Albert Old Crow, Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Council Coordinator

19/09/2025

⏰ Remote Voting Registration Closes September 29! ⏰

Don’t miss your chance to participate in the October 4 Annual Tribal Council Meeting if you can't make it in person.

• Watch the meeting live on your phone, tablet, or computer
• Cast your vote securely and anonymously
• If you show up in person, your remote access will be shut off and you’ll use a keypad to vote in person

How to Register (before September 29):

It only takes a few minutes! Fill out the form here:
📝 https://form.jotform.com/252616739709064

Funding for devices is still being finalized, but your registration is critical. It proves there is demand and helps us secure the resources to make this option available.

Please share this with relatives and friends who may not have seen it. Every voice matters!

Please feel free to reach out to our office with any questions.
Office: 405-422-7430 | Cell: 405-437-5269

Please click the link to complete this form.

19/09/2025

📢 FY 2026 BUDGET READY 📢

When I ran for Tribal Council Coordinator, I promised to make the budget available to you as soon as possible. Today, Ramona and I are proud to share that the Tribal Budget is ready for your review.

🔗 You can view it now at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OUdLbgZ2A4OBRL-FdZ594x49EVqZEEdW/view?usp=share_link

This is YOUR budget, and your right to see how our tribal resources are being managed. Transparency and accountability mean making sure you have access to this information without delay AND with ample time to review it ahead of our annual meeting.

I encourage all Tribal members to take time to review the budget, bring your questions, and share your thoughts. Together, we can make sure our government works for all of us.

In Service,
Albert Old Crow
Tribal Council Coordinator
📞 Office: 405-422-7430
📱 Cell: 405-437-5269
📧 [email protected]

17/09/2025

17/09/2025

🚨 Please join us live today at 3:30 PM as we go LIVE 🚨

Last Thursday, the Legislature held a public hearing on our proposal for a budget increase to cover expenses for holding a second Tribal Council meeting this year.

For context, our annual Tribal Council budget was already cut by legislators by 9% earlier this year after the federal funding freezes, which left limited resources.

On Saturday, the Legislature voted to table that request.

Because the increase was tabled, there will be NO funding for in-person voting clickers and NO remote voting option at this time.

We know this decision affects many of you. We want everyone to fully understand what it means and what comes next.

Please join us if you can, and as always know that our door, email, and phone lines are always open for you.

Send a message to learn more

12/09/2025

📣 Weekly Update – From the Office of the Tribal Council Coordinator
We are less than one month away from our Annual Tribal Council Meeting, and I want to share the latest developments with you.
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🌟 Community Engagement
This week, I will be volunteering to hand out wristbands at the State Fair of Oklahoma. It has been decades since I last attended, and I am looking forward to reconnecting with this tradition—and enjoying a corny dog or two.
A special thanks to the volunteers at the fair, including the golf cart drivers, who helped so many Tribal members and families enjoy the event.
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🏛 Legislative Public Hearing
Our office presented the justification for a Tribal Council budget increase at the Legislative Public Hearing. It was a challenging presentation, but we made our case. Voting on this proposal will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
📌 Meeting Details:
• Called to order at 10:03 AM
• Present: A1 Diane Willis, A2 Kendricks Sleeper, A4 Rector Candy, C1 Bruce Whiteman
• On Zoom: A3 Travis Ruiz (departed 10:30 AM), C2 George Woods (joined 11:46 AM), Tommy Trout (10:57 AM)
Items Discussed:
• Resolution to support Bureau of Reclamation Emergency Drought Relief grant application
• Resolution to pay gaming license fees for enrolled Cheyenne and Arapaho employees
• Bill to amend the 2025 Annual Budget with midyear modifications
• Discussion on contract labor
Adjourned at 11:54 AM.
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🎖 Veterans’ Board
The Veterans’ Board met this week with a focus on mental health awareness—a vital subject as we continue to care for our loved ones and ourselves.
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📡 Annual Tribal Council Meeting Preparations
We met with Option Technologies to finalize details for the first-ever remote voting at the 2025 Annual Tribal Council Meeting—an important milestone for expanding participation. Thank you to all participating—it is much appreciated.
➡️ To prepare Tribal members, a Remote Voting Training Session will be held:
📅 Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 🕖 7:00 PM
💻 Zoom Link
📞 719-359-4580 | Meeting ID: 846 8922 5350
All Tribal members are invited, whether planning to vote remotely or not.
The 2025 Annual Tribal Council Resolutions will also be presented at the Albuquerque OOD Community Meeting on Saturday, September 13, from 1:00–5:00 PM.
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🧹 Community Announcements
• EPA Tire Collection: Ongoing until the end of September at Hammon ERC & Old Mechanic Shop in Concho. Call 405.422.7485 for more information.
• Community Clean-Up Events: Through September at Geary, Watonga, and Seiling ERC buildings.
⚠️ Not accepted: hazardous materials, heavy metals, appliances, cleaning fluids, batteries, e-waste, medicines, gasoline, propane, tires, or tree limbs.
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🙏 Closing Thoughts
As we enter this election cycle, let’s remain respectful and kind. Let’s not make our grandmothers scold us if they were here—they were tough women and expected respect for others from us.

Respectfully,
Albert Old Crow
Tribal Council Coordinator








&AsAtTheFair

05/09/2025

🌟 WEEKLY UPDATE – From the Office of the Tribal Council Coordinator 🌟

We are less than one month away from our Annual Tribal Council Meeting! Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Annual Meeting & Resolutions
Seven resolutions are on the agenda. The first will be to confirm me as your 2026 Tribal Council Coordinator—as no one else applied. We’re also preparing the budget books for print. The Legislative hearing will be held this Thursday, with the final budget vote on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Regular Legislative Session.

📅 Community Meetings (6 PM each night)
Come join us to review the Resolutions and take a look at the budget before the Annual Meeting. The resolutions will be available to take home.

Clinton ERC – Sept. 10

Hammon ERC – Sept. 17

Watonga ERC – Sept. 18

Oklahoma City – Capitol Hill Library – Sept. 24

Canton ERC – Sept. 25

Concho ERC – Oct. 1

🧀 Plains Collective and Watonga Cheese Festival Collaboration
One week after the Annual Meeting, the C & A collaboration with the Watonga Cheese Festival will come alive with cultural activities and fun for all ages.

💜 Community Highlights

The George Hawkins Memorial Treatment Center started their 14th cycle with several C & A members walking the path of sobriety. Please keep them in your prayers.

A shout out to Lucky Star Casino employees—thank you for your dedication in all weather conditions!

Your involvement makes us stronger. Thank you for continuing to show up for your government and your people.

Respectfully,
Albert Old Crow
Tribal Council Coordinator

✨ Hashtags ✨
Collective

29/08/2025

📣 WEEKLY UPDATE – From the Office of the Tribal Council Coordinator

Dear Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Members,

✅ Special Tribal Council Meeting – Thank You
We took a deep breath after the successful Special Tribal Council meeting, and I want to sincerely thank every Tribal member who participated. Your involvement makes me smile as we show the younger generation just how important it is to actively take part in our Tribal government.

📑 Annual Tribal Council Meeting – October 4, 2025
We are now accepting resolutions and applications for the position of Tribal Council Coordinator in preparation for the Annual Tribal Council Meeting. Your submissions help ensure that every voice is heard as we move forward together.

🧠 Mental Awareness Discussion
This past Thursday, I attended a Mental Awareness meeting where we had important conversations about recognizing when we need help. One message stood out: “It is nothing to be ashamed about to say, ‘Hey, I have a problem with my thinking.’”
We are still living with the effects of generational trauma from the boarding school era, but the more we open these conversations, the more Tribal members may find the strength to say, “I have similar feelings, and I am not alone.”

Shout out to Let’s continue showing each other and our younger generation that caring for our minds and our government is a community responsibility.

— Albert Old Crow
Tribal Council Coordinator

Send a message to learn more

22/08/2025

📢 WEEKLY UPDATE – August 22, 2025

Dear Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Members,

We took a deep breath this week following the Special Tribal Council Meeting on August 16, where 247 members signed in. Here are the results:

Chairperson: Kyle Spotted Horse (51), Bobbie Hamilton (80)

Secretary: Wilma Blackbear (72), Jennifer Bailey (116)

Constitutional Amendments:
• Term Limits for Gov/Lt Gov – PASSED (123–117)
• Residency Requirements – PASSED (123–102)
• Remote Participation – PASSED (117–106)
• Threshold changes – DID NOT PASS

This was an important step toward modernization, allowing members everywhere to participate in governance.

Legislative Session – August 22
Authorizations included: contracts for services, Tribal insurance, Housing & Labor funds, leases for Tribal lands, and purchase of member interests.

Looking Ahead

Annual Tribal Council Meeting: October 4, 2025

Deadlines: Resolutions, TC Coordinator applications, and Remote Participation applications due August 29

Community Potlucks scheduled—our office will provide stew, bread, dessert, and water.

Other Highlights

Ribbon Skirt Class – October 3, NAC Building (priority for out-of-district members, limited to 25)

Plains Collective Art Festival – October 10–11 in Watonga, celebrating Native art, food, dance, parade, fashion show, powwow & more!

✨ Shout out to the volunteers and staff who made the Special TC Meeting a success. You were fantastic!

Albert Old Crow
Tribal Council Coordinator

15/08/2025

📢 Special Tribal Council Meeting – This Saturday! 📢

This week has been all about getting ready for our Special Tribal Council Meeting on Saturday, August 16th at 10:00 AM.

🍳 Breakfast: 8:15–9:30 AM
🍽 Lunch: Served after the meeting concludes

This is YOUR chance to take part in YOUR tribal government—make your voice heard and help shape our future. I look forward to seeing you there!

Albert Old Crow
Tribal Council Coordinator
📞 Office: 405-422-7430 | Cell: 405-437-5269
📧 [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

09/08/2025

📅 WEEKLY UPDATE – August 8, 2025
From the Office of the Tribal Council Coordinator
Albert Old Crow

Dear Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Members,
Thank you for continuing to stay informed and involved. Here’s this week’s summary of key activities and updates:

📜 Public Notices

Call for Resolutions – The Annual Tribal Council Meeting will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025. Resolution deadline: August 29, 2025.

Tribal Council Coordinator Position Open – Submit application, photo, and biography to the Personnel Department by August 29, 2025.

🏛 Special Tribal Council Meeting – August 16, 2025
Preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth, accessible meeting.

Supporting in-district travel coordination

Public outreach on agenda items

Demonstration of remote participation technology

🎨 Indigenous Arts Festival Planning
Met with the Plains Collective in Watonga to advance plans for the Indigenous Arts Festival in conjunction with the Watonga Cheese Festival. Exciting developments are underway—details coming soon.

📑 Legislative Affairs
Attended the 20th Regular Legislative Session in Concho. Key agenda items:

Approval of minutes from June 14, 2025

Bill to amend the election law (intense debate)

Introduction of the 2026 Annual Budget bill

Resolution to appropriate funds & approve settlement in Election Board v. Governor Wassana

Present: A1 Diane Willis, A2 Kendricks Sleeper, A4 Rector Candy, C1 Bruce Whiteman, C3 Thomas Trout, C4 Byron Byrd. C3 George Woods joined via Zoom. Absent: A3 Travis Ruiz.

🔒 Public Safety & Community Engagement
Attended a gun safety training in El Reno, hosted by the Tribal Office of Recovery. Focus: safe firearm practices and community awareness.

🩺 Health Board Participation
Joined the Health Board meeting in Clinton, discussing mental health in Tribal populations and strategies to improve access to care.

💬 Shout Out
To the New Mexico OOD Group—meeting the 2nd Saturday of every month to discuss tribal politics.

Stay informed. Stay involved. Stay empowered.
📎 www.cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov/government/tribal-council-branch

📞 Office: 405-422-7430 | Cell: 405-437-5269
📧 Email: [email protected]

The Tribal Council is composed of all Member of the Tribes ages eighteen and older and operates with an official Office of the Tribal Council. The 2006 Constitution of the Tribes appoints the Tribal Council with the following authorities: