February/March 2012 - Pawnee Nation

Page 5Chaticks si Chaticks -FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012Weight Loss Challenge Inspires Healthier Lifestyles And CompetitionPhoto by Toni Hilloff on Jan. 9 and ends March 12.A healthy, complimentary lunch was catered by Subway in conjunction with the initialweigh-in and registration. Forty-seven teamsengaged in the challenge, 94 members overall.All participants are in teams of two andpaid an entry fee of 10 per person. Firstplace winners will receive the consolidatedentry fee that amounts to 940, in addition to, 1 paid if members miss a weigh in and/or 1for every pound gained at each weigh in. Second and third place winners will receive a sixmonth membership and three month membership (respectively) to the Pawnee Nation Fitness Center.Weight Loss challenge contenders, (l to r) Brian Seigle, FredaThe challenge is based on weight loss perTippeconnie, Wilma Seigle, Lisa Gooday, Shelby Exum and Loucentage. The WHPP Advisory Board voted forise Stevens, gear up for a stimulating competition.this portion of the challenge to provide a healthThe Pawnee Nation’s Wellness and Healthier method towards weight loss due to each parPromotion Program (WHPP) Advisory Boardticipant’s unique body shape, size, height andformed the Weight Loss Challenge, which kickedweight.Photo by Toni HillBy Suzy Knife ChiefHP/DP Healthy Nation CoordinatorContestants Donald and Rheadon Poteet join another competitor by participating in a mandatory weigh in at thePawnee Nation Fitness Center.The percentage of weight lost can be calculated by dividing the total amount of weight lostusing the beginning weight of the individual andmultiplying by 100.Good luck to all competitors!For more information, please contact theHPDP Healthy Nations Program at (918) 7622153.Congratulations To President GoverCongratulations to President of the Pawnee Business Council Marshall Gover for his recent appointment to the Direct Service Tribes (DST) Advisory Committee as a representative for the Indian Health Service (IHS) Oklahoma Area. The DST Advisory Committee (DSTAC) is consultivecommittee to the IHS Director that offers leadership in the areas of advocacy and policy interpretation for tribes that utilize IHS services.Carol Nuttle Selected To ServeCarol Nuttle, Pawnee Nation Business Council Seat 4 representative, was selected to service on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) Self-Governance Tribal Federal Workgroup (SGTFW). This agency aids the HHS in creating agendas focused on increasing Tribal Self-Governance. With the assistance of Tribal representatives, the SGTFW seeks the assistance of HHS programs in determining how studies may encouragelegislation in the event that the HHS may not have demonstration authority.Human Resources Application Procedures ChangeIn an effort to become paperless and more efficient, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma’s office of Human Resources will now require applicants toapply online at www.pawneenation.org. Applicants will be able to access a link to our online application. A valid email address is required in orderto apply for any vacancies.For more information, contact Shelby Exum, Human Resource specialist at (918) 762-3621 x52 or via email at hrspecialist@pawneenation.org.news from Human ResourcesPa w n e eN at i o nwelcomesRoberta Ahdunko was selected as Dispatcher/Administrative Assistant for the Law Enforcement department onJan. 23, 2012.Jessie Britt was selected as Lead Teacher (3&4 year olds) for the Learning Center on Jan. 10, 2012.Tammy Tubbs was selected as Lead Teacher (Infant) for the Learning Center on Jan. 10, 2012.Louise Stevens was selected as Receptionist/Assistant on Nov. 14, 2011.

Page 6Chaticks si Chaticks -FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012Construction Update For The U.S. 64 Entrance To Tribal ComplexBy Toni HillCommunications ManagerConcrete beams form the foundation of the bridge. Picture taken Jan. 11, 2012.manager. “This development couldalso ease traffic burdens on existingvenues of travel without having anyknown negative effects on businessrevenue.”The project is starting to looklike a bridge. The bridge work isgoing according to plan, and theContractor is finished with the abutments, columns, beams, and upstream rip rap. The bridge deck isbeing formed and the reinforcingsteel for the deck and sidewalk is being placed. This will take a coupleof days and concrete will be placedjust as soon as the weather allowsconcrete placement. Other minorconstruction activities such as metalrails and approach slab curbing willfollow the deck work, along withsome cleanup, while the concreteis being allowed to properly cure,and tests completed. With continued good weather, this bridge workphase will be complete by the end ofFebruary, and then the second phasewill begin.Any concerns regarding theconstruction should be directed tothe Pawnee Nation Department ofTransportation and Safety at (918)762-3655.Editor’s note: Article updatesprovided by Pawnee Nation Transportation Director Cecil Riding In.Photo by Cecil Riding InPhoto by Cecil Riding InPhoto by Cecil Riding InBrawleyEngineering Inc. designed the newentry following specifications required by the Federal Highway Administration to ensure establishedfederal standards. One areaof focus included ensuringthat the project allowed forproper water disbursementto avoid flooding.“This project was notdesigned to compromiseexisting business revenuefor Pawnee,” said CecilRiding In, Pawnee Nationtransportationdirector.“However, based on thenumber of commuters thatcurrently use the existingpathways, more than 2,700Cranes larger than the men who control them are used to lay the concrete beams. Picture taken Jan. 11,cars daily, the Pawnee Na2012.tionfelt that another optionsion for more than a decade due towasnecessaryto ensure safe andPhase One of the construction of a need for additional access to theunrestrictedtravel.”a bridge over Black Bear Creek by Pawnee Nation headquarters that inProject completion for PhaseOklahoma Bridge Contractors from cludes Indian Health Services, PawOneis targeted for April 2012. VeryEdmond, Okla. is now under way. nee Nation Law Enforcement andlittleinconvenience is expected reThis segment will involve the cre- Pawnee Nation District Court, Pawgardingday-to-day operation alation of the bridge leading to Phase nee Nation College and many otherthough travel within the work areaTwo, pavement construction. This tribal offices and programs.Currently, the only routes to the is prohibited due to the use of heavystructure will eventually link theAdministrative Complex and the In- Tribal complex utilize the green equipment for clearing and dirtdian Health Services Center to U.S. bridge located on East Harrison work.“We would like to thank the citiStreet that turns into Agency road64 East.zensof Pawnee for their support,”This project had sparked discus- and Morris road is often blockedsaidJim R. McCormick, projectdue to railroad usage.The newly constructed bridge will allow for greater access.

Chaticks si Chaticks -FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012Office of Historic Preservation Safeguards Pawnee Heritage and CulturePage 7By Gordon AdamsTribal Historic Preservation OfficerPawnee’s Council Oak from Nebraska Homeland.In 2011, the Pawnee Nation Office of Historic Preservation assumedresponsibility for the activities offive programs on Pawnee Triballands which the State of Oklahomapreviously administered.The fact that the State of Oklahoma released partial jurisdictionon the Pawnee land and the PawneeNation assumed that responsibility firmly established the PawneePeople one step closer to true sovereignty.This article will describe thefive areas of responsibility (bolded)the Pawnee People now administerthrough the Office of Historic Preservation.The National Register of Historic Places (Register). The Register is the national catalogue of archeological and historic properties, theplaces and things which influencedthe Tribe to become the People weare today.The Register is also the foundation for all Tribal and State HistoricPreservation programs.Two important advantages attachto listing on the Register. First is theprotection a place or thing enjoysagainst destruction or other adverseeffects, and, second is its eligibilityfor funding to help provide that protection.Section 106 Review and Compliance. Section 106 Review andCompliance (106 Review)is the largest, most complex part and the mostinteresting part of historic preservation work.Very simply stated, 106 Reviewrequires any agency using federalfunds, or requiring federal permitsor licensing that proposes a significant ground disturbance in the statesof Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska,Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas or New Mexico to submit a request for 106 Review to thePawnee Nation Office of HistoricPreservation.The 106 Review process is theteeth of Tribal historic preservation.Federal funding, permits or licensesare issued to agencies only uponcompletion of the 106 Review process which flows from the NationalHistoric Preservation Act of 1966(NHPA).NHPA provides the legislationthat ensures all negotiations regard-Photo by Gordon AdamsPhoto by Gordon Adamsing mitigation, avoid- tion efforts over the coming years.ance or any otherPublic Outreach, Education,kind of adverse effect and Technical Assistance. Thisagreementbetween service is offered to academic, corTribes and federal porate, civic, governmental or comagencies are conduct- munity groups in matters of historiced in a government- preservation.to-government manIncreasing public and inter-govner just as the United ernmental awareness and educationStates would nego- of the Pawnee heritage and potentialtiate with any other threats is a powerful tribal historicsovereign nation.preservation tool.Survey and InUse of media to distribute inforventory(Survey). mation about tribal historic preserThe Survey is the vation issues and methods is impor“very thorough inves- tant.tigation of the releProviding college lectures,vant facts” mentioned classes, workshops and public andabove.special presentations for groupsThe content of the upon request is an excellent wayinformation collected to distribute tribal historic preseris called the Survey, vation information. Tribal historicand determines whether a Preservation Officers also provideplace or thing qualifies for Register technical assistance on specific triblisting. The Survey includes maps, al historic preservation topics uponphotographs, geology, history, GPS request.location, information on local floraFor more information, contactand fauna and any other informa- Gordon Adams at (918) 762-3227.tion available. After the Survey isTed Moore, Tribal planning dicomplete, the information is placed rector, developed the plan for thein our database and constitutes the Tribal Comprehensive Historic Presinventory.ervation Plan to be funded throughComprehensive Historic Pres- the U.S. Department of Interior Naervation Plan (the Plan). The tional Park Service.Plancoversour reservation, our trustand restrictedlands, any archeological,architectural,historic, or sacred sites, aswell as historic districts andlandscapesanywhere andestablishesthe goals andobjectivesfor furtheringPawnee his- Ceramics, more than 1000 years old, were used by members of thetoric preserva- Pawnee Tribe.

Page 8PAWNEE BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING NOTESDisclaimer: Please understand thatthe following are only a brief synopsis of topics and actions takenby the Pawnee Business Council(PBC). The PBC minutes rangefrom seven or more pages. Due tospace limitation, it is not possibleto print the entire sets of minutesin the newsletter.Nov. 22, 2011, PBC Meeting:Seven Council members werepresent. Linda Jestes was excused. Due to deaths in the tribe,the Council will shorten the agenda. There were no CommitteeReports, no Executive Director orTDC reports.Under Old Business:1.Interview and selection ofthe A&E Firm for the 2011 ICDBGProject. The Council interviewedthree firms for this project whichis slated to be for the Roundhouserenovation and water system upgrade. The three firms interviewedwere Robert “Buzz” Johnson, OneArchitecture and Anishinabe. Anishinabe was selected.Under New Business:1.The Title VI Program hasidentified a funding shortfall dueto a reduction in the amount thegrant was funded. They have requested an additional 42,053 beprovided to finish out the year.They will need additional fundsfor 2012 as well, but this action isfor 2011 only. Approved.2.The Council had approved(by telephone and e-mail) Roofingbids to repair several roofs damaged by hail. The insurance payment has been received and thework needed to commence. Council voted unanimously to ratify thevote taken by phone and e-mail.3.Dr. Joseph Bohanon visitedwith the Council about the needsand vision of the Pawnee NationCollege.4.Resolution 11-85 was approved for the drawdown of the2012 Annuity Funds.5.Muriel Robedeaux reportedto Council regarding the progressmade meeting with the Elders onthe design and concept of the proposed Elder’s Center. This information will be used to submit thegrant proposal.Executive Session.After Executive Session: TheCouncil approved the SuitabilityDetermination for Gaming Commissioner Stephen Bird. His application will be forwarded to theNIGC.Dec. 14, 2011, PBC Meeting:All Council members were present. Council members, the Executive Director, and the TDC General Manager provided reports ontheir activities since the previousPBC meeting.The minutes of the Nov. 9, 2011and Nov. 22, 2011 PBC meetingwere approved.Under Old Business:1. Theumba Lieb gave a short report on the Youth Football Fieldand was requested to bring back abusiness plan and other pertinentinformation. The request to usetribal reserve land for the youthfootball program will be tableduntil this information is received.Under New Business:1.Resolution 11-86, Changeof Agriculture Lease was tabledfor additional information.2.Council approved the purchase of taser’s for the PawneeNation Law Enforcement officers.3.The Council approved a revision to the fiscal policies – travelChaticks si Chaticks -FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012policy only.4.Council approved a Government-to-Government Agreement between the City of Pawneeand the Transportation Department to provide mutually beneficially services to both areas.5.The Council approved aplan to reduce costs and selectoptions for the Title VI Programshortfall. These options includeraising the eligible age to 60 andover, eliminating take out mealsexcept for home-bound patients,adding one to two soup and sandwich days and raising the cost fornon-eligible participants to 7.6.The Council approved a request to separate the budgets forthe Elder’s Assistance, HandicapAssistance and Emergency Assistance and impose new requirements on each type of assistance.7.The Council approved arequest from President Gover tochallenge the Nasharo Council toa Handgame.8.The Council approved the2012 Holiday Schedule.9.The Council tabled the2012 budget approval and willpass continuing resolutions at thenext PBC meeting.10. The Council approved thepurchase of chairs for events atvarious buildings.11. The Council discussed theAffordable Health Care, the possible repeal and the affects on Indian Country. Council agreed toinform Congress to hold IndianCountry harmless and continuethe approval of the Indian HealthCare Act that was contained in theAffordable Health Care legislation in the event of repeal.12. Dr. Bohanon requested thatthe Pawnee Nation consider forgiving a 25,000 loan given tothe Pawnee Nation College a fewyears ago. This will be discussedduring the budget call process.Dec. 28, 2011, PBC Meeting:All Council members were present. All Council provided reportson the meetings, conferences andtraining they attended since thelast meeting. Executive Director Dawna Hare and TDC GeneralManager Roger Foster also provided reports to Council.The minutes of the Dec. 14, 2011PBC meeting were tabled.Under Old Business:1.The Council approved Resolution 11-86 – Change of Lessee on the Agriculture lease at theTribal Reserve.Under New Business:1.Council approved Resolution 11-87 – Enrollment for 23 applicants.2.Council approved Resolution 11-88 – Enrollment - Document Deceased members3.Council approved Resolutions 11-89 through 11-109 - Enrollment for 20 Conditional Relinquishments.4.Council approved Resolution 11-110, 11-111 and 11-112 forthe submission of the 2012 ICDBGGrant Proposal.5.Council approved a requestto purchase thermal imaging devices for Pawnee Nation Law Enforcement officers.6.Council approved the purchase of a “Gator” vehicle for theProperty Department7.Council was presented witha Letter of Intent for a businessdeal regarding payday loans. Itwas tabled to get the opinion of thePN Attorney General.8.Resolution 11-113 and Resolution 11-114 for the appointment to the TDC Board were bothtabled.

Chaticks si Chaticks -FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012Pawnee Nation Diabetes Program Receives National RecognitionBy Crystal UnderwoodDiabetes CoordinatorPhoto by Angela ThompsonThis acknowledgment comes after a successful year of blood glucose screeningswithin the community.Although the number of participants hassteadily improved over the year, the DiabetesProgram staff continues working to improvediabetes awareness throughout the community.Listed below are a few screenings thattook place during 2011:1.Twice a week a PN SDPI representative provided blood glucose and bloodpressure screenings at the Title VI Buildingfrom 11 a.m.– noon. The screenings are opento the public (diabetics and non-diabetics).Participants were informed of their results,(L to R) Jaime Jestes, Diabetes Program administrative assistant.Crystal Underwood, Diabetes Program coordinator.educated on how to improve glucose levels andOn Nov. 21, 2011, the Pawnee Nation (PN) overall nutrition.2. For the first time, the Pawnee PublicSpecial Diabetes Program for Indians (PN SDPI)was notified that we were one of three Oklahoma School Board approved and allowed PN SDPI totribal diabetes programs selected for a Commu- provide voluntary blood glucose screenings at thenity Diabetes Screening Best Practice Revision 2011 Pawnee Middle School/High School HealthFair. As a result, 14 students and six teachersfor FY 2012.Page 9were screened.3. To recognize national health observancesthroughout the year, the PN SDPI collaboratedwith the Pawnee Nation Community Health Representatives, PN Wellness and Health Promotion Program (WHPP) Committee and the IndianHealth Services Community Health Department.The goal was to promote personal health andwellness. Also provided were prevention tips,diabetes awareness and blood pressure and bloodglucose screenings.4. Each year the PN SDPI sponsors 10-15native youth (ages: 8-12) to attend the NativeYouth Preventing Diabetes (NYPD) SummerCamp. In 2011, eight native youth were sponsored to attend.The Diabetes Program staff would like tothank all participants and organizations for helping and encouraging others to become aware ofthe health concerns happening in our community.For more information, please contact the Diabetes Program at (918) 762-4045.FOURTH QUARTER 2011 RESOLUTIONS#11-85 – Table Creek Treaty - Approved - This resolution is to drawdown the 2012 Annuity. Vote of six for, one absent, and one not voting. Nov. 22, 2011.#11-86– Assignment of Agriculture Lease - Approved - This resolution is to approve the assignment of the agriculture lease formerly held by Tony Gordon to BillyBledsoe. Vote of six for, one abstaining, and one not voting. Dec. 28, 2011.#11-87 – Enrollment - Approved This resolution is to add 36 applicants for enrollment to the Pawnee Nation rolls. Vote of seven for and one not voting. Dec. 28,2011.#11-88 – Enrollment - Approved - This resolution is to document 12 Pawnee Nation members have passed away. Vote of seven for and one not voting. Dec. 28,2011.#11-89

Free General Educational Development (GED) classes are ongoing until May. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 - 8 p.m. in the Cultural Learning Center. For more information, contact Chris Hill, Youth Service coordinator at (918)762-3227. Pawnee nation College Classes