Official Publication of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma

Gaduwa Cherokee NewssOv Bf! w>#

February 2013 Published Monthly Issue #2

Inthisissue

Chief Wickliffe explains the different rolls.....................Page 2Barbara Girty joins the museum...................................Page 4District meetings...........................................................Page 4

Big Shed Remembered...................................................Page 5Eugene Soap, Keetoowah artist.....................................Page 6UKB Council Minutes...................................................Page 7

In the year 1918, peace was on the hori-zon during the Great War in Europe. However, something was brewing in the midst of certain places around the globe. A pandemic broke loose, worse than any war, killing an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Known as influ-enza, or the Spanish flu, this virus defied any medical attention its victims were seeking. Today, the flu virus is better contained with advanced medical practices and ways of preventing it with the invention of the flu vac-cine. According to influenzavirusnet.com, ex-perimenters in 1931 reported a viral growth in “embryonated hens’ eggs” which led to the first experimental flu vaccine. In turn, in the 1940s, the United States military developed and ap-proved the first “inactivated” flu vaccines and used them in World War II. Dr. Charles Gosnell, United Keetoowah Band medical director, said throughout the year, researchers conduct studies in countries such as Asia and South America to see what strain of the virus is circulating there before it hits the Unites States. Then, researchers know the vaccine to give for those wanting to prevent the flu. According to the Center for Disease control, any person 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccination, especially those at high risk. People at high risk include pregnant women, children and elders. Influenza is the fourth leading cause of death for American In-

Tribe vaccinates em-ployees and their children for the flu

By Lindsey BarkGCN Reporter

Center for Disease Control and Prevention tips for flu* The first and most important step is to get a flu vaccination each year. According to the CDC, any person 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccination, especially those at high risk. People at high risk include pregnant women, children and elders. Influenza is the fourth leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are 65 years and older. But if you get the flu, there are prescription antiviral drugs that can treat your illness. Early treatment is especially important for the elderly, the very young, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women. Finally, everyday preventive actions may slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu. Some of these preventative actions include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and wa-ter. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• If an outbreak of flu or another illness oc-curs, follow public health advice. This may include information about how to increase distance between people and other mea-sures.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This will block the spread of droplets from your mouth or nose that could contain germs.

• If you or your child gets sick with a respi-ratory illness, like flu, limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent spreading illness. Stay home (or keep your child home) for at least 24 hours after fe-ver is gone except to seek medical care or for other necessities. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medi-cine.

People at high risk for the flu• Adults 65 years and older• Children younger than 2 years old• Pregnant women• Women up to 2 weeks from end of

pregnancy• American Indians/Alaskan Natives• Asthmatics• Those with COPD

Symptoms of the flu include:• Fever• Sorethroat• Cough• Runny/stuffynose• Bodyaches/Headaches

For more information and questions, contact your personal health provider or go to www.cdc.gov.Reference:*CenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)

The United Keetoowah Band’s Health & Human Service department is hosting a blood drive Feb 8. The Oklahoma Blood Institute is collect-ing blood from noon until 5 p.m. at the UKB Wellness Center. The donations support the ongoing needs of patients in more than 144 medical fa-cilities in the area such as Hastings and Tahle-quah City Hospital. The tribe has hosted two blood drives with a success rate of 21 people each time. According to estimates, each successful person who donates has the potential of saving the lives of as many as three people. “Thank you for your support,” said Car-rie Haney, director of Health and Human Ser-vices. “We are very proud of the impact our Keetoowah people make in the lives of others.”

HHS hosts blood drive in February

By M. Thomas JordanGCN Special Writer

See Blood, Page 3

See Flu, Page 3

M. Thomas Jordan/GCNChief George Wickliffe signs a proclamation declaring Feb. 1, 2013 as National Wear Red Day in front of four tribal employees.

By M. Thomas Jordan GCN Special Writer

Chief signs heart health proclamation

Chief GeorgeWickliffe signed a proc-lamation Jan. 25 encouraging all Keetoowahs to work together to promote and improve the health of women and increase awareness and understanding of women and heart disease.

The proclamation acknowledges that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and most women do not know this.

See Heart, Page 3

QnK~ /# ns# 2013 sOv Bf! w># Page 2 - February 2013 - Gaduwa Cherokee News

Sammy StillEditor

M. Thomas JordanGCN Special Writer

Lindsey BarkGCNReporter

Marilyn CraigPublicRelationsCoordinator

Gaduwa Cherokee NewsP.O. Box 746

Tahlequah, OK 74465(918) 456-6533

FAX: (918) 431-1873www.ukb-nsn.gov

Published monthly by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma at the Tribal Headquarters, Tahlequah, OK.

ANNUALSUBSCRIPTIONS$18 per year

$30 two yearsThe Gaduwa Cherokee News is mailed free to Keetoowah registered voters, government and other offices and upon request to other citizens.

Mail subscriptions and changes of address to the Gaduwa Cherokee News, P.O. Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465, phone 918-453-6533.

Editorial statements of the Gaduwa Cherokee News, guest columns and readers’ letters reflect the opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of the Gaduwa Cherokee News editor, staff or tribal administration of the UnitedKeetoowah Band.

All editorials and letters will become the property of the Gaduwa Cherokee News. Editorials must be signed and include address and telephone number. Send all inquires to: Gaduwa Cherokee News, P.O. Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465.

Native AmericanJournalists Association

MEMBER

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in OklahomaOfficers

George G. WickliffeChief

Office: 918-431-1818Cell: 918-207-2991

Charles LocustAssistant Chief

Office: 918-431-1818Cell: 918-207-9798

Joyce HawkTribal Secretary

Cell: 918-822-3809

Ella Mae Cooksey WorleyTribal Treasurer

Office: 918-453-9162Cell: 918-822-3814

UKBTribal

DistrictRepresentatives

Eddie SacksCanadian District

Cell: 918-822-1957

CliffW.WoffordCooweescoowee Dist.

Cell: 918-822-1953

Jerry HansenDelware District

Cell: 918-822-3804

Tom DuncanFlint District

Cell: 918-507-1314

William ChristieGoingsnake District Cell: 918-822-3803

Peggy GirtyIllinois District

Cell: 918-457-7067

Charles SmokeSaline District

Cell: 918-457-7071

Barry DotsonSequoyah District Cell: 918-207-2990

Betty HolcombTahlequah District Cell: 918-822-3805

Letter to the UKB PeopleFrom Chief George Wickliffe

Dear Tribal Members Many times people become confused when they apply for tribal citizenship with their tribe. To become a member of any of the three federal recognized Cherokee tribes; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, one must be able to prove ancestry by providing a roll number from an original enrollee proving they are a descendant of that enrollee. How does one go about seeking this infor-mation? There are several roll books they can ref-erenced in order to obtain their ancestry records. One of the biggest challenges is finding which of the eleven roll books contains their family roll numbers. I am addressing this issue and have pro-vided the names of each roll book and obtained information that I have found that will help you identify each individual roll.

THE ROLLS Though it is not commonly known, western migration of the Cherokee Nation commenced well before the removal in 1838. (Known as the “Trail of Tears”) By the time the Eastern Cherokee ar-rived in northeastern Oklahoma in 1839, ap-proximately 1/3 of the Cherokee Nation was already residing there. Recordsofhowmanypeople,andwhen,moved west are limited. It is known for a fact, that as early as the 1790s some Cherokee moved into southeastern Missouri. It is probable that there were already Cherokee settled in the Mis-souri area. Due to earthquakes and flooding in Missouri, around 1812, most of the Cherokee moved into northwestern Arkansas.

Because of mounting political pres-sure, the United States entered treaties with the Cherokee in 1817 and 1819, for the purpose of acquiring Cherokee land in the east. Out of these treaties, the Cherokee had a choice of two alternatives. They could either enroll to move to the traded land in northwestern Arkansas or they could file for a reservation of 640 acres in the east which would revert to the state upon their death or abandonment of the property. By treaty in 1828, the Cherokee ceded their lands in Arkansas for lands in Oklahoma. There was also some incentive for those east of the Mississippi to join the Cherokee in Okla-homa. This brings us to our first two rolls in “CherokeeRoots”VolumeI.

Reservation Rolls 1817: A listing of those desiring a 640 tract in the east and permitted to reside there.

Emigration Rolls 1817-35: Those who filed to emigrate to Arkansas country and after 1828, to Oklahoma. Then came the rest as follows:

Henderson Roll 1835: A census of over 16,000 Cherokee resid-ing in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to be removed to Oklahoma under the treaty of New Echota (1835).

Mullay Roll 1848: This was a census of 1,517 Cherokee people remaining in North Carolina after the removal of 1838. John C. Mullay took the cen-sus pursuant to an act of Congress in 1848.

Siler Roll 1851: A listing of some 1700 Eastern Cherokee entitled to a per capita payment pursuant an act of Congress in 1850.

Chapman Roll 1852: Prepared by Albert Chapman as a listing of those Cherokee actually receiving payment based on the Siler census.

Swetland Roll 1869: Prepared by S.H. Swetland as a listing of those Cherokee, and their descendants, who were listed as remaining in North Carolina by Mullay in 1848. Made pursuant to an act of Congress (1868) for a removal payment autho-rization.

Hester Roll 1883: Complied by Joseph G. Hester as a roll of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 1883. (This roll is an excellent source of information, including ancestors, Chapman Roll number,age, English name and Indian name.)

Churchill Roll 1908: By Inspector Frank C. Churchill to cer-tify members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.LiketheHesterRoll, includesalotofinformationincludingdegreeofRejectersalsoare included.

Guion Miller Roll 1909: Compiled by Mr. Miller of all Eastern East Cherokee, not Old Settlers, residing ei-ther east or west of the Mississippi. Ordered by Court of Claims as a result of suit won by the EasternCherokee.SeeGuionMillerRollWestfor more details.

Baker Roll 1924: This was supposed to be the final roll of the Eastern Cherokee. The land was to be al-lotted and all were to become regular citizens. Fortunately the Eastern Cherokee avoided the termination procedures, unlike their brother of theNationtothewest.TheBakerRollRevisedis the current membership roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Since the removal in 1838, there have been numerous census taken of those Cherokee now finding themselves west of the Mississippi instead of their homeland in the east. The most information and cross refer-ence can be obtained by utilizing four major censuses as follow:

Old Settler Roll 1851: A listing of Cherokee still living in 1851 who were already residing in Oklahoma when the main body of the Cherokee arrived in the winter of 1839 – as a result of the Treaty of New Echota (1835). Approximately one third of the

See Rolls, Page 3

Gaduwa Cherokee News - February 2013 - Page 3 sOv Bf! w># ns# 2013 – QnK~ [~

Cherokee people at that time were Old Settlers and two thirds were new arrivals.

Drennen Roll 1852: The first census of the new arrivals of 1839. The new Echota Treaty group – “Trail of Tears”.

The Dawes Roll 1889 – 1914: The final roll for allotting the land and terminating the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Senator Henry L. Dawes was the commission’s chairman, and consequently, the name Dawes is associated with the final roll. The roll turned out to not be as final as it was expected to be. Upon the reorganization of the Cherokee Na-tionofOklahomainthe1970’s,theDawesRollbecame the only means of certifying member-ship. To be enrolled by the Cherokee Nation, one must prove ancestry to a person enrolled by Dawes.

Guion Miller 1909: A Court of Claims suit resulted in mem-bers of the Eastern Cherokee living either east or west of the Mississippi, not including the Old

Settlers, to be entitled to participate in mon-etary award by the court, as result of various treaty violations. In order to participate, one had to be alive on May 28, 1906 and establish themselves as a member of the Eastern Cherokee, or a de-scendant of at the time of the violated treaties. 48,847 separate applications were field, repre-senting some 90,000 individuals. Out of this number, 3,436 Cherokee east of the Mississippi and 27,284 Cherokee west of the Mississippi were certified by Mr. Miller as being eligible to participate in the award. One lucky enough to find an ancestor on this roll can find out a tremendous amount of information. Not only is the roll detailed, but copies of the actually applications are avail-able, which s most cases, go back to the mid and early 1800’s.

Source:“CherokeeRoots”,Volume2:WesternCherokeeRollsbyBobBlankenship

Rolls......................................................continued from Page 2

All this time I thought I was CherokeeBy Sammy Still GCN Editor

From the Editor: Editorial statements reflect the opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of the Gaduwa Cherokee News staff or tribal administration of the United Keetoowah Band.

_____________ When I think of Native Americans, their culture, traditions and their languages, I think of their beliefs, customs and how they have struggled throughout their lives. Being full-blood Keetoowah Cherokee I have visited some online sites of other so-called Cherokee tribes from the east, north and west-ern America and what I’ve come to notice is that all of these Cherokee tribes are still dressed

as my Cherokee ancestors once dressed. Many of the Cherokee tribes even have naming ceremonies where they give each mem-ber a Cherokee name. Funny, being Cherokee, I never ever went through a naming ceremony to receive my Cherokee name. I must have a fake Indian name, because I never had to go through a naming ceremony. I sure wish I had a name such as Flying Eagle or Dancing Wolf; instead, I received my Cherokee name from my grand-mother which is Siquotsi. I don’t even know the meaning of my Cherokee name, the elders tell me it was a name handed down generations, given to me in honor of my great-great uncle. Sure would love to have an Indian name such as Man Flies Like an Eagle…but I guess we can’t have everything.

I saw some photos where some Chero-kees are dressed in colorful regalia, I sure am envious of them, I just get to wear a pair of jeans and a dress shirt along with a pair of Nike shoes, guess that means I’m not Indian. Oh, and let’s not forget the colorful feathers they wear. One lady was wearing a feather that looked just like the one I won toss-ing rings at the state fair. But I guess it doesn’t matter what type of Indian regalia you wear as long as it proves that you are a real Cherokee. I guess I lived a lie believing I was Cher-okee and being raised as a Cherokee. My par-ents were raising us all wrong, because you see these Cherokee Indians are dressed real pretty, dance a lot in public and have beautiful names they give each other. I’m so jealous of them. I wish I was a real Cherokee just like them. I was raised different, I was taught tohunt, gather wild food and doctor ourselves. We fished, hunted crawdads, knew our clan and were taught to be humble and respect our el-ders. We were taught to respect others, ani-mals, plants, and Mother Earth. We spoke our language and honored our people. We learned by our elders teachings, words and wisdoms. We learned our crafts. We didn’t dress for others, we dressed for ourselves. I guess we were not raised the proper way, like these Cherokees today who claim are Cherokees and run around in Indian dress-es, feathers and beads. Shame on my parents, grandparents and elders for showing me the wrong way of living. I’veseenthelight.Visitingthesesitesofother Cherokees from Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee makes me want to create my own Cherokee regalia, prance around and call my-self a real Indian and I want them to give me a name. Maybe a hint to them, they could call me “Buzzard That Flies High”!

Lindsey Bark/GCN

The Health and Human Services depart-ment also needs members to update their en-rollment records. It is currently randomly send-ing out surveys to members, and some of the surveys are returned for incorrect addresses. Address change forms are available at the Enrollment office or at the sub-offices. Also, the first three business days of the month are set aside for elders only. Anyone who knows they need assistance needs to make necessary arrangements for util-ity payments beforehand.

Blood................continued from Page 1

dians and Alaska Natives who are 65 years and older. Oklahoma’s flu season is now underway for the 2012-2013 winter months and the num-ber of patients is much lower than they were during the 1918 pandemic. Nevertheless, it does not mean no one is at risk for contracting the virus. Everyone should take the necessary precautions to prevent the flu from happening to them. Gosnell and the Cherokee County

Health Clinic worked together to provide tribal employees and their children free flu vaccina-tions. They were available Dec. 20, Jan. 10, 11 and 14. Nearly 60 employees and their children took advantage of the free flu shot. “It is a very active flu season, which started earlier than usual and is widespread in Oklahoma and surrounding states,” said Gos-nell. “To date, the current flu season has ac-counted for 345 hospitalizations and 8 deaths statewide.”

Flu...................................................................................................continued from Page 1

M. Thomas Jordan/GCN

Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, over-weight/obesity, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and pre-diabetes, family history, age and history of preeclampsia are all risk factors for heart disease. ChiefWickliffe asks allwomen to takesteps to promote their own heart health and prevent disease and illness by taking steps to prevent and control the heart disease risk fac-

Heart...........................................................................................continued from Page 1

tors. In conjunction with The Heart Truth campaign and its Red Dress symbol, ChiefWickliffedeclaredFeb.1,2013asNationalWearRedDay and encourages everyone towear atleast one article of red clothing that day to pro-mote awareness for women and heart disease. In past years, tribal members and em-ployees have worn red to show their solidarity and commitment to fighting heart disease.

Ladies of the UKB tribal employees dressed in red, stand with Chief Wickliffe and Assis-tant Chief Locust in showing their support for heart disease awareness.

UKB tribal member Nick Hair helps sup-port the needs of patients as he donates his blood during one of the blood drives hosted by the UKB.

QnK~ G! ns# 2013 – sOv Bf! w># Page 4 - February 2013 - Gaduwa Cherokee News

Barbara Girty is the new assistant di-rector for the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum. Girty, a UKB tribal member, brings to the position more than twenty years expe-rience promoting Cherokee culture and pro-grams. Girty, previously employed by the Cherokee Heritage Center, served in many ca-pacities during her employment there, includ-ing group sales manager, administrative officer, and interim executive director. Projects she promotes include packaged travel, culturally themed itineraries, hands on activities and assisting with many special events; as well as overseeing day-to-day opera-tions of the center. Girty said her immediate goals were putting the museum on the map and raising community awareness about the museum, as well as to out-of-state travelers. Girty served as the Illinois District Representativeonthetribalcouncilfrom2007to 2010. In that capacity, she was committed to helping members in her district, including youth and elders. One project was to assist Illinois Dis-trict members in selling wild onions to the public. Members in that district gathered and cleaned the onions, and Girty would help them to sell them. This helped generate income for

these members for a few months, who greatly appreciated it. She also coordinated a math and sci-ence training camp for Keetoowah Cherokee youth. The camp ran from April to July on the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with provided lunch. During her terms as tribal councilor, Girty served on the education, enrollment and elder committees. She also served on the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Council. Girty rounds out the team working at the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum, which includes Ernestine Berry, museum di-rector, Wesley Proctor, tribal archivist, Choo-gie Kingfisher, cultural coordinator, and Cindy Hair, cultural events. Themuseumstaffiscurrentlycoordi-nating two upcoming events, which are the Spring Break Culture Camp March 18 through 22 and a stickball tournament April 27. Organizers hope to make the stickball tournament an annual event. It is a double elimination tournament with a 40-man roster, awarding prizes to first, second and third place teams. For more information on the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum or cultural events, call 918-772-4389.

M. Thomas Jordan/GCN

Barbara Girty, assistant director of the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum, stands in front of an exhibit in the museum. Girty previously served as Illinois District represen-tative on the United Keetoowah Band council.

By Marilyn Craig Public Relations Coordinator

Museum hires former district representative as asst. director

UKB February 2013 Calendar of

Council, District and

Special MeetingsFeb.2 UKBRegularCouncilMeeting,

10 a.m. Community Services Building

Feb. 8 Tahlequah District Meeting, 6 p.m.

Keener Baptist Church, Lost City

Feb. 14 Illinois District Meeting, 6 p.m.

VianSatelliteOffice

Feb. 14 Sequoyah District Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Sallisaw Satellite Office

Feb. 21 Cooweescoowee District Meeting, 5:30 p.m

First Christian Church, Pryor

UKB March 2013 Calendar of

Council, District and Special Meetings

March2UKBRegularCouncilMeeting,10 a.m.

Community Services Building

March 8 Tahlequah District Meeting, 6 p.m.

Jim Proctor Elder Community Center, Tahlequah

March 14 Illinois District Meeting, 6 p.m.

VianSatelliteOffice

March 14 Sequoyah District Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Sallisaw Satellite Office

Tribal Offices Closed for President’s DayThe United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma tribal offices are closed Monday, Feb.18 in observance of President’s Day. Offices will re-open on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m.

UKB Health and Human Services Monthly ReportThree hundred and thirty one families were assisted at a total cost of $69,795.

Gaduwa Cherokee News - February 2013 - Page 5 sOv Bf! w># ns# 2013 – QnK~ @C!

Veterans’ Benefit Chili DinnerSaturday, Feb. 16 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Tahlequah Community Building

Hosted by the UKB Veterans’ Office

homemade chilistewdessertlemonade/teacoffee/waterlive musicrafflescakewalk50/50 raffle

Proceeds help establish an

emergency fund for veterans

needing food, gas, etc. when other sources

are not available.

$6 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under

For more information, call Jacob Littledave or Hominy Littledave at 918-456-8698

Courtesy of the John Hair Cultural Center and MuseumJoe Crittenden looks at a row of gravestones in the Gritts Cemetery. The cemetery sits adjacent to the Big Shed site, a Keetoowah historic site.

The United Keetoowah Band tribal council unanimously voted to add Big Shed to the list of historic Keetoowah sites in its Janu-ary meeting. Big Shed was located in current-day Adair County in the Peavine community north of Stilwell. It was a popular gathering site for Keetoowahs from before the Civil War to the Allotment Period. According to the Indian Pioneer Pa-pers—a collection of oral histories obtained from interviews of Indians during 1930s by workers employed by the government—John Hitcher, who later became the first chief of the UKB, said Big Shed was the first church that he and his family attended. It was of log construc-tion with one large chimney in the center. Also according to the Indian Pioneer Paper,CharlesVickerysaidBigShedwastheearliest Indian church that was built in Indian Territory with both the Fairfield Church and the Salem Church branching out from it. Gus Hummingbird, Indian Pioneer Papers interviewer, wrote: “The strongest Kee-Too-Wah’s lived here. This was the home of the majority of the Pin Indians.”

Tribal council remembers Big Shed in resolutionBy M. Thomas Jordan GCN Special Writer

Hummingbird, also, wrote that Big Shed was used as a meeting place for repre-sentatives of both the North and South before the Civil War. And, a group of Cherokees met in the building to kill the treaty signers who caused the removal. The abandoned Gritts Cemetery was rediscovered adjacent to the Big Shed location. Rev.JohnB.H.Gritts,whoatonetimewasthepastor of the Big Shed, is buried there. According to Gritts’ gravestone, he died Dec. 1900, at the age of 55. Grave stones of a few other Cherokees also remain there. TheUKBJohnHairMuseumstaffacquired permission from the current land owner to clean up the Gritts Cemetery. Wes Proctor and Bill Burkart cut back small trees and bushes, mowed the grass and up righted the grave stones. Thestaffisplanningoninstallingafence around the cemetery and perhaps plac-ing a plaque at the site in the future. For more information about historic sites, call the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum at 918-772-4389.

Wahlesah S. Dick, 29, was appointed to the United States Tennis Association’s National Committee for 2013-2014. Dick is an avid tennis player and began playing tennis at the age of 3. She played in high school and college. She has coordinated free tennis clinics for Native youth since she was 16. Her work during the past year includes providing more than 60 Native children with free tennis equip-ment, tennis instruction and access to clinics through her work. Dick was a presenter at the National In-dian Education Association’s conference where the USTA launched more than 10 pilot pro-grams in Indian Country. “Tennis has given me my best friends, the opportunity to travel, my fondest memo-ries, taught me how to dedicate myself to a cause and so much more that I am honored to serve as a national committee member and to share tennis to more native youth,” said Dick. “I enjoy watching new kids take up the sport and see them grow in their love for it. Service has always been important to me and my family.” Dick enjoys playing tennis with her daughter Macy Elise, who also presented at NIEA during the USTA’s workshop and hosted a Halloween Tennis Party for her friends. “It’s important to me that Macy understand the importance of giving back and the power that opening up new experiences for others can bring,” said Dick. Dick credits her parents—Georgia Dick and James McIntosh— Ron Cox, Dr. RobertMitchell, her McSpadden family, Frank Ward, John Purcell and Janelle Meigs with impacting her love of tennis. Dick is a member of the United States Tennis Association and the United States Ten-nisProfessionalRegistry. She is originally from the Briggs Com-munity and is 31/32 Keetoowah.

Local tennis player ap-pointed to national post

Courtesy photoWahlesah Dick smiles for the camera.

The United Keetoowah Band started its Keetoowah Cherokee language classes in four locations Jan. 7. The classes are free to the public and run for 10 weeks. For Kenwood, classes are at the Stee-ley Baptist Church Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m. Clara Proctor is the instructor, and she can be reached at 918-837-0624. For Muldrow, classes are at the Belfonte/Nicut Community Building Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. Alpheus Byrd is the instructor, and he can be reached at 918-776-7171. For Hulbert, classes are at the Spring ValleyChurchMonday starting at 6p.m.Lo-retta Shade is the instructor, and she can be reached at 918-822-1958. For Webbers Falls, classes are at the Webbers Falls Museum Mondays starting at 6 p.m. Dorothy Powell is the instructor, and she can be reached at 918-464-2392. Anyone who wants to attend the classes but missed the start date, can call the instructor for their area to begin attending.

Language classes still open

Honoring of the VeteransGourd Dance April 20

At the UKB Celebration Groundsoff West Willis Road in Tahlequah

Special Honoree: John StayathomeDance: 1-5 p.m.

For more information, call Wesley Proctor at 918-772-4389No drugs, alcohol or firearms permitted on UKB grounds.UKB or affiliates not responsible for accidents or thefts.

M.C.-Choogie Kingfisher H.G.-Andrew Gray H.S.-Francis Mendia A.D.-Ed Ketcher

Dance 6-? p.m.Supper break: 5-6 p.m.

Concessions are available....BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS.

Vendor’s set-up free with donations50/50 Raffle Drawing…Cake Walk

Host Honor Guard United Keetoowah Band Honor Guard

Traditional Kituwah Intertribal singers are looking for a few good men to be a part of this very first ever drum group for all

Cherokees.

If you’re interested in singing/learning Traditional Gourd dancing and intertribal songs, then come and join us every Tues-day evening at 6 pm at the Wellness center.

Bring your drum sticks

For more information, call Wes Proctor at 918-456-8698 ext. 191 or Jacob Littledave

ext. 140

QnK~ Il# ns# 2013 – sOv Bf! w># Page 6- February 2013 - Gaduwa Cherokee News

Claims Must Be Filed By March 1, 2013

In $3.4 Billion Indian Trust Settlement

For a claim form or to update your contact information:

Call Toll-Free: 1-800-961-6109 or Visit: www.IndianTrust.com

What is This About?The Cobell v. Salazar Settlement is approved. The Settlement resolves a class action lawsuit that claims that the federal government violated its duties by mismanaging trust accounts and individual Indian trust lands. Payments to the Historical Accounting Class are underway. The process of considering claims for the Trust Administration Class is ongoing.

The final deadline if you need to file a claim form for the Trust Administration Class is March 1, 2013.

Am I Included?The Trust Administration Class includes:

• AnyonealiveonSeptember30,2009,who:

° Had an IIM account recorded in currently available electronic data in federal government systems anytime from approximately1985toSeptember30,2009,or

° CandemonstrateownershipintrustlandorlandinrestrictedstatusasofSeptember30,2009.• Theestate(orheirs)ofanydeceasedlandownerorIIMaccountholderwhoseaccountwasopenorwhosetrustassetshad

beeninprobateaccordingtothefederalgovernment’srecordsasofSeptember30,2009.

Do I Need to File a Claim Form?You must file a claim form if you believe you are a member of the Trust Administration Class and you have not:

• ReceivedIIMaccountstatementsatyourcurrentaddressanytimebetweenJanuary1,1985andSeptember30,2009andcontinue to receive statements; or

• ReceivedapaymentasamemberoftheHistoricalAccountingClass.Ifyoudid,youwillreceiveasecondpaymentautomatically as a member of the Trust Administration Class; or

• Filedaclaimformalreadyusingyourcurrentaddress.Ifyouhave,theClaimsAdministratorwillcontactyou.

YoumustfilloutaclaimformandmailittoIndianTrustSettlement,P.O.Box9577,Dublin,OH43017-4877,postmarkedbyMarch 1, 2013 in order to receive a payment.

How Much Money Can I Get?MembersoftheTrustAdministrationClasswilllikelyreceiveatleast$800ormore.Theactualamountwilldependonthenumber of claims and the costs of administration.

Entering the newly refurbished home of Nancy Soap, the first thing a visitor sees when they open the door is five picture frames hang-ing on the wall. Instead of family photos, Native American drawings fill them, seen in the mind of her son, Eugene Soap, Keetoowah artist. When Soap was in the ninth grade at Stilwell High School, the Five Civilized Tribes museum of Muskogee held a contest and he en-tered a piece of an Indian on a horse. Soap re-ceived an honorable mention for his work and has since been interested in drawing. “When I first started, I started in char-coal,” said Soap. “But that was a little too messy, for me anyway, then I started in pencil. And just here lately I started doing it in pen. I’ll see a pic-ture and then see another picture and try to put them together and it comes out of my hand.”

Sammy Still/GCNMany of Eugene’s drawings can be seen displayed throughout his home as he sits quietly in his room displaying his God given talent, the art of drawing.

By Lindsey Bark GCN Reporter

Keetoowah artist acquires inspi-ration to draw from his heritage

Aside from his passion for drawing, Soap also learned how to bead and has been do-ing so for seven years. He said he would like to teach his nieces and nephews, but other things occupy them. “It’s something to occupy my time,” said Soap. “I like working with my hands.” Soap said his Keetoowah heritage in-spires him to keep drawing, though he cannot drawasfrequentlyasheusedtosufferingfromcarpal tunnel. He never wanted recognition for his work. As far as selling his drawings, he would rather give them away. “I don’t really do it for money or any-thing,” said Soap. “It’s a God given talent. It just seems like I would be selling that. I’d rather put a smile on somebody’s face than get money out of it.”

I’ve been asked to write a short column about culture. The Encarta World English Dic-tionary explains culture as “people with shared beliefs and practices: a group of people whose shared beliefs and practices identify the partic-ular place, class, or time to which they belong.” Iguessculturecanmeanmanydifferentthingstomanydifferentpeople,butwhatdoesitmeanto us, as Keetoowah people. That is what I want to hear from you as a community. Write to me and let me know what culture means to you. Tell me what the granny’s and dudu's use to say and/or what you remember. I guess culture to me is about how I was brought up during my younger years which af-fect my life as an adult such as, values, family, food, stories, and life in general. So let me get things started with what granny use to tell me. “Don’t ever look behind you when you’re walk-ing by yourself,” I always wondered why until I looked behind me one night and saw some-thing I didn’t want to see. At that time those scary stories weren’t that enjoyable. When any of the women in my family were pregnant it was always, “don’t let her stand in the doorway, don’t let her sit on hard surfaces, don’t let her eat popcorn, DON’T, DON’T, DON’T.” I guess it was all for a good cause, because we never questioned “Granny.” These old tales were to avoid things such as a hard birth or so the baby wouldn’t be late. It was all for a good reason and still heard among Keetoowah households. I remember some of the funny ones like, don’t sit your baby on a table or the child’s rear end would get big. I know a lot of adults who were sat on the tables of life. One of the fun-niest sayings I remember was don’t wipe your mouth with a dish towel, we called it a dish rag

What the elders sayBy Choogie Kingfisher Cultural Coordinator

See Elders, Page 7

Gaduwa Cherokee News - February 2013 - Page 7 sOv Bf! w># ns# 2013– QnK~ s#u!

I. CalltoorderbyChiefGeorgeWickliffe

II. Invocation:CliffWofford

III. RollCall:11+ChiefansweredRollCall;Hansen absent at roll call

IV. ExecutiveSession

MOTION by Eddie Sacks to enter into Execu-tive Session with legal present; TIME – 10:06 AM; SECONDED byWillie Christie; VOTE:8 Yes, 3 No (Dotson, Holcomb, Worley), 0 Ab-stentions (Hansen absent at vote).

Hansen arrives

MOTION by Eddie Sacks to exit from Execu-tive Session and return to regular session; TIME – 11:58 PM; SECONDED by Willie Christie; VOTE:12Yes,0No,0Abstentions.

V. Approvalof theminutes for themonthof November 2012

MOTION by Eddie Sacks to approve the min-utes for the month of November 2012; SEC-ONDEDbyEllaMaeWorley;VOTE:11Yes,0No,0Abstentions(Woffordabsentatvote).

VI. ReportstoCouncil

1. Enrollment: Joyce Hawk

MOTIONbyCliffWofford to accept and ap-prove 17 new applicants for UKB tribal enroll-ment;SECONDEDbyWillieChristie;VOTE:12 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

MOTIONbyCliffWoffordtoacknowledgeandhonor 9 membership relinquishments from UKB tribal enrollment; SECONDED by Willie Christie;VOTE:12Yes,0No,0Abstentions.

Dotson: stated he would just like to toot his and Chief ’s horn for a moment. Chief and my-self (Dotson) have not been tardy or missed a Council meeting for 8 years now. I would like to see an award or something. (Crowd and Coun-cil applaud)

ChiefWickliffe:statedactuallythosearecalled

UKB Regular Monthly Council Meeting At the UKB Community Services Building December 08, 2012 10:03 a.m. – 12:32 p.m.

incentives Barry. (Council and crowd laugh)VII. UnfinishedBusiness-NONE

VIII. NewBusiness

MOTION by Eddie Sacks to authorize inter-vention in case no. 12-CV-493 in the UnitedStates District County for the Northern District of Oklahoma in reference to the land in trust issue;SECONDEDbyCliffWofford;VOTE:12Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

2. Keetoowah Town site: Wes ProctorPackets of the item in discussion were distrib-uted to each individual on the Council. Proctor stated next month he would like to bring for-ward another site named “The Big Shed.”

Keetoowah Town was a commission before the Trail of Tears was established. RichardWolfewas President of the Keetoowah Society at one time in the early 1900s. A post office was es-tablished at Barron Fort, located in Adair coun-ty. It was established August 8, 1882. In 1859 Keetoowahs established a constitution. Bud Gritts requested to be registered on the histori-cal society

ChiefWickliffe:Beconsistentonthehistoryofthese sites known as historical settings for the UKB.

MOTION by Ella Mae Worley to approve the inclusion of the Keetoowah Town site on the list of historically significant Keetoowah sites; SEC-ONDEDbyEddieSacks;VOTE:12Yes,0No,0 Abstentions.

Holcomb: spoke about “holiday” pay for part-time employees. She recommended for part-time employees to receive pay as if a working day.

Bellmard: define what you will be paying them.

ChiefWickliffe:Let’smakeanexceptionfortheChristmas break and part-time employees be paid for the days the tribe is closed.

MOTION by Betty Holcomb to approve for part-time employees to be paid for days the tribe is closed; SECONDED by Ella Mae Wor-

ley;VOTE:12Yes,0No,0Abstentions.

X. Announcements –

Inauguration: January 5, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the NSU Ballroom. Council meeting to follow at 1:00 PM.

Christie: summarized the “walking trail” for the tribe that was received to attack the diabe-tes disease.

Girty: district meetings will be January 10, 2013 andFebruary14,2013attheVianoffice.

Sacks: announces the elders are taking a trip to tour the Honor Heights Christmas lights in Muskogee and states any elder 55 and older are eligible to attend. Please speak to Lois Fuller if you or any elder you know is interested in at-tending. There is a room reserved at the Golden Corral for them to eat. One bus is already full. If you are driving your own vehicle meet Lois at 5:00 PM.

Hawk: Update of closing for the “Winter” El-ders Assistance is December 14th at noon.

Christie: due to the closing of the tribe for Christmas/New Year holidays I am under-standing all assistance within Human Services will be needing members to make a visit before the close of business December 21st. ChiefWickliffe: statesarrangementsarebeingmade at this time to accommodate with servic-es but do not come on the last day before the Christmas break.

Holcomb: try to avoid cut-off.This is crucialdue to the increased reconnect fee and Human Service assistance with utilities does not pay re-connect fees. I have tried explaining this to my constituents.

XII. Benediction: Jerry Hansen

XIII. Adjourn:

MOTION by Willie Christie; SECONDED by Cliff Wofford; Approve by affirmation: 12:32PM

United Keetoowah Band

Spring Break Camp 2013

March 18-22, 2013

UKB Wellness Center Tahlequah, OK

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Grades K-9 Come and join in the fun as we learn about the Keetoowah Cherokee people through arts and

crafts, games, language, history, culture, dance and stories.

For more information, contact the UKB Culture Center at

918-772-4372 or email at culture@unitedkeetoowahband.org .

at Granny’s house. If you wipe your mouth with a dish towel your lips will get big. Again, I know a lot of people that didn’t heed that warning. These are just a few of the things I re-member from my childhood and into my adult life. Now, send me some of your memories and let’s see what you have to say. Wa-do Write to me at United Keetoowah Band, Attn: Choogie Kingfisher, P.O. Box 746, Tahle-quah, OK 74465 or email me at culture@unit-edkeetoowahband.org.

Elders..............continued from page 6

The United Keetoowah Band Natural Resources Department is asking for assistance in identifying solid waste dumpsites throughout the 14- coun-ty tribal jurisdiction. If you have a dumpsite on your property or know where one is located, please contact the Nat-ural Resources Depart-ment at (918) 772-4382 .

QnK~ B5f ns# 2013 – sOv Bf! w># Page 8 - February 2013 - Gaduwa Cherokee News

M. Thomas Jordan/GCN M. Thomas Jordan/GCN

M. Thomas Jordan/GCN M. Thomas Jordan/GCN

The inside of the UKB Transit Building is now ready for sheetrock and door jams.

The outside of the UKB Transit building is ready to be rocked.

The outside of the George Wickliffe Education Center is mostly completed. It is rocked, painted and awaiting a parking lot.

The inside of the George Wickliffe Education Center is ready to be painted. Sub-45 degree weather held up painting since the heat has not been turned on, yet.

UKB building project updates