward, Jo-Ann
Woody, Jim Randall
Warner
Acuff, Robert Lee
Acuff, Shirley Ann
Adams, Carl Ray
Alexander, Joshua Daniel
Alfred, Robert Brian
Armstrong ,Mary J.
Harrison
Arnett, Fay
Atkerson, Marilyn Lynn
Bacon, Sandra Jean
Bagwell, Lola Marjorie
Baker, Billie Ray
Bales, Brenda Ann
Bales, Clay Webster
Barnes, Dorothy Nell
Barnes, Dwayne Neal
Barnes, Roy Lee
Barnett, John Henry Jr.
Battenfield, Lori Lynn
Benson, Bessie Nona
Benson, Billy Darral
Benson, Don Edward
Benton, Edward Dewayne
Berry, Bobby Landon Jr.
Blackwell, Harley Avery
Bluebird, Hazel
Bond, David Samuel Lee
Boswell, Christean
Brady, Krystal June
Brashier, Amanda Jo
Brashier, Gary Ray
Brashier, Orval Wesley
Briggs, Vivian Fern
Brown, Lowell Lee
Brown, Webster Witter
Bryant, Leslie Ann
Burk, Linda Louise
Butler, Mildred Faye
Caldwell, Dustin Cody
Campbell, Nanetta S
Carman, John Henry
Carman, Linda Sue
Carpenter, Roena Louise
Carter, George Daniel
Carter, Richard Neal
Casey, Cora Scottie
Casinger, Billye Leona
Casinger, Mandy Gail
Chadwick, David Foster Jr.
Chadwick, Kathy Jane
Chambers, Lela Evelyn
Chrisenberry, Hazel
Christian, Rebecca Jean
Clark, Brenda Kay
Clark, Doyle Lee
Clark, Gary Alvin
Clark, Saundra Denise
Cole, Helen C.
Coleman, David Wayne
Coleman, Donna Pauline
Coleman, Harold Ray
Cook, Ella Bell
Cookson, Tommy Wayne
Corbell, Sharon Faye
Cordray, Leonard Thomas
Cox, Charles Harmon
Cox, Gary Link
Cox, Robert A.
Crain, Scottie Alfred
Crittenden, Dale Lee
Culver, Crystal Lynn
Davis, Faye Thelma
Davis, Jessie James
Davis, Patsy Marie
Dean, Susan Lynn
Desmond, Deborah Jean
Diamond, Robert Earl Jr.
Dry, Michele Leann
Dunahoo, Catherine
Francine
Dunn, Fannie Ruth
Dunn, Marcus Wayne
Earixson, Betty Christine
Earles, Harvey Lynn
Earles, Stanley David
Easterling, Rever Viola
Ellis, Mary Melda
Ellis, Ruben J.
Estep, Mark
Fain, Edna Myrtle
Falling, Alice Joyce
Faulkner, Dave Tamblyn
Feuerhelm, Tracy Dawn
Fields, Betty Sue
Fine, June Ellen
Fitzer, Stella Mae
Flanagan, Beatrice
Foland, Dennis Leon
Foltz, Charlotte Nell
Ford, James Henry Jr.
Foreman, Regan Summer
Foreman, Robert Jackson
Frazier, Bill Leon
Frazier, Delores Gail
Gaffney, Kenneth Ray
George, Harold
Gibbens, Tanya Kay
Gilstrap, Jennifer
Gilstrap, Rodney Joe
Girty, Jeff Jr.
Girty, Maragret Deann
Girty, Roger Dale
Goad, Louie Albert Junior
Godfrey, Jo Ann
Goforth, James Walter F.
Goodman, Reta Imogene
Goosman, Julie Ann
Green, Alton B.
Hales, Kelly Bryan
Haney, Bonnie Frances
Harris, Nancy Marrow
Hartin, George Andrew
Hatley, Morris Gale
Hawkins, Douglas Tyner
Heath, Sharon Sue
Hediger, Pamela Gayle
Helmer, Barbra Ann
Henderson, Brenda Faye
Henderson, Clara Louise
Hendrex, Alvin Andy
Henry, James Eston Jr.
Hill, Nancy Carol
Hiseley, James Bert
Hiseley, Tommie Monroe
Hix, Lonnie Dee
Hogner, Halee Lyn
Hokit, Tressa
Holt, Jo Dawn
Hoose, Stacie Eileen
Hope, Angel Shannon
Nunn
Hopper, Michael Eugene
Howard, Lisa Dawn
Huggins, Minnie Maxine
Huskey, Arva Jean
Hyslop, Christopher Keith
Hyslop, James Vernon
Hyslop, Paula Renee
Hyslope, Crystal Maxine
Jackson, Donald Wayne
Jasman, Beatrice Marie
Jernigan, Clyde Dean
Jewell, Anna Bell
Johnson, Eula Nadine
Johnson, Mamie Inone
Johnson, Shawnee Lin
Johnson, Vivian
Johnston, Wanda Carlene
Jones, Lisa DeeAnne
Jones, Luther Wayne
Jones, Nina Elizabeth
Kaiser, Gracie Myrtle
Kash, Sherley Nora Ann
Kash, Vernia Mae
Kemplin, Kate Elizabeth
Kennedy, Malia Diane
Kerr, Amy Elizabeth
Killian, Evelyn
Killian, Terry Kermit
Kindred, John Thomas
King, Loretta Patricia A.
Kirby, Ruby Deloris
Kitchen, Thelma
LaFevers, Jesse Oscar
Leatherman, Sandy Lynne
Lee, Edward Sequoyah
Leep, Leon Lloyd
Lenard, Tammy Renae
Leopard, Lisa Kay
Lewis, Jeremy Marvin
Lewis, Lillian Mae
Lewis, Paul Clifford
Liimatta, Tina Lynn
Lindsey, John Dale
Littlejohn, Nelda Sue
Lloyd, Carol Lynn
Locust, Curtis Jr.
Locust, Sherwood Jimmy Jr.
Looper, Susie A.
Lynch, Melanie Ann
Lytle, Karrie Lynn
Lytle, Margaret RoseAnn
Lytle, Minnie V.
Mabrey, Donald Kelly
Mabrey, Donna Sue
Mabrey, Sandra Lynn
Mabrey, Wynema Lee
Madding, Acia Nichole
Madewell, Jean Vera
Mann, Gennie Lee
Martin, Peggy Ann
McCoy, Tracey Lynn
McLaughlin, Richard Lee
Meeks, Aaron
Mefford, Joyce Ann
Menie, Ann Dawnette
Moore, Leona Loretta
Moore, Miesha Dawn
Mullins, Amanda Beau
Murray, Robbie Jean
Muskrat, James Glen
Muskrat, Julia Faye
Muskrat, Laura Jo
Muskrat, Matthew Simon
Muskrat, Shawna Kaye
Mustin, Betty Lou
Nail, Rusty J.
Nickell, Karen Sue
Obal, Melinda Carol
Ogren, Donna Sue
Overbey, David Wayne
Overby, Mazie Lenora
Owens, Brad Allen
Oxtoby, Stephanie May
Parker, Malinda Gaylynn
Parson, Chuck Ray
Parson, Danny Lee
Parsons, Shirley Joann
Pease, Raymond Asa
Petchinsky, Willa Dean
Pitts, Mildred Marie
Plunkett, Deanna Marie
Pollard, Lana Gail
Potts, Arthur Gene Sr.
Potts, Jo Ann
Potts, Johnny Jefferson
Potts, Johnny Jefferson Jr.
Potts, Watie Jr.
Pratt, Neoma Lee
Puckett, Glena Vay
Putman, Nellie Jean
Qualls, Jimmie Edward
Qualls, Judie Ellen
Qualls, Sophronia Irene
Quick, Tammy Annette
Quinton, Clint Jr.
Reece, Kenneth Wayne
Reece, Michael Dean
Reece, Richard L.
Reed, Johnnie Valena
Rich, Johnny Ray
Richardson, Kathy Lynn
Richerson, James Robert
Risenhoover, Troy
McMillian
Roach, Robert Roy
Robins, Donald Hubert
Rock, Raven Deon
Rock, Robin Lee
Rock, Russell Wayne
Roye, Loucille
Rozell, Anthony Robert
Rozell, Joyce Pansy
Russell, Donald Ray
Schwaesdall, Thomas
Ervin
Scott, James Bennie
Scott, Larry Dean
Scrapper, Tiffany Marie
Sellers, Davis Coin Jr.
Sexton, Erma Jaye
Sexton, Jerry Wendell
Shamblin, Elizabeth Anne
Shanks, David Ellis
Shanks, Don William
Shanks, Merl
Simonds, Mary Ellen
Smith, Samatha Jeanette
Smith, Sherry Lynn
Sons, Steven Michael
Sorrels, Inez Lillian
Spradlin, Stanley Gene
Standifird, Beatrice Agness
Standifird, Jackie Wayne
Standifird, Lona Ellen
Stevens, Bessie Loretta
Stewart, Gail Lee
Stewart, Jewell Atlas
Swimmer, Loyd Harold
Tackett, Deborah Ann
Taylor, Melissa Dawn
Tayor, Dora Kay
Thompson, Jimmie Allen
Thompson, Sarah Jane
Thornburg, Sonya
Markqueta
Thornton, Johnne Lee
Thornton, Machel Lynn
Thornton, Terry Lawrence
Tittle, Bryon Allen
Tolbert, Frank Jr.
Toney, Cecil
Toney, David
Toney, Janie Denise
Toney, Kenneth Ray
Toney, Leon
Toney, Melissa Ann
Towell, Billye Patricia
Townsend, Elizabeth Quay
Tuteral, Marion Eugene
Twist, Charley Lee
Vandermeer, Bonnie Jo Ann
Vanhooser, Wardie E.
Vincent, Debra Marie
Vincent, Jess David
Vinzant-Fools, Mary Jo
Walker, Janana
Walker, lahoma
Walker, Opal
Walker, Timothy M. Jr.
Ward, John Russel
Waterfallen, Jerald Fowler
Weathers, Irene
Webster, Wynema Faye
West, Hurt Morgan
Whisenhunt, Phyllis Ann
Wiggins, Mandy Michelle
Wiggins, Sandra Dean
Willhite, Lola Louise
Williams, Charles Frederick
Williams, Frank Nathaniel
Wilson, Christopher Lee
Wilson, Donna Gayle
Wilson, Lucille Marie
Winkler, Judith Oletta
Woodall, David Ray
Woodworth, David Eugene
Woody, Glen Lewis
Woolard, Bobby R.
Wooten, Mary Carolyn
Yandell, Jon Adam
York, Allen Harding
Yost, Allen Dean
Yount, Sue Ellen
Ft. Gibson
Abbott, Debby Glynn
Adcock, Lynn Edwin
Addington, Donald Gene
Addington, Marth Sue
Alexander, Jill Jane
Allen, Denver Lee
Allen, Janet Renee
Allen, Onetta Lucille
Anderson, George Albert
Bailey, David Bruce
Bailey, Earl Franklin
Bailey, Lisa Kay
Bailey, Teresa Joy
Baker, Alberta
Baker, Marla Sue
Baker, Sherry Lynn
Barnes, Lawerence Howard
Barnoski, Nannie
Barrick, Jesse David
Bates, Dewayne Cordell
Bates, Ernest Lee
Bean, Johnny Jr.
Bell, Sophia Marianne
Benge, Earl Dell
Benge, Frederick L.
Bennett, Rashell Amanda
Beshears, Jennifer Leigh
Biggers, Randall Virgil
Billigmeier, Susan Ann
Blair, Rhoda Lynn
Bluebird, Luke
Boswell, Michael Wayne
Boswell, Waylin Mitchell
Bowden, Sonya Lynn
Bowen, May Laverne
Brandt, James Michael
Brassfield, Rachel Wyona
Bray, Belva Dorene
Bray, Lee Ann
Brewer, Ima Lou
Briggs, Lloyd James J.
Briggs, Margarett Evalin
Brown, Awonda Hancel
Brown, Celestia Elaine
Brown, Marion Ragsdale
Buchanan, Rick L
Bunch, Eugene Jack
Burleson, Thelma
Burris, Richard Anthony
Bush, Bobbi Leigh
Bussey, Lawrence Joseph
Byrd, Randal Jackson
Byrd, Rhonda Gail
Cantrell, Rancy Roland
Carron, Evelyn
Chandler, Jeffrey Lynn
Chouteau, Christine Marie
Clark, Helen Frances
Cobb, David Wayne
Coffman, Amy June
Collins, Steven Allen
Conrad, Eugene Tiger
Conrad, Opal Lucille D.
Cook, Emily Elizabeth
Cook, Joseph Lee
Cook, Justin Kirk
Cook, Nettie Emma Jane
Cookson, Joseph J.
Cooper, Anita Lorene
Cottrell, Loyd Thomas
Crittenden, Thomas Arthur
Crittenden, Walter Leroy
Croslin, Laurie Melissa
Crossland, John Raymond
Sr.
Cude, Minnie Ann
Darden, Ronald Dale
Dause, Carrieretha
Dause, Carrieretha Joetta
Dause, Lynette R.
Dause Tammy Renee
Davenport, Tommy Leon
Davis, Jeffrey Ross
Davison, Ronia Kaye
Dean, Jacki Lynne
Deckard, Tonya Jeanne
Deerinwater, Steven Lex
Denton, Donna LeeAnn
Denton, Joan R.
Denton, Shelia Machelle
Derrick, Billy Joe
Downing, Mark Steven
Downing, Stacy Don
Easton, Pamela Sue
Elders, Thomas Charles
Epps, Lee Allen
Estes, Robin Deanna
Evans, Lois H.
Everett, Nila June
Fallen, Norman L.
Farguson, Lawana Sue
Fitzgerald, Charlotte Dawn
Fogle, William Henry
Folsom, Peggy Louise
Ford, Shelley Dawn
Foreman, David Alan
Foreman, Gregory Don
Fox, Joan
Friend, Martin Rauk
Fritz, Chad M.
Gales, Carl Dwaine
Gallagher, Nancy Michelle
Garrison, Stacey Ryan
Garroutte, Robert Levan
Ghormley, Michael Roger
Gilbreth, Darrell Dewayne
Gilbreth, Sharla Rickay
Gilliam, Kelly Bart
Gilliam, Sandra Kay
Gilliam, Thomas Franklin
Gilmartin, James Joseph
Girty, Maggie Rene
Gladd, Irene
Gladd, James Earl
Gladd, Joseph Earl
Glass, Gerald Lee
Gleason, Frances
Glover, Morris Scott
Goad, Donald Marshall
Godwin, Beverly Christine
Goff, Nancy Carol
Good, Sharon Faye
Grandstaff, Jon Rigsby
Grant, Kevin Dewayne
Gray, Bette Jean
Gray, Terry Don
Green, Sharon Annette
Greer, Linda Jean
Guthrie, Calvin Loren
Guthrie, Rose Lamar
Haas, Kathy Lynn
Hair, Rebecca Leann
Hamlin, Paula Jean W.
Hammonds, Ronnie Dean
Haney, Bettie Lou
Harris, Betty Ruth
Harris, Bobby Wayne
Harris, Jerry Dale
Harris, Laura Myrtle
Harris, Mildred Maureen
Harris, Rickey Joe
Harris, Shawana Ann
Harrison, James E.
Harrison, Ricky Dee
Hatfield, Eliza
Haworth, Warren Dewey
Hedgpeth, James Houston
Helton, Billy Buck
Henderson Jr., Russell Lynn
Hendrickson, John Robert
Hendrix, Terry Lynn
Henkelman, Kimberly
Anne
Henry, David Joe
Henson, Margaret Ann
Hinckley, Alice
Hiseley, Keith
Holden, Jerry R.
Holland, Brandi Carol
Hughes, Jenny Lea
Huitt, Ruth
Humphrey, La Homa Sue
Huston, Beverly Jean
Hutchins, Alan Francis
Igert, David Brady
Igert, Margaret Fanny
Igert, Mark Dean
Ironhawk, Eldon John Jr.
Irving, Kaye Lyn
Isbell, Gary Allen
Jackson, Billy Jay
Jacobs, Orval Lee
Jeffers, Sharon Kay
Jeffrey, Jay
Jimison, Dean Craig
Johnson, Angela Gayle
Johnson Harold Gene
Johnson, James Ewell
Johnson, James Gregory
Johnson, Jimmy Lee
Johnson, Katie Ballard
Johnson, Sharon Marie
Johnston, Judith Carrol
Jolliff, Francis D.
Jones, Claudia
Jones, Ollie
Jones, Ronald Lynn
Jones, Sara Katherine
Karnes, Russell Craig
Kelly, Michael Edward
Kennicutt, Herman David
Kerr, Franklin Thomas
Ketcher, Shirley Ann
King, Dana Marie
Kirkhart, Deborah Sue
Kizzia, Mark Allen
Kizzia, Phillip Lee
Kizzia, Sheryl Lynn
Koehler, Donald Bernard
Koehler, George
Washington Jr.
Koehler, Michael Ray
Lamascus, Vince Martin
Lamb, Adalene Frances
LaRue, John Newton
Laswell, Margaret Lucille
Leafty, Glenna Louise
Lee, Mary Ellen
Leeds, Jacob Keith
Leeds, Larry John
Leep, Judy Karen
Lescher, Mina Jo
Lewis, Terrie Renee
Liles, Trina Day
Little, Nesha Lafay
Lively, Billie Jean
Lively, Gary Don
Lively, Scotty James
Looper, Sharon Michelle
Lovett, Andrew William
Lovett, John J 2352 Manila
Loyd, Thelma Elizabeth
Lytle, Harry Leon
Macomb, Michael Wayne
Marshall, Tracy Lee
Martin, Janet Mae
Martin, Mary Lee
Martin, Mildred Irene
Martin, Teddy Allen
Mayes, Theodore Alexander
McCawley, Mary Suezell
McClurg, Jackie Charlene
McClurg, Stephen Andrew
McCutcheon, Rose Marie
McCutcheon, Tommy Joe
McDaniel, Calvin Eugene
McDaniel, Charles Harold
McDaniel, Ella Marcell
McFarland, James Eldon
McFarland, Lonna Francis
McGlothlin, Kenneth David
McHolland, Virgie Aggie
Marie
McLain, Wesley Allan
McLaughlin, Roberta Ann
McLemore, Stanley Kyle
Meeker, Robert Lee
Meredith, Betty Lucile
Miller, James Edward
Miller, John William
Miller, Ronie Lee
Millsap, Mark Allen
Miner, Bonnie Sue
Mitchell, Connie Elaine
Mitchell, Jeremy Scott
Monhalland, Beulah Louise
Montgomery, Jack
Cleveland
Mooney, Charles M.
Morgan, Chad Wayne
Morris, Richard Eugene
Morrison, Deborah Gayle
Morton, John Michael
Morton, Roger Allen
Mosteller, Carol Joyce
Mosteller, Michael Douglas
Motter, Carolyn Ann
Motter, Christopher King
Mounts, Joe Paul
Mounts, Joshua Ray
Mounts, Lisa Anne
Mouser, Margaret Lee
Neel, Brandi Lynn
Nelson, George Benard
Nichols, Vickie Yvonne
Nicholson, William Henry
Oaks, Jimmy Russell
Oaks, Lula Norma
O’Dell, Anthony Paul
Ogden, Stephanie Lynn
O’Laughlin, Deanna
Marlene
Oliver, Glen Alan
Osburn, Ophelia Violet
Ott, Walter Lee
Padgett, John William
Parisher, Allen Burney
Parker, Jackie Bill Jr.
Parker, Marcy Renee
Parris, Mikal Damon
Parrish, Delbert Clifton
Patterson, Robbin Rae
Pavatt, Marla Caryn
Pease, Keli Dawn
Pennington, Marck
Anthony
Pettit, Betty Ann
Phipps, Gwenn Ranae
Pitts, Clorissa Jo
Pixley, Carol Sue
Potts, Anna Lee
Powell, John Kevin
Price, Dewey Gene
Randolph, Maxine
Rawson, Pamela Kay
Ray, Lahoma
Rector, Judy
Reece, Brenda Sue
Reese, Gilbert Allen
Richard, Colette Suzanne
Richerson, James Edward
Richerson, Jessica Ann
Richerson, Larry Ray
Richerson, Marsha Jane
Roberts, Karen Lea
Rogers, Charlotte
Rogers, Nick Wayne
Rolland, Donald Lee
Rolland, Sharon Malinda
Ross, Albert Clarke
Rosson, Linda Carol
Rutledge, Thelma Jean
Ryan, Michael Dennis Jr.
Sam, Deland Ray
Sam, Tommy Joe
Sanders, Billie Kay
Sanders, Patricia Alliene
11
Sanders, Thomas Stokes
Satterfield, Angela Denise
Schafer IV, George Leslie
Schildt, Monica Marie
Schoonover, Thomas Wayne
Schroeder, Deborah Elaine
Schroyer, Jill Annette
Schullian, Leona Mae
Scott, Basil Edward
Scott, Glen S.
Scott, Wade Bryan
Scott, Wesley Ryan
Seabolt, Harley Junior
Seabolt, Kenneth Junior
Self, Ada Lee
Sells, Brian Keith
Sexton, Kimberly Lynn
Sherman, Christopher
Michael
Shiew, Nadine Lynn
Sikes, Warren James Jr.
Simmons, Melissa Jo
Slape, Jason Leroy
Smith, Glenn Douglas
Smith, James Paul
Smith, Jennifer Sue
Smith, Larry Eugene
Smith, Louis Henry
Smith, Michaelyn Dawn
Smith, Steven G.
Sorrels, Jimmie Lee
Spencer, Betty Lou
Spencer, Brian Douglas
Spencer, Floyd Jr.
Staggs, Edith Irene
Stanfill, Glen Olen
Stanfill, Maxine Austin
Stanhope, Jackie Dean
Stanhope, Rodney Dean
Stephens, Tammy Lyn
Stevens, Kimberly Ann
Stubbs, Walter Hale III
Stuff, Charlene Celeste
Sullivan, Elizabeth C.
Sutton, Timothy Jerome
Swepston, LaDonna Jean
Swisher, Angie Lashell
Tackett, Paul Wayne
Tarver, Jean Marie
Taylor, Leslie Renee
Taylor, Stephanie Lynette
Thatcher, Frances Imogene
Thompson, Lona Bertha
Tidwell, Kenneth Miles
Tidwell, Leon G.
Todd, Alvin James
Toney, Earnest Dale
Toney, Jesse Ray
Torres, Angeline
Trammell, Eliza
Tye, Jan Marie
Vasquez, Amy Michelle
Vickrey, Jerry Lee
Vickrey, Shirley Alline
Wadley, Lucille Marie
Wagner, Coowee Inez
Walker, Bobby Joe
Walker, Mary Jane
Watson, Katrina Faith
Weaver, Ruby Fay
Webb, Patrick Kelley
West, Sarah Jane
Wheeler, Gaye La Jean
Whitaker, Debra Ann
Wicker, Margaret Louiza
Williams, Betty Jo
Williams, David Riley
Williamson, Tammy Marie
Wilmoth, Steven Eugene
Wilson, Elby Grace
Wilson, Gary Richard
Winchester, Linda Joyce
Winkler, Marion Wayne
Wiseley, Marissa Kathleen
Wiseley, Scotty Leon
Wooden, Bertha Ellen
Woodward, Mona Ann
Woodworth, Virgie Lee
Wyrrick, Marsha Denise
Yandell, Clinton Dee
Yandell, George L.
Yandell, Jamie Ray
Yandell, Janice Ileen
Young, Mary C. W.
Young, Natalie Marie
Young, Robert McKinley
Yow, Randy Ray
Zwirtz, Dyrl James
Zwirtz, Ronda Jean
12
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
PEOPlE • xW
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
2012
Goodrich makes Wade Trophy watch list
BY KEVIN SCrAPPEr
Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Aspiring Cherokee
athletes have a shining star to emulate in Angel
Goodrich, a senior guard for the University of
Kansas Lady Jayhawks and preseason candidate
for the prestigious State Farm Wade Trophy.
The trophy is presented annually to the
best women’s basketball player in National
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and
named after three–time national champion
Delta State University coach Lily Margaret
Wade.
Goodrich, a Cherokee Nation citizen, is one
of 25 athletes on the list, but said awards and
records aren’t the only rewards her collegiate
basketball experience has provided her.
“You always get these stereotypes about how
Natives can’t do or won’t go that far, or they go
to college and they drop out,” she said. “I’ve
had a lot of young ones come up to me or even
parents say ‘I’ve got a little girl who looks up
to you,’ or some of them will say that they’ve
gotten into sports from watching me play. It’s a
great feeling to hear that from parents or little
kids.”
Goodrich holds the Kansas and Big 12
record for assists in one season. However, her
road to records and accomplishments hasn’t
been paved with easy times.
She’s had to overcome adversity in numerous
ways and from numerous sources. But she
attributes her positive attitude and drive, as
well as her family’s influence, as a large part of
why she’s been able to succeed.
“All my life, I’ve had people try to shut me
down by telling me you’re too short to do this
or too short to do that, or you’re not going to
make it. With the people around me, with my
family and my closest friends, they kept me
up,” Goodrich said. “Just having them there
and having them push me, it helped me stay
positive. There’s going to be people that are
going to try to put you down or going to try and
do whatever to keep you from going to where
you want to be, and you can’t let that happen
to you. My parents have taught me to keep
fighting, to keep pushing.”
Beyond the social and mental obstacles
Goodrich has had to overcome are her physical
trials. In 2010, Goodrich suffered her second
anterior cruciate ligament tear. The ACL is one
of four major ligaments in the knee. Surgery
is not always required, but in Goodrich’s case,
it was. Goodrich was required to undergo
months of physical rehabilitation to restore
her full range of motion and strengthening
of supporting muscles of the knee. With the
experience behind her, Goodrich said the
struggle only made her stronger.
“With the ACL stuff, it was an obstacle for
me, I got through and I’ve got a story now,” she
said. “Since that happened to me, it’s only made
me stronger. That’s what’s built my personality.”
Having her name placed on the Wade’s
preseason watch list hasn’t escaped Goodrich.
She said she recognizes the adversity that she’s
overcome and that her achievements speak of
her personal fortitude, drive and determination.
Goodrich said it’s an honor to be included on
the list with other incredible players.
“It means a lot. For me to just be on the watch
list is an accomplishment,” she said. “It’s a great
honor to be on a list that has the top players in
the nation. I’ve worked hard for something like
that and it’s came true.”
[email protected]
918-453-5000, ext 5903
ABOVE: Cherokee Nation citizen Angel Goodrich shoots on Tennessee Lady Volunteer
Glory Johnson earlier this year during the Kansas Lady Jayhawks’ Sweet 16
appearance.
LEFT: Cherokee Nation citizen Angel Goodrich drives past Tennessee Lady Volunteer
Glory Johnson earlier this year during the Kanas Lady Jayhawks’ first Sweet 16
appearance in the NCAA women’s tournament since 1998. COURTESY PHOTOS
Cherokee big man signs with NSU
The Eastern Band citizen recorded a double-double in
every game of his high school senior season.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) – Northeastern
State University’s roster was in need of a
growth spurt for the 2012-13 season. The
RiverHawks got one in TsaLiDi Sequoyah, an
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians citizen.
With a lineup of players that ranged mostly
from 6-foot-2 to 6-5, the RiverHawks needed
someone with some height to fill the void left
by the departure of Justin Johnson’s 6-7 stature.
Sequoyah’s 6-9 frame should help solve that
problem.
The RiverHawks announced on June 15 the
signing of the 6-9, 230-pound center from
Cherokee, N.C.
“We feel real fortunate to have found him,”
NSU men’s basketball coach Larry Gipson,
whose RiverHawks went 5-20 in 2011-12, said.
Sequoyah recorded a double-double every
game during his senior campaign in high
school, posting an average of 21 points and
16.9 rebounds per game. He was the top
rebounder in North Carolina and was second
in scoring.
“We got some film and video that we were
able to watch, and we feel like he could be a
special talent,” Gipson said. “So we’re glad to
have him.”
According to reports, Sequoyah initially
committed to Western Carolina, where he
would have been a preferred walk-on. But
Gipson said Sequoyah, felt like he was at home
in Tahlequah, the capital city of the Cherokee
Nation and United Keetoowah Band.
“He’s got family in and around Cherokee
County,” Gipson said of Sequoyah, who also
averaged 4.9 blocks per contest. “I think that
meant a lot to him. I think he has a real comfort
level here in Oklahoma. You’d probably have
to ask him, but I think he’s been here 14 or 15
times to visit family during the summer.”
When asked if Sequoyah would come in and
play right away, Gipson said: “I don’t know
where he’ll be (in the rotation). He’s big and we
can’t coach size. We’re just happy to have him.”
Cherokee
(North
Carolina)
High School
center
TsaLiDi
Sequoyah
waits to
pass at
the top of
the key
against Polk
County in a
2011 game.
CHEROKEE
HIGH SCHOOL
PHOTO
Marshal helps capture 4 murder suspects
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – A Cherokee Nation
deputy marshal has been commended for
his role in capturing four homicide suspects
within a 17-hour period. Deputy Casey King’s
surveillance and intelligence work is part of
the 20-member Northern Oklahoma Violent
Crimes Task Force, a collaboration to keep
northeast Oklahoma citizens safe.
On Sept. 12, King was staking out a
convenience store for a man wanted in a Tulsa
homicide shooting. After King spotted who
he believed to be the suspect, he entered the
store to make a positive identification. King
maintained surveillance of the man who then
left for an apartment complex nearby. After
backup arrived, King and other task force
members made the arrest.
Acting on a tip, the task force also arrested
two other alleged homicide suspects that day
and provided information to the U.S. marshals
in Arkansas, which led to a fourth arrest near
Memphis, Tenn.
“My heart was jumping out of my chest,”
King said. “I knew one man was accused of
killing someone just three days earlier. After
we got him into custody, I was so excited. It’s
extremely rewarding to know that we were able
to get a suspected murderer off the streets.”
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
EduCatION • #n[]Qsd
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
13
CNF adds 3 art scholarships
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Three new
scholarships have been established with the
Cherokee Nation Foundation in honor of three
late Cherokee artists to support Cherokees
interested in art education.
The respective families of the late Anna
Mitchell and Bill Rabbit created two of the
scholarships to honor the Cherokee National
Treasures. Mitchell died on March 3 at age 85.
Rabbit died on April 9 at age 65.
The third scholarship was created in honor
of the late Lloyd Kiva New, a Cherokee Nation
citizen who was an artist and designer and
taught generations of Native Americans at the
Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe,
N.M. He died on Feb. 8, 2002, at age 86.
A silent auction was held Oct. 8-11 in
conjunction with this year’s Cherokee Art
Market and raised $21,000, which was divided
among the three scholarships.
Mitchell is often given credit for retrieving
the lost knowledge of making Cherokee
pottery. Her daughter Victoria Mitchell is
the family member honoring her with a
scholarship.
“Mom loved art. I love the art of Cherokee
pottery and Southeastern arts, so it’s
(scholarship) a way to keep the legacy going
that mom started in 1969,” Victoria said.
She said her mother and Rabbit attended
the 2011 Cherokee Art Market where the two
visited. However, in less than a year, they both
passed away.
“They are truly not just treasures of the
Cherokee Nation, but treasures in our hearts
and treasures that carried on our wonderful,
wonderful culture,” Victoria said. “My mom
always said she wanted more for her children,
and dad and mom gave that to us. They gave
us a love for humanity, our culture, our family
and just giving back to the community.”
Victoria said she would like to see students
specifically interested in pottery and who want
to carry forward the Southeastern and Mound
Builders cultures apply for the Anna Belle
Mitchell Memorial Scholarship.
Both she and Rabbit’s daughter, Traci
Rabbit, donated artwork to for the silent
auction to raise money for the scholarships.
Traci donated a painting and Victoria donated
a piece of her mother’s pottery.
“I decided to do something to honor my dad
instead of getting totally pulled down with the
grief of his passing,” Traci said.
To fund the Bill Rabbit Legacy Art
Scholarship, Traci is also selling T-shirts with
her father’s “Rainbow Warrior” painting on
the front. On the back of the shirt is a drawing
of a rabbit painting with the words: “Life has
been kind to me…I am thankful I’ve had the
opportunity to see things I’ve seen & do the
things I’ve done…but if I died tomorrow…I
hope God puts me in charge of painting
rainbows,” which is a statement Rabbit made
before he died.
The T-shirts, tiles, coffee mugs, prints and
canvas giclees (prints) are for sale at www.
billandtracirabbit.com. She said she would
also sell “Rainbow Warrior” items at her
traveling booth that she takes to art shows.
“My goal, to keep the dream alive, is that
every year we’ll change the image out and
have a new fundraiser every year to where
it possibly could become a collector’s item.
He left us with such a plethora of work that
it would be a shame not to continue to share
his work with a different image every year,”
Traci said.
According to the IAIA website, before New
co-founded the IAIA, he was a successful
Scottsdale, Ariz., fashion designer in the 1940s
and 1950s. With his business, New tapped a
market for Native artists, and his garments
and accessories were recognized on a scale
never seen before in Native clothing design.
New became the first Native American to
show at an international fashion show in 1951
with his participation in the Atlantic City
International Fashion Show.
In 1952, his clothing was featured in the
“Los Angeles Times” as the trend to follow,
and Miss Arizona Lynn Freyse wore one of his
creations for the 1957 Miss America pageant.
Because of his accomplishments, New created
more opportunities for Native people in the
fashion design world.
For more information, visit www.
cherokeefoundation.org or email contact@
cherokeenationfoundation.org or call 918207-0950. Applications are available for the
2013-14 school year.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
SHS uses $7.7M from BIA
for improvements, repairs
BY tESINA jACKSON
Reporter
A Cherokee Nation Foundation
scholarship has been established in
honor of the late Cherokee potter Anna
Mitchell. In this 2001 photo, she displays
two of her pottery pieces.
WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
The Anna Belle Mitchell Memorial
Scholarship will be awarded to a Cherokee
Nation citizen, regardless of residency,
who is currently enrolled full-time in
college or a 2013 high school graduate
who meets the following criteria: have
at least a 3.0 grade point average, will be
attending a four-year university, actively
pursuing an art education (specifically
pottery) and must submit pictures of three
works. The scholarship amount varies and
is renewable up to five years as long as
the student maintains the required GPA
and remains in good standing with the
college or university. An internship is also
available to the student.
The Bill Rabbit Legacy Art Scholarship
will be awarded to a CN or United
Keetoowah Band citizen who is a current
enrolled full-time college student or a
2013 high school graduate and who meets
the following criteria: at least a 3.0 GPA,
will be attending a four-year university,
actively pursuing an art education
(drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery,
traditional beadwork and textiles) and
must submit pictures of three works.
The scholarship amount varies and is
renewable up to five years as long as the
student maintains requirements and
remains in good standing with the college
or university. An internship is available to
the awarded student, possibly at Rabbit
studios in Pryor, Okla.
The Institute of American Indian Arts
Scholarship will be awarded to a CN citizen
who is currently enrolled full-time at IAIA
or a 2013 high school graduate who will be
attending the IAIA and meets the following
criteria: at least a 3.0 GPA, enrolled at
IAIA and submit pictures of three works.
Recipients are given preference for
renewal. The deadline to apply for all three
scholarships is Jan. 31, 2013.
CRC hosts anti-bully outreach program
BY tESINA jACKSON
Reporter
BELL, Okla.— The Cherokee Nation’s
College Resource Center hosted an anti bully
outreach program Oct. 2 at Bell School in an
effort to teach students to be kind and respect
one another.
“I had Brian Jackson and Robert Lewis
come out and basically we’re just talking about
being kind and respectful to one another,” said
Ashlee Chaudoin, CRC outreach specialist.
“Brian showed a couple of videos and it’s about
overcoming challenges in your life and Robert
is a great source of talent and entertainment
with his story telling and he did an art demo
for the students and they loved it.”
The CRC outreach programs target sixth,
seventh and eighth grade students.
“Our main focus today at Bell is bullying
and so I showed them a video of when I was on
America’s Got Talent and I couldn’t do what I
said I could do,” Jackson said. “So we used the
issue of them laughing at me, making fun of
me and saying things about me.”
Jackson started a program called I Believe,
which is a drug and alcohol and self-esteem
motivation program that deals with all those
issues along with bullying.
After Jackson showed the video, he asked
the students how many have had somebody
laugh at them or make fun of them, and how
many have ever laughed at somebody or said
something about somebody.
Almost every student raised
his or her hand.
Jackson said he hopes it
helps the students think about
how bullying effects others.
More than $900,000 of federal money was used to renovate and expand Sequoyah
Schools’ library. Students can conduct research by checking out books or going
online on library computers. TESINA JACKSON/CHEORKEE PHOENIX
“When you can plant that seed at their age,
that can stick for life and change the way they
look at things, the way they grow up, the way
they deal with their friends and their family,
so we hope to plant that seed as their younger
and it’s a domino effect as they get older,”
Jackson said.
Paul Pinkerton, Bell and Belfonte Schools
superintendent, said that the schools take steps
such as providing programs like the CRC outreach
programs, to make sure the students understand
how important it is not to bully others.
“We feel that’s it going to carry on through
their life, hopefully it will get them onto high
school, they’re going to experience more severe
bullying, they’re going to see it more often and
we hope our kids are going to be more aware
of it and how to avoid it, how to ignore it and
how to cope with it,” Pinkerton said.
Lewis, who works in the Cherokee Cultural
Resource Center as a school and community
specialist, told the story of how rabbit sings
with his heart.
“The main moral of the story is that every
person has a gift inside them, it’s inside their
heart, it’s what they wish or would like to do
with their lives and if they follow this gift it
leads them down a path,” Lewis said.
Lewis also did an art technique
demonstration where he would draw scribbles
and then ask students what they would see.
“Each one of them have a different aspect
of how they look at things,” he said. “Then I
tell them ‘each one of us has a different way of
looking at things, which means that everybody
has a different viewpoint and should realize
this in your own daily lives.’”
[email protected]
918-453-5000, ext. 6139
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Every five to seven
years, Sequoyah Schools receives grant money
from the Bureau of Indian Affairs for facilities
renovation and repair projects, which allows
the school to improve and fix different areas.
The last amount Sequoyah received from
the BIA was for more than $7.7 million
in 2006. Approximately $1.3 million went
towards classroom updates and renovations,
while more than $948,000 went for library
renovations and expansion. More than
$3.8 million was used on gym and activity
center updates, and more than $1.6 million
went towards facility improvements and
renovations.
“The majority of the projects needed to be
in compliance with BIA standards,” Sequoyah
Facilities Director Larry Master said.
The money also allowed the school to
update its handicap accessibility and handrails,
stairwells in dorms, Sequoyah logo on the
water tower and fire alarm. The grant money
also allowed the school to expand the library,
install new field lights, demolish a recreation
building, build a technology building, apply
metal siding to the field house and renovate
the robotics classroom.
Some mold was found and removed while
renovating the robotics classroom but not
enough to cause harm to students, school
officials said.
“Each of the items were on the BIA backlog
for several years and when time to fund the
grant, these projects where included,” Masters
said. “The library expansion and the new
technology building were based on BIA space
criteria, which the school lacked the space for
the amount of students we have.”
Cherokee
Nation
Construction
Management oversaw all projects, he said.
All of the general contractors that bid on the
projects where Tribal Employments Rights
Office certified.
David Moore, CN Management of Planning
and Development director, said it’s typical for
school projects to be completed in phases
over time.
“But this project has also included extensions
to add necessary improvements that needed
addressed along the way, such as adding a new
fire alarm system, carpet installation and water
tower repairs among other needs,” he said.
Administrative changes at the tribe and
high school also required new leaders to get up
to speed on the projects and renovation plans
but that didn’t cause any significant delays,
Moore added.
Bronze Oak, of Broken Arrow, was the
general contractor for the lights at the sports
field and the demolition of the recreation
building. Ross Group Construction Corp.,
of Tulsa, was the general contractor for the
library renovation, technology building,
fire alarms, updated handicap accessibility,
dorms stairwells and metal siding at the field
house. GSE Construction, of Muskogee, was
the general contractor for robotics classroom
renovation.
Eastern Oklahoma Tribal Schools, which
provides architect service for Oklahoma’s BIA
schools, served as the architect for all projects.
To receive BIA funds, Sequoyah officials
submit a plan of what they would like to improve
and how it would be accomplished. The BIA
then sends a representative to Sequoyah to
see if the plan is justified, Sequoyah public
relations officer Tera Shows said.
Sequoyah officials don’t know the amount
they will be given until they receive it.
[email protected]
918-453-5000, ext. 6139
Sequoyah Schools’ technology building is part of the school’s renovations using
$7.7 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The building opened in 2011.
More than $900,000 of federal money was used to renovate and expand Sequoyah
Schools’ library. Students can conduct research by checking out books or going
online on library computers. TESINA JACKSON/CHEORKEE PHOENIX
14
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
sERvICEs • nnrpH
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
2012
Career Literacy now helps
school-age participants
BY KEVIN SCrAPPEr
Reporter
Cherokee Nation citizen David Comingdeer excercises during a boot camp session
at the Male Seminary Recreation Center in Tahlequah, Okla. The tribe has scrapped
its plans to turn control of the center over to the Indian Health Service.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
CN to retain Markoma
with smaller budget
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – To have more
Contract Health Services funding, Tribal
Councilors
during
budget
hearings
considered placing the Cherokee Nation’s
Male Seminary Recreation Center, commonly
called Markoma, under Indian Health Service.
However, the plan was scrapped when learned
that giving IHS control of the center would
change its operation.
CN Healthy Nation Program Liaison Randy
Gibson said just like the tribe’s hospital and
health centers, if the CN received IHS funds
for Markoma, then it would have been bound
by federal laws to only provide services to
Native Americans with Certificate Degree of
Indian Blood cards.
“Thus, our families, employees and other
community members with no CDIB card
would not be eligible by federal law to use
the facility,” Gibson said. “That is not what we
as a tribe want for the MSRC. We want the
center to be a place for all of our families, our
employees and all of our community members
to come and exercise, participate in leagues
and classes and work with our trainers.”
Gibson said the center is vital to the tribe’s
fight against heart disease, diabetes and cancer,
which are the three top causes of death within
the CN.
“We at Healthy Nation advocate strongly
the importance of good nutrition, exercise and
promoting a shared environment to benefit
the health of all those in our communities,
not just the Native Americans. That is why we
encourage participation at the center by all
those in our community,” he said.
The facility gives people access to treadmills,
elliptical machines, resistance machines, free
weights and fitness classes. People can also play
in volleyball and basketball leagues. Trainers
are also on site to assist with using machines
and forming an exercise plan.
Currently, CN citizens, employees and
immediate family members (spouses and
children under 18) can use the facility for free.
All other community members, including
citizens of other tribes, pay $20 a month for
individual memberships and $30 a month for
family memberships.
Because councilors considered placing
Markoma under IHS and using IHS money to
fund it, they had to go back and pull money
out of tribe’s General Fund for fiscal year 2013.
“We know there is not, nor will ever be,
enough funding to meet the demand of all of
the needs for our people. At times, discussions
occur to try to bring in additional funding
methods for different programs,” Gibson said.
“This was the case here. The thought was that
by putting MSRC under federal IHS dollars,
more tribal funds would be available for
contract health needs.”
Gibson said Markoma is operating with a
$400,000 budget, which is half of its normal
annual funds, until carryover money from
FY 2012 becomes available. After the tribe’s
FY 2012 audit is complete, Markoma’s budget
is scheduled to receive another $400,000.
However, its total FY 2013 budget will be
$40,000 less compared to $840,000 in FY 2012.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
Nowata Nutrition Center to serve elder meals
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
NOWATA, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation
Nowata Nutrition Center is now serving meals
for Cherokee elders three days a week.
CN citizens ages 50 and older, as well as
their spouses, are eligible to eat for free. For a
$1, they can access a public van for rides there.
“This is an effort to reach out to those
Cherokee citizens in the tribe’s northern
territory that haven’t had accessible programs
until now,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker
said. “Since opening the Nowata Nutrition and
Food Distribution Center next to it, we have
already seen a large increase in services being
provided to our citizens there.”
CN was one of the first tribes in the country
to run a program where seniors could come for
weekly meals. The tribe now operates 14 senior
nutrition sites with the Nowata center being
the first tribally owned. CN provides food,
workers and help with utilities for the other 13
programs but does not own the buildings. The
Nowata Nutrition Center has a grocery storelike food distribution area attached to it. The
Food Distribution Center opened in June to
provide qualifying Cherokees nutritious foods.
Families accessing it have more than tripled
with 310 families in September compared to
about 75 families that accessed three Nowataarea tailgate sites prior to June.
The Nowata Nutrition Center expects to
serve 75 seniors on meal days, said Lisa James,
who manages the tribe’s 14 nutrition sites.
The center recently hired a cook and met
all inspections to begin serving meals. Meals
are served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
For more information, call 918-453-5241.
To call the Nowata Nutrition Center at 1018
Lenape Dr., call 918-273-0050. To access van
services, call toll free at 1-800-482-4594.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Since its inception,
the Cherokee Nation’s Career Literacy and
Adult Education Program has grown to offer
services such as resume building, basic literacy
and general education development or GED
preparation in six locations. Recently, it grew
again by adding classes and instruction for
school-aged clients.
Career Literacy Manager George Roach,
who has been with the program for more than
five years, said he’s seen it transform from
a place of learning basic skills to a “career
learning center.”
“The primary thing that we do is provide
assistance to help an individual get their GED.
We also do life skills, tape testing and OKCIS
as needed,” he said.
OKCIS stands for Oklahoma Career
Information Systems, which is an Internetbased delivery system for accurate,
comprehensive, current and relevant
occupational, post-secondary school and
financial aid information.
The Career Literacy and Adult Education
Program also offers curriculum customized
to meet each student’s individual needs.
Adult Education teacher Brad Perry said the
customizable plan is important in allowing
clients to meet their educational goals.
“The big thing here is that we try to cater
to the individual needs of the client. We don’t
do classes that are an hour of math, an hour
of language, an hour of writing,” Roach said.
“We tailor the plan because what we find is that
people come in and don’t need help with math,
but they need help with language or vice versa.”
Roach said the flexibility and customization
are vital to the participants’ success as the
coursework can be as varied as the participants
and their individual goals.
“Some people just want to get their GED.
Our youngest was probably 16 and our oldest
was 55,” Roach said. “With the GED, we refer
them back to Career Services so hopefully they
can apply for vocational school or college.”
For individuals under 18 to participate in
the GED program, Roach said the students
are required to obtain written agreements
from the schools from which they left. But the
program’s benefits for school-aged children
don’t stop at GED prep.
“What we try to do is, bring them into class
and raise their grade level by the end of the
summer,” he said. “Recently, we’ve been trying
to introduce them to things culturally. We took
a big group up to Woolarc (in Bartlesville) and
we took them to Gilcrease (Museum in Tulsa).
When we went to Gilcrease and they have
their archeological exhibit downstairs, a lot of
the kids really got into that.”
The program also exposes students to
opportunities for employment that they
might not have previously considered and
internships to assist them in pursuing their
scholastic goals.
“The basic idea is that we’re trying to raise their
grade level and show them some employment
options and stuff that may be out there for their
future,” Perry said. “We have another group
called the Youth Leadership Interns during the
summer, which they are the cream of the crop
of the Supplemental Youth Program. There have
been several years in the past where we didn’t
have a huge amount of interest in it, but George,
through his work and everything, has been
building over the past several years. Last year,
we had almost 40 applicants.”
For more information, call 918-458-0577 or
go to the Services link at www.cherokee.org.
[email protected]
918-453-5000, ext. 5903
Counseling available for combat vets
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee combat
veterans who may need counseling services
may benefit from an outreach program called
Oklahoma Cherokee Veterans Outreach, a
Department of Veterans Affairs initiative.
Jack Musgrove, an outreach specialist
working for Caduceus Healthcare-Tulsa
Vet Center, is seeking veterans in rural
communities who were in combat. He refers
them to Tulsa Vet Center readjustment
counselor Matthew Tiger if they wish to talk
to a counselor about combat-related issues.
Tiger is based at the Tulsa Vet Center, but
travels to Tahlequah on Monday, Tuesday and
Friday and works from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
at the CN Veterans Affairs Office to provide
counseling for veterans. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
on Mondays, Tiger holds a combat veterans
support group meeting in the former motel
behind the Restaurant of the Cherokees.
Every other Tuesday he is at the Commerce
Disabled American Veterans building in
Mayes County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The outreach program is part of a public law
that requires the VA to conduct a three-year
pilot program to seek out Cherokee veterans.
Tiger said he offers individual, group,
family, marital and bereavement counseling to
vets and is available to families who live with a
combat veteran and may want counseling.
Vets can call Musgrove at 918-575-8747 or
email
[email protected].
Call Tiger at 918-456-0671 or 1-800-256-0671,
ext. 5693 or email [email protected].
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
CultuRE • i=nrplcsd
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
15
Camp Gruber forced 2nd removal for Cherokees
More than 70 families were
displaced when the United
States began preparing for
World War II.
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
BRAGGS, Okla. – As war broke out in 1939
in Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
called for military preparedness, requiring
the government to condemn land for military
camps, including Camp Gruber in Muskogee
County. That camp forced out more than 70
Cherokee families living on 50 square miles of
restricted and allotment lands.
At the turn of the 20th century, the Cherokee
Nation had lost thousands of acres through the
Curtis Act and the Dawes Commission, which
allotted tribal lands to individual Cherokees.
Those lands had been deeded to the CN with
the promise that no state or territory would
ever impose its jurisdiction, and the U.S.
government held in trust the “restricted lands”
for the Cherokee people who had received
allotments.
However, in 1942, families that settled on
allotments near Braggs found the government’s
promise to protect their lands hollow. They
were forced to move with only 45 days notice
to make way for Camp Gruber’s construction.
The names of the Cherokee families affected
by the relocation consisted of Alexander,
Allen, Augerhole, Backbone, Baldridge,
Ballard, Benge, Birdtail, Boyles, Brown, Buck,
Buffington, Bush, Candy, Collier, Conrad,
Cookson, Coppinger, Cordry, Craig, Crawford,
Danes, Dave, Davis, Dean, Deerinwater,
Dunback, Elk, Fletcher, Fodder, Glass, Grease,
Gritts, Hawkins, Highland, Hinds, Hooper,
Israel, James, Johnson, Langston, Leigler, Levett,
Lovett, Lyman, Mackey, Martin, McLemore,
Miller, Neely, Osage, Pardo, Parson, Pettit,
Phillips, Raincrow, Raley, Rattlingourd, Raven,
Robertson, Rogers, Russell, Sanders, Sequichie,
Silk, Scott, Stoneberger, Summerlin, Teehee,
Thomas, Tucker, Washington, Whitewater,
Woodward, Yahola, Young and Zeigler.
Harold Summerlin, 82, of Golden, Mo.,
said the area where Camp Gruber now sits
was “primitive” when he lived there as a child.
There was no electricity. The family “pulled”
their water out of a well with a rope and used
ponds for cattle.
The Summerlin family consisted of parents George and Rubie and their children
Harold, Gerald, Donald, Sheila, Frela and Roy. The family was one of more than 70
Cherokee families forced to relocate when Camp Gruber was built in 1942 near
Braggs, Okla. COURTESY PHOTO
The best I remember they offered us $1,200 for the
farm. My dad hired a lawyer and got $400 more, but the
lawyer got half of that.
– Harold Summerlin, Cherokee Nation citizen
He said Cherokee people living in that area
hunted game and gathered wild fruit, plants
and nuts.
“The deer were almost non-existent at that
time, so it was mostly rabbits and squirrels that
we hunted.”
His parents, George and Rubie, farmed
their land and his father often found work in
Muskogee.
Harold was 12, the oldest of six children,
when the government took 32,000 acres for
Camp Gruber. He said his parents got a notice
that they had 45 days to vacate.
“The best I remember they offered us $1,200
for the farm. I think it was 160 acres, two
houses, two ponds, one barn, a chicken house
and an orchard. My dad hired a lawyer and
got $400 more, but the lawyer got half of that,”
Harold said. “We moved out around early July
of 1942. We moved
a couple of miles
across the Cherokee
County line into
Sequoyah County.”
He added that it
didn’t take many
trips in the family
wagon to make the
move. One item they
couldn’t completely
take was the corn
they planted because
it was not ready to
harvest.
“We were just
about in the roasting
ear stage, so I
The main gate of Camp Gruber in Braggs, Okla., is shown shortly came back into the
different farms with
after the camp became operational in 1942.
a wagon and picked
ROGER BELL/ “IMAGES OF AMERICA-MUSKOGEE”
DOj gives policy on tribal
use of eagle feathers
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
WASHINGTON – The Department of
Justice has announced a policy addressing
the ability of members of federally recognized
Indian tribes to possess or use eagle feathers,
an issue of great cultural significance to many
tribes and their members.
Attorney General Eric Holder signed the new
policy after extensive department consultation
with tribal leaders and tribal groups. The
policy covers all federally protected birds, bird
feathers and bird parts.
“This policy will help ensure a consistent
and uniform approach across the nation
to protecting and preserving eagles, and
to honoring their cultural and spiritual
significance to American Indians,” said
Attorney General Holder. “The Department
of Justice is committed to striking the right
balance in enforcing our nation’s wildlife
laws by respecting the cultural and religious
practices of federally recognized Indian tribes
with whom the United States shares a unique
government-to-government relationship.”
The policy provides that, consistent with
the DOJ’s traditional exercise of its discretion,
a member of a federally recognized tribe
engaged only in the following types of conduct
will not be subject to prosecution:
Possessing, using, wearing or carrying
federally protected birds, bird feathers or other
bird parts (federally protected bird parts);
traveling domestically with federally protected
bird parts or, if tribal members obtain and
comply with necessary permits, traveling
internationally with such items; and picking
up naturally molted or fallen feathers found
in the wild, without molesting or disturbing
federally protected birds or their nests.
The policy also allows for giving or loaning
federally protected bird parts to other
members of federally recognized tribes,
without compensation of any kind; exchanging
federally protected bird parts for federally
protected bird parts with other members
of federally recognized tribes, without
compensation of any kind; and providing the
feathers or other parts of federally protected
birds to crafts persons who are members of
federally recognized tribes to be fashioned
into objects for eventual use in tribal religious
or cultural activities.
Federal wildlife laws such as the Bald
and Golden Eagle Protection Act generally
criminalize the killing of eagles and other
migratory birds and the possession or
commercialization of the feathers and other
parts of such birds. These important laws are
enforced by the DOJ and the Department of
the Interior and help ensure that eagle and
other bird populations remain healthy and
sustainable.
At the same time, the DOJ recognizes that
eagles play a unique and important role in
the religious and cultural life of many Indian
tribes. Many Indian tribes and tribal members
have historically used, and continue to use
federally protected birds, bird feathers or other
bird parts for their tribal cultural and religious
expression.
“From time immemorial, many Native
Americans have viewed eagle feathers and
other bird parts as sacred elements of their
religious and cultural traditions,” said Ignacia
S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General of
the Justice Department’s Environment and
Natural Resources Division. “The Department
of Justice has taken a major step forward by
establishing a consistent and transparent
policy to guide federal enforcement of the
nation’s wildlife laws in a manner that respects
the cultural and religious practices of federally
recognized Indian tribes and their members.”
The view the policy and a fact sheet on the
policy, visit: www.justice.gov/tribal.
cherokeephoenix.org
land. The chief also assisted families in taking
their claims against the federal government to
court. By fall of 1942, many Cherokees took
their claims to the courts. Through jury trials,
it was found the Army took 32,000 acres from
the Cherokee people for Camp Gruber.
Milam advised the people to take advantage
of the court judgments at the time. He had
been led to believe that at the end of the war
the land would become surplus and could be
returned to the original owners. However, the
government cited restrictions and policies
that prevented the return of the land. Milam
believed the families should have received the
first option to purchase their former homes.
He even asked to purchase the land back on
behalf of the people. At a 1948 CN convention
in Tahlequah, Milam reported that there was
some chance of the land being returned to the
Cherokees. However, by the time of his death in
1949, the matter remained unresolved.
About a year after moving from the Camp
Gruber area, the Summerlins moved again to
the Linder Bend community, about mile north
of where the Tenkiller Dam is now located in
Sequoyah County. The federal government’s
plans again affected the family when work
began on the dam in 1946. The family was
forced to move in 1948 because Linder Bend
would be under water once the dam became
operational. The family then settled 10 miles
north of Tahlequah, Harold said.
Eventually, Camp Gruber encompassed
60,000 to 70,000 acres, or approximately
109 square miles of land lying east of the
Arkansas River and State Highway 10 in
Muskogee and Cherokee counties. During
World War II, it provided training to infantry,
field artillery and tank destroyer units that
fought in Europe and incarcerated nearly
5,000 German prisoners of war.
Today, the Oklahoma National Guard
operates the camp, which covers 33,000 acres.
some of the corn and took it home. Part of the
time I go on horseback and tie a gunnysack
over the saddle horn, bring out what I could
bring out like that,” he said. “We just fed it to
the hogs because it was too green to keep.”
Harold’s brother, Gerald, 80, of Tahlequah,
said the Army used the lands for an artillery
and training area. He said the government “set
[email protected]
matches” to homes left behind to “get them out
918-207-3961
of the way.”
He said his family had to leave most of their Sources:
belongings behind when they moved.
Conley, Robert J., “A Cherokee Encyclopedia,”
“If you have a pile of wood out there you can’t University of New Mexico Press, 2007;
move it. The time was really short. You just had Foreman, Grant, Chronicles of Oklahoma,
so many days to get out,” Gerald said. “By the Volume 27, No. 3, 1949
time we got out of there, the Army was already Everett, Dianna, “Camp Gruber,” Oklahoma
moving in with heavy artillery, so it wasn’t even Historical Society
safe to be close.”
“Camp Gruber: 20th Century Removal,” www.
Cherokee families also left behind animals, cherokee.org
community schools
and cemeteries. The
families that agreed
to sell did not know
when they would
receive their money,
and for some, it took
years to be paid.
Jesse
Bartley
Milam,
who
served as the tribe’s
principal
chief
from 1941 to 1949,
was tested by the
Camp
Gruber
crisis.
Through
his efforts, some Donald, Frela, Harold, Sheila and Gerald Summerlin meet in July
displaced families to reminisce about their family’s involvement in the removal
were placed either of more than 70 Cherokee families from allotment lands in
on
government Muskogee County to make room for Camp Gruber.
lands or a relative’s WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
16
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
CultuRE • i=nrplcsd
Cherokee Nation citizen and artist Roger Cain explains the significance of river
cane to Cherokee people during a Camp Cherokee plant class. Historically, Cherokee
people have used river cane for shelter, food, blowguns and baskets.
TESINA JACKSON/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
River cane added to Culturally
Protected Species list
Recent severe winter weather killed off
much of the cane break near Christie and
other breaks in the area, Cain said, before a
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – River cane is now record flood on the creek decimated the cane
listed on the Cherokee Nation’s Culturally even more.
He added that he’s not sure how two years of
Protected Species list.
The CN Environmental Protection drought would affect the area’s river cane.
Recent research has found river cane
Commission placed the plant on the list during
a recent meeting after hearing a presentation riparian zones significantly reduce nutrient
on river cane from CN citizen and college loads into area streams, creeks and rivers,
Cain said. This research has implications for
student Roger Cain.
“I’m happy they’re going to do it. It has such the controversial issue of local poultry farmers
a rich historical significance for the tribe as allegedly polluting the Illinois River with
well as potential for environmental issues that runoff containing poultry waste.
“In particular, both nitrate and phosphate
are plaguing us right now,” Cain, of the Piney
pollution due to ground and surface runoff
Community in Adair County, said.
He said he hopes the CN would provide from agricultural fields has been found to
funding for creating educational materials be reduced by more than 90 percent when a
about river cane and its historic and current 10-meter river cane riparian zone is located
between the stream, creek or river and the
significance to Cherokee people.
CN Natural Resources Director Pat Gwin agricultural field,” Cain said.
River cane is part of the
said the river cane does
grass family, and there are
warrant being put on
three types of the plant
the CPS list. However,
in North America – river
the designation does not
cane, switch cane and
mean it’s been added to an
mountain cane, which
endangered species list.
grows in the Appalachian
Gwin said though
Mountains area. Cain
the plant has been
said research shows that
significantly reduced in
the CN and Oklahoma,
– Roger Cain, Cherokee people living in
the Southeast frequently
it is not an endangered
Cherokee Nation citizen used river cane for items
species, and the CN does
such as sleeping mats,
not have an endangered
food, blowguns, baskets and cover for homes.
species list.
A few Cherokee artists continue to use river
“One could argue it possibly an endangered
ecosystem, but it’s not an endangered species cane for baskets and blowguns.
He said before land was burned and cleared
based upon federal rules,” he said.
Gwin added that the river cane growth for farming and livestock, cane breaks were
within the CN “cannot support any amount sometimes 30 miles long, five to 10 miles wide
of routine” gathering, and he hopes by adding with stalks 50 feet tall.
“So, you’re talking about an ecosystem that
it to the CPS list will encourage conservation
and more public awareness to the plant’s is no longer here in North America, Cain said.
River cane habitats are home to various
current situation.
Cain said he grew up around river cane animals and insects, some endangered,
found along the Baron Fork Creek in Cherokee such as the long-eared bat, cane rattlesnake,
and Adair counties. He said other than his burrowing beetle and Swainson’s warbler. Also,
research, not much local study has been done cane breaks were once home to the extinct
on the plant. Cain said he’s been studying a passenger pigeon and a species of parakeet in
cane break for 12 years on Baron Fork Creek the Southeastern United States.
River cane also produces 30 percent more
near Christie in Adair County as part of his
graduate studies at the University of Arkansas. oxygen than a forest of comparable size,
He said most ethno-botanists agree the Cain said.
plant is endangered, citing a 98 percent decline
[email protected]
since Europeans first made contact with Native
918-207-3961
people in North America about 500 years ago.
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
You’re talking about
an ecosystem that
is no longer here in
North America.
War Pony hitting its stride as band
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
SALLISAW, Okla. – The all-Cherokee band
War Pony is breaking out of Sequoyah County
where it began about 18 months ago and is
becoming a regional band.
The four-member group is led by lead
guitarist and singer Sherman Connelly and
includes Preston Postoak on drums, Jason Billie
on bass and Justin Graham on rhythm guitar.
Like many bands, War Pony consists of
remnants of other bands. Connelly and Billie
continued to play together after playing in
another local band.
“That band never really got off the ground,”
Connelly said.
After Connelly won the “Great Arkansas
Talent Search” in 2010, he decided to put a
band together and recruited Billie to join him.
After bringing in Postoak and Graham, Billie
said the band members quickly synced and
“had a good band after a few shows.”
Connelly said the band’s sound is hard to
label but it’s a mixture of Red Dirt, edgy blues
and hillbilly rock ’n’ roll. He added that War
Pony plays its own compositions as well as
some covers during shows.
Billie said he prefers playing songs that get
his “fingers to popping.” But Connelly said he
prefers a heavy blues and classic rock sound
to sing live because his early influences were
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix.
“Anything really along those lines, but as far
as picking a particular song that I like to play, I
really couldn’t tell you. I like them all,” he said.
“One of the requirements of the songs that we
play is that I have to like them.”
The band gets regular airplay on KTCS, a
country music station in nearby Fort Smith, Ark.,
and is a regular act at Cherokee Casino Sallisaw.
Connelly said he enjoys playing gigs around
Sequoyah County and seeing familiar faces in
the crowds, but wants to expand to other areas.
He said War Pony will soon play at Cherokee
Casino West Siloam Springs and T-Bones in
Tahlequah. The band has also played at the
Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City and
has a few Choctaw Nation casinos scheduled.
“We’ve been trying to get out past the
Sequoyah County line. We’ll go just about
anywhere they’ll have us around. We’ve played
a few gigs in Little Rock (Ark.) at Stickyz Rock
’n’ Roll Chicken Shack, a pretty well-known
venue. A lot of Red Dirt guys play there,”
Connelly said.
The band recently participated in a showcase
for Virgin Records at the Chicken Shack.
Connelly said the band is being asked more
often to play middle-of-the week gigs, which
may allow him to quit his day job of hanging
drywall and metal stud frames.
He said the gigs are becoming more
frequent, but he would always be grateful
for the Sallisaw Veterans of Foreign Wars for
helping him get his start.
“The staff there is super nice and they’ve
been supportive of me from day one,” he said.
War Pony is working on a second album
of original music in Ada with producer
Mike McClure, who has produced albums
for singer Stoney LaRue and bands Ragweed
and Turnpike Troubadours. Connelly said the
band needs only one more session to complete
the album and should be putting out a single
soon. Its first album is available on iTunes,
Amazon.com and at its shows.
He said the number of fans on the band’s
Facebook page has almost doubled in the past
two months. The band’s booking information
can also be found on the page.
Connelly said he’s amazed at how fast the
band has evolved and gained in popularity.
“I’ve been really blessed and fortunate,” he said.
Billie said he hopes the band can eventually
play music for a living.
“It’s something we’re really passionate
about,” he said. “Come out and get rocked with
War Pony. That’s all we can hope for is to make
new fans.”
[email protected]
918-207-3961
Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
2012
HEaltH • aBk 0sr
2012 Ewf #>hAmh • mc[Q
November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
17
Hastings Hospital opens new Emergency Department
BY jAmI CuStEr
Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee
Nation officials held an open house
on Oct. 8 for a new Emergency
Department/Urgent Care facility at
the tribally operated W.W. Hastings
Hospital, giving the public a glimpse
of the unit before it began taking
patients on Oct. 10.
The ED is equipped with 13 private
rooms, while the UC will handle
patients not seeking emergency care
and who do not have a primary doctor.
CN Health Services Director
Connie Davis said the facility would
help with the hospital’s large volume
of patients, but that it’s impossible to
predict the number of patients the
facility would see annually. However,
she said, in similar expansions it’s not
uncommon to see the number double.
According to CN Communications,
about 40,000 Cherokee patients use the
hospital’s emergency services annually.
With the addition, space for
emergency services doubles from
4,000 square feet to 8,000 square
feet. There are also seven additional
cardiac machines for a total of 14 as
well as a central monitoring system, a
decontamination room and a trauma
room with a connecting door to the
CT scan area.
“Today, our ER/Urgent Care
department has new transport monitors,
exam lights, X-ray work stations,
stretchers, exam tables and a trauma
room adjoined to an area that can take
patients in for a CT scan,” states a CN
Communications press release.
The update is part of a $7 million
expansion that began in 2010 to add
much-needed space, equipment and
to make the facility “more patient
friendly to help improve the health
and lives” of CN citizens, according to
CN Communications. The expansion’s
funding stems from carryover thirdparty collections from Medicare,
Medicaid and private insurances.
ED Nurse Manager Delena Goss
said the former emergency room
would be used as an overflow area and
later converted into pre-operation
area, chapel and pharmacy.
To fully staff the ED, the hospital
needs two more doctors to its current
six, said Dr. Thomas Franklin, ED
medical director. He said to fully staff
the UC area the hospital needs to add
10 nurse practitioners, doctors or
physician assistants to its current 14
staff members.
Goss said there are currently 40
employees staffing both departments
but that hospital officials would add
staff as needed.
On Oct. 8, Principal Chief Bill John
That is our ultimate goal in health, to take
care of patients the way we want our own
family taken care of.
– Connie Davis, Heath Services director
Baker thanked all who participated
in making the facility a reality.
“I imagine everybody in this room
has been to the emergency room,
when you would go back and be in
the same room with six or four other
people or you would have to wait in
the waiting room so long before you
could get a triage room,” he said.
“I walk through this facility and I
see all of these private rooms. I see
the rooms over in the other side to
where urgent care can be actually be
a reality here at W.W. Hastings.”
He added that the problems with
the hospital’s emergency services go
back as far as 1995.
“We’ve tried to upgrade and make
better and make due,” he said. “We
do a wonderful job and I appreciate
all the staff…everybody that makes
it work, but it doesn’t take rocket
science to figure out that if you got
a bigger facility, you got more beds
then you can treat our people much,
much better and much quicker.”
Davis said she has spent most
of her bedside career at Hastings
Hospital and that having the new
facility means a lot to her.
“My family uses this facility. I
use this facility. And just having
the confidence of knowing that the
people that are here are going to
take as good of care of me and my
family as they will my friends and
your friends and your family…It just
means the world to me,” she said.
“That is our ultimate goal in health,
to take care of patients the way we
want our own family taken care of.”
[email protected]
918-453-5560
Registered Nurse Dana Cash listens to Spavinaw resident Robert
Smith’s breathing at W. W. Hastings Hospital’s new emergency
department on Oct. 11. JAMI CUSTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Food Distribution pulls recalled
Sunland peanut butter
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
Kaitlyn Robinson, of Jay, Okla., punches boxing mitts held by Kimee Hummingbird,
of Sapulpa, as a form of exercise to build cardiovascular and muscle strength
during a Booyah Boxing class held Sept. 22 at the seventh annual Diabetes
Prevention Program retreat in Welling. WILL CHAVEZ/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Diabetes Prevention Program
retreat reinforces prevention
BY WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter
WELLING, Okla. – The unofficial theme of
the Cherokee Nation’s seventh annual Diabetes
Prevention Program retreat, held Sept. 22 at
Camp Heart of the Hills, seemed to be “keep
moving.”
Program officials encouraged participants
to partake in activities designed to keep them
moving while having fun. Morning activities
included a trail hike, Zumba dancing, Booyah
Boxing and basket weaving. Later, teams
played water balloon volleyball.
Participants came to the retreat as part
of their ongoing efforts to prevent being
diagnosed with diabetes.
The Diabetes Prevention Program helps
citizens diagnosed with pre-diabetes, a state
where blood sugar levels are higher than
normal but not high enough to diagnose
with diabetes. Participants are provided life
coaches, who help participants reach their
respective weight loss goals, as well as other
tools and incentives to keep them active and
healthy. They also receive free check-ups and
educational classes on eating healthy, losing
weight and physical activity.
Donald Duvall, of Stilwell, has been in
the program for six years and is still diabetic
free. He credits that by learning to be more
physically fit.
“The Booyah Boxing, I took that for awhile.
It is a very challenging, physical sport to do,
but it’s also fun,” Duvall said. “I’m 49 right
now, and I was trying to keep up with guys half
my age. To me I thought I did good. I’m still
diabetic free. My sugar is normal, and I plan to
keep it that way.”
Melissa Drywater of the Dog Pound Fight
Academy, who taught the retreat’s Booyah
Boxing class, said she focuses on improving
the overall fitness of students.
“The Booyah Boxing program is unique
because we’ve taken the training principals
from traditional boxing, training that focuses
on cardio, flexibility and toning, so it’s a good
match,” she said. “This is by far one of the best
workouts. Boxing has stood the test of time
as far as training and exercise goes. Nothing
really compares to it.”
Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle
coach Karen Bryant said participants were
also encouraged to bring family members
to the retreat to exercise with them. She said
participants ranged from children to elders.
Specific activities and games were held for the
children as they learned how to eat healthier
and stay active.
“What we are trying to do is prevent people
from being diagnosed with diabetes. In 2004,
we received a grant through the Indian Health
Service to do a study that shows preventing
diabetes can actually happen in Native
communities,” Tonya Wapskineh, Diabetes
Prevention Project coordinator, said. “So what
we did was we went to our clinics and hospitals
to recruit people who had pre-diabetes. We
worked them by setting them goals on physical
activity and fat gram goals so that they can
eat healthier. With those two combined they
ultimately lose weight and from that they drop
their glucose levels and cholesterol levels and
ultimately we are preventing diabetes.”
Since starting the program, the tribe has
recruited 247 participants, successfully
retaining 195.
The Diabetes Prevention Program offers
classes to people diagnosed with pre-diabetes
in Adair, Mayes, Cherokee, Sequoyah,
Muskogee and Delaware counties in six tribal
clinics and the W.W. Hastings Hospital.
Wapskineh said the program is also working
with the Claremore Indian Hospital to expand
the program to the Rogers County area.
Diabetes Prevention Program participants
must also be citizens of federally recognized
tribes and 18 or older. For more information,
visit www.cherokee.org or call 918-453-5776
or email [email protected].
[email protected]
918-207-3961
cherokeephoenix.org
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Food Distribution
Manager Bud Squirrel said the Cherokee
Nation’s Food Distribution program recently
pulled all of its remaining jars of peanut butter
made by Sunland Inc. as part of a national recall.
Speaking at the Oct. 15 Community Services
Committee meeting, Squirrel said on Sept. 24
the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a
recall of peanut butter made by Sunland due to
salmonella contamination. Salmonella causes
diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
As of Oct. 15, the Centers for Disease Control
reported 35 people have been sickened in 19
states and there was concern that the number
could grow with additional peanut products
being added to the recall list. Sunland, which
is based in Portales, N.M., has recalled more
than 400 of its products containing peanuts.
Squirrel said the “good news” is there were
no reports of any Food Distribution clients
getting ill from eating Sunland-made creamy
peanut butter that had been distributed at
Food Distribution stores in Salina, Jay, Stilwell,
Sallisaw and Nowata.
“It should have happened by now. The onset
of symptoms is a half a day to three days or 12
to 72 hours, so no news is good news at this
point,” Squirrel said.
He said the only affected product that Food
Distribution had was Sunland’s creamy peanut
butter, which was immediately taken off
shelves when he learned of the recall.
Fliers warning clients not to eat the recalled
peanut butter were placed in three strategic
areas of the five Food Distribution stores –
on shelves where the Sunland peanut butter
formerly sat, on the stores’ front windows and
on exit doors.
Squirrel said he got advance notice of the
recall before the USDA called him, so said
he took immediate action by warning clients
about the possible danger.
“We started getting emails from clients that
had seen it on Facebook or Twitter and then
the next day the USDA got in contact with us
to tell us this was happening,” he said. “So we
had a full day’s head start pulling this stuff off
the shelves and setting it aside. And what we
did was we took it to the landfill and got rid of
what we had.”
He said Food Distribution staff hauled 4,813,
18-ounce jars of the peanut butter to the tribe’s
landfill and disposed of it by burying it, which
was supervised by the CN Environmental
Health Department.
The peanut butter product was given out
to Food Distribution clients in September,
and Squirrel said because the symptom
period has long since passed he believes Food
Distribution “dodged a bullet.”
“A lot of people claimed they ate it and said ‘I
didn’t get sick or my kids didn’t get sick,’” he said.
The most susceptible to salmonella
poisoning would have been the elderly and
young children or someone currently under
medical care, Squirrel said.
CN Communications Director Amanda
Clinton said the CN did not distribute
information to the public about the recall
because the USDA distributed public notices
and the Food Distribution stores posted
notices about the recall. The notice warned
clients not to eat the peanut butter and to
throw it away.
“They (USDA) did all of the public notices on
it. That’s what they’re required to do,” she said.
She added that stores usually don’t provide
notices of tainted products, and it is up to
the product’s manufacturer and the USDA to
distribute information about a recall.
As of Oct. 15, the recall of peanut butter
and other products from Sunland had been
expanded to include raw and roasted peanuts.
Sunland has recalled everything made in its
contaminated plant since March 2010.
Sunland has recalled peanut butter brands
sold at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart,
Kroeger, Target and Costco. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration has warned consumers
not to eat any products associated with
Sunland and to discard them because they
might be tainted with salmonella.
[email protected]
918-207-3961
18
CHEROKEE PHOENIX • November 2012
HEaltH • aBk 0sr
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2012
DIETITIAN’S CORNER
Decisions, decisions
BY rACHELLE
HOLmAN
Registered Dietitian
Heidi Lyman, left, of Kansas, Okla., receives instruction from Brenda Fowler, a
registered nurse for W.W. Hastings Hospital’s Diabetes Management, on how to use
a glucometer to test her blood sugar level. JAMI CUSTER/CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Tribes Diabetes Program
receives national award
BY jAmI CuStEr
Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee
Nation Diabetes Program was recently
awarded the John Pipe Voices for Change
Outcomes Award, which recognizes federally
funded Special Diabetes Programs for
Indians or SDPIs that have excelled advocacy,
outcomes and innovation.
CNDP Director Teresa Chaudoin said the
award is named in memory of diabetes advocate
John Pipe, of Wolf Point, Mont., who served as a
member of the American Diabetes Associations’
Native American Initiatives Subcommittee.
“The awards are named in memory of his
longstanding advocacy efforts reached from
his local community to Washington, D.C.,
and affected countless tribal communities,”
she said. “The Special Diabetes Program
for Indians is a $150 million per year grant
program that is funded through congressional
legislation and administered by the Indian
Health Service.”
The CNDP received the award for
demonstrating outcomes such as significant
improvement on clinical measures of patient care
for diabetes patients throughout the CN health
system, as well as demonstrating measurable
success in health lifestyle change and weight loss
in people with pre-diabetes who participate in
the CN Diabetes Prevention Program.
This is the first time the CNDP has
received the award and Chaudoin said being
recognized for doing good work in one’s
chosen field is always nice.
“And this award belongs to all the different
disciplines of providers in the Cherokee Nation
health system – physicians, nurses, dietitians, lab
techs, pharmacists, certified diabetes educators,
health educators, behavioral health providers,
dentists, optometrists, podiatrists – who work
together as teams every day to provide excellent
care to help their patients with diabetes live
healthier lives, and to help people at risk for
diabetes to reduce their risk,” she said.
Chaudoin added that the award is a
“wonderful reflection on all those people with
diabetes or at risk who take an active role” in
improving their health.
“Our receipt of this award also demonstrates
to Congress and to other agencies that the
funding we have received to treat and prevent
diabetes in Cherokee Nation has been wellspent,” she said.
The award focuses more on clinical
outcomes, Chaudoin added.
CN provides services and supplies to more
than 10,000 diabetic patients each year in the
14-county jurisdiction.
“Our program uses a diabetes systems of
care approach to prevent and treat diabetic
complications, and employs clinical staff from
multiple disciplines that are located at nine
facilities throughout the Cherokee Nation
health system,” she said.
The funding from SDPI for the diabetes
program is also shared with CN Healthy
Nation and its activities to allow partnering
with schools and communities to increase
physical activity.
“They have so many things going on…
and all those things keep people with
diabetes healthier and help prevent diabetes
in people who are at risk for developing it,”
Chaudoin said.
[email protected]
918-453-5560
IHS develops STD-prevention training kit
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
WASHINGTON – To help stop the spread of
HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, Indian
Health Services supported the development of a
Tribal HIV/STD Training Kit and Policy Guide.
The kit gives tribes and tribal organizations
information on how to work with Tribal
Councilors, school boards, health directors
and other partnering programs on ways to
prevent the transmission of HIV and STDs.
The kit is a collaborative effort with the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’
Office of Minority Health Resource Center and
the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health
Board. It is being released in conjunction with
the International AIDS Conference.
It contains facts about sexual health, tools for
assessing community readiness to implement
a sexual health program, information to guide
policy development, case studies of effective
models for change and additional resources to
strengthen community sexual health activities
and policies.
The kit also provides recommendations
to American Indians and Alaska Natives
on healthy lifestyle choices. Tribal health
advocates can use the kit to guide discussions
with tribal leaders and develop ideas for
effective disease prevention strategies.
I recently attended
a conference about
the topic of “mindless
eating.” Psychology
and the environment
play significant roles in the way people chose
the foods they eat. According to Cornell
University professor Dr. Brian Wansink,
people make on average more than 200
food-related decisions each day. That’s crazy
because I didn’t realize that I made that
many decisions each day period. How many
times do you stop to really think through
your food decisions, if you don’t know
you are making a food decision in the first
place? This is confusing stuff. Since behavior
and psychology are difficult to change, how
about changing your environment? Could
changes in our surroundings help people
eat healthier, lose weight or improve health?
Research suggests so. To quote Dr. Wansink,
“the best diet is the one that you don’t know
you are on.”
Human behavior studies show that
people will eat 92 percent of what they are
served, regardless as to how much they
are served, and in some cases, regardless
of if the food was even good. How about
serve less? Standard plate sizes today can
be up to 12 inches in diameter compared
to nine inches just 20 years ago. By eating
off of a smaller plate, you will decrease the
amount you consume. Cook only what
you need to feed. If there are only two in
the home you really don’t need to cook
four hamburgers. Order small or plan to
split a meal when out dining.
People also tend to eat about 20 percent
more when served family style. I would
suggest keeping the food dishes in the
kitchen or on the stove or maybe only place
lower-calorie foods such as vegetables or
salad on the table during mealtime. Glass
size can also be deceiving. We drink more
if using a small, wide glass than we do from
a thin, tall glass. How about eating with
toddler utensils? Sounds silly, but it will slow
you down, which will lead to less calories.
Apparently my parents were right, peer
pressure can get you into trouble. The more
people who you dine with, the more you
eat. Who you are eating with can also play
a role. I know I tend to eat a lot less with my
dietitian buddies than I do with my family.
That doesn’t mean to avoid social meals, just
be armed with the knowledge and prepare
to make good choices.
The power of access and convenience is
another interesting area of food decision
research. I always tell my patients they’ll
eat what is available to them. It sounds
profound, but really just common sense.
When I go home for lunch and we have
leftover pizza and home-baked cookies, you
can bet that’s what I’m going to eat. But on
the days that all I find is tuna, whole-grain
crackers and a crisper full of fresh vegetables
– well, that’s lunch.
Keeping a kitchen stocked with healthy
food items is an important environmental
change for good health. We eat more of what
is within reach. That means having fresh
fruit on the table and chips hidden on the
highest shelf behind closed doors. Having
unhealthy snacks within reach (think bag
of chips in your lap while watching TV)
can result in eating twice the amount you’d
normally eat. That’s mindless eating at its
worst. Portion out your snacks and leave the
container behind. In terms of convenience,
choose nuts that are still in the shell. You’ll
have to work harder. Only eat ice cream
from the ice cream store. It’s much less
convenient to load up and drive across town
than it is to slide into your kitchen to the
freezer, so you are less likely to do it.
I don’t like rules, but sometimes they are
necessary. If you have identified problem
areas in your eating habits, work out a
compromise with yourself by setting some
boundaries. I’m a sweet tea girl, so first I
reduced the amount of sugar in my tea, and
second, the rule is one small (tall, skinny)
glass at lunchtime and one at dinnertime.
Not all day long and never while out dining.
Another rule may be that you can have
a dessert, but only after you have eaten a
serving of fruit first, or you can have a fried
food but only if half of your plate is filled
with vegetables.
Try making a few small changes in your
environment to see big changes in your
health. For more information, look for Dr.
Wansink’s book “Mindless Eating: Why We
Eat More Than We Think.”
Studi shoots diabetes
prevention commercial
BY StAFF rEPOrtS
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee
Nation recently hosted notable Cherokee
actor Wes Studi and U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention officials to shoot a
diabetes prevention commercial.
The shoot was held on Aug. 23 at the Nation’s
Male Seminary Recreation Center stickball
field. The commercial urges Cherokees and
all of Indian Country to look to its roots for
a healthier lifestyle because the diabetes
diagnosis rate increased 68 percent for Native
American teens aged 15-19 between 1994 and
2004.
“Hopefully we can be the solution to
preventing Type II diabetes, which runs at a
high rate in our tribe, by promoting eating
more traditional foods and playing our
traditional games,” said Studi, who is known
for his movie roles in “Dances with Wolves”
and “The Last of the Mohicans.”
Sixteen percent of Native American adults
are diagnosed with diabetes compared to
7 percent of the white population, and one
in three adults in the total U.S. population
are predicted to have the disease by 2050,
according to the CDC.
“This effort is conceived at the behest of
tribal elders who have held from the beginning
that we know what is good with regard to
diabetes prevention and health promotion.
Our culture is a source of health,” said Larry
Alonso, with the CDC Native Diabetes
Wellness Program in Atlanta who helped
with the commercial shoot. “That was the
impetus for the traditional foods project. This
filming and public service announcement seek
to demonstrate that traditional foods, wise
choices and traditional forms of exercise are
effective to avoid the onset of Type II diabetes.”
The commercial features traditional
Cherokee and other tribal stickball players in
action on a field set in both past and modern
eras at the recreation facility, which was
bought by the tribe four years ago for citizens
to exercise.
Studi is prominently featured and narrates
the message.
“We used to be more active, but some
Cherokees today are more into television and
video games,” said Sequoyah High School
senior Mahli McNac, who plays stickball in
the commercial. “It’s cool to be part of this
message.”
The public service announcement is set to
air this fall in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and other
highly populated tribal markets across the
country and is funded by the CDC’s traditional
foods grant.
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November 2012 • CHEROKEE PHOENIX
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