November 11, 2011 –
State officials attend We-Ta-Se meeting
State Representative Ponka-We Victors shakes hands with Jim Potts, We-Ta-Se liaison, after attending We-Ta-Se’s monthly meeting Monday night. Victors was elected as the first Native American woman to the Kansas legislature last year and is from Wichita. She is Ponca-O’odham-Tohono.
Victors and Chris Howell, executive director for the Office of Native American Affairs, standing in the background, came to the meeting to get veteran feedback on the possibility of restoring state taxes taken from Native American veterans who were tribally domiciled by the Department of Defense prior to 2001.
Language Department holds two-day Master-Apprentice training
Dr. Leanne Hinton from the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Speakers gave a training on the Master Apprentice Program on Wednesday and Thursday. The Language Department was recently awarded a three-year grant through the Administration for Native Americans.
The training was held in the Language Department that is located in the basement of the Fire Keepers Elder Center. Ten people attended the session Wednesday when this photo was taken.
Buffalo Chili Cook-Off
A buffalo chili cook-off was held in the Bingo Hall and seen above are the judges testing 21 different chilis in three categories. At left is Lorrie Wahwassuck, Jonathan Melchoir, Don Don LeClere, Charles Wakole, and, on the right, is Jim Potts.
Winners in the “mild” category were, left to right, Angela Kheen (3rd place), Craig Wahwahsuck/EPA (2nd place) and Alan “Boney” Pahmahmie (1st place). There were nine entries in the “mild” category.
Winners in the “hot” category were, left to right, Carol Nelson (3rd place) and Tom Jim (1st place). Robby and Corey Lange, not pictured, placed 2nd. The “hot” category included six entries.
“Oh-my-gosh-fire-alarm” category winners were, left, Lupe Gamino (3rd place) and Kristina Throssell (standing in for Dennis Degand) who placed 1st. Second place went to Norman and Krickett Ross. That category had six entries.
The cook off was sponsored by the Land/Maintenance Department who also served food and held a raffle for buffalo items with proceeds going to the Tribal Police Department’s Adopt a Family for Christmas program. In the photo, left to right, Jason Davis, Ahnah Wahwassuck, Travis Darnall, Chris DeCoteau, Mi-kes Potts, Elliott Masquat, and Russell Jim. The little girl is unidentified. The Land/Maintenance crew is in charge of the bison program on the common land.
Cultural Competency & Native American Religious Freedom Seminar
Speakers for a Cultural Competency & Native American Religious Freedom Seminar held Thursday at the casino are seen with Chairman Steve Ortiz who gave opening remarks. From left to right is Wilson Aronilth (cultural/traditional teacher & NAC Roadman), Ortiz, Justin Jones (Native lawyer and NAC Roadman) and Gerald King (traditional counselor).
LaVerne Haag was moderator for the seminar and works in the Social Services Department. A large crowd attended the event that was designed to teach legal professionals and other providers about Native American religious practices and freedoms and how to respect them.
Intertribal Solutions: A Recipe for Better Health cooking class
Future chefs had their aprons on and were ready to learn how to cook healthy from the chef of the National Museum of American Indian (NMAI) Thursday at the casino. The day-long cooking class was a joint project between the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP). Steve Ortiz (on back row with hat) gave welcoming remarks before the class began.
Richard Hetzler, Executive Chef of the NMAI Mitsitam Cafe, was the teacher for the day and Janis Simon, Caregiver Coordinator, helped coordinate the class with the outside agencies.
Fall Health Fair & Early Head Start Round-Up at Health Center
The Fall Health Fair & Early Head Start Round-up was held Thursday in the conference room of the Health Center. Informational tables were available as well as developmental screenings for children 0-3 years of age.
Veterans Day commemorated
A Veterans Reading of Names ceremony was held Thursday in Prairie Peoples Park in honor of Veterans Day.