Peoria Tribe Of Indians of Oklahoma

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma will begin construction of a large, 35,000 sq ft greenhouse facility this Fall as a strategic next step towards meeting the Nation’s food sovereignty goals. Once completed by Spring of 2025, the Peoria Tribe Greenhouse will be growing produce year-round using hydroponic and soilless methods that will yield significantly greater quantities of vegetables than conventional field production. The greenhouse will provide high-quality food for all Peoria Tribe restaurants, child-care facilities, and elder care programs, as well as contribute to the food distribution system being developed by the Tribe’s Health and Human Services department. This newly developed site will also contribute towards another Peoria Nation goal of creating and providing quality job opportunities with excellent work environments. The groundbreaking will occur Tuesday, October 1st at 3:00 PM at the site of the future Peoria Tribe Greenhouse: 7801 S 620 Rd, Miami, Ok. For more information about the project, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gC-7GfjY

Miami, OK – The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the Buffalo Run Casino & Resort’s RV Park on Tuesday, September 3rd. 

"By buying from local farmers, we can avoid ongoing pesticides and hopefully improve the health outcomes of the children that consume the food here." - Jolynn Kaiser, Director of the Peoria Tribe's Early Childhood Department. KOAM News Now sat down with Jolynn, to discuss the $193k grant they recently received from the USDA for kitchen construction and classroom gardens: https://lnkd.in/gX_RQ7BP

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma was recently one of the recipients of the USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants, receiving $193,015 for kitchen construction and classroom gardens at the Peoria Tribe Early Childhood Development Department’s Rockdale Facility. The Peoria Tribe is excited to accept this award to provide the best nutritional options for the children enrolled in its care. This year, the USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants awarded a record-breaking $14.3 million to 154 projects in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. According to the USDA press release, “These investments will help 1.9 million children eat more tasty, nutritious foods in school, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities.” The Peoria Tribe is proudly only one in eight American Indian or Alaska Native communities in the nation to be awarded this grant and only one in four to be awarded it in the state of Oklahoma. Furthermore, the Tribe received one of the most lucrative of the grants in the entire nation. “Kids learn how to eat; it’s not programmed in them,” said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long. “What they’re exposed to at a young age makes a real difference. When we support children in establishing good eating habits, we’re setting them up to reach their full potential.” Chief Harper of the Peoria Tribe reflected, “I am so proud of the work our Peoria Team does day in and day out. The continued coordination across multiple departments shows Peoria’s commitment to meet the nutritional needs of community members in our care.”

A glimpse of last weekend's 27th Annual Peoria Tribe Powwow! Thank you to the Head Staff and Peoria Team Members who helped make this event possible.

The Peoria Tribe Housing Authority's groundbreaking ceremony took place June 20th on Q St. S.W. in Miami, OK. Jason Dollarhide, Director of the Peoria Housing Authority, spoke on the project, stating that 15 new homes were to be built. Chief Harper stated that the groundbreaking is a big step forward for the Peoria Tribe and that his focus is to continue to have these occasions in the future. These homes will have one to two bedrooms and be equipped with a storm shelter and carport. The project, funded by a Competitive Block Grant and a 25% match by the Peoria Tribe, will be completed within the next year. This is one of the largest construction endeavors the Tribe has undertaken within the last 15 years. https://lnkd.in/g5DS3C5d

🍩 This morning, the Peoria Tribe team took part in celebrating National Donut Day! 🍩

The Peoria Tribe welcomes its first baby bison to be born on Peoria lands! This little blessing is so special. It is the first-born calf from the genetically pure Yellowstone National Park bison herd that was successfully transferred to Tribal lands in January 2024.

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has experienced immense growth in the last six years. The number of Tribal employees has grown from 20 to well over 100 to accommodate the numerous departments that have been created to serve Tribal Citizens and the Community. The Tribe's enterprises include Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, Buffalo Run Hotel, and the beautiful Peoria Ridge Golf Course. The Tribe offers its citizens and team members food assistance programs, elder care and disability reimbursement, housing assistance, and support for students through early childhood development and scholarships. The Peoria Tribe is also heavily involved in Health and Human services that emphasize Peer recovery, Indian child welfare, and overall wellness. #peoriaproud