Archived News Item

Kristi Eaton
10/24/14

Reprinted with permission from story on Indian Country Today Media Network (http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/10/24/oklahoma-based-tribes-looking-expand-service-areas-157499)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe and Delaware Tribe are among the nearly 40 Native American tribes that call Oklahoma home after forced relocation.

Now, though, the two tribes are looking to return to their ancestral lands.

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe is composed of Chiricahua Apache who settled in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and northern portions of Mexico. Hundreds of tribal members were held as prisoners of war in Florida and Alabama before they were relocated to what is now Oklahoma.

“There has been a desire to return since we were removed,” said Fort Sill Apache Tribal Chairman Jeff Haozous of the tribe’s efforts to expand into New Mexico. Haozous is the nephew of well-known artist Allan Houser, whose artwork is seen throughout Oklahoma, including at the state capitol.

The tribe acquired a parcel of land in New Mexico in 1999 to operate a casino, and the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the state must recognize the tribe.

The expansion would mean the tribe is in three states – similar to the Navajo Nation, which spans four states in the southwest United States. The only difference, Haozous said, is that the Fort Sill Apache Tribe’s land would not be continuous.

“I think Oklahoma is home to so many of our tribal members, so we’re not turning our back on Oklahoma,” he said, noting that Oklahoma is where many people live but Arizona and New Mexico is where much of the tribe’s history remains.

About half of the tribe’s 720 tribal members live outside Oklahoma and another three-quarters live outside of the tribe’s headquarters in Apache, Oklahoma. But the expansion is not an overnight endeavor. Haozous has said he envisions tribal members returning to New Mexico over many years and possibly generations.

Meanwhile, 225 miles to the northeast, the Delaware Tribe of Indians is also trying to expand its service area into another state. The Delaware Tribe, which is headquartered in Bartlesville, has an agreement with the Cherokee Nation that the tribe will not try to take land into trust in the Cherokee Nation’s 14- county jurisdiction in northeast Oklahoma, said Paula Pechonick, chief of the Delaware Tribe of Indians.

“We’re just not a fully recognized tribe,” Pechonick said. “If we move to Kansas we’re hoping to get these things back.”

The tribe, which already has a Kansas headquarters in Caney, Kansas, about 20 miles from Bartlesville, has been holding regular tribal council meetings in Kansas and working with county and local leaders as it looks to expand its service area to 36 counties in the state.

By expanding, the tribe, which has more than 10,000 members, would be able to provide a range of support services to Native American elders, children and families.

The tribe bought property north of Lawrence, Kansas, and has been meeting with officials about potential partnerships, specifically in agriculture because the property’s soil is excellent.

“It’s important to note that our goal is to serving that jurisdiction area and serve all Native Americans with the programs we are able to. Rather than applying to just serve Delawares. We think we need to take care of all of the Native Americans,” said tribal council member Jenifer Pechonick.

NOTE: Videos now online at: https://www.youtube.com/user/DelawareTribe.

Photos

Candidates for Chief

Candidates for Tribal Council

Candidates for Tribal Court

When: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014
FRONT DOORS OPEN @ 12:30 PM

Where: DELAWARE COMMUNITY CENTER
5100 TUXEDO BLVD.
BARTLESVILLE, OK

1:00 PM — CANDIDATES for CHIEF
2:30 PM — CANDIDATES for COUNCIL
4:00 PM — CANDIDATES for ASSOCIATE JUDGE

The Forum will be conducted by the Bartlesville League of Women Voters.

Hosted by the Delaware Election Board and the Delaware Elders Committee.

For more info contact:
electionboard@delawaretribe.org
or
elders@delawaretribe.org

» VIEW FLYER

Chief Paula Pechonick (seated in center) with Oklahoma tribal leaders and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (standing at center) at summit meeting June 30 in Miami, OK.

In late July the U.S. Attorney’s office-Northern District of Oklahoma asked to have a get acquainted meeting to speak with Chief Pechonick and the tribal council members about available federal resources and how the U.S. Attorney’s office can be of assistance to the tribe’s needs.

On June 20, 2014, the Delaware Tribe was approved to be placed under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Miami Agency. The Delaware Tribal Council passed a resolution in support of the move to the Miami BIA Agency on November 5, 2013.

Recently, representatives from the Miami Agency met with Chief Paula Pechonick and Tribal Council members for a briefing regarding the Delaware Tribe of Indians’ programs and services and also to formally make introductions between the two groups. In attendance at the briefing held on August 14 from the BIA Miami Agency were Paul Yates, the Superintendent, Mary King, Deputy Superintendent, Mike Longan, Self-Determination Assistant, and Jan Williams, Realty Specialist.

Chief Pechonick said “we are really looking forward to working with the Agency. I think it will be a really good working relationship and that the Superintendent and his staff will be very helpful.”

In describing how the idea came about, Chief Pechonick said that the BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional Director Robert Impson had suggested that the Delaware Tribe switch to the Miami BIA Agency some time ago. So Chief Pechonick wrote both agencies a formal request letter to change affiliation to the Miami BIA Agency. Director Robert Impson approved the request and instructed the Miami Agency and the Delaware Tribe to follow through with a meeting and introductions.

Shown in photo (L-R): Mike Longan, Self-Determination Asst. Miami BIA; Jan Williams, Realty Specialist Miami BIA; Assistant Delaware Chief/Tribal Councilman Chester “Chet” Brooks; Mary King, Deputy Superintendent Miami BIA; Treasurer/Tribal Councilwoman Janifer Brown; Delaware Chief Paula Pechonick; Paul Yates, Superintendent Miami BIA; Tribal Councilwoman Jenifer Pechonick; Secretary/Tribal Councilwoman Verna Crawford; and Tribal Councilman Nate Young

The October 2014 issue of the Delaware Indian News is now online. Tribal members should receive their copy in the mail by October 1.

To view the newspaper in PDF format, please click here.

Official list of candidates for November 2014 election, from Delaware Tribe Election Board

Click on the link below to open the document

» 2014 Official Candidate Announcement

The Indian Summer Festival in Bartlesville, OK will be held September 18-21.

Oklahoma Indian Summer festival began 27 years ago as a way for the Chamber of Commerce to incorporate the Indian culture into a fall festival for Bartlesville. Today, Oklahoma Indian Summer continues to be a success due to the volunteer Executive Board as well as dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the year to host this premiere and unique festival.

The festival is free and open to the public who is welcome and invited to experience this legacy. Oklahoma Indian Summer is a 501c3 organization and is dependent on community support through commercial and corporate sponsors, fundraising and private donations.

Located at the Bartlesville Community Center, the annual festival is a cultural exchange which combines award-winning American Indian and Western art throughout the festival, a competition pow wow, entertainment and cultural demonstrations as well as many other special events in a family-oriented atmosphere. In celebration of 27 successful years of festival, the Committee is focused on tradition and innovation.

Friday and Saturday the festival opens at 10am and closes late night after the pow wow, both days full of activities and presentations. Last year also brought the return of Sunday festivities! Youth activities include Friday’s demonstration day for area school children and a youth art contest and show with a $1000 scholarship for Best of Show. Food concessions as well as arts and crafts vendors will be open throughout the festival.

Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend this premiere event of area cultures. For more information, contact Lori Pannell at (918) 397-2125 or coordinator@okindiansummer.org.

» Oklahoma Indian Summer Web Site

If you did not vote in the 2013 Election you will need to send in an Absentee Ballot Request Form. All forms must be sent by U.S.P.S. and be received by close of business on October 1, 2014.

https://delawaretribe.org/wp-content/uploads/Absentee-Ballot-Request-Form.pdf

Mail the completed form to:

Delaware Election Board
PO Box 1198
Bartlesville, OK 74005

For further information please contact the Election Board by email at electionboard@delawaretribe.org or reach them at the voice mailbox at (918) 337-6586