HEIDI BIGKNIFE RANKIN
HOMETOWN: DENVER, CO
CURRENT CITY: TULSA, OK
OCCUPATION: ARTIST
Hatito or hello friends and fellow citizens, I am Heidi BigKnife. My Shawnee roots stretch from Vinita, Oklahoma to our tribal lands in Kansas and Ohio. I am an artist and live and work in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Most of my art practice is focused on designing and fabricating contemporary jewelry. I have operated my business BigKnife Designs for almost 30 years. I am a graduate of Beloit College (BA) and The Institute of American Indian Arts (AFA 2-D and 3-D Design). Although I did not grow up around our tribe and traditions I returned to the stomp ground over 30 years ago and am an active participant in ceremonial activities at White Oak.
A Business Committee position will allow me to increase my service to the tribe, bring attention to arts, culture and resources, and honor the ongoing needs of our citizens.
I will bring the qualities of logistics, passion, deep integrity, cultural conscience, environmental awareness, dedication to my tribe and a solid work ethic to the Business Committee. Managing an art business for three decades has equipped me to manage time and resources in the studio while juggling side jobs and contract work. Many of my designs are inspired by our culture and stories that I have absorbed at ceremonial and community events and art shows across the country. At these events I am often the sole Shawnee member. At public events I strive to present myself in a way that brings honor to our tribe while I educate the general public about our history and culture in a way that informs without revealing too much. As a self-described recycling fanatic, I collect and haul home anything from the stomp ground that I can keep out of the waste stream to be recycled. I am passionate about art, the environment and Shawnee culture and am eager to bring this energy to the Business Committee.
Our tribe has seen incredible growth in citizenship and finances over the last decades. I am incredibly proud of the way our leaders have worked to secure our success and to allocate our resources to citizens in the areas of education, childcare assistance, home improvement and maintenance. Our funding has also been used to create an incredible Shawnee language program with a full time staff of language professionals. With these programs receiving attention and funding I would like to encourage an expansion of our scope to include environmental awareness and arts and culture. With new federal grants coming online for renewables, can we transition our tribal complex, our stomp ground and even citizen homes to solar and wind power? Is it possible to bring recycling to our grounds and complex? What will it take to reopen our Cultural Center? What part can art play in the future of the Shawnee Mission? My goal is to answer these questions and then work towards bringing them to fruition. Please vote for me in September and let’s show the world more of the wonderful things the Shawnee tribe can do. Niyaawe!
For questions or concerns citizens can contact me through my gmail address: heidib777@gmail.com Please type “Shawnee Tribe” in the subject line
JANA EDWARDS-JOHNSON
HOMETOWN: MIAMI, OK
CURRENT CITY: MIAMI, OK
OCCUPATION: DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES. EASTERN SHAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Hato (Hello), My name is Jana Johnson, Holly-Ma-Peashe – Rabbit Clan, the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Newton and Nancy McNeer, a mother to two incredible women, a grandmother, an advocate, and a citizen of the Shawnee Tribe. Growing up on my family’s allotted land on Hudson Creek taught me that life experiences and family is what is important. We cared for each other and worked together to ensure food was on the table and, most importantly, our elders and children were cared for. After graduating Phi-Theta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, my 24-year career in education began. My tenure in education was spent mediating and advocating on behalf of children, their parents, and teachers. After leaving education to pursue my dream of working in tribal administration, my new title is Director of Health and Social Services/Vital Statistics for the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.
Attending every Business Council meeting, serving on the Shawnee Elder Advisory Committee, Chairing the Shawnee Tribal Salary Commission, and being elected to Seat 1 of the Business Council will allow me to remain a strong voice and advocate for our citizens.
It would be an honor to be a member of the Shawnee Business Council. As your Business Councilwoman, voting for programs and legislation that will benefit many Shawnee citizens, not just a few, will be my objective. Strong leadership, advocacy, mediation, and organizational skills will be brought with me to Seat 1. Working on my Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law at the University of Oklahoma can provide me with knowledge of state and federal laws that could impact the Shawnee tribe and our citizens. Genealogy and tribal history are a passion of mine; history continues to tell us that our elders are the key holders of our collective history. We must ensure they have a holistic life by supporting their health, safety, and food security needs. As our elders are our collective history, the Shawnee children are our future. Chief Wilma Mankiller has been quoted as saying, In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people. As a Shawnee citizen, ask yourself whether we are making decisions that support Chief Mankiller’s philosophy on generational prosperity.
During Business Council’s allotted time for public comment, I have addressed the following: Developing an Elders Department; Promote Shawnee-owned businesses on the webpage; Internships/Apprenticeships within the tribal government, or with Shawnee business owners; Food security, elders shouldn’t have to choose between medicine and food; Business development beyond the casino; Daycare at the casino for the employees; Housing/employment opportunities in Guymon; Youth community service program to work with elders; Transparency of how tribal monies are spent; Accessibility to tribal records/information that doesn’t violate HIPAA; Business Council meetings accessibility via live streaming; Continue to develop programs to ensure educational, vocational, leadership, and citizenship.
Lastly, I will represent you with honesty and integrity. Listening to your concerns while being a voice for all Shawnee citizens. My vote will be yours as I am your elected representative on Business Council. Please feel free to email me at johnsonje226@gmail.com or text me at 918-605-9711. Niyaawe (Thank you)
RUSTY SATTERWHITE
HOMETOWN: BLUEJACKET, OKLAHOMA
CURRENT CITY: WELCH, OKLAHOMA
OCCUPATION: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
My name is Rusty Satterwhite, my wife and I have just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and we have two adult children. I have spent most of my adult career in public service. I served in the Oklahoma National Guard for eleven years and was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. I retired from the Craig County Sheriff’s department as a Captain after 12 years of service. I have been a small business owner and have volunteered my time as football coach for over 15 years. I currently belong to two community service organizations and look forward to serving the citizens of the Shawnee Tribe.
I believe that I have a lot to offer my fellow citizens and would enjoy the opportunity to serve.
I’ve been on the welch city council for 8 years and the bluejacket city council for 6. I’m a driven person to better myself and better the people I represent.
I look forward to growing the Shawnee nation through expanding our economic and cultural ties to this state and all the states of the Shawnee nation.
Anyone can reach me on my cellphone (918) 961-7664, on Facebook or in person at my residence in Welch at 589 south commercial street. I look forward to hearing, meeting and helping the Shawnee community in any capacity I can.
JOHN SPARKMAN
HOMETOWN: PICHER, OKLAHOMA
CURRENT CITY: QUAPAW, OKLAHOMA
OCCUPATION: SELF-EMPLOYED
»Graduate of Picher High School
»Graduate of NEO A&M, Assoc. of Arts Degree (Bus. Admin.)
»Single
»Volunteered many years and Chaired, Picher Mining Field Reunion Committee. Helped to establish Picher Mining Field Museum.
»Served 18 years with Picher Public Schools Board of Education, 10 years as President.
»Executive Director, Picher Housing Authority (HUD program) for 23 years. All clean audits.
»Formed Tar Creek Basin Steering Committee to address health is-sues of children and environmental issues facing residents. Worked with local, state & federal officials, Committee’s work brought about a $50 million dollar buyout of Picher-Cardin residents from the EPA Superfund Site.
»Past President, Picher Lions Club.
»Miami Masonic Lodge
»Grand Lake Shrine Club, Local Out-reach Coordinator Shriner’s Hospital for Children
»Shawnee Development, LLC.
“I am here to help” I would consider it an honor to work with our elders and other tribal members for the future of Shawnee Tribe.
If elected, what personal qualities will you bring to the Business Council?
It would be my ability to listen and work with all people. I have worked with thousands of citizens over the years in the private sector. My experience working with local, state and federal elected officials along with state and federal agencies, could be a benefit for the Shawnee Tribe. Developing relationships is very key for Shawnee Tribe’s future.
For our elders, what can we do to aid them in utilities, housing, food availability, healthcare, etc,. It’s so difficult for our elders to get by in this day and time. We can never do enough for them. I’m sure we can come up with ways to assist them. Education of our youth is very important for our tribe’s future. Education covers so many aspects, not just book learning, but education regarding the dangers of addictions our tribal youth face. We can never let up in this battle protecting them. They depend on us and we will be depending on them in the future.
I am old school, just give me a call at 918-533-1010 or drop a note to P.O. Box 66 Quapaw, OK 74363 I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, John Sparkman
RANDY WHITE
HOMETOWN: VINITA, OK
CURRENT CITY: VINITA, OK
OCCUPATION: RETIRED
I am a 66-year-old Army veteran and attended Vinita Public Schools and White Oak schools. I have been married to Donna for 42 years. We have a daughter, Jennifer Cates, and husband Kevin, and a son, Jay White, and wife Laura. We have three grandchildren, Cody, Adriana, and Korbin. I was raised on my grandma’s homestead in a 2-bedroom house, with no running water and no electricity until the 1980s. I have coached little league in Vinita for over 25 years, refereed, was an umpire, and a rodeo judge. I have been invited to schools to talk about native culture and teach how to make Cherokee baskets. In the army, I was top secret background investigation and traveled to Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Germany. I was a member of the Big Red One Fort Riley, Fort Carson, Fort Sill, Fort Leonardwood, and Fort Benning. I am running to help Shawnee citizens with food, housing, and jobs.
I earned an associate’s degree from NEO for Industrial Safety and completed the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy. I also completed the Department of Correction Training, numerous Fire Fighting Trainings, and Afton Vo-Tech for Accounting I & II. I am a retired Vinita Fire Fighter after 25 years. I was an Assistant Chief for the Fire Department and worked for the City of Vinita as the Safety Coordinator for 15 years, wrote a grant to get Craig County citizens smoke detectors. I also served on the Johnson O’Malley committee for 15 years getting Indian funds for education.
Issues affecting Shawnee citizens are housing, food distribution, and veterans needing grants that are available to them. To carry forth by creating laws of the tribal law through supervision of all government department services, contracts, and programs to keep pace with governmental goals and federal requirements. Helping young people understand how to start applying for scholarships at an early age.
Citizens can contact me by phone at 918-944-6483 or by email at nanadonna.2019@gmail.com
ONE CITIZEN’S JOURNEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP Shawnee tribal citizen Michael Cedrone lives in Texas, where he works as Head of Human Resources at GBC Food Services. Cedrone attributes his success to the tribe’s educational, career and housing support programs. His professional journey began at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, TX, […]
During General Council weekend (September 20-21), the Shawnee Tribe hosted Firaxis Games’ Pete Murray (Learning & Development Manager) and Lead Producer Andrew Frederiksen, developers of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, due to be released next February. Murray and Frederiksen kicked off their Shawnee visit with attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika […]
Messages from the Chiefs – Fall 2024: It’s a US Election Day! Chief Barnes highlights the importance of voting in every election, local to federal, and Chief Baldridge reflects on the earliest days of his service on the Business Council compared to where we are today.
Shawnee language classes will resume for the 2025 calendar year on Monday, January 6! Self-paced learners and those hoping to participate in live classes should contact the Shawnee Language Immersion Program team (SLIP) to begin enrollment. SLIP will work with each individual student to place them in the appropriate course(s) based on their learning preferences […]
On Friday, September 20, tribal citizens and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Shawnee Tribe’s newest facility and cultural resource—the Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika (Shawnee language house). A little more than ten minutes east of central Miami, OK, the facility boasts a large, open gathering space with high ceilings and a […]
On October 15, the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine and his wife, First Lady Frances “Fran” DeWine traveled to Miami, OK to visit with various Shawnee Tribal programs and leadership. “We were honored to receive Governor DeWine and his wife at our Shawnee language house, Cultural Center, and Administrative offices,” said Chief Ben Barnes. “We […]
In September, the Shawnee Tribe’s Gaming Commission staff received safety training from City of Guymon professionals including; Fire Marshall Jason Bond, Fire Chief Scott Lathrop, 911 Director Justin Carnagey, and Police Sergeant Jacob Bankston. “It was a very productive training day and was well received by the Gaming Commission staff,” said Otis Hughs, Executive Director […]
GILA RIVER, Ariz.—Chief Ben Barnes attended today’s event on the reservation of the Gila River Indian Community, where President Joe Biden delivered a historic speech and a formal presidential apology for 150 years of federal Indian boarding school policies which he called “a shame” and “a blot on American history.” “I’m delighted that President Biden’s […]