Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
1
Tribe receives check from FEMATribe receives check from FEMATribe receives check from FEMATribe receives check from FEMA
KIOWA NEWS KIOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
September 14, 2010 Carnegie, Oklahoma Issue 4
Pictured: Dennis Kopepassah, Ross Harris, Ernest
Redbird, Ramona Goombi, Sherry Chandler, Sherman
Chaddlesone, Ron Twohatchet and Walter Ahhaitty.
INSIDE:
*Kiowa veteran
honored
*FY 2011 Kiowa
Tribal Budget
*Blackleggings October Cere-
mony
*Nammy nominated Kiowa
*National Arts Education Week
Celebration
*Kiowa author has book
published
The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma as-sisted many tribal members affectedby the ice storm in early January.Although the event is now just a badmemory in many people’s minds,the event recently turned into a posi-tive for the Tribe.Sherry Chandler from OklahomaEmergency Management visitedCarnegie and presented the Tribewith a check for $40,917.69.This money was for FEMA DisasterDeclaration #1883, which coveredthe ice storm from January 28th tothe 30th. 6 counties in Oklahomawere declared disaster areas.The Tribe spent approximately$51,000 assisting tribal membersduring the storm.75 percent of that money spent wasapproved by OEM to be returned to
the Tribe. That percentage wasbased on documented expenditurereports prepared by Ross Harris,Dennis Kopepassah and RamonaGoombi of the Kiowa Tribe.They submitted 4 project work-sheets, one for debris removal and3 for protective measures whichincluded the food packages,propane and various emergencyshelters that were set up.The original money used camefrom the Kiowa Tax Commissionaccount (the Tribes general fund).There will be a proposal to earmarkthe money for a special emergencyfund that will be available for pos-sible future natural disasters.Another check for labor contracted,at that time, is expected in the nearfuture.
Kiowa Health & Safety Fair
The first day of Autumn will also be the firstday for the Kiowa Casino-Verden. The much-awaited event will be on Wednesday, September22nd, 2010 at 10am. The Casino is located on Oklahoma Highway 9and County Road 2740, 1 mile west of Verden. Originally the day was going to be designatedas “Kiowa Day”, set aside for members of theTribe, and have another opening for the generalpublic.But after considering the great anticipation ofthe Casino by the public, planners decided tojust have one opening on the same day. The Kiowa Casino-Verden will initially house100 slots. The modular building format is designed foroptional additions to enlarge the facility as busi-ness grows. Business hours for the Casino are yet to be an-nounced.18 years is the age requirement.Kiowa leaders as well as dignitaries from sur-rounding towns are expected to be present forthe opening.
The Kiowa Tribe wil host it’s 2nd An-nual Health and Safety Harvest Festi-val. The event is co-sponsored by theKiowa Head Start, Injury Preventionand CHR Programs.The Festival will be held on ThursdayOctober 28, 2010 from 10am to 1pmat Red Buffalo Hall.A fun and safe evironment will be pro-vided for children and their families to“trick or treat” and get information onhealth and safety.It is open to all ages and everyone isencouraged to wear Halloween cos-tumes. There will be a contest.The event hopes to include BIA,WCD-WIC, Fire and Police Depts.,Native Americans for Injury Preven-tion Coalition and Riverside IndianSchool.For more info contact Melody Red-bird at (580) 450-1039.
OPENING OPENING OPENING OPENING
2
The Kiowa Business Committee(KBC) appreciates the Kiowa Tribemembers who attended the KiowaIndian Council meeting on Saturday,August 28th, 2010. Your participa-tion, discussions and suggestionsduring the presentation of the FY2011 Budget strengthened ourKiowa Tribal Government.Also, we want to thank the KiowaBusiness Committee, the KiowaGaming Commission, the KiowaHearing Board and the Kiowa Elec-tion Board members who attendedthe KIC meeting. The board mem-bers contribution to the discussionprovided clarity and abetter under-standing of the FY 2011 Budget. Ms.June Artichoker, Treasurer, gave anexcellent presentation and explana-tion of the details of the budget. Sheallowed KIC members to examine,review and discuss each line item ofthe budget. The KIC’s suggestion ofmore detail in each line item will beincluded in the preparation of the2012 Budget.Because of limited projectedFY1012 revenue, the KBC prepared
KIC MEETING RESPONSEan austere budget of 3,814,400.00.We (KBC) tried to maintain pro-grams and activities reported on theFY 2010 expenditure reports. Weincreased allocation for: Burial fundsand Elder (65 and older) payment($500 each). The elder payment in-crease allocation is a result of anincrease number of tribal membersturning 65-”baby boomers”. You canreview the proposed FY 2011 Bud-get on the official Kiowa website andlocal newspaper.Your vote in support of the KiowaTribe FY 2011 Budget is importantfor the continued daily operations ofthe Kiowa Tribe. The Kiowa Tribewill be unable to draw down ouryearly funds from the AnadarkoAgency if the FY 2011 budget is notapproved. Those tribal programssupported by Kiowa Tribal fundswould not be able to operate to pro-vide services for our Kiowa Tribalmembers.If you have any questions concern-ing the FY 2011 Kiowa Tribe bud-get, please contact the Kiowa Busi-ness Committee at (580) 654-1729. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Connie Sue (Hanner) RobeyBornDied August 11, 2010
————————————————
Byron Toppah, Mt. Scott CommunityBorn August 25, 1952Died August 23, 2010
————————————————
Hines Tee, Anadarko,OKBornDied August 25, 2010
————————————————
Virgil J. Tartsah, Anadarko, OKBorn July 28, 1939Died August 29, 2010
————————————————
Everett G. Akoneto, Ft. Cobb, OKBorn January 3, 1932Died August 30, 2010
AUGUST, 2010
IN MEMORY OF
Kiowa Princess, Ellen
Toyekoyah recently repre-
sented the Tribe at the
Barona PowWow on the
Barona Indian Reserva-
tion in California.
She is pictured here with
“Apocalypto”
star, Rudy Youngblood ,
who portrayed “Jaguar
Paw” in the movie. He was
contesting in the Grass
Dance category.
Members of Ms.
Toyekoyah’s family have
been making the journey
to the California powwow
for 40 years.
Kiowa Black Leggings Ceremonywill take place on October 9th and10th, 2010. The ceremony will beheld at the dance ground at IndianCity south of Anadarko.For more information call KiowaBlack Leggings Warrior SocietyChief Tugger Palmer at (580) 450-0214.———————————————-
The Kiowa Tribal Chairman, RonTwohatchet will be riding in theopening parade at the ComancheNation Fair which will be October1st thru 3rd on the Comanche Na-tion Complex Grounds north ofLawton.For more information contact (580)492-3384 or (580) 357-6545.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
3
IOWA NEWSLETTER
KIOWA TRIBE FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET (The proposed budget as it will appear on the ballot. The election date has not yet been set.)
Maya Torralba is an enrolled member of the
Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.
Maya, a former co-host of “Kiowa
Voices”radio show, is running for Okla-
homa State House District 56.
Maya is the mother of 3 children: her 8 year
old son Chado and a twin daughter and son
Kateri and Matthias, age 5.
She is deeply committed to family and is
aware of the challenges facing District 56.
Challenges such as substance abuse, suicide,
child abuse and gang violence. Issues she
believes can be overcome through develop-
ment of programs for families and law en-
forcement.
She is also aware of many rural town dying
due to the economy. She believes that rein-
vigorated tourism in this area is a step in the
right direction.
She also sees Southwest Oklahoma
Tribes and rural communities benefiting
by working together as Oklahomans.
Her work includes serving as an aca-
demic tutor at East Elementary in
Anadarko.
In 2008, she founded the Anadarko
Community Esteem Project, a self-
esteem and community building pro-
gram for young ladies in the Anadarko
area.
Maya is the granddaughter of the late
John and Agatha Paddlety Bates and the
late Jesse Torralba and Geraldine
Davilla Torralba.
Maya is married to Brian Daffron, a
professor at Comanche Nation College.
For more on Maya go to:
Kiowa running for office
3
4
OnTuesday, September 7th, the Kiowa
Tribal Museum celebrated National
Arts In Education Week with “Native
Talent on Stage”.
The event happened at Red Buffalo
Hall with 50 or so people in attendance.
Ermina Jane Iruegas opened the
evening with “The Lord’s Prayer” in
sign language followed by Miss Indian
Lawton, Kimberly De Jesus doing an
acapella version of the National An-
them along with two more songs,
“Colors of the Wind” and I Hope You
Dance”.
Lucinda Poahway, Ms. Oklahoma All
American Lady, did a lyrical ballet to
“The Journey Road”(flute accompani-
ment by Terry Tsotigh). This is the
dance she will perform as her talent at
the national All American Lady contest.
There was also a live performance of
“June-A-Vee’s Blessing”, written and
directed by Kiowa member Lynn Ga-
chot Munoz.
National Arts in Education Week began
when California State Representative
Jackie Speier saw a need to support the
arts in schools, mainly in the elementary
and secondary levels.
She then authored a resolution that was
approved on July 26th 2010.
The event is to be held every second
week in September.
Event planner, Jame Eskew of the
Kiowa Museum said, “It was fun to see
the talent and art forms available from
members of the Kiowa Tribe and other
area Tribes.”
The cast of “June-A-Vee’s Blessing”: Kyla Tsoodle, Er-
mina Jane Iruegas, Judea Valenzuela, Alyssa Granado,
Aloni Taylor, Racey Satepeahtaw, Noah Valenzuela, Ri-
ley Munoz and author Lynn Gachot Munoz.
Miss Indian Lawton,
Kimberly DeJesus
> Ms. Oklahoma
All America
Lady, Lucinda
Poahway per-
forms ballet.
<Little Miss In-
dian Ft. Sill
Ermina Jane Irue-
gas.
>Royalty on the Runway
:Lucinda, Judeah, Kim-
berly, Aloni, Ermina
Jane and Alyssa.
MUSEUM CELEBRATES ARTS
IN EDUCATION WEEK
“Native Talent On Stage”
PROGRAMS
Downloadable applications as well as
useful information for those Tribal
members interested in Higher Education
are available on the tribal website
kiowatribe.net.
Higher Education Director Matt Koma-
lty added that if you need to speak to
someone in the office, call (580) 654-
7109. Or e-mail Matt at mkoma-
[email protected], Charlotte at csilver-
[email protected] or Randi at
KTEP OFFERS ROLLOFF SERVICES
The Kiowa Tribe Environmental Program
has announced that September is the
“End of the Summer Trash Clean-up”
month. Throughout the month of Septem-
ber, there will be two rolloff containers at
the old maintenance storage building area
behind the AOA building at the Kiowa
Complex.
These are for household trash only. No
bulky whites (washers, dryers, refrigera-
tors etc.) will be allowed. Also no lum
ber, furniture or large items (cars,etc.).
these services will be available till the
end of September.
Hours for dumping are 9am till 4pm.
These services are sponsored and moni-
tored by the Kiowa Tribal Environmen-
tal Program.
For more information contact 580-654-
1975.
This is a service for Kiowa Tribal mem-
bers only.
4
5
Kiowa Tribal Member and Hobart Native Honored For Military ServicePhoto and story by Sgt. 1st Class Claudia Bullard, Command Historian, Ok National Guard Office of Public Affairs
HOBART, Okla.—Virgil Hovakah Wolf, the only
remaining survivor of an all-Native American tank
crew, was honored recently for his military service at
a veteran’s powwow at Kiowa Tribal Headquarters
in Carnegie.
Virgil, of Hobart, served in the Korean War with
Company C, 245th Tank Battalion, 45th Infantry
Division, a unit of the famed 45th Infantry Division
which is now the Oklahoma National Guard.
I met him in Red Buffalo Hall with his youger sister
Darlene. He was holding a photo of himself as a
young enlistee in a khaki Army uniform—a young
man in the dawn of life with a touch of mischief in
his eyes.
“You don’t hear of an all Indian tank crew very of-
ten, do you?” he said chuckling.
Perhaps not, yet the 45th Infantry Division had more
Native Americans serving in World War II and Ko-
rea than any other military unit. Virgil was one of
many—like Medal of Honor recipients 2nd Lt.
Earnest Childers (Creek) and 1st Lt. Jack Mont-
gomery (Cherokee)—who were either drafted or vol-
untarily enlisted in great numbers during the 1940’s
and 50’s.
Like most of America’s World War II and Korean
War generation, Virgil and Darlene were shaped by
hard times, hard work and strength in family. The
two of them are all that are left of seven children of a
Kiowa Baptist preacher and the daughter of a tradi-
tional Native American family during the Great De-
pression.
Darlene—kind and soft spoken—remembers their
mother as resourceful and hardworking, taking in
ironing and “teaching them to live off of the land.”
She bore 12 children, with five dying very young,
leaving Virgil as an only son.
“She really knew how to survive,” said Darlene,
telling how her mother gathered wild greens for food
and wild berries whch she would preserve by drying.
“Ahe did her ironing on a board Daddy put between
two chairs,” said Darlene. “She had a wood stove
and had her irons all lined up on top. When the one
she was using cooled down, she would put it on the
stove and use another one.”
While their mother worked at home, their father
preached in churches at Mountain View and Hobart.
“We grew up in church,” said Darlene, “but Mother
took us to the powwows.”
Virgil said joining the National Guard in 1949
seemed like a good way to see the world and find a
little adventure. Virgil’s mother didn’t see it that
way.
“I convinced my mother to sign me up,” said Virgil,
adding that after his mother left the recruiting office,
she was ill.
“He was very special to her,” Darlene
said.
Virgil and four others—Harry
Kauley, Spurgeon Satoe, Harold Starr
and tank commander Ed Water
Onco—all Kiowas—left Hobart with
Company C, 245th Tank Battalion,
then deployed to Ft. Polk, La. for
training, then to Sopporo, Japan and
finally Korea frontlines.
Although the front lines were rela-
tively stable, the 45th continued to
engage the enemy at battles like Old
Baldy, Hill Eerie and Pork Chop Hill,
adding to the Thunderbird legacy.
While occupying the top of a ridge,
Virgil said Company C could see
lines of tanks and infantry engaging
in heavy battle.
He said he and his fellow tankers held
the ridge for much of their time in
Korea.
To pass time tank commander Ed
Waters Onco—who Virgil pro-
claimed a “true soldier—used a
pasteboard box for a drum and they
sang traditional songs which helped
them keep a connection with home.
———————————-
At the veteran’s powwow in Red Buf-
falo Hall, a prayer was said for those
serving and those who had passed.
An honor guard posted the Ameri-
can flag.
To honor Virgil, there was a per-
formance of the War Mothers’
Song—at traditional written by
Jimmy Anquoe, a member of the
45th Inf. Div. and a member of the
Kiowa Tribe. He wrote the song
as members of the 45th were leav-
ing for the battlefields of Europe.
When the War Mothers’ Song
ended, Virgil looked down at his
photo.
“I sure miss ‘em, “ he said of his
four crewmates whom he kept in
touch with after the war ended.
“I served my country and I thank
God he brought me back home.”
Virgil, who now uses a walker,
said of the powwow, “I sure miss
dancing a lot like they do here.”
“We once had an elder who said if
you don’t feel happy or good, lis-
ten to the drum and you’ll feel bet-
ter.”
Virgil Hovakah Wolf, the last surviving member of an all Native American
tank crew from the Korean War, in front of a shawl commemorating his
service. Wolf, 78 is a Hobart native and retired truck driver.
Virgil, in uni-
form in 1951.
5
6
Kiowa member, Cecil Gray, like many
other native musicians around the coun-
try, anxiously awaited the announce-
ment of the 2010 Native American Mu-
sic Award nominations. But of course
they were on...Indian time.
He submitted his new CD “Shades of
Gray” to the NAMMY’s in the “Best
Blues Recording” category.
His band is called Cecil Gray and the
Flying Eagle Blues Band.
Gray is a longtime musician and a past
recipient of the coveted NAMMY in
2004.
“Shades of Gray”, a 12 song recording,
features the song “I Need You”, in
which Gray steps slightly out of the
blues box for a more melodic love song.
The song is held together nicely by
blues licks evenly distributed through-
out the song .
On this particular tune, the Kiowa blues-
man is joined by Tara Cargill, Kiowa/
Comanche singer from Cache, OK.
When asked why he thinks this particular
song stands out, Gray’s answer is, “I
think it’s because of the strong structure
that makes it stand out and it seems to
have more appeal and appreciation by
the general public.”
The Flying Eagle Blues Band is made up
Gray, Cargill, Carl Gray (bass) and Troy
Simmons (drums).
Gray says we appreciate the support
we’ve had over the years and I want to
urge all Kiowa’s to show their support in
my and other tribal members musical
endeavors”.
The Native American Music Awards
take place in November to celebrate Na-
tionalNative American Heritage month.
The date and location will be announced
at a later date.
For a copy of the “Shades of Gray” CD,
call (580) 917-3210.
In the meantime, the NAMMY
wait........continues.
KIOWA IS HOPES TO BE IN NAMMY COMPETITION IN NOVEMBER
While looking through some personal
things Lynn Gachot Munoz happened
upon a shoe box in which she had place
some of her writings in 5 years earlier.
The shoe box contained a story she had
written about a young Native American
girl named June-A-Vee.
June-A-Vee’s parents passed away be-
for she knew them. She is raised by her
loving grandparents who teach her the
ways of Native life.
She doesn’t know it, but soon she will
encounter one of the creator’s messen-
gers. This will cause something great to
take place in hr tribe and change her
live forever.
The Flying Eagles Blues Band: Troy Sim-
mons, Tara Cargill, Cecil Gray and Carl
Gray.
Lynn Gachot Munoz
is an enrolled mem-
ber of the Kiowa
Tribe of Oklahoma
and writes about
native culture and
tradition from expe-
rience.
She is a wife,
mother and licensed
minister, and has
been involved in Kiowa cultural activities
all her life. She also worked with children
for over 15 years in the Kiowa Head Start
Program and has been a Foster Parent to
many native children.
————————————————
“June-A-Vee’s Blessing” , was not
Munoz first book, but was the first to
be published. Author House Publishing
did the honors “June-A-Vee” reflects
Munoz childhood and experiences with
her grandparents.
She is the daughter of Thomascina
Tsoodle and Les Gachot, the Grand-
daughter of the late Oscar and Hattie
Tsoodle and the late Louise’ and Lola
Mae Gachot.
The published story should be on the
bookstore shelves by the end of
September.
Munoz also plans a book signing event
soon in the Kiowa Tribal Museum.
A new book is already in the planning
stages.
When asked where she got her inspira-
tion, she says, "God”.
KIOWA WRITER IS PUBLISHED
The Kiowa Public Relations office is request-
ing information from tribal members to be
used on the tribe’s official website
kiowatribe.net.
Stories concerning Kiowa events or accom-
plishments in your area will be greatly ap-
preciated.
The website will soon have more information
on services offered to our Tribal members, as
well as downloadable applications.
The Kiowa Newsletter is also available on
the site.
Submit info to [email protected]
NEWSLETTER NOTICE
ALL ITEMS, INCLUDING STORIESAND PHOTOGRAPHS, IN THEKIOWA NEWSLETTER ARE THEPROPERTY OF THE KIOWATRIBE OF OKLAHOMA. DUPLICA-TION OF ANY MATERIAL IN THISPUBLICATION IS PROHIBITEDWITHOUT APPROVAL OF AN AU-THORIZED STAFF MEMBER.CALL (580) 654-2300
6
