For Immediate Release Nov. 26, 2019
Media Contact: Darren DeLaune
O: (918) 732-7617
C: (918) 777-8457 ddelaune@muscogeenation.com
Muscogee (Creek) Nation recognizes Foster Care and Adoption Month
Department holds training for foster care and adoptive families
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — November is the National Foster Care and Adoption month in the United States. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Family Services (CFSA) do what they can to help the children who are in their care.
The theme for this month is, ‘My heart has been touched by adoption, has yours?’.
On Nov. 15, CFSA held a seminar in conjunction with MCN Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services (BHS) to give tips and motivational training to current foster care, adoptive families and new ones who are starting out.
CFSA Certification, Placement, Recruiting and Training Coordinator Robyn Wind said they hope the seminar can better assist and prepare families to deal with trauma that the children may have endured.
“We hope they can recognize the behaviors if the children are dealing with it now and could be dealing with it in the future,” she said.
Wind also said there are times when trauma may not come out in the children’s behavior until much later in life.
“If our families are better educated in dealing with the trauma, it could make a better life for the children,” she said.
BHS Director and seminar speaker Kyle Sprangle said there could be all different types of traumas that children have been through and he wants to help the parents understand their mental health as well as the child.
“When I talk about mental health and expectations, it is not only for the child, it is for the parent,” Sprangle said. “When the parents get these types of education, and they recognize those moments their child might be going through, they can think, become aware and understand why they are doing these types of behaviors.”
Sprangle hopes to continue these types of training with the parents and give them better preparation for their families.
“Unfortunately, the two hours that we have today is not enough to cover everything,” he said. “It can help to get the ball rolling and I hope we can meet at future dates to continue their education.”
Currently, there are 42 CFSA homes, which the staff said is not enough.
“We need more families that want to take our children in, either for foster care or adoption,” Wind said.
For Immediate Release Nov. 22, 2019
Media Contact: Liz Gray
O: (918) 549-2453
C: (918) 758-8106 egray@muscogeenation.com
Citizen attends White House conference
Issues faced by contemporary Native Veterans discussed
WASHINGTON — Muscogee (Creek) citizen and Naval officer Capt. Calvin Foster was invited to attend the Supporting Contemporary Native American Veterans Conference Nov. 19 at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House.
The conference hosted nearly 200 Native American and Alaska Native Veterans, active duty service members, and state, local and tribal Veterans’ champions to honor the legacy of Native Americans in the military.
During the conference discussion was facilitated on issues faced by contemporary Native American Veterans such as housing, job training, entrepreneurship and pathways to prosperity post-service.
Attendees interacted with several Federal leaders from the White House, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of the Interior, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration and several other agencies, including Vice President Mike Pence.
“Native Americans have bravely served our country in uniform and we are forever grateful for the contribution they have made to the life of our nation,” Pence posted on Twitter following the event.
Foster said it was an honor to attend the conference and hear Pence speak about the critical role of Native American families and tribes play in supporting Veterans.
“I left the event encouraged in the unity of Native American and Alaska Native Veterans in our nation’s defense and greatly appreciate the President’s commitment and support to our tribes and our veterans,” he said.
For Immediate Release Nov. 21, 2019
Media Contact: Liz Gray
O: (918) 549-2453
C: (918) 758-8106 egray@muscogeenation.com
MCN Ambassador Chaudhuri recommends solution for ‘Broken Promises Report’
Testimony delivered in front of Congress Subcommittee, calls for full funding of federal programs
WASHINGTON — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Ambassador Jonodev Chaudhuri testified in his role as a representative for the Nation in front of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States for the House Committee on Natural Resources during an oversight hearing on “Reviewing the Broken Promises Report: Examining the Chronic Federal Funding Shortfalls in Indian Country,” Nov. 19 at the Longworth Building in Washington.
The Broken Promises Report is a brief provided by the United States Commission on Civil Rights Dec. 20 2018 and is a follow up of the 2003 report “A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country,” which found that funding for services critical to Native Americans – including healthcare, law enforcement and education is disproportionately lower than funding for services of other populations.
In the 15 years since the initial report, the Commission examined Congress’ continued failure to fully fund treaty and statutory obligations.
The report details the crippling effects of federal programs intended to help Native Americans due to underfunding, poor data collection and lack of coordination.
Ambassador Chaudhuri addressed the subcommittee with the knowledge of the well-known failure between MCN and the United States and how the legacy of broken promises impacts every aspect of Mvskoke life.
“Today, the citizens of our nations face the highest rates of domestic violence and murder, they experience serious economic and health disparities, and their governments have been precluded from exercising jurisdiction to ensure their protection based on legal principles that directly contradict the treaties the United States has signed,” Chaudhuri stated in his introduction.
He provided a list of recommendations to remedy the problems identified in the report, concluding the United States government fully fund each and every one of its obligations to tribal nations.
For Immediate Release Nov. 21, 2019
Media Contact: Darren DeLaune
O: (918) 732-7617
C: (918) 777-8457 ddelaune@muscogeenation.com
Muscogee (Creek) Nation promotes recycling in community
Muscogee (Creek) Nation participates in National Recycle Day
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Environmental Services (MCNES) encouraged the local community to recycle during the National Recycle Day Nov. 15, by holding a recycling drive.
The department collected numerous things including: electronics, plastic bottles, cans, batteries and tires.
MCNES Director James Williams said this is one of their biggest events and they wanted to expand it this year.
“Anything that you usually couldn’t throw away, it can be brought to us,” he said. “We are collecting white goods this year. White goods are things such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, to name a few.”
Williams said old batteries that get thrown onto the ground are very bad for the environment because it will not break down.
“Those will never go away,” he said.
The electronics collected by MCNES would normally be dumped in a landfill and a lot of landfills are getting full.
“A lot of organizations are tapping into the landfills and seeing what can be taken out to be recycled,” Williams said. “Take the tires that we are collecting. These tires are going to be reused for things such as playground equipment.”
Williams says they plan to do this event twice a year.
“One event will be on Earth day and the next will be on National Recycles Day,” he said.
He also said when he is doing the collecting of recyclables, he is thinking of the future generations.
I do not want our children, and grandchildren burdened with this problem,” Williams said. “If we can start this now it is going to benefit them and make their Earth a lot better.”
(Photo by Darren DeLaune/MCNPR.) (R to L: Muscogee (Creek) Nation Second Chief Louis Hicks, MCN Secretary of Interior Affairs Jesse Allen, Principal Chief James Floyd, Okmulgee Vice Mayor Richard Larabee, ODOT Engineer Chris Wallace and Okmulgee County Commissioner Bobby Hardridge) The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the completion of the $173,000 Mission Road improvement project.
For Immediate Release Nov. 14, 2019
Muscogee (Creek) Nation completes $734K improvement on public intersection
MCN, ODOT, Okmulgee County collaborate to address area of concern
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — When the Muscogee (Creek) Nation completed the Transportation Safety Plan in 2014, the Mission road intersection was identified as a significant area of concern.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) agreed, and the MCN and ODOT worked together to collect crash data for the intersection. Through this information, the Nation rated Mission as the number one priority on the MCN Safety Plan.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to help identify and seek solutions for traffic concerns,” said ODOT Engineer Chris Wallace. “The improvements at Mission Road will benefit drivers for years to come, and we thank the Nation for their partnership to promote additional safety here.”
The Nation applied for construction funds through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) safety program and was awarded $430,000 to complete this intersection realignment project. The remaining funds to complete the project came through the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP).
The TTP is another BIA program that provides federal funding for roads, bridges and other transportation projects within tribal areas. TTP pays for new construction and maintenance of existing infrastructure and is an important source of funding that complements existing ODOT budgets.
“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is pleased to participate in a partnership that allows the state to access greater funding,” MCN Principal Chief James Floyd said. “By utilizing these dollars, we can assist the state in completing much needed projects – sometimes even ahead of schedule.”
ODOT worked with the MCN to review the plans and assist with acquiring the necessary permits. Okmulgee County Commissioners also assisted the Nation in acquiring the right-of-way to complete the project.
“This is an example of different government entities working hand-in-hand together to provide a benefit to the citizens here. Safety is paramount in any project when we are talking about transportation,” said Okmulgee County Commissioner Bobby Hardridge.
Through the partnership efforts of MCN, ODOT, and Okmulgee County safety issues have been rectified.
For Immediate Release Nov. 13, 2019
Media Contact: Darren DeLaune
O: (918) 732-7617
C: (918) 777-8457 ddelaune@muscogeenation.com
Okmulgee Creek Indian Community to build new community center
New location north of tribal complex near Housing Division
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — A dreary and rainy Thursday afternoon would not stop elected officials and Okmulgee community members from having a groundbreaking ceremony for a new community center on Nov. 7, in Okmulgee.
“We moved it indoors,” Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Construction Director Steven Emerson said. “We were going to have a ceremony regardless.”
Okmulgee Community Center Vice-Chairperson Rosanna Bear said the new community center was a long time coming.
“Finally,” Bear said. “It has been several Chair (persons) who have had a hand in this new center. Five or six chairpersons.”
The design and layout of the building will be the same as the Hanna Community Center, and Tribal Construction says other future community centers will utilize this standard design.
MCN Principal Chief James Floyd congratulated the members on the new center.
“We are very pleased that we could have this groundbreaking,” Floyd said. “It is long overdue.
Floyd and Emerson both have thanked the MCN National Council for the appropriations to get the new building.
“We can begin construction on it (new community center),” Floyd said.
For Immediate Release Nov. 6, 2019
Media Contact: Darren DeLaune
O: (918) 732-7617
C: (918) 777-8457 ddelaune@muscogeenation.com
Mvskoke Loan Fund hosts ‘spending frenzy’
Exercise teaches students how to handle finances
DEPEW, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mvskoke Loan Fund held a Spending Frenzy financial literacy immersion experience Nov. 4, for students at Depew Public Schools in Depew, Okla.
Approximately 35 youth ranging from fourth grade to 12th grade were involved with the Spending Frenzy.
A couple of years ago, MLF held a spending frenzy event at Eufaula Dormitory in Eufaula, Okla.
Chief Executive Officer of MLF Chris Coburn thought they should do another one at a smaller school and help them understand what this exercise can do for students.
“This exercise simulates a year’s worth of life and it lets children rise to the occasion and handle responsibility,” Coburn said.
The Spending Frenzy is a product developed by First Nations Development Institute and Coburn adapted the game to work with students who are in the MCN jurisdiction.
“When this game was developed, it was designed for western tribes with per capita,” Coburn said.
The Spending Frenzy helps students to understand financial responsibility when they are in a career, making a salary and where the money goes to in order to live a suitable life.
“All the stations deal with real life,” Coburn said. “Whether it is car insurance or health insurance, buying a home, getting a vehicle, the children have to figure out how to do all this and be able to live off the money they have.”
Fourth grade student Jackson Bigpond attended the Spending Frenzy. He said he was doing good until a chance of ‘fate’ hit him.
“My pitbull bit someone,” Bigpond said. “Now I have to pay someone $2,000.”
Coburn said a volunteer walked around with ‘fate’ cards, passing them out to students during the exercise.
“The fate cards are like chance cards in the game, Monopoly,” Coburn said. “Some of the cards are good while some are bad.”
While Bigpond did have to pay because of his ‘canine attacking someone,’ he would be dealt with the fate cards once again, this time in his favor.
“I won $2,000 in a 50/50 raffle,” he said.
Coburn thought it was a stretch to allow students as young as the fourth grade to attend but thought they could understand what their families go through when it comes to handling money, bills and family.
“If they learn from the spending frenzy, then that is the main thing,” he said. “They can get an idea and understanding on what their parents do when it comes to paying bills and handling the finances.
Coburn hopes to have these exercises twice a year, in the spring and fall.
Unofficial Results Announced in Muscogee (Creek) Nation Primary Election
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation announces unofficial results for the primary election held on November 2. 5,137 votes were cast.
Unofficial results show David Hill leading in the race for the office of principal chief.
David Hill received 1,966 votes, accounting for 38.27 percent. In second place was Bim Steve Bruner, receiving 1,172 votes and 22.81 percent. Hill and Bruner will runoff in the general election to be held Dec. 14.
Unofficial results for Second Chief show Del Beaver as the leader in the race with 3,480 votes and 69.39 percent.
The full results of the election are listed below.
Following an order issued by the MCN District Court on Friday, Nov. 1 in response to a motion for an injunction filed by the Steve Bruner campaign, the Election Board will continue to retrieve absentee ballots from Nov. 4 through Nov. 9. Final results are expected to be available Friday Nov. 8.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Court holds over decision
Judge orders standard election protocol on ballots collected between Nov. 2 – 9
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Court held a hearing on November 1, regarding a motion of injunction filed by the Steve Bruner for Chief campaign.
MCN District Court Judge Jeremy Pittman issued an order stating that the Election Board will continue to retrieve absentee ballots from the Okmulgee Post Office each day at 11:00am from Nov. 4 through Nov. 9. Standard election protocol will be adhered to and ballots will be secured and preserved. The ballots shall be organized separately based on the day received and placed in a secure, separate location. These ballots will remain secure until further order by the court.
“Judge Pittman’s order is an effort to maintain the election process,” Floyd said. “This is an example of our government working for our citizens.”
The court order does not impact the Primary Election scheduled for tomorrow, November 2nd. Polls will open at 7 AM and close at 7 PM.
The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 9:00am.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health statement concerning prescription fills
OKEMAH, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health experienced technical issues this week at the Okemah pharmacy, affecting wait times for prescriptions.
The robotic fill unit had a part malfunction, which resulted in manual fills of over 800 prescriptions in a day. A new part was received and installed on Oct. 30 to restore the system to working order.
“In addition to mechanical setbacks, MCNDOH is installing new software necessary for integration of their new refill center and familiarizing staff so that they may better serve patients. It is always difficult for our staff and patients when our equipment fails and technology upgrades are required,” MCN Secretary of Health Shawn Terry said. “The new refill center will take a significant workload off the clinic pharmacy and patients will be able to receive their medications much faster.”
Terry assured patients that operations will improve once these issues are resolved.
“MCNDOH would like to apologize for the delays, but remain confident these issues are being resolved and our patients will be much better served,” he stated.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Survivors discuss experiences dealing with disease
GLENPOOL, Oklahoma —
I got this feeling inside my bones
It goes electric, wavy when I turn it on
All through my city, all through my home
We’re flying up, no ceiling, when we’re in our zone
The lyrics to Justin Timberlake’s hit song, ‘Can’t stop the feeling,’ blared through the speakers at the 17th annual Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health Pink Party.
Accompanying the song was a dance video involving Muscogee (Creek) employees and youth throughout the jurisdiction.
Employees, citizens and above all, survivors of cancer filled the event center for this year’s celebration.
MCN Secretary of Health Shawn Terry welcomed everyone to the party and recognized the many survivors that participated.
“It is such a celebration in who we get to honor,” he said. “More and more people want to become a part of this [Pink Party] and get more knowledge and awareness on breast cancer.”
Terry said Native American women have some of the highest rates in getting breast cancer and the event has helped with recognizing the women and men that have faced this type of cancer.
“We have done such an amazing job in honoring the survivors,” Terry said. “When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it’s not only affecting that person. It affects their family.”
MCN Principal Chief James Floyd spoke to the audience about the importance of having the Pink Party and why it is necessary for the awareness of breast cancer.
“It tells me the people here at the Pink Party are interested in learning how to recognize breast cancer and the steps they should do if they have a concern,” Floyd said.
According to breastcancer.org, about 1 in 8 U.S. women, roughly 12 percent, will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
This year, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,930 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
Doctors representing the Saint Francis Oncology and Breast Cancer Group in Tulsa, Okla., were keynote speakers for the Pink Party. They spoke to the audience on how they team up to help patients who are combating breast cancer.
“No two cancer cases are the same,” Oncologist Dr. Fuad Hassany said. “Each breast cancer is different.”
Muscogee (Creek) citizen and butterfly whisperer, Virginia Williams was there and served as moderator for a panel of survivors who spoke about their breast cancer experiences.
“One of the things that bothered me when I found out I had breast cancer was not being in control,” breast cancer survivor Sandra Lambert said. “I wanted it gone (breast cancer). It was a process and I like things to happen quickly. Having to depend on others was hard for me.”
Floyd had one last thing to say to the survivors at the Pink Party.
“I want to thank you for being here today at the Pink Party,” he said. “You are beacons in your family and the communities. You represent strength and we need that.”
Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes unites once again in Choctaw country
Chief Floyd delivers outgoing ITC update
DURANT, Oklahoma — The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes meeting was held Oct. 10-11 at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma.
Principal Chief James R. Floyd delivered his outgoing update for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation during the general session.
“It’s been great serving as principal chief,” Floyd said. “It’s been fun and I think it has been brought up before that you really do this for the people.”
He provided an update over the Stigler Act Amendment, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park expansion and the MCN health systems.
“Using the authorities that we have, it is great now to see our collections exceed the distribution that we get from the Indian Health Service,” he said. “The fact that we can now plan on how we can allocate the funds that we generate ourselves” he said.
ITC passed eight resolutions during the Oct. 11 General Session.
The first resolution, Resolution No. 19-20, encouraged tribal governments to establish Tribal Complete Count Committees to support an accurate and complete count of all tribal citizens and to raise awareness about the programs and services made possible by the U.S. Census.
The 2020 U.S. Census will occur on April 1, an accurate census count would ensure that Native American voters have an equal voice in the political process of non-tribal elections.
The second resolution, Resolution No. 19-21, supports the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act (STOP) Act of 2019. The act would eliminate the export of, and encourage the repatriation of, tribal cultural heritage and strengthen the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
Resolution No. 19-22 was the third resolution addressed, which supports the expansion of the State of Oklahoma’s Medicaid program to certain low-income adults, as permitted under federal Medicaid laws.
Oklahoma is one of fourteen states that has not expanded Medicaid, despite indications that show spending offsets and savings to the State would result in little to no net costs to the state to expand Medicaid; the state continues to lose out on health care resources creating inequities in Indian health.
The fourth resolution, Resolution No. 19-23, supports the designation of additional tribal Promise Zones and nomination of additional tribal Promise Zones in Indian Country can and will help establish private-public partnerships and ensure investment in some of the most underserved areas in Indian Country.
The Choctaw Nation was named as the first ever tribal Promise Zone in 2014. The Thunder Valley Promise Zone, Pride of the Great Plains Promise Zone and Spokane Tribe of Indians Promise Zone have since been designated as tribal Promise Zones to support and empower their communities through this initiative. Tribal Promise Zones in Indian Country help establish private-public partnerships and ensure investment in some of the most underserved areas in Indian Country.
Resolution No. 19-24 supports the mission of the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium to advance tribal economics and strengthen tribal finance within the state of Oklahoma and supports the vision of the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium that tribes and sovereign nations throughout Oklahoma will gain financial and economic synergy through collaboration and enriched intertribal relations.
Chief Floyd spoke about the Oklahoma Economic Impact that was released earlier this year during his update.
“It’s important that we keep that message about who we are and the impact that we out in the forefront,” he said. “96,000 jobs that we have made in the state of Oklahoma. Who else can stand up and say they represent an organization that had brought that many jobs to the state?”
The sixth resolution, Resolution No. 19-25, urged Congress to reauthorize NAHASDA and uphold its commitment to government-to-government negotiations with the tribes. The resolution proposed that no federally recognized tribe should be explicitly mentioned or subject to additional restrictions for funding eligibility.
Resolution No. 19-26 urged Congress to expedite a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to ensure continued protection and services for Native women experiencing or at-risk violence.
VAWA was last reauthorized in 2013, over the past few decades the act has included provisions addressing the protection and support of Native Women. The previous reauthorization closed the jurisdictional gap by providing tribal governments with the authority to hold non-Native perpetrators accountable for their crimes against Native women in Indian country.
The eighth and final resolution, Resolution No. 19-27, supports the Cherokee Nation’s action to exercise its treaty right and call upon the House of Representative to fulfill its obligation to the Cherokee Nation by seating Delegate Kimberly Teehee in Congress.
In 2017, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rules that the rights and obligations established under the 1866 treaty remain in effect for the Cherokee Nation and the United States. The principal chief of the Cherokee Nation is to appoint a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, the delegate is to be confirmed by the Council of the Cherokee Nation.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation presents statement in Consolidated Opioid suit in federal court in Cleveland, OH
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) Attorney General Kevin Dellinger presented a statement before U.S. District Court Judge Dan Aaron Polster prior to the start of the landmark federal trial over the opioid epidemic in the Northern District of Ohio.
Opening arguments were scheduled to start Monday, October 21, 2019 before Judge Polster. The case involves two Ohio counties (Cuyahoga and Summit Counties) that have sued six opioid distributors. The trial was set to begin but early yesterday morning, the parties reached a $260 million settlement to avoid a trial.
On Friday October 18, prior to the start of the case, Judge Polster summoned the chief executives of the distributors, representatives of two other companies, plaintiffs’ lawyers, four state attorneys generals, and MCN Attorney General Dellinger to his courtroom. The parties were summoned in order to determine if there was a global settlement that could be reached among all the parties. Judge Polster then asked for statements from any plaintiffs wishing to make a statement. MCN Attorney General Dellinger was granted an opportunity to speak.
Dellinger asked the court and Judge Polster to remember tribes as part of a global settlement.
“We are, without a question, the most severely impacted of all communities in the United States. This devastation comes on top of centuries of displacement, oppression and neglect, all of which together make addressing the opioid epidemic in our remote communities that much more challenging,” Dellinger said.
The opioid epidemic has had severe effects in Indian Country.
According to the data cited in the MCN lawsuit, “The CDC has reported that approximately one out of every 14.5 American Indian youth aged 12 years or older used prescription opioids for non-medical purposes in 2012. This is 60 percent higher than white youths.”
MCN and the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana are the two bellwether tribes in the opioid suit in the MDL (Multi-District Litigation) before the Federal District Court in Cleveland, OH. This means these two tribes are representing their cases before the Federal District Court as a sort of demonstration case. In such cases, it is not practical to prepare every case for trial. A few cases are selected as bellwether cases and prepared for trial. They are then settled or tried and the results are used to shape the process of addressing the remaining cases.
The MCN and Blackfeet Tribe of Montana bellwether cases have not yet been set.
CAPT Calvin Foster: Muscogee (Creek) citizen inside the Pentagon
Citizen helps implement Naval efforts in Steering Reform
WASHINGTON — Captain Calvin Foster visits “The Wall” often. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. lists names upon names of service members who fought, died and are unaccounted for during the Vietnam War. One name particular stands out for Foster, the reason he decided to serve in the military in the first place, his namesake; Calvin Diehl.
His uncle was a Lieutenant Captain in the U.S. Air Force when the F-105 Thunderchief he was piloting was shot down.
There is a legacy of service in Foster’s family. His grandfather was a retired Army Colonel and his father served in the Air Force. Foster was born on an Air Force base in Maine before his family returned home to Bristow, Oklahoma.
His family’s service goes beyond military. Foster’s Muscogee (Creek) lineage begins with his great-great-grandfather, Chilli Morgan, a translator for the Dawes Commission. His grandfather, Arthur Morgan Foster, was a prominent banker for the Bristow community who was instrumental in starting Oklahoma’s Vo-Tech system. His father, Dr. George Foster was the Dean of Optometry at Northeastern State University and his mother, Rita Foster dedicated her life to education and music ministry. His sister, Dr. Kathleen Elliott works for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health as an optometrist and his brother, Dr. Tol Foster is a professor of Native American studies.
Perhaps it was his family’s legacy that caused him to be so interested in the different types of military service. While in high school, his advisor Tommy Thompson is the one who provided the opportunity to seriously consider the Naval Academy.
Foster was accepted into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. During his graduation his grandfather, Arthur donned his uniform and administered Foster’s first oath of office.
“Granddad was always making sure I was taking a step in the right direction,” Foster said.
The Navy had several different pathways of service for Foster. Out of aviation, submarines and special warfare; he chose ships, also known as surface warfare.
The day after graduation, he got married to his wife of now 27 years, Nicole. From there he trained as a Surface Warfare Officer in Newport, Rhode Island and reported to his first Naval assignment after the Academy; the USS Shreveport based out of Norfolk, Virginia. This assignment led to Combat Systems Training as the department head.
(Wiki Commons) Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Feb. 17, 2004) – The Amphibious Transport Dock USS Shreveport (LPD 12), leaves its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Shreveport is getting underway for a scheduled deployment as an element assigned to the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). U.S Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Matthew Bash.
During this time, Foster’s family was growing and quickly. After the birth of his first son in 1995, Foster and his wife found themselves expecting triplets in 1998. This led to a big career move considering the Navy wanted to send Foster out to sea for another four years. It was at that point he became a reserve officer.
Foster would be called back to active duty over the years, even reporting to the Pentagon as an OPNAV Action Officer and Navy Crisis Action Team watch officer for CNO Readiness and Logistics Branch. Tragedy is what brought him back to the Pentagon. On June 17, 2017, the USS Fitzgerald was involved in a collision, which resulted in the loss of seven sailors’ lives. Then in August 2017, USS John S. McCain was involved in a collision resulting in 10 sailors’ deaths.
The Navy decided the collisions were preventable and instituted a major reform effort to change the way the Navy trains, operates and certifies itself in a navigational and seamanship perspective.
In 2019, Foster once again returned to active duty to be part of the Navy’s reform as Executive Director of the Readiness Reform Steering Group, supporting the Navy’s oversight council.
When the opportunity came to support this effort, Foster was all in. He considered the surface warfare community his “subtribe” in the Navy.
“Within my own little community here you become passionate about making your community better, making your ships safer and making your team more effective,” Foster said. “The opportunity to come and devote to doing that was really exciting for me.”
He works directly for the Director of the Navy staff, meeting regularly with fleet commanders and Vice Chief of Naval Operations and the Undersecretary of the Navy. Together they have implemented over 100 reforms.
“It’s been a very rewarding job,” he said.
Foster has had over five commands in the Navy.
“I think it has given me a good perspective on organizational dynamics and areas that can be supported and helped and where change can be made,” Foster said.
It has been 31 years since he was an Oklahoma resident, but he has not forgotten where he came from and visits his hometown of Bristow as much as he can.
Foster holds memories of wild onion dinners at Mutteloke Methodist Church and stays connected with his Muscogee (Creek) heritage through his family. They send him shirts to wear that represent his tribe which he always enjoys receiving.
“I enjoyed Bristow and I enjoyed growing up in Oklahoma,” Foster said. “It will always be my home base but I always felt called to serve.”
When Foster enters the Pentagon for work, he passes a quilt with the names of the 9/11 attack victims and is humbled to be where he is now.
“I look forward to doing more.”
###
Excerpt from CAPT Calvin Foster’s official Navy bio:
CAPT Foster continued his service beyond active duty with affiliation into a NAVSEA Reserve Unit (PMS 377) in Washington, DC followed by a tour as Operations Officer for Naval Beach Group TWO Det 206.
He served as a Commanding Officer for Beachmaster Unit TWO Det 206 in Baltimore and Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO Det 405 in Ebensburg, PA. Following a tour at Military Sealift Command (MSC) Headquarters in Washington, DC, he reported to the Pentagon as an OPNAV Action Officer and Navy Crisis Action Team watch officer for CNO Readiness and Logistics Branch (N4).
CAPT Foster mobilized to active duty as the CO of Navy Law and Order Det H and Director of Emergency Services/Provost Marshal for Army Central Command/Area Support Group-Kuwait. He returned as the Deputy CO of NR United States Strategic Command’s Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD) followed by a tour with United States Cyber Command as Plans Branch Chief and Cyber Ops Planner. He commanded NR United States Fleet Forces Command Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) in Houston, TX prior to leading the Joint Staff (South)’s J35 Reserve Division. He is currently assigned as Reserve Commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron TWO.
Municipalities celebrate historic partnership by honoring indigenous culture
Cities, Tribes come together to honor Native American culture and accomplishments
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — In recent years, cities across the U.S. have chosen to observe the second Monday in October as Native American or Indigenous Peoples Day.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 111 in April making Columbus Day a joint holiday. Cities and organizations within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation territory held festivities on the joint holiday. The observances have offered an opportunity for Native Nations and local governments to come together.
The City of Tulsa in partnership with the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, held a Native American Day celebration on the Guthrie Green in downtown Tulsa. The festivities kicked off with Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum reading a proclamation, welcoming remarks from several tribal leaders and greetings from numerous Native American princesses.
Bynum spoke about the passage of the ordnance recognizing Native American Day three years ago.
“We had no designated day to recognize that heritage, honor or celebrate what is happening in Tulsa. In my first 100 days as mayor, the city council and I changed that,” Bynum said.” We are very fortunate. We have a pro-active Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission that had already done all the legwork.”
During his remarks, Principal Chief James Floyd spoke to the establishment of Tulsa.
“This city was settled by Muscogee (Creek) people. By 1837, we had our own government. We had our own meetings and ceremonies here in Tulsa. So, this is our home and your home as well,” Chief Floyd said.
South of Tulsa, the City of Muskogee partnered with the Muskogee Oklahoma Native American Association to recognize Indigenous People’s Day for the first time. Muskogee’s four-day celebration started Oct. 11 with a stompdance and continued with a Native American film festival, comedy night and other activities.
The official ceremony Monday, Oct. 14, commenced with a march to remember and raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women at Honor Heights Park in Muskogee.
Muscogee (Creek) citizen and keynote speaker Lahoma Schultz encouraged attendees to be positive.
“In honor of our ancestors let us remain positive as we celebrate this historical event. Our ancestors left us a legacy of overcoming, carrying on with our lives in a positive way as we look forward to that grand reunion in that beautiful town up in the sky,” Schultz said.
In Okmulgee, the College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) hosted an Indigenous People’s Celebration with Native American artist Steven Paul Judd as a motivational speaker. Judd spoke about his art and his life. The CMN celebration also included a group art project and a stickball game.
These celebrations indicate a willingness to come together for the benefit of all.
“I wish we all continue to strive and work together to produce those things that assist the city of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma,” said Chief Floyd.
Thompson one of 52 distinguished Native Americans recognized during celebration
OKLAHOMA CITY — AARP Oklahoma honored Muscogee (Creek) Supreme Court Justice and Hickory Ground Mekko George Thompson Oct. 1, during their 11th Annual Indian Elder Honors at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Thompson was one of 52 distinguished elders honored during the largest gathering of its kind in the state with over 900 people in attendance.
Every year, AARP select honorees nominated by their peers that represent what is best about Native American people – a love of family, dedication to culture and respect for all people.
“This event celebrates a lifetime of service from these distinguished elders who have positively impacted their community, family, tribe and nation,” AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl said. “For some, their service is well-known and well-documented, but others shy away from recognition as they quietly exhibit devotion to their communities.”
AARP OK Associate State Director Outreach Mashell Sourjohn stated Thompson’s life work with his tribal nation, community and tribal citizens mirrors the values and vision of AARP.
Thompson was recognized for his devotion to the Mvskoke culture in his role as Mekko of Hickory Ground ceremonial ground, which he has held for more than 40 years. He was also acknowledged for his appointed position on the MCN Supreme Court.
“He is a humble leader that understands that the survival of one’s peoplehood requires preservation of language, land and culture…He has worked diligently to preserve our language and culture through engaging our community and youth,” Sourjohn said.
“It is truly our honor to be able to recognize Mr. George Thompson, Jr. and spotlight his accomplishments. He is an inspiration and someone many generations can aspire to be.”
Thompson himself said the honor came unexpectedly. He was returning home from Hickory Ground when he received the call from Sourjohn about his nomination.
“It’s good to be recognized amongst great names out there,” Thompson said. “There’s probably a lot more people out there that deserves to be recognized, but I was glad to be selected amongst them.”
For Immediate Release Oct. 9, 2019 Media Contact: Darren DeLaune
O: (918) 732-7617
C: (918) 777-8457 ddelaune@muscogeenation.com
River Spirit Casino hosts press conference on fraud prevention
Several entities along with country music legends collaborate for cause
TULSA, Oklahoma — AARP along with the U.S. Department of Justice, Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General and award-winning country music legends The Oak Ridge Boys joined together for a fraud prevention awareness announcement targeted towards elders and veterans at the Paradise Cove at Muscogee (Creek) Nation River Spirit Casino in Tulsa on Oct. 4.
AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl made the announcement about the awareness campaign.
“We are pleased to work side by side with The Oak Ridge Boys and the [U.S.] Department of Justice to raise awareness about this epidemic of scams and frauds that impacts so many of us in our country,” Voskuhl said.
MCN Principal Chief James Floyd was in the audience and voiced his support for the nationwide campaign that is aimed to help veterans avoid frauds and scams that are designed to go after them.
“The effort is there for all these organizations to team up and educate awareness for fraud against our elders,” Floyd said.
A public service announcement featuring the award-winning band was unveiled to raise awareness on fraud schemes targeting older veterans in the nationwide campaign.
Floyd said he had a meeting with AARP and hoped to go out to the Native communities to explain what they are doing to help the elder population.
“We want the AARP to come here to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and hold educational sessions to help our citizens understand that there are phone and mail scams aimed at them to hurt them,” he said.
Floyd said he was ecstatic at the fact that the country music band along with the other organizations wanted to hold the campaign at Paradise Cove.
“I think The Oak Ridge Boys really love it there [Paradise Cove],” he said. “When we had the flooding they were calling almost everyday to check on the status of River Spirit.”
For Immediate Release
Oct. 3, 2019
Media Contact: LaTasha Monahwee
O: (918) 732-7630 lmonahwee@muscogeenation.com
MCN Election Board sets date for new Primary Election
New Primary dates to substitute General Election dates
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — After the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court decision to void the results of the Sept. 21 Primary Election, the MCN Election Board has decided to fulfill the MCN Supreme Court’s opinion. The Election Board will move forward with a new Primary Election for candidates of Office of Principal Chief, Second Chief and National Council Seat A, with the exception of George Tiger, who is no longer eligible as a candidate for Principal Chief.
“There must be absolute confidence in our election process and our system,” said Wendy Dunson, MCN Election Board Chair. “It is the Election Board’s highest priority to make certain every ballot cast is counted correctly and to ensure the integrity of this important process remains intact.”
MCN Election Board has set Nov. 2 as the new Primary Election date.
The deadline for absentee voter registration is Oct. 9. Absentee ballots will be mailed out Oct. 14. Early in-person voting will be Oct. 30 & 31 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Tulsa Indian Community Center, Okmulgee Indian Community Center, Eufaula Indian Community Center and Okemah Indian Community Center.
MCN Election Board Manager, Nelson Harjo Jr. stated, “Though the Primary Election dates have been reset, voter participation is still valuable. This was the largest election we ever went through, over 5,000 people voted,” Harjo said. “I want to carry that momentum as best as we can into the new Primary Election.”
For Immediate Release
For Immediate Release
