Legislative Highlights Archives

United Indian Nations meeting

Jari Askins candidate for Lt. Governor addressed the United Indian Nations Of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Tribal Leaders organization in Oklahoma City. Chairperson Bernadette Huber of the Iowa Nation introduced Jari Askins and spoke about her dedication and committment to learning about the people she serves. Ms. Askins spoke about Tribal Sovereignty and the millions of dollars that tribes give back to the State of Oklahoma.

(Pictures left to right, Candidate for Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Speaker George Tiger and Jari Askins, Candidate Scott Meachum, and Tukvputce District Representative, Sylvannia Caldwell questions Scott Meachum.)

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Tribal Leaders Unite and Organize
by Rita Williams

As a result of the Tribal Summit meetings being held since December, 2005 tribal leaders have planned to organize, set by-laws and hold elections. During the August meeting this organization became a reality. Governor Flyingman of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes addressed the audience by saying that tribes in the State of Oklahoma need to stay unified because of the issues affecting Indian country today.

The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Organization adopted their by-laws and tribal elected some of their officers. Chief Kay Rhoades of the Sac and Fox Nation was elected Secretary and Assistant Chief John Red Eagle of the Osage Nation is treasurer. The Chair, Vice-Chair and Sargent-at-Arms will be elected at the next meeting.

The Summit meeting held on August 31, 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma was hosted by the Osage Tribe. Thursday mornings agenda was given to invited candidates, Earnest Istook, Howard Barnett, and Gary Jones.
Congressman Istook shared his position on tribal sovereignty stating that he respected the sovereignty of tribes, but that he also respected the sovereignty of Oklahoma as a sovereign state and the sovereignty of the United States. “People have to understand that you have to give as well as to receive, governors who have the responsibility to negotiate on behalf of the state need to understand that principal and those who sit at the table have to understand that principal.” Istook stated that he would be a tough negotiator.

Istook said the tobacco compacts in the State of Oklahoma are in a mess, “ its not because the tribes did a bad job in negotiating, its because Governor Henry and Scott Meachum did a lousy job on behalf of the Oklahoma tax payers, I fault the people who were suppose to be looking out for the people of the state.”

Chairperson Bernadette Huber of the Iowa Nation reminded Congressman Istook that tribal citizens are not only members of tribes but citizens and a part of the population of Oklahoma and we are taxpayers too. “Your statements are adversarial, you represent all of us (tribes) too.”

Osage member and local business woman Margo Gray commented with a question, “ Our Tribes, enterprises and small businesses have come under attack. All that we do we are a near 10 to 12 million dollar per year industry, I think this makes us a place at the table in the State of Oklahoma. How does your conversation with One Nation differ when you talk to them about anti-sovereignty and you come to us and you talk about sovereignty and not be direct?”

“There will be friction, which is unavoidable, the tribe is able to do some things that an individual cannot do or a non-tribal or business cannot do, you must understand that can create ill-will.” Ms.Gray asked, “How do you represent both parties?”- -“ Sure...it gets challenging, when you are governor you represent everyone.”

Congressman Istook spoke about tribal casinos saying that, “ I don’t like casino gambling I wish we did not have it in Oklahoma. I hope the tribes will accept responsibility and help us address some of the negatives as well as talking about the positives.”

Chairman Coffey of the Comanche Nation questioned Congressman Istook if he became governor would he consider an Indian office at the capital that would be held by a native of the state. He responded by saying it would be absolutely necessary to have a strong liaison in the government office on behalf of Indian tribes.

More topics followed the afternoon session, Proposed IGRA regulations update, Tribal BIA Budget Advisory Committee, Native Vote United and Tobacco Compacts Update.

The next United Indian Nations of OKT Organization meeting will be hosted by the Comanche Nation and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nation will co-host.

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Tribal Member Wins County Election:
by Rita Williams: Legislative Liaison

The Muscogee (Creek) National Council recently supported candidates running for political office that would work in the best interest of the tribe. Some of these candidates were Native Americans. Chuck Hoskins, who is a Cherokee Council Representative won his election as State Representative. Scott BigHorse, Osage tribal member, is in a run-off for house district representative #36 and Bruce Smith, Muscogee (Creek) won his election in a run-off for Okfuskee District #3 County Commissioner.

Bruce Smith, Muscogee (Creek), is a lifetime resident of Okfuskee County. His parents were the late Willis and Sarah (Riley) Smith of the Graham Community.

His past experience as a National Council Representative for Okfuskee District Representative for four(4) terms and Chairperson of the Tribal Affairs for two years helped to set his foundation as Okfuskee District #3 County Commissioner.

Bruce contributes his win to the Creek citizens living within his district. “ The percentage of Creeks living within my district is 50%. If it were not for them getting out to vote, I would not have won. I feel good that the people had enough confidence to vote me in.”

Okfuskee District Representative Bill Fife commented that he was pleased to have a tribal member and former National Council Representative to be in an important role as one of the county commissioners in the local government. Adding that Bruce has the knowledge and experience of working with the BIA, IHS, Tribes, Budgets, Federal and State Grants that will help the city county and tribe.

Both Okfuskee Representatives Travis Scott and Bill Fife see this position as beneficial toward working to continue the Creek Nation EMS program that will provide services for all of the citizens.
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by Rita Williams, Legislative Liaison Affairs/Writer

Tulsa District Representative Paula Willits is serving her second term as a National Council representative. Representative Willits finished out her first term filling the vacancy left by the late Representative Jess Kelley. Her parents were the late Matthew and Nellie McCosar of Holdenville. The family was sent to California on relocation where Representative Willits graduated from the John Marshall High School in Los Angeles and later attended Tulsa Junior College and graduated from Langston University with a degree in Business Administration. She met and married Toske Willits and settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they continue to reside. They have one son, Forbes Perkins and one granddaughter, Makayla. They attend the Indian Fellowship Baptist Church in Oakhurst, her clan is sweet potato and her tribal town is New Tulsa.

It has been said, once an Indian has left his home, he will always come back full circle. After returning to Creek Country, Representative Willits found herself involved with her Indian Community and worked in the community for years. “You can always find a faithful few that try to work hard for their community.” I worked for the government all of my life, first with the county, then the city and the state, and then for the corp of engineers for twenty-six (26) years mainly as a writer/editor. The idea of running for tribal office interested me in the area of wanting to know the difference between the local and tribal governments. There is a big difference in the way people think from the southern part of Creek Nation as to the northern. The economy is not there for our southern people. There are still so many needs. I see now the tribal government controlling our people in some way. I believe in education for our people where ever it takes you. We are going to need education in order to compete with the non-Indian. I would like to see our tribe and communities work more with each other. We might come from different areas but we are seeking the same thing, just in different ways. There are so many issues that tribes deal with everyday. We have a long way to go and I believe we need to get into other economic development besides casinos and smokeshops and utilize the Creek people, we have been educating them to come back and bring creativity to our tribe.

All in all, I know that as council representatives we get criticized, and can’t please everyone, but I think we are making progress. I encourage you, if you want to know the truth read the opposite side and don’t take everything you hear based on some ones biased opinion.
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This months legislative highlights is McIntosh District Representative Anthony Notaro. Representative Notaro was born to Patrick and Nina Jean (Drew) Notaro and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Severna Park High School in Maryland and double majored in Finance/ Business Management from the University of Maryland. His maternal grandparents were David Daniel Drew and Ora Ewing Drew. His great-grandfather was Chief Peter Ewing and Great-Great- grandfather was William P. McCombs.

Representative Notaro is serving his second term as National Council Representative and believes that his good business experience is an asset that will help all of the people and the nation to move forward. Representative Notaro was Chief Operations Officer (COO) of a telecommunications company back east and has several years of top corporate management experience.

“The Tribe needs to grow and expand more into other revenue making business other than gaming, such as retail, government and corporate businesses. The Mississippi Choctaws do this and are very successful at making money. This creates more jobs, benefits and more job security for our people.” “I believe that our business enterprises are not providing revenue for our people the way they should be. They are created to create business revenue for us and I feel this not happening.” “We need experienced leadership and knowledgeable people on our boards for our entities to be successful.”

“I’ve experienced being on the council that decisions aren’t made instantly, something I am not used to, working in the corporate world decisions are made in one day and implemented. Here it is like building a rocket ship and going to the moon, it’s a long and arduous journey and we cannot solve all the problems. When our people need help, they need it now, but because of the long process and the red tape we have to go through to make business happen it does become a little frustrating.”

Representative Notaro stated, “if he could change this government he would streamline the council committee meetings to every two weeks to just address legislation and decrease the 10 day rule for the Principal Chief to sign or not to sign legislation. Right now it’s a 40 (forty) day process, we have a month for all committees to meet on their respective legislation, we meet at the end of the month and the Principal Chief has 10 days to sign and implement.”

Representative Notaro spends many days at the Tribal Complex researching and investigating legislation.” I spend many hours late at night reading legislation, I feel it is my duty as a representative to be knowledgeable of the bills we are passing that will benefit or not benefit our people”

I am very proud of the people of McIntosh County of whom I serve. They are hard working people and have successfully created economic development in some of the bigger communities. We still need to develop more opportunities for our smaller communities, this is my goal and vision I have made for myself. With the help of God and the people we will accomplish this.
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Each month the Legislative Branch will be highlighting a District Representative. We will be sharing with our readers and citizens who they are and what their goals are for this government as well as some family history.

This month highlights Creek District Representative, Johnnie Lou Greene, Wagoner District Representative of the National Council.

Johnnie Lou Greene, Wagoner District Representative, was born and raised in Coweta, Oklahoma to John and Fannie (Berryhill) Chalakee. She is married to Johnny Greene and they reside in the town of Coweta where she attends church at the Springtown Indian Methodist Church. Her clan is Wind and she is from the Kialegee Tribal Town. She graduated from Coweta High School and attended Haskell Institute where she received her degree in Business Education. Representative Greene worked in accounting for the St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma and later became employed with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She worked as a secretary for the Office of The Principal Chief, Secretary for the Human Development Director and Executive Secretary for the Executive Directors office.

After retiring from work she had more time for her love of gardening. “ But, I still had concerns for Creek citizens in different aspects, all these things weighed heavily on my mind and the thought of running for National Council occurred to me. I talked things over with my husband first before I made any decision and he encouraged me that if I was still interested with the concerns of the tribe he was in full support of my endeavors.”

The fourteenth session of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council will be going into their fifth month, Representative Greene stated, “it’s a lot broader than I thought, you have to cover all aspects for your citizens, sometimes its overwhelming, but its getting better.” “I believe that attendance as a council representative is important to us especially to the standing committee you serve on. I know there are some citizens who are not happy with the Councils salary and maybe this is one of the reasons. To be an informed representative you have to make yourself available to your committee, the programs of this tribe, attending training, seminars, summits and inter-tribal that address tribal policies, regulations and standards. The National Council Rules of Procedures does not address attendance, this is something I will be looking at doing.”

“The finances of our tribe is a concern to me, being new to the council I see a lot of appropriations although, I realize we must spend money in order for our communities and tribe to progress, but are we spending wisely?” In my district I feel the economy is good for our citizens, most of them live in the surrounding metropolitan area ,the city of Tulsa is accessible and Broken Arrow is growing with economy. We have a new Coweta Indian Health Facility, our Coweta Indian Community has just entered into a embroidery business, we have a small smoke shop, and are looking at the possibilities of putting in a small snack shop near the Coweta Indian Health Facility.

Historically, Muscogee (Creek) National Council Representatives are mostly comprised of men. For many years the council had two ladies serving, but those numbers have changed to as many as ten ladies serving as National Council Representatives.

This session the people elected six women who serve on the National Council, three women are from the southern rural areas of the Creek Nation, two from the Tukvpvtce District (Wetumka and Holdenville) and one from the Okfuskee District, (Okemah) and three women from the northern urban areas of the Creek Nation, two the Tulsa District (Tulsa) and one from the Wagoner District (Coweta).

Representative Greene perceives her role as a female elected official as being equal and serving with respect. “I see both men and women serving on the National Council as equals.”“ The men who serve on this council are educated, experienced and come from all walks of life and I respect this when making a decisive vote.” “ I do not voice myself a lot in meetings, I am attentive to the discussion being made by my colleagues whether it is in committee or discussion on the floor and if I am in agreement why should I repeat what’s already been said.”

“When I was growing up I remember my father always sat at the head of the table, he was the leader of our home, we knew and respected his position. I hope to gain the respect of the citizens not only in Wagoner District, but all citizens within the Creek Nation by being available to them in the position I serve.”