Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma



		*History Briefs* An excerpt from *Vocabularies of the Shawanoese and Wyandott Languages, Etc.* Originally Published in 1858. Written by Indian Agent, Col. John. Johnston (The following article was communicated for this work by the venerable Col. John Johnston, of Upper Piqua, Ohio, who for about half a century has been agent of the United States over the Indians of the west.) The Wyandotts had resided on the soil of Ohio long before the French or English visited the country. Forty-six years ago, I took a census of them when they numbered 2,300 souls. In 1841 and 2, I was, as the commissioner of the United States, negotiating with them a treaty of cession and emigration, when it was found, by actual and accurate count, that, in a little less than 50 years, they had been reduced to the number of 800; none had emigrated- all that was left were the subjects of my negotiation. I had been their agent a great part of my life; and after being separated from them for 11 years by the power of the Executive, it fell to my lot, under the appointment of my honored and lamented friend and chief, President Harrison, to sign and seal the compact with their chiefs for their final removal from their cherished homes and graves of their ancestors, to which, of all their race, I had ever known, they were the most tenderly attached, to the country southwest of Missouri. (Missouri River)...			*Department of the Environment* The Wyandotte Nation Environmental Department has many duties while strengthening the capacity of its governing structure and maintaining a viable Environmental Program. The program employs Program Director Christen Lee, Environmental Assistant Kathleen A. Welch, and Water, Air and Environmental Technician Janice Wilson. The "Tribal Efforts Against Lead" Program will be ending during month of August of this year. Its final project was the development of a book and environmental video documenting the eleven year program success with the community. Through our General Assistance Program we maintain an Environmental Education Program, prioritizing on recycling with the utilization of "RENIE," the Recycle Robot. "RENIE" is a visual aid with curriculum to help children in learning the importance of recycling. Our recycling program strives to educate the public about environmental concerns, with a major emphasis on preserving precious resources. The targeted age groups are students from preschool through Grade 6. It is an innovative technological educational robotic system used as a learning tool to create an atmosphere of magic and curiosity for both children and adults. "RENIE" is a recycling robot educational tool operated by a remote control in which he appears to move, see, and talk to all ages. This creates conversational information, involving a variety of environmental activities, while creating a memory enhancing educational setting. We have sponsored and coordinated public awareness contests relating to a clean environment, conducted poster contests, performed programs to enhance community perception on recycling, and have given presentations at Recycling Conferences in the surrounding area, such as Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Conference, in Oklahoma City and the Missouri Recycling Conference, in Joplin, Mo. We continue to develop new curriculum, coordinate programs, and make presentations on a regular basis. Although the Environmental Department no longer has a GIS/GPS Technician, the Planning and Development Department has been helping with our mapping, and all Environmental Staff have been cross-trained to obtain skills to utilize the GIS Software. The department continues to monitor the Tribal Water System through monthly, quarterly and annual tests to make sure it complies with all regulatory standards of the EPA, with which our Tribal well is permitted. Private well bacteria testing is an on going resource that is provided free of charge to tribal and non-tribal members within a 50-mile radius of the Wyandotte Nation. Relationships in conjunction with organizations relating to the Tri-State Mining District and/or the Tar Creek Super Fund Site are continuing, along with working with other tribal environmental departments in a group called NATURE (Native American Tribes United to Restore the Environment) are very successful. As the Environmental Department is responsible for project implementation and the on going regulatory activities, the above summation is a brief description of the work completed throughout the year. Through the General Assistance Program and Water Programs, we have been given the capability to complete and/or continue projects, and to identify other areas for future development. Our goal is to insure tribal self-sufficiency through future economic development projects, water quality, air quality, solid waste, etc. The Wyandotte Nation has demonstrated its management and administrative capabilities by successfully administering this Federal and Tribal funded program. It is our pleasure to represent the Environmental Protection Agency through this worthwhile program. The outcome of this General Assistance Program has progressed the Wyandotte Nation Environmental Department to have the capacity to be an important catalyst for the strengthening of the Wyandotte Nation Tribal Government. If you should need any additional information concerning any of the Wyandotte Nation Environmental Projects, please contact our department at 918-678-2297 (x 235, 241 or 245).
					©2002-08 Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma 64700 E. Highway 60 • Wyandotte, OK 74370 2004 Silver ADDY Winner for design excellence