SHAWNEE TRIBE BUSINESS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES APPOINTEES TO GAMING COMMISSION AND ELECTION COMMITTEE

In the Shawnee Tribe Business Council’s meeting on Monday, March 1, business council members decided on appointments to the Tribe’s gaming commission and election committee.

Gaming Commission Appointees

After one year of service, Chris White was reappointed to his seat on the commission and to serve as the commission’s chairperson. Joel Barnes was reappointed to his commission seat for a third year of service. Kelli Weaver (Ho-Chunk) was appointed to the commission’s third and final seat. This will be her first year of service. Weaver owns KDW Consulting and serves as the Director of Tribal Gaming for SCCG, an iGaming technology group.

“I truly appreciate this appointment,” said Weaver. “I’m a member of my Tribe’s Bear Clan, and we are known to protect. It is my honor to extend this protection to the Shawnee Tribe in my position on the gaming commission.”

Weaver was formerly VP of Business Development for a background screening company working in gaming. She is also the former VP of the Tulsa Chapter American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma and currently serves as Secretary of the United Women of Tribal Gaming board. Weaver attended Central Missouri State University and graduated with a Masters in Criminal Justice Administration.

The three commissioners bring a combined 47 years of on-the-job experience to the commission.

“The Shawnee Tribe’s Gaming Commissioners are some of the best in Indian Country,” said Chief Ben Barnes of the appointees. “Each of them brings to our organization real industry experience in regulation and operations. The work they perform on behalf of the Shawnee people is what keeps our government able to fulfill our obligation of service to our citizens.”

Election Committee Appointees

Also, during their Monday, March 1 meeting, Shawnee Tribe Business Council members reappointed all three 2020 Election Committee Members to the 2021 Shawnee Tribe Election Committee. They are Corrine Christian, Cindy Witherspoon and Lillie Morrison.

Back

More News

Jun 3, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: THERE IS NO PLAN B – THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING

YOUR CAN COULD BE BACK ON THE SHELF IN JUST 60 DAYS! You enjoy your beverage and recycle your aluminum can. Recycling trucks collect the cans and take them to a facility to be sorted. The cans are cleaned and shredded into small pieces. The aluminum pieces are melted down and rolled into large sheets. […]

Read More
Jun 3, 2026

Rain Barrel Installation and Watershed Learning Experience

The Shawnee Tribe’s Environmental Department recently hosted a hands-on learning experience focused on water systems, runoff, and watershed education in the Miami community.  During the event, students participated in the installation of a rain barrel system while learning how rainfall moves through local watersheds and contributes to flooding. 

Read More
Jun 3, 2026

WEEMEYAKWE: THE CASE OF THE FIVE BLACK STONE SPHERES

WEEMEYAKWE (WHERE WE COME FROM) By A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack “Two heads are better than one,” the old saying goes. With twice the brainpower and two times the life experiences to draw from, we are twice as likely to solve a puzzle, make sense of an enigma, or figure out a mystery.  The […]

Read More
May 29, 2026

CONGRATULATIONS, SHAWNEE GRADUATES!

We are looking forward to celebrating the following grads at the 2026 Honor Banquet on Saturday, June 27. Presley Glass, WestMoore High School Haiden Fetters, Wagoner High School Sage Hood, Vinita High School Ash (Ayva) Valadez, Vallivue High School Valarie Stewart, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center Delanie “Lanie” Springer, University of Missouri Christopher Thomsen, The […]

Read More
May 20, 2026

LUNCH & LEARN WEDNESDAY: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ZOOM COMMUNITY MEETING

This Lunch & Learn social/emotional wellbeing series is to teach safe and healthy relationship skills. This class is for anyone looking to build healthier, safer, and stronger relationships—especially those who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, codependency, attachment issues, or challenges in marriage and relationships. It is also helpful for anyone wanting to improve communication, […]

Read More
Apr 27, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: THERE IS NO PLAN B - THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING

There’s only one Earth — and it’s up to all of us to help take care of it. Why Recycling Matters: ♻️ Reduces Landfill WasteItems that can be recycled take up unnecessary space in landfills. Recycling keeps usable materials in circulation instead of buried in the ground. 🌳 Conserves Natural ResourcesRecycling paper saves trees. Recycling aluminum saves […]

Read More
Apr 21, 2026

MAY IS MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PERSONS (MMIP) AWARENESS MONTH

May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the high rates of violence experienced by Native American and Alaska Native communities. MMIP highlights the urgent need to address the number of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered each year. Native communities face higher rates of […]

Read More
Apr 2, 2026

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for survivors. Sexual violence can happen anywhere, in any community, and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including Native American communities, who are disproportionately impacted. Sexual violence means any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without consent. This can include rape, […]

Read More
See All News