Announcements & Events

The Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, in accordance with the Constitution, Article XVI, Section 4, "Executive Committee Meetings" hereby calls and declares public notice that the SPECIAL meeting of the Executive Committee of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 25th , 2022   at  10:00 AM  at the  Absentee  Shawnee  Tribal  Complex  in Shawnee, Oklahoma.            Dated this 19th  day of May 2022

Little Axe resident Thurman “Duke” Blanchard, 71, died Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Little Axe.  Thurman was born February 6, 1951, in Little Axe, Oklahoma to Lewis and Cynthia (Creek) Blanchard.  He was a lifetime resident of Little Axe, Oklahoma and was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. He graduated from Noble High School and started his career with Oklahoma Natural Gas, retiring in 2006.  He married Fredith Butler on June 2, 1972, in Little Axe, Oklahoma.  He started as a pipeline welder with Oklahoma Natural Gas in Norman, Oklahoma. Later in his career, he worked in supervision, overseeing job site crews in the Oklahoma City area. He was proud to live and be involved in the Shawnee Tribal Ceremonies. In the early years, he loved to play fastpitch softball, traveling many miles to play various tournaments. His hobbies included working with old antiques and raising Dexter cows. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports, especially when it involved his grandkids.  He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Sue Ann Blanchard; and a brother, Kenneth Blanchard.  Survivors include his wife, Fredith Blanchard of Little Axe; son and daughter-in-law,  Eric and Jessica Blanchard of Norman; son, Craig Blanchard of Little Axe; five grandchildren, Caden Blanchard, Cache Blanchard, Mya Blanchard, Chael Blanchard, and Cecily Blanchard; brother, George Blanchard and Kathleen of Miami, Oklahoma; brother, Chester Blanchard and Kathy of Noble, Oklahoma; sister, Cleta Johnson and Bud of Little Axe, Oklahoma; sister, Redena Miller and Glen of Norman, Oklahoma; sister, Glendine Blanchard of Little Axe, Oklahoma; sister, Betty Isaacs and John of Noble, Oklahoma; brother, Kevin Blanchard and Arlene of Lexington, Oklahoma; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends. 

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Department of Public Safety has been diligent in the response to the severe weather impacts. Now that initial damage assessments have ended and response plans are in place, we are looking to coordinate with willing AST volunteers to assist in recovery efforts. Seminole County and the City of Seminole will be our primary location for providing our assistance. If you are interested in volunteering your time and efforts to assist our neighboring communities, please reach out to the following forms of contact: - ASTEM@astribe.com - 405.740.1502 [if you do not receive an answer immediately, please leave a voicemail so we may call you back] The information we will require will be your: o Name o Contact Number o Capabilities (What efforts you wish to provide assistance with) We will be collecting contact information for volunteers over the weekend and will formulate an action plan based on the strengths and capabilities of the volunteers we receive. ASTEM will be in communication with Seminole County Emergency Management, City of Seminole Emergency Management, FEMA, and the American Red Cross to receive updates on types of assistance needed. Expect follow up calls about your volunteer inquiries early next week, as the current work force in the Seminole area will greatly appreciate relief in the form of fresh bodies and minds. At the moment we have been informed that debris collection and removal is of high priority and will gladly accept those who would be willing to assist with those efforts. We look forward to coordinating our efforts with you in assisting our communities!

Southwest Throw, Heater, Box Fan or Air Purifier The following items are eligible for LIHEAP participants that are enrolled with a federally recognized tribe and live in Cleveland & Pottawatomie counties.  For more questions or application, please call Social Services at 405.878.4723.

Applications are available online. This program is first come first serve and applicant must qualify and meet the WIOA guidelines. Program begins on June 6th and ends July 29th. Deadline for applications is May 20, 2022. For more information contact: Alvina Barnes at 405.275.4030 x 6307 alvinab@astribe.com Kim Porter at 405.275.4030 x 6269 kporter@astribe.com Applications can be found on the AST website under Governor/WIA

ABSENTEE SHAWNEE ENSURING HOPE PROJECT MEDICINE WHEEL & 12 STEP PROGRAM FOR WOMEN OUTCOMES Individuals return to natural order Help rebuild families and assume roles as warriors Achieve sobriety and grow Bring a person's life from despair to happiness & service Making the Medicine Wheel & 12 steps a part of everyday life is a warrior's journey Every Wednesday April 27, 2022 6:00pm-8:00pm CST Virtual classes To register for this class use QR code or follow link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmE9e6X9-eatJ2SnzsUPI5LKWZjNY4il3yX_B0RnAtc6kETA/viewform?usp=pp_url For more information email Crystal Springer cspringer@astribe.com   405.878.4716

Are you thinking about college? Interested in exploring the field of Education?   The Find Your Future Summer Education Camp is for you!   The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma is currently accepting applications from rising sophomore, junior, or senior high school students from historically marginalized and/or underrepresented groups. This program is offered at no cost to selected participants. The application can be found at https://link.zixcentral.com/u/9db9c067/_nnb-9C57BGLxvXGhnsoMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ou.edu%2Feducation%2Fnews%2Ffindyourfuture, and the deadline to apply is May 1.   For questions or accommodations, email findyourfuture@ou.edu.

88th Semi-Annual General Council Meeting Saturday, April 9, 2022 Thunderbird Event Center, Norman, OK Light breakfast served $10 slot free play for AST members FREE promotional items/bags Elders Council raffle tickets - 50/50 pot & $139 Omaha Steak gift card AST Public Health will be administering COVD-19 shots before the meeting in the Warrior Room from 9-10 AM Masks REQUIRED to attend meeting  

Hosted by Native Connections & SASP Grants Intertribal Youth Advisory Board Meeting A way for  YOUR voice to be heard in your community! Attend our next meeting on  Friday, April 8 from 4-5 PM via GOTOMEETING Chances to win prizes through virtual games & drawings.  Open to native youth ages 12-24 Join Native Connections for the second virtual Intertribal Youth Advisory Board meeting this Friday, April 8th from 4:00 – 5:00PM. Join using this link: https://meet.goto.com/128695261 . For more information please contact Angela Gonzalez at agonzalez@astribe.com or 405.561.7811.