Welcome to the Official Site of the Wichita And Affiliated Tribes

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE & HEARING

 

  

Public Notice and Hearing

Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (WAT)

"Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Section 40101(d)  - Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid" Grant

 

This public notice is being held in compliance with Section 40101(d)(2)(B)(ii) requiring that eligible applicants give notice and undertake a public hearing/notice to review the criteria and methods they anticipate for using grant awards.

 

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (WAT) is applying to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for a"Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Section 40101(d)  - Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid" grant to develop a planning framework for resilience to address all-hazards including future climate implications.

 

DOE objectives for this proposal:  a) quality jobs, (b) prioritize the greatest community benefits, and (c) share or maximize project benefits across disadvantaged communities.

 

To meet these objectives, grant funding will be utilized to:

• ensure critical tribal facilities are not impacted by disruptive events such as extreme weather conditions, wildfire or a natural disaster which may impact normal grid operations. Options may include implementation of fire-resistant technologies and fire prevention systems.  
• implement technologies to improve and update grid control and operation infrastructure such as weatherization technologies and equipment
• enhance Tribal workforce development and advance the economic vitality of the Tribe through sustaining or creating good paying jobs and creating opportunities for new economic development

The WAT is requesting funds in the amount of  $198,284 for FY22 and $183,118 for FY23, for a total of $381,402.   A 15% match is required, which will be in-kind.  No more than 5% of grant awards each year may be utilized for technical assistance and administrative expenses.   

The WAT is asking for tribal member input about the proposed project and additional information and budgets will be made available in the future as projects are finalized, following grant award.  Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed application and should e-mail comments to: terri.parton@wichitatribe.com.

Public Posting Places:

v  Wichita and Affiliated Tribal webpage & Tribe's Social Media page

v  WAT Bulletin board in Administrative Office

v  VIA Tribal E-mail to all employees

v  Zoom Meeting with tribal employees on August 30, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Public Posting Certification:

Date Posted:  August 29 - 31, 2023                          

 

Certification:   ___________________________

                                                                                                            TERRI PARTON, PRESIDENT

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

COMMISSIONER & BOARD VACANCIES

 

Commissioner Vacancy-Wichita Tax Commission  

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes is seeking one (1) interested individual to serve as Commissioner for the Wichita Tax Commission. One (1) individual will be appointed to an unexpired term that ends March 31, 2024 and may be reappointed.  Please send a letter of interest and resume documenting education and/or experience related to the position. The letter and resume must be sent to The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Attn:  Myles Stephenson Jr., Secretary, P.O. Box 729, Anadarko, OK  73005, by fax at (405) 247-2430 or by email at myles.stephenson@wichitatribe.com by Friday, September 29, 2023. 

 

 

Commissioner Vacancy-Election Commission

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes is seeking four (4) interested individuals to serve as Commissioner's for the Wichita Election Commission. The individuals will be appointed to terms that will expire June 30, 2024, June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.    Please send a letter of interest and resume documenting education and/or experience related to the position. Commissioners may be reappointed. The letter and resume must be sent to The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Attn:  Myles Stephenson Jr., Secretary, P.O. Box 729, Anadarko, OK  73005 or by email at myles.stephenson@wichitatribe.com by Friday, September 29, 2023. 

 

Board Member Vacancy-Health Board

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes is seeking one (1) interested individual to serve as a board member for the Wichita Tribe Health Board. The Health Board individual term will be appointed to a five year term that will expire September 2028.    Please send a letter of interest and resume documenting education and/or experience related to the position. The letter and resume must be sent to The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Attn:  Myles Stephenson Jr., Secretary, P.O. Box 729, Anadarko, OK  73005 or by email at myles.stephenson@wichitatribe.com by Friday, September 29, 2023. 

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Wichita Tribal Health Board (WTHB) shall be to encourage and support the exercise of tribal self-governance of its individual members and to oversee the development and operations of the Wichita Health Services responsibilities of providing health care services to its patients. The WTHB shall be responsible for assisting the Wichita Executive Committee (WEC) in the operation, planning, and budgeting of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes' health and wellness services, and for the proper credentialing of the professional and medical staff providing related services.

 

COMPOSITION:

1. The Board shall consist of (5) members, and not more than two (2) WEC can be members, appointed by the WEC of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.

 

1. The Board shall be comprised of at least three (3) qualified enrolled Wichita tribal members.

 

1. Board members shall be appointed for five (5) year terms. In the event of a vacancy due to resignation, death, or disability, a member shall be appointed as prescribed above to fill the unexpired term.

 

ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. The Board members shall be at least 21 years of age.

 

1. The Board members shall possess a bachelor's degree or higher in the field of health and/or business.

 

1. The Board members shall meet the requirements of a public trust financial background investigation check, which provides an indication of the interested individual's suitability to uphold the fiduciary responsibilities of a WTHB Member.  The eligibility criteria shall be determined through a background investigation conducted through the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes' Human Resource Department..

 

1. The Board members shall be qualified in one or more of the following areas: public health and wellness, Indian health, medicine, pharmaceuticals, mental health, business management, traditional culture, health care law or financing. The members must exemplify attributes of leadership and organization skills for the development and growth of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes' Health Services Department.

 

1. The Board members may receive compensation for their services as determined by the WEC or governing law.  Pursuant to the Tribe's policies, reimbursement for travel, lodging, and meals will be provided to the board members to cover these expenses when necessary.

 

1. The Board members may not be administrators or directors of any other health agencies or delivery systems that are accountable to the WTHB.  The Health Services Administrator shall be an ex-officio member of the WTHB

 

1. The Board members, shall not be employees of the WTHB as defined in the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Tribal Government Personnel Policies and Procedures.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The WTHB shall be responsible for:

1. Developing the structure of the Wichita Health Services which shall include strategic long-range planning for services and facilities and submit recommendations to the WEC for final approval.

 

1. Credentialing of the professional staff of the Wichita Health Services.

 

1. Recommend policies and procedures to guide the operation of Wichita Health Services and facilities and submit recommendations to the WEC for final approval.

 

1. Evaluate and pursue compacting those programs, functions, services and activities from the Indian Health Service that are available and advantageous to the Wichita Tribe and make recommendations to the WEC for final approval.

 

1. Developing an annual budget for Wichita Health Services which shall be submitted to the WEC for review and approval.

 

1. Providing an annual operating report to the WEC and additional reports as requested.

 

MEETINGS:

1. The WTHB shall meet at least quarterly.  Special meetings are called by the Chairman with the purpose and principal items of business stated.

 

1. There must be at least three (3) voting members of the WTHB present at a meeting to constitute a quorum.  If a quorum is not present within one-half hour after the scheduled meeting time, then it will be declared a quorum not present and the meeting dismissed.

 

1. If a Board member is absent for more than three (3) consecutive regular meetings without reasonable justification, they will be dismissed from their seat by recommendation of the WTHB to the WEC and a replacement recommended by the WTHB for appointment by the WEC.  The WEC shall fill vacancies within the WTHB caused by resignation, death or removal for neglect of duty or gross misconduct.

 

Board Member Vacancy-Cultural Preservation Board

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes is seeking three (3) interested individuals who are members of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes or descendants of members of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes to serve as a board members for the Wichita Tribe Health Board. The Cultural Preservation Board individual terms will be appointed to a one (1), two (2) and three (3) year terms for the initial terms and then appointed as three year staggered terms when the initial terms expire. Please send a letter of interest and resume documenting education and/or experience related to the position. The letter and resume must be sent to The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Attn:  Myles Stephenson Jr., Secretary, P.O. Box 729, Anadarko, OK  73005 or by email at myles.stephenson@wichitatribe.com by Friday, September 29, 2023. 

 

 

THE CULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD

Establishment and Selection of the Cultural Preservation Board

There is hereby established a Cultural Preservation Board, to be composed of five (5) members.  The Wichita Tribe's Cultural Preservation Board will be selected by the Executive Committee, provided that no less than two (2) Board members shall be current members of the Executive Committee, as defined by Article V of the Wichita Governing Resolution.  The Executive Committee shall establish procedures for application to the Board, which may include such requirements as requiring candidates to submit letters of interest and resumes to the Executive Committee.

 

Cultural Preservation Board Member Qualifications

All Board members shall be Members of the Wichita Tribe or descendants of members of the Wichita Tribe, or in any event selected pursuant to Indian preference guidelines, and shall possess a historical knowledge of tribal lands including allotments, properties, cemeteries and ancestral burial plots.  Board members must have a knowledge of cultural and traditional aspects of Wichita people and an ability to provide relevant guidance to the THPO.

 

Term

Members of the Board shall each hold office for a term of three (3) years, provided that no Executive Committee member concurrently serving as a Board member pursuant to this Chapter shall serve on the Board for a term longer than their elected term; at the conclusion of such elected term, a vacancy shall exist on the Board, with an alternate to be appointed pursuant to § 3-306 to occupy the position for the remainder of the departing member's three-year term.  Although all Board members may initially be appointed at the same time, the terms of the Board members shall be staggered so that no more than two (2) members shall be eligible for reappointment during any single term year.  The Executive Committee shall designate the renewal terms for each Board member at the time of their initial appointment, again upon their reappointment, and upon the appointment of a successor for any Board member.  With the exception of Executive Committee members who have completed their terms of office, nothing in this section prevents a Board member from serving consecutive terms.

 

 

Duties of the Cultural Preservation Board

The Cultural Preservation Board's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 

1. Work cooperatively with the THPO to ensure protection of tribally historic and culturally relevant resources; and

 

1. Advise the THPO regarding the National Register nomination and appeals process; and

 

1. Provide access to appropriate qualified professionals to offer advice during the review of any historic properties including but not limited to legal professionals, resource specialists, tribal operations and tribal governance; and

 

1. Provide advice on the direction and priorities of the program including obtaining federal funding and the repatriation of Cultural Resources; and

 

1. Perform other duties (as may be appropriate) to assist the THPO in its operations and in resolving any NHPA issues that require the Board's input.

 

1. Review the Tribal Historic Preservation Plan annually for currentness.

 

Duties of Cultural Preservation Board Off Reservation

To the maximum extent possible, the Board and the THPO are authorized and required to participate in the identification, evaluation, review or permitting process of any undertaking or project that may affect any off-reservation cultural resource related to the Wichita Tribe.  The Cultural Preservation Board and its members serve in a subordinate, advisory manner to the Executive Committee pursuant to Article V of the Wichita Governing Resolution.  As such, neither the Board nor any Board member is permitted to enter into or negotiate contracts on behalf of the Wichita Tribe or the THPO.

 

Board of Directors-Vacancy-Big Arbor, LLC  

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes is seeking three (3) Board of Directors for our newly formed Big Arbor, LLC. The individuals will be appointed to staggered initial one (1), two (2) and three (3) year terms that end September 30 of 2024, 2025 or 2026 depending on the individual appointment to the Board of Director.  Please send a letter of interest and resume documenting education and/or experience related to the Board of Directors position. The applicants may be tribal or non-tribal.  The letter and resume must be sent to The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Attn:  Myles Stephenson Jr., Secretary, P.O. Box 729, Anadarko, OK  73005, by fax at (405) 247-2430 or by email at myles.stephenson@wichitatribe.com no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023. 

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of Big Arbor, LLC is to carry out certain business ventures and/or economic development projects for the benefit of the Tribe.  For this specific company, the main focus will be on agriculture and food sovereignty.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTOR REQUIREMENTS:

• The Board is composition requires that 2 members be enrolled members of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
• 3 year staggered terms
• 4 of the Board of Directors will serve as officers
• Must be willing to serve as an officer if appointed or elected depending on the position
• Must complete a background investigation packet and pass a background check
• Must possess education and/or documented experience related to business, finance, accounting, agriculture or other related field

 

DUTIES:

 

• Oversee and control the financial business affairs of the company
• Employ administrative staff
• Oversee and supervise the activities of the CEO
• Adopt administrative and personnel policies and procedures
• Attend monthly and special meetings

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

We are currently available at the following numbers:

OTHER NEWS and INFORMATION:     

 

• Driveway Program - Gravel and Tinhorn Service 

 

• Tribe and BIA Sign Hydro, Okla. Trust Land Agreement

 

• DIGITAL EDITIONS OF WICHITA TRIBAL NEWS    

 

• Archived Home Page Features