Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Election Announcement
- Three seats on the Tribal council -
With the election of Carla Carney, Leota White, and Deborah Margerum, joining Matilda "Bea" DeLaGarza, four women will now serve on our Business Committee. God Bless our Ponca People and congratulations to Carla, Leota, and Deborah.
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Date of Election:
December 18, 2021 Polling Time: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Polling Site Location: Ponca Tribal Affairs - Dining Hall 20 White Eagle Drive Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 Dates to File: October 28, 2021, 1 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. - Ponca Tribal Affairs Dining Hall October 29, 2021, 1 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. - Ponca Tribal Affairs Dining Hall November 2, 2021, 1 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. - Ponca Tribal Affairs Dining Hall Final Closing Date: November 3, 2021, 1 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. - Ponca Tribal Affairs Dining Hall Post-Certified Candidacy List of Eligible Candidates: November 8, 2021 Requests for Absentee Ballots: October 27, 2021 - November 24, 2021 Last day to Mail Absentee Ballots by USPS: November 28, 2021 Absentee Ballots Must be Received by: December 18, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. Tabulation of Ballots December 18, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Announcement of Newly Elected Officials: December 18, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. Final Certification of Election Results: December 23, 2021 |
Absentee Ballot Request Form:
You may return this request by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery to the Election Board Office. If you are returning the request by mail, it must be received by the election board no later than 4:30 P.M. on November 24, 2021. The request must be notarized with a government issued photo ID. Requests for Absentee Ballots: October 27, 2021 - November 24, 2021 Last day to Mail Absentee Ballots by USPS: November 28, 2021 Absentee Ballots Must be Received by: December 18, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. By Email: [email protected] By Mail: Ponca Tribe Election Board Correspondence P.O. Box 2149 Ponca City, OK. 74602-2149 By Fax: (580) 762-2743 
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Candidate introductions
Please note that not all candidates who have filed are currently listed below. Once information is provided for the additional candidates, they will be added below within 3-5 business days.
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Deborah L. Margerum, MCP, LADC, LPCBlessings to All Ponca Tribal Members,
I hope this letter finds each of you and your loved ones well and peaceful. It is the purpose of this letter to inform each of you that I am running for a seat on our Ponca Tribal Council. My name is Deborah LouElla Margerum. I come from the Williams-Standsblack family. My maternal grandmother was Lucy Williams Standsblack/Thicknail. My parents are the late Dewey and Delores (Dee) Crain. I have two younger sisters, Karen Howe and Susan Cornell. I am married to Michael Margerum andI have two children Sonny King and Deidre Sentel both of Ponca City and 6 grandchildren. All of my education was in Ponca City, OK, I graduated from PO-Hi in 1973. While living in Denver, Co. in 2004 after much prayer I decided to get my formal education. (I remember our Grandpa Parrish Williams as well as Aunt Bev, saying how important it was to be educated in this world.) I went to Metropolitan State University of Denver and received my Bachelor degree in Human Services. I started my Master program in Denver then it became necessary for me to move home. I then transferred my program to Northwestern Oklahoma State University of Oklahoma. I graduated in 2012 with a Master degree in Counseling Psychology. I am also licensed through the State of Oklahoma Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor boards. The State Licensing Boards hold me accountable for ethical behavior in my life. In 2020 I was called to see if I would be interested in taking a position at then what was the Social Development Center as the therapist and develop a curriculum for treatment. In 1991, I remember wanting to work for our Ponca People. But what I knew then and feel very strongly about is because I am Ponca does not entitle me to a job at Ponca Tribe. I knew I would have to have some type of education to be of genuine service to the Ponca Tribal members and members of other Tribes. Due to the pandemic it was difficult, we had to close the center down for two months, reopen for 6 months and then close again for the beautiful renovation, and then rename the center Hope and Recovery. I say all this to say, the time I have spent here in White Eagle has been one of the best years of my life, getting to know different tribal members and relatives. It took me 30 years to get here, and I thank God for this opportunity, I see it as a gift. |
While I have been here I have been able to witness and experience this Tribal Administration progress and forward movement. It is my desire to be a part of this movement. So after much prayer and talking to my sisters and nieces I have decided to run for Ponca Tribal Council in the upcoming election December 18, 2021.
Should I be elected the objectives I see as important and to be accomplished are:
• Continuing with getting our audits completed and maintain a timely status here after
• Educating our employees where needed to provide the best services for the community and better wages
• Have a Revenue Cycle Review to increase third party billing through the WEHC
• Increase progressive medical techniques
• Continue to have more cohesive relationships between the WEHC, Behavioral Health, Wellness Center and Hope and Recovery
• Work toward a drug free community
• Continue to build enterprise to increase revenue for Ponca Tribe
• Increase employment opportunities for members that are transitioning from Hope and Recovery or other treatment centers
• Increase activities and increased care for our Diabetic members
• Accountability for performance and attendance for Tribal Employees
I am asking you, Ponca Tribal Members to support me in this election. I am asking you for your vote. If I am elected I will do my very best to continue the progress that has been started with this current administration.
I pray for God’s blessings on each and every one of you and your loved ones.
Respectfully,
Deborah L. Margerum, MCP, LADC, LPC
Should I be elected the objectives I see as important and to be accomplished are:
• Continuing with getting our audits completed and maintain a timely status here after
• Educating our employees where needed to provide the best services for the community and better wages
• Have a Revenue Cycle Review to increase third party billing through the WEHC
• Increase progressive medical techniques
• Continue to have more cohesive relationships between the WEHC, Behavioral Health, Wellness Center and Hope and Recovery
• Work toward a drug free community
• Continue to build enterprise to increase revenue for Ponca Tribe
• Increase employment opportunities for members that are transitioning from Hope and Recovery or other treatment centers
• Increase activities and increased care for our Diabetic members
• Accountability for performance and attendance for Tribal Employees
I am asking you, Ponca Tribal Members to support me in this election. I am asking you for your vote. If I am elected I will do my very best to continue the progress that has been started with this current administration.
I pray for God’s blessings on each and every one of you and your loved ones.
Respectfully,
Deborah L. Margerum, MCP, LADC, LPC
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Leota “Judi” WhiteAs an Elder and a proud Ponca, I believe in listening and being in community with our people. I am passionate about our youth and will continue to build upon the language and culutre programs we have established. I believe in movement, growth, and development for our tribe and will continue to advocate and support our current economic devleopment plan. I beleive every Ponca deserves to be included no matter where they make their home. I will continue to make sure every Ponca member knows what services are available. I would be honored to continue to serve you, my relatives as a member of the Ponca Tribal Business Committee.
While serving this past year, I was proud to help our PTBC move forward with 4 major projects: - White Eagle Health Center Expansion - Office of Emergency Management Building - New Elder Housing (Tiny Homes) - Hope and Recovery Center I assisted with submitting the incomplete audits from 2017, 2018, and 2019 to ensure our tribe got back on track with self-governance. I assisted our council and tribal programs in navigation COVID-19 which included assisting with burial assistance, health assistance, emotional and spiritual assistance, and procuring funds to help our members with any financial needs. |
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Rita (rene) KembleHello members of the Ponca Tribe, my name is Rita (Rene) Kemble. I am proud member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and a devoted follower of Christ. I am of the Washabe Clan and a direct descendant of Horse Chief Eagle. I grew up in the White Eagle community. A single parent of five children, and a grandmother of two grandsons and one granddaughter. By the grace of God, I got my children graduated from high school, and on to college. I have the pleasure of attending The University of Oklahoma with my oldest daughter.
My parents are Kenneth Kemble and the late Phyllis Brown Kemble. My father, a Vietnam Veteran Specialist 4th Class received an Air Medal and Purple Heart. I thank him and all Veterans for their bravery. My paternal grandparents were the late Edmond and Rita Mae Roy Kemble. Maternal grandparent is the late Bertha Cries For Ribs. Great grandparents were the late William "Bill" and Mary Horse Chief Eagle Kemble, Reuben and Rosanna Primeaux Roy, and Solon and Lucie Blueback Cries for Ribs. I am currently the Ponca Tribe Native Connections Project Liaison. I have been actively involved in the community for 20+ years. I see myself as honest, dependable, determined, persistent and innovative. Education:
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Platform:
Lastly, I believe my qualifications and background make me an ideal candidate to represent the Ponca people for our future. I understand that being elected is a privilege. Being a leader is about serving the people, being held accountable by the people, and being transparent with the people. I am committed to improving the lives of our Ponca people and I will always be open to any suggestions.
God bless you all!
I would be honored to have your support and humbly ask for your vote in the upcoming December 18, 2021 election for Ponca Tribe Business Committee!
Good luck to all candidates!
- Elders and Youth
- Culture and Education
- Families and Self-sufficiency
- Veterans and Pandemics
- Foster children and homelessness
Lastly, I believe my qualifications and background make me an ideal candidate to represent the Ponca people for our future. I understand that being elected is a privilege. Being a leader is about serving the people, being held accountable by the people, and being transparent with the people. I am committed to improving the lives of our Ponca people and I will always be open to any suggestions.
God bless you all!
I would be honored to have your support and humbly ask for your vote in the upcoming December 18, 2021 election for Ponca Tribe Business Committee!
Good luck to all candidates!
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Carla Rhodd Carney, MSSA MsITGreetings to the Members of the Ponca Tribe,
I hope this letter finds you and your family well. Almost four years ago, I asked for your support in helping to elect me as a member of the Ponca Business Committee. I was humbled to be elected that year and since then I have done my level best to make good on the campaign promises I had made those four years ago. For those of you who may not know me, my name is Carla Athena (Rhodd) Carney, and my Ponca name is Mígthí tąį (New Moon Returning). I know many of our elders fondly remember my Great Grandfather Simon Horse Chief Eagle, who was active in the Ponca Native American Church and was a spokesperson on behalf of the Ponca people. Both of my parents are enrolled Ponca Tribal members. My Father, a 20-year United States Navy Veteran and retiree, Carlton Rhodd Sr. was proud to serve his country and instilled in me the ideals of discipline and commitment. My Mother, Ledavie Littlehoe Rhodd, was a strong Ponca woman and taught me the importance of being independent and to think for myself. I am incredibly proud of my lineage descending from prominent families of our Ponca People; White Eagle, Horse Chief Eagle, Adrianna Whitetail, Marvin Littlehoe, Anna Belle Horse Chief Eagle Littlehoe, Yellow Bull, Little Standing Buffalo, Obie Little Standing Buffalo, Iva Little Standing Buffalo, and Lemuel Rhodd Sr. I reflect fondly of the time I spent with my Grandmother, Annabelle Littlehoe, who placed in me a desire to love the Lord and put Him first in all things, all the while reminding us of the importance to go after what we wanted in life but be sure to work hard for it. As a wife to Brenton Carney Sr. and a mother to three and grandmother to three, I hope I can pass on the things taught to me to my children and grandchildren. My desire from the first letter I sent was to help move the tribe forward. Over the last two years in serving as the Tribe’s Secretary-Treasurer, I have worked hard to ensure that all members, regardless of their location, have been able to access assistance. Throughout the years, only those Ponca’s living within the traditional boundaries of the tribe were eligible for assistance, but with the CARES Act funds and the ARP funding we have worked diligently to provide services to many members all across the country who have never received any type of assistance from the tribe. |
Managing these tasks has not been easy. When I took over the office of Secretary-Treasurer, our tribe was delinquent in three years of required audits, the enrollment office was riddled with discrepancies, and trying to help navigate the tribe through the COVID-19 pandemic weighed heavy on all members of the Business Committee. I did my level best to ensure that the responsibility placed on me by the Ponca people came first and many hours were spent dedicated to ensuring the required tasks were completed to keep the tribe operating, maintaining our self-governance status, and assisting tribal members across the country. I know there may have been times that some felt we were not able to process things fast enough, but I can assure you that we done our level best.
Over the past two years especially, I have depended upon my education in dealing with the federal government and the various programs that the tribe has been fortunate to retain or have funded.
My educational background consists of:
I feel that I have kept my word to the Ponca people and made good on nearly all the goals I had laid out within my first letter. There is always room for continuous improvement, and I hope I am given the opportunity to continue to serve the Ponca people. Please take the time to vote, either be absentee ballot or in person on December 18, 2021. I ask for your support as I seek another term on our Ponca Business Committee. God bless each of you and I wish you continued good health and happiness.
Carla Rhodd Carney, MSSA, MsIT
Over the past two years especially, I have depended upon my education in dealing with the federal government and the various programs that the tribe has been fortunate to retain or have funded.
My educational background consists of:
- Current Doctoral Student for Doctorate in Information Technology, Walden University
- Masters of Information Technology, Walden University
- Master of Science in Security Administration, Southwestern College Professional Studies
- Graduate Certificates in Enterprise Risk Management and Emergency Planning, Southwestern College Professional Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (IT option) with a minor in Business, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- Associate of Science in Computer Science, Northern Oklahoma College
- American Indian Graduate Center Scholarship Recipient for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (Continuing)
- Cobell Scholarship Recipient
- The tribe’s audit delinquencies have been and will continue to be addressed
- Acquiring and enforcing the use of an automated time keeping system to ensure tribal wide accountability (Paycom)
- The White Eagle Health Center has seen increases in both third party collections and grant awards
- New facilities are being constructed for our Senior Citizens and Educational Programs
- Enhance the tribe’s Information Technology Infrastructure
- Institute a Property and Procurement Clerk to streamline purchasing and acquisition
- Amend the Ponca Constitution, which said amendments have been sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs so that a Secretarial Election can be held, and the people can ratify or reject these proposed changes
- Our Fancy Dance Casino has been profitable and able to continue to pay back the debt incurred, all while always looking for other economic investments that may benefit the tribe
- Added to our land base by purchasing the “Gates Property” in the hopes of a site development for a convenience store operation
- Currently building a network infrastructure for the Ponca Tribe
- Acquired a FCC License for the Ponca Tribe for our own Spectrum
- Acquired funding for the ARP for 20 Million
- Acquired funding for CARES for 7 Million
- Setup Procurement software for the Ponca Tribe, Microix for better accuracy
- Successfully acquired funding for Emergency Rental Assistance totaling 1 Million
- Successfully acquired funding for Homeowners Assistance Fund
- Made sure Fiber to the Home was implemented for the White Eagle Community and currently worked to get the surrounding areas.
- Personally setup databases for several programs within the Ponca Tribe
- Setup the .Gov Domain for the Ponca Tribe.
- Currently rebuilding our Burial Program at 15K a month putting the needs of Poncas First
- Currently worked with getting our Ponca Language App funded and wrote into the Grant to maintain the language server. Will be completed at the end of this year.
I feel that I have kept my word to the Ponca people and made good on nearly all the goals I had laid out within my first letter. There is always room for continuous improvement, and I hope I am given the opportunity to continue to serve the Ponca people. Please take the time to vote, either be absentee ballot or in person on December 18, 2021. I ask for your support as I seek another term on our Ponca Business Committee. God bless each of you and I wish you continued good health and happiness.
Carla Rhodd Carney, MSSA, MsIT
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DARCIE R. LIEB
Hello Ponca Family and Friends,
Hope all are doing well and taking constant precaution! Blessings to All my Ponca People! My name is Darcie R. Lieb, I’m announcing my Candidacy for the upcoming Ponca Tribal Elections for 2021. I ask that you once again step forward and cast your gracious Vote in my favor. I come from the No Ear, Blueback, and Cries for Ribs families. My ancestry goes far within the Ponca traditions, culture. I am a Mother of 4 as well as a GrandMother of 4. My education background begins with my Associates and Bachelors in Criminal Justice. While obtaining my Security Guard certification at Pioneer Vocational Technology. I’ve also gained over 40 hours in Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocacy. I could on about my education, some of you already know that but what I want to say is that I want to help educate you, guide you in a positive direction. How fair is it that I talk about how far I’ve come and some of my Ponca People still lack Education. Vote for Darcie R. Lieb this coming Dec. 18, 2021. I will be your Advocate for my Ponca People, I will make sure my Ponca People come first and your voices are heard. I will provide Transparency with clear and accurate understanding. I will make it my obligation to make sure My Ponca People are given a fair opportunity to obtain and maintain employment. Let me help you succeed in gaining your Education, I don’t want to make sure that I am the only one that succeed, but that We All Succeed, together. Once again, we are falling back on Educating Ponca People, our Future depends on you, Elect me, and I will guide you into taking a further step into bettering our Tribe, the best way to keep Tribal Members employed and how we continue to Prosper. We are faced with dictating dilemmas, abuse of power of authority, over paid wages for very little to no production, exhausting family or personal vendettas or being biased over decades of no accomplishments. |
Vote for me, Darcie R. Lieb, and allow me to speak as your Voice so together we can make that change. It is time we turn this tribe around and together positively move forward. I will work promising efforts and will work diligently to make sure My Ponca People are made priority, I will turn words into action and show that it can be done, by keeping my word to you. Making sure accountability is a number one obligation. You, the Ponca People’s input is very important and what you think and how you feel about things is what will help better the tribe. This has been an uphill battle that our Tribe, for over 4 decades we, the Ponca People have been fighting (I’m 46 yrs. old now and I remember our Elders, 2nd and 3rd generations bickering over this continued generational curse) over this and still have no Accountability. Now, we look to the modern day, we are still looking to find ways to overcome this, in the meanwhile, Ponca People are steady suffering from it.
Come this December, will be the time to turn that around and let me guide you, let me speak for you, let me lead you. My Ponca People, you have been OVERLOOKED for this past year (and beyond), yes it started out good, felt good to receive money, externally, it looks good, sounds good, hopes are good, but internally, we are still sifting through a pile of destruction that goes beyond 1, 2, 3, or even 4 years. Don’t’ get me wrong, our current administration has done superb things, pulled in some grants that have helped us Ponca People. I have seen how it works on the inside, how our council sits idle, with very little to no knowledge of what is going on within our programs.
If elected, I would demand all programs bring forward Programmatic gain and loss. I would help improvement by utilizing capabilities of Compliance Officers and Fairness for All Tribal Members not just a select, being a leader means standing up for those who matter, You the Ponca People, it means providing stability, certainty, acknowledgement, loyalty, not just claiming unworked hours, being leader takes more than just one council member, it takes time, you have to be willing to work together. Once again, our Council has failed to uphold their loyalty by standing by their words, which was doing away with nepotism, lean more towards hiring Ponca Tribal Members, they complained and campaigned about the last administration for Hiring their own Family members but then turn around and do the same exact thing and they expect the Ponca People to look the other way. I’m here to let you know that I, Darcie Lieb, Advocate for you Ponca People to Serve for You and put You, Ponca People first. These are just a few subjects that I will elaborate on.
Vote Darcie R. Lieb December 18, 2021 to serve as one of your seven Ponca Tribal Council Members. Thank You!
Come this December, will be the time to turn that around and let me guide you, let me speak for you, let me lead you. My Ponca People, you have been OVERLOOKED for this past year (and beyond), yes it started out good, felt good to receive money, externally, it looks good, sounds good, hopes are good, but internally, we are still sifting through a pile of destruction that goes beyond 1, 2, 3, or even 4 years. Don’t’ get me wrong, our current administration has done superb things, pulled in some grants that have helped us Ponca People. I have seen how it works on the inside, how our council sits idle, with very little to no knowledge of what is going on within our programs.
If elected, I would demand all programs bring forward Programmatic gain and loss. I would help improvement by utilizing capabilities of Compliance Officers and Fairness for All Tribal Members not just a select, being a leader means standing up for those who matter, You the Ponca People, it means providing stability, certainty, acknowledgement, loyalty, not just claiming unworked hours, being leader takes more than just one council member, it takes time, you have to be willing to work together. Once again, our Council has failed to uphold their loyalty by standing by their words, which was doing away with nepotism, lean more towards hiring Ponca Tribal Members, they complained and campaigned about the last administration for Hiring their own Family members but then turn around and do the same exact thing and they expect the Ponca People to look the other way. I’m here to let you know that I, Darcie Lieb, Advocate for you Ponca People to Serve for You and put You, Ponca People first. These are just a few subjects that I will elaborate on.
Vote Darcie R. Lieb December 18, 2021 to serve as one of your seven Ponca Tribal Council Members. Thank You!