December 23, 2024
Aya,
This past year has been a whirlwind of growth and achievement for the Peoria Tribe. Numerous projects are nearing completion that will fulfill the Peoria Tribe’s goals of food sovereignty, accessible early childhood education, and increased revenue.
On the horizon is our Food Distribution Center, which will serve as both a hub for food supplies as well as the future retail market. It will allow the Tribe to serve three times as many citizens while also offering future office space for expanding Tribal departments.
In that same vein, the massive Greenhouse project is well underway and will provide fresh produce to our Food Distribution Center. This will directly benefit our citizens and continue the march towards food sovereignty and sustainability.
Expanding the Woodland Campus into the Rockdale building will provide infant and toddler classrooms and space for a preschool classroom. Improvements to the kitchen, multiple playgrounds, and accessible parking have been added as well.
The brand-new RV Park will attract travelers and increase revenue into the Tribe. Its location near our Buffalo Run Casino & Resort along with its higher end amenities will ensure a hugely successful addition to the Tribe’s enterprises.
The planning, the late nights, and the coordinated efforts of each department have made these projects a reality. The amount of pride I have for what the Peoria Tribe’s Team has accomplished is immeasurable.
With gratitude,
Chief Harper
June 1, 2024
Aya,
Several years of hard work, planning, and development culminated in the delivery of our sacred buffalo herd. Over the span of several days, the buffalo were transported to our Oklahoma lands from Yellowstone Park. Prayer, song, and lulus were offered up as they were welcomed to their new home near the Peoria Powwow grounds.
The Peoria General Council Meeting in March had an impressive number of attendees. This show of participation demonstrated the collective knowledge that our unity is our strength. Congratulations to the newly elected council members.
Peoria Tribe Team Members reached a new benchmark as we grew to over one hundred personnel this year. For reference, six years ago we had only twenty-five. The addition of numerous departments and programs along with the outstanding work of our grant writers has pushed us to grow fourfold.
Let us remember as we continue this momentum that growth is never by chance. It is the result of collaboration, planning, and a shared vision for future greatness.
It is an honor to be sharing this journey of expansion with you as your Chief and kinsman.
With gratitude,
Chief Harper
January 1, 2024
Aya,
As you receive our first newsletter of the year, I hope it finds each of our Peoria citizens joyful and well. This time of year brings about our ever-growing Peoria Children’s Christmas Party, end of year family gatherings and time well spent around the fireplace. December also allows for times of annual reflection and thankfulness as a Nation, Tribe and State. I pray peace and joy in 2024 upon all three.
Thank you to each of our citizens that were able to attend our annual events or stopped by our tribal headquarters to utilize any or all our tremendous citizen benefit programs or purchase tribal merchandise. I look forward to seeing, visiting, and participating with each of you at our upcoming events in 2024.
Let us gather again soon at our Peoria General Council Meeting this March 2nd at Buffalo Run Casino and Resort here in Miami, OK.
God bless each of you and our great Peoria Nation in 2024.
Be Well.
Chief Craig Harper
October 1, 2023
Aya,
As I sit down to write this Quarter’s letter, the word “relationship” is on my mind. I spent time today with Jason Dollarhide inside our Ottawa-Peoria building. We were sitting with the long-time Chief of the Ottawa Tribe, Ethel Cook, as she laid in state, following her passing earlier this September.
I reflected on my relationship with Chief Cook, and with Jason, and even the Peoria relationship with our Ottawa neighbors. I thought of all the relationships built and fostered through years of Peoria events inside the Ottawa-Peoria building.
The upcoming final quarter of 2023 will hold many opportunities to create, grow, and, unfortunately, loose relationships. Let us be intentional to foster family, tribal, and community relationships at upcoming holiday and social events. Let us build new bridges of cooperation and kinship that lead us towards our ultimate goal of a healthy, intergenerational connected Peoria Nation. Let us find new ways to serve our elders, continue to teach our children, and encourage one another along the way.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events and pray a blessing over each one of our citizens and families.
Be well,
Chief Craig Harper
July 1, 2023
Aya,
As the year moves fast into summer, I want to take a moment to honor and congratulate all the Seniors that graduated earlier this season. I applaud your dedication and persistence through education, and I truly enjoy reading through our Summer Newsletter to see the accomplishments of each of our graduating citizens.
The summer season began alongside our 26th Annual Peoria Powwow. It was great to visit and dance with family and neighbors again. Each year, I reflect on the celebration, and I am deeply appreciative of all the days spent gathering and storytelling at our Annual Powwow. I hope all our citizens had the chance to visit your Peoria headquarters and facilities, while utilizing your citizen rate at the Buffalo Run Hotel during your stay.
Coming up, we are focused on and preparing for our upcoming buffalo acquisition. Bringing buffalo to the Peoria Nation will serve as a great step forward in our land, cultural, and economic endeavors. I am excited to see what this step will bring back to the people of the Peoria Tribe.
I look around at the accomplishments within and of our People, and I am excited to walk forward into summer of 2023.
See you soon,
Chief Craig Harper