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

Mar 10, 2021

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

Jan 7, 2026

HOUSING DEPARTMENT MOVES LOCATIONS

The Housing Department is moving! Housing is now located at 1525 A St NE, Miami OK 74354. Directly behind (East) of the Sonic Restaurant. * As with the previous location (at the Headquarters building) please press the button to be let inside. DOWNLOAD directions to the new location from the headquarters building.

Dec 22, 2025

JANUARY IS STALKING AWARENESS MONTH

The Shawnee Tribe’s Behavioral Health Program is providing information in January for Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking is a serious and often misunderstood form of victimization. It involves a pattern of behaviors that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or experience significant emotional distress. Stalking is not rare, and it is not […]

Dec 22, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: WHAT TIRE RECYCLING IS

Tire recycling (or rubber recycling) is the process of collecting worn-out tires and reprocessing them into useful materials instead of letting them take up space in landfills. Because tires are durable and don’t break down easily, recycling them protects the environment, reduces fire risks, and eliminates potential mosquito-breeding sites in improperly disposed tire piles. Common […]

More News

Jan 7, 2026

HOUSING DEPARTMENT MOVES LOCATIONS

Dec 22, 2025

JANUARY IS STALKING AWARENESS MONTH

Dec 22, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: WHAT TIRE RECYCLING IS

Dec 4, 2025

HEALING & TRAUMA: NAVIGATING TRIGGERS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS

For many people, the holiday season brings connection, celebration, and routine changes. But for survivors of domestic violence or past trauma, this time of year can also bring unexpected emotional challenges. Increased stress, family expectations, and sensory triggers can intensify anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD. Holiday environments can activate the brain’s trauma pathways. Sensory […]

Dec 4, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: E-Waste: What is it? Why does it matter?

Common E-Waste Items: Why does it matter? Key Facts: Sources: World Health Organization

Dec 4, 2025

TRIBAL HISTORY & RETROSPECTIVE FROM AMBASSADOR SPARKMAN

On Saturday, September 20, during the Annual Meeting of the Tribal Council, former Shawnee Chief Ron Sparkman gave a history and retrospective. In 2019, the Business Council gave Sparkman the title of Ambassador to the Shawnee Tribe. He served as Chief from 2001 to 2019. “We have come a long, long way,” said Ambassador Sparkman. […]

Nov 6, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: HOW & WHY TO RECYCLE MOBILE PHONES

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE? HOW DO I RECYCLE? Sources: earth911.com

Nov 4, 2025

WEEMEYAKWE: AT THE MOUTH OF SCIOTO RIVER

by A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack The original mouth of the Scioto River, in what is now southern Ohio, is far from Oklahoma. So far, perhaps, it has been forgotten. But important events in Shawnee history—in the mid-1700s and thousands of years earlier—took place there. Two painted panels on Portsmouth, Ohio’s floodwall highlight its […]

See All News