Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority

Back in the April edition of the NCTHA’s newsletter, I reported on a list of funding opportunities available through the ARRA Stimulus Bill. There were 10 funding sources available for Tribes all over the United States and Montana. Because the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority has been in Compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and because we currently have Unqualified Audits, we became eligible to apply for this funding.

The Tribal Council, along with the NCTHA Board and staff, made it a priority at our April Indian Housing Plan meeting to apply for as many as those funds as possible. We all realized the need that exists for our people who live in Mutual Help homes who cannot afford to Weatherize them. With the cost of Propane and Electricity steadily increasing, we took action to try and secure those funds to help our people.

The result; The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority will receive $3,000,000 million dollars of additional Stimulus Funding to address almost 70 of those old Homes with issues in the Projects Mt 12-06 to 12-12 and to install a new Water system and waterline in Rabbit Town to the Walking Horse Subdivision. In addition, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority will receive another $600,000 through the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Stimulus Funding. This funding will be used to help Weatherize/renovate another 20-units in the Mutual Help Mt 12-06 project. This is great news as most of the homeowners in this project are Elderly.

The following is the list of funding opportunities and what the Housing Authority has applied for:

2009 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NCTHA

1. (Stimulus) Native American Housing Block Grant Formula Funding – $1.3 million- NCTHA Received $1,300,000

2. Native American Housing Block Grant FY 2009 Funding – $3.3 million- NCTHA Received $3,300,000

3. (Stimulus) Native American Housing Block Grant Competitive Funding – $5 million- NCTHA Received $3,000,000 and submitted another $750,000 application

4. (Stimulus) Indian Community Development Block Grant Funding – NCTHA Received $600,000

5. Indian Community Development Block Grant FY 2009 Funding – $900,000- NCTHA submitting application due by August 6, 2009 for $900,000

6. ICDBG Imminent Threat Grant FY 2009 Funding – $450,000- NCTHA submitting application in August for $450,000

7. (Stimulus)HUD/DOE Retrofit/Upgrade Program – NCTHA getting more information together to submit an application

8. Rural Housing and Economic Development FY 2009 Funding – $300,000- NCTHA submitted application in June for $300,000

9. (Stimulus) Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program – $400,000- NCTHA has not received any information on the grant application process yet

10. (Stimulus) Department of Justice Grants to Indian Tribal Governments – $450,000- NCTHA has not received any information on the grant application process yet

Receiving of these funds is ‘History making’ as our housing authority had operated on a small Block grant for almost 40-years. Thanks to the hard work by the current Board of Commissioners, the NCTHA Staff and the belief in our program by the Tribal Leaders, we are able to finally start addressing all of those old issues that have been plaguing our people.

Keep in mind that not every Housing Authority or Tribe who applies for these funds will receive them. The application process is very competitive as you are competing with over 564 Tribes and Housing Authorities nation-wide. To be considered, you have to be current on your Audits, be in compliance with your funding agency, not be labeled ‘High Risk’ and have Unqualified Audits to receive all the points in the application process. Finally, you have to have a very good Grant Writer who knows the application process and is dedicated to your tribe. Thank God we have the best Grant Writer in the nation in Kristy McCarthy-Weight.

I have included in this newsletter the notice that came out from HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan’s office. We were only 1 of 2 tribes in Montana to receive Stimulus funds and the only tribe to receive ICDBG Stimulus funds in the State. Thanks for reading, Lafe Haugen-Executive Director

On July 14th, Vice-President Joe Fox Jr., along with a delegation from the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority, made a trip to the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority in Pablo Montana to attend a Montana Housing Coalition meeting and to tour the Flathead Indian reservation to view new Economic Development possibilities for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

The delegation was met my Mr. Bob Gauthier, Consultant to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority. He gave the delegation a tour of their Housing Authority, the tribally-owned Eagle Bank, the brand new Joe McDonald Gymnasium and Fitness Complex, the College campus, the tribally owned Kerr Dam and the new Tribal Headquarters, in which they were greeted by the Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council which was in a regular session. Vice-President Fox was also given a rundown of the very lucrative business’s of the tribe including Salish and Kootenai Industries and S&K Electronics.

The Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council called a recess when the delegation, led by Vice-President Fox, entered the chambers. Chairman James Steele was very honored that the Northern Cheyenne delegation made the trip and he shared some insight on the tribe on their successful economic ventures. Former BIA Superintendent for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Bud Moran, visited with Vice-President Fox on his days as Superintendent for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Bud currently sits on the Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council.

The delegation ended the tour with a trip to Kerr Dam. The Salish and Kootenai currently receive over $20 million dollars a year in royalties from this economic development venture. Day two wrapped up with the delegation attending a Montana Housing Coalition meeting hosted by the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority, Mr. Jason Adams, Executive Director,

Vice-President Joe Fox had this to say; “I am very glad that I made this trip. It gives me great hope that our tribe can be just as successful as this tribe. All it takes is our Tribal Leaders working together for the same common goal for the good of our Cheyenne people. I am confident that it can be done with the current leadership at Northern Cheyenne. The Montana Housing Coalition is one that is needed for all of the tribes in Montana. It made me proud to know that the seven Tribal housing authorities in the state, including Salish and Kootenai, are looking at our own Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority for direction. I am proud of all the hard work that our Board and Housing Staff have put in over the last 4 years in making our Housing Authorities one of the best in the nation. Keep up the good work!”

The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority was again a major co-sponsor for this year’s, Chief’s 4th of July Pow-wow held on July 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2009 at the Kenneth Beartusk Memorial Pow-wow grounds. In addition to helping fund this event, the Housing Authority helped to sponsor the Handgame, Horseshoe and Softball tournaments along with the annual Fireworks display and the Jared Stewart performance held on July 1st  in downtown Lame Deer.

This year’s pow-wow included appearances from some of the best dancers and Drum groups from all over the United States. Topping the headlines for Drum groups was the legendary Black Lodge Drum Group from White Swan, Washington and ‘The Boyz’ from St. Paul, Minnesota. These two premier Drum Groups made their way to Lame Deer for the first time in their careers. Both of these groups have been previously crowned ‘World Champions’ in the singing category. Both Drum groups are highly sought after throughout Indian Country during the pow-wow season.

Getting Black Lodge here to be the Host Drum and having ‘The Boyz’ here at the same time was a true testament to the hard work of this year’s pow-wow committee and Tribal Councilman Robert D Bailey. On the first evening of the Adult Pow-wow, the committee ran out of registration cards and numbers, They usually make 400 registrations but this year, the entries exceeded that number and they had to make more registrations right on the spot. Every Grand Entry completely filled the arbor with contestants in all categories ranging from the Tiny Tots to the Golden Age division.

NCTHA Director Lafe Haugen & top U.S. Sen. Baucus aide Dr. Richard Litsey

There were many people who noted that this was the ‘best pow-wow ever’ hosted by the Northern Cheyenne. There were talks of building the Arbor bigger for the coming years due to the fact that the pow-wow was ‘standing room only’, not only in the Arbor, but in the bleachers as well. Reuben Little Head was the lead MC and kept the audience on their feet the whole weekend with the jokes that only he can tell. The competition was fierce throughout the weekend with new and old Champions being crowned and many contestants walking away with the biggest purse ever distributed at the pow-wow. The Singing Contests, Hand Drum contests, Specials and Clown Dance contributed to making this year’s pow-wow enjoyable.

Executive Director of the NCTHA, Lafe Haugen, had this to say: ”It was an honor for our program to be able to assist with this year’s festivities. To see all of our fellow Cheyenne who live off the reservation come home to enjoy this event and be around family is what it is all about. Seeing all of our local people with big smiles on their faces starting on July 1st with the Fireworks display and Jared Stewart performance and ending the Pow-wow results being read on Monday morning at 5 am was the goal of our program when we were asked to contribute. We look forward to serving our people in this capacity in the coming years. I personally want to ‘Thank’ the hard work performed by our youth workers and the NCTHA staff in helping to coordinate this successful event, Without their expertise, this event probably would not have happened. I also want to ‘Thank’ Robert D Bailey and the 2009 Pow-wow committee for their dedication to our Cheyenne People in making this Pow-wow the best ever. It’s a testament to their hard work and says a lot about Robert’s leadership. ”HA-HO

The Third annual Chief’s Pow-wow Softball Tournament was held on July 4th and 5th at Hesteneo’o Park (the People’s Park). Men’s and Co-ed teams from in and around the local area competed in this tournament.

In the Co-ed bracket, the Stingers from Lame Deer were crowned the Champions with the Headswifts taking 2nd place and the Wolfpack team taking 3rd place. The games were extremely competitive and all involved enjoyed the tournament.

In the Men’s division, the Tongue River Men’s team battled Black Lodge from Crow Agency in the Championship game. The Black Lodge team hadn’t lost in the tournament so they waited for an opponent in the Championship game. Tongue River had to come through the back door to meet up with Black Lodge in the Championship round. Tongue River beat the Black Lodge team in the first Championship game by a slim margin. In the second Championship game, the Black Lodge team displayed their talent by going up on the Tongue River Men’s team immediately. As the game went on, the Black Lodge team had some good innings and went on to defeat the Tongue River team to claim the Championship in the Men’s division for 2009. The Red Men team placed 3rd and the Wolfpack team from Ashland took 4th wrapping up the tournament.

Tournament Director, Joe Fox Jr had this to say; ”I am glad to be a part of the festivities this year. Last year I was busy with the Pow-wow and I couldn’t be here as much as I wanted to be. This year, I decided to run this tournament for our people and it was a success. I want to ‘Thank’ the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority for once again sponsoring this event along with Tyson Fox, Benji Headswift,  Cleveland “Booger Red” Bement and members of the ‘Stingers’ baseball team for all their efforts in making this event a success. It was a great tournament and it will be bigger and better in 2010. See you next year” HA-HO

By Sharlene Evans

The 6th Annual White River Cheyenne Days Row Wow was another success this year! Thanks to community members who worked hard to make it happen. On behalf of the planning committee I want to thank the Northern Cheyenne Land Authority and the Northern Cheyenne Housing Authority for their monetary contributions. Without their generosity and support it would not have been possible.    Once again we enjoyed great dancing and there was much excitement at the horse racing!

The White River Cheyenne Days was organized by several individuals who wanted to see a gathering of our people (including the Sioux and Arapaho) that would coincide with the annual celebrations that occur at the Little Big Horn Battlefield and the Crow Native Days. (Cheyenne are given about one (1) hour at best to conduct their victory celebration at the Little Big Horn Battlefield and then it’s over).

These individuals shared a vision to bring Cheyenne people and their relatives together to remember and to celebrate the struggles, victories and sacrifices of our ancestors, so that it would be possible for us to be on our homeland, today.   Most important of all we want our youth to be aware and proud of whom they are and where they come from.   This event was never meant to be for money or individual notoriety; it is to teach our youth awareness of their culture and our future as a united people. Hence our Mission Statement: “In memory of what happened here on June 17,1876, where the girl saved her brother. We, the descendents promise never to forget the great deeds of our forefathers who did not die in vain, but who we shall remember as loving, caring and spiritual Grandfathers and Grandmothers. The descendents promise to work together to eliminate sickness, disease, defeatism and endeavor to pursue a holistically healthier way of life for our children so that they can live in a world of happiness, health and prosperity.”

Many volunteers were involved initially to plan a celebration comprised of singing, social dancing, storytelling, hand games, horse racing, horseshoes, and feasting. We ate together and planned each phase of all the activities we listed carefully.   Finally at the benevolence of several organizations and many dedicated volunteers, we had our first pow wow in June 2004, and it was a great success!

We are extending an invitation to community members to get involved in the planning and organization of next year’s pow wow and the other events.   We can make the White River Cheyenne Days bigger and better each year if we work hard, we can do it. The committee will be fund-raising throughout the year. We will post scheduled meetings in public places and everyone is welcome to attend.

The 4th Annual Chief’s Pow-wow Horseshoe Tournament was held on July 3rd, 4th and 5th at the ‘Pits’ at Hesteneo’o Park. Johnson James and Logan Curley Jr, Tournament Directors, noted that there was some very good competition for this year’s event and people from all over the United States showed up to compete and show their ‘stuff’.

New to this year’s event was a Women’s division. This years Champion was Nellie Hogan from Ashland, Montana. 2nd place-Lujuana Haugen, 3rd place-Lanita Haugen, 4th place-Lisa Red Feather and 5th place going to Fawn White Hip. Due to growing interest in Women Horse Shoe throwers, the Horseshoe committee noted it will again be available in 2010.

In the Men’s Double’s Division, each participant put their name in a hat. A ‘Blind Draw’ was conducted by the Directors and teams were assembled as a result of this draw. The 2009 Championship team consisted of William Rowland and Logan Curley Jr. The 2nd place team consisted of Joel Fish and Virgil Weasel Bear, 3rd place team consisted of Alvin Strangeowl and Tex Curley, 4th place team consisted of Garret Stewart and Siggy Bearchum and the 5th place team was Merrill “Spike” Killsnight and Kristi Harris.

In the Men’s Singles division, Milton Jefferies from Wisconsin was crowned the Champion of this year’s tournament. In 2nd place was Joel Fish with Robert Bearchum Jr taking 3rd, Johnson James taking 4th and Bob Morgan taking 5th.

Tournament Director Johnson James stated; “Once again, this year’s Horseshoe tournament was a success. We had a very large participation of Men and Women for this event. Our neighbor’s from the West continue to bring a strong Men’s team over to compete and they are the ones to beat. I was very pleased with the overall outcome of this event. We are talking about having a Fall league here for all the player’s who have come out to play since the ‘Pits’ were built. One day we would like to host a ‘State Qualifier’ here for these competitors. I want to extend a big “Thank you” to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority for sponsoring this year’s event. Once again they pulled through in sponsoring this event. HA-HO!