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These notes are not to cover
everything talked about in this meeting but some of the high-lights are
given here.
Because of inclement weather;
all the tribes were not represented, December 4, 2006. Dan Jones, Chairman,
Ponca tribe, conducted the meeting with the Alumni. This meeting was called
out of urgency, chairman Jones reported. The campus is in danger of being
reclaimed by the federal government because it had fallen into such
disrepair. The campus proper is 165 acres. Jones said, “There is no other
place like Chilocco. The agricultural experience alone is worth saving and
educating the public about what happened with that.
The agreements will have to
fall to the tribes who own it. The development of casinos is unstoppable,
Jones pointed out. However, to be able to hold the 165 acres of the campus
where the old buildings stand for a kind of Mecca with the great numbers of
people from so many tribes across the nation and into Hawaii and Alaska for
a museum and artifacts is of great importance.
There are problems to be
addressed, Dan continued. Structural problems with the buildings, asbestos
in the buildings, chemicals buried on the grounds, toxic materials from the
print shop, lead and so forth. There is dangerous deterioration in the
floors making access to the building life threatening.
Dan brought out that the
Alumni can make a proposal for a building, get what you want, he said. Let
me remind you, health and safety should be your concerns because this is how
the federal government can take it away from us, on this basis.
Dan told, “a f.e.m.a. trailer
is being secured to house a headquarters for the five tribes to use it as a
central working point. It will be placed at the arch. Each tribe will give
time for security, divided up over the week. This is to be a short fix for
the present problem of vandalism and protect the school while long term
assessments are being made.
Jim Bakers, Alumni president,
comments:
As the president speaking for
all our people, our hearts never left Chilocco. We are interested in working
with the confederated tribes who own Chilocco. There are experts galore
within our organization, attorneys, architects, engineers, etc. and there
are resources available from the alumni.
Dan commented:
To the Alumni: “I would like to be on your March 3rd agenda at Stroud.”
Jim Baker:
I am working on a roster of names of all who attended Chilocco and it will
soon be completed (as fast as my wife can type it) <grin>.
Dan:
It would be good if we could somehow make a pitch to the Navajo tribe to be
a part of what will go on at Chilocco.
Jim:
Their program at Chilocco began in 1948 and was 60 % of the enrollment.
Novaline Shipp:
A number of Chilocco graduates are in Alaska. I believe this is an exciting
time for our old school.
Alice:
I am pleased to know the five tribes are meeting again. It was pointed out
that 126 headstones were located at the Chilcoo Cemetery.
Dan:
We would like to see a sub-committee organized of the Alumni from each
tribe. There will be a re-organizing on the 12th of December of the Five
confederated tribes.
Jim:
Wherever we can help as the Alumni it is our wish to march with you. |
