A Word From Chief & Second Chief: Feb. 24, 2020

February 24, 2020

Second Chief Del Beaver

Principal Chief David W. Hill

Hesci,

We want to take this opportunity to provide updates on our activities and progress in the Executive Office. Our schedule has been full over the last two weeks. There were many meetings and events that addressed areas of need and interest for our Nation and citizens.

The MCN leadership team attended the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Council Winter Session and the National Johnson O’Malley Association Conference in Washington, DC from February 8-14. The MCN team also visited Capitol Hill to meet with the Oklahoma Congressional delegation, which included Congressman Kevin Hern, Congresswoman Kendra Horn, Senator James Lankford and also visited the U.S. Supreme Court.

While in Washington, I also provided testimony for the House Committee on Appropriations- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies for American Indian and Alaska Natives. My testimony addressed issues such the Violence Against Women’s Reauthorization Act, Department of the Interior funds to support police and patrol activities; the Welfare Assistance Program addressing natural disasters, high energy costs, and loss of employment; the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA); funding for Tribal Historic Preservation; Indian Health Service Tribal Budget Formulation Work Group; and the Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) which addresses improving the environment and cleaning up areas that lead to unintentional injuries and disease transmission.

We continue to interview applicants for the Cabinet positions for the administration. We received many applications and are reviewing candidate qualifications for consideration. This process will continue for several weeks.

There were many other activities and events such as the Higher Education SOAR event (Student Outreach and Resource Day) held at River Spirit Casino Resort, the 2020 Oklahoma Tribal Legislative meeting in Oklahoma City, MCN Middle School Challenge Bowl and Five Tribes Leadership weekly teleconference.

We continue to collaborate with Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist and her staff on the Indian education program reorganization. We will be involved in consultation sessions to monitor, collaborate and consult on ways to assist and improve our Native American student’s opportunities to succeed while providing support to our Native educators.

Mvto!

David W. Hill, Principal Chief

Del Beaver, Second Chief