As a native people we live in what are kind of two worlds. On one hand we have the white world which we must live in. But we also have our tribal world. That which sets us apart from everyone else by blood, heritage and spirituality. We should not choose one or the other but accept both, pick ourselves up and strive to make things better for ourselves and our children. To survive and be a strong people we must learn to conquer the white world in our own way, and what better way than through education. You students are on the path, through hard work and dedication to achieve goals which I am proud to recognize.

Congratulations again,

Charles Diebold
Second Chief
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe

_____________________________________________________________________________

children.  We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.”            … Proverb

In an attempt to better inform the Seneca-Cayuga Tribal Members, the  Environmental Department will be future posting our bacteria findings, here, for the following water bodies;

1) Buffalo Creek

2) Buffalo Confluence

3) Elk River

These water bodies were chosen as they directly affect the Seneca-Cayuga Ceremonial Grounds and its participant members.   The Seneca-Cayuga Environmental Department currently uses the MPN method to report findings to both the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  Our findings are compared to the current Oklahoma standard, which is considered as a base-line measurement, which is published by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

O.W.R.B. standards for “fecal coliforms” for a warm water aquatic community;

                  Parameter                       Standard^a

                  Total Coliforms               200 (cfu)

                  E.-Coli.                            126 (cfu)

a : shall not exceed this monthly geometric mean value per 100 ml; based upon a minimum of not less than five (5) samples collected over a period of not more than thirty (30) days.

*Note – the “geometric mean” is simply a type of average that indicates the central tendency or typical value of a set of numbers. This O.W.R.B. value is calculated from the results of 5 seperate test, 100 milliters each, taken within a thirty day period.

The “cfu“ simply means colony forming unit and is a unit of measure of viable bacteria or fungal numbers.

Coliform Bacteria are the most commonly used bacterial indicator of sanitary quality of foods and/or water. They can be found in aquatic environments, in soil and on vegetation; they are universally present in large numbers in the  faeces of warm-blooded animals.  While coliforms are not normally causes of serious inllness, they are indicators that other pathogenic organisms of faecal origin are persent. Faecal pathogens include bacteria, viruses, or protozoa, and  many multicellular parasites.

 Escherichia Coli, commonly abbreviated E. Coli, are almost exclusively of fecal origin and their presence is an effective confirmation of fecal contamination.  Some strains of E. Coli can cause serious inllness in humans.

*Disclaimer … Our findings are based on monthly samples taken from these monitoring site locations, under U.S.E.P.A. regulations of the “Clean Water Act”, using USGS approved collection methods, and serve merely as a “snapshot” of water conditions at the time of collection.

January “cfu” Values - monitored, sampled and tested 1/17/2012

                         Buffalo Creek:   E-Coli = 42 , Total Coliforms = 2

                         Buffalo Confluence: E-Coli = 6, Total Coliforms = 2

                         Elk River: E-Coli = < 1,  Total Coliforms = 3

February “cfu” Values – monitored, sampled and tested 2/21/2012

                           Buffalo Creek:  E-Coli = 13.7,  Total Coliforms = 47.8

                           Buffalo Confluence:  E-Coli = 1.0,  Total Coliforms = 59.1

                           Elk River: E-Coli = 1.0,  Total Coliforms = 12.4

Candidate must:

• Have a Bachelor’s Degree or at least six years experience in working with children and youth
• Possess understanding of alcoholism and drug addiction among the Native American population
• Be sensitive to the diversity of Indian Culture in the treatment of addictions
• Pass background check and drug test
• Affirm in writing employment performance has not been impaired by alcohol or drugs in the last five years
• Be computer literate and familiar with office procedures

Applications are available at 23701 South 655 Road, Grove, Oklahoma 74344 and online at www.sctribe.com. Resumes and applications may be submitted to Human Resources or online at tribalhr@sctribe.com . Indian/Tribal Preference will be observed. Applications will be accepted until Closing Date 11/23/2011.

The benefit dance is for Andy Smith the 10yr old son of Sonnie Littlebear to help with travel costs to see doctor in Dallas.

Everyone is welcome please spread the word and come on down and enjoy the dances. Hope to see you there, I have posted the flyers below.

Thomas (T.A.) Chase

Thomas (T.A.) Chase passed away Oct. 12, 2011 at University Hospital in St. Louise, Mio. after a short illness. He was 62.

He was born on March 11, 1949 in Wyandotte, Okla. to Antonie and Alice (Young) Chase. He graduated from Wyandotte High School. He worked in maintenance for the Wyandotte Nation Turtle Stop. He loved to go fishing with his brothers and loved his kids and grandkids dearly. He was a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma. He married Alicia (Olsen) on February 24, 1995 in Miami, Oklahoma she survives of the home.

He is preceded in death by: his parents; one son; one daughter; one brother and one granddaughter.

Survivors include: three sons, Thomas Razor Chase of Grove, Okla.. Josh Blackfox and wife Bandi of Miami, Okla.; Damian Blackfox and wife Tonya of Miami, Okla.; three daughters, Rhonda (Chase) Ikenberry and husband Nick of Grove, Okla. Victoria McLaughlin and husband Reilly of Seneca, Mo., Christina Blackfox of Quapaw, Okla.; two brothers; nine sisters; 13 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday Oct. 15, 2011 at the home at 14494 S. 625 RD. Miami. Charley Diebold will conduct Native American Rites. Pallbearers will be Log, Buck, Bri, Caden, Damian, Josh (Bub), Gump and Brandon. Honorary pallbearers will be Uncle Louie White, Nick Ikenberry, Reilly McLaughlin, Pepper, Dobey and Ethan. Mr. Chase will lay enstate at the home until time of service. Services are under the direction of Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami, Okla. Online condolences can be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.

AARP Oklahoma honors area tribal elders; eight from tribes in Ottawa County

Courtesy Photo/AARP OklahomaThe local Native Americans honored recently at the Third Annual AARP Indian Elder Honors held recently in Oklahoma City, were (l-r): Judy Cobb, Modoc; Judy C. Davis, Miami; Leaford Bearskin, Wyandotte; Barbara Kyser-Collier, Quapaw; Emmett “Bud” Ellis, Peoria; and Georgia Honey, Shawnee; were among those honored at the. Other area tribal elders honored not pictured were Dr. Charla Dawes, Ottawa; John Daugherty Jr., Eastern Shawnee; and Nadean Hilliard, Seneca Cayuga.

Posted: Friday, October 14, 2011 7:00 am

Eight elders from Indian tribes headquartered in Ottawa County were among 50 honorees recognized at the third annual AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors recently held in Oklahoma City.

The event, which was held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, included elders representing 37-federally recognized Oklahoma tribes and nations. Among honorees were linguists, artists, ministers, educators, veterans, tribal and community leaders and the first American Indian to receive a degree in Physics from the University of Oklahoma.

AARP National Board Member John Penn was on hand to deliver the keynote address and help present medallions along with AARP Executive Vice President Hop Backus, Regional Vice President Nancy Stockbridge, State Director Sean Voskuhl and State President Marjorie Lyons.

Penn, whose great-great grandmother was on the Trail of Tears, praised the honorees and noted AARP’s commitment to work with diverse populations. He also reminded the audience of AARP Founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus’ commitment to serving all older Americans.

Backus announced the launch of the AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Navigator – a single point of entry website for Indian elder services that can be accessed at: .

“We hope that this new website will be a place where an Indian elder from any Oklahoma Indian tribe can go to find the service or resource that best fits their need. We envision it as a “living room” of information for tribal elders,” Backus said noting AARP will be working directly with tribal leaders and program directors on the project.

“It was a beautiful night to salute these Oklahoma Indian Elders,” said AARP State President Marjorie Lyons. “AARP Oklahoma has pledged to continue working with Oklahoma Indians to understand their unique needs and find ways that the association can help them age with dignity.”

Local honorees were:

Judy Cobb – Modoc – was born in Joplin, Mo. and raised in the Miami area. She attended school in Miami and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business from Missouri Southern University. Since graduation, Cobb has been the owner and manager of several businesses, from distribution to retail to commercial property.

She has served on both chamber of commerce and college foundation boards. Her longest tenure at one position, and perhaps her most important, is her service to her tribe. Cobb has served as Second Chief of the Modocs since 1984.

She was and continues to be one of the few women tribal leaders in the nation and has dedicated her time and efforts for the betterment of her people. She serves in a government role and also as a leader in the economic development of the tribe. She was also instrumental in the development of the tribe’s housing authority and has served as chair since its inception in 1998.

Cobb’s leadership and business experience has been instrumental in the success of the tribe.

Barbara Kyser-Collier – Quapaw – descendant of the Beaver Clan, her career in Native American business began at the Seneca Indian School in 1968.

She started working for the Quapaw Tribe in 1974, working her way up as secretary/bookkeeper, comptroller, and, eventually, tribal administrator.

She has been involved with gaming and has served as secretary of the National Tribal Gaming Commissioners/Regulators and was the charter chair for the Oklahoma Tribal Gaming Regulators Association.

Working with Lloyd Buffalo and Walter King, she developed ideas for the Quapaw tribal flag and drew the original design of the flag on cardboard.

Judy C. Davis – Miami – a direct descendant of tribal leader Peter Coonsoonjah Laferriere, Davis served 20 years on the Miami Nation Business Committee and is the only person to have served as chief, second chief, secretary/treasurer and councilwoman.

During her tenure on the business committee, Davis, a high school business teacher for 24 years, emphasized the education of tribal members.

She continues to serve her nation as chair of the Education Committee, a position she has held for the past 10 years.

Davis is a volunteer at Integris Baptist Regional Hospital in Miami, teaches Sunday School at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and is the longest-serving church clerk in the Northeast Baptist Association, having served more than 40 years.

John Daughtery Jr. – Eastern Shawnee – active in his tribal culture, he is singer for Shawnee Ceremonies in White Oak and is responsible for the drum. He retired from the Indian Health Service in 2008 after 33 years of federal service including time spent as director of the Miami Indian Health Center and CEO of the Claremore Indian Hospital.

At the time of his retirement, he was area director for the Oklahoma Area, which includes Oklahoma, Kansas and part of Texas. This is the largest area in the Indian Health System, providing health care to over 300,000 Native Americans.

He presently works part time as a Health Management Consultant for the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, where he is helping prepare for compacting the Pawhuska Health Center later this year.

Emmett “Bud” Ellis – Peoria – began serving the Peoria tribe at an early age when he attended meetings of the Peoria Council with his mother. He served on the Peoria Tribal Business Committee for two terms and currently serves as chairman of the Peoria Gaming Commission, and is a member of the Election Committee.

Ellis has served on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Committee since its inception in 1997, serving as chairman between 2000 and 2009.

He has traveled to locations in Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky and Missouri to claim the remains of Peorias for reburial at the Peoria Tribal Cemetery. He assisted in the repatriation of Peoria artifacts totaling 40,000 items.

As representative of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, he attended the opening of Dickson Mounds, events at Cahokia Mounds, and the first Pow-wow in Peoria, Illinois.

Throughout the years he has served his community as a member of the Juvenile Judges Advisory Committee in Tulsa and as a member of the Elks Lodge.

Dr. Charla Dawes – Ottawa – respected tribal leader and currently serving as a councilwoman on the Ottawa Business Committee. Dawes has a long family history of service to the Ottawa people and is daughter of long-time Chief Charley Dawes.

Georgie Honey – Shawnee – has been involved in Shawnee Tribe government for more than two decades. She was first elected in 1986 as the treasurer of the tribe and has maintained that position for 25 years.

Honey grew up in White Oak about a mile from the Shawnee Ceremonial Grounds. She attended White Oak schools and worked for Southwestern Bell 10 years after graduating from high school.

Honey has always been active in civic activities and contributes her time to many worthy causes.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nadean Hilliard – Seneca Cayuga – born near Wyandotte, she attended Seneca Indian School, where she later taught elementary and retired in 1979.

She attended Chilocco Indian School, graduated from Grove High School and eventually earned a master’s degree from Northeastern State Teachers College.

She is a Faith Keeper for the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe and this carries a tremendous responsibility.She fulfills her position and also takes time to love and be loved by her extensive family.

Although she has no biological children of her own, she has mothered and watched over a score of nephews and nieces and helped them through life.

She has helped many children with their educational endeavors through loving support as well as financially. She is affectionately called “Aunt Dean” and is respected and loved by everyone who knows her.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:       July 6, 2011

Contact:  Miami Area Chamber of Commerce

918-542-4481

MIAMI AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES MIAMI NATIVE OKLAHOMA WEEKEND

(Miami, OK)  The Miami Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Miami Native Oklahoma Weekend (NOW), will be held September 30^th – October 2^nd, 2011.  Arts & Craft vendors, Native American concession vendors, entertainers and event participants are being sought for the NOW festival.

This amazing three-day event will be held at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, South Main, Miami.  Attended by over 10,000 people in 2010, the festival features the popular Native American experience which includes tribal dance exhibitions, Dance of Champions, Stomp Dance, Native American food, Native American exhibits and crafts, along with singing and storytelling.  The impressive opening ceremony on Friday evening includes participation of the nine tribal nations headquartered in Miami.

The Route 66 Experience includes the Endless Memories Benefit Car Show, Fifth Annual Green Country 5-K Run, and the Rt. 66 Dachshund Races.  There will also be an Arts & Crafts Show, KIDZ Alley, Miami BMX Race, 3rd Annual Riverview Open Disc Golf Tournament. and Wardog Chili Cook-off.  Live entertainment will perform throughout the event.

For more information on this exciting event contact the Miami Area Chamber of Commerce at 918-542-4481, visit the office in Miami, or visit the website at miamiokchamber.com.

I look forward to seeing everyone and pray for safe journeys for all who are attending.

Nya-Weh,
Toot no son dee
Charles Diebold
Ceremonial Chief
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma