"Kalyn is involved. It'll get done now."

Inquiring minds want to know what Kalyn Free's real job is with the Cherokee Nation. She's supposed to be a lawyer, but for some reason, it seems nothing happens at the Cherokee Nation unless she's got her fingerprint on it. For example, why would a lawyer working for Cherokee Nation Businesses get involved in a Cherokee Nation Housing Emergency or Rehab job?

Please review the following timeline of events concerning the replacement home received by Ross Wilson to see what I mean.

August 28, 2014 - Cherokee citizen spoke with Baker about Wilson's situation. ~ Baker was aware and said Wilson was approved for $5000 in Emergency Repair help.

September 18, 2014 - Our Moral Test was published in this blog.

September 26, 2014 -

• FINALLY the Emergency repairs were started on Wilson's trailer. The pipes were fixed and the roof repairs were scheduled to start.
• Dead Birds Leave Stain on the Cherokee Nation published in this blog.
• Cherokee Citizen, Michael Moore, requested investigation of Baker's participation in the pigeon shoot.

September 27, 2014 -

• Kalyn Free sent a message to a person employed by the Cherokee Nation asking them to get Wilson's contact info, apparently from me, because she included a link to my blog post, Our Moral Test, in that message. The person she contacted sent me a screen print of her message to them along with the statement, "Kalyn is involved. It'll get done now." *
• My response was that the water was fixed and the roof repairs were scheduled which makes it obvious the repairs had already been started.
  
  

The repairs had been started. There was no reason for Kalyn Free to get involved at that point. 

September 30, 2014 -

• I, along with two other Cherokee women, spoke at a press conference denouncing the chief's participation in the pigeon shoot. 
• Several hours after the press conference, Wilson was notified that he was getting a brand new trailer and contacted me.
• I notified the Cherokee Nation employee above that Wilson was getting a new trailer.
• A few hours later, the same Cherokee Nation employee posted on Facebook, saying they had just confirmed that Ross Wilson was getting a brand new trailer and that employee was praising Baker for it, suggesting we should all be happy that we have a chief that listens to the people and helps those in desperate need. (Worth a mention - this same employee who praised Baker  was desperately trying to make sure their contract working for the nation got renewed at this time.)

It's pretty clear by the timeline that Free got involved because she needed to do damage control to detract the attention of Cherokees away from the negative pigeon shoot to something that appeared positive like giving a Cherokee a new home. While "giving" a man a free home looks good on the surface, it brings about many questions.

• Why does Kalyn Free have to get involved in order for things to get done?
• Is Kalyn Free actually the one doing the job as chief while Baker is just a figurehead? 
• Is it Kalyn Free's job to do damage control for the current administration, in essence, is she being paid to distract us or hide things from us so we can't really see what is going on?
• Baker said Wilson didn't qualify for a replacement home, so why after Free got involved, did Wilson suddenly qualify for and get a replacement home? 

So many questions, so few answers. As nice as it would be to know the answers to these questions, because of changes to our Freedom of Information Act law, we can't get these answers. Free's contract is hidden behind the "wall" of the CNB. What exactly does Free do for the nation? Why does Baker hide it from us? What do Free and Baker have to fear by sharing her contract and salary with us? The inquiring minds of the Cherokee voters want to know..................

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.





*The screen print from Free will be shared in a following post.

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet

Cherokee Nation Remembrance Day - 2015

May we never forget that our ancestors not only survived, but thrived and built our nation into what it is today.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.





*Image credit - The Trail by Tana Washington, Cherokee artist

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet

Trail of Tears Historic Site - Waynesville, Missouri

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet

Cherokee Nation Election 2015 - Poll Links

These are the same polls that are in the right sidebar. Some people are having a hard time finding them on their mobile devices so I am including all the links in one post that can be shared. I'll run these polls for two more weeks, then record the results and reset them so those who first selected "undecided" will have a chance to vote differently the second time around if they want.

Principal Chief Poll Link

Deputy Chief Poll Link

District 1 Council Poll Link

District 3 Council Poll Link

District 6 Council Poll Link

District 8 Council Poll Link

District 12 Council Poll Link

District 13 Council Poll Link

District 14 Council Poll Link

At Large Council Poll Link

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet

Fraudulent Tribe Getting Media Attention in Arkansas

One would hope the media would do some fact checking before the report on a story. Unfortunately, in the case of the fraudulent group, "Western Cherokee Nation", this didn't happen. 

This group is actually named "Western Cherokee" and a non-profit started in Missouri in 2002 that is currently in Good Standing with the state. 

Before this move being discussed on the news, the group was formerly out of Salem, Missouri and operated by Wanda Nash. 

They are simply a group that came into existence in 2002 and claimed to be Cherokee. They are not an authentic Cherokee tribe and the history they claim actually belongs to the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. The authentic Western Cherokee, or Old Settlers as we call them, united with the Emigrant Cherokees, those who removed from the east on the Trail of Tears, in 1839. 

This "Western Cherokee" group is just one of the 200+ fraudulent groups in the US masquerading as a Cherokee tribe.  Don't let their claim that they don't need federal recognition fool you. The reason they say that is because they can't get federal recognition. They are not an authentic tribe and have never had a government to government relationship with the US.

Channel 5 News out of Fort Smith did a story on this group which can be found here - Click here.  

The Times Record, that covers the Fort Smith, western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, did a story that can be found here - Click here. 

I contacted the reporter that covered the story for the Times Record, sharing facts and explaining that the group is not an authentic Cherokee tribe. He replied with, "Thank you." Will he do a follow up and correct the myths perpetuated by the article? I'm not sure, but each one if you is free to go to the above websites and leave your thoughts about this in the comments section. While the Cherokee Nation no longer has a Task Force, I know we Cherokees are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to defending our identity and our sovereignty.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet

Invitation to all Cherokee Nation Candidates - 2015

I had planned to do a series on the candidates for the At Large council seat this election, but because CallNET is going to do one, I thought I would extend an open invitation to ANY candidate in the 2015 election who would like to be featured in a series called, "Meet the Candidates".

Because there are 36 candidates running for the various open seats, it would be impossible for me to find contact information for them, then reach out to them, and then write posts in a timely manner, therefore, I'm inviting any candidate who wishes to be featured in this blog to reach out to me. I will send them a list of questions. There will be one set of questions for chief candidates; one for deputy chief candidates; and one for council candidates, possibly with a few extra for those in the At Large race because it is so difficult for them to reach out to all their voters. 

Each candidate will be featured in their own post and their answers will be shared just as received. Photos can also be included if the candidate desires.

Candidates can contact me by leaving a comment, by clicking the "Contact me" image in the right sidebar of this blog, or on Facebook (Twila Barnes.)

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet

Watts Will Not Seek the Office of Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation

A email message sent to Cara Cowan Watts supporters follows:
When I decided to run for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, my goal was to return the Tribe to the Cherokee people as well as continue my personal service to our shared community.

The Cherokee people deserve genuine leadership focused on our Tribal sovereignty and Cherokee families.  The current administration is distracted by spending Tribal money to enrich his personal friends at the same time intimidating employees and vendors wanting to participate in the election process and ignoring our Tribal citizen’s basic needs such as Tribal citizenship papers, health care and housing.

In less than four years, the Cherokee Nation has lost our national leadership role in transparency, language preservation, culture, housing, business and basic government services.  Cherokee voters need to be aware of the reality in Tahlequah and vote for individuals based on qualifications and not on personality, personal gain or empty campaign promises. 

After much prayer, discussion with my family and a thorough review of the circumstances, I have come to a heart wrenching business decision.  The best way for me to serve the Cherokee people and meet my original goal of an improved Cherokee Nation is to work with others who share my vision.

Historically, we as Cherokees have inherently valued working together for the good of the community as a whole.  Gadugi (Working together) sustained us through our most difficult times as a Nation and enabled us to prosper in the face of adversity.

With these values in mind, I announce today I will not seek the office of Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.  My personal vote and endorsement goes to a proven Cherokee leader who I have worked with for more than a decade through good and bad: Chad Smith.

Many of you know Chief Chad Smith and I share common policy perspectives such as defending our children and families by fully implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act, aggressively addressing the revitalization of our language and culture, providing a safe workplace for employees free of harassment and threats and addressing the educational needs of the Youth.

I have asked Chief Smith to take up the challenge of helping every Cherokee family achieve home ownership, educating our youth and adults for the workforce of tomorrow, ensuring no Cherokee ever dies of cancer because a phone call or email was not returned and guaranteeing our children and grandchildren’s Tribal Citizenship applications should take no longer than six months.

I am asking each of you to stand up for Cherokee families by electing Chad Smith Principal Chief on June 27.

To my supporters and donors, you have my heartfelt thanks.  Your generosity and kindness means more to me and my family than you may possibly ever know.  Serving the Cherokee people and especially our Cherokee youth has been a significant part of my life’s work, which I will continue as I did before elected office.

Wado,
Cara Cowan Watts


Chad Smith Campaign
P.O. Box 64
Park Hill, OK. 74451
918-453-9200

Chad@chiefchadsmith.com
www.chiefchadsmith.com

 
 

www.caracowan.com Paid for by Cara Cowan Watts for Chief 2015 Cherokee Nation Election Law 1. No corporation, partnership and/or any other legal entity shall contribute to any Cherokee Nation campaign or candidate. 2. No person shall contribute more than $5000 in cash or in-kind contribution to any one candidate during an election period. 3. No person shall knowingly make or authorize a campaign contribution or political expenditure in the name of or on behalf of another, unless the other’s name is provided in order for the proper disclosure to be made. No contributions shall be made in the name of a minor. No person shall directly or indirectly reimburse another for a contribution to a candidate.

Copyright © 2015 Cara Cowan Watts for Chief 2015, All rights reserved.

Tweet

Bill John Baker - Leader or Misleader?

They say the cover up is always worse than the crime. According to Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases PR, "It’s one thing to be guilty of doing something wrong; it’s a completely other issue to be a deceiver, trying to hide the truth from the public." Perhaps Chief Bill John Baker, should have consulted Mr. Kennedy before making this speech to a group of Cherokee Nation At Large citizens in California, October 18, 2014.

Baker was referring to Ross Wilson, a man whose home needed repairs and whose home was featured in the post, "Our Moral Test". Baker said the delay in getting Wilson help was because he fell through the cracks. Baker stated Wilson didn't qualify for various types of help and blamed it on the federal government saying they never thought about "these people." He emphasized Wilson couldn't get help because "he didn't own the land!"

I've never been one to beat around the bush, so I won't start now. Baker's statements are not true and there is ample documentation to show it.

Wilson's home was damaged January 5, 2014. He applied for help with repairs and WAS approved for Emergency Repair up to the amount of $5000.

According to the Cherokee Nation Housing Rehab Programs Policy and Procedures, on page 18, where Emergency Repair is discussed, it says, "Property must be owner occupied or the occupant must have a long term lease." [emphasis mine]

As you can see, there is no requirement to own the property, but instead, to be locked into a long term lease on said property. 

Per the requirements, Wilson got a long term lease, dated February 21, 2014, and filed it in Delaware County court. The lease includes the following statement, "Agrees that a copy of this lease will be kept on file with the Housing Rehab Program of the Cherokee Nation."

In May, June, July and August, the Housing Rehab Program posted Request for Bid packets on a "NAHASDA Emergency of one home" for Wilson.

Click photo for more information.

Click photo for more information.

Click photo for more information.

Click photo for more information.

Sometime after August 8, 2014, a bid of $6400 was accepted from Cherokee Home Builders.

Clearly, Wilson qualified and was approved for help or there would have been no reason for him to file his lease with the Cherokee Nation Rehab Department or for that department to submit four different requests for bids and to eventually accept a bid for the work needed on his home.

Now that you know Wilson DID qualify for help and WAS approved for help, watch the video again.

Despite everything Baker says in that video, you've seen the documentation that shows Wilson was approved for help. The help simply didn't come. That is not the fault of Wilson, nor is it the fault of the federal government. Our Emergency and Rehab programs have problems, as discussed in the Cherokee Nation Community Services Committee Meeting on July 14, 2014. The delay in Wilson's home getting the needed repairs is not an isolated case. Chief Baker had the opportunity to admit we have problems but chose not to do so. Instead he tried to deceive Cherokee citizens, voters, into believing he had to fight a bad system put in place by the federal government in order to get one of his people some help. It is simply not true.

After hearing Baker's words and seeing the documentation above, what do you think? Is Baker a leader of our nation or his he a misleader of the people? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.



Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.





*Note: I'm aware there are other issues with Baker's words in the video. This is only the first in a series of posts that will reveal the details of what happened before, during and after Mr. Wilson received his new home, courtesy of the Cherokee Nation. While I am forever grateful that Mr. Wilson now has a home where he is warm and where he has running water, I feel the false information being passed along about his story needs to be addressed with factual information that can be supported with documentation. The Cherokee people deserve to know the truth.

**Ross Wilson's identity had never been revealed in this blog until now. His name has only been released after receiving permission from him to do so and only after at least one Cherokee Nation employee has shared it on social media.

copyright 2015, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

Tweet