Bishop Paiute Tribal Council Update March 2018

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1 Bishop Paiute Tribal Council Update March 2018 The Bishop Paiute Tribal Council (BPTC), encourages the community to continue to stay updated with the good things happening in our community by continuing to read all of the monthly newsletter articles and attend tribal meetings. For suggestions and comments on how to improve this news letter article contact Brian (760) ext Law Enforcement - After the recent Pleasant Fire, the BPTC & Bishop Tribal Police Chief met with local law enforcement agencies on February 22, 2018 and discussed ways to improve communication and disaster relief efforts on the Reservation. In addition to the active Emergency Management team (Admin, EMO, CDD, IT, Public Works, Tribal Police) that meets monthly, the BPTC will work on ways to streamline the communication to the community in the midst of emergency situations, these efforts will include Website, Social Media, and Radio. More discussion and actions will continue on this serious matter and we will be informing the community in the near future of emergency preparedness efforts. If you have any general concerns or questions please contact our Tribal Police Department. Tribal Police Chief Hernandez can be (760) New Gas Station- In 2017 the BPDC applied for a grant from EDA (U.S. Economic Development Administration) for 2.3 Million dollars to assist the Tribe in construction of our second gas station and if awarded will help us to include a car wash and deli. The remaining funds of construction will come from funds that have been saved by our existing gas station, at this time we are looking at a fully funded tribal and grant funded project requiring no loan. The BPDC have delivered all supporting documents needed to be awarded this grant, at this time we are waiting for review and decision on if we will be awarded the funding. For more information on this project or other please contact Tribal Administrator Gloriana (760) Lease to Own Homes- The BPTC approved the building of Five (5) Lease to Own homes to be built by CDD this year using NAHASDA (HUD) funds available. To get more information on this housing opportunity please contact Gaylene (760) or stop by the CDD 270 See Vee Ln for more information. The Deadline to submit your application will be Friday, April 13th. Continue on Page 11 Inside This Issue Public Works P.2 CIMC P.3 TERO P.5 BIEC P.6 EMO P.9 Food Program P.10 Upcoming Events P.12 Head Start P.14 Paiute Palace Casino P.16 Calendar P. 19

2 Temporary Use Permit Status We would like to thank the members who have taken the time to update their TUP s by the deadline of January 31, After the reviewing process of each TUP we have determined that we have received a little over 100. We believe there are still a substantial amount that remain outstanding. Over the next couple of weeks the Public Works Department will be verifying those that are non-compliant. The assignment holders who have not complied will receive a 72 hour notice for shut off of water and sewer services for the entire assignment. With the approval of Tribal Council and collaboration with Tribal Police the termination of services will remain in effect until the assignment holder complies with current TUP s for all rentals on their assignment. As a reminder, the definition of rental is any unit not occupied by the assignment holder. The Water and Sewer Policy requires that all connections have a valid TUP for service to each unit. Each TUP must be renewed each year to remain valid. The TUP provides important information regarding the land use, current billing information, and provides for review of rental homes in accordance with the Tribal Rental Minimal Housing Standards Ordinance The information assists the Public Works Department in obtaining grants and in planning for growth on the Reservation to ensure there is an adequate and safe domestic water supply and wastewater capacity within our agreement for wastewater treatment with Eastern Sierra Service District. We are asking that all customers cooperate to ensure we have updated information for long range planning, infrastructure capacity needs and data for obtaining grants. If you have questions please call the Public Works Office at IRRIGATION SEASON The Bishop Paiute public works department is preparing for the irrigation season starting in April In March we plan to meet with other entities and agencies on the most effective and efficient delivery system of water to meet the needs of the Bishop Paiute Tribe community. The annual irrigation public meeting will be held on March 19, 2018 beginning at 5:30pm in the Tribal Chambers, light snacks will be provided. Nearing the end of March we will have a group of kids from down south that will be working on clearing some of the irrigation ditches to prepare for the irrigation season to start. We encourage members of the community to take advantage of this precious commodity and the opportunity to join the team to help conserve domestic water. If you are interested in irrigating your assignment this year please contact our office at or call the Zanjero (Irrigator/Ditchrider), Ty Tucker, directly at It is as simple as notifying public works and we will assess your assignment. A minimal fee of $6.50 per lot each month is the cost to receive irrigation. Even if you have any questions regarding irrigation or have any suggestions your input is welcomed and appreciated. We have tackled several areas and have a few more places to fix to improve the irrigation infrastructure to deliver water efficiently and on time. In order to make these necessary repairs throughout the season we may need to minimize flows which may cause some delays in the irrigation schedule and we will do our best to notify you in advance so you can make any adjustments needed. As a reminder to our current irrigation users it is part of our policies that only the Irrigator has authority to move the water to the next user unless arrangements are made with the Irrigator in advance. As a water user, you do have the authority to make adjustments to the valves located on your assignment during your allotted time. If tampering with valves becomes an issue public works staff will install locking valves to prevent interruption of water delivery to other users that may be affected. Please remember if it is your turn to have the water and you do not want it we will send it to the next person on the schedule and we will not come back to you and you will have to wait until your turn in the next rotation in order to keep with the schedule unless arrangements are made within 24 hours. However, those assignments that house livestock, gardens or alfalfa are a high priority and we will do our best to meet the accommodations of the users. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to a better irrigation season this year. The Public Works Team Carrie Brown, Youth Activities Specialist; Bishop Indian Education Center, will be collaborating with Earl Lent Youth Outreach Prevention worker; Toiyabe Family Services to provide the Nuumu Life skills program to Native American Youth graded K 5 th starting March 1 st, 2018 and ending May 31 st, What is Nuumu Life Skills? Toiyabe adapted the evidence-based American Indian Life Skills Curriculum to create the Nuumu Life Skills Program for Tribal youth attending one of the local Elementary schools. While the American Indian Life Skills Program seeks to increase resiliency in high school aged youth, the curriculum Toiyabe created looks to build coping skills in younger children. We thought a good way to address these issues was to make sure people have the resilience and coping skills they need to face life s problems, starting at a young age." Building Resilience Resilience the quality that allows people to withstand adversity and still thrive develops over time, and touches upon many different aspects of a person s life. Resilience comes from supportive relationships with family and friends, and the support that culture and traditions provide. Resilience also requires a set of personal life skills; these skills allow a person to navigate difficult situations by managing their thoughts, emotions and behaviors in constructive ways. Resilience can be developed across the life span by cultivating supportive relationships, by engaging with culture and traditions, and by learning life skills. A number of evidence-based curricula focus on building resiliency, including the program Toiyabe used as a model American Indian Life Skills. BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBAL NEWSLETTER March 2018

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4 Call Out for Museum Docents and/ or Cultural Committee Members? Since the renovations, The Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center has been successfully open for 3 years last November. The growth and accomplishments of the Cultural Center are a result and testament of community s wants, dedication, and support. As we continue to develop and enhance the Cultural Center more tribal community participation is needed as either a museum docent or committee member. What is a Museum Docent? They are volunteers - a person who can be a knowledgeable guide for museum visitors through the museum and delivers a commentary on the exhibitions; or a person who will help with day to day business, gift shop sales, events, and programs within the cultural center with minimal responsibilities. Eligibility: Open to all community members, High School age or older, Native American preference and encouraged Must complete of Volunteer Forms and process of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, forms available at Cultural Center and Bishop Tribal Office HR Dept. What are the duties of a Cultural Committee Member? The Cultural Advisory Committee of the Bishop Paiute Tribe will develop and provide cultural advocacy through the Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center for native people within the local community as well as promote to outer areas; To provide guidance and direction for Bishop Paiute Tribe staff and others, primarily for the Cultural Center Coordinator and docents - giving constructive input, recommendations, and valuable feedback regarding cultural and historical issues; To assist The Bishop Paiute Tribe staff and others in the development of short and long term goals pertaining to the Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center and grounds; To work hand in hand with Bishop Paiute Tribe staff, committees, and other agencies in coordinating and implementing tribal activities and events that tie to the Native American culture and traditions, primarily the local Paiute- Shoshone people; To provide education and awareness programs for the general community that relate to the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center and the Paiute- Shoshone culture; To develop and assist in a Museum docent program; To access and approve all items of purchase for the Cultural Center Gift shop; To access and recommend and/ or approve all items of the museum collection and archives, incoming and outgoing loans, for the Owens Valley Paiute- Shoshone Cultural Center, with the support of Bishop Paiute Tribe. Eligibility: Must be a Bishop Paiute Tribal Member, Must be interested in serving the Tribal Community, Must submit letter of intent to the Tribal office. If you are interested or have questions please don't hesitate to call or visit Tara Frank at the Cultural Center The Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Grant is in the third month of the first quarter of We are currently finishing task 3.1, and 3.2. Task 3.1, Planning Units is dividing the reservation up into manageable units, or sections, and discussing issues, concerns, or ideas. Task 3.2, Intersections and Connectivity is in the final stages of review as well. We will be working on task 3.3 Common Areas, which is looking at vehicle and non-motorized vehicle access and issues at community facilities, and the initial analysis is expected to be completed by the end of March, which marks the end of the quarter. Don t forget to pick up a survey, either at the Bishop Paiute Tribe at 50 Tu Su Lane, or the Public Works office at 630 Brockman Lane. We would like to get as much feedback as we can from the community on important issues on the reservation. We would also like to remind you that there will be a community meeting held on March 19 th at 5:30 pm at the tribal chambers office located at 50 Tu Su lane. I will be working to have a small group of meetings over this next month with the Head Start kids, the Ed Center kids, and the elders. If you need any further information, please contact David Weaver at cell, office, or by at, david.weaver@bishoppaiute.org BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBAL NEWSLETTER March 2018

5 The Cultural Center is looking for our tribal member college graduates to showcase at the upcoming 3rd Annual Education Summit, set for April 6 at Cerro Coso Community College in Bishop. If you are a tribal member from one of the Owens Valley tribe (Bishop, Big Pine, Ft. Independence, Lone Pine, Timbisha, or Benton); and graduated from a 2-year or 4-year college/university, we d love to include you in the showcase! Please send your: name, college attended, program studied and/or degree obtained, and your picture. Submissions and updates can be ed to tara.frank@bishoppaiute.org; text message to ; or deliver to the Cultural Center, where your photo can be scanned and copied (the Tribe will not keep originals). This will be an ongoing archival effort for the Cultural Center in documenting our tribal communities accomplishments. Submissions are due no later than March 29th, 2018 to be apart of the Ed Summit. If you have any questions, please call the Cultural Center (760) SAVE THE DATE TAATSAWANO Traditional Gathering June 1 & 2, the Cultural Center Grounds, Bishop CA Look for the Flyer Cultural Center GIFTSHOP BUYING DAYS March 12 & 13 6pm the Cultural Center Questions (760) We are looking for beadwork men items and colors (less bling), hatbands, belt buckles, men lanyards, beaded hats and visors, beadwork incorporating natural materials and fibers; paiute dresses; ribbon shirts; paiute shawls; aprons; hand made bags; woodwork; gourd work; basketwork; carvings; flintwork; leatherwork get creative!

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7 FROM THE AIR PROGRAM Valentine s Dust Storm Returns?!? The Air program published a newsletter article in 2008 about the Valentine Dust Storm on February 13th, 2008 when, starting at roughly 3:00 pm, the Bishop Reservation experienced the second highest concentrations of dust recorded by the Tribal station at that time; drive by a North wind, gusting to 55 mph. (Pictures and graphs were included. It s available at our online library at We also know that the devastating Round Fire occurred during a windstorm on February , with ignition from windblown power lines officially estimated at roughly 2:30 pm, with the Tribe s station measuring predominantly NW winds during the 2:00 3:00 pm hour (which swung west to south over the following several hours). Systems known as inside sliders are sometimes identified by NWS and other weather professionals as being storms that slide from the NW (jet stream), inland of the pacific northern coastal barrier. They are harder to predict than major storm systems, and bring strong winds and (typically little moisture) to eastern California. Though a comprehensive long-term study of any coinciding factors for February wind storms has not been done by the Air Program, we are interested in the recurrences. On February , a windstorm occurred and starting at 11 am for 10 hours, 1-hr concentrations of PM-10 were >100 ug/m3, with the highest 1-hr concentration in the 2:00 3:00 hour reaching 743 ug/m3. PM10 is dust as measured by the concentration in micrograms (ug) of particulate matter less than 10 microns per cubic meter of air (m3) (PM-10). The graph to the left shows the spike in concentrations during this recent windstorm. Continuous (5-minute) wind gusts and wind directions during the same 1 week period are shown in the graph to the right. The beginning of the shark s fin of dust concentrations happens midday on the 10th, and had peaked in roughly 24 hours (it was still hazy on the 11th). The high dust concentrations reduced visibility. This was captured by the Tribe s web camera, located on the roof of the Environmental Management Office. The picture on the left is looking southeast into the Owens Valley, showing obstruction by dust at ground level at 1:20 pm. The picture on the right, taken at 2:00 pm, is looking towards the mountain skyline, west. Note that the Tungsten Hills are not visible. Particulate Matter February 10, 2018 Wind Gust (mph) February 10, 2018 View down valley at 1:20 PM View of Mt Tom at 2:00 PM

8 Make Your Space a defensible Space Tom Gustie will be presenting, at the General Council Meeting March 17th, on Defensible Space For Your Home. For more information about creating Defensible Space around your home please contact Thomas Gustie, Natural Resource Specialist at thomas.gustie@bishoppaiute.org or Bishop Paiute Tribe Environmental Management Office will be offering young adults from the Ages (17 to 25 ) 5 positions for the summer and cover work focused on careers in the forestry or a natural resource field. Do you want to work outdoors in some of the most scenic locations in Owens Valley? Do you want to gain valuable, resume-building skills for a career in Forestry or Natural Resources? For more information about the program please call Tom Gustie, Natural Resource Specialist Phone # (760) ext thomas.gustie@bishoppaiute.org The Bishop Paiute Gas Station recently had 90 solar panels installed on top of the canopy above the fuel pumps. The project was completed by Highpoint Solar Company as a cost savings to reduce the overall utility cost. This work will help the annual revenue for the gas station for years to come. A big Thanks goes out to the Tribal Council for the support to approve the project, as well as the other department staff that sat in on the presentations to hear from the representatives during the bid process and ongoing support. Respectfully, Lonnie Kinerson Manager Bishop Paiute Gas Station BISHOP BISHOP PAIUTE PAIUTE TRIBAL TRIBAL NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER March NOVEMBER

9 Join us for an evening of awareness and gratitude at the Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center 5:00 PM PAYA BLESSING 5:30 PM BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBE S Water Quality Standards Triennial Review Public Meeting 6:00 PM Film Screening of the award winning BEYOND RECOGNITION, a documentary film exploring the quest to preserve one s culture and homeland in a society bent on erasing them Please bring a potluck dish to share. Drinks and dessert will be provided. What are Water Quality Standards (WQS)? In 2007, the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council passed the Water Quality Control Plan for the Bishop Paiute Reservation. The Plan includes WQS, which are regulations that include designated uses and water quality criteria to protect those uses. The Tribe s WQS have been approved by EPA. Federal regulations require that Water Quality Standards are reviewed and revised, if necessary, at least every three years to ensure that the Standards meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act and the needs of the Tribe. The Bishop Paiute Tribe Water Quality Control Program will hold a public meeting on March 22nd at 5:30 PM at the Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center to solicit suggestions from the public for WQS additions or revisions. A copy of the Water Quality Control Plan with the Tribe s WQS can be obtained at the Tribe s Environmental Management Office or online at The process will further involve reviewing statewide provisions, include all waterbodies within the Bishop Paiute Reservation boundary, evaluate designated uses, evaluate water quality criteria, and evaluate the antidegradation policy. A public hearing is scheduled for April 24th. Deadline to submit comments to the Environmental Management Office is April 27th, Contact BryAnna Vaughan at with questions.

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11 Continue from front page RAMAH Settlement Allocation ($669,091.71)- Due to recent emergency preparedness discussions as a result of the Pleasant Fire we will be amending the working budget draft to include the supplies and equipment needed to keep our community prepared in an emergency situation. It is still the plan of the BPTC to publish a budget outline (in an upcoming Tribal Newsletter) for the proposed uses of the RAMAH Settlement Allocation for community review and comments before finalizing and implementing the budget. Relationship Building - In an effort to improve our relationships with local community organizations the BPTC hosted a Local Meet and Greet Luncheon where we hosted members from the: Inyo County Board of Supervisors, Inyo County Planning Department, Bishop City Council, and the Inyo Register. In addition to the Meet and Greet the BPTC took this time to honor retiring Fire Chief Ray Seguine for his commitment to pubic safety and his willingness to be a partner of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. Ray was accompanied with his Wife and Great Nephew for this honoring. The BPTC is committed to create more opportunities to build relationships with our community partners and had a chance to discuss with the Inyo County Planning Department regarding the recent Inyo Register article regarding the new gas station development. We will be having continued meetings to discuss county concerns and address them to the best of our abilities. Adopted Resolutions December- 2/8 - Transitional Housing Assistance Grant for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Stalking T /8- Legal Assistance for Victims Program Grant T /8 - Tribal Practices for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Program Grant T Council Travel for December- Bill Vega OVBT- Early HeadStart Discussion (Cold Springs CA, 2/6), NCAI Winter Session (Washington DC 2/12-2/15) Allen Summers - NONE Earleen Williams - NONE Brian Poncho - OVBT- Early HeadStart Discussion (Cold Springs CA, 2/6), NCAI Winter Session (Washington DC 2/12-2/15), California TANF Coalition (Concord CA, 2/22), State TANF Meeting (Sacramento CA, 2/23) Jeff Romero - OVBT- Early HeadStart Discussion (Cold Springs CA, 2/6), NCAI Winter Session (Washington DC 2/12-2/15) BISHOP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (HOUSING) CDD is accepting housing applications for New Lease Purchase Homes. The homes will be built on Individual Land Assignments on the Bishop Paiute Indian Reservation. Applications can be picked up at the Bishop Community Development Department Housing Office located at 270 See Vee Lane, Bishop, Ca Deadline for Application is Friday, April 13, 2018 by 5:00pm

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16 Bishop Indian Head Start s new pergola over their drinking fountain! It looks so beautiful Enjoy the pictures, our 3 year old class had fun filling up the bird feeders with Ms. Trisha. A BIG Thank You to Tom Jackson, Darrin Bernard and Max Ortiz for building it for us. BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBAL NEWSLETTER March 2018

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18 Cultural Advisory Committee: One (1)Member Tribal Environmental Protection Agency Committee (TEPA): Three (3)Members Tribal Historic Preservation Committee (THPO): Two (2) Members TANF Advisory Board: One (1) Member Owens Valley Indian Water Commission: (OVIWC) One (1) Member Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Two (2) Members TERO COMMISSION- One (1) Member MUST BE A BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBAL MEMBER MUST BE INTERESTED IN SERVING THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY MUST SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTENT TO THE TRIBAL OFFICE *All Committees are paid Honorariums CHAIRMAN William Bill Vega SECRETARY/TREASURER Earleen Williams VICE-CHAIRMAN Allen Summers Sr. COUNCIL MEMBER Jeff Romero COUNCIL MEMBER Brian Poncho TRIBAL ADMINISTRATOR Gloriana Bailey ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO TRIBAL COUNCIL Michelle Cozad ADMINISTRATIVE RECEPTIONIST Jordan Andreas ASSISTANT TRIBAL ADMINISTRATOR Valerie Spoonhunter ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Teresa Martinez Here s the link: BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBAL NEWSLETTER March 2018

19 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 4 5 No School Teacher In Service 11 BTYC Meeting 1:00pm Education Center TIHP Board Meeting 9:00am Enrollment Committee Mtg. 5:30 pm Tribal Chambers PAC Meeting 12:00pm BAC Classroom Gaming Com. Meeting 5:30pm PPC Conference BPDC Board Meeting 6:00pm BPDC Conference Cultural Advisory Meeting 6:00pm Cultural Center Tribal Court Advisory Mtg. 9:00am Tribal Court 11:00am OVBT Meeting 2:00pm Lone Pine, Ca Enrollment Mtg. 5:30 pm Tribal Chambers TEPA Committee Meeting 3:30pm EMO-B Elders Advisory Board 12:00pm Elders Building Land Assignment Meeting 6:00pm Tribal Chambers TIHP-Diabetic Clinic 8:00-11:00am THPO Committee Meeting 5:30pm Cultural Center Regular Tribal Council 5:30pm -Tribal Chambers- Regular Tribal Council 5:30pm -Tribal Chambers- Pre-Spring Break Minimum Day Elementary School General Council Meeting 9am Community Center BTYC Meeting 1:00 pm Education Center Cultural Advisory Meeting 6:00pm Cultural Center Commodities 7am-12pm Cultural Center FFP-Spring Gathering Pregnancy Prevention Workshop 5:30-7:30 pm Education Center NO SCHOOL- SPRING BREAK MARCH 26TH-30TH 23

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