Press Releases
Survey for Needs provided by the American Rescue Plan
A REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE SAC AND FOX NATION BUSINESS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CULTURAL CENTER BUILDING,
SAC AND FOX RESERVATION, STROUD, OKLAHOMA.
INTEREST TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS
The Sac and Fox Nation’s Business Committee will appoint people to fill vacancies, as they occur on various Committees, Commissions and Boards. If you are a tribal member 18 years of age or older, and wish to serve, please complete the information below and return the completed form to the Tribal Secretary.
| POLICY ALERT May 25, 2023 |
| On May 25, 2023, Oklahoma Senate Bill 429 became law, overriding the Oklahoma Governor’s veto. The bill will protect for the right of students to wear tribal regalia during official graduation ceremonies. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt had previously vetoed the bill despite popular and bipartisan support in the state legislature. To achieve the override both chambers of the legislature needed a two-thirds majority vote which was achieved by a wide margin in the Senate and the House of Representatives. SB 429 creates additional clarity and guarantees the right for students in Oklahoma K-12 public schools, charter schools, technical schools and universities to wear tribal regalia during official graduation ceremonies. Many graduation dress codes do not recognize sacred and cultural items Native students wear in times of ceremonies and honor. As a result, students and families are confronted by school officials and forced to remove items of religious and cultural significance. SB 429 makes it clear that schools must allow Native students to wear tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies. NIEA celebrates Oklahoma as the latest state in a national movement protecting Native students’ right to celebrate their graduation through honoring their heritage, traditions, community, and ancestors by wearing tribal regalia. For more information, please contact NIEA Tribal State Policy Associate, Waquin Preston, wpreston@NIEA.org |
SENATE BILL 429 NATIVE REGALIA BILL VETO BY GOVERNOR STITT
I am writing to express my concern about Senate Bill 429 and it impact on the rights of our Native American students to wear graduation regalia. As you may be aware Native American students are often subjected to harassment and bullying throughout their school years. In addition, school administration staff in rural areas sometimes display prejudice towards the cultural beliefs of these students which creates a hostile school experience for them, this kind of discrimination limits the identity of Native American students and can contribute to the high suicide rate among them. Native youth suicide rate is
2.5 times higher than the overall national average, making these rates the highest across all ethnic and racial groups. Cultural disconnection, alienation and pressure to assimilate all contribute to higher rates of suicide among American Indians and Alaska Natives.
By not allowing Native American students to wear graduation regalia that honors their cultural heritage, the State of Oklahoma is further marginalizing these students and denying them their basic rights. This is especially troubling given the already difficult circumstances that Native American students face in our schools. It sends a message that their cultural identity is not valued or respected.
As the Director of Education Department for the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma and a former tribal leader in Oklahoma it is clear that the Governor of Oklahoma is unwillingly to approve of any Native American matters. He has demonstrated a consistent pattern of opposition to Indian interest including regarding governmental jurisdiction, taxation, gaming and tobacco compacts, Indian child welfare, and now tribal regalia for graduation ceremonies.
We need to get Senate Bill 429 to be override the veto and be back on the floor.
Thank you, Edwina Butler-Wolfe Director of Education Sac and Fox Nation
Disaster
workers have assessed the damage to your home The Red Cross
may be able to offer you financial assistance Please visit us to speak to a
caseworker in person Free cleanup supplies are also available
Oklahoma Baptist University
Green Campus
Gymnasium
1900 W MacArthur Ave
Shawnee, OK 74804
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Thursday 11 AM 6 PM
Friday
11 AM 7 PM
Saturday
10 AM 6 PM
Sunday
1 PM 5 PM
Call
1 800 RED CROSS to schedule an appointment.
Or stop by with government issued photo ID and
proof of residence.
Deadline to submit application is May 31, 2023
If you have any questions regarding the application please call (918)-968-3526 ext. 1033 and a staff member from the Finance department will assist you.
Link to download form below:
https://www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-SPRING-ASSISTANCE-ARPA.pdf
A PDF OF THE ELECTION BOARDS LIST OF CANDIDATES CAN BE DOWNLOADED AT THE LINK BELOW
A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE SAC AND FOX NATION BUSINESS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON APRIL 4, 2023 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CULTURAL CENTER BUILDING, SAC AND FOX RESERVATION, STROUD, OKLAHOM
Pageant Competition: May 20th, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. in the SFN Community Building
REMINDER: Nomination forms are due Tomorrow (April 19th) by 5:00 p.m.