Cheyenne Sisters Mission – Something for Everyone

June 11, 2009 – El Reno, OK – Our day began early with a live radio report on WRNE 980 AM radio. We shared the great anticipation we had for the day’s events and some facts that we’ve learned about the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribe. There are about 8,000 members of this tribe.

• They have land allotments from their ancestors (1868) in 160-acre allotments. For a while the land was divided among the heirs in a family. This means after a few generations the amount of property was getting divided into smaller and smaller areas. A recent law change has modified that to allow the land inheritance to go to the oldest child. If there are no available heirs, the land returns to the Tribal Leaders to administer.
• Tribal land is not all together. It is spread out among eleven counties. There is often 100-150 miles between settlements.
• Some of the land is in agricultural or oil/natural gas lease programs.
• Wheat is ready to harvest here. What golden waves of grain! 

We traveled to the Tribal Community Center for the morning meeting. The first event of the day was an opportunity for Ashley and Amber to meet their brother, Jose. Then we were welcomed and Amber and Ashley were introduced and given many thank you gifts. All of them were of tribal significance. The gifts included a tribal flag, blankets, CDs, blessed tobacco, photographs of the Tribal Chiefs and a framed Frank Sheridan print. Robert and I received a beautiful tribal designed blanket. After the presentation, Chief Yellowman blessed the food and the items we have brought and the people who will receive these items. Ashley and Amber were introduced to several other relatives, including an aunt their age. 

After a great breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits and gravy, we all proceeded to the Lucky Star Casino where the 18-wheeler had been secured overnight. Chief Yellowman blessed the volunteers and the vehicles bearing the donations with sweetgrass. The fragrance of the burning grass filled the air as Chief Yelllowman conducted the smudging. Everyone posed for a quick photo beside the truck and then the trailer doors were opened. Workers transferred the washers and dryers to another vehicle so they could be transported to the distribution sites more easily. 

Robert and I went with Clifton Ellis to the Darlington School to deliver the school supplies donated by Florossa Elementary School and WRNE 980 listeners. There we met Dara Franklin, the Education program director. We gave her the cameras for distribution to children for the ‘through their eyes’ project. She will supervise their return as well. The school was full of summer camp students who helped unload the teaching materials, each asking for a “heavy box.” 

From the school we traveled across country with Cliff Ellis to the first distribution site, the Fonda Community hall. A team of volunteers had already set up tables and opened boxes to display the clothing and other items available. School supplies and the toothbrushes went fast. We had a steady stream of families coming to receive the donations for the next two hours. After that the volunteers repacked the remaining items and loaded them in the truck to move to the second location.  By the time we arrived at Geary, people were ready to make their selections.

Several people picked up their washers and dryers. More relatives stopped by to meet Ashley and Amber. What relation is the grandson of a cousin? There was a steady flow of recipients until 6 PM. The 18-wheeler returned to the Luck Star Casino and we couldn’t get ready for bed fast enough!

 

Billie and Robert Nicholson are business mentors helping small businesses increase public awareness of their services.  They can be reached at billieandrobert@gmail.com.; www.RustyBuggy.com