March 9, 2010 - The Busbian - March Ma'xehohtseese'he 2010

Please enjoy this edition of The Busbian; please feel free to make additional copies for your employees.

A Word From Your Busby District Representative
First and foremost I would like to thank the almighty God/Creator for blessing me with such a tremendous responsibility as one of the Busby District's Representatives. Life on the Tribal Council is very difficult at times, but with the positive attitude of the current Tribal Council there sometimes is a hint of sunshine through our darkest and negative of times that have occurred over the past year or so. The most important challenge continues to lie within ourselves as a people. I have come to realize that we, as tribal members and leaders have spoken, written, recorded, and developed many ideas that have made its way to the council floor throughout the past, but very rarely, have these ideas have received the final stamp of approval by the tribal membership or Tribal Council for any positive impact on our future. The dark driving force behind many great ideas that were not considered is because we, as tribal members, continue to degrade our own existence by negativity which bears jealousy, anger, hatred, etc. I had campaigned rigourously in the Fall 2009 with a driving passion, and love for our tribal nation. I had felt that it was an opportune time for our tribal nation to grow positively, but little did I realize that we are our own true enemy. I believe that our unique image of us, as Northern Cheyenne, is rapidly evolving towards a lifestyle without our native language, without our culture and heritage, and without knowledge of knowing who we are anymore. It is directly up to us as tribal members to dictate our future, does this include coal, a viable business plan, or a stategic business venture that allows us as a tribal nation to emerge successful without utilizing coal? Am I for coal or against coal? I am neither because the fight is not with my personal opinion nor yours, it lies with our children's, children's children. We have to keep in mind that very little of our children's, children's children will barely speak Cheyenne and will barely have any knowledge of our culture and heritage. The ever ongoing fight between ourselves is heavily mainstream and the generation before us, and our generations presently has been engulfed in the mouth of hate, jealousy, anger, envy. Yes, we have some of the most educated, most decorated, and the most gifted tribal members but presently, if we place all these beautiful gifts together it does not conquer the negative impact of degradation amongst ourselves. In closing, we can continue to state, the success of our future that lies with our children, but I believe the time is now for our success. A-ho!

- Robert D. Bailey, member, Tribal Council

The Busbian Volume 1, Issue 6 (pdf)

March 9, 2010 The Busbian Memo (pdf)

March 2, 2010 - Larenzo "Zo" Ontiveros Memorial Basketball Tournament

Basketball Tournament Poster (pdf)

March 2, 2010 - Administrative Leave

I am granting Administrative Leave from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 4, 2010, so that you may attend the basketball games in Billings or Miles City. Let's all wish the best of success to our teams.

- Leroy Spang, President

March 2, 2010 Administrative Leave Memo (pdf)

March 2, 2010 - Housing Authority District Community Meetings

February 26, 2010 - Administrative Leave

I am granting Administrative Leave from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm today so that employee's may support our Northern Cheyenne athletes that are participating in the basketball tournaments in Billings. Enjoy the tournament and have a safe weekend.

- Leroy Spang, President

February 26, 2010 Administrative Leave Memo (pdf)

February 24, 2010 - Learn More and Speak Up about Health Care and the Economy at the Lame Deer Listening Luncheon

Speak up on economic and health care issues facing residents of Lame Deer from noon to 3 pm, Feb. 27, at the Chief Dull Knife Community College Cafe in Lame Deer. Enjoy free food and drink and learn what you can do to work for change. Information: (406) 839-9783.

- Sponsored by Montana Change That Works, a non-profit grassroots organization working for legislative change that helps working class Montanans

February 23, 2010 - Co-workers Honors Tribal Receptionist Barbara Spang (76th Birthday)

Tribal President Leroy Spang, Tribal Council Members and Administration Employees gathered on Monday, February 22, 2010 in the Tribal Chambers to celebrate Barbara Spang's 76th birthday. The gathering featured cake, flowers and Barbara was presented with a small gift of money donated by her co-workers.

President Spang noted that Barbara has worked in the front offices for the Tribe for 34 years, dating back to the first years of President Chuggy Rowlands' Administration in the 1980's. "We expect her to put in another 34 years", he joked as he thanked her for her service. "Barbara has always been very faithful and reliable. I wish that our younger people would follow her work ethic. Barbara treats each and every tribal member with traditional Northern Cheyenne courtesy and respect. But that is what we should expect since Barbara Spang is a descendent of Chief Dull Knife".

February 23, 2010 - Public Meeting

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 5 - 7 pm - Tribal Council Chambers, Lame Deer, MT

The Northern Cheyenne Transportation Office is seeking public input for proposed lighting along US Highway 212 beginning at the Voc-Rehab office location and ending at the far turn of the Charging Horse Casino. Please plan to attend to give your input. Thank You.

For more information, contact: Janis Spear or Shawn Stump at 477-8979.

- Janis Spear, Transportation Office

February 15, 2010 - Cancellation of evening runs to Busby and Ashland

There will be no run to Busby and Ashland on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, sorry for any inconvenience.

Due to our support of the upcoming district tournaments, we will be providing transportation on the transit to support the basketball teams, both Lame Deer Morning Stars and Northern Cheyenne Eagles, starting with the Lame Deer Morning Star girls at 4 pm. followed by boys at 6 pm., bus will be leaving for Colstrip on Wednesday February 17th 2010 at 1pm.

Times for the bus run to Miles City to support the NC Eagles will be determined by noon on February 16, 2010.

- Contessa Shoulderblade, Transit Office Manager

February 15, 2010 - Party for Barbara Spang

Barbara Spang will celebrate her 76th birthday on Thursday, February 18th. In addition, she has worked for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe for 34 years - a remarkable accomplishment.

To show our appreciation, we are having a small celebration for Barbara on Monday February 22 at 11:30 in the Tribal Chambers. (This is due to the district basketball tournaments that are going on this week).

We will have cake, flowers and are collecting contributions for a 'money tree' for Barbara. We hope you will each make a contribution for the money tree and come to the party. You can give your contributions to Melissa Lonebear, Eloise Whitewolf or myself. Thank you in advance.

- Clara Caufield, Assistant to the preident

February 15, 2010 Party for Barbara Spang Memo (pdf)

February 10, 2010 - Elderly Valentine Party

February 3, 2010 - Elderly Program Board of Commission Monthly Meeting

Monday, February 8, 2010 9:00 am, conference room, Shoulderblade Complex, Everyone Welcome.

- Elderly Program

February 1, 2010 - Language Class

To: Tribal Employees

This is to remind you that Chief Dull Knife Memorial College and the Tribal Historic Preservation Office are continuing to provide a language/cultural and history class for tribal employees. Although attendance has been limited, the class has been very well received. Each of you, as a Tribal employee, can attend these classes free and as part of your work responsibilities. Community members who do not work for the Tribe are also welcome to attend. This is wonderful opportunity to all of us to learn more about our language and culture and I encourage each of you to attend.

In addition to language instruction, Mina Seminole and Linwood Tallbull provide fascinating history, information on plants, herbs and tribal healing. Thus, the class will be of interest to those of you who are already fluent Cheyenne speakers.

To encourage more attendance, the date and time of the time of the class is being changed to Tuesday from 8:15 am - 9:00 am in the Tribal Council chambers. This will be a good way to start the day. Lynwood Tallbull, THPO is also looking at getting some incentives and rewards for people who attend the class. The best reward, however, will be learning to speak our language. I hope to see you there.

- Leroy Spang, President

February 1, 2010 Language Class Memo (pdf)

February 1, 2010 - Calling All Artists

The Northern Cheyenne Environmental Protection Department is sponsoring a logo contest. Criteria for the logo must collaborate with the Northern Cheyenne culture and the environment. The winner of the logo contest will receive a cash prize in the amount of $200.00. Entries are now being accepted at the Environmental Protection department office located on 100 Dull Knife Drive. Deadline for entries is February 18, 2010. Contact Carrie Small or Hailey James if you have any questions at 477-6506.

- Northern Cheyenne Environmental Protection Department

January 27, 2010 - Open House

Thursday, January 28, 2010 2pm - 6pm.

Refreshments will be served! We are inviting all parents, guardians, tribal programs, school staff to attend. Get information on programs we provide to the youth. If you are interested in volunteering or coordinating activities through your program, stop in and let's work together for our youth. Everyone Welcome.

- Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation

January 21, 2010 - Elderly Program Meals

To: Tribal Program Directors/Employees

I am writing to request your support for the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Elderly Meal Program. This program provides services to the most needy and vulnerable people in our Tribe.

Although the Elderly Program provides many services, the most important is a noon meal provided to approximately 150 elders from Monday through Friday. While about 35 meals are delivered to home-bound seniors, the majority of our elders eat at the Shoulderblade Complex in Lame Deer, an important socialization opportunity for them. For many, this is the only nutritious meal they enjoy each day.

Unfortunately, the Elderly Program faces a serious shortfall in their food budget. Due to serious budget shortfalls, the Tribal Government cannot subsidize the program.

In these troubled economic times,we must be creative to meet our needs. Therefore, my office is undertaking a fundraising drive to supplement the food costs for the Elderly Meal Program. We are seeking donations to cover sixty (60) days of elder group meals. At an average cost of $375.00 per group meal ($2.50 per individual meal), our goal is to generate $22,500 for the program.

A typical elder meal includes: meat, starch (potato, rice, macaroni etc); vegetable or salad; fruit, bread and dessert. The elders particularly enjoy fresh baked bread, easy to chew meats, diabetic -friendly fare and meals cooked from "scratch". The menus are prepared by a certified nutritionist.

To start this effort, I have personally committed to sponsor four (4) meals in FY 2010. The first of my meals was provided on December 18, 2009, prepared and served by two of my staff members and myself.

I am asking each tribal program to provide at least one of these meals in FY 2010. I am very pleased that the BIA Law Enforcement was one of the first to step up to the plate, volunteering to provide an elderly meal in the near future. Law Enforcement Officers, including Chief Elgin Young, will help prepare and serve the meal. I'm sure the Northern Cheyenne Elders will enjoy the opportunity to interact with the officers on a social basis. My administrative staff has also pledged to sponsor a meal for the elders in FY 2010.

I strongly encourage each program to participate in this effort. In addition, it would be wonderful if your staff could assist in preparing and/or serving the meal and dining with our elders. This would be a great opportunity for our elders to personally meet you as a meal sponsor and a great public relations opportunity for your program.

Each of our meal sponsors will be listed on the Cheyenne Nation website. If you have questions or require more information, please contact me directly or my Executive Assistant, Clara Caufield at (406) 477-6284, extension 180. Clara will be contacting you in the near future to discuss the participation of your program in this effort to help our tribal elders.

In closing, thank you for your kind consideration.

- Leroy Spang, President

January 21, 2010 Elderly Program Meals Memo (pdf)

January 6, 2010 - No Transit Bus Runs

To: Tribal Programs

To all passengers. There will be no transit bus run starting today 1/6/09 till further notice, due to both Depot I & Depot II not having any diesel fuel.

- Transit Program

January 5, 2010 - Emergency Leave

To: Tribal Program Directors/Employees

Emergency Leave will be granted from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm today due to hazardous road conditions. We are expecting a large amount of snow tonight. Please contact your supervisors to determine whether we will be open tomorrow, January 6, 2010. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact my office. Thank You.

- Joe Fox, Jr., Vice-President

January 5, 2010 Emergency Leave Memo (pdf)

January 4, 2010 - 2010 Holiday List

New Year's Day - Friday, January 1, 2010
Fort Robinson Breakout - Friday, January 8, 2010
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 18, 2010

Holiday List (pdf)