Robynn Rulo (pink shirt) plays with Mia Jones during the 2009 Osage Nation Summer Youth Enrichment Camp. Rulo, a Pawhuska High School student, was a mentor during the camp and worked for the Nation's Constituent Services this year as part of the Nation's Summer Youth Program. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Chris Jake
Osage News

The Osage Nation Summer Youth Program has given Osage youth like Robynn Rulo a chance to gain experience with the Osage Nation.

“I like making my own money,” said Rulo, a 17-year-old Pawhuska High School student who works for Osage Nation Constituent Services as a participant in this year’s Summer Youth Program.

Rulo answers phones, files documents, and helps around the office with other duties she’s asked to do. She also greets people who need assistance provided by Constituent Services. “I like working with the people,” she said.

Rulo is one of the 75 young Osages participating in this year’s Summer Youth Program. The participants work in various Osage Nation departments across the Osage Reservation that serve Pawhuska, Hominy, Fairfax and Skiatook.

Avis Ballard, who oversees the Summer Youth Program, is the Johnson O’ Malley Coordinator for the Nation’s Education Department. Ballard describes the program as a way to provide job readiness training through financial literacy workshops, business etiquette, social skills, resume development and communication.

Christina Mashunkashey is one of the 11 participating in the Osage Nation Work Experience Program that is also through the nation’s Education Department. “It has helped me a lot,” Mashunkashey said.

Mashunkashey has been working for Diane Daniels in the Osage Nation Environmental and Natural Resources Office. “Oh gosh, I’ve learned a lot,” said Mashunkashey. A few of those things are assisting in budgets, payables, and “your basic clerical work,” she said.

“The Work Experience Program is a short-term program that will help the participant obtain a job that will progress into long-term employment,” said Louise Cheshewalla, Training Coordinator for the Osage Nation.

The program is available to Natives who live on the Osage Reservation and meet income guidelines. Participants work two to three months, “Usually three,” Cheshewalla said. Participants work full-time in any of the tribes departments.

“They’re really good about teaching me things,” Mashunkashey said. She plans to use her skills to work in any office setting doing secretary work. “I’m appreciative of this program.”

The Osage Nation campus. Osage News file photo

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

Osages interested in being entrepreneurs or improving their current business operations are invited to apply for a free seven-week intensive training course starting July 12 at the Osage Nation Education Department in Hominy.

The Tri County Technology Center in Bartlesville is offering the Osage Nation Small-Business Boot Camp which is open to tribal members interested in pursuing small-business ventures. This intensive training course will be offered five times during the seven-week run at the Education Department building in Hominy with student homework assignments planned, which includes creating a simulated business operations plan.

“This is the start-up program” for future Osage entrepreneurs, said tribal member Vince Logan who has been working in association with TCTC on the boot camp course. “This is for someone who is beginning. Logan owns a New York-based investment company which works with tribes nationwide.

The deadline for enrollment is July 2.

The first class of the intensive training “boot camp” will be July 12 with students also expected to attend classes on July 19, Aug. 9, Aug. 16, and Aug. 23 with classes scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. those nights. Course enrollment will be limited to about 15 students and those who successfully complete the course will earn credit hours from TCTC.

“It’s really a 30-hour course,” said Elaine Dettle who is senior director of economic and community development at TCTC which has offered the small-business boot camp courses for years. “There will be homework during the break time and if the students are serious then it’s no problem.”

Those who are also interested in forming a non-profit organization may also apply and be considered for the course, said Dettle adding that several portions of non-profit work involve using entrepreneur skills as well.

The Administration for Native Americans is sponsoring the free boot camp-style course which will be taught by Darek Jarmola, an Oklahoma Wesleyan University professor. The course is geared at giving students “a jump-start on making business ideas a reality or helps existing business owners” improve their fiscal positions and marketing strategies, according to the course description.

The ANA is under the federal Department of Health and Human Services and Administration for Children and Families. It is responsible for promoting self-sufficiency and cultural preservation for Native Americans by providing social and economic development opportunities to eligible tribes and Native communities, according to its Web site.

The small-business boot camp course encourages students to conduct a considerable amount of research and work on their own business plans which will be reviewed by the instructor and a working business professional, which would be either Logan or his business partner at The Nations Group LLC based in New York.

Logan said the course gives the prospective entrepreneur students the opportunity to experience what it’s like “to be reviewed by a potential investor.”

Dettle said the small-business course will ask students to complete a business plan outlining their entity’s operations for at least a year with several details to consider in competing with other businesses and organizations.

Dettle said the business plan will be critiqued with several questions in mind including: “How unique is it? What’s your niche? Have you looked at your competitors? Have you done creative marketing?”

The business plan in the course also needs to detail one year’s worth of estimated revenue and potential revenue ideas and staffing needed for the business.

“We’re asking (the students) to really think it through before starting a company,” Dettle said. “We ask them to go out and find ideas.”

To enroll in the small-business boot camp program, download and complete an application available online at www.tctc.org or contact Elaine Dettle. She can be reached at (918) 331-3257 or e-mail at edettle@tctc.org.

Those interested in enrolling in the small-business boot camp will be asked to provide tribal membership proof. The deadline for enrollment is July 2.

By Cherise Lookout, Osage Nation Education Department

The end of the 2009-2010 academic school year is fast approaching. The Osage Nation Education Department would like to remind parents of Osage students that funding is still available for eligible students. Those that have noticed a drop in their child’s grades should know that students may start the program and also utilize the upcoming summer months to catch up and be ready for the fall.

The Osage Nation Sylvan Tutor Program is an Osage tribally funded program designed to serve Osage students across the nation where Sylvan tutoring centers are available. The intent of the program is to serve as many Osage students in 1st -12th grades as possible that are at risk of failing required subject areas. Students receiving services through the Sylvan Tutoring Program will receive funding of $200/month for one subject of tutoring services, excluding the initial testing and enrollment fees of the student, which the Osage Nation Education will cover.

If you have any questions or would like to be mailed an application please contact Cherise Lookout with the Osage Nation Education Department at (918) 287-5544 or toll free 1-800-390-6724.

Student Eligibility Requirements

1. Be a member of the Osage Nation
2. If a student does not have an Osage membership card an Osage CDIB card will be accepted provisionally for one semester while they secure their Osage membership card.
3. Be enrolled in the 1st through 12th grades.
4. Be receiving a grade of “D” or below in a required subject area.

A sign showing the departments located in the old Superintendent's house next to the Executive Branch building on the Osage campus. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Osage News

This fiscal year the Osage Nation plans to spend more than $6.2 million allocated in an economic stimulus funding bill passed by the Osage Nation Congress which will be used for government services such as Head Start equipment, housing-related expenses, drug use prevention, senior services and youth summer workforce employment and training.

ONCA 10-04, also known as “FY 2010 Federal Stimulus Funding Appropriation Act,” identifies 14 sections of the Nation’s government operations which will benefit from the $6,279,499 projected to be spent. The bill, sponsored by Congresswoman Faren Revard Anderson, was approved by Congress and signed by Principal Chief Jim Gray in November.

The $6.2 million identified in ONCA 10-04 will come from federal, tribal and private sources. Not all of the federal funds identified in this bill will come from economic stimulus monies.
According to the bill, the Roads Department will receive $4.1 million in federal funding which is earmarked for construction contracts. Senior Services (formerly know as Title VI) will receive $21,810 in federal money for non-administrative expenses.

The Nation’s Counseling Center has a three-year federal grant for $773,667 with $320,980 budgeted for 2010 expenditures. The Counseling Center is planning on spending the funds on administrative expenses as well as renovations for the shelter and transitional housing.
The Counseling Center also received a two-year $240,000 federal grant, which does not come from economic stimulus funds, for its Methamphetamine Suicide Prevention Initiative with half ($120,000) to be spent this year.

The Housing Department will receive a Community Service Block Grant Stimulus of $66,599 from federal funds with $63,270 geared toward specific individual assistance costs. The department also received Indian Housing Plan Stimulus funds totaling $658,361 with $420,000 specified for rehabilitation expenses and about $99,000 for emergency rehabilitation costs.

The Education Department is receiving $67,262 in federal funds for its youth summer workforce employment and training program.

The Head Start program has been awarded federal, tribal and private funding including: a $5,000 Play Space Grant from a private donor and $26,765 in tribal funding for a construction/ capital improvement project at the Pawhuska facility.

Over $107,000 in federal stimulus funds also awarded to the Head Start program is budgeted to cover costs, which include: a school bus acquisition for $7,936; $5,317 in playground improvements; and $24,000 for three contract family service workers.

In 2009, the U.S. Congress passed a $787 billion economic stimulus bill with the funding distributed for a variety of purposes including: to provide aid to state and local governments; to create or save jobs; to fund transportation projects; and to improve public housing.

Deadline for the Osage Nation Department of Education Scholarship Program Application has been extended to January 31, 2010.

Applications may be retrieved from the Department of Educations’ Web site www.osagetribe.com/education or by calling (918) 287-5300

Scholarship Applications Due no later then January 31, 2010.

The Osage Nation Education Department is now taking applications from any Osage student in need of academic tutoring. The Osage Nation Sylvan Tutor Program is an Osage tribally funded program designed to serve Osage students across the nation. The intent of the program is to serve as many Osage students in 1st -12th grades as possible that are at risk of failing required subject areas, where Sylvan tutoring centers are available. Eligible students should complete the provided application.

Students receiving services through the Sylvan Tutoring Program will receive funding of $200/month for one subject of tutoring services, excluding the initial testing and enrollment fees of the student. Please note that applications will be processed on a first come first serve basis. Applications are available on the Osage Nation website www.osagetribe.com/education . If you have any questions or would like to be mailed an application please contact Cherise Lookout with the Osage Nation Education Department at (918) 287-5544 or toll free 1-800-390-6724.

Student Eligibility Requirements

1. A student must be a member of the Osage Nation and provide a copy of their membership card with the application.

2. If a student does not have an Osage membership card an Osage CDIB card will be accepted provisionally for one semester while they secure their Osage membership card.

3. A student must be enrolled in the 1st through 12th grades.

4. A student must be receiving a grade of “D” or below in a required subject area.

Osage Nation Congresswoman Faren Anderson, Congressmen Doug Revard and Anthony Shackelford work in the Osage Nation congressional chambers. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

[Editor's Note: This story was originally published Oct. 30 and was modified on Nov. 18 for clarification on this issue.]

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

The Osage Nation Congress will consider 96 proposed amendments to the 2010 fiscal year budgets Monday, the majority of which are proposed cuts to the tribe’s government operations and Principal Chief Jim Gray’s office. The cuts include more than $3 million in spending.

Congress ended its 20th Special Session on Tuesday with seven congressmen and women reading the proposed amendments for the Executive Branch budgets into record before adjourning for the week. A copy of the proposed budget amendments, released Wednesday afternoon, detail the suggested reductions in Executive Branch spending. The cuts include salary reductions for 13 administrative positions; eliminating 10 jobs (vacant, proposed or filled); and cutting down on expenses such as shipping, transportation and contractual jobs in 15 departments (including Gray’s office).

Gray said, “I’m not happy about any of it,” on Thursday and called the proposed reductions, “harsh, harsh cuts to the operations of the Osage Nation. I’m hoping in the time we have between now and Monday that some Congress members will come to find out this isn’t the best way to be conducting business.”

The 96 amendments proposed Tuesday came from Congressmen Eddy Red Eagle, Mark Simms, Doug Revard and William “Kugee” Supernaw, as well as Congresswomen Faren Revard Anderson, Jerri Jean Branstetter and Shannon Edwards. Most of the proposed cuts come in the wake of a locked-door meeting Monday attended by these congresspersons, except Simms and Edwards, where many of these reductions are believed to have been discussed.

The Osage News reported the unannounced meeting on its Web site Tuesday – one day after receiving a tip about the impromptu gathering and unsuccessfully gaining access to the meeting in the congressional chambers. Edwards wrote a letter to Gray earlier that day, while she was in the office, saying she could hear the five congresspersons and Congressman Anthony Shackelford meeting in their office’s common area where “these members are going through (three budget) bills to determine what they want to propose as individual amendments tomorrow and how to vote as a block.”

“I think it’s dangerous and sends the wrong message,” Gray said of the unannounced congressional meeting Monday, which included quorums for four congressional subcommittees with those present. “I’ve never seen a state government do something like this.”

Congressman Supernaw defended the proposed cuts in a phone interview Wednesday with the Osage News stating that Congress must trim the FY 2010 budgets (originally totaling about $41 million) in order to keep the spending at the Nation’s 2010 projected revenue of $27 million. Also on Tuesday, Congress passed a resolution which approves the $27 million amount as the 2010 projected revenue figure.

Supernaw cited a section of the Nation’s Constitution which requires Congress to set the budgets for the three branches of government, but adds: “The annual budget shall not exceed projected revenues.” Gray has yet to sign or veto the 2010 revenue projection resolution.

Congressman Raymond Red Corn said Monday the Nation’s budgets have been trimmed to $33 million after cuts were made during earlier subcommittee meetings and also when other spending bills were tabled during the appropriations process. With Monday’s proposed cuts estimated around $3 million, that leaves another $3 million to be cut if Congress members plan to hold FY 2010 spending at the projected revenue amount of $27 million.

What’s on the table for possible budget cuts?

In ONCA 09-63, titled the “FY 2010 Office of the Chiefs Appropriation Act,” More than $830,000 in cuts are suggested for Gray’s office including salary reductions for nine employees and the elimination of two positions. The chief’s office is projecting to spend just over $2.5 million in FY 2010.

Projected cuts to Gray’s staff members’ salaries range from $583 to $22,832. Calls for position eliminations include cutting a legal analyst and a support staff position that’s yet to be filled.

Spending reduction amendments suggested for Gray’s office include: cutting more than $32,000 for lodging, $41,900 for transportation, and $140,000 for litigation matters.

“It would handicap the Executive Branch, as well as the Nation” if the cuts are approved, Gray said. Most of the suggested cuts were voiced by Congresswoman Anderson, who sponsored the appropriation bills for Gray’s office and for the government operations.

ONCA 09-66, the “FY 2010 Government Operations Departments and Programs Appropriation Act,” proposes about $3 million in proposed program spending reductions for 14 departments including the Osage News.

Congressman Red Eagle proposed an amendment to cut $117,500 from the Nation’s burial assistance fund which is used to help surviving tribal members offset funeral costs for their loved ones. The appropriated amount of $367,500 would be dropped to $250,000 if this amendment passes.

“That’s going to cut us back on serving about 70 (clients),” said Constituent Services Administrator Jacque Jones, adding this is the third year she’s requested $367,500 as the same amount for burial assistance. That figure serves 105 clients with the maximum amount of $3,500 distributed to each Osage client requesting assistance.

The demand for burial assistance has gone up in the past two years because of increased advertising of its availability, Jones said. She said her office has served 103 clients for burial assistance in FY 2009, meaning funding remained for two more clients.

Red Eagle also motioned to strike $386,393 from the Home Health budget.

Congressman Supernaw suggested more than $58,000 in cuts to the 2010 budget of the Osage News, including $15,000 that is budgeted for design and layout of the newspaper. The Osage News contracts with a Bartlesville, Okla.-based firm to conduct these duties so the monthly newspaper can be printed and mailed out to the Nation’s constituents.

If the design layout funding is cut from the newspaper’s budget, the Osage News will be unable to print starting in November, Interim Editor Shannon Shaw told Supernaw in the phone interview Wednesday. After further discussion, Supernaw told Shaw, “I’ll try to keep that in there,” by encouraging his congressional colleagues to vote against the amendment when they meet for the 21st Special Session to consider the budgets.

Supernaw also proposed the following cuts to the Osage News: $11,400 cut from transportation; $15,000 for a writing coach; $5,000 to pay freelance writers; and $6,000 cut for outside printing and art work for advertising purposes.

The Communications Department has an audio visual technician position slated to be cut as well as $145,000 for “Web maintenance updates.” Other department items targeted for cuts include a $250,000 public relations campaign and $10,000 for “graphics/ layout.”

Other suggested cuts include: eliminating one proposed assistant position and cutting $100,000 for the intern/ externship program in the Education Department; two positions in Strategic Planning and one in WIC; two assistant staffers at the Fitness Centers in Hominy and Fairfax; reducing the Museum fund for purchasing art/ artifacts from $13,000 to $5,000; and one vacant position, as well as cutting $54,840 for conferences and special events in the Language Department’s budget.

Also this week, Supernaw introduced a bill to trim the Legislative Branch’s FY 2010 budget, even though it’s already been passed. Under ONCA 10-09, Supernaw’s bill calls for reducing his branch’s $2 million budget by $200,000 after proposing to cut a line item for “equipment” and reducing the Office of Fiscal and Performance Review’s budget from over $417,833 to $285,354 with the elimination of two proposed auditor positions.

Congresswoman Edwards issued amendment proposals to both budgets which would allocate the original $2.5 million amount for the chief’s office and $27 million for the government operations budget. Under her amendments, Chief Gray would have authority in allocating the monies to all programs, departments and divisions “in accordance with all budgets and justifications approved” by him.

The 21st Special Session of Congress starts at 2 p.m. Monday in the congressional chambers on the Osage campus.

To view the proposed amendments from the 20th Special Session, click here:

20th Special Session Proposed Amendments

Pawnee Nation College student Sheryl Hill listens to public comment during a rally held Oct. 11 rally at Wakon Iron Hall in Pawhuska Indian Village. Hill is one of many Osage college students who did not receive the full amount of the scholarship monies awarded to her by the Nation for fall 2009. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Concerned residents and students attend an Oct. 11 rally at Wakon Iron Hall in Pawhuska Indian Village. The rally was held to protest and raise awareness surrounding the scholarship crisis in which Osage college students did not receive the full amount of their scholarships for the fall 2009 semester. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

Dozens of Osages, including college students, expressed concern and disappointment over the recent events surrounding the delay in scholarship funds being awarded to the recipients at an Oct. 11 rally in Pawhuska.

Sheryl Hill, a Pawnee Nation College student, spearheaded the rally after she did not receive the remainder of her $3,500 scholarship once her books and tuition were paid and the story behind the scholarship disbursements started unfolding last month through student complaints and congressional committee meetings seeking details on the situation.

Hill told the 40-plus attendees that officials within the Executive Branch “broke a treaty” when the scholarship funds were withheld. She said the treaty agreement was broken because those qualified scholarship recipients who turned in their completed application materials on time did not receive their monies even though the Education Department mailed letters of intent to the schools’ bursar’s offices.

Executive Branch and Education Department officials said the department restructured “how funds are distributed, and what systems are in place to promote accountability in the expenditure of those funds” during congressional meetings last month to make sure students are spending the excess money for room and board and not spending it irresponsibly. The students must fill out additional applications to receive the remainder of their monies for room and board, and for supplies.

But the new application process has not helped all of this year’s 717 tribal scholarship recipients.

Matthew Shunkamolah returned to New Mexico State University to earn a master’s degree, where he earned his bachelor’s, and hoped the $3,500 scholarship he was awarded from the Nation would help pay for this semester’s expenses because a student loan didn’t work out. Shunkamolah said the paperwork hassles left him making a tough decision just over a month after classes and exams started.

“It didn’t work out so I had to drop out of school because I have car payments like everyone else, I’m an adult and have bills to take care of,” Shunkamola, 29, said. “It was just a big embarrassment and a defeat for myself,” he said adding he moved back in with his parents.

Shunkamolah said he will support a petition being circulated by Hill calling for action to the situation. The petition was 10 pages long at the time of the rally, but is subject to change pending feedback from interested people. “I want to hear what everyone has to say,” Hill said.

In the petition, Hill wrote: “It is time for a Education Bill to be written and passed into law, to prevent such a travesty from ever occurring again, by the officials that we, the entire Osage Nation, have placed into office by election, or employees of the Osage Nation appointed to a position, by the individual, or group of individuals, that we, as a Nation, have elected into office.”

Parents and grandparents of students also attended and spoke discussing hardships placed on them because of the scholarship situation because some are helping the students cover the remaining fees and expenses with their own money.

“You just don’t do this to your people,” Hill said, adding she will give government officials time to take action because Principal Chief Jim Gray, who is in charge of the Executive Branch, was on the multi-purpose France delegation trip at the time of the rally. The petition asks government officials for a reply by Oct. 30.

Joe Shunkamolah, who attended the rally in Wakon Iron Hall with his son Matthew Shunkamolah, suggested another gathering be held up on the hill at the government campus and ask the chief to speak with them.

In addition to Executive Branch officials, the petition is also addressed to officials and leaders with the Nation’s Minerals Council, the Native American Rights Fund, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, the National Congress of American Indians, the American Indian Movement and all Osage tribal members.

Participants of the Osage Nation Education Summer Enrichment Camp pose for a group photo in front of the Hominy Indian Village Round House. Courtesy Photo/Education Department

By Cherise Lookout
Curriculum Specialist

Around one hundred youth and children came out to this year’s The Osage Nation Education Summer Enrichment Camps that were held this past July. One week focused on Osage children ages 5-12 and one week focused on the Osage youth, ages13-20. The summer enrichment camps are designed to stimulate Osage students to learn about their Osage people’s history, traditions, government, and open up dialogue between the children and their families and communities.

Every year the Osage Nation Education Department focuses on different aspects of an array of Osage Culture. This year the youth chose from the following workshops: Osage Shirt Making taught by Avis Ballard from the Education Department, Loom Beading taught by William Lookout, free lance art and drawing workshop taught by Ryan Redcorn, and Scrapbooking consisted of tracing their lineage back to 1906, presented by Pauline Alred and Maureen Wright with the support of the Osage CDIB department and the Osage Tribal Museum.

The summer enrichment camps provided a centralized venue for Osage youth and children to participate in multiple programs that the Osage Nation provides including; Education, Osage Nation Language, Wazhazhi Cultural Center, Prevention, Tobacco Prevention, Diabetes/Nutrition, Higher Education, and the Boys and Girls Club. Each department provided a presentation that pertained to their department and gave the students a supplemental way to receive education or provided assistance to make the camps a success. Group activities opened up positive dialogue and communication among Osage youth about education, their culture and heritage to bring awareness of respecting and obtaining knowledge of the diversity within the Osage Nation in an educational and fun atmosphere. The Osage Nation Language Department provided the morning icebreakers and the Osage Nation Counseling Center and Prevention Programs gave the student ways to say “NO!” to drugs and alcohol.

This year’s cultural field trip ended each camp and was in the student’s own back yard. The students loaded a bus and headed to Grayhorse where Head Committeeman Archie Mason and Whipman, Popper Holloway talked about Grayhorse history and the structure of the Grayhorse District. From there the students headed to Hominy Indian Village were long time committeeman, Leonard Maker and Whipman, Everett Waller met them inside the roundhouse and talked to them about its history and Hominy District’s structure, as well as how each student identifies themselves, through their district, clan, division, fireplaces, etc. The students then went on to Barnsdall, to gain some knowledge on Chief James Bigheart. Paula Stabler talked to the students about Osage History, Osage Chiefs and the role that women have played throughout our history. The students also visited the Osage Historical Museum, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Osage Nation Executive Branch, Osage Nation Congressional Branch, and the Osage Tribal Museum.

The Osage Nation Education Department would like to thank all students that came and to all of the departments and volunteers that made this years camp a success. For more stories on the camp or if you would like to view pictures from this year’s camp please visit the education department’s website at www.osagetribe.com/education.

Parents and students overflowed the Osage Nation congressional chambers Wednesday at a highly anticipated education meeting. Photo by Shannon Shaw/Osage News

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

Parents and students overflowed the Osage Nation congressional chambers Wednesday at a highly anticipated education meeting to hear the status of the Osage Nation Higher Education scholarships.

Hepsi Barnett, Executive Branch Chief of Staff, told attendees that two separate applications for room and board, and one for supplies, will be available next week for those students waiting on the full amount of their scholarships. If the applications are not filled out and sent back it is possible that students will not receive the remainder of their money, she said.

“The criteria for room and board is being revised and that is at the advice from the attorney we have been consulting,” Barnett said. “We are making every effort to rectify the situation and get the disbursements made.”

The controversy erupted last week when students began contacting Congress with the news that they weren’t receiving the full $3,500 scholarship from the Nation as promised. Letters of intent had already been sent to their schools and without notification from the education department, only their tuition and books were paid for, leaving nothing for room and board or supplies. In the past, students attending lower-cost schools received what was left over after their tuition and books were paid for, leaving some with more than $2,000 in left over monies. This has affected approximately 200 students.

Congresswoman Shannon Edwards, an education committee member, said the committee repeatedly asked the education department during the Spring Hun-Kah session to come up with criteria for room and board, and supplies, for the students and that the controversy never would have happened if that would have been achieved.

“Somehow, somewhere, there has been a misrepresentation that the [scholarship] money was going to go to the students,” Edwards said. “There are three schools where the tuition and fees is zero for Native American students.”

“Now I’m hearing that if a student has no tuition, and room and board is $215, then we’re giving them $3,500 . . . for what? I’m confused,” Edwards said.

Congressman William “Kugee” Supernaw said in return, “If you’re confused then imagine how our students are feeling.” Edwards agreed and Supernaw continued by saying, “If students were told they were getting $3,500, and they were relying on that money, then we have an obligation to pay it.”

The other concern was that since room and board is a taxable income, students might get caught with some income taxes, but parents at the meeting refuted this, waving Internal Revenue Service publications and notes they had made for the meeting.

“Is there discrimination on where you attend school?” said Wendy Ponca whose son attends Haskell Indian Nations University where tuition costs $215. “Because one of my son’s has chosen to go to Haskell, he can’t get the full amount?”

“Who cares if we have to pay taxes on a mere $3,500. So what, pay it!” Ponca said.

Edwards made a motion for a resolution that all students waiting for the remainder of the money be paid in full immediately, without having to fill out the applications and send them in. However, a resolution is a recommendation and holds no legal binding. The education department, or the Executive Branch, does not have to act on the resolution.

The resolution will be introduced Friday morning during the congressional session, according to Congressman Doug Revard, education committee chair.

Education Director, Robert Hyatt, said in the meeting that a letter was sent late Friday to those students waiting on the remainder of the money. The letter explains the situation to the students and what steps they need to take. He said the department also sent letters to their schools explaining the money has been delayed and asks the schools to extend their letters of intent to Oct. 10, and to wave any late fees or penalties.

“I’ve received no letter that was sent on [Sept. 4] and [my daughter’s] school has received no letter,” said Penny Bradford, whose daughter attends a small college. “She has until next week for her account to be paid in full or else I have to go down there and pack her up.”

Three other parents at the meeting said that their children have not received a letter from the Nation and neither has their school. Barnett said that since the letters were sent out late Friday, and due to the holiday, the students and schools should be receiving those letters today or tomorrow.

Barnett also told the committee that legal implications were found concerning tax liability for the tribe and that the Executive Branch would be preparing a report with the help of an attorney to present to the Congress in an executive session at a future date.

“We’re trying to look out for the student’s best interest,” Barnett said. “We expect no delays in the disbursement of money.”