July 1, 2020 -Vol. 16, Issue 13CheyenneandArapaho-nsn.govFollow us on Twitter #CATribalTribune

COVID-19 INCREASES / pg. 4

By Breanna MitchellGaylord News

(TULSA, OK) Some Trump supporters braved the COVID-19 pandemic to attend President Donald Trump’s first rally since the national shutdown in March, but fears of contracting the virus may have kept many others away.

Trump’s campaign claimed one million people had requested tickets days before his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but Tulsa’s Fire Department says the actual number in attendance at Sat-urday’s rally was closer to 6,200.

“Hopefully we don’t catch anything, but we’re still risk-ing it right now,” Devin Der-rick, a Trump supporter from Yukon, Oklahoma, said.

Some rally goers allevi-ated their fears by opting to stay outside and not venture into the BOK Center.

“I’m staying here,“ Linda Lohmeier, who drove in from Illinois, said, while seated in a lawn chair outside the cen-ter’s security gates. “Back in the day, I’d have been in the middle of that, but I’m wise now and know it’s better for me at 64 to sit here and lis-ten.”

Lohmeier and her hus-band, Steve, said they would be willing to gather at an outdoor venue to hear Trump speak. Although an outside address from Trump was planned for an overflow crowd, it was cancelled due to low attendance.

Lohmeier also mentioned she would have preferred if Trump had waited longer to

hold his first rally since the start of the COVID-19 pan-demic.

“It’s scary, especially at our age,” she said. “It should have been a different time.”

Trump supporter and a resident of Tulsa, Tisha Hi-nojos, also opted to stay outside, but felt Oklahoma’s swift reopening plan made it the right place for Trump to resume his rallies.

“It has got to start some-time, and this is a really good place to start it,” Hinojos said. “It’s been slightly back on the rise, but we’ve been in level three where more things are open than a lot of other states.”

Phase three of Oklaho-ma’s reopening plan began June 1 and allowed busi-nesses to resume unrestricted staffing and accept walk-ins.

Fears of COVID-19, onetheory for low attendance at Trump’s rally

(CLINTON, OK) While states and cities across the United States have begun to ease restrictions on lock-downs, the threat of coronavirus remains present. In less than a week, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of new COVID-19 infections amongst patients receiving care at the Clinton Service Unit (CSU).

“In just a few days, the number of positive COVID-19 patients has significantly jumped,” Capt. Joe Bryant, CSU chief executive officer said. “The largest increase of positive patients we’ve tested has been in the age range of 18-35 years old.”

CSU learned Friday, May 29 community members and citizens of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes at-tended several large gatherings where individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 were present and had come into contact with others. As word of potential contact spread through the community, CSU responded by quickly mobilizing to hold a mass testing event on Saturday, May 30 and continued mass testing into the following week.

“CSU’s Public Health Nurses have been in contact with the Custer County Health Department and notified the state epidemiologist,” Capt. Bryant said. “We are working with the health department to conduct contact tracing and advocate for more testing of those exposed. CSU remains in constant communication with leaders of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes to provide situa-tional updates.”

In response to recent events, Clinton Indian Health Center has modified hours of the Drive-Thru COVID Testing Clinic to be available to all patients eligible to

receive services from IHS and would like to be tested. The Drive-Thru COVID Testing Clinic is open Mon-day - Friday from 9-11 a.m. The change in hours were made to maximize the number of same day tests CSU is able to run onsite and provide safety to patients and staff from the increasing temperatures in the afternoon hours.

For those unable to make the hours of the Drive-Thru COVID Testing Clinic, call Clinton, El Reno, or Waton-ga Indian Health Center to schedule an appointment for testing.

Clinton Indian Health Center – 580-331-3300El Reno Indian Health Center – 405-234-8400Watonga Indian Health Center – 580-623-4991Per guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, through the following mechanisms:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an in-fected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are near-by or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms, (asymptomatic).

Information from ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggest this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious. It may be possible a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object with the vi-

Coronavirus Continues to Spread

Clinton Service Unit conducts COVID-19 testing in Con-cho, Okla. (Photo / Rosemary Stephens)

Embarking onNew AgriculturalOpportunity: HEMP

(CONCHO, OK) The Cheyenne and Arapaho Business Development Corporation (CABDC) will be moving forward into a new agricultural era of growing industrial hemp in accordance with the U.S. Dept. of Agri-culture (USDA) 2018 Farm Bill. With the 8th Legislature of the Chey-enne and Arapaho Tribes finalizing confirmations for the Cannabis Com-mission Board mem-bers, and approval of the tribes’ plan through the USDA, the ground work has been laid.

Prior to the corona-virus pandemic, the 8th Legislature approved bill number 8L-SS-2020-0415- entitled, “A

Bill To Adopt an Indus-trial Hemp Agricultural Act,” on April 15, 2020.

Antonio Church, at-torney on staff within the Cheyenne and Arap-aho Tribes Executive At-torney’s office devoted much of his time and en-ergy in drafting a plan to the USDA for review for the tribes’ to be licensed and authorized to move into domestic production of hemp.

The Cannabis Com-missioners will be trib-al citizens, Sequoyah Locust, John Moss and J.R. Lonelodge. Among their many roles, the commission will ensure the tribes’ new busi-ness remains in com-pliance with state and

federal regulations, and will possess regulatory oversight, conduct back-ground checks on grow-ers and issue grower li-censes and order testing for THC levels.

The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp and hemp seeds from the Drug Enforce-ment Administration’s (DEA) schedule of con-trolled substances. This action removed hemp and hemp sees from DEA authority for prod-ucts containing THC levels no greater than 0.3 percent.

For more information on the growing of indus-trial hemp contact the CABDC by calling 405-422-7788.

Demonstrators face off against National Guardsmen in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before the campaign rally by President Donald Trump on June 20. ( Photo/ Helena Hind/Gaylord News)

TRUMP RALLY / pg. 5

PAGE 2 Tsistsistas & HinonoeiCheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

The upcoming Southern Chey-enne and Arapaho Ceremonies which will be held within the Tribal Service Area was the topic of discussion by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Department of Health Executive Di-rector and the Director of Emergen-cy Medical Services along with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Health Board, Indian Health Service, tradi-tional Cheyenne and Arapaho Chiefs and Society Members concerning the current state of COVID-19 and how it may affect those participating. The protection and prevention of poten-tial exposure of COVID-19 to Tribal members is of major concern.

All individuals 18 years old and above will need to have a negative test result to participate in the ceremonies as well as to enter the grounds. Drive through testing at the following loca-tions will be available:

July 7-Watonga Community Hall (9am-11am)

July 8 -Concho Community Hall (9am-11am)

July 9 -Clinton IHS Clinic drive through (9am-11am)

July 13- Seiling Community Hall (9am-11am)

July 14-Concho Community Hall (9am-11am)

July 15-Hammon Community Hall (9am-11am)

July 16-Seiling Community Hall (9am-11am)

July 17-Clinton Community Hall (9am-11am)

If you are testing the week of July 13 at any of the community testing sites please call 405-373-6377 for questions or more information. Or contact the Cheyenne and Arapaho Dept. of Health at 405-422-7463.

Individuals with positive test re-sults will not be allowed to enter the grounds. No exceptions. A document with a negative laboratory tested re-sult must be presented at the 24-hour safety station which will be set up at each point of entry. Clearance will then be given.

A hard copy of test results may be obtained by filling out a Medical Re-lease of Information from the Indian Health Service.

Face covering/masks and hand-san-itizer will be available. Please bring a refillable spray bottle. This protocol is in place to keep Elders, children, and all families safe during the ceremo-nies.

Wear a face mask while visiting other camps. Wear a face covering/mask and gloves when taking food into arbor. Practice social distancing guidelines. All camps must have hand wash basins with soap and water to wash hands frequently.

COVID-19 Protocols for Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Ceremonies

Submitted by Charlene Wassana, BSN, RNExecutive Director of Health

The Language and Culture Program is accepting appli-cations for 2020 ceremonies, held in the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Service Area.

Application Period: Beginning Wednesday, June 17, 2020, and ending Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at close of business.

Applicants will need to be tested for the COVID-19 vi-rus, prior to participating in ceremonies. COVID-19, test-ing sites and dates are announced above by the Tribal Health Department.

Thank you for your immediate attention and coopera-tion. For more information, please contact the Language and Culture Program at 405-422-7433.

PUBLIC NOTICE2020 CEREMONY ASSISTANCE

PAGE 3Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

Cheyenne and ArapahoT r i b a l T r i b u n e

Latoya Lonelodge, Reporter/Advertising Sales405-422-7608 / llonelodge@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov

1600 E. Hwy 66, Suite 8, El Reno OK / P. O. Box 38, Concho, OK 73022 Fax: 405-422-8204

2010-2019 NATIVE AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION MEDIA AWARD WINNER & 2012-2017 AWARD WINNER OF THE OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

DISCLAIMER: Letters to the editor, opinions and commentaries do not reflect the views of the Tribal Tribune unless specified. Correspondence must be signed and include a return address and telephone number for verification, otherwise it will not be published. The Tribal Tribune reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Submission of a letter does not guarantee its publication. Photographs, news stories or other materials in this publication may not be reprinted without prior permission. Printed by Lindsay Web Press, Lindsay, Okla.

Oklahoma Press Association member Native American Journalists Association member

Rosemary Stephens, Editor-in-Chief405-422-7446 / rmstephens@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov

Society of Professional Journalists members

Deadline to Submit an Application for COVID-19 Disaster Assistance is Aug. 3, 2020If you HAVE NOT submitted this form for the $500 adult Tribal COVID Disaster

Assistance or $300 child assistance please CUT OUT APPLICATION -FILL OUT COMPLETELY - AND MAIL TO:

HOPE PROGRAM, PO BOX 167, CONCHO, OK 73022-0167THIS CUT OUT APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE HOPE PROGRAM

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Members have until Friday, July 17, 2020 to submit an Adult Change of Address Form and W-9 Form and/or Minor Change of Address Form, to the Department of Enrollment, in or-der to receive their 2020 Gaming per capita payment on time.

If you are mailing the Change of Address Forms, they must be postmarked no later than Fri-day, July 17, 2020. Please mail forms to the following address: Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes,

Department of Enrollment

PO Box 134Concho, OK 73022Please note: You only need to sub-

mit a Change of Address Form if your current mailing address on file with the Dept. of Enrollment is incorrect or if you have moved.

Parents and/ Legal Guardians please remember that the “Care of” listed with the Dept. of En-rollment is the only person(s) who can change a minor’s address. Minor Per Capita Checks will be deposited into their Minor Trust Ac-count until he/she turns the age of 18

with a high school or G.E.D. or turns the age of 20.

It is the tribal member’s responsi-bility to make sure their mailing ad-dress is current and correct with the Dept. of Enrollment.

Change of Address Forms are also available online at www.cheyennean-darapaho-nsn.gov.

If you have any Child Support, Stu-dent Loans, or Federal Garnishments questions that need to be addressed, please contact the Per Capita office at 1-800-247-4612 ext. 27725 or 405-422-7725 or by email at percap-

ita@c-a-tribes.org. All Garnishments of Child Support, Student Loans, and/or Federal Garnishments should be submitted to the Per Capita office by July 15, 2020

For any questions or concerns per-taining to the 2020 Gaming Per Cap-ita Payment, please contact the Per Capita Office at 405-422-7725 or by email at percapita@c-a-tribes.org. For any inquiries regarding your mail-ing address or to request a Change of Address Form, please contact the De-partment of Enrollment at 405-422-7600.

PUBLIC NOTE: Address Update for 2020 Gaming Per Capital Payment

PAGE 4 Tsistsistas & HinonoeiCheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

COVID-19 INCREASEScontinued from pg. 1

(CLINTON, OK) A CSU provider or nurse will noti-fy patients of Indian Health Service (IHS) Clinton Ser-vice Unit (CSU) who test positive for COVID-19 of their results. A referral to Public Health Nursing (PHN) is generated for all COVID-19 positive pa-tients.

PHN will contact the COVID-19 positive patient by phone or home visit to conduct contact tracing evaluation and monitoring. Contact tracing is a disease control measure used to as-sist in breaking the chain of transmission of a highly contagious disease. CSU PHNs will work with each patient to identify close con-tacts the COVID-19 posi-tive patient has had starting two days prior to the onset of the illness (or, for asymp-tomatic patients, two days prior to positive specimen collection) until the patient is isolated. A close contact is defined as any individu-al who was within six feet of the infected person for at least 15 minutes.

“PHN is working with

our patients to identify close family and friends who they may have come in contact with,” Bonnie Kraft, PHN director said. “We are edu-cating the patients on how to monitor themselves for illness, when to seek med-ical care, and how to limit the possibility of spreading COVID-19 to others, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.”

CSU PHNs are working with the local county health department in the communi-ty of each COVID-19 posi-tive patient to assist with continued follow-up and care. The Oklahoma State Department of Health has recently expanded contact tracing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. This disease poses tremendous challenges to containment since there is not yet a vac-cine and can be spread by people without symptoms or who do not look or feel sick.

“Once CSU notifies the Oklahoma State Depart-ment of Health of a posi-tive COVID-19 case, the patient can expect a phone

call from their local health department usually within 48 hours,” Kraft said.

A legitimate contact trac-er will never ask for person-al details such as a social security number, banking information, or credit card number. Those who receive a contact tracing call, and want to verify it is from the health department, are ad-vised to call the state’s coro-navirus hotline at 211 with the first and last name of the contact tracer.

Contact tracers will ask for information including date of birth, address, and about any additional occu-pants in the home who may also be at risk of exposure. Contact tracers work with a patient to help them identify whom they have had close contact during the time they may have been infectious. The contact tracers then in-form these individuals (a pa-tient’s contacts) of their po-tential exposure as rapidly and sensitively as possible. To protect patient privacy, contacts are only informed that they may have been in close contact with a person

diagnosed with COVID-19. They are not told the identi-ty of the patient.

Contacts are encour-aged to get tested as well as quarantine at home and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others in the home until 14 days after their last exposure, in case they also become ill. They should monitor themselves by checking their tempera-ture twice daily and watch-ing for cough or shortness of breath. Contacts who develop symptoms should promptly isolate themselves and CSU PHNs or the Okla-homa State Department of Health. They should be tested and evaluated for in-fection and for the need for medical care.

For questions regard-ing contact tracing, contact CSU PHNs at:

Clinton Indian Health Center PHN Department – 580-331-3471

El Reno Indian Health Center PHN Department – 405-234-8430

Watonga Indian Health Center PHN Department – 580-623-4991

Contact TracingSubmitted by Indian Health Service / Clinton Service Unit

Message From Your District LegislatorCheyenne District

3: Darrell Flyingman

The Cheyenne District 3 office has kept busy this past month with assisting the Ex-ecutive Office with process-ing Hope applications for the Covid-19 Disaster assis-tance.

We had several days this past month where we handed out food boxes in the com-munities. Some of these food boxes included milk, vegeta-bles and meat. On June 8 our office handed out food boxes in Albuquerque, N.M. and on June 20 in Dallas, Texas for out of state tribal members.

Also please help me wel-come our new employees to the Cheyenne District 3 office, Mary Jo White and Emilio Warledo. These em-ployees will assist the C3 of-fice in Clinton, Okla.

I have been a legislator for six months now, and what is happing now to the tribe reminds me of when I was governor.

I faced the same problems Gov. Reggie Wassana faces today … lies and rumors. We have people that have nothing to do but spread BS.

They must have a sad life. They say we need transpar-ency, we need truth, we want facts, and we want the truth. I found that it doesn’t mat-ter how much truth you tell the people, they want trash to spread. They could care less about the truth. There’s always a motive as to why a certain group of people spread garbage.

When I was the first Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ Governor, there was a group of people who want-ed me out of office. I was accused of stealing millions of dollars, but none of these people would dare take me to court. They included South-west Casino Hotel Corpora-tion, who was our Gaming Management Company, and who I suspected of wrong doings, the First Legislature (Business Committee), judg-es, attorney general, tribal members and our gaming attorney. After studying the monthly gaming reports and talking to people I could trust, I could see a connection with these people. They were receiving gaming favors to support Southwest’s efforts to secure an extension. I re-

quested a Forensic Audit of which was authorized by the Supreme Court and conduct-ed by Grant Thornton, LLP.

The audit found that Southwest misused the Lucky Star Casino’s mon-ies for payments to officials of the Tribe, to fund South-west’s activities and to in-fluence the Business Com-mittee members and the Legislature to support and approve extensions to its third management contract with the Tribes. Southwest had conflict of interest with, and made inappropriate pay-ments to, the prior Gaming Commission attorney, the Business Committee and the Legislature. At one pe-riod the business committee received hundreds of thou-sands of dollars in the form of bad checks, exchanged for cash … more than $300,000 of “hot checks” were accept-ed by Lucky Star Casinos. Members of the Business Committee, who became the first Legislature, issued al-most all of the hot checks.

Southwest and some business committee mem-bers and legislators cost the tribe millions of dollars. The

group of people I mentioned fought very hard to have me removed as governor. I did not sign the contract exten-sion for Southwest and re-moved them from the Tribe.

Needless to say I lost my bid for reelection to Boswell, she had a lot of support from Southwest, legislators and the people that received pay-offs and handouts. I wish people would read the full audit report, there’s a lot of truth and maybe they might understand why I’m an hon-est man.

Arapaho District 1: Billie Sutton

Why Lineal Descendan-cy or Lower Blood Quan-tum?

Leveling out/declining enrollment

We have done the re-search, adding other tribes to our Blood Quantum only makes a minimal difference.

We live in a ‘global soci-ety.’ Members are not con-fined to the reservation area and therefore are likely to marry outside the tribes.

Tribal members want-ing children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren en-rolled, future generations.

Not Cultural – Blood Quantum was created by the United States govern-ment until the Indian Reor-ganization Act of 1934. At that time the government required persons to have a certain blood quantum to be recognized as Native Ameri-can and be eligible for finan-cial and other benefits un-

der treaties or sales of land. Blood quantum emerged as a way to measure “In-dian-ness” through a con-struct of race. So that over time, Indians would literally breed themselves out and rid the federal government of their legal duties to uphold treaty obligations.

Our descendants, rela-tives, extended family have the same ancestors we do.

From Lily DeFrank, ICWA employee – “Anoth-er reason why changing the membership is important. If our children enter the foster care system, they can only be protected by the Indian Child Welfare Act if they are enrolled members or eligible to enroll. ICWA protects our communities and keeps our children in their tribal com-munities. It’s not a perfect law, but keeping our chil-dren with the tribe and with relatives is vital in order for our tribe to survive.”

Other tribes with lineal descendancy are eligible for

Health Care that our own children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren are not eligible for, in our own clin-ics.

Other tribes with lineal descendancy are eligible for Education Benefits that our own children, grandchil-dren, great-grandchildren are not eligible for.

We lose out on a lot of grants, government funding because our tribes is in the lower number bracket.

If you would like to dis-cuss blood quantum call Bil-lie Sutton at 405-422-7405.

rus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about how this virus spreads.

You can take steps to slow the spread. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Maintain good social distance (about 6 feet)

Wash your hands of-ten with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand san-itizer containing at least 60% alcohol

Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touch-es surfaces

Wear a mask or cloth face covering in public setting where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores and gas stations

Self-quarantine when appropriate

While people who are sick or know they have COVID-19 should isolate at home, COVID-19 can be spread by people who

do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. This is why it is important for everyone to practice social distanc-ing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people) and wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings. Cloth face cover-ings provide an extra layer to help prevent the respi-ratory droplets from trav-eling in the air onto other people.

For more information on the cornonavirus visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or www.ihs.gov/coronavi-rus/

Clinton Service Unit takes pride in the vision to provide quality health care services focusing on prevention, restoration and collaborative rela-tionships that “exceed the needs” of our patients, community and tribal partners.

The mission of Indian Health Service is to raise the physical, mental, so-cial, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

PAGE 5Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

Many rally attendees held fears of COVID-19, but felt the campaign was running out of time and couldn’t delay any longer.

“You can’t delay the rally, because November is coming real fast,” a rally attendee from Dallas, Tex-as, Greg Williams, said.

Williams feared asymp-tomatic individuals might attend the rally without realizing they carry the vi-rus, but he opted to brave the crowds and hear Trump speak in order to determine his vote by election day.

“It’s scary, but there’s definitely nothing anybody can do,” Williams said. “It’s time to roll. If it was January it might be a dif-ferent story, but we’re in June.”

Others believe the pan-demic posed no threat at all.

“I think, yes, there is a Coronavirus, but they’re lying and everything, just so people will stay in-doors,” Trump supporter and Oklahoman, Michelle DeRousha, said. “You don’t isolate healthy peo-ple.”

Masks were more com-mon among counter pro-testers.

Small protesting groups spent most of the day hov-ering at the intersection of 4th Street and South Boul-der Avenue, then gathered into a larger crowd in the evening to march down-town.

“I’m concerned about the health of Tulsa,” one Tulsan opposed to the ral-ly said. “From what we do know about the virus, this exact type of event is an incubator for the virus.”

Another Tulsan worried about the pandemic, Mitch Prewett, said he was par-ticularly concerned about the rally causing a spread of the virus beyond Okla-homa.

“It’s not just contained to the people that are here,” Prewett said. “Peo-ple are from all over the country that are here, and they’re going to go back to wherever they are from and spread whatever germs and diseases they take with them.”

Prewett believes masks should be viewed similarly to helmets or seat belts, but Trump and Vice President Mike Pence not wearing masks have turned them into a political symbol.

“If those guys wore

masks, all these people would wear masks too,” Prewett said, referring to the crowd of Trump sup-porters.

Beyond the possibili-ty of asymptomatic rally goers carrying the virus, Trump’s campaign re-vealed Saturday that six campaign staff members tested positive prior to the event and were not permit-ted to attend.

TRUMP RALLYcontinued from pg. 1

COVID-19 grim reaper stalks the streets of Tul-sa, Oklahoma, prior to the campaign rally by President Donald Trump on June 20. (Photo / Helena Hind/Gay-lord News)

Editor’s Note: The Tribal Tribune was asked to repub-lish the article below. Seems residents of Monroe, Mich., are as passionate about the removal of any monument memorializing Gen. George Armstrong Custer, as many Native Americans are who reside in Oklahoma in a county named after Custer.

(MONROE, MICH.) Those who want the Custer statue moved and those who want it to stay took their case to city leaders in Monroe, Mich.

A debate regarding the Gen. George Armstrong Custer statue in downtown Monroe has made its way to local officials.

Katybeth Davis, an ac-tivist and Monroe resident, presented the Monroe City Council a petition calling for the removal of the statue from its current place at N. Monroe St. and W. Elm Ave.

Davis made the presenta-tion Monday night during a council meeting, which was held virtually as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pan-demic.

The petition, which has garnered more than 10,000 signatures, was launched a few weeks ago on Change, an online advocacy platform. It calls for the statue to be moved to a new venue, such as a museum or park.

“Because we love our community we do not wish to see (the statue) destroyed but relocated,” Davis said. ”... Gen. Custer does not rep-resent the people who live in Monroe.

In response to the cam-paign, several counter peti-tions also have been created, each staking support for the monument. The most circu-lated petition, titled ” Keep our General Custer Statue

standing in Monroe, MI,′ has more than 3,200 signa-tures. Davis says the stat-ue honors a man who took racist actions against Native Americans and wants a more inclusive monument to be in-stalled at the site. She asked the council to take action on the matter.

“Systemic racism has always been here and right now with all of the negative attention Monroe is receiv-ing we have a chance to do something good to bring the community together,” she said.

Several other Monroe res-idents and interested parties announced their approval of Davis’ campaign during the virtual meeting’s public comment portion. Graham Denton voiced his support for the removal of the statue. A longtime resident of Mon-roe and as someone with Na-tive American ancestry, he wants the statue moved to a more “historically appropri-ate place.”

“There is obvious evi-dence of a great racial divide in this city,” Denton said. ”... I would love for this to be on the (city’s) agenda and for action to be taken.”

Some community mem-bers made a case for the stat-ue, showcasing the divisive-ness of the issue.

City Clerk Michelle La-Voy read aloud several let-ters addressed to the council regarding the petitions.

Monroe resident Richard Micka, who was in atten-dance, had LaVoy read a let-ter he submitted prior to the meeting.

He wrote that efforts to move the statue threatened to “obscure local heritage” and that the monument pays respect to the Michigan Cav-alry Brigade, who took part

in the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War.

“Those who would deni-grate the history of this town do so only to generate un-warranted contempt for its people and institutions,” he wrote.

Representatives from the Custer family also submitted a letter that LaVoy read. The letter said Custer admired Native Americans and held sympathy for their plight. It also said his actions during the American-Indian Wars were in line with U. S. mil-itary policy at the time.

“It’s easy for people in our current age to be critical of a time they never grew up in. It’s also easy to criticize events that occurred during the fog of war, especially by people who have never been near one,” the letter read. “Generations of Custers grew up in Monroe and ... would be horrified to learn of this proposal.”

After public comment, council members offered their perspectives on the is-sue and directed city attorney Matt Budds to examine what authority the council has in regard to the statue.

Councilman Brian Lam-our said he opposed any ac-tion against the statue, refer-ring to Custer as a national hero. He considers the statue the ” landmark of Monroe” and praised Custer’s contri-butions to the U.S. during the Civil War.

“Let’s put a little bit of historical thought into this before we get out of char-acter and think about some-thing that we would regret for the rest of our lives for making ... a tragic move upon a history,” he said.

Councilwoman Kellie Vining said she has heard negative comments about the

statue. She said the number of signatures on Davis’ peti-tion shows there is a need to consider the matter.

“Where some of us might drive by the statue and say what a great man, others ride by the statue and shake our heads,” Vining said. “It in-vokes trauma and ... all types of other negative feelings. I personally cannot stand to see the statue.”

Councilman Andrew Felder said the petition showed the need for a broad-er conversation with wider input from community mem-bers, historians, local offi-cials and tribal nation mem-bers.

“There are a lot of peo-ple who have an interest in having this conversation,” Felder said. ”... When we have an opportunity to speak with one another as a soci-ety, especially (about) any decisions being made by our government, it is critically important we all have a say.”

Mayor Robert Clark, who acknowledged the monu-ment’s 110-year history in Monroe, echoed Felder’s sentiments.

He talked about the im-portance of local history and to listening to different stakeholders’ perspectives on the issue.

“I think there is opportu-nity to have that discussion,” Clark said. “I think people should take a pause to learn and this is an opportunity to do so.”

Monroe, Michigan City Council listens to Custer statue debate

By Tyler Eagle, Monroe News

PAGE 6 Tsistsistas & HinonoeiCheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

OBITUARIES

Clinton Service Unit & the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Present TELEPHONE TOWN HALL

FRIDAY

July 10th 1:00 – 2:00 PM

TOWN HALL MEETING

Call-in and join us for updates on the Service Unit. Q&A session will be available, contact

405-421-3752 to submit any questions or information.

CALL: 866-718-5321 PASSCODE: 1287923#

Joseph Big Medicine Jr.Joseph Big Medicine Jr.,

was born May 16, 1950 in Clinton, Okla., to Joseph and Imogene (Blackbear) Big Medicine. He departed this life surrounded by his loving family on June 10, 2020 in Enid, Okla.

Joe attended Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Okla. and spent his early years in the Watonga area. Joe was a Cheyenne elder, U.S. Marine Corp. / Viet Nam veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, Sand Creek massacre descendant, and former Southern Cheyenne NAGPRA Tribal Represen-tative for the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes for many years. He worked at Roman Nose State Park near Wa-tonga. He had been involved with the Sand Creek Massa-cre since before the site loca-tion study and the founding of the park. Joe was the con-stant comrade and chaperone to Chief Laird Cometsevah in the beginning. After Chief

Cometsevah’s passing, Joe stepped up to be the voice for Southern Cheyenne descen-dants. He was a headsman in the Cheyenne Bowstring Society where he was affec-tionately known as ‘Father Bowstring.’ His Cheyenne name was Holy Bird.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his daugh-ter Melissa Big Medicine.

He is survived by his wife Eva (Red Hat) Big Medicine of the home in Hennessey, Okla., sons, Joseph Big Med-icine III and wife Melaine, Steve Big Medicine and wife Leann, Benjamin Big Med-icine and wife Lila, Horace Big Medicine and Jordan Big Medicine, daughters, Shannon Reyes and husband Danny and Tabitha Big Med-icine, sister Rita Big Medi-cine and aunt Merle Lopez along with many grandchil-dren and extended family.

Wake services were held June 15 at the Canton Pow-wow grounds in Canton,

Okla., with Eldon St. Clair and Merlin Little Thunder officiating. Graveside ser-vices were held June 16 at the Canton ReInterment (Chief’s) Cemetery.

Ataloa Pratt, 70, of Anadarko, Okla., was born Oct. 30, 1949 in Wichita, Kansas. She passed away on June 7, 2020 in Anadarko, Okla.

Ataloa lived most of her life in Oklahoma. She was a very loving, caring, artistic and creative person and will be missed by many.

Graveside services were held June 17 at the Concho Indian Cemetery in Concho, Okla.

Men can be victims of domestic violence. Domes-tic violence can happen to anyone.

Media and socialization may lead you to believe otherwise but the truth is men, and people of all gen-ders, can be and are victims of domestic violence.

Abuse against men can start at a very young age and the effect carries on with them into adulthood. When it comes to sexual vi-olence, domestic violence, and dating violence, men who reported abuse have indicated that not only were they sexually assaulted both as a child and as an adult, but also their struggles with intimate partner violence continues indefinitely as victims and/or perpetrators.

Increased Rates of Vio-lence in Indian Country

According to the recent National Institute of Justice report, statistics show that there is an increased rate of violence among intimate partners in Indian Country. In the male category alone, four out of five men have experienced violence in their lifetime; one in four has experienced sexual vi-olence; one in three has endured physical violence by an intimate partner and nearly three in four have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner. Fortunately, there is work being done to re-duce this rate of violence.

“There isn’t a lot of re-search out there especially when it comes to Native American men,” said Len-ny Hayes, MA, Execu-tive Director of Tate Topa Consulting, explaining that even the highest rates of violence recorded are most

likely underestimated due to the stigma associated with men and boys being sexually abused. “I feel that within the Native commu-nity, we haven’t even begun to acknowledge or create a safe space for Native men to heal.”

Eliminating BarriersAs a mental health ther-

apist, Hayes works with children, adults, Native people, Two-Spirt and LGBTQ individuals. He remains adamant that males need to break down the barriers of silence and the stigma of being a victim of sexual violence. Regardless of gender, all victims need to be acknowledged, sup-ported and have resources available to them.

“If men weren’t brought up in a healthy environ-ment, they don’t know how to have a healthy relation-ship in adulthood. We need to create a safe space for men in our communities to heal,” says Hayes.

Hayes is encouraged by Native men who have thanked him after they told him about their own per-sonal experiences. “My response is to acknowl-edge [them] and express that I believed [them],” said Hayes explaining that acknowledgment is an im-portant first step to finding the help they need.

Moving ForwardUnderstanding that

males are victims of sexu-al, domestic violence, and dating violence includes breaking the silence and breaking down barriers. Being a victim is not a sign of weakness. Acknowledg-ing a need to heal is a mea-sure of a victim’s strength and ability to survive.

Here are a few ideas to help men affected by do-mestic violence:

Believe victim-survi-vors: One of the most im-portant things that we can do to support male vic-tim-survivors is to simply believe. Listen without questioning the victim’s ex-perience.

Document the abuse: Suggest that they keep track of the abuse. They can take pictures, keep a calen-dar or start journaling as a way to document the abuse. Documenting the abuse can help in two ways: It can be a cathartic way to deal with negative emotions and it may also help the victim to obtain legal aid later on. Remind them that if they decide to document the abuse, to keep their docu-ment secure so their partner can’t destroy the evidence and so they can remain safe while they figure out the next steps in the relation-ship.

Find a support system: Perhaps there’s a good friend or relative that they can confide in when talking about what they are expe-riencing. Having a strong support system could be vital to their emotional well-being. Creating and nurturing healthy relation-ships can help heal some of the mental trauma from abuse.

Encourage them to take a proactive approach to their own safety: Keeping their mental, emotional and physical sanity in check are great ways for them to re-main grounded during and after a situation of abuse.

Perhaps they like to play basketball, create art or

Recognizing Male Victim-Survivors

Submitted by StrongHearts Native Helpline

MALE SURVIVORS / pg. 6

Larry Gene Thunderbull Sr., Cheyenne name Angry Buffalo Bull, was born April 29, 1946. He passed from this world on June 11, 2020.

Larry Sr. was born in El Reno, Okla., to Bennie Thunderbull Sr. and Nellie Sue Big Eagle – Thunder-bull. One of nine children, he was raised in El Reno and Clinton, Okla.

Larry Sr. was raised as a traditional Cheyenne where God, family, integrity and honor were regarded as the most important values and traditions to be upheld. He attended Concho Board-ing School from elementa-ry to junior high, graduat-ing in 1966 from Chilocco Boarding School. He went on to attend Haskell Col-lege and to serve in the US Army National Guard. He was placed on Active Duty with the 101st ABN where he served his first tour of Vietnam in 1966. He volun-teered for a second tour with the 2nd Rangers completing his service in 1970, returning home, to rarely discuss the events of those times.

He met Elizabeth Old Crow-Prairie Chief while on leave in 1968 and they were married in 1969. Together

they raised three boys and a daughter in Clinton. Marvin, Larry Jr., Karl Sr., and Mi-chelle. He cherished his three daughter in-laws, Jacqueline, Michelle Doyebi and Do-ris, as his own children. His many grandchildren, Dal-lion, Devon, Lauryn, Raven, Esmerelda, Elizabeth, Ethan, Karl Jr., Nathan, Kaydence, Marco, Chase, Larry Gene III and new great grandchild Marlee, all truly meant the world to him.

After his military service he came home and spent most of his working life as a welder for Arkla Gas and ONG in Clinton. In his retire-ment years, to keep himself busy, he worked for the C&A Tribes as a head start driver and then as a security officer. He loved attending pow-wwow with his family. He was artistically creative and enjoyed woodworking and making things for his chil-dren and grandchildren. He taught his boys to fish, some-thing he loved to do and passed on many other skills he had been taught, which they will carry with them forever.

His greatest joy was spending time with his fam-ily. He was respected by all

who met him and loved by everyone who knew him well. His wonderful sense of humor, kind soul and caring heart will be missed every day. He would say “integrity has its own reward”.

Larry Sr. was preced-ed in death by his wife Elizabeth and two sons, Larry Jr. and Karl Sr. Rest in peace.

Larry Gene Thunderbull Sr.

Ataloa Pratt

PAGE 7Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

(TULSA, OK) C.J. Neal makes the two block walk from his office to the businesses on Greenwood Avenue almost every day.

On his way, he likes to read the names of nearly 160 Black-owned businesses, which a century earlier had been looted and burned to the ground by white mobs, from a mural on the red brick walls of the buildings built in their likeness.

“People tried to come in and destroy a community,” he reflected, walking past on Saturday morning, nine hours before Pres-ident Trump was scheduled to speak at the BOK Center. “They did damage it. People lost their lives. People lost property, but they didn’t chase the community that was here away.”

Then, he continued to the busy day of work ahead.

Neal is a photojournalist for the Sooner state’s oldest publishing Black-owned news-paper, the Oklahoma Eagle. His assignment for the day was complicated – get to the bot-tom of how Tulsans were feeling about Pres-ident Trump’s rally.

Neal figured Greenwood was the easiest starting place.

As he knocked on the door of Black Wall Street Gallery, Ricco Wright, the gallery’s owner and a candidate for mayor of Tulsa, greeted Neal by name. The two discussed a sentiment that had been prevalent through the Greenwood community – the president’s timing was off.

Trump’s visit fell the day after Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the June 19, 1865, emancipation of Texas slaves. Many in Tul-sa’s Black community felt holding the rally this weekend would stoke tensions in a city trying to uncover and make amends for its history of racist massacre.

On May 31, 1921, a swarm of white peo-ple marched on Greenwood, firing indiscrim-inately at Black people, setting businesses and homes ablaze and dropping kerosene bombs from planes. After 48 hours of terror, the mob had leveled 36 blocks of the neigh-borhood once referred to as “Black Wall Street” and killed upwards of 300 people, the

remains of whom have yet to be recovered.Greenwood now marks a boundary in

highly-segregated Tulsa between the majori-ty white South and the majority Black North, where the implications of 1921 are still felt.

According to Human Rights Watch, 34 percent of Tulsa’s Black population live in poverty. Thirteen percent of the white Tul-sans do.

“You know Tulsa’s ashamed of its past, and it’s always been afraid to be embarrassed, and that’s why there’s this current reckon-ing that’s happening,” Wright said. “Trump doesn’t help with any of it at all. Right now we don’t need people instigating something that is already in need of desperate reaction.”

It is a view Neal shares.On his way to the BOK Center, Neal

swings by the basement office he rents in the Reunion Building. The office serves as home base for his various organizations, including the Neal Center for Justice – a civil rights, justice reform and women’s advocacy group.

For Neal, it can often be difficult to find a balance between journalism and advocacy.

“There’s times I want to be an activist,” he said. “There’s times I want to put the cam-era down and pick up a sign, but there’s also times that I realized that if I do pick up that sign, I’m probably not going to have as much of an impact as I do standing behind the cam-era.”

“What I report on helps those people that are picking up that sign know the reason why they’re doing this and know the reason why they need to continue to do it until there’s change.”

Neal is committed to uncovering all sides of a given issue and holds that half-truths will never have the importance or weight of the whole truth. He believes that by uncovering whole truths for his community and for oth-ers, he has the ability to ensure that histories do not get covered up and lost to time.

Neal first learned about Greenwood’s tragedy in junior high. When he asked about it in history class the following Monday, his teacher had never heard of the event.

“The story was buried,” he said, “some of

it out of fear, some of it just because people didn’t want to know the full truth.”

According to Jerry Good-win, a candidate for Tulsa City Counsel whose grandfa-ther acquired the Oklahoma Eagle in the 1930s, the reason his family got into the news-paper business was that their community did not make the mainstream news.

“They were only telling part of the American expe-rience, part of the American dream,” he said.

“Now, there have been some openings in majority media, but still, it’s not where it needs to be.”

A Pew Research Cen-ter Survey from 2018 found that 77 percent of newsroom employees across the Unit-ed States were white. Only 7 percent were Black.

In recent weeks, amidst national discus-sions of systemic racism following the police killing of George Floyd, many journalists have called out the industry’s lack of diversi-ty, including those at legacy newspapers like the New York Times and the Philadelphia In-

quirer.But until more diversity in newsrooms is

commonplace, Goodwin says, Black news-papers like the Oklahoma Eagle will be a great value to their communities.

“We have been a voice for the voiceless community and those who have not had a voice,” he said. “My father continues to drill into me that as long as you continue to sup-port the paper, people will continue to seek us out for our influence.”

By Wendy Weitzel, Gaylord News

A Day Following Photojournalist C.J. Neal Through Tulsa’s Greenwood District

C.J. Neal (left) is the owner of Oklahoma’s oldest publishing Black-owned newspaper the Oklahoma Eagle. He interviews Ricco Wright (r) owner of the Black Wall Street Art Gallery and Tulsa mayoral candidate.

C.J. Neal is a photojournalist for the Sooner state’s old-est publishing Black-owned newspaper, the Oklahoma Ea-gle. (Photos courtesy of Gaylord News)

By now we know we should be wearing face masks to protect others from potentially deadly infection when we leave the house. But face masks can be hot, and they can irritate the skin, fog glasses, make it difficult for some to breathe and cre-ate a world without smiles. It also can be difficult for peo-ple who have hearing loss to communicate when mouths are covered, muffling voic-es and hiding facial expres-sions.

Are clear plastic face shields, most frequently used in health care settings, a bet-ter option?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention con-tinues to recommend wear-ing “cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.” But some health experts say shields appear to be very

effective at preventing in-fection — maybe even more effective than masks — for someone going about regular daily activities and not in a high-risk health care setting.

Amesh Adalja, M.D., a pandemic preparedness ex-pert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, says, “There’s a lot of at least biological possibility to sus-pect that [shields] are defi-nitely better than homemade face masks, and maybe even better than other types of masks as well, because they not only prevent you from spreading it … [and] because it also covers your eyes, it provides more protection to the mucus membranes of your face where you might be getting infected.”

James Cherry, M.D., a distinguished research pro-fessor and infectious dis-ease expert at the David

Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, says that while experts aren’t yet sure about how vulnerable our eyes are to infection from this coro-navirus, “With many viruses, the eyes are important.” He points to measles and ade-noviruses as examples of vi-ruses that are known to infect people through their eyes.

Another benefit, says Adalja: With a mask, you may find yourself constant-ly adjusting it and therefore touching your face and pos-sibly transferring the virus from your hands, but wear-ing a shield “doesn’t really put you in a position where you’re touching your face so much, because it’s not as cumbersome to wear.”

And finally, Adalja adds, “If you walk down the side-walk, you can find lots of masks that are just discarded there, which are an infection

Some Experts Say Face Shields Better Than Masks forCoronavirus Protection

By Renée Bacher and Christina Ianzito, AARP

FACE MASKS vs SHIELDS / pg. 10

PAGE 8 Tsistsistas & HinonoeiCheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

POSITIONS SUMMA-RIES - For more details call 405-422-7783

Under the general super-vision of an assigned lead or Foreman, the Equipment Operator I operates a variety of contractor equipment and trucks utilized in construc-tion, maintenance, and repair activities; perform a variety of semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance of light, street, and storm drainage systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILI-TIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following: Operates a va-riety of light equipment. Op-erates assigned equipment in the maintenance and repair of the drainage infrastructure. Maintains, installs, repairs and constructs streets, roads and alleys, including blad-ing, reclaiming, rolling and asphalting assigned streets, roads and alleys.Drives var-ious trucks. Operates mower, sprayers containing herbi-cides and weed eater to clear grass and weeds from vacant lots, telephone poles, signs, curbs, guardrails and fire hy-drants. Cuts and clears fallen and overgrown trees. More details available when apply-ing.

MINIMUM QUALI-FICATIONS: High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred. Six months expe-rience involving the use of light equipment.Valid Driv-er’s license. May require CDL. Ability to pass Drug Screen. Ability to pass Back-

ground Check. Clean MVR (Motor Vehicle Record). May Require FMCSA Clear-inghouse Account. Working knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions com-mon to light equipment oper-ations. Working knowledge of the methods, materials, and tools used in construc-tion and maintenance work. Skill in operation of above listed tools and equipment .Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to ef-fectively communicate in writing and verbally. Ability to observe proper safety pre-cautions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRON-MENT

The physical demands described here are represen-tative of those that must be met by an employee to suc-cessfully perform the essen-tial functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable in-dividuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

SALARY:Negotiable, depending on qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PRO-CEDURE: Submit Corpo-ration Application, Resume, Transcripts, Diploma, Certi-fications, Valid Driver’s Li-cense and CDIB to:

CABDC Human Resourc-es

P.O. Box 96 Concho, OK 73022 info@cabdc.org 405.422.7783

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTSPOSITIONS: Equipment Operator I

Equipment Operator II LOCATION: Hammerstone Construction

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIP-TION:

We are looking for a Gen-eral Laborer to take up man-ual labor tasks and support operations in worksites.

One of the most important general laborer responsibili-ties is to collect trash, debris and other waste to keep the site clean and safe. You’ll also get to handle power tools and materials (such as saws and drills).

We’d like you to have in-clude stamina and the abili-ty to lift heavy loads. You should be able to concentrate on performing your tasks and commit to safety rules. If you fit this description, and you’re also interested in doing tough but important work, we’d like to meet you.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Clean up worksites from hazardous or obsolete mate-rialPrepare job sites with any silt fence, barricade place-ment/signage placement as neededAssist welders, car-penters, painters or other tradespeople on-siteAssist foreman with completing tasks as prescribedHandle and transport materials (e.g. cement) and equipment (e.g. drills and grinders)Use pow-er tools (levels, power drills, saws, grinders, pressure washers and water spraying equipment and machinery (e.g. forklifts/scissor lifts) when neededFollow instruc-tions from supervisors to perform manual labor tasks (e.g. digging, stacking up goods)Put up warning signs (e.g. signposts, cones) for

vehicles and passersbyTraf-fic Control flagging may be required at timesHelp with setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding, ladders, etc)Re-port issues with equipment or unsafe conditions

MINIMUM QUALIFI-CATIONS

High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred-Valid Driver’s licenseAbility to pass Drug ScreenAbility to pass Background Check-Clean MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)Ability to meet the physical demands of the job (standing for long periods of time, lifting heavy loads of up to 50 pounds etc.)Good hand-eye coordinationAbil-ity to concentrate on tasks-Familiarity with power tools and machinery is a plusCom-munication and teamwork skillsCommitment to safety rulesApprenticeship or spe-cialization is an asset, but not necessaryAny computer or estimating skills, and abil-ity to communicate in En-glish

SALARY: Negotiable, depending on qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PRO-CEDURE:

Submit Corporation Ap-plication, Resume, Tran-scripts, Diploma, Certifica-tions, Valid Driver’s License and CDIB to:

CABDC Human Resourc-es

P.O. Box 96 Concho, OK 73022 info@cabdc.org 405.422.7788

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTPOSITION: General Laborer

LOCATION: Hammerstone Construction CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

LEGAL NOTICES

read. Encourage them to do things that make them happy and feel good about themselves.

Reach out: To explore your options for safety and healing, click on the “Chat Now” icon on this page to open a one-on-one chat with an advocate or call 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. Call-ers reaching out after hours may connect with the Na-tional Domestic Violence Hotline by selecting option one.

StrongHearts Native Helpline understands it can be difficult to talk about domestic violence in tribal communities. The alarming rates of Native Americans

and Alaska Natives expe-riencing domestic violence demands that we unite, ac-knowledge and support all victims regardless of gen-der, sexual orientation, or relationship status.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-762-8483) is a culturally-appropriate domestic violence and dat-ing violence helpline for Native Americans, avail-able daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time.

StrongHearts Native Helpline is a collaborative effort of the National Do-mestic Violence Hotline and the National Indige-nous Women’s Resource Center. Visit www.strong-heartshelpline.org/ for more information.

MALE SURVIVORScontinued from pg. 6

I would like to wish my handsome husband Happy Anniversary

June 18We went from just

homies to just married. I have loved all our ups and downs and learned more about you along the way. So the father of my children, I love you beyond forever

Kelly Ray Potter.And I am proud to be

your wife and look forward to spending

many more years with you.

I love you Big Kelly!Beyond 4-Ever

Your wifeRachel ‘Tonka’ Potter-

White

Dedicated to the Gemi-ni Gang

Damon Dunbar Jr., Cet-ty Whitebuffalo Jr., Merick Warden, Cbon Warden and Jason Racelis

Big Love, Mad Respect, from Kracker

SacrificesSome things we say

have hidden meanings, we don’t like to speak out loud.

Hoping the message gets across not silenced by pride but because we are proud.

I’ve given up time with my family, friends and the people who really care.

Because my pride wouldn’t stand aside me and it were caught by a manmade snare.

Not to mention my free-dom, life’s most precious possession, I just traded away.

Lost in thought thinking of how I’m a good per-son and why God stopped making us this way.

You have to be careful when you make decisions because there is always a sacrifice you have to make.

I gave up everything I cherished and loved, show-ing people I was a real man and not a fake.

I know this might not pertain to you, but I’m confident when I say you can relate.

That’s why I wrote this writing hoping to jog your brain and put your thoughts in probate.

Make sure you know how it’s gonna go before you make the decision to roll the dice.

Or like me, you’ll be locked up and alone think-ing about all you sacri-ficed.

Rodney Kirk

Happy Birthday Damon Sr.

Dad, even through thick and thin, I love you pass the stars and back again.Have a good one old man.

May Maheo bless you with many more.

Love your son Damon Jr.

Happy Birthday “Gemini Gang”

Merrick Warden, Chebon Warden, “Yung Cetty”

Whitebuffalo and Mr. Bar-Khone Damon Dubar Jr. 2

da’ dirtBig love and mad respect.

The family of Cecil Dawes will be feeding during the Cheyenne Ceremonials on Satur-day, July 25, 2020 in Seiling, Oklahoma. Joe David Osage will paint the family members as they come out of mourning. All friends and family are invited to join the family in his memory. A special invitation is extend-

ed to members of the Kit Fox Society.

PAGE 9Tsistsistas & Hinonoei Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

Diabetes Wellness Services During COVID-10Services Available By

AppointmentTara Conway, MS, RD, LD, CDE C&A Diabetes Wellness Program

In order to implement pre-cautions to protect the health and safety of employees and patrons, the Diabetes Well-ness Center Guidelines are as follows:

Temporary Operating Hours 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon-day through Friday.

Screening must be com-pleted on entry for all staff and participants. Those who have any of the following characteristics should not be allowed to enter:

Have returned from trav-el from any area local that considered high risk or with excess cases of coronavirus or overseas within the last 14 days.

Have had a fever of 100.4°F or greater in the past two days

Have a cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell

Had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 within the previ-ous 14 days

Have compromised im-mune systems and/or have chronic diseases.

Individuals must com-plete a screening form.

The only entrance into the

building will be the caseworker entryway on the east side of the building.

No Mask, No entry.Staff will always wear a

face covering or mask. Pa-trons are required to wear a face covering including when exercising.

Face masks will be pro-vided if needed, however with limited supplies it is suggested if patrons have their own personal mask they utilize that.

Hand sanitizer should be available throughout the fa-cility.

An appointment by phone must be made for services.

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE WILLIE FLETCHER GYM WILL BE CLOSED!

The first three weeks in June, the Diabetes Wellness Program gave out 84 pounds of buffalo to 14 individuals. Buffalo is still available so please contact us and make an appointment. At this time, the projected date to return to full services is Aug. 3, 2020.

The GHW Healthy Life-style Programs porch garden program has given out a to-tal of 49 tomato plants. The GHW Healthy Lifestyle Pro-gram will have more things

available in the future for fresh fruits and vegetables as well as buffalo. Stay tuned for more information on those programs. The GHW Healthy Lifestyle Program is be available to Native Amer-icans 18 years or older who live in the following coun-ties: Canadian, Kingfish-er, Blaine, Dewey, Custer, Washita, Beckham, Roger Mills, Ellis and Woodward Counties. Cheynne and Arap-aho Tribal members who live in Oklahoma County and the City of Hinton also qualify for GHW Program services.

Remember your hand-washing techniques, scrub-bing for at least 20 seconds. Remember to wash all sur-faces daily and don’t forget to clean your cell phone, door knobs, car handles and steering wheel.

For a personalized weight management plan that meets your individual needs, con-sult a registered dietitian ei-ther at the Diabetes Wellness Center or the Clinton Service Unit.

For more information and tips on health and wellness contact Tara Conway by call-ing 405-422-7685 or toll free at 800-247-4612, ext. 27685 or email tconway@chey-enneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

(LAFAYETTE, LA) On May 15 yelling, applause and lulus emitted from the swamps of Louisiana and the plains of Oklahoma to celebrate Hanna Lindsey Ott graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL).

Hanna is a 2016 honors graduate of Lafayette High School where she earned a full ride scholarship for college by scoring a 32 on her ACT.

Hanna received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biol-ogy minoring in Chemistry and Spanish and Summa Cum Laude with a 3.93 GPA from ULL. She was also active in the ULL Hon-ors Program where she has been President since 2017 and Honors Ambassador Executive since 2018. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. She volunteers at Lafayette Habit for Humanity and Acadiana Animal Aid. Hanna is em-ployed with Rehabilitation and Vocational Consultants.

She received early admission to the Lou-isiana State University School of Medicine at New Orleans where she is enrolled for the Fall 2020 semester. Her interest is in gastroenterology.

Hanna is the daughter of Stacy (Hannah) Ott of Lafayette and John Ott also of Lafay-ette and the big sister of Mason and Abbey. Her grandparents are Carlene (Nowlin) and Bob Beach of Lafayette, Edward and Ro-chelle Ott of Baton Rouge, Tom and Do-neeta of Newcastle, Doris and the (late)Jim Bish, Rupert Nowlin of Colony, Okla., Don Nowlin of Colony and see3tei Nowlin of Colony. Her great-grandparents are the late Mary Nita and Keg Nowlin of Colony; great-great-grandparents are the late Ida (Wassana) and Homer Lumpmouth Sr.; and great-great-great-grand-parents are Lumpmouth and Singing Bear of Geary and the late Wassana and Crow Woman of Colony. She re-ceived her Arapaho name of Hisei (woman) from her great-grandmother Nita. Hanna is Arapaho and served as the 2010 Clinton Service Unit Youth Powwow Senior Princess.

Her family, which includes grandpa Tom, grandma Doneeta, grandma Belle, gramps Ferd, grandpa Don, Nene, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and nephew Carter are all so proud of her.

Hanna and her family would like to thank Reggie Wassana and Glenn Solomon for their support and guidance.

Cheyenne and Arapaho Citizen Hanna Ott Heads to Medical School

(WATONGA, OK) Construction on the new Lucky Star Casino Ho-tel & Convention Center continues in Watonga, Okla.

The new gam-ing facility includes a five-story hotel, hospi-tality suite, full-service restaurant and a 300 person capacity confer-ence center with addi-tonal retail space.

Lucky Star Casino Hotel & Convention Center Progresses Forward

PAGE 10 Tsistsistas & HinonoeiCheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune

Since March 2020 thousands of events and gatherings have been canceled and/or post-poned due to the coro-navirus. Denver March Powwow. Gathering of Nations. Red Earth Fes-tival.

Those are the big names, but hundreds of powwows, dances, art markets, Easter egg hunts and other spring and summer gatherings have also been canceled in an effort to slow the spread of the corona-virus throughout tribal communities across the country.

And now another big yearly holiday is upon us … Fourth of July.

In Oklahoma, lo-cal towns and munici-palities have begun to release the cancella-tion or modification of their individual annu-al Fourth of July cele-brations leaving some

folks wondering if they will continue a yearly tradition of celebrating with a fireworks show. But wait … not all have canceled their Fourth of July fireworks show.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ busi-ness enterprise, Lucky Star Casinos, will be moving forward with their annual fireworks display.

On Friday, July 3 Lucky Star Casino in Clinton, Okla. will be hosting a fireworks dis-play at 10 p.m. and on Saturday, July 4 Lucky Star Casino in Concho, Okla. will be hosting their fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Bring the family, wear a mask (if you can-not social distance out-doors), social distance and enjoy something fa-miliar and ‘normal’ for us all … fireworks.

Fourth of July DuringCoronavirus Pandemic

FACE SHIELDS VERSUS MASKS FOR CORONAVIRUS PROTECTIONcontinued from pg. 7

control risk for other people. Whereas a face shield is some-thing that people can just clean themselves and reuse.”

A recent opinion piece in JAMA by Eli Perencevich, M.D., a professor of internal medicine and epidemiology at the University of Iowa Carv-er College of Medicine, and two of his colleagues pointed to such benefits of shields for infection prevention, and noted that “face shields appear to sig-nificantly reduce the amount of inhalation exposure to in-fluenza virus, another drop-let-spread respiratory virus. In a simulation study, face shields were shown to reduce immedi-ate viral exposure by 96 per-cent when worn by a simulated health care worker within 18 inches of a cough.” In an April 19 tweet Perencevich wrote, “Biggest benefit of face shields would be inside crowded office situations where air exchanges aren’t ideal.”

Another benefit? With warmer weather, many may also find a face shield attached to a headband or cap cooler to wear than a cloth mask.

Some members of the pub-lic are taking such arguments to heart — choosing shields es-pecially for their ability to keep the entire face visible.

Lauren Lek, head of school at Academy of Our Lady of Peace, in San Diego, plans to have her 750 returning faculty and students wear face shields at school rather than masks this August. “Safety and health for our community is a priority for us in reopening,” she says. “As soon as we saw from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and our local public health office that face shields would be an acceptable alternative to face masks, we

knew this was a direction we wanted to move in.”

Noting that face-to-face interaction is key to the educa-tion her school provides, Lek adds that face shields are better than masks for students with learning differences, includ-ing autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), because they allow for full visibility of facial expres-sions that can help them read and understand social cues.

The school has purchased more than 10 different types of face shields to test before classes restart, Lek says, with each posing challenges in terms of clarity, fogging, ease of cleaning and reuse. They also shouldn’t cause headaches when worn 10 hours a day. “With each product we try, we are getting closer to the best option for the start of school in August.”

Double protection?Some people are choos-

ing both infection-prevention methods. Hope Taitz, an in-vestment manager in New York City who travels fre-quently for business, began wearing a face mask and face shield together when she saw the pandemic starting to unfold while logging 100,000 miles of travel in January and February. She said one of the best things she saw traveling in Asia were deep bubble umbrellas that can cover you from head to mid-section.

You’re likely to find only health care workers wearing both a shield and a mask si-multaneously, however. “I don’t wear the shield alone,” says Anne Mary Orr, a dentist in private practice in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. “At work, the whole point of the shield is to keep particulate matter off the mask. The N95 mask I wear

under it helps filter breathing the virus. Our greatest risk is to inhale an aerosol at work, more so than focusing on the droplets.”

Kristi Carnahan, a regis-tered nurse in the Emergency Department at Stanford Hos-pital in Palo Alto, California, says she also wears a mask beneath her plastic face shield to provide more “protection against anything in the air get-ting into your mouth or nose as you breathe.”

That reasoning may make sense in a health care setting, says Adalja, but “I don’t think you get much added benefit to wearing a mask if you’ve al-ready got a face shield on, for the average person.” The odds of the viral particles floating upwards under your shield are a long shot for most of us, he adds: “Someone would have to stand underneath you and sneeze up into you. It would be an odd circumstance that would cause that.”

Keeping the mouth visibleCarnahan acknowledges

that masks are difficult for people like herself who have hearing difficulties. She says she finds herself asking col-leagues to repeat themselves frequently when she cannot see their mouths. “It is a reality for many who rely on lip read-ing or ASL [American Sign Language] that masks make communicating much harder,” she notes, “especially because facial expressions are an in-tegral part of American Sign Language.”

While it doesn’t explic-itly recommend the use of face shields, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recently sent a letter to CDC Direc-tor Robert Redfield asking

the agency to emphasize the need for clear face masks and other communication aids in health care settings to help people with hearing and oth-er communication disorders. “If a patient doesn’t hear/un-derstand properly, there could be serious consequences like adverse medical events,” says ASHA spokesperson Francine Pierson. Brigham and Wom-en’s Hospital in Boston, for one, has begun using special masks with transparent cutouts making the mouth visible for health care workers speaking to patients with hearing loss.

Whatever you decide to wear to prevent infection when you’re out and about, keep in mind that staying safe from COVID-19 means putting in place multiple safeguards, in-cluding thorough handwash-ing.

The most important safe-ty measure, though, is social distancing, Cherry says. “The virus is in these droplets, and they don’t go very far — they fall to the ground. So that’s why [staying] 6 feet away from others is the most important thing that we can all do.”

Where to buy shields Shields come attached to

hats or attach to glasses or headbands. You can buy them online, often for less than $20, at sites such as Gearbest, Pro-Tex and Amazon. Some man-ufacturers, like RealShield by Racing Optics Inc., are making face shields with UV coatings.

“For optimal protection,” Perencevich and his colleagues assert in their JAMA article, “the shield should extend be-low the chin anteriorly, to the ears laterally, and there should be no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield’s head-piece.”