Welcome to the Official Site of the Wichita And Affiliated Tribes

 

 The Wichita tribal offices will be closed on june 30, july 3 and july 4. offices will re-open at 8 a.m. july 5.

 

Click here for information on the june 29th graduation banquet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEAM OSCAR RAISES AUTISM AWARENESS

 

Tribal member Oscar Saldana, 17, has faced and prevailed against many challenges throughout his life due to living with autism. His primary support in tough times is his immediate family. Yet with the growth of Team Oscar, Saldana knows for sure that his fellow students, teachers, and his Wichita people walk alongside him.

 

"It does give me great joy to see people I know who are nice to me," Saldana said, "be it at school or at home. It gives me great joy and a really great feeling that I'm not alone."

 

Team Oscar began in 2011 when his family organized a team for the "Walk Now" fund-raising campaign for Autism Speaks. When Autism Speaks no longer sponsored their event, Team Oscar joined AutismOklahoma's  "PieceWalk," which took place May 6, 2017 at the Chickasaw Nation Bricktown Ballpark.

 

This time, however, it was different. Saldana's mother, Melonie Saldana, counted at least 93 participants who were there with him, including many students, faculty and administration from Anadarko High School. Saldana credits Oscar's teacher, Pam Laubach, for the high level of high school support.

 

 

"He does know he's autistic," Melonie Saldana said. "He does know there are challenges. There are things he struggles with socially. For us, this autism walk is to let him know, 'You have all of these people behind you when you feel lonely, and you think you don't have anybody.'"

 

In addition to the people who came to support Oscar, the team also raised $1945.00, being within the top 20 fund-raisers for PieceWalk. Fund-raising efforts included a taco sale and sales at cost of the "Team Oscar" t-shirts. Registration fees for the Wichita Walking Club were also donated to Team Oscar.

 

When not working on autism awareness and education, Oscar enjoys reading, listening to music and collecting Star Wars memorabilia. A junior at Anadarko High School, his elective and extracurricular activities include playing tuba for high school band and being a member of the National Honor Society. At the May 9, 2017 Band Banquet, Oscar was recognized for "Best Chewbacca Sound" and voted this year's Band King.

 

As a student leader, Oscar formed a lunch group for those students who are lonely in the lunchroom and need a friend. With his older brother, Lucius, graduating and going off to college, Oscar knows how it can feel to be alone and doesn't want others to feel that way.

"The group is for people who have no friends but want to come to lunch and just talk about some stuff," Oscar said, with movies and Star Wars being popular topics of conversation.

 

"There is so much he has to offer," Melonie Saldana said about her son. "I always tell people, 'If you haven't met Oscar, get to know him.' Everyone that he meets, they love him. He always has a place in their heart."

 

In addition to his mother and brother Lucius, the founding members of Team Oscar include his father, Tito Saldana, and his sisters, Elizabeth and Leyla. On his Wichita side of the family, he is the grandson of Robert Earl French, Jr. and the great-grandson of Mary Hagan Grange. With his Kiowa side, he is the grandson of Mary Ahhaitty Jones and the great-grandson of Bessie Silverhorn Ahhaitty and the late Rev. Reuben Ahhaitty.

Team Oscar will continue next year. Donations for this year can also be made directly on AutismOklahoma's Team Oscar page at https://piecewalk.org/team/team-oscar.

 

 

 

WICHITA TRIBAL MEMBER SIGNS WITH USAO

 

Adrian LaBrada, a Wichita tribal member and recent graduate of Anadarko High School, signed with the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma cross country team on April 11, 2017.

"I really liked USAO when I toured it," LaBrada said. "It really made me feel like I was at home. I chose USAO over other schools because academic-wise, it's one of the best in the state, and I just want what's best for my future."

LaBrada began running cross-country as a sophomore, choosing to sign as a cross country runner above other sports in which he participated such as track and basketball.

"Cross country helps me get rid of all my problems and just seems to calm me down when life is getting rough," he said about why he chose the sport for college. LaBrada said he will major in business management starting in the fall.

Outside of sports, LaBrada said that his favorite times in high school were lunch and physical education classes. However, there was only thing that said he enjoyed outside of these activites.

"I love to fish," LaBrada said. "It's my favorite thing to do."

LaBrada's family and coaches were on hand for his signing day at Anadarko High School. This included his mother, Crystal LaBrada; brothers Isiah LaBrada and Joseph Beaver; sister Ryleigh Farina; nephew Jeremiah Beaver; and grandmother Barnetta LaBrada. Others in attendance included Anadarko cross country coach John Holten and USAO cross country coach Sid Hudson.

"God has led me to USAO," LaBrada said when asked about his support system. "My mom, brothers and girlfriend has showed me the most support, and I thank them for that."

 

 

 

                

 

TRIBAL MEMBER WINS JR. MISS INDIAN OKLAHOMA CITY

Congratulations to this beautiful young Wichita, Isabella Fridia! She was crowned Jr. Miss Indian Oklahoma City on Friday, March 17, 2017. Her parents are Brandon and  Tasha  Fridia. Grandmother is Suzanne Wise. Her great grandmother was the late Frances Wise. Very proud of her.  She spoke Wichita as she introduced herself and talked about her traditional dress. She did awesome! Congratulations Isabella!