April 2013 - Delaware Tribe of Indians

Page 4 Lënapeí Pampil (Delaware Indian News) April 2013Delaware Tribe Environmental ProgramJimmie Johnson, DTEP DirectorHope this finds everyonewell. Since the first of 2013DTEP has experienced quite abit of change. Michael Marshallhas moved from DTEP ProgramAssistant to the Delaware TribeHousing Program. Michael’s positionwith DTEP was a part-timeposition and because of budgetlimitations will not be filled duringthis fiscal year.In February DTEP relocatedour offices from the CommunityCenter building to the new SocialServices building at our BartlesvilleTribal Headquarters. In mid-February, an EPA Indian GeneralAssistance Program (GAP) grantproposal was submitted to EPARegion 6 for FY 2013 funding.Included in this proposal was theconversion of the DTEP ProgramAssistant position from a parttimeposition to a full-time one.A “document destruction” system,including an industrial papershredder, was included in thisgrant proposal. Expansion of ourcurrent recycling capabilities andthe addition of an Alley Cat stylerecycling trailer were also proposed.The addition of a mobilerecycling unit enables DTEP toprovide recycling collection capabilitiesat tribal and communityfunctions that are not held at theTribal Headquarters complex.All projects proposed are stillsubject to approval by the EPA.In March, EPA Acting AdministratorBob Perciasepe sent a letteradvising all tribal entities of possiblebudget cuts to all grant programsdue to government sequestration.DTEP is now waiting onEPA Region 6 Office to advise uswhat types of cuts we can expectand when the cuts will take effect.Regardless, DTEP will strive tomaintain its current capabilitiesand programs.An Energy Audit report wasreceived from Oklahoma StateUniversity in February 2013, theresult of an energy audit of theCommunity Center building performedby Scott Frazier of OSUin November 2012. This energyaudit outlined practices and proceduresthat can be utilized bythe Tribe to maximize the energyefficiency in our facilities. Stepsare currently being taken to implementthese proposed changes.An annual event, OperationClean House, is being held onApril 20, 2013 at the Conoco-Phillips parking lot in Bartlesville,and the Washington County Fairgroundsin Dewey. DTEP personneland volunteers are going to beparticipating at the Dewey collectionsite. Please see the flyerin this issue for more informationregarding this cleanup/recyclingevent.Feel free to contact DTEP DirectorJimmie Johnson at 918-337-6584 or jimmiejohnson@delawaretribe.org for any questionsor concerns that you mayhave.Wanishi.■Cobell SettlementFor questions about the Cobellsettlement and how it affectsyou, see their web site at:www.indiantrust.comOther ways to get information:Call Toll-Free: 1-800-961-6109Email: Info@IndianTrust.comBy Mail:Indian Trust SettlementP.O. Box 9577Dublin, OH 43017-4877Be sure that they have your correctaddress!!From the Tribal Manager,Curtis ZunighaAs the spring season finallybegins, the Delaware Tribeadministrative staff is very busywith continued growth and development.We’ve completed thenew Social Services Building andhave moved several programs andstaff there. Our kitchen expansionin the Community Center shouldbe complete by mid-April. OurCaney, Kansas facility now housesour Financial Services office(DTFS), the tribe’s facilities managementcompany (DFMS), ourTribal Court, and a new program,Child Support Enforcement. We’reglad to welcome tribal memberGina Roth to the staff as directorof Child Support Enforcement.We’re also hiring an assistant forthe program. For more information,please contact our HumanResources Manager Mike Taylorat mtaylor@delawaretribe.org.We also welcome another newstaff member, Jana Roth, servingas Executive Assistant to theChief. Jana is a member of theDelaware Tribe and brings manyyears of experience as an educatorand is former director of the IndianEducation Program at Broken Arrow(OK) Public Schools.The Delaware Tribe continuesto expand our theme of “Returnto Kansas.” An application for theCaney, KS property has been submittedto Bureau of Indian Affairsto be placed in federal trust status.Our Historic Preservation Officeis housed on the campus of EmporiaState University and directedby Dr. Brice Obermeyer. We areserving as Executive Producerfor a documentary film about ourhistoric presence in Kansas duringthe 19th century.And just recently Tribal Councilmember Annette Ketchumand Dee Ketchum (Delaware EnterpriseAuthority) spoke withcity officials in Leavenworth, KSabout developing a presence inthat city. Leavenworth is the siteof our former reservation from1830 to 1866. Moving the tribalgovernment headquarters to Kansaswould allow the tribe to fullyexercise its tribal sovereignty andgovernmental powers. Being outsidethe jurisdiction of the CherokeeNation in Oklahoma and therestrictions in our Memorandumof Agreement will provide opportunitiesfor expanding economicdevelopment and servicesto our Delaware members. By nomeans will we forsake our considerableinvestment in Bartlesvilleand Chelsea, Oklahoma. We willmaintain a perpetual tribal governmentpresence in both placesas we expand our growth intoKansas.Rapid expansion and growthrequires planning and communication.Tribal leaders and staffhave been engaged in strategicplanning to identify the best wayto grow and move forward. As thefirst draft of the tribe’s strategicplan becomes available, we’ll askyou, the tribal members, for yourreview and comment. Your inputis valid and of great value to thisprocess.However, you may contact usat anytime with your thoughtsand opinions. You’ll find contactinformation for all elected leadersand staff on our tribal website,www.delawaretribe.org.■To Contact TribalLeaders and StaffThere is a tribal council, trustboard, tribal court, and staff directoryon the tribal web site at:www.delawaretribe.orgYou may also email the tribe attribe@delawaretribe.org oremail appropriate individuals attheir own email addresses (alsoon the web site).Please understand that your inputis important and is valued.