Shawnee Tribe Office of the Chief
Proclamation 2022-04-01
April 2022 Designated as “Child Abuse Prevention Month”
On File with Office of Tribal Secretary
To the Tribal Council, Business Council Executive Officers and Councilpersons of the Shawnee Tribe,
WHEREAS, the Shawnee Tribe’s future prosperity depends on nurturing the healthy development of the more than the 840 Shawnee citizen children currently living, growing, and learning within our community; and
WHEREAS, research shows that safe, nurturing relationships and stimulating, stable environments improve brain development and child wellbeing, while neglectful or abusive experiences and unstable or stressful environments increase the odds of poor childhood outcomes; and
WHEREAS, individuals, businesses, schools, community organization and tribal nations must make children a top priority and take action to support the physical, social, em otional and educational development and competency of all children; and
WHEREAS, during the month of April, the Office of the Chief of the Shawnee Tribe in collaboration with the Shawnee Tribe Indian Child Welfare Office and other partners will be engaging individuals and communities throughout the tribal nation in a coordinated effort to prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting awareness of healthy child development, positive parenting practices and the types of support families need within their communities; and
WHEREAS, I encourage all citizens of the Shawnee Tribe to recognize that prevention starts with each of us;
NOW THEREFORE, 1, Chief Ben Barnes, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the constitution and laws of the Constitution of the Shawnee Tribe, Art. VIII. (1.) do hereby proclaim the month of April 2022 as
“Child Abuse Prevention Month”.
Copies of this Executive Order shall be distributed to the Shawnee Tribe Business Council, the Chairperson of the Shawnee Tribe Gaming Commission, the Chairperson of Shawnee Development, LLC, the Court Clerk of the Shawnee Tribe, the Administrator of the Shawnee Tribe, as well as any and all appropriate agencies and organization that should require notification of the Shawnee Tribe’s support of Child Abuse Prevention.
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. […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]