New Business Committee-Healing the Tribe

Transcription

1 -KIOWA- New Business Committee-Healing the Tribe MATT KOMALTY Kiowa Tribal Chairman news Carnegie, OK February 15, 2017 I ssue 1 Since the swearing-in ceremony at the Southern Plains Regional Office in September, 2016, the new Kiowa Business Committee has encountered some obvious and some unforeseen problems that have demanded immediate attention. They have remedied several and are trying to make the process of others as short-term as possible. At the recent KIC meeting, KBC Chairman Matt Komalty cited various areas of concern that have been addressed in the last four months. The first topic was the Tribal programs. We have all our programs back and are hiring people to get the programs started, stated Komalty. He said that when the positions have been temporarily filled, the positions will be advertised and a permanent director will be installed. When it came to the subject of auditors, he said that Finley and Cook have been retained to prepare the tribe for audit. After we get the tribe in order, we will proceed with other necessary audits in other areas, said The Chairman. Another endeavor that reached fruition is the appointment and swearing in of the Kiowa Hearing Board and the Kiowa Election Board. They were sworn in on January 7 th. At the meeting, both Boards were introduced to the Kiowa people by Chairman Komalty. In reference to future ventures for the Kiowa Tribe, he said that the KBC is currently meeting with the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority. The KCOA is conducting community meetings with Kiowa members, concerning the proposed hotel at the Kiowa Casino Red River. In closing he said that the Kiowa Tribe is now working with the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache (KCA) Land Use Committee after 5 or 6 years of not being represented. The current discussion is working on water rights near the Red River and business enterprise on KCA land. The KBC members have been confronted with many more problems and issues, in the recent months, and are continuously working every day to correct as many as possible. (Comments from Committee members Vice-Chairman Charles Eisenberger, Secretary Rhonda Ahhaitty, Treasurer Renee Plata, Committeemen Dave Geimausaddle, Ron Poolaw, Anita Onco Johnson, and Tom Kaulaity, are included within this publication.)

2 Donnie Ahhaitty BOARDS NOW AT FULL COMPLEMENT KIOWA HEARING BOARD Thomascina Tsoodle Leader Lynda Delaune Kiowa Election Board pictured left to right: Dr. James R. Kennedye, Burnette Pewenofkit, Katherine Ware-Perosi, and Kari Wahnee. Nona Cutnose was not available for a picture. Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma witnessed the swearing in of a new Hearing Board and Election Board Saturday, January 7th, The ceremony took place in the Kiowa AOA center in Carnegie. The Boards were sworn in by George Beatty, Acting Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Anadarko. The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma March, 2017 Voting Process The March 4 th Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma issues and tribal budget election will be conducted by mail-in ballots with an additional option of returning your ballot directly to the Kiowa Election Board office at the Kiowa Tribal Complex on election day only. According to KEB Secretary Kari Wahnee, ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on February 16, No new ballots will be printed on election day. You must vote using the ballot you receive in the mail. A pre-paid postage envelope will be provided for prompt return of the marked ballot to the Election Board post office box. On election day, all ballots will be retrieved from a locked post office box by two KEB members and one observer. These ballots will be stored in a locked box until the polls close at 6 pm. On Election Day only, from 8am to 6pm, a second locked ballot box will be available at the Kiowa Tribal Complex for those who wish to submit their ballot in person. At 6 pm both ballot boxes will be opened and counting of the ballots will begin using an automated computerized tabulating device. Election results will be expected in approximately one hour after the counting process begins. Following the tabulation, election results will be posted that evening at the BIA Area Office in Anadarko, the Kiowa Tribal Complex in Carnegie, and other locations to be named in the near future. The results will also be posted on the Official Site of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Facebook page and the Kiowa Tribal website, kiowatribe.org. Voter address information can be updated by calling the Election Board Office at the Kiowa Tribal Complex ext Ben Wolf June Artichoker KIOWA NEWSLETTER All items, including stories and photographs, in the Kiowa Newsletter are the property of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Duplication of any material in this publication is prohibited without approval of an authorized staff member. Comments, pictures, and story ideas for the newsletter or the Tribal website are appreciated. Those items may be sent to: pr@kiowatribe.org 2

3 The following budget will on the March 4th, 2017 ballot. The KCAILUC Quarterly Budget and the 20% Judgement Funds is on page 9 of this Newsletter. Issues are on page 5. Budgeet-Subject to Modification Revenue: Tax Commission and Land Use Fee 3

4 ANITA ONCO JOHNSON-COMMITTEE Ms. Johnson is from Elk Creek, OK. She attended Hobart High, then graduated from Southwester OK with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Information Management. She was the Director of Medical Records at both IHS and the OK State Department of Mental Health. She is the daughter of Holly Onco and Eastlyn Arnold. Grandparents are Robert Onco and Fannie Atau Maunkee, daughter of Kiowa Bill Maunkee. RENEE PLATA-KBC TREASURER Plata was most recently employed by the Kiowa Casino Red River, until being elected into office in September An employee since day one of Casino operations, she served in various capacities including Cage Cashier, Human Resources, and Admin Office Manager, among others. While employed at the Kiowa Casino, she was able to complete her education at Cameron University where she achieved a degree in Business Administration. CHARLES EISENBERGER VICE-CHAIRMAN I was born in Monument Valley, Utah and I was raised out west in Arizona. I have had very close contact with my family in Oklahoma over the years. I come from the Silverhorn and Domebo families. My mother, Velma Ruth Domebo, was an educator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 45 years. She taught me and my siblings Kiowa Way, as well as the importance of education. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with Business Administration and Native American Studies degrees, slightly over a year ago. My education allows me to function in the capacity of Vice-Chairman. There s much more to come in the future! Aho, Charles. 4

5 The following are the issues as they will appear on the March 4th, 2017 Budget and Issues Ballot. QUESTION 1 Shall the KIC approve a fair and equitable annual monetary compensation for the duly elected members of the Kiowa Business Committee to be divided and paid in monthly or bi-weekly payments? QUESTION 2 Upon adoption of the KBC compensation initiative, shall the Chairman be paid $67,500 per year; the Vice-Chairman be paid $57,500 per year; the Secretary be paid $47,500 per year; the Treasurer be paid $47,500 per year; and the Committeemen be paid $30,000 per year? QUESTION 3 Shall the KIC direct the KBC to pay $5000 toward funeral expenses for each enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe whose death occurs on or after approval of this issue? QUESTION 4 For financing or refinancing purposes should the Kiowa Tribe grant, and should the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority have the authority to grant, limited wavers of sovereign immunity to allow enforcement or recourse against the Authority or any personal property asset of the Authority, or revenues generated by the Authority s activities, but not against any other asset of the Tribe; to consent to be sued in the Authority s name and agree to dispute resolution provisions to include arbitration; and to consent to the exercise of jurisdiction over any suit or over the Authority by the Court of Indian Offenses sitting in Anadarko, Oklahoma, or the tribal courts together with any appellate tribunals, or by the appropriate State or Federal Courts? Explanation: A yes vote for this ballot issue will allow the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority (KCOA) to replace our current lender Luna Gaming, who is charging us 14% interest on our loan, with a common bank loan. The interest rate on the new bank loan should be half the amount or 7%, saving the tribe millions of dollars. The amount of money that the tribe receives each month from the casino would also change significantly by eliminating the restriction of the monthly $100,000 land use fee there by allowing the tribe to have access to all excess funds generated monthly. Those excess funds could total more than $3,600,000 per year We cannot get the new loan if this ballot issue does not pass. Any new lender will require this language before they will loan the tribe any money. Aho! QUESTION 5 Shall the KIC direct the KBC to provide mandatory, yearly Ethics Training for the members of the Kiowa Business Committee, members of the Kiowa Election Board, members of the Kiowa Gaming Commission, members of the Kiowa Casino Operating Authority, members of the Kiowa Hearing Board, all employees of the Kiowa Tribe and all tribal contractors? QUESTION 6 In accordance with Article IX Section 1 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Kiowa Indian Tribe, shall the KIC direct the KBC to present a resolution to amend Article II-Tribal Membership, Section 1b, of the Constitution to change the blood quantum required for enrollment in the Kiowa Tribe from 1/4 to 1/8 degree Kiowa Indian and/or Kiowa Captive blood? Explanation: Enactment of this issue will require a constitutional amendment to be effective. Proposed amendments to the tribal constitution must be approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and then ratified in an election by the KIC in which at least 600 qualified voters participate. QUESTION 7 In accordance with Article IX Section 1 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Kiowa Indian Tribe, shall the KIC direct the KBC to present a resolution to amend Article II-Tribal Membership, Section 2, to state-- All persons currently enrolled in the Kiowa Tribe shall be considered as possessing four-fourths (4/4) degree Kiowa Indian and/ or Kiowa Captive blood for the purposes of computing eligibility of their descendants for membership under Section 1(b) of Article II? Explanation: Enactment of this issue will require a constitutional amendment to be effective. Proposed amendments to the tribal constitution must be approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and then ratified in an election by the KIC in which at least 600 qualified voters participate. 5 QUESTION 8 In accordance with Article IX Section 1 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Kiowa Indian Tribe, shall the KIC direct the KBC to present a resolution to amend Article XIII Section 1 and Article XIV Section 1 of the tribal constitution to make seats on the Kiowa Election Board elected positions to be filled in accordance with Article VI of the Kiowa Constitution and Bylaws? Explanation: Enactment of this issue will require a constitutional amendment to be effective. Proposed amendments to the tribal constitution must be approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and then ratified in an election by the KIC in which at least 600 qualified voters participate. QUESTION 9 In accordance with Article IX Section 1 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Kiowa Indian Tribe, shall the KIC direct the KBC to present a resolution to amend Article XIII Section 1 and Article XIV Section 1 of the tribal constitution to make seats on the Kiowa Hearing Board elected positions to be filled in accordance with Article VI of the Kiowa Constitution and Bylaws? Explanation: Enactment of this issue will require a constitutional amendment to be effective. Proposed amendments to the tribal constitution must be approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and then ratified in an election by the KIC in which at least 600 qualified voters participate. QUESTION 10 Should the KIC direct the KBC to make all positions on the Kiowa Gaming Commission elected positions to be filled in accordance with Article VI of the Kiowa Constitution and Bylaws? QUESTION 11 Should the KIC direct the KBC to make all positions on the Kiowa Casino Operating Authority elected positions to be filled in accordance with Article VI of the Kiowa Constitution and Bylaws?

6 Meet the KBC... Mr. Geimausaddle was raised at Saddle Mountain for the first 12 years of his life, before moving to Zoletone where he resided for 13 years. He went to school at Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, then went on to Haskell University, where he graduated. He worked in California for 16 years for a company that manufactured aircraft parts. He then worked for over 20 years at Pacific Bell, also in California. He then moved back to the area and worked at Riverside for 10 years. Dave Geimausaddle Committee Rhonda Ahhaitty KBC Secretary. Mrs. Ahhaitty is from Mt. View OK where she attended High School. In 2000, she graduated from USAO in Chickasha with a BA in Native American Studies. She also went to graduate school at the University of Oklahoma. She was employed for years by OKDHS as a Social Service Specialist II. She most recently was employed by the Kiowa Tribe in the Social Services Program. Mrs. Ahhaitty is a descendant of Satank (Sitting Bear). Tom Kaulaity-KBC Committee Mr. Kaulaity was born south of Carnegie and went to school in Carnegie before transferring to Riverside. He eventually came back and graduated from Carnegie High School. In 1964, he joined the Army Reserves and went on to serve in Viet Nam as a member of the U.S Marines. He worked at Riverside for 25 years in Maintenance. His parents were Henry Kaulaity and Alice Ware Kaulaity. He is a Red Tipi descendant. Ronald Poolaw-KBC Committee Mr. Poolaw is the former administrator of the Kiowa Sorna Office. He was a long time member of the law enforcement profession in and around the area. Mr. Poolaw worked with the Anadarko Police Department for a number of years. That was followed by over 20 years of service with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Dept. of Justice where he retired in

7 AARP OKLAHOMA OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR 2017 INDIAN ELDER HONORS 9th Annual Celebration to Recognize Impact on Tribes, Family and Community AARP Oklahoma is accepting nominations for its ninth annual Indian Elder Honors to celebrate 50 Native American elders who have positively impacted their community, family, tribe and nation. Since its inception in 2009, AARP Oklahoma has recognized 400 elders from all 39-federally recognized tribes and nations in Oklahoma. The AARP Indian Elder Honors recognizes the extraordinary contribution of Indian elders many of whom have never been recognized before, AARP Oklahoma Volunteer State President Joe Ann Vermillion said. Last year s honorees included teachers, veterans, nurses, artists, tribal leaders, language and culture preservationists and even a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. AARP State Director Sean Voskuhl said, This event celebrates a lifetime of service from these distinguished elders. The common thread between the honorees, regardless of the contributions, is the commitment to community and service. This year s Indian Elder Honors will be held October 3, 2017 in Oklahoma City. Nomination applications are online at: Nominations may be ed to msourjohn@aarp.org or mailed to AARP Oklahoma, 126 N. Bryant, Edmond, OK, Nominees must be an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Oklahoma tribe or nation, age 50+, and must be living. Nominees do not have to be AARP members. For more information, please contact Mashell Sourjohn at or msourjohn@aarp.org. The deadline for submitting nominations is May 1, Recent Kiowa honorees include Dr. N. Scott Momaday, Gary Kodaseet, Parker Emhoolah, Leon Hawsipta Jr., Georgette G.G. Palmer-Smith, and Dorothy Whitehorse DeLaune. Rudolf Hess Bointy passed away on Monday, January 23 rd, 2017 at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He served as Vice Chairman for the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma in He attended school in the Sedan community, before moving on to Carnegie where he graduated in He then worked for Western Farmers Electric Cooperative in Anadarko until he was drafted in the Army in After his discharge from the service, he continued his employment with Western Farmers until his retirement in Kiowa Gourd Clan 2017 Schedule of Events March 4, Benefit Dance April 2 ( Sunday ) Benefit Dance May 6, Benefit Dance All benefits at Red Buffalo Hall, Kiowa Tribal Complex, 2:00 pm June 17, Clean Up Day, 8:00 am, Carnegie Lower Park July 2, 3, 4, Carnegie Lower Park! All KGC events are alcohol, drug and firearm free. No vendors. Security provided. More information forthcoming. The Kiowa Gourd Clan not responsible for accidents. Any further questions, contact the Kiowa Gourd Clan Officers. 7

8 WATERS MAKING WAVES IN STILLWATER On January 14 th, 2017, ESPN aired the Oklahoma State-Kansas basketball game. During the game one of the announcers commented that, The OSU Basketball team really loves their freshman. The freshman they were referring to was 6 6 Point Guard Lindy Waters III. Most fans know him as Trey. Lindy is a Kiowa Tribal member, who excelled at Norman High School and has made a big splash in his freshman year with the Pokes. Coming out of high school he was ranked by Rivals.com as a four star recruit and 247Sports ranked Lindy the No. 3 player in Oklahoma and the number 20 shooting guard in the country. He was recruited by several big name basketball schools including Butler, Cincinnati, Clemson, Harvard, Houston, Iowa State, and Oklahoma among others He is the son of Lisa and Lindy Waters, Jr. His father Lindy, Jr. was pretty good on the court, as well, at Southern Nazarene University. He earned honorable mention All-American in basketball at SNU. Interestingly, his primary college rival was Dennis Rodman, who played for nearby Southeastern Oklahoma State. Trey averages 21 minutes a game, and in those 21 minutes, he averages 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and a point percentage at OSU. He had 8 points against then 2nd ranked Kansas and those numbers will only get better for this proud Native. In October of 2016,when the OSU players posed for photos during their on-campus media day, they wore their home white uniform. Lindy wore the team s special turquoise edition honoring the state s Native American history. The uniforms were provided by Nike N7 and represents harmony, friendship, and fellowship in the Native American culture and have been worn by the whole team on occasions. Lindy stated, And I love that they re having games like this and we re getting jerseys and I get to showcase my culture. Later, in that night s game broadcast, the same ESPN announcer said that Lindy was proud of his Native American heritage and that he was of Kiowa and Cherokee descent. (He pronounced it Kee-ohwah). I ve really embraced my culture all my life, said Waters, whose given name, Pao means three in Kiowa. And I love that they re having games like this and we re getting jerseys and I get to showcase my culture. 8

9 ELDERS DANCE TO THE MUSIC Twenty plus Kiowa Elders enjoyed an Elder s Prom sponsored by the Apache Vocational and Reabilitation Program. Age was relative, as the Seniors danced to the music (mostly classic R n B) provided by a DJ from Texas. Almost 100 elders participated in the event to promote physical fitness through dance and just basic movement. Lunch was provided and door prizes were won by many. T-shirts were made available to all who danced...or basically just moved a little. THE KIOWA GIFT SHOP IS NOW TAKING ON-LINE ORDERS FOR KIOWA LOGO AND PENDLETON MER- CHANDISE. GO TO THE KIOWA TRIBAL WEBSITE kiowatribe.org AND CLICK ON COMMERCE. 9

10 In the last few years, professional and collegiate sports have brought the reality of domestic violence and crimes of victimization to the forefront. Victims have begun to come forward. Programs have been set up in several areas around the country to aid the victims. One such program is in Anadarko, OK and coordinated by Tamara Kaulaity. Tamara has been the Kiowa Tribe Victim s Assistance Program (VAP) Coordinator since July, The Kiowa Tribe VAP aims to respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims in order to stabilize their lives after victimization, as well as, aid in the healing process, provide victims with a measure of safety and security, and empower them for future success, says Tamara explaining the relatively new program. Tamara Kaulaity, VAC Director She added, Our primary focus is Emergency Services...right away, for victims with no other resources. We would prefer to act on the requests in the 1st six months of the incident. The stats of incidences involving Native Women are staggering. Those stats include every 1 in 4 Native women are victims of sexual assault and every 1 in 3 are victims of domestic assault. These stats caused a concern that resulted in the tribe applying for the grant. The Federal Victims of Crime Act grant is a yearly grant, which is allotted to states and applications are made by entities needing the services. The initial grant for the Kiowa Tribe was for $48,000 and applied for in March of That was approved and awarded in June, The next application pushed the previous boundary and asked for $143,000, which was awarded and is the current grant being used in a variety of ways. We also assist in certain bills, such as utilities in our hope to relieve the victims of some of the other stress related elements in their lives. They ve been through enough suffering, and we will help as far as our limits will allow, says Kaulaity. She also said that it s very important that a police statement or a referral from another agency be presented when requests are made. VAP is open to ALL primary and secondary victims of a crime that was committed within the last 6 months who reside in Kiowa, Comanche, Caddo, and Grady County. KIOWA VICTIMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OFFICE The main thing is, if you ve been a victim, don t be afraid to contact us. If you need help with paperwork, transportation to the court house, or just someone to sit with you while you wait to go to court...we re here for you, she added The Kiowa Tribe VAP office is located at 119 SE 1st Street, Suite D in Anadarko. The hours of operation are, Monday thru Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. The office number is , cell , fax , or vap@kiowatribe.org. Find more information on the Tribal Website 10