The Programs
Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (October 2006 Vol. I No. 10)
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Northern Cheyenne Tribal Services Update
■ Director praises the hard work to those who helped during the 2006 Per Capita payments, and also provides Enrollment news and updates. Wallace Bearchum [Northern Cheyenne Tribal Services Director] Per Capita 2006 Per Capita payments were distributed to Tribal members on August 8 – 10, 2006. Each member received a per capita in the amount of $100. Per Capita is distributed every two years to Tribal members with the monies coming from the Gasoline and Cigarette Tax rebate from the State of Montana. I personally want to thank and acknowledge everyone involved in helping to make Per Capita 2006 a reality. First of all I would like to thank my staff: Joetta Bearcomesout for working on the payout list, handling per capita corrections and errors, answering tribal members questions, remaining calm during this most stressful of time, working late, late hours, and doing everything else to make the distribution go smoothly; Goldstein Little Eagle, IT Manager, for handling the technical aspects of transferring the payout list data to Central Finance’s accounting system; and Lavonda Brady for taking care of the phones and other receptionist duties this past summer as we prepared for per capita. A big thanks goes out to the Central Finance department for ‘cutting’ the checks: Ben Sanders for sitting on the per cap committee, signing checks, making everything work on the finance side and being supportive of the entire process; Carmie Williams and Susie Medicineelk for staying late and working long hours on the payout list; and Ranee Bearquiver, Matthew Woodenlegs Jr., Jason Tallbull and Donovan Taylor for helping with the payout list, cutting and sorting the checks. I can’t thank the payout staff enough, for handing out the checks: Starla Shoulderblade, Monica Whitedirt, Carmen Wolfname, Janice Littlewhiteman, Chahoristah Rowland, Misty Russette, Sharee Seminole, Jantina Doney and Veronica Bearcomesout. It was lots of fun and you all did a good job. I also want to thank Courtney Limberhand and Gina Little Coyote for helping Joetta out in the office during the distribution. Joetta’s office was extremely busy and these two individuals did a tremendous job. I want to mention and acknowledge my volunteers, for their willingness and sincerity to help my office and to help with per capita 2006, many HA’HOs to each of you: Larrie “Cleve” Little Bear, Tammy Bearchum, Ida Eastman, Doreen Limberhand, Flora Limberhand and Naomi Limberhand. A special thanks to Dana Whiteman and Gina Little Coyote for mailing the checks out to tribal members. I have received many excellent comments from tribal members about Dana and Gina. I pass these comments on to you and to our readers. Thank you to Rick Robinson and Emma Harris for allowing us to utilize the Boys and Girls Club facilities for the first ‘hot’ day of distribution. The heat drove us out of there to the cool confines of the Tribal Chambers. Thanks to the tribal administration for allowing us to take over the chambers. More thanks to the administration for their check signing, support and understanding. Also thanks go out to the people who took care of answering the phones for the Tribe during the per capita including, Carrie Small, Barbara Spang, Judy Spang, Elrena Whitedirt, Sharlene Evans, Morgan Wheeler, Matthew Woodenlegs and Drew Elkshoulder. Thanks also to the Tribal Council for passing the per capita budgets and per capita resolutions and to the tribal programs and agencies that set up booths inside and outside the B&G Club. Lastly, neašemen (thank you) to our tribal members for their patience during the payout. Overall the Per Capita 2006 was a success. Per capita is never ending for my department. Six thousand plus checks were made; an additional six hundred ten (610) checks were made for corrections, errors or no checks. To date we have around nine hundred (900) plus checks left and are waiting for tribal members to call in to verify addresses. Long after per capita is over some of us will continue to hear in our minds the phrase, “Where’s my per cap?!” Enrollment News An Enrollment Committee meeting was held on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 11:00 am. Those in attendance were Wallace Bearchum, Alberta Fisher, Allen Fisher, Aljo Strangeowl, Matthew Two Moons, Charles Yellowfox and Gina Little Coyote. The following committee actions were taken: Approved • Ten (10) name changes • Two (2) relinquishments • One (1) date of birth correction • One (1) blood quantum correction Tabled • Two (2) relinquishments Note: no enrollments were presented to the committee at this meeting. An enrollment committee meeting will be scheduled for November/December to present new enrollments. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (October 2006 Vol. I No. 10), page 7.
President Eugene Little Coyote to Give Keynote Address at Expo ■ Northern Cheyenne President to give keynote address at Phoenix, Arizona. Amerind Financial Management is NCTHA’s insurance provider. Lafe Haugen [Director Northern Cheyenne Housing Authority] President Eugene Little Coyote has been requested to be the Keynote Speaker at Amerind’s 20th Annual Meeting and Expo to be held in Phoenix Arizona on from October 31st to November 2, 2006. Amerind Financial Management from Albuquerque New Mexico has been the Insurance provider for the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority for the last 15+ years. Amerind is also a provider of insurance to other Housing Authorities all over the nation and has recently added Workman’s compensation and Commercial structure coverage to their list of services. They have been in business for 20 years now and they specifically serve Native Americans. They are a non-profit Risk Pool that provides insurance to all Native Americans living within the exterior boundaries of Indian Lands. President Little Coyote, along with a delegation from the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority, recently attended a meeting at Amerind’s new office in Albuquerque New Mexico in September. It was there that he was made aware of their services and was requested by Kent Paul, CEO, to be the Keynote Speaker at their annual convention. Kent attributes the vast improvements made by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority over the last year, which includes less claims and more education to the tenants, to President Little Coyote and his support of the program. His presence at the meeting in Albuquerque solidified his belief that President Little Coyote is truly a supporter of all the Tribal Programs at Northern Cheyenne including the Housing Authority. Kent notes that he first heard President Little Coyote speak at the annual UNAHA meeting held in Billings in August of this year. He was impressed by his words, his desire and drive that the President has shown in helping the Northern Cheyenne People to succeed. He also noted that it is a very uncommon to see a President from any tribe be so passionate about the need for housing for his people. In hearing the Presidents words, he knew that he would be the person to speak at their annual convention. President Little Coyote noted that supporting housing, which is a basic need for all humans, is part of his commitment to the Cheyenne People. He noted that the lack of housing on the reservation prompted him to take action and work with the Executive Director, Lafe Haugen, to find more funding opportunities for more houses. Cleaning up our local housing authority with regards to Audit Findings and abandoned units is just the start. President Little Coyote has made a commitment to the Cheyenne People that he will do all he can with all of the Federal resources to insure more housing for years to come. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (October 2006 Vol. I No. 10), page 7.
Tribal Education Update: Higher Education and Adult Vocational Training are Available ■ Northern Cheyenne Tribal Ed. Director offers some very important information for receiving Federal Financial Aid and scholarships opportunities. Norma Bixby [Northern Cheyenne Tribal Education Department Director] Are you planning to attend college or training? Now is the time to begin planning for the academic year 2007/2008. The financial aid process can be difficult and it is a long process for parents and students. There is a March 1st deadline for applying for scholarships with the Tribal Education Department. Remember to check with the Financial Aid Office at the College or University for other deadlines. Some colleges and universities have a mid February deadline to be eligible for other sources of campus based financial aid. The first step is to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) on line with the U.S. Department of Education. Parents and students must have their own PIN Numbers. With your PINs, you and your parent(s) can electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The PIN simplifies the application process and allows you to get your results faster. Within 1 to 5 business days of applying for a PIN, you will receive an e-mail with information about how to retrieve your PIN online. If you don’t provide an e-mail address, a PIN mailer will be sent to your permanent mailing address within 7-10 days. There are several places to apply on line, Chief Dull Knife College Library, High School Counselors or at the Tribal Education Department. High School students must begin the application process now for College. If you are not sure of the college you want to attend, see your high school counselor. If you have several colleges in mind, be sure to submit the names on the FAFSA so the information can be submitted to all the colleges. The Tribal Education Department will be making site visits to all the schools in the area to assist students with the application process. There will be financial aid workshops available for parents and students. Watch for dates and times. Other tips for a successful application: Get your letters of recommendations early; do a good goal letter that can be used for other scholarships, your English teacher should check for grammar and spelling; keep copies of everything you send to the Tribal Education Department or the college; be prompt in returning documents and information; take the ACT or SAT early; parents should file their income tax early or send an estimate that can be corrected as soon as it is filed; and most important of all save some money for start up costs. Need help? Contact the Tribal Education Department at 406-477-6567 or 1-800-353-8183. Letters can be sent to: Box 307, Lame Deer, Montana 59043 Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (October 2006 Vol. I No. 10), page 7.
Colstrip Steam Electric Station and PPL Montana Honor Northern Cheyenne Scholarship Students Debbi Beartusk Dove The Colstrip Steam Electric Station in Colstrip, operated by PPL Montana, celebrated the graduation of three of its scholarship graduates with a luncheon at the Charging Horse Restaurant on September 1, 2006. The graduates are Erin Harris, Brandi Bends, and Janis Spear. Erin graduated in May 2005 from MSU-Billings with a Bachelor of Ccience in Elementary Education. She is the daughter of Timothy Harris and Michelle Miller-Harris of Lame Deer. Her grandparents are Russ and Ella Miller of Billings. Brandi Bends graduated in spring 2006 from MSU-Billings with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Brandi began her college education at Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer and then transferred to MSU-B. She has a son, Jordon, and two daughters, Shawnee and Reyna. Brandi’s parents are Arnie and Debby Bends of Kirby Creek. Janis Spear also graduated in spring 2006 from MSU-Billings. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in human services with a minor in Native American Studies. Janis also began her higher education at Chief Dull Knife College. She completed an internship with TERO in Lame Deer. She is the daughter of Lucille Spear of Lame Deer and the late James Spear. Each of the graduates was given a Pendleton blanket at the luncheon. The Colstrip Steam Electric Station and PPL Montana are proud to have helped these women achieve their educational goals and wish them every success. The Colstrip Steam Electric Station is currently funding two new scholarships. The scholarships are administered by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Education Department using its guidelines. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (October 2006 Vol. I No. 10), page 7.
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