Photo caption: This birdhouse by artist Jessica Rosemary Harjo sold for $120 and was bought by Osage Nation Congresswoman Paula Stabler. SHANNON SHAW DUTY/Osage News
Thirty-one painted and decorated birdhouses by area and local artists were for sale on Dec. 6 at the annual Pawnee/Osage CASA Birdhouse Auction, held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pawhuska.
The auction was the same night as the Osage Nation’s Christmas Carnival so turnout was low. Despite there being less than 30 people in attendance, they managed to raise more than $2,200 for operations expenses for the CASA office.
The CASA program is made up of volunteers who serve at-risk children in court cases in both Pawnee and Osage counties. Started in 2009, the CASA program takes on court cases in state and tribal courts and is the only program in the United States that serves two tribal courts and two counties. This allows volunteers to follow the child’s case through multiple jurisdictions.
A former judge for the Pawnee Nation, Terry Mason Moore, who now serves as general counsel to Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, said CASA Director Helen Norris works very hard for the children of both counties and together they helped get CASA volunteers into the Pawnee Nation’s court. Moore also sits on CASA’s board of directors.
“I am really thankful we are able to help Native children,” she said. “I appreciate all the hard work Helen does.”
CASA volunteers are assigned to abused and neglected children’s court cases in Osage and Pawnee counties and tribal courts. The volunteers monitor living situations, school activities, and the children’s general well-being and report directly to the judge handling the child’s case.
To prepare for state and tribal cases, CASA volunteers not only complete 30 hours of required training, they also have 10 additional training hours on Osage and Pawnee history and cultural customs.
CASA volunteers Linda and Andy Cravens attended the auction and bought many birdhouses.
“There are times when you say to yourself, ‘Maybe I took this job too cheap,’” Andy Cravens said. “But, you look around and you realize that you are the only friend these children have.
“Sign up, seriously, they need you.”
For more information about the birdhouse auction, on becoming a CASA volunteer or to donate, contact (918) 762-3776 or visit the CASA website at http://www.pawneeosagecasa.org
By
Shannon Shaw Duty
Original Publish Date: 2020-01-16 00:00:00
