September 23, 2021

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Aya.

This last week was the Grand Opening of the First Americans Museum, or FAM, in Oklahoma City. A $175million, 175,000 square tribute to the 39 federally recognized tribes located here in the state of Oklahoma. This event was nearly 40 years in the making. From the planning stages, to fund raising, to the first days of construction that began in 2006, the idea lived on. During this day of celebration, it was not lost on me the depth of Unity that was cultivated and relentlessly maintained. Contributions through diverse funding partners included Tribal, State and City governments as well as Corporate and private citizens.

But always with the same intent and purpose, first nation stories told by the first nations.

This led me to remember our recent unity of Tribal governments during the gaming compact negotiations with the State. And this thought begins to resonate, In Unity and Consistency lies our victories.

It was a proud day for our First American people. It was a proud day for all of Oklahoma.

#PeoriaProud

Be well.

Craig Harper

Chief

May 24th, 2021

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Aya,

I hope this message finds all our people well and strong and looking forward to Summer. Since our last newsletter here are a couple of updates and a great announcement. First, our Annual General Council in March came together beautifully. I would like to thank all our tribal government and casino team members for preparing and hosting a well organized and informative gathering of our Citizens. We completed another election cycle, presented our Annual Report and then socially gathered that evening to meet new friends and strengthen relationships with others. Governmentally we continue to coordinate with the Department of Treasury to participate in the American Rescue Plan Act. As information is provided by Treasury it will be shared through both our social media page and our website. We continue to be proactive in this process and look forward to the implementation of it for our citizens.

We are thankful and excited to announce that this years Annual Pow Wow will be hosted at our beautiful grounds east of Miami. Like years past, we will gather with our inter-tribal family to celebrate, compete and honor one another. Please makes plans to join us and bring the whole family.

I look forward to seeing each and every one there.

As always, we remain PeoriaProud!

Be Well,

Craig Harper

Chief

February 15th, 2021

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Aya,

Despite all the challenges we faced in 2020, I  hope our Spring Newsletter finds each citizen looking forward to a new season of hope, prosperity, and progress. I am excited about this edition and trust the information and program updates provided herein, will bring excitement to each of you.Planning for this year’s General Council Meeting is in full swing. The day will begin with our AnnualElection, followed by lunch at the Showplace, and finally our General Council Meeting at 1:00 p.m. Out of an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of our citizens, we will have protocols in place for social distancing and sanitizing. We look forward to seeing our Nation gathered together again this year. Final event details will be released as we get closer to our meeting date on Saturday, March 6, 2021.We continue to engage in a positive way with the new the Administration in Washington, D.C.With the nomination of the first Native American to Secretary of the Department of Interior, we trust the tribes will have a seat at the proverbial table.As far as the House and Senate are concerned, the electing of Native Americans continues to trend upwards. The current and future strength of our federally recognized Tribes has never been brighter.On the local level, the construction of our new Peoria community and learning centers continue to progress, despite the colder weather. With new roads being built, concrete poured, and steel being erected, it is another reason to be excited about the future of our Tribe.In closing, I wish to leave you all with a renewed sense of hope in this new season. Hope, that each of our citizens will be safe and healthy. Hope, that healing and peace will come to those that have lost loved ones in this last year. Hope, that we may all gather again for a time of refreshing, fellowship, and unity.

#PeoriaProud

Be well.

Chief Harper

November 6th, 2020

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Aya,

As I sat down this afternoon at the keyboard, I must admit I had a very different direction for this letter in my mind.Today two of our Peoria Citizens made a planned and deliberate stop here at our TribalHeadquarters in Miami, OK. They shared their story of wanting to make this visit for years.Today they shared their family stories that had been told and retold. Stories of when the family lived here. Stories of family members resting in our Peoria Cemetery. They shared stories of the research and study that had been done by family members and how much they would enjoy reading back over those details after this visit. They visited several of our sites today and had great smiles on their faces when they left.It wasn’t wasted on me that this could have been the story of every one of our families. We all know that the remainder of this troublesome year, 2020 , will be spent gathering with family and telling these stories. Stories of remembering our pastand praying the best for our future. Let us not miss a chance to visit the family members we miss, eat festive meals together, listen to our Elders tell their great stories and teach our children as they ask us questions.Today, for a moment, there was no pandemic. No election turmoil. The sun was shining, the leaves were falling and our beautiful pine trees were as green as ever. It was a great day. Let us walk in peace the remainder of this year. Please stop by the Offices in Miami when you can.#PeoriaProud

Be Well,

Craig Harper

Chief

October 7th, 2020

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Aya,

We welcome the Fall Season.As the days grow shorter and the evening arrives sooner, I hope this newsletter finds each of our citizens safe and well.This Fall season is a reminder of endings and new beginnings. It is a time of cooler evenings and less time mowing yards.It is a time of closing our gardens and putting them to rest until the Spring comes again. It is a time to prepare for changes in the meals we prepare and times spent retelling our stories this Winter.We are a people who know and understand these changes in the seasons.Although our gatherings during this last season were greatly impacted, we will again look forward to the days we can come together to celebrate our way with our family and neighbor Tribes.Please continue to reach out to our Elders and each other to share support and fellowship as we all walk through the remainder of 2020.Continue to check our website for Program and news updates. We continue to strive for improvements in the content and quality of information releases not only in this newsletter but also several social media outlets. Thank you to all of our Citizens that have stopped in at our Tribal Headquarters to visit both the Staff and our continually updatedTrading Post.As always, we remain #PeoriaProud.

Be Well,

Craig Harper

Chief

July 13, 2020

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Aya.
Since the first of March we as Peoria citizens have found ourselves acting or reacting to this pandemic caused by the Covid-19 Virus. There is not an aspect of our lives that it has not affected. From where and how we work and play, to the places that we eat and entertain ourselves. During this time we have seen this turmoil boil into social and racial tensions. I pray that we find peace in what grounds us personally and corporately.
Our tribe and been focused on protecting our citizens, customers, staff and enterprise employees during this prolonged season of uncertainty.
But during the tests of life there are also milestones to celebrate and remember.
There have been both high school and college graduations since our last newsletter. There have been births, deaths and weddings to remember since our last newsletter.
The longevity of our story as a Tribe depends on the comfort that for every rising of a sun there is a setting and for every ending there is a beginning.
I will close by mentioning the newly enacted Covid-19 Public Health Emergency Relief Fund and the application that is included in this newsletter.
This Virus has had a negative impact on each of our lives. This application is intended to make financial support easily available for each of our eligible members. Please apply promptly and call our Headquarters for any necessary explanations needed.
Please keep safe and stay well until we are able to gather together again.
#PeoriaProud.
Be well.
Craig Harper
Chief

February 7, 2020

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Aya.

What an Event!

Let’s discuss three.

One of the highlights of our Peoria calendar each year is the Children’s Christmas Party.
With great care, our staff and a team of volunteers truly transformed the Peoria Showplace into a virtual Winter Wonderland. This annual Peoria event was diligently and carefully planned for and executed with the future of our People in mind.
The goal to bless, encourage and support the Peoria children and families in attendance was fulfilled in the smiles on the faces and the joy in the voices of our citizens as they enjoyed the time of fellowship and family. It is good for Us to be together.

Another event to discuss is the upcoming Peoria Tribe’s Annual General Council Meeting. It will again be held in the Peoria Showplace at our beautiful Buffalo Run Casino here in Miami, OK.  Plans for this annual gathering of our citizens are complete and the realization of these has begun. This serves as our major political and cultural event of the year. Building on the format established at last year’s meeting, our team will provide comprehensive reports and program updates. Special guests have been invited and exhibits will be on display.

Lastly, one of the most exciting announcements at this year’s General Council Meeting will be the unveiling of 2020-2021 tribal program expansions, including a ceremonial groundbreaking, which will be held immediately following adjournment. Once our business is concluded, we hope you will join us for a time of fellowship, as we close out the weekend festivities at our Annual Peoria Stomp Dance.

Let us gather together again as a nation and family, to remember where we have come from and to celebrate the promise of our future generations.

#PeoriaProud

Be Well,

Craig Harper
Chief

November 15, 2019

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Aya,

Since 1990 the month of November has been federally recognized as National American Indian Heritage month and commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. However you refer to it, it is a uniquely specific time of the year.

It is not a coincidence that this recognition coincides with Veterans Day. It is well documented the unequaled commitment to the Armed Services per capita of the First Nations peoples. Recently, I had the distinct honor to attend the Veterans Day Service at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. As I spent time walking amongst the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial, it was humbling to consider the commitment and sacrifice of so many native and non-native men and women to this country. Personally, my paternal Grandfather was combat wounded on Armistice Day.

So many things take place during the month of November; We take a day to remember and honor our veterans; We take a day to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. It seems a natural transition to honor the heritage of our own people in our own ways. Even this week, at the Civic Center here in Miami, through the Inter-Tribal Council and the support of numerous local tribes, including our own, elementary students from eight local school districts were able to see exhibition dancing, see artifacts, play games and hear stories. It was exciting to see that generation interact with our respective cultural ways and traditions.

While attending the November Inter-Tribal Council meeting, a representative from a park service in Ohio was present. As she explained the nature of her visit, I found it no surprise that it again tied directly to our story and our heritage. She shared that the scope of her work was to help present the Native American perspective of military movements and engagements from the late 1700’s that involved our tribes. It was easy to envision us fighting alongside many of the same tribes that we call neighbors still to this day. I would call it a great coincidence that this meeting happened during this month focused on our heritage, but I don’t believe in them.

In closing, Thank you. Thank you to our citizens who continue to promote our ways. Thank you to our citizens who attend our events and meetings and stop by the Office to do business and visit. Thank you to our citizens who have called into the office. Thank you to our citizens who watch our web and social media pages for news and updates.

Have a great Heritage month and Fall season. We look forward to seeing all who attend the Children’s Christmas Party and begin to look ahead to the March General Council Meeting.

#PeoriaProud
Be Well.

Craig Harper
Chief

 

Aya

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We hope this Newsletter finds each of our citizens well.  It is a great time of the year.  Our children are back in school and our college students are back on campus.  We hope all our citizens are taking full advantage of the school supply reimbursement program and our tuition program.  Thank you to our staff and Education Committee for their time and efforts to process and review each application and get these funds out to each one eligible.

Thank you to the Pow Wow Committee and Buffalo Run Casino staff for another successful event.  Our June Pow Wow was pushed indoors because of the ongoing rain which provided for saturated grounds and in turn delayed the improvements to the Peoria Pow Wow grounds and buildings.  We are pleased to announce that the improvements will be finished by late Fall and the 23rd Annual Peoria Pow Wow (June 2020) will be able to showcase our improved grounds.

In addition to the work being done at the Pow Wow grounds there has been some changes happening at Buffalo Run Casino.  To start with, a new sign has been erected on the Interstate 44 side of the property.  In addition, to the new digital sign there is improved landscaping throughout the property and the outdoor concert venue received some updates, just in time to welcome Toby Keith for Labor Day.

The outdoor concert venue has been a busy place this summer!  To start with the City of Miami hosted their Annual 4th of July festivities at the property.  The ongoing rain showers of May and June created flooding at the planned location and the Peoria Tribe and Buffalo Run were happy to be cosponsors and welcome the City and their attendees to our amazing property.  The days activities included many city sponsored activities and the Peoria CCDF was able to step in and provide some GREAT kids activities including:  Camel rides, bounces houses, face painting, and balloon art to name a few things.  The day concluded with a spectacular firework show.

Following this great event, the Peoria CCDF program hosted a “Back to School Bonanza and Movie Night” at the Buffalo Run outdoor venue.  Initially the CCDF program purchased 300 back packs and a variety of school supplies for the backpacks.  However, the large volume of people who showed up, displayed how obvious the need for backpack and school supplies was and the Peoria CCDF Program did a second order of backpacks and supplies.  A second distribution brought the number to 900 backpacks.  For more info on the Peoria CCDF Program go to page 10 of the Newsletter.

In closing we would like to remind everyone of the annual Veteran’s Day Memorial Service to honor tribal veterans, as well as all veterans, on Sunday, November 9, 2019.  The service will be at the Peoria Tribal Cemetery beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Hope to see you all soon!

Craig Harper

Chief

Aya

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Trusting the Spring season finds my Peoria family doing well. I am always encouraged by the transitions of Spring; as the days lengthen and gardens come to life, renewed energy and hope restored.

This past year has been an incredible journey that has brought fresh vision and a more precise direction for our future prosperity. I had the privilege of meeting with many Tribal and Cultural Leaders, State Officials, and Federal Agencies in hopes of strengthening and building new relationships for the future benefit of our citizens. With this purpose in mind, I attended Nation- To- Nation conferences, Tribal Economic Development conferences, and Tribal Finance Summits.

I firmly believe, that for us to continue moving forward and know EEHIŠI IIYAAYANKWI {Where we are going} as a tribe, we must understand where we’ve been.  One of my personal goals has been not just to gain a deeper understanding of our Tribe’s history and culture, but to truly learn about our ancestors and our ancestral lands. One of the highlights in this regard was my recent trip to Cahokia Mounds, located just outside of St. Louis, Mo, designated as a World Heritage site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This 2,200-acre mound civilization complex is a true marvel. Second Chief Logan Pappenfort and I were recently hosted by the Museum Director and toured both the Museum and property. The focus and labor of the Cahokia citizens were monumental. It was inspiring to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors.

Following our visit, the Peoria Tribe has been invited to participate in upcoming events at Cahokia Mounds. We are currently planning chartered day trips from Miami for our citizens to coincide with future events there. Continue to watch our website and Facebook postings for details.

Planning is also underway for the 22nd Annual Peoria Tribal Powwow. We look forward to seeing everyone there as we gather together to celebrate as a family.

It has been an honor to complete one year in office as Chief; serving this great Tribe and our proud Peoria People. Please, make plans early to stay at the Buffalo Run Hotel and tour the casino. While you’re in town, the staff and I welcome each of you to stop past the Tribal Office for a visit.

Hope to see you all soon!
Craig Harper
Chief