Notice from the Chief

All:
The following information is in reference to the ARPA program where the tribe has voted to distribute its second stimulus check. This information will appear in the Shooting Star, on our website and on the discussion board. The Tribe will receive two checks, one based on tribal enrollment data and the second based upon employment data. We have received our first check, a total of 18.6 million which must be used by the end of 2024. Half of that or 9.3 million has been allocated for distribution to tribal citizens, $2500 to each regardless of age if you have been affected by COVID. A questionnaire has been mailed to each family we have a mailing address for and that questionnaire has also been placed on our website. Many of you have already returned that questionnaire and are awaiting your payment. Please remember the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act commonly referred to as ARPA are two different Acts, two different guidelines, two different requirements. Unfortunately in ARPA we have had a hiccup regarding dual enrollment. The question has been asked If a person is enrolled in more than one tribe, is that person eligible to receive funds from only one tribe or from both or from three or four tribes, depending upon how many tribes where that person is enrolled. ARPA’s interim guidance suggests funds may have to be repaid in certain situations. We simply need to protect the tribe and make sure if funds must be paid back because of receiving them from more than one tribe, it should be the person receiving the funds who must return the funds and not the tribe. Your signed questionnaires with responses will be the documentation we need.

Therefore, because the original questionnaire did not include a question regarding dual enrollment, we have had to prepare a second questionnaire adding that question. If you submitted the original questionnaire, you will need to resubmit. Use the new questionnaire on our website or call and ask that a new one be sent to you.

For those of you who have already submitted questionnaires that had the dual enrollment question on the form, you do not need to resubmit.

We apologize for this error and for the delay it may have caused in receiving your funds. Our interests were totally centered around making funds available to tribal citizens as soon as possible. Tribal administration employees have been authorized to work overtime to process your submissions as quickly as possible. Hopefully we will be able to begin cutting checks by Monday, June 28. If direct deposit is utilized, funds could be in your bank account Tuesday, June 29. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.

Chief Glenna

COVID-19 Letter from the chief

Dear Tribal Citizens,

We are living in an unprecedented time, facing unprecedented challenges.  Situations, details change daily, sometimes even hourly. I think it’s important that you know that our tribe is stable. We have always been a tribe known for paying its bills, taking care of our people, limiting our debt. Let me assure you that is still the Easter Shawnee Tribe, even in these turbulent times. Let me also assure you, your Business Committee, your Business Managers, your tribal employees and your Chief are working tirelessly to address these current challenges. Let me further assure you that with every decision we make, we are acutely concerned with how that decision impacts our tribal citizens. You, each one of you, you are our number one concern.

 

Currently, both of our casinos are closed as well as our Early Childhood Learning Center, our Wellness Center, and the Shooting Complex. These are scheduled to be closed the entire month of April and re-opening dates will be reevaluated at that time since no one can predict the length and severity of COVID 19. We value our employees and even though these businesses and services have been closed since early March, we have paid these employees through April 2.

 

Some services have remained in force. Our Travel Center is closed to inside-the-building traffic, but continues its fuel service plus we have a drive-up window where pick-up service for requested products is available. Simply call ahead with your list if possible. That number is 918 238 2400. We are feeding 90-100 daily at our AOA (Senior Center) via a drive-through or local home delivery. Hours are 11-12:30 M-F. And our Social Services Department has not missed a beat. The entire department continues to process reimbursement requests and receive new ones. Nothing has changed there except for social distancing, meaning that local individuals drop off their paperwork in the foyer, not inside the building.  Again, your benefits have not been changed, are being processed as quickly as possible. We have no intention of cutting those benefits.

 

Unfortunately, effective April 3, we have had to furlough many employees, especially those in the closed businesses and programs. Additionally we have had to reduce number of employees in several departments and reduce hours of some in an attempt to reduce our expenditures. This was a most difficult decision, one we did not want to make but felt we had to. Furlough is not a termination, it is not a layoff.  It is intended to be temporary, ending when we are able to reopen our businesses and programs. In TEMPORARY furlough, employees are on standby and will be eligible to draw unemployment benefits until they are called back to work. We value our employees and want them to return as soon as possible.

 

We have some buildings closed, several employees teleworking from home; but they can still be accessed by calling the Bluejacket Building or the Charles Enyart Building. Those numbers are 918 666 2435 or 918 666 5151.

 

Finally, remember that we are family. We take care of each other. We support each other. We don’t tear down each other. We will get through this together. I may be reached at 918-666-2435, ext. 1820, by text, or by email gjwallace@estoo.net  Walk in balance.