eehisi iiyaayankwi
‘Wherewearegoing’
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents/Events
Tribal Directory
Letter from the Chief Condolences
Annual Election
Special Meeting Feb. 21
Special Meeting Mar. 7
General Council Info
Robert’s Rules of Order Guide
Peoria Tribe Reservation
Peoria Fresh
Early Childhood
Family Connect Program
Peoria CARE
Cultural Preservation
PEO Beef News
Mussels Winter Update
Elder Care and Disability
Reimbursement Program
JOM Reimbursement
School Supplies/Clothes
Reimbursement
Communications Dept. Info
Release of Information Form
Peoria Christmas Party
UPCOMING EVENTS
President’s Day-offices closed
Special Meeting
Symposium
Language Workshop
General Council
Special Meeting
Elder/Disabled Applications due
Good Friday-offices closed
First
Second
PEORIA TRIBAL DIRECTORY
Business Committee Contacts
rdobbs@peoriatribe.com pattocknie@peoriatribe.com iclifford@peoriatribe.com jdollarhide@peoriatribe.com nhargrove@peoriatribe.com knorth@peoriatribe.com Myers.scottz98@gmail.com
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
aya eeweemilakakoki,
Hello my relatives,
Welcoming a new year together. I pray each of you enjoyed a safe and meaningful holiday season surrounded by loved ones. As we step into a new year together, our Nation moves forward with the strength of our ancestors and the shared purpose that unites our people. This season invites reflection on what we have overcome, what we have learned, and how we continue to walk in balance with one another in unity and peace.
This past year brought challenges, yet it also revealed the resilience that has always defined our community These moments remind us that our identity is preserved not only through our history, but through the everyday acts of caring for one another
In November, delegates from our Nation traveled to Paris to honor the 300-year celebration of Chief Chicago’s friendship with our French allies and the King. We attended a conference at the Musée du Quai Branly, visited the Musée du Nouveau Monde to view our painted robes, and participated in the opening of our exhibition at Versailles. The rich history shared and the warm welcome we received made this an extraordinary experience for our Tribe. This opportunity was made possible at no cost to the tribe through a grant and consultation with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign history professor Robert Morrissey and Peoria Tribe citizen and Princeton University history professor Liz Ellis. Please join us March 6th at 1pm at the Peoria Tribe Community Center for a symposium, Reclaiming
Stories: There and Back Again – Illinois Painted Hides in Paris. And don’t forget to register to attend the Peoria Language Workshop the same day at 6pm at the Peoria Tribe Cultural Resource Center.
I hope everyone enjoyed the Peoria Express Children and Elders Christmas Party. It is truly special to gather and celebrate our most precious citizens during the holiday season.
On February 7, 2026, we put on our very first Town Hall. There was attendance in person and live streamed through Teams. The topic of this town hall was the Peoria Tribe reservation. Town Halls are a great way to have open dialogue, education and information sharing and we hope this is the first of many to come.
Looking ahead, I see many exciting developments in 2026. All projects are progressing. Rockdale Academy is slated to open on February 23, 2026, watch for announcements regarding an open house. QuickTrip is projected to be completed this time next year We will continue carrying forward our determination to build a future rooted in sovereignty, culture, and community Planning for the General Annual Meeting is well underway, and we look forward to seeing everyone on March 7, 2026. Please come out and vote.
May this year bring good health, renewed spirit, and peace and blessings to all our tribal families. kweehsitoolaani, (I respect you)
Rosanna Dobbs akima Chief
Location:FoutainbleuinFrance
PicturedLtoR:Dr ElizabethEllis,KaraNorth,Wess Farless,JasonDollarhide,RosannaDobbs,IsabellaClifford, BurgundyFletcher,NickHargrove
CONDOLENCES
Our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the following Tribal Citizens :
Mark Charles Arink
Tammy Sue Dunaway
Alice Joyce Hill
Margaret Star Holloway
Roman Larkin Jasinski
Laura Anne McCoy
Charles Everett Nathan
Gene Paul Reed
Nora Ellen Shuler
PEORIA BURIAL ASSISTANCE BENEFIT
Benefit Criteria
The deceased must be an enrolled member of the Peoria Tribe to qualify burial assistance. The application must be completed and returned with the original certificate no later than 180 days from the date of death. Payment will be made directly to the funeral home. Please visit with th concerning this policy.
Visit online to apply: https://peoriatribe com/burial/ Donna Harp, Enrollment/Burial Officer at: dharp@peoriatribe.com or (918) 544-9232
PEORIA TRIBE RESERVATION
In 1867, the Peoria Tribe signed a treaty with the United States relinquishing its reservation in Kansas in exchange for a new reservation in Oklahoma. A key provision of that treaty stated:
“The Peorias, Kaskaskias, Weas, and Piankeshaws agree that the Miamies may be confederated with them upon their new reservation, and own an undivided right in said reservation in proportion to the sum paid, upon the payment by the said Miamies of an amount which, in proportion to the number of the Miamies who shall join them, will be equal to their share of the purchase-money in this treaty provided to be paid for the land, and also upon the payment into the common fund of such amount as shall make them equal in annuities to the said Peorias, &c., the said privilege to remain open to the Miamies two years from the ratification of this treaty.”
Although the Miami Tribe ultimately made the required payment for an undivided interest in the reservation, the federal government never forced the two tribes to confederate into a single government. In fact, historically, the two tribes have always regarded themselves as separate and sovereign nations. Over time, especially following allotment, the practical significance of the undivided interest diminished for both parties.
However, sometime in the 1980s, the Peoria Tribe and the Miami Tribe reached a handshake agreement to divide the reservation along Main Street—what is now referred to as “jurisdictional boundaries.” This effectively created a 50/50 split and ensured that both tribes could access grant funding without overlapping service areas. In 2014, Peoria Tribe Resolution R 10 07 14 E (“Providing Consent to Trust Applications Involving Formerly Unallotted Lands”) acknowledged the shared undivided interest between the Peoria and Miami Tribes and granted consent to Miami Tribe trust applications involving previously unallotted land.
The McGirt decision and subsequent Brester cases significantly altered the landscape by reaffirming the status of Indian Country and, specifically, the Peoria Reservation. In addition, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Ottawa County Tribes commissioned a retracement survey of all external reservation boundaries. This work brought renewed attention to the joint-reservation status within the past year
The Miami Tribe maintains that it holds an undivided interest in the reservation. The Peoria Tribe’s position is that while the reservation is jointly owned, the tribes never agreed to joint governance meaning we hold that we are two separate and sovereign nations with separate governments.
The Peoria Tribe’s current goal is to reach a reasonable, temporary agreement with the Miami Tribe acknowledging that although the reservation is shared, the existing Main Street division should continue to serve as a jurisdictional boundary for grant funding purposes only
Information regarding the treaty can be found in the Treaty with the Seneca, Mixed Seneca and Shawnee, Quapaw, etc., 1867 (Sections 21–26 apply to the Peoria Tribe)
If you did not receive the video link and packet from the Town Hall about the Peoria Tribe Reservation Boundaries, you may request that by contacting Annette Clark in our Communications office at: aclark@peoriatribe.com
PEORIA FRESH
Submitted by Kayla Budd, Food Security Manager
Hello! My name is Kayla Budd, and I am the Peoria Tribe’s Food Security Manager as of August 2025! I am grateful and very blessed to be able to serve and see our Citizens. Peoria Fresh serves Natives who are aged 55 or older, veteran, children living
in the home under age 18, or disabled.
Currently, Peoria Fresh serves 63 families each month, which breaks down to approximately 113 Citizens served. The food purchased for Peoria Fresh is grant funded – it is through the Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA+) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The food purchased for Peoria Fresh is produced within a 400mile radius of Miami, Oklahoma and must be minimally processed with little to no additives or preservatives. Peoria Fresh staff have teamed up with Peoria Cares staff, Garrett Peak, to offer students at the Miami Academy in need of food a weekend food bag to take home with them. Peoria Fresh offers a wide range of food options including but not limited to: Peanut butter, freeze-dried fruit, oats, cereal, soup mixes, syrups, granola, pecans, jams, butters, jellies, salsa, dairy products such as cheese, milk, eggs, bread, milk, fresh produce (season-dependent) including Microgreens, and meat such as beef, bison, pork, and chicken.
The Food Distribution’s new site (Marvin’s) is coming along. The industrial 17-foot freezers and refrigerators have been installed, and Peoria Fresh staff are able to utilize cold storage to store excess frozen food products. The new Distribution site does have construction that needs completed before Peoria Fresh begins operating out of the building. The construction includes: walls built, a bathroom
built, paint touch-ups, and floor cleaning. The Tribe is going to apply for a grant through Indian Country Development Block Grant (ICDBG) to finish the construction at the new site. We are hoping to be able to announce a move-in date in the very near future!
The Peoria Tribe recently received a grant from the Rural Development Business Grant (RDBG). This grant will allow the purchase of equipment to support a teaching kitchen at our new food distribution site, the old Marvin’s Grocery Store in Miami, Oklahoma. The equipment purchase will include but is not limited to: countertops with cabinet space for storage, electric oven, microwave, a sink, kitchen essentials such as knives, blender, pots and pans, cutting boards, etc. The idea of the teaching kitchen is to bring in different vendors or indigenous chefs to Miami, Oklahoma to teach participants in the class how to create healthy, affordable meals at home. In the future, there could be a potential for vendors or chefs to “rent” the teaching kitchen out to cook, prepare, and package their products if they do not have access to a full kitchen to prepare their items for sale.
The Tribe was awarded a grant with the Healthy Foods Financing Initiative (HFFI) FARE Fund. This grant provides grant funds for Technical Assistance regarding opening a retail store at the new Food Distribution site. Kayla Budd has been working alongside Technical Assistance contractor, Alyssa Ryan, with IMPACT Advantage, LLC. to complete a feasibility study for the retail market. The feasibility study included several Key Informant Interviews to gather information and knowledge from vendors connected with Peoria Fresh, Peoria Tribe HHS employees, and Law Enforcement. The study also included community feedback via surveys. This study is very in-depth; It goes over different approaches to staffing the distribution site, data from the community surveys completed, to recommendations made by Ms. Ryan for the retail market to be
successful in every which way possible. Peoria Fresh staff are going to review the feasibility study with Administration and the Business Committee during the month of January or February to see if the Tribe has interest in moving forward with this project. This is” Phase 1” of this grant; There will be more information about applying for “Phase 2” of funding soon.
The Tribe has applied for a Farmer’s Market Promotion Project Grant. Northeastern Tribal Health System Employees have been facilitating the Ottawa County, Oklahoma Farmer’s Market the last 10+
years at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, however, they are unable to continue the current Farmer’s Market moving into this next season. Due to the Government Shutdown, the grant application/award has been delayed. We are hoping to hear news from the grant funder soon! If awarded this grant, the new food distribution site would potentially be able to host a Farmer’s Market year-round!
If you or someone you may know qualifies for Peoria Fresh, or if you have any questions, please call: Kayla at (918) 325-7791 or e-mail kbudd@peoriatribe.com
“Food sovereignty is an affirmation of who we are as Indigenous peoples and a way, one of the most surefooted ways, to restore our relationship with the world around us. ” – Winona LaDuke
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Submitted by Kayera Smith, Director
The months of October through December were filled with growth, celebration, and meaningful progress across our Early Childhood programs. From joyful family experiences and cultural celebrations to staff leadership development and major milestones toward the opening of Rockdale Learning Academy, this season highlighted the dedication of our staff and the strong partnerships we share with families and the tribal community.
Program Highlights
This season brought growth, collaboration, celebration, and important accomplishments across all of our programs.
Leadership, Program Growth & Collaboration
Growing Leadership from Within: Shift Lead responsibilities were introduced as a voluntary leadership opportunity Three teachers—one from each shift—stepped forward to support communication, daily problem-solving, and classroom needs, strengthening consistency and teamwork across the day
Strengthening Instruction: We welcomed an Education Coordinator to support curriculum implementation, coaching, lesson planning, and classroom quality
Honoring Culture: Preschool classrooms from KahNe and Woodland proudly participated in a CCDF Intertribal Stomp Dance, offering children meaningful cultural learning and community connection.
Seasonal Celebrations: In December, children enjoyed a special Santa visit, where Santa delivered nutcracker gifts, creating excitement, joy, and lasting holiday memories.
Program Accountability: The department successfully completed and submitted the CCDF Annual Report, ensuring continued compliance and support for our programs
Family Engagement & Community Events
Family connection remained at the heart of our work throughout the fall and holiday season, with events designed to bring families into the learning experience.
Pumpkin Patch Experience: Children enjoyed hands-on exploration with pumpkins and hay stacks, turning seasonal fun into opportunities for counting, comparing, and building vocabulary through play.
Family Movie Night: A cozy evening filled with snacks, blankets, and laughter gave families a chance to relax and connect together.
Trunk-or-Treat: Families joined our festive morning celebration with participation from nine tribal departments, community partners, and families—creating a memorable experience for children.
Family Feast: Families were welcomed into classrooms to share a meal with their children, strengthening relationships and offering a glimpse into daily classroom routines.
Holiday Activities: Families participated in seasonal classroom activities such as gingerbread house decorating and holiday letter decorating, encouraging creativity, togetherness, and meaningful interactions.
Rockdale Learning Academy – Construction & Staffing Updates
Significant progress continues toward the opening of Rockdale Learning Academy:
Renovation milestones included installation of doors, cabinetry, sinks, and toilets.
Badge-access door controls were ordered, adding an additional layer of safety.
Storm shelter construction began October 15 and has remained on schedule.
Playground installation began in December.
Kitchen equipment is scheduled to arrive January 14, with installation completed by January 16.
Inspections from IHS and DHS will follow installation.
Revised target opening date: February 23, 2026
Staffing & Professional Growth
Staff completed Active Intruder Training, reinforcing emergency preparedness and safety protocols. 11 teachers are currently working toward their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, preparing them to serve as Lead Teachers. Recruitment efforts are ongoing to build a strong, qualified team aligned with program values for Rockdale Academy.
Enrollment Snapshot
98 children
Rockdale Learning Academy
Anticipated enrollment: 50 children at opening Additional families are being contacted
Looking Ahead
As we move into the new year, our focus remains on final preparations for the opening of Rockdale Learning Academy, maintaining strong enrollment, and continuing meaningful engagement with families. We are proud of the progress made this fall and grateful for the dedication of our staff and the trust of our families as we enter 2026 together
PEORIA FAMILY CONNECT PROGRAM
Submitted by Wendy Rich, Home Visitation Manager
The Peoria Family Connect Program strengthens families by engaging the full circle of parents, caregivers, and community partners to create safe, supportive environments where every child can thrive. The program is open to Ottawa County residents who are pregnant or have children from birth to age five. Our services include:
Parent and caregiver support
Educational lessons using the Family Spirit curriculum
Small‑group sessions
Cultural gatherings and family activities
Resource sharing
Voluntary home visits or in Training and pr
A Community Advisor
Referrals and c
The program is curr in September 2026.
The Tribal MIE submitted the fir component of this pr community member times, and we ar
“We are trying to make sure the resources and the people who know how to do things, are able to share it and get it out into the community.”
Peoria Tribe Leadership
PEORIA CARE PROGRAM
SUBMITTED BY KAYLEE JONES, DIRECTOR
2026 ushered in the rebranding of our program to more accurately reflect the services we provide. Peoria CARE (Counseling, Advocacy, Recovery, and Education) offers direction, support, and resources to individuals across various pathways of recovery. The program also delivers holistic, culturally grounded wellness classes that promote healthy practices, including nutrition, disease prevention, and innovative physical activities. Our team of 10 includes Peer Recovery Support Specialists, Recovery Outreach Specialists, a Crisis Response Therapist, a Recovery Assistant, and a Cultural Liaison who extend services across and beyond Ottawa County.
To support our comprehensive service model, the Peoria CARE Program leverages five distinct funding sources, each aligned with specific programmatic approaches and community needs:
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP)
Our Approach: Provide fully funded youth prevention training for local school resource officers (SRO) and students, to interact positively, encouraging constructive relationships and promoting substance use disorder (SUD) prevention education. Facilitate/Collaborate youth events with our Driving Under the Influence (DUI) simulators while providing prevention information materials
Indian Healthcare System (IHS)
Our Approach: Adopt an evidence-based public health approach that enables Tribal Citizens to access effective prevention and treatment for substance use-related issues. This approach can help prevent the initiation of substance use or the progression from use to a disorder or fatal outcome.
Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB)
Our Approach: Strengthen our Tribal Peer Services by expanding culturally responsive reentry services, increasing access to counseling and peer support with cultural components, and building capacity to address barriers faced by rural communities and individuals where resources are limited.
SAMHSA 988 Tribal Response (TR)
Our Approach: Focus on preventing suicide and
substance abuse, providing culturally appropriate education, treatment, and recovery services for Peoria Citizens and neighboring Tribes, and building sustainable funding and workforce capacity.
SAMHSA Tribal Opioid Response (TOR)
Our Approach: Address the opioid overdose crisis by expanding access to FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder and supporting a comprehensive continuum of prevention, treatment, and recovery services for OUD and co-occurring substance use disorders.
October- December Community Impact
2, 983 reached through Education Activities
4, 518 supplies distributed including pocket journals, flyers, pamphlets, mental health challenge magnets, t-shirts, elder daily meditation books, narcan kits, and emergency sleeping bags
28 new participant intakes
26 participants discharged (11.5% discharged successfully)
Over 162 total participant engagements
82 active participants
Referral sources included Alliance Mental Health, 13th Judicial District Court Of Ottawa County and Sober Living House
Participants most frequently received Case Management, with transportation being the most common service; followed by Recovery Support, with peer coaching or mentoring and recovery planning selected most often; and After Care services, with continuing care and recovery coaching being the most common. Ribbon Skirt Making Class Report Feedback
100% of participants found the topics relevant and useful to their needs and interests (94% strongly agree and 6% agree)
94% of participants strongly agreed that the information shared easy to understand, while 6% were neutral
100% of participants strongly agreed that the event helped them learn something new
100% of participants agreed that the event helped them feel more connected to their community (94% strongly agreed and 6% agreed)
100% of participants strongly agreed that staff and volunteers were helpful and friendly
100% of participants strongly agreed that they would attend another event like this in the future
Most Valuable Aspects of the Event
(Participants could select more than one option.)
■ 94% Learning new information
■ 81% Cultural activities or traditions
■ 75% Meeting and connecting with others
■ 56% Supportive environment
■ 6% Ali of the above
Our Culture, Our Voice Engagement Survey Report Feedback
Almost 90% of respondents indicated they would be very interested or moderately interested in attending cultural events in their community.
The top three types of events respondents (or their families) would participate in were Pow Wows (73%), cultural crafting workshops (63%), and stomp dances (39%).
The top three topics respondents would like to learn more about were arts/ crafts (65%), language/storytelling (59%), and traditional food preparation (58%).
Activities Participated In Kickboxing
Recovery Sweat
Cookies with Santa Claus
Community Street Citizen Bags
Daily meditation and Wellbriety Movement
Mindfulness using Spoons Theory
Gratitude lessons and self-care activities
Twelve Step groups and Talking Circles
Elevate Your Game Basketball Skill Development Clinic
Youth lessons on wellness
Veteran parade and dinner
Catholic Charities food drive
Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association collaboration
Thanksgiving life skills building dinner with featured speaker TJ Britton, inspirational speaker and professional athlete minister
National Night Out
Medicare Part D and Health Fair
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Ribbon skirt making Red Ribbon Week
Upcoming
Community Impact
Visit all Ottawa County schools at least once to provide education on how to respond in a crisis. Continue implementation of the Fighting Culture Curriculum.
Provide cultural competency training to crisis call centers.
Install a public health vending machine.
Purchase and outfit a medication wellness unit (non mobile medication unit).
Partner with local employers to adapt the Wage Supplemental Program.
Host a Native Youth Olympics culminating in a community block party.
Implement Hope Squad within Ottawa County schools.
Facilitate naloxone training and provide Mindful Badge training.
Implement the Warrior Down Program, with a focus on the reentry community.
Provide treatment and recovery services.
Promote suicide prevention and mental health resources through multiple communication and media approaches.
Provide continuing education and certification opportunities for staff.
Promote the program to wellness courts, veterans courts, and other recovery focused judicial systems.
Coordinate reentry programming across service sectors.
Implement targeted youth activities.
"The Youth Program with the tribe has been a crucial resource for Miami Public Schools We are grateful for this partnership and proud to work together in support of our students "
Valerie Douthit
Indian Education Coordinator
Miami Public Schools
aya ceeki aweeya,
CULTURAL PRESERVATION
Submitted by Tim Watts, Manager
I am deeply honored to serve as the Cultural Preservation Director for the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. Strong cultural departments are essential to the preservation and continuation of tribal identity, and I am excited to help lead this important work for the Peoria people.
My approach to cultural preservation is rooted in a holistic understanding of culture. Culture is not just history-it is our relationship with the land, plants, and animals; language; belief systems; stories; customs; family structures; artistic expression; foodways; and so much more. These elements are individual threads that, when woven together, form the unique fabric of Peoria identity.
As a department, we are beginning with nearly a blank slate. This means there is significant research ahead to ensure the Peoria story is told authentically and grounded in firsthand accounts. I am committed to searching through records, collections, and artifacts to identify Peoriacentered expressions of culture so that tribal members can reclaim an inheritance that has in some ways been denied. I also look forward to collaborating with other departments to integrate Peoria culture into everything we do as a tribe. During my interview process and after being hired, one message was clear, there is a strong desire for more historical and cultural content. Creating a dedicated space for this purpose is essential, and the Cultural Resource Center will help fulfill that need. One of our top priorities is
completing the gallery at the center. My goal is to develop a museum-quality space that tells the Peoria story- from our beginnings to the present day.
In addition to exhibits, we will offer culturally relevant workshops for our community. Our language specialist is working to launch a new cultural and language website that will support language learners and provide access to the Peoria history podcast, as well as videos featuring cultural content. I am also working closely with our Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Burgundy Fletcher, to explore ways the historic schoolhouse can be used to host events that allow Peoria citizens to reconnect with a place filled with family memories.
As director, I understand how vital it is for Peoria citizens to have a strong connection to their culture.
I recognize that we are behind in cultural preservation compared to other tribes, and it is my goal to make up as much ground as possible. However, this work cannot be done without your involvement.
The Cultural Resource Center belongs to the Peoria people. We Want it to be a welcoming place where citizens of all ages and experience levels can come together to learn, ask questions, share knowledge, and discover more about who we are.
If you have questions, ideas, or suggestions about what you would like to see from this department, please reach out to us at culturalpreservation@peoriatribe.com I look strengthen and
P O BEEF NEWS
Submitted by Trey Siegrist, Rangeland Specialist
Water quality and availability on a cattle ranch is critical to the health of the herd as water is the most crucial aspect of everyday life. As ponds dry up in the summer or in times of drought, available water to cattle becomes scarce, thus having a reliable water supply keeps the herd healthy. Around the Peoria Tribe Ranch, you will find automatic drinking waterers installed in most pastures. Those waterers come in different shapes and forms, but all still serve the same purpose, to deliver fresh drinking water at all times to cattle. Brands like MiraFount and Richie (industry leading brands) are found around the ranch that are energy free (no electricity) that are insulated to help prevent the unit from freezing up in the winter These units are either 2-hole or 4hole waters only allowing a handful of animals to drink at one time creating crowding problems and maybe not allowing an animal to fulfill her intake needs. So to help alleviate this issue, we have been working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to install waterers with more capacity while allowing more animals to drink at once. EQIP is designed to help producers address natural resource concerns in areas such as: Improved water and air quality; Conserved ground and surface water; Increased soil health; Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation; Improved or created wildlife habitat; and Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility. Under the EQIP program, we have installed numerous waterers around the ranch. These waterers are large tires, typically 7-8 foot in diameter, that have a capacity to hold 700-750 gallons of water each. To install the tire, water lines are installed underground and stubbed up through the center hub of the tire along with a 2 inch pvc drain line. The center hub is then filled with concrete to create a seal. Valves and floats are installed to automatically fill the tire but also control the water level in the tire to eliminate overflowing. Before the tire is set, topsoil is excavated, a geotextile mat is laid out and gravel placed over the top. The mat is used to keep the gravel from pushing down through the soil over time. Once the gravel is packed and level, the tire gets set and more gravel placed around the edge of the tire. These tire waterers will last the ranch a very long time with little maintenance. We have found that 15-20 cows can drink at one time, compared to 3-4 with the other waterers, cattle are more content, and with more access to fresh clean water the cattle are healthier and producing heavier calves at weaning. Another benefit of the tire waterers, we have a valve inside the tire that we can open in times of extreme cold that circulates fresh water, thus never having to break ice.
MUSSELS UPDATE: WINTER 2025
Submitted by Mara Hamilton, Mussel Tech
This fall has been busy stocking endangered mussels, collecting broodstock for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) restoration project, and beginning to grow the baby mussels from the collected broodstock. Our mussel technician, Mara, coordinated with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to release 83 federally endangered Neosho Mucket mussels (#1) into the headwaters of the Neosho River up near Emporia, Kansas. We will be coordinating more in the Spring with KDWP to release more mussels from our facility in the Verdigris River in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Brooding female plain pocketbook mussels (#2 & 3) were collected from the Spring River in October to begin growing out the baby mussels for the NRDA restoration project. The one pictured is well over 50 years old. We inoculated 17 total fish with the mussel larvae which gave us over 13,000 mussel babies to put into our updated mussel rearing system. They are about half a millimeter right now, and we will be growing them to 5-15mm for the silo study in 2026. Any mussels not used in the silo study will continue to grow at our facility for stocking in the future. The baby mussels require weekly cleanings to keep predators and competitors out of the cultures. Our updated mussel rearing system has reduced the number of predators present in our cultures, but we still get a lot of competitors, aka things that also like to eat the mussels’ food.
Mussels are critical for our freshwater for many reasons, but especially because they are filter feeders. They bring water into their bodies and eat bacteria, algae, detritus, and then they excrete the waste which helps cycle nutrients for the other animals and plants in the water. They can even absorb certain pollutants in their bodies and shells. This is a major reason we grow them since our watershed here is contaminated with heavy metals. Mussels are one of those animals that we often overlook, but they form the foundation of our ecosystem because all of us depend on clean, freshwater to survive.
For those who don’t know, most freshwater mussels have a parasitic reproductive strategy that
requires fish to complete their life cycle. The mussel larvae, known as glochidia, must attach to a host fish to turn into a baby mussel. Glochidia (#4) look like little pac-mans, just waiting to latch onto a fish’s gills! Once attached, they use a bit of the fish’s blood for a couple of weeks to transform into a baby mussel. Once they have transformed, they drop off the fish and hopefully land in suitable habitat to grow into an adult mussel.
This reproductive strategy (#5) only has a 1-4% survival rate in the wild. Adult mussels are commonly long lived, with some living to be over 100 years old! However, the juvenile mussels are much more sensitive to water quality changes and strong currents can wash them away easily This reproductive strategy worked well until humans started making drastic changes to the freshwater systems across the world. With all the threats facing our freshwater today, including pollution, sedimentation, invasive species, and damming, it’s more important than ever to grow mussels for reintroducing into the wild. Freshwater mussels are the most endangered animals in North America, with over 60% endangered, threatened or imperiled.
We will be reapplying for the BIA Endangered Species grant for 2026-2027 to continue supporting the Aquatic Facility. Included in our proposal are plans to expand our algae and microbe culturing capacity. We currently purchase commercial mussel food to feed the baby mussels, such as food used to feed marine oysters and mussels. Culturing our own algae and microbes will improve our juvenile mussel survival even further and allow us to culture more diverse types of mussels. Certain endangered species require specific kinds of algae or microbes to grow. Since these species are endangered, there may not be much research on their preferred diets due to their low populations.
Mara has been shipping orders of baby mussels since May of 2025 to environmental laboratories and universities to help financially support the Aquatic Facility. So far, there have been many repeat clients, and we look forward to continuing to fund our programs through this revenue stream!
ELDER CARE AND DISABILITY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
JOHNSON O’MALLEY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
The Johnson O’Malley (JOM) program is a federally funded program authorized by the Johnson O’Malley Act of 1934. This act authorizes contracts to benefit eligible Indian students enrolled in public schools. These programs will be annual, and each incentive is subject to availability. Meaning at any time the amount of the incentives, the availability of the incentives could change or no longer be available.
The purpose of the JOM program is to ensure that Peoria children receive educational opportunities that would not otherwise be provided by the public school system. Providing additional educational incentives helps lower dropout risks (i.e. Additional tutoring), promotes academic achievement and provides financial relief for families.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Student must be ages Pre-K through 12 grade according to the JOM Act regulations th Student must either be ¼ degree Indian blood, blood descendants of a member of an Indian tribe or be an enrolled member of a Federally recognized tribe to be eligible for the JOM program.
Student must not be enrolled in a Bureau funded school, private school or sectarian school to be eligible. Student must live in the United States service area and be enrolled in an accredited public school.
Student must be an enrolled member of the Peoria Tribe.
HIGH SCHOOL/SENIOR GRADUATE ASSISTANCE:
JOM APPLICATIONS
The application and completed paperwork, with all the required documentation must be submitted with a valid tribal ID and signed by legal representative of the student. Applications can be downloaded from the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma website or picked up at Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma headquarters. The submission date of the application will be the date application was received at the tribal office. Please make sure all applications are postmarked before any deadlines. Deadlines for Academic Incentive program, Chrome book Fees, Graduation Assistance must be submitted before June 30 of the academic year.
CAP, GOWN, TASSLE, SENIOR PORTRAITS, SENIOR GRAD ANNOUNCEMENTS (UP TO $150.00 ONE TIME)
Students need to submit a completed application with Vendor name, address and W9 for payment going directly to Vendor or submit original receipts and W9 for reimbursement.
LETTERMAN JACKETS (up to $150.00 ONE TIME)
Students need to submit a completed application with Vendor name, address and W9 for payment going directly to Vendor or submit original receipts and W9 for reimbursement.
CHROME BOOK INSURANCE/USER FEES: (Max $30 One application per year per student)
Students need to submit a completed application with Vendor name, address and W9 for payment going directly to Vendor or submit original receipts and W9 for reimbursement.
COLLEGE CONCURRENT CLASSES: (Max $300 yearly per year student)
Student must be enrolled in an accredited high school and enrolled in college courses during the same year. Schedules must be submitted from high school and college of current academic year.
PRIVATE TUTORING/SPEECH THERAPY: (MAX $150 A YEAR)
Students who participate in private tutoring outside of the public school are eligible.
ACADEMIC INCENTIVE: (Grades Pre-K- 12)
st rd
1 grade-3 grade$25with“Satisfactory”or2.5GPAandup
4 grade-8 grade$50witha2.5GPA-3.5GPA th th
4 grade-8 grade$1003.6GPA-4.0GPA th th
9 grade-11 grade$50witha2.5GPA-3.5GPA th th
th th
9 grade-11 grade$100with3.6GPA–4.0GPA
12 grade$100witha2.5GPA-3.5GPA th
12 grade$150witha3.6GPA-4.0GPA th
SCHOOL FEES (MAX $100 A YEAR)
Band equipment rentals, Vo-Tech supply fees, ACT/ SAT, College application fees etc.
For questions about this program, please contact: Raylynn Nair at rnair@peoriatribe.com or call (918) 544-9287
TRIBAL CITIZEN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR
SCHOOL SUPPLIES/SCHOOL CLOTHES
The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has established a program for reimbursement of school supplies or clothes for enrolled citizens of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma nation-wide. This will be an annual program subject to budget approval each year by the Peoria Tribal Business Committee. Reimbursements will be made in accordance with the following program overview and made payable to the legal parent/legal guardian submitting the application. Reimbursement checks will be mailed to the address as listed on the application.
Program Overview:
1. The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Reimbursement for School Supplies/School Clothes reimburses enrolled families with up to $500 to cover the expenses to attend Pre-K-12 grade.
2. Each student is eligible to apply for reimbursement up to 3 times a fiscal year up to the $500 max per student. Only one application will be accepted per student per period.
3. Applications must be submitted by mail or turned in at the Tribal Headquarters. No emails or faxes will be accepted.
4. Submitted receipts must be the original itemized receipt, dated May 1st - May 31st of each fiscal year with the store name. Any receipts submitted not falling between theses dates will be returned. Online receipts will be accepted with order date, clothing items purchased and total. Only send full receipt/full email. No screen shots or partial receipts. No order summary or shipment summary. Receipts must be grouped and labeled by student.
5. Receipts will NOT be accepted for the following reasons:
a. If combined with other purchases (ex. toiletries, food, non-clothing/school supply items).
b. If highlighters are used on the receipts. Do not highlight.
c. Receipts are stapled or taped. The date is not on the receipts.
d. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
6. It is the submitter’s responsibility to make copies of receipts for their records.
Required Documents:
Complete application, signed and submitted by the student’s legal parent/legal guardian
Copy of student’s Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Citizenship card
Proof of school enrollment (see attached form to be filled out by students’ school or if home schooling see attached form)
Proof of custody or guardianship: if the applicant is not the student’s legal custodial parent, submit the most current court documents or DHS approved letters of verification showing proof of custody or guardianship
Eligibility:
1. Student must be an enrolled Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma citizen, age 4-18
2. Student must be enrolled in a State Accredited Public School System, grades Pre-K-12th grade (see attached required form(s) for the school to fill out) or homeschooled (see attached required form(s) to be filled out by parent/guardian.
3. The Parent/Guardian applying on the student’s behalf must be the legal custodial parent, legal guardian, foster parent, or caseworker at the time the application is processed.
NOTE: The application will be considered INCOMPLETE and returned to submitter for completion, if not signed; filled out completely or if all requested documents are not turned in.
Examples of costs allowable for reimbursement under this program include school supplies (paper, pencils, pens, notebooks, backpacks, etc., and shoes, clothes, school uniforms, lab fees, activity fees, summer school fees, or other fees charged by the school system.)
All applications for reimbursements must be submitted to the Tribal Programs Department at the Peoria Tribal Office.
Applications must be received, in the office, by the deadline date to be processed for that period. Any incomplete applications or postage due applications will not be accepted and will be returned for your completion.
The Communications Office currently sends out just over 1100 email invitations to the biweekly live-streamed BC Meetings. A video link is sent after the meeting for anyone who was unavailable for the live-streamed session.
Citizens may also request to receive a digital copy of the BC Meeting Packet to be emailed with the meeting link.
If you are not receiving these emails, it is probably due to one of two main issues:
1. Do you have a Release of Information on file??? If not, we cannot send you anything (Election material is an exception) unless we have a signed form on file due to the Enrollment Code:
Section 15 The tribal membership roll will be on file at the Peoria Tribal office Any tribal member may visit the tribal office during regular office hours to examine the accuracy of specific roll data for him/herself Roll data may be viewed for other tribal members only at the request of a parent regarding their minor dependent child's record Under the Privacy Act 5 U S C , 552a, Section (b), release of record information regarding any tribal member who is not a minor is prohibited unless the tribal member provides prior written consent with a Privacy Act disclosure statement.
2. If you have submitted a Release of Information, we may have an outdated email address on file for you. Please contact our Enrollment Office to see if that is the case and submit the correction.
All Tribal news, notices, and important announcements are posted on the Tribal website and on our social media accounts.
If the information is time-sensitive or needs citizens to take action, it will also be sent via email. Mailings through the USPS will be used when necessary. Our goal is to keep Peoria citizens as up to date and informed as they choose to be.
If you have any questions concerning Communication from the Peoria Tribe, please contact our Communications Manager: Annette Clark
aclark@peoriatribe.com (918) 533-4251
If you have any questions concerning Enrollment or Release of Information forms, please contact our Enrollment Officer: Donna Harp
dharp@peoriatribe.com (918) 544-9232
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Would
How would you like to receive the Peoria Tribe’s newsletter?
ADDRESS VERIFICATION/CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Please list all Peoria Tribal Citizens under the age of 18 who reside in your home, who will need their address
Please Note: Peoria Tribal Citizens over the age of 18 who reside in your home, will need to submit their own signed form.
I further understand
Signature Incomplete forms will NOT be processed. I hereby understand by signing below that I am giving permissionfor the Peoria TribeEnrollment Office to the release my contact information to the Communications Manager for use solely by the departments of the Tribe in order to receive
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS 2025 2025
