In recognition of the harm domestic violence causes to our communities, Chief Ben Barnes designated the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” through Shawnee Tribe Proclamation 2024-10-03.
“WHEREAS, the Shawnee Tribe recognizes domestic violence as a threat to tribal sovereignty and the basic human right of our citizens to thrive, and calls upon its citizens and employees to discover the strength of victim service providers such as the Shawnee Tribe Behavioral Health & Victim Services that help domestic violence victims and survivors by offering support, services, and healing; and
WHEREAS, the Shawnee Tribe encourages citizens and employees to discover the strength of compassion, empathy and understanding within themselves to uplift domestic violence victims and survivors; and to discover the strength of respectful and healthy relationships to create a legacy free from violence for the next generation…”
Read the full proclamation online in the Shawnee Tribe Municode library, here.
Throughout October, the tribe’s Behavioral Health & Victim Services Department has hosted multiple events to spread awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In addition to a free bingo night at the Community Building in Miami, OK, department staff facilitated a “Paint the Town Purple” campaign for local businesses and highlighted influential Native American women and their contributions to the history and future of Indian Country through a campaign on the tribe’s Facebook page.
Tribal employees also wore purple attire and awareness ribbons on Friday, October 18, to support the cause.
Although this month of awareness is coming to a close, information about Shawnee Tribe Victim Services and tribal resources for victims of domestic violence are always available. Visit the program page here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MIAMI, OK—The Shawnee Tribe Tag Office is now an authorized PIKEPASS agent. The most cost-effective way to travel Oklahoma’s turnpikes, PIKEPASS can also be used on toll roads in Texas and Kansas, as well as certain toll roads in Florida and Colorado. Since 2021, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has been migrating […]
Check out these fun facts about recycling aluminum from the tribe’s Environmental Resources Department!
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, typically during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter, occasionally referred to as the “winter blues”. It’s believed to be triggered by changes in sunlight exposure, which can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms, including the […]
Guymon, OK — On Thursday, November 7, Shawnee Tribe elected officials, gaming commissioners, and project managers of Global Gaming Solutions gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Shawnee Gaming Commission’s new administrative building. The move was prompted by the recent growth and specialized needs of the Gaming Commission office. Also in attendance were Guymon Ambassadors […]
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! The Shawnee language team will work with each individual student to place them in the appropriate course(s) based on their learning preferences and familiarity with saawanwaatoweewe (Shawnee language). After course placement, class details will be distributed via SLIPstream, the tribe’s virtual […]