VOLUME 14 EDITION 5 Lawton, OK May 2013

Sovo Elected Oklahoma Tribal Transportation

Council President

The Southern Plains TTAP at Oklahoma State University hosted the 2013 State Tribal Transportation Summit at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Tribal Transportation Council held there meeting and election of officers and Milton Sovo, Transportation Director Caddo Nation, was elected President, other officers retained their positions. Sovo will serve as President for the Oklahoma Tribal Transportation Council for 2013, 2014, and 2015. He will also serve as a member on the Oklahoma Department of Trans-portation’s Advisory Board for his second term.

Pictured from left to right: Randy McLemore, Chairman of the Caddo County Commissioners; Gary Rid-ley, State of Oklahoma’s Secretary of Transportation and Milton Sovo, Cad-do Nation Transportation Director.

Courtesy Photo

Indian Agency Cemetery, Henry Post

Army Airfield Fort Sill, Okla., Memorial Day

Observance Plans are underway to pro-vide next-of-kin and friends of the Indian Agency Cemetery an opportu-nity to pay homage to those buried in this long-abandoned cemetery. May 27, miniature American flags will be placed on each of the 114 known grave sites. Because the in-ground grave slabs have been covered with dirt, only the presence of these flags will mark each individual grave site. All are welcome at the cem-etery Memorial Day. The security gate will be opened from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on that day. You may find the cemetery by entry to Fort Sill at the Key Gate. Proceed west to the first traffic light (Geronimo Road), turn left or south until Geronimo Road dead-end at Post Road. Turn left (southeast) on Post Road, drive past the fire sta-tion and several airplane hangars for three-quarters (3/4) of a mile. The cemetery sign will be on your left and the parking area on your right. The earliest known burial occurred in 1895 and burials contin-ued in this mostly Comanche Indian cemetery for another 20-25 years thereafter. Since 1917, the cemetery has been on the Fort Sill military res-ervation and its care and maintenance entrusted to the Army since that time. Because the cemetery occupied a strategic spot on the area chosen by

See Graves on page 5

Renovations Underway at Comanche Nation Waterpark

Bill Shoemate tells CBC members about the new slide that he’s hoping to have up and ready for the Coman-che Nation Waterpark’s new attraction before the 2013 summer season opening in May.

On April 5th, members of the Comanche Business Committee (CBC), Harry Mithlo, Gary Tamah-kera, Charles Wells and Special Proj-ects Coordinator, Donna Wahnee re-cently visited the Comanche Nation Waterpark to get a progress update on the upcoming opening. They were accompanied by Bill Shoemate, Gen-eral Manager of the Comanche Na-tion Waterpark. The employees of the Co-manche Nation Waterpark have been working hard to complete renova-tions to meet the scheduled opening of May 24th. Shoemate made com-mendable remarks about the em-ployees’ work morale and progress. Shoemate stated more than once, “I am really proud of my employees.” He also said, “My employees are re-

ally all good at what they do and they each work hard at getting the Water-park looking nice and ready to go by the opening day.” Shoemate shared with the CBC the goals the employees are working hard to achieve. The Wave Area, Kiddie Pool, and Lazy River will receive fresh coats of blue paint. The water pumps will receive de-tailed maintenance to assure they will work properly. A room will be renovated to house a Pizza/Birthday Room. A shed, formerly used as the First Aid Center, will be renovated into a mini concession with a Coca-Cola machine and snacks to allow more convenience for the patrons. The current concession area will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The sign-boards and arbors will re-

ceive fresh coats of paint. Plans are in the process of adding another water slide, which will hopefully be ready to go for the opening of the Water-park. Shoemate informed the CBC they will entertain company picnics, and will allow them to bring their own food caterers. He stated, “We would be happy to have them out!” The CBC were informed that a number of tickets have been sold and the staff is looking forward to selling more. The tickets are $50 per person for 4 or more, plus tax the total cost is $52.50. If there are any questions in regard to purchasing season tickets, you may phone (580) 353-6129.

Story and Photos by Stacey Heminokeky/News Staff

Lines of tables are lined up to sign in members of the Comanche Nation April 20 during the annual General Council Meeting. The annual gathering, mandated by the Comanche Nation Constitution, brings tribal mem-bers together to hire a Tribal Administrator, take nominations for Comanche Business Committee seats, and discuss the vote on the annual budget of the Comanche Nation.

General Council Meeting Makes One Major Change on the FY 2014 Budget

Owens Remains Tribal Administrator; Nominations taken for CBC and Election Board Positions

Oklahoma Governor Fallin Refuses to Meet with Tribal Nations on a Government-to-Govern-

ment BasisBy Jolene Schonchin/News Staff

See UINOKT, Page 4

With a quorum of 445 tribal voters at 1:30 p.m. April 20, the an-nual Comanche General Council Meeting began with all Comanche Business Committee (CBC) present. Following the invocation, Chairman Wallace Coffey updated the audience of the current status of negotiating Tobacco Contracts with Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallin. He said he will not concede any ac-tivity with Fallin until she recognizes the Comanche Nation is a sovereign nation, and to treat the negotiations as such. He further told the General Council he would not tolerate the State of Oklahoma forcing a burn ban and other orders that would intrude upon on the religious rights of tribal people. Coffey recognized members of different tribal boards, and other noted tribal members. The first order of business was to take nominations for CBC and Election Board positions. Nomi-nees were announced and recorded as tribal members lined up to submit their candidates. Being nominated for CBC No. 1. were incumbent, Charles Wells, Vernon Tehauno Jr., Jonathan Poahway,

see General Council page 2

Photo by Paula Karty/ News Staff

In a letter addressed to the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, Oklahoma Gover-nor, Mary Fallon, refuses to meet with tribal nations on a government=to-government negotiation meeting to discuss many topics of concern such as tobacco and gaming compacts. In addition, she is propos-ing on implementing a burn ban which would have a direct effect on intertribal religious ceremonies that include sweats and Native American Church services Through federal law, they are protected, but a burn ban would potentially worsen the frail lines of communication between the tribes and the state government.

Fallon’s April 4 letter reads:Dear Chairman Coffey, On March 18, 2013 Repre-sentative Jerry McPeak forwarded a document signed on behalf of 23 Tribal Nations requesting that current tobacco compacts remain in force until August 30, 2017. Although six signatories currently have no com-pact, and one signatory already has a compact that expires in 2017, I do consider this document an early step in serious and important discussions

By Jolene Schonchin/News Staff

May 2013 2 The Comanche Nation News

Comanche Nation Officials

Chairman Wallace CoffeyVice Chairman Mike Mack MahsetkySecretary/Treasurer Gary TahmahkeraCommitteeman No. 1 Charles Wells

Committeeman No. 2 Sonya NevaquayaCommitteeman No. 3 Harry Mithlo

Committeeman No. 4 Jack Codopony Sr.Tribal Administrator William Owens

To contact officials:Toll Free: (877) 492-4988

May 2013 3 The Comanche Nation News

THE COMANCHE NATION NEWS

The award-winning Comanche Na-tion News, the official communication of the Co-manche Nation, is available at no charge upon request. The deadline to submit information for the May edition is noon May 15. Donations to help cover the cost of printing and mailing are welcome.

Contact:The Comanche Nation News

P.O. Box 908Lawton, Okla. 73502-0908

Telephone: (580) 492-3386Fax: (580) 492-3709Email: comanche_news@yahoo.com

TCNN Staff• Jolene Schonchin, Editor, Reporter,

Photographer-Email: tcnneditor@yahoo.com-Telephone Num-ber-(580)492-3382

• Paula Karty, Assis. Editor, Reporter, Photographer- Email: kartynews@yahoo.com Telephone Num-ber-(580)492-3383

• Stacey Heminokeky, Reporter/Photogra-pher- email: heminokekynews@yahoo.com

• Candace Todd, Administrative Assistant-Telephone Number (580)492-3386

• News items of interest to the local and American Indian community are wel-come.

• Photographs will be copied and will become the property of TCNN. To re-turn original photographs, send a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not send faxed photographs or newspaper copies of photographs.

• The Milestones Page (Birthdays, An-niversaries, Engagements,Memorial Pictures, Weddings, Births) are by sub-mission only. The Passings are submitted by the Comanche Nation Funeral Home or by tribal members on a funeral home letterhead. The Milestones Page is for tribal members only. TCNN publishes all services conducted by The Comanche Nation Funeral Home without discretion. Obituaries are written for tribal members only.

• TCNN will print a Comanche organiza-tion’s annual event flyer once free of charge as a courtesy to our tribal organiza-tions. The guidelines for flyer submission are: Pow-wow flyers have to be from an established Comanche organization. There has to be contact person and number on the organization’s annual flyer.

• We reserve the right to edit all material. Letters or articles that contain libel-ous information, slander, or personal attacks will not be printed. Letters to the Editor must be signed with a leg-ible name. The letters to the editor or articles contained in the The Comanche Nation News does not reflect the views or opinions of the PIO staff.

Government

The Comanche Nation Business Committee address the General Council April 20 at Watchetaker Hall at the Comanche Nation Complex From left:Charles Wells, Sonya Nevaquaya, Harry Mithlo, Wallace Coffey, Mack Mahsetky, Jack Codopony Sr., and Gary Tahmahkera.

COMANCHES LEADER-SHIP AT STATE CAPITOL. Comanche Nation leaders Wal-lace Coffey, pictured above, Harry Mithlo, Comanche Busi-ness Committee No. 3, and Gary Tahmahkera, Secretary/Treasurer, attended the April 9 Oklahoma House of Represen-tatives Native American Caucus at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Representatives from the Law Office of Crowe and Dunlevy were also in attendance with the CBC. Coffey spoke of the state of the Comanche Nation in Southwest Oklahoma, point-ing out the strong presence of the Comanche Nation through the Comanche Nation College being the only Native American Accredited College in the state, the tribal funeral home, tribal museum, and the progress of the nursing facility. He noted future ventures such as a horse racing track and other forms of enter-tainment to bring revenue in to the Comanche Nation.

Photo by Jolene Schonchin/News Staff

By Stacey Heminokeky/News StaffApril CBC Meeting Adds Nursing Home Board Members

Chairman Wallace Cof-fey called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. Secretary/Treasurer, Gary Tahmahkera, conducted Roll Call. All CBC were present except Ms. Sonya Nevaquaya, committeeperson #2, who was absent. A quorum was established. Invocation was given by Reverend Nahwooksy. There were about 40 people in attendance at the meeting. Chairman Coffey discussed all the articles in the Comanche Na-tion News that informed the tribal people about all the Tribe’s upcom-ing and groundbreaking endeav-ors. Chairman Coffey said “We’re quite pleased that things have taking shape.” The New Travel Plaza, Co-manche Nation Red River Hotel, and the new expansion of the road south of the Comanche Nation Casino will provide not only financial opportu-nities for the Comanche Nation as a whole, but employment for the tribal people. Chairman Coffey clarified that Comanche preference will ap-ply to employment with all phases of these projects including the construc-tion phase of the Red River Hotel. Chairman Coffey also men-tioned that plans for Johnny Depp

“The Lone Ranger” to return to Co-manche country were being finalized and the event would be public. The Disney Coorporation will set a date for the premiere of “The Lone Rang-er” to be shown in Lawton, Oklaho-ma before being released. The tribe received a call from Disney Coor-poration and they ask for an invita-tion list of tribal leaders across the Nation and elected officials to view the premiere. Chairman said, “Our Comanche Tribe is going to be in the spotlight.” Disney Corporation wants to assure all Indian Nations that they will provide an accurate portrayal of the American Indians. Chairman Coffey spoke on an interest of Land Acquisitions and of placing Comanche Nation proper-ty into trust. The Chairman explained that under the President Obama Ad-ministration the Interior Department had over 1000 applications for land into trust for the past few years, and they put in over 100,000 acres of land into Trust for American Indi-ans, and he would like to be a part of that. Chairman Coffey expressed his concern about the property of the Co-manche Nation College being placed

into trust. The Chairman spoke about the relationship between the Coman-che Nation and the State of Oklaho-ma in regard to the tobacco compact, license plates, and gaming revenue. Chairman stated the Tribe would not go into any tobacco negotiations with our eyes shut. Chairman Coffey stated, “We’re a Comanche Tribe that we haven’t created any problems for anybody. We have a very strong his-torical prespective of the way I look at today’s Governor and Government that is going to be a-the past is com-ing back again.” Chairman explained our State Governor, Mary Fallin, indicated that our compacts are no longer in order and we need to redo them. She also wants the Tribe’s to accept her policies. She wants to look at the possibility of compacting our license plates, she wants to look at gaining money off of Trust lands. If the Governor picks a fight with us then we have to prepare ourselves for that time. We’ve contributed to our neighbors, and the community yet the State Governent treats us like they don’t want us involved in free enterprise.

Chairman asked the Com-mittee for a motion to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2013 meet-ing. Motion to approve by Vice-Chairman, Mack Mahsetky. Charles Wells, Committeman #1 seconds the motion. The motion carried 5/0/1. Resolutions39-13 Enrollment List No.924; 40-13 Enrollment List No. 925; 41-13 Enrollment List No. 926; 42-13 Enrollment List No. 927; 43-13 Enrollment List No. 928. Motion to approve all the above by Vice-Chair-man Mack Mahsetky. Motion was seconded by Committeeman, Jack Codopony, Sr. No discussion. Motion carried 5/0/5.Resolution, 44-13 Minors Trust. Mo-tion to approve by Vice-Chairman Mack Mahsetky. Motion seconded by Committeeman #3, Harry Mithlo. No discussion. Motion carried 5/0/1.Resolution, 45-13 TERO Fee. Mo-tion to approve by Committeman #1, Charles Wells. Seconded by Com-mitteeman, Harry Mithlo. No discus-sion. Motion carried 5/0/1.Resolution, 46-13 Nursing Home Board. Cheryl, 3 year term; Rose-Mary Chibitty, 2 year term; Dr. Ed

Chappabitty, 3 year term; Jackie At-tavich, 1 year term; Margaret Mor-gan, 2 year term; Harry Mithlo and Jack Codypony, ex-officio. Motion to approve by Vice-Chairman Mack Mahsetky. Seconded by Secretary-Treasurer, Gary Tahmahkera. No dis-cussion. Motion carried 5/0/1.Resolution, 47-13 Audit.CBC authorizes Finley and Cook to release the Tribe’s Fiscal Year 2012 audit to the accounting firms to pro-vide bids for the Tribe’s 2013 audit. Motion to approve by Mack Mah-setky, Vice Chairman. Seconded by Secretary-Treasurer, Gary Tahmah-kera. Motion carried 5/0/1.Resolution, 48-13 Payroll Advances CBC will discuss in Executive Ses-sion. No items for New Business. Mack Mahsetky, Vice-Chairman made a motion to approve to go into Executive Session. The motion was Seconded by Charles Wells. Motion carried 5/0/1. At 11:00 a.m. the CBC took a lunch break and returned to Execu-tive Session.

Tracy Dawn Myers, and Ozzie Re-dElk. Being nominated for CBC No. 2 were William Nelson Sr., Vin-cent Pocowatchit, incumbent Sonya Nevaquaya, and Lebert Taunah.Being nominated for the Anadarko district Election Board were Kay Smits, Carol Pewewardy, and Antho-ny Houston Miller. Being nominated for the Apache district Election Board were incumbent Regina Brannock, and Sandra Kay Gallegos. Being nominated for the Oklahoma City district Election Board were incumbent Dana At-tocknie and Brandy Lynn Herron. Kathy Morgan was nominated by a tribal member who does not live in the Oklahoma City district, so it was not a valid nomination, according to the Election Board nomination pro-cedures. The next order of business on the agenda was to take nomina-tions and vote on a Tribal Administra-tor. Being nominated were incumbent Will Owens, Nick Tahchawwickah, Robert Komahcheet, Jana Karty, and Daniel Robles. Each had a chance to address the General Council. “This is a hiring position, not an elected position,” said Coffey.Comanche Nation Election Board President, Regina Brannock, ex-plained the voting process. The voting results for Trib-al Administrator were: Will Ow-ens—242 votes (54%); Nick Tah-chawwickah—16 votes (4%); Robert Komahcheet—111 votes (25%); Jana Karty – 45 votes (10%); and Daniel Robles—31 votes (7%). Owens re-tained his position as Tribal Admin-istrator.

A decision whether to con-tinue Crowe and Dunlevy Attorneys at Law to represent the Comanche Nation as legal counsel were up for vote. Taking the floor was Walter Echohawk of Crowe and Dunlevy. “The Comanche Nation has come a long way in this journey,” said Echohawk. “Every time we come to the Comanche Nation offices, the staff are high spirited, which you do not see in all tribal offices. They have a vision for the Comanche people. It is a privilege to be a small part of that vision through legal services.” Tribal member Tina Em-hoolah made a motion to retain Crowe and Dunlevy as legal counsel for the Comanche Nation. It was sec-onded by an unknown tribal member. The voting results were: Yes—217; No—2. Crowe and Dunlevy will remain the legal counsel for the Co-manche Nation. Eleanor McDaniel ex-pressed the importance of creating a tribal court for the Comanche Nation. Coffey recognized the tribal mem-bers who are lawyers, and gave them the floor to talk about their views of a tribal court. Chairman Coffey spoke about introducing a 50 percent per capita Revenue Allocation Plan (RAP) until the Economic Develop-ment status improves and a 60 per-cent RAP can be re-introduced to the General Council. The approval of the Fiscal Year 2013-1014 proposed budget up for discussion. In the 25%, Economic De-velopment, section of the Budget, Di-rector of the Office of Environmental Programs and tribal member Brian Stillwell, took the floor to ask about the validity of placing CONEI on the ballot when they have been voted off of the budget in previous years.

Many people voiced their opinion on the subject and Stillwell made a motion to take the $1 million line item of CONEI off of the budget and to disperse the money allocated for CONEI to the programs that were cut in funding. The motion was sec-onded. “I see potential for growth,” said Secretary/Treasurer, Gary Tahmahkera. “It has several con-tracts, including some with Ft. Sill and it could help us move forward.”Coffey informed Stillwell and the General Council that if it is passed and CONEI is taken off of the bud-get, the money would be distributed among the line items in the Economic Development 25% budget to adhere to the RAP. The voting results were Yes—133, No—38. The CONEI line item will be taken off of the budget.A motion was made by Oscar Codo-pony to place the budget on the vot-ing ballot as it is with the consid-eration of the change made by the General Council to take CONEI off of the budget. The motion was sec-onded. Some tribal members want-ed to keep on discussing the budget one line item at a time, and Codopo-ny called for the question. The voting results were Yes—141, No—11. The budget was approved to go on the May 18 voting ballot. Prior to the New Business, numerous door prizes were given away, including two big screen TVs. Winning the TVs were Margaret Hennessey Morgan and Adora Niedo. In the New Business Thom-as Narcomey was on the agenda to ask the CBC to continue the process of putting the Ft. Sill Indian Agency Cemetery on the Federal Register.A quorum was lost, and the meeting was adjourned at 4:59 p.m.

Completing the Circle

Charles Wells, who wit-nessed the inaugural of president Obama this year, had an emotional connection of traveling to Washing-ton DC to witness this event. He was following the footsteps of his grand-father, was a Comanche tribal leader at the turn of the 20th century. Otto Wells Comarosa, which is the family name of the Wells leg-acy, traveled with Comanche leader, Quanah Parker to witness the Presi-dential Inaugural of William McKin-ley , the 28th President of the United States. He had made several trips to Washington with Parker to represent the Comanche tribe on several issues of importance, including the Native American Church, which was under fire due to the use of the peyote plant. “They went up there to tell and show Congress this was our religion,” said Wells. Wells said he felt the trip to Washington DC completed the circle between him going with Chairman Coffey to the Inaugural Ball. It was Wells first trip to DC, and he explained as he landed in DC, he thought about what his grandfather witnessed coming in on a train to DC, which was the main source of trans-portation in his grandfather’s era.“It pulled together the generations between my grandfather and myself going to witness an Inaugural event,” said Wells. A lot of sentimental value was behind the trip Wells took to Washington, DC. He said Comarosa was an interpreter for the tribe, trans-lating the languages of Comanche-to-English and vice versa. He added Camorosa signed many legal documents for the tribe, working as a liaison between the Comanche Nation and the Federal Government. He explained the value to the land given through the Jerome Dawes Act to members of the Co-manche Nation. “Knowing I work for the Comanche people like my grand-father makes me proud to sit on the CBC board,” said Wells. “It is a very special time for me.”

Wells and Coffey attend the Inaugural of President Obama in January.

Owens Wins Second Term as Tribal Administrator

Will Owens comes around the corner of the Administration Building, stopping every few yards to speak to tribal employees, answer his phone, and make his way to his office. Being the Tribal Administra-tor for the Comanche Nation for two and a half years, Owens takes pride in serving the tribal people in this ca-pacity, and has a full understanding his position is not an eight-to-five job. His goal is to bring continuity and a harmonious work environment for both the employees of the tribe and the people they serve. “Everything we accomplish, we do so together,” said Owens. “I can’t make it work without the staff, the tribal people, and the Comanche Business Committee.” Owens feels he has accom-plished many things since being the TA. He points out putting together a good staff of employees who are determined to give quality and pro-fessional service to the tribal people. He initiated the Reality Department to ensure land acquisitions would be turned into trust status instead of fee status. He also hired a Compli-ance Officer who is making sure BIA funded programs fulfill the obliga-tions which are agreed upon to run efficiently. One of his goals he has pri-oritized for his new term is to provide better health care for tribal members.“We have an opportunity to provide Comanche Care, which tribal mem-bers will have the option to take ad-vantage of health care packages at an affordable rate,” said Owens. His stated his motivation is

knowing each day is an opportunity to help tribal members through the many programs the tribe offers. “There is a satisfaction in knowing we are helping tribal mem-bers to make their lives easier, and ease their burdens and concerns in some small way,” said Owens. He admits trying to keep a written schedule is very challenging, because each day brings impromptu meetings with tribal members and employees, but he tries to alter his schedule in order to meet the daily demand of being an effective and proficient TA, keeping an open mind to better himself as the tribal TA. Being raised by his great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother, Owens acknowledge he would not be in this leadership posi-tion if it was not for the support and strength of his family. He said he also learned a great deal from his men-tor and second-father, the late John-ny Wauqua. Wauqua served as the Chairman for the Comanche Nation as well as the Tribal Administrator. He said although he is still grieving the loss of Wauqua, he continues to gain knowledge from current tribal Chairman, Wallace Coffey. “There is a reason why Cof-fey is a five-term Chairman,” said Owens. “I enjoy working with Chair-man Coffey and the rest of the CBC.” He said there are no perim-eters in being the TA for the Coman-che Nation. “It’s not about me, it’s about the Comanche people,” said Owens. “It is an honor and privilege to serve in the capacity of TA.

Owens

Story and Photo by Jolene Schonchin/News Staff

THANKING THE PEOPLE. Crowe and Dunlevy representatives (left to right) Jonathan Rector, Paige Masters, Susan Huntsman and Mike McBride, Crowe lawyers, with Lindsey Early, Coman-che Nation Intern ,eat dinner following the April 20 General Coun-cil Meeting to review current issues facing the tribal government. The firm, which is the oldest in the state of Oklahoma, expressed their gratitude and honor of being elected the legal representatives of the Comanche Nation. Walter Echohawk, not pictured, stated, “ If you cannot be a member of the Comanche Nation, the next best thing is being a legal representative for the Comanche Nation.”

Courtesy Photo

General Council continued from page 1

Story and Photo by Jolene Schonchin/News Staff

Courtesy Photo

May 2013 5 The Comanche Nation NewsMay 2013 4 The Comanche Nation News

Story and Photo by Stacey Heminokeky/News Staff

The Numunu Turetu Early Childhood Development Pro-gram of Lawton held a week long event called “Week of the Young Child.” Director, Desiree DeVine and staff planned differ-ent activities for the children each day of the week April 15-19. On April 16th, the activity planned was the “Walk for Kids.” The teachers and children all participated in the walk. They were escorted by the Comanche Nation Po-lice as they walked half a block from the daycare and back. Guest speaker, Edward Tahahwah III, from the Co-manche Nation Fitness Center was invited to also walk, and vis-it with the children about the importance of being strong and healthy. Tahahwah explained to the children how important ex-ercising and walking was for them to maintain a strong heart.

Comanche Daycare Holds “Walk for Kids” Event

Pictured above; Master Teacher, Teka Henry showing her support during the “Walk for Kids” event along with her students Logan N. and Kaiden E.

Unikot continued from page 1

the Army for its airfield, it was large-ly abandoned and no efforts were made to even recognize its existence. Official military documents show the old sod runway crossing directly over many of these graves. Thus, the cem-etery was merely forgotten except in the memories of many tribal elders. Efforts which started in the early part of the 1980s to recognize, restore, and preserve this Indian Agency Cemetery fell on deaf ears of the Army officials. Presently, a full-fledged effort is underway to persuade the Army to bring this cem-etery to a par with the several other cemeteries on the Post. Comanche Nation Chairman Wallace Coffey has been leading this effort Read the full saga of the most recent efforts to restore and preserve the cemetery at our website: ftsillindianagencycemetery.com

Graves continued form page 1

April 1, during the 11th Annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair the Comanche Nation’s, Numunu Turetu childcare center took 2nd place in the PreK-2nd Large Group Song category, singing “Our Animal Song”-picture top left. Also participating in the song division was Comanche Nation Childcare center of Apache, OKLA., singing a Comanche Hymn-picture top right. Walters Service Club made 1st place in the 3-5th grade Small Group Song division/Song with lan-guage, singing two “Comanche Hymns”-picture bottom right. The event was held at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History with over 50 performances.

Photos by Candace Todd/News Staff

Comanche Nation Enrollment De-partment, BJ Anderson, helps tribal members March 22, at the Coman-che’s on the Move Outreach at the Albuquerque Hard Rock Hotel. Over 100 tribal members in the area took advantage of the numerous programs that were set up and ready to serve them. Tribal elder and former Co-manche language teacher for the Al-buquerque area, Hope Taylor, visits the booths and enjoys the afternoon at the outreach activity. Members of the CBC, Mack Mahsetky, Gary

Comanche Nation Programs Helps Tribal Members in the Albuquerque Area

on the issue of tobacco negotiations. As you know, the tobacco compacts have been mutually beneficial to both Oklahoma and the Tribal Nations within our state. I am hopeful that this relationship can continue and be expanded upon into the future. As I expressed in my earlier letter to you, in October 2012, I di-rected by representatives to conduct roundtable discussions with tribal leaders to explain my intent to rene-gotiate the current compacts. It is my belief that the current tobacco com-pacts may not appropriately recog-nize the sovereign status of the Tribal Nations. I also believe that in some instances, the State of Oklahoma would be better served by inclusion or deletion of certain compact terms. As a signatory to the March 18, 2013 request, it is apparent that the document reflects your personal commitment for the Tribal Nations within Oklahoma to continue to have negotiated tobacco compacts with the State of Oklahoma. I too share this commitment. While I do not feel it is appropriate to grant an extension of all current compacts for an extended period of time, I personally assure you that the State of Oklahoma will negotiate new tobacco compacts in good faith. I also commit that if the State of Oklahoma is in serious good-faith negotiations with any Tribal Nation on June 30, 2013, when the current compacts expire, I am will-ing to enter into short-term tobacco agreements to allow time to finish ne-gotiations and insure that there are no significant disruption of tribal or state services as a result of the expiration of current compacts. Should your Nation desire to have a new tobacco compact with the state, I again offer to negotiate in good faith. I invite you to have your tribal negotiator contact Steven K. Mullins, my General Counsel, who I have designated as the negotiator for the State of Oklahoma.Respectfully,Mary FallonGovernor of Oklahoma

George Thurman, Chairman of the United Indian Nations of Okla-homa, Kansas, and Texas, responded to the letter of Governor Fallon with the following letter, dated April 22, 2013.Dear Governor Fallon: Our member tribes received your letter on April 4, 2013. While we appreciate your response, we are deeply disappointed that you remain unwilling to meet with tribal leaders face-to-face. Historically, your prede-cessors, Governor Henry, Keating, Walters, and Bellmon, all met with principal leaders of the tribes when negotiating issues of this magnitude.

Your predecessors clearly understood the importance of meeting sovereign-to-sovereign. While your offer to ne-gotiate in good faith, we believe that such negotiations cannot be initiated unless you are at the bargaining table. Each tribe has a compact in effect now, with important provisions such as most favored nations’ clauses designed to protect both the interest of the tribes of the State. Tribes have been compliant with the compacts. We expect any good-faith negotia-tions including discussions of current compacts and terms therein, includ-ing provisions allowing for an exten-sion of existing compacts to 2017. We understand that in ne-gotiations with certain tribes you are encouraging them to enter into other compacts regarding unrelated issues, such as burn bans. We prefer to con-fine our negotiations to tobacco com-pacts because that is the most immi-nent issue currently facing us. We, the United Indian Na-tions of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, agree that the current tobacco compacts do not appropriately recog-nize the sovereign status of the Tribal Nations. Throughout the town hall meetings and your recent letter, you repeatedly reference your desire to respect tribal sovereignty, and while we appreciate that, we encourage you to adhere to the comments and points in this letter, developed by UINOKT, a consensus body of over 30 sover-eign nations. We look forward to an ex-planation of how you attend to fulfill your commitments to respect tribal sovereignty and negotiate in good faith with our member tribes by April 30, 2013. George ThurmanPresident UINOKT In an effort to promote gov-ernment to government consultation, at least 25 Oklahoma tribal nations converged on Stroud, Okla., home to the Sac & Fox Nation, April 8 to form a united front in their negotia-tions with the state to reach a tobacco compact. “The majority of tribes in Oklahoma stand united behind the principle of good faith negotiations between the state and tribes over mat-ters that are economically important to both our peoples,” said George Thurman, Principal Chief of the Sac & Fox Nation and Chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas (UINOKT). Stemming from the U.S. Supreme Court case involving the Citizen Potawatomi tribe in the early 1990s, the Supreme Court ruled that the state could not tax commercial activity between natives and native smoke shops on their land while stat-ing that non-Indian sales on Indian land could be taxed by the state. This

mixed decision led to the first Okla-homa tribal tobacco compacts. In late 2012, the tribes re-ceived a letter from Governor Fallin notifying them that the current com-pacts, scheduled to expire on June 30, 2013, would indeed terminate. Since Governor Fallin took office, Okla-homa tribes have been waiting to es-tablish good working relations with the governor’s office, and the first real issue to come before her office regarding tribes has been the tobacco compacts. “We had hoped that there would have been better, more effec-tive, and more respectful commu-nication between the state and the tribes regarding the upcoming dead-line of the tobacco compacts, which brings millions annually to the State of Oklahoma, as well as tribal trea-suries,” added Thurman. “We were doing what we were supposed to, and the state decided to move the goal post in the middle of the game.” Three tribes have reached three separate agreements with the state. “While we respect the right for each tribe to sign a tobacco com-pact to meet their needs, let us be clear that none of those compacts are binding on the tribes in absence of effective government to government

consultation,” said Don Patterson, President of the Tonkawa Tribe. “They’re treating us as Indi-ans and not enterprises,” said Wallace Coffey, Chairman of the Comanche Nation. “We feel that there are other issues that are more pressing from the tribal government standpoint than tobacco. Sadly, there appears to be a pattern of behavior from this Gov-ernor. They’ve dismantled the Indian Affairs Commission; we were not consulted on opting out of the Af-fordable Care Act, and the state has been noticeably silent regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act case pend-ing before the Supreme Court.” The economic success of Oklahoma is reliant upon tribes and tribal entities. The federal sequester is impacting the state and tribal econ-omies. This is the time for us to work together for common ground. “Communication is vital to the success of both of our econo-mies,” said Thurman. “The governor has been uneven in the performance of that historic relationship. As the key economic partner and one of the state’s largest employers, we should have the opportunity to sit across the bargaining table from the Governor, and we have not been afforded that opportunity.”

Tahmahkera, and Jack Codopony were on hand to visit with the tribal people.

Comanche Nation Environmental Program The Comanche Nation En-vironmental Programs (EPA) office took nine children to the Wichita Wild Life Refuge for a youth out-reach on March 21st 2013. The Field trip consisted of teaching the children why it is so important to keep our en-vironment safe and clean, why our surroundings play a role in everyday life, and why it’s so important to pre-serve our way of life. The children had the great opportunity to meek Nick Plata the Wichita Wild Life Refuge Environ-mental Specialist. Mr. Plata talked to the children about all of the wildlife of the refuge and the plant life. We also visited prairie dog town and the heart rock followed by lunch for the end of our tour. The Comanche Nation Solid Waste Department has been busy. We started the year off by opening our dump trailers for our tribal members in January. In the month of Febru-ary we had our second annual tire and battery drop off in the towns of Anadarko, Apache, Cache and Wal-ters. In March we started on cleaning up another one of our illegal dump-sites on March 6, 2013 and finished on March 15.

May 2011 6 The Comanche Nation News

People, Places and Things

The Comanche Nation Law Enforcement will be having a cops and kids picnic, attentively on June 22. Here are just a few of the activities that will be happening this day. Lunch will be provided: Hot dogs, chips, soda, popcorn. There will be fun activities such as bike rodeo, bouncy houses, dance contest, story telling, ride along in a police unit with lights and sirens. K-9 demonstrations, kid iden-tification kits, etc. Giveaways.

Comanche Nation Law Enforcement Cops and

Kids Picnic

Grubbs Earns Black Belt

Mollie Grubbs recently earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Grubbs is 9 years old and in the 4th grade.Grubbs worked 2 1/2 years to reach this goal while still remaining on the A-B Honor Roll at her school. She is the granddaughter of Joe and Linda Chebahtah of In-diahoma; the great granddaughter of Mooney and Mollie Chebahtah and the great great granddaughter of Che-vato.

Grubbs

May 2011 7 The Comanche Nation News

Emergency Contraceptives –

Community Workshops in Native and Tribal

Communities The Native American Wom-en’s Health Education Resource Cen-ter (NAWHERC) in Lake Andes, South Dakota will be hosting two Emergency Contraceptives – Com-munity Workshops in Native and Tribal Communities in Oklahoma this May. The first will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on May 14, at the I.H.S. in Lawton, Okla., and at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on May 16, 2013 at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa, Okla.S. Registration is free and lunch and refreshments will be provided for participants. Please contact Maya Torralba by email at mayatorralba@gmail.com for more information or to register your attendance. In a report released last year, NAWHERC, called upon the Indian Health Service to provide equal ac-cess to safe, emergency contracep-tion in the form of Plan B, especially for survivors of sexual assault. The full report is available for download and distribution at http://www.nativeshop.org/images/pdf/Plan-B-Report.pdf “The poten-tial for Native American women to

Programs

Comanche Nation Caregivers’

Grandparent Program

The Caregiver Program is a Federal program for Grandparents that are raising their grandchildren the parents no longer have custody of their children for different reasons therefore the grandparents have their grandchildren and are providing care for them 24 hours a day seven days a week in their homes and the Care-giver Program would like for those grandparents or single grandparent raising their grandchild to contact the caregiver office to see what we have available to assist them with services that can benefit them and their grand-children. The Grandparent Program are for these grandparents that are 55 years and older. If you are 60 years or older and have your grandchild then the services provided for you are:• Information - to caregivers

about services• Assistance - to caregivers in

gaining access to services• Counseling - individuals, sup-

port groups and training• Respite - to be temporary relief

Cobell Settlement Land Buy Back Program for

Tribal NationsWhat is the Land Buy-Back Pro-gram for Tribal Nations? This is a program that is part of the Cobell vs. Salazar Settlement Agreement established to allow Trib-al Nations who will receive interest through Interior purchases. The Co-manche Nation will benefit from this Program by having the opportunity to increase their land base. However, those tribes with the MOST fraction-al share will be selected first.

If I am interested in selling my fractional share of “trust” prop-erty, what do I do? The Realty Office is con-ducting an Outreach effort to deter-mine how many tribal members are willing to sell their fractional share of “trust” property. The Realty Office will com-pile a list of “willing participants.” The information will be submitted to the Buy-Back Program with full in-tentions of being selected as on of the tribes to participate in the program. If the Comanche Nation is selected as on of the tribes to participate, we will start the appraisal process to de-termine the fair market value of your land.

Do I have to accept the purchase price the Buy-Back Program will offer to pay for my fractional share? NO, you do not. You are under no obligation to sell. If you submit information that you are will-ing to sell and you decide not to sell OR you do not agree with the amount of the purchase price, you can decline their offer. The Buy-Back Program will purchase the fractional shares from those willing to accept the ap-praised price.

If I agree to sell and accept the ap-praised purchase price, when will I get my money? The Land Buy Back Pro-gram, administered by the Office of the Secretary in Department of the Interior, will pay a fair market value for your fractional land. The value of your land will depend on what type of land it is, pasture, grazing, or ag-riculture land and where it is located. If the Comanche Nation is selected to participate in the Buy-Back Program, the program will be active on the res-ervation for 18-24 months. If you receive and accept an offer, payment will processed in a timely manner to your IIM account.

If I choose not to participate in the Buy-Back Program, what happens

to my land? If you do not want to partic-ipate in the Buy-Back Program and you do not want to sell your land, you will not have to take any action. If contacted by someone from the Pro-gram, all you need to is inform them that you are not interested in selling your fractional share. Finally, we encourage ev-eryone who owns Indian Land to make out a Will or consider other es-tate planning options.

Tribal Involvement The Comanche Nation has an opportunity to take advantage of the Buy-Back Program. The Pro-gram’s main goal is to purchase high-ly fractionalized parcels of “trust” Land. The Comanche Nation Realty Office will identify tracts of land and prioritize a list of “Willing” sellers for acquisition. While the Depart-ment of the Interior will strive to in-corporate these priorities, acquisition will depend on the number of willing sellers. Please keep in mind the Pro-gram focuses on the tribes with the highest fractionalized lands. The Co-manche Nation is 129th on the list. With your help the Comanche Nation will prepare and submit a Coopera-tive Agreement to the Buy-Back Pro-gram so they will know we want to participate and we are ready.

For more information contact: Comanche Nation Realty and Land Acquisition, P.O. Box 908, Lawton,

Okla., 73502; Phone: (580) 492-3277, Fax: (580) 492-3296.

Comanche Nation Diabetes Program

The Comanche Nation Dia-betes Program has moved to 1001 SE 36th St., Lawton, Okla., 73501-8446. The phone number is (580) 492-3816, 492-3318, 699-3736 and Fax: (580) 699-3749.

The Hour To Race With Native Women Toward

Health and Wellness The War on Intense Liver Disease, Renal Kidney Dialysis and Breast Cancer, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., May 3, Baldwin Building-Caddo County Fairgrounds, Anadarko, Okla. Keynote speakers, Offi-cials, Health Field Partners, Tribal Program Directors and Business Leaders. Promotional Booth and Table Setup: South side inside Bald-win Building, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Registration: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., inside Baldwin Building Walk: 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., East side of Baldwin Building 5K Run: 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. East side of Baldwin Building Everyone is invited to at-tend and participate both men and women, T-shirts will be given to all registered participants for the Walk and the 5K Run. HONORED ELDER:

Letha Goombi. Honoring: AB and Nancy Riche. Master of Ceremony: Senior Pastor Ted Mercer, Grace Christian Fellowship-Anadarko, Okla. Entrance of the Colors: The Kiowa Black Leggins Society-Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Blowing of the Shofars: Sharon Jones, Melba Tippin, Tammy Finnegan, Patricia Blagg and David Bearshield The Lord’s Prayer: Kay Kay Franklin and Rachelle Roman-Nose-El Reno, Okla. Kiowa Hymn: The Goombi Sisters-Anadarko, Okla. Keynote Speakers: “Native American Women in Leadership” - Amber Toppah, Chairperson of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma;”Native American Women dealing with Renal Kidney Disease and Dialysis”- Lynn Larson - Baptist Medical Center Kidney Transplant-Oklahoma City, Okla.; “A picture of spiritual healing form a traditional standpoint” - Dr. Henryetta Mann, President of SWOSU Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College-Weatherford, Okla.; “Native American Women suffer-ing from Intense Liver Disease” - Dr. Selim, Physician-Nahzhi Liver Transplant Baptist Medical Center-Oklahoma City, Okla.; “Prayer over Indian Health Service and the Health Field for Southwest Okla-homa” - Ted Mercer, Senior Pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship-Anadarko, Okla.

Head Table for LuncheonAnadarko Vice-Mayor: Wes Cal-lahan Anadarko Daily News and Chris-tian Center Board Chairperson: Paula McBrideCaddo County Commissioners Of-fice: Sharon BrysonAnadarko Bank and Trust Com-pany Vice-Chairperson: Peggy CarrAnadarko Optical Business Leader: Carol ThompsonAnadarko DHS Adult Protective Services: Dorla YeahquoKiowa Tribes Social Service Direc-tor: Michelle EmersonAnadarko Davita Dialysis Facility Director RN: Linda AndersonCaddo Tribal Headstart Health Facilitator: Lois SmithCarter Health Care and Family Physician: Dr. Meriela CarterAnadarko Police Department: Shannon LyonAnadarko BIA Law Enforcement: Dawn Tsatoke

Native Youth Competes in Intribal

Middle School Science Bowl

A team of five middle school students from the Norman Public Schools Indian Education Program won the Intertribal Middle School

Science Bowl Competition held over spring break (March 21-23) in Albu-querque, NM. The competition in-volved 20 teams selected from across the nation made up of American In-dian students and Indian Education or Tribal Education Programs and is sponsored by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society ( AISES) and the U.S. Department of Energy. The Norman Public Schools team is made up of five Tribal citi-zens. Amber Whitehead, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Longfellow Middle School 8th grader; Elonna Zitkana LaFromboise, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Longfellow Middle School 6th grader; Aaron Eyachabbe, Chick-asaw Nation, Irving Middle School 8th grader; Tyner Moring, Coman-che, Alcott Middle School 7th grad-er; and Talullah Begaye, Chickasaw Nation, Alcott Middle School 6th grader. The team is coached by Si-las Wolf, Chickasaw citizen, and Melanie Lawson, Choctaw citizen, members of Norman Public Schools Indian Education staff.

from care giving and to have time for yourself

• Supplemental - services on a limited basis to compliment the care provided by the caregivers.

To be on the Grandparents program you have to show custody or guardianship with proper paperwork that the child is in your care and that you are taking care of him/her and living with you in your home 24/7. This is a Federal and Tribal program and we need tribal ID with a tribal card or proper paperwork for verification for enrollment in the Co-manche Tribe. The Grandparent(s) have to be 60 years and older and have custo-dy of the child(ren) and need to have proper Tribal ID for assistance with the caregiver program.

Descendants Honor Ancestors’ Journey with “The Run”

Through an act of Congress in 1913, the people of the Chiricahua band were released as pris-oners of war and were given a choice or remaining in Oklahoma or returning to New Mexico. Upon being released on April 4,1913 from the Ft. Sill, Oklahoma Territory prison, 171 of the 258 Chirica-hua Prisoners of Wars’ long journey back to New Mexico would began, The journey they made 100 years ago led to a recent re-enactment by their descendants, Ardin Comanche and James Kunestises. Comanche and Kunestises along with 12 other runners agreed to do “The Run” as a re-enact-ment of how their ancestors returned home to New Mexico. They explained they were running as celebra-tion in April 2013, because it marked the 100th year since their ancestors’ release as prisoners of war. The runners started at the Old Post Corral on the Fort. Sill Military Base on April 1,2013 at 7 a.m. The descendants explained there were 14 runners in all and each one would run a quar-ter-of-a-mile before trading off with another runner, Comanche said, “the runners were looking at making it back home Friday, April 5. The descendants’ run would end in Tularosa, New Mexico

Photo by Stacey Heminokeky/News Staff

Story and Photos by Stacey Heminokeky/News StaffComanche Nation Holds Annual Earth Day Celebration

The Comanche Nation Of-fice of Environmental Programs (CNOEP) hosted the annual Earth Day Celebration on April 16 from 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Comanche Nation Watchetaker Hall. The Earth Day celebration held several activi-ties for the youth in attendance. The Natural Resources Con-servation Service brought a rain sim-ulator. The rain simulator gave the youth an opportunity to see the im-portance that rain plays in our lives. The Comanche Nation PIO (CNPIO) were on hand to accept old newspa-pers to recycle. The Comanche Na-tion’s Information Technology (IT) Department also demonstrated how to safely clean desktop and laptop computers. Door prizes were given away throughout the day. Lunch was also provided by the Coman-che Nation Office of Environmental Program (CNOEP). There were also many hands on activities and crafts that were provided for the youth. Earth Day was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. The children watch closely while the Environmental Program (EPA)

shows them methods of recycling. The Information Technology (IT) Department shows children how to safely hold the cleaning spray to clean desktop and laptop computers.

The Public Information Office (PIO) booth lets the children make and paint their own flowers made out of recycled newspaper.

Jeremy Dennis from the Natural Resource Conservation Service demon-strates to the kids how the rain simulator works.

need reproductive choice or emer-gency contraception (EC) because of a violent incident statistically far ex-ceeds that of the general population. Native Americans are raped at a rate nearly double that of rapes reported by all races annually – 34.1%, more than 1 in 3, Native American women will be raped in their lifetime. Three-fourths of Native American women have experienced some type of sex-ual assault in their lives .” Although, Plan B is available over the counter to all women seventeen years and older, Native American women have not previously been provided access to Plan B over the counter by their pri-mary health care provider- the Indian Health Service.” Working together, Native women have made a huge impact on the distribution of EC/OTC already! NAWHERC is still pushing for writ-ten policies to be released and insti-tuted across the country, but our col-lective actions over the past year have resulted in emergency contraception becoming available over the counter in many new I.H.S clinics nation-wide. A tool kit and workshops for Native American community women have been developed to ensure the education of community leaders, practitioners, mothers and daughters understand the emergency contracep-tive resources available to them be-fore they need them. Registration is free with lunch and refreshments provided for participants. Please contact Maya Torralba by email at mayatorralba@gmail.com for more information or to register your attendance

Comanche Nation Members

Three members of the Comanche Nation tested on March 30, 2013 at the Anadarko Martial Arts. Each student was evaluated on their stamina and hard exercises consisting of jumping jacks, pushups, crunches, and legs lifts. In addition to these exercises they were evaluated on their skills and techniques of their forms, kicks, stances, blocks, self-defense, fighting, and board breakings. Head Instructor, Cheryl

Gomez would like to congratulate these fine students on a job well done. Keep up the good work!

Pictured Left to right: Gabriel Tehauno was promoted to his Yellow Belt, Tristan Miller was promoted to his Orange Belt, and Raiden Tehauno was promoted to his Yellow Belt.

The competition included questions covering life science, earth science, general science and math-ematics. As winners of the Intertribal Middle School Science Bowl, the team will compete in the National Middle School Science Bowl to be held in Washington, D.C. in April. The Science Bowl team was selected from the NPS Indian Edu-cation Science Club, a partnership between Norman Public Schools In-dian Education and the University of Oklahoma Conoco Phillips School of Geology and Geophysics for American Indian students in grades 2nd-12th grades and designed to cul-tivate and promote students' interest in STEM (Science Technology Engi-neering and Math) subjects. Heather Ahtone, James T. Bialac Assistant Curator of Native American & Non-Western Art for the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, and is a parent of Norman Public Schools who originated the idea and is the sponsor of the Science Club for the University of Oklahoma.

The Comanche Nation Complex will be closed May 27 for Memorial Day

May 2011 8 The Comanche Nation News May 2011 9 The Comanche Nation News

MilitarySubmitted by Lanny Asepermy

Continued on page 7

COMANCHE INDIAN VETERANS

ASSOCIATION

Serving the Comanche Nation since 1976

8th Annual Armed Forces Day Banquet

Saturday, May 18, 2013At the Comanche Community

Center - ApacheStarting at 1 P.M.

Honoring our Veterans past to present

Honorees SGT Amos Makes Cry, US Army,

Vietnam War - Numu PukutsiGYSgt Louis Clark, US Marine

Corps, Vietnam WarSSG Benjamin Clark, US Marine

Corps and US Army, Vietnam WarSgt Mark Clark, US Air Force,

Vietnam WarSSgt Donald Burgess, US Air

ForceSgt Ronald Burgess, US Air ForceSgt Teddy Burgess, US Air Force

Special RecognitionCheryl Takawana, Auxiliary

Pvt Lewis Kowena, US Army, World War II

Scheduled of EventsWelcome by George Red Elk,

CommanderPrayer by Jimmy Caddo, ChaplinNation Anthem by Lauren Noriega

Comanche Flag Song Meal by Lisa Looking GlassHonors by CIVA Auxiliary

Presentation of the Wounded War-rior Medallions

Crowning of 2013-15 CIVA Prin-cess

Closing Remarks by George Red Elk.

Master of Ceremonies Lanny Asepermy

Drum, Southern Nations of Okla-homa

Sergeant Amos Makes Cry in Viet-nam.

Amos Makes Cry was draft-ed into the US Army on April 2, 1968 and served until November 3, 1969 (a total of 1 year, 7 months and 2 days) earning the rank of Sergeant. He took his Basic Combat Training at Fort Polk, LA and his Advanced Individual Training, as a Field Artillery Crewman at Fort Sill. He shipped immediately to Vietnam and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division with C Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Artillery. SGT Makes Cry also served with C Company, 6th Battalion 31st Infantry and D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery. His duties included Cannon Crewman and Section Chief with the artillery. He was detailed with a small Recon Force while serving with the Infantry. His units served in the Mekong Delta and were based at Dong Tam and numerous firebases throughout the Delta. SGT Makes Cry served 1 year, 1, month and 29 days in Viet-nam. On 16 April 1969 he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with/Valor Device for hero-ism in connection with military op-erations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 March 1969. He is the twen-

tieth Comanche to be decorated for Gallantry, Heroism or Valor or has fought and killed the enemy in Hand to Hand Combat. SGT Makes Cry has earned the honorary title of Numu Pukutsi for his act of heroism. Other awards include two other Army Commenda-tion Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3/Bronze Service Stars, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with/Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with/1960 Device and 2 Over-seas (Combat) Bars

Louis Clark

Louis Clark retired from the US Marine Corps after serving from June 3, 1954 to September 30, 1974 earning the rank of Gunnery Ser-geant. He took his Boot Training at the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot in San Diego, CA and his School of Infantry at Camp Pend-leton, CA. He was immediately sent to Korea with the 3rd Marine Division for a brief period and onto Nara City, Japan. During his career he has served at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; El Toro, CA twice; Washington DC; Paris, France; Camp Pendleton; Memphis, TN twice; Cherry Point, NC; Subic Bay, Philippine Islands; New River, NC twice, Quantico, VA; Frankfurt, Germany; Rome, Italy and Iwakuni, Japan. In addition, GySgt Clark served two tours in Vietnam from 1966-67 at Da Nang and from 1970-71 at Marble Mountain. He has served as an Infan-tryman, Body/Security Guard, Drill Instructor, Instructor, Force Recon Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Ser-geant of the Guard, Jet Aircraft Me-chanic, Aviation Maintenance Analy-sis, Fleet Marine, Military Policeman and .50 Caliber Window Gunner on the Marine Corps CH-46 Transport Helicopter in which he is credited with 168 combat missions. While with the State Department (Ameri-can Embassy and American Consul-ate General) he was a personal Body Guard for President Dwight Eisen-hower and other high ranking State Department dignitaries. GySgt Clark also completed cruises in the Atlantic Ocean, Carib-bean and Mediterranean Seas as a Fleet Marine. It may also be noted that GySgt Clark, while based in Rome, danced with movie stars Gina Lollo-brigida and Anita Ekberg. His awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Air Medal (8), Good Conduct Medal (6), Na-tional Defense Service Medal (2), Humanitarian Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Ser-vice, Campaign with/1960 Device, Civil Action and Gallantry Cross with/Palm Medals, Drill Instructor Ribbon, State Department Service Ribbon, Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commen-dation, Strike Flight Air Crewman Wings and Expert Rifle and Pistol Qualification Badges,

Benjamin Clark retired from the US Army after serving with the US Marine Corps from October 24, 1955 to October 23, 1958 earning the rank of Corporal. He took his Boot Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Train-ing Depot at San Diego, CA and his School of Infantry at Camp Pendle-ton, CA. Cpl Clark was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Ma-rine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force as a Rifleman. He completed one deployment to Ja-pan and the Philippines. Cpl Clark enlisted in the US Army on April 23, 1959 and retired on July 31, 1976 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. His assignments were with 4th Army at Fort Chaffee, AR; 3rd Army at Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Lewis, WA; 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Custer and 121st Evacuation Hospital, As-com Korea; Hospitals in Japan, Ha-waii and Fort Sam Houston, TX re-covering from a severe arm injury; 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery; 5th Battalion, 30th Sergeant Mis-sile Battalion, the Post Museum and 2nd Battalion, 26th Target Acquisi-tion Battalion at Fort Sill, OK; 62nd Air Defense Artillery at Fort Bliss, TX; 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry and Special Troops, Berlin Brigade in Berlin, Germany; 11th Light Infan-try Brigade based at Landing Zone Bronco (known as the Rocket Pock-et because of the numerous mortar and rocket attacks) near Duc Po, Vietnam and 855th General Support Company based in Da Nang, Viet-nam and with the 1st Replacement Detachment at Fort Riley, KS. SSG Clark served in many positions including Military Po-liceman, Field Communications Crewman, Switchboard Operator, Radioman, Museum Liaison, Com-munication Chief, Platoon Sergeant, Supply Sergeant, Transit and Guest House Manager, Depot Inspector and First Sergeant. He completed the Chemical, Biological and Nucle-ar School, Communications Chief Course and the Emergency Medical Care Course. His awards include 2 Army Commendation Medals, 5 Good Conduct Medals, 2 National Defense Service Medals, the Vietnam Ser-vice Medal with/2 Bronze Service Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with/1960 Device, the Vietnam Gal-lantry Cross Medal with/Palm, the Army Occupation Medal with/Berlin Clasp and the Korean Defense Ser-vice Medal.

Benjamin Clark at Fort Sill in 1960

Mark Clark with the El Paso, TX Police Department in 1972

Mark E. Clark served in the US Air Force from January 14, 1964 to August 1, 1967 earning the rank of Sergeant. He took his Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX. His assign-ments were with 37th Food Service Squadron at Maelstrom AFB, MT where he completed On the Training as a Cook and the 366th Food Service Squadron at Da Nang Air Base, Viet-nam. He served in Vietnam from June 1, 1966 to May 30, 1967. He was discharged at McCord AFB, WA. While in Vietnam he also performed duties with the elite Air Police after completing Air Police on-the-job training. His duties, as an Air Police-man, included base and perimeter se-curity His awards include the Good Conduct Medal, National De-fense Service Medal, Vietnam Ser-vice Medal with/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Campaign Medal with/1960 Device and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with/Palm.

The Burgess BrothersUnited States Air Force

Honorable Service to the Comanche Nation and

the United States of America

Donald Burgess

Donald Burgess retired from the US Air Force after serving from August 31, 1970 to September 1, 1990 earning the rank of Staff Ser-geant. He took his Basic Mili-tary Training at Lackland AFB, TX and was given on the job training at Peterson Air Field, CO as an Ad-ministrative Specialist (Information Management Technician). Other assignments include the US Strate-gic Air Command at Utapao Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand; 4th Mobile Communications Group, Air Force Communications Command at Altus AFB, OK; 3rd Mobile Communica-tions Group, Air Force Communica-tions Command at Tinker AFB, OK; 7025th Air Postal Squadron, Military Airlift Command at Rhien Mein AB, Germany and 27th Transportation Squadron, Tactical Air Command at Cannon AFB, NM. While at Cannon AFB he performed Temporary Duty assignments to Florida, Panama and Honduras. His duty positions were Ad-min Specialist, Information Manage-ment Technician and Postal Opera-tions NCO. SSgt Burgess completed the 17th Air Force NCO Leadership School at Kapaun Air Station, Ger-many and the Air Force General and Advanced Technical Order System. His awards include the AF Commendation Medal, AF Out-standing Unit Award, AF Good Con-duct Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, AF Overseas Short and Long Tour Rib-bons, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with/3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon and AF Training Ribbon.

Ronald Burgess

Ronald Burgess enlisted in the US Air Force on November 4, 1970 and served until June 28, 1974 earning the rank of Sergeant. He took his Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX and Specialty Training at Sheppard AFB, TX, as Pavement Maintenance Specialist. Sgt Burgess was then as-signed to 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, Military Airlift Command at Dover AFB, DE. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator working on the flight lines, base roads and ammo bunkers. Sgt Burgess participated in Broken Arrow, Readiness and Nuclear, Chemical and Biological exercises. His awards include the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Nation-al Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Air Force Small Arms Expert Ribbon.

Teddy Burgess

Teddy M. Burgess served in the US Air Force from November 14, 1972 to November 7, 1975 earning the rank of Sergeant. He took his Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX and his Spe-cialty Training at Lowry AFB, Co as a Materiel Facilities Specialist. He was then assigned to 803rd Combat Support Group, Strategic Air Com-mand at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ where he worked with the Base Sup-ply System. He completed his service at Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone with the 24th Composite Group Housing Supply, US Air Force South-ern Air Command. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Cheryl on left with daughter

Cheryl Chahtinneyackque Chaat Takawana is the wife of US Navy and Vietnam War veteran Cliff “Beaver” Takawana. She was born in Lawton and grew up in what was called Yellow Mission. Her parents are Bob and Ann Tomahsah Chaat and her grand-parents are the late Robert and Elsie Chaat. She and her husband have two adult children, Maya Tuh-vah-tsee who lives in Oklahoma City and Cliff Nom-seve-tah who lives in Par-

Continued from page 6

is, TX. She is a graduate of Capitol High School in Oklahoma City and Oklahoma State University in Still-water. She earned a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She has taught school in Oklahoma City, Norman, Fort Smith, AR and most recently in Denton, TX. She retired in 2012 after 38 years in public education. She is a member of the Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian Churches where she has served as a Sunday school teacher, youth worker and a member of the Board of Dea-cons. In addition, she served as a Scouting Volunteer Leader for both the Boy and Girls Scouts of America. She is also part of the Otipoby Cem-etery Committee. She and her husband have retired and now live in Fletcher. Her father, Robert Chaat, and his brothers Theodore and Samu-el Chaat are all World War II veterans. Robert served in both the European and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters with the US Army Air Force. Theodore was a wounded Combat Medic in Europe with the US Army and Samuel was trained pilot at war’s end while also with US Army Air Force.

Pvt Lewis F. Kowena

Lewis F. Kowena is 1 of 217 known Comanches who served during World War II (1941-45) and 1 of only 11 who are still living – he turned 87 years old on March 31, 2013. He was drafted into the Army on/about July 5, 1944 and took his Basic and Artillery Training at Fort Sill. He shipped to Europe and served overseas from January 12, 1945 to February 25, 1946 (1 year, 1 month and 12 days) with the 974th Field Artillery Battalion – the 974th was a 155mm Howitzer Tractor Drawn unit who supported General Patton’s 3rd Army. Pvt Kowena was a cannon crewman whose first combat was toward the end of the bloodiest land battle in US military history, the Battle of the Bulge. At war’s end in May, 1945 he performed occupation duty at Sunching, Germany. He returned to Fort Hood, TX after the war and was discharged on November 26, 1946 (after serving for 2 years, 4 months and 21 days) while assigned to Battery A, 14th Ar-mored Field Artillery Battalion. His awards include the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal, the World War II Victory medal the Occupation medal with/Germany Clasp, 2 Overseas Bars and the Army Lapel Button.

Presentation of the Comanche Nation Wounded

Warrior Medallion

Observe of Wounded Warrior Medallion

Reverse of Wounded Warrior Medallion

The Comanche Indian Vet-erans Association proudly introduce and present the NUMU WOUNDED WARRIOR Medallion to our liv-ing Comanche veterans or the fam-ily members of deceased Comanche veterans who have been wounded or killed in action while serving with the United States military.

Known NUMU WOUNDED WARRIORS (48)

Calvin Atchavit, Samuel Chaat, Mead Chibitty, Thomas Chockpoyah, *Chuck Choney (2), *Milton Cody-nah, Edward Clark, Gilbert Con-woop, Henry Conwoop, *Charles Eatmon, Eli Hosetosavit, *Joseph Gonzalez, Forrest Kassanavoid, Den-nis Karty, Henry Kosechata, Frank LeBarre (2), *Lucien Looking Glass, *Gilbert Monatoboy, Melvin Myers, Edward Nahquaddy, Perry Noyobad, *Clifford Ototivo, Timothy Ototivo, Floyd Paddyaker (2), Robert Pah-cheka, *Leland Parker, Russell Pe-sewonit, Ralph Pewewardy, *George Red Elk, Roderick Red Elk, Johnny Rivas, *Philip Rogers Sr, *Richard Sapcutt, Larry Saupitty (2), Samuel Tabbytosevit, Mikey Tahdooahnip-pah, Cleveland Tahpay, Meech Tah-sequah, *Johnny Tiddark, Henry Tomahsah, Otto Tonips (2), Ben Tre-vino, Gilbert Vidana, Herbert Vidana, Myers Wahnee, Joshua Ware, Willis Yackeschi and Edward Yellowfish

*Indicates living

A Few Good Comanches Warriors currently on

Active Duty

SSG Curtis ClarkUS Army

Fort Jackson, S.C.

PFC John Grady McClungUS Army

Fort Carson, Colo.

MGS Randall EckiwaudahUS Marine Corps

Camp Pendleton, Cali.

SGT Gregory ColeUS Army

Afghanistan

LTC Rhonda WilliamsUS Army

Fort Sill, Okla.

SGT Tennyson KercheeUS Army

Fort Hood, Tx.

SGT Greg Ah SamUS Army

Afghanistan

SPC Jace OtipobyUS Army

Afghnistan

LT Kent TomahUS Army

Fort Sill, Okla.

LT Jenifer BurnsUS Army

Washington D.C.

MATA SELECTED AS CIVA PRINCESS

Shelby Elizabeth Mata

Shelby Elizabeth Mata was selected as the Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) Prin-cess for 2013-15 during the CIVA’s monthly meeting on April 4th. Her coronation ceremony will be on May 18th during the organization’s 8th Annual Armed Forces Day Banquet at the Comanche Community Center in Apache. She is the daughter of An-tonio and Phillis Mata. Her grand-parents were the late Mitchell and Lou Bell Ototivo Gwoompi and her great grandparents were the late Vilas and Angeline “Gommock” Peaco-ose Ototivo. Her great grandmother passed her Comanche name “Gom-mock”, meaning “Loving Person” to Ms Mata.

Ms Mata served as the Co-manche Nation Jr Princess from 2008-10 and is currently a sopho-

more at Walters High School. She is a member of the Native American Club, high school basketball team and Varsity Choir. Ms Mata is also on the A-B Honor Roll. Her great grandfather, Clif-ford Ototivo Sr., was a World War II, US Army Code Talker and her grandfather, Jerome Howlingwater, was a Vietnam War veteran and a Cheyenne Chief of War. Her uncles, Preston Gwoompi Sr., Rudy, Clifford Jr. and Timothy Ototivo all served in the military. Clifford Jr. and Timothy were both combat wounded during the Vietnam War. Chelsea Lynn Sapcut has been the CIVA Princess since May, 2010 and fulfilled over 150 commit-ments during her tenure. Ms Sapcut will has been selected as the Coman-che Princess of the American Indian Exposition.

Comanche Indian Veterans

Assoication 37th Annual Memo-rial Day Ceremony, 10 a.m., May 27, at the CIVA Court of Honor and Watchetaker Hall, Comanche Nation Complex. Honorees: Cor-poral Edward Jerome Tahah-wah, US Army; Seaman Pete Coffey Jr., US Navy, Vietnam War; Petty Officer Aaron Burgess, US Navy; Specialist LaDonna Woothtakewahbitty Mihecoby, US Army, Panama Special Recog-nition: Mison Moriega

Schedule of EventsWelcome by

Commader George Red ElkBlessing by

Chaplain Jimmy CaddoNational Anthem by

Lauren NoriegaComanche Flag Song

Roll Call of Fallen Warriors by

Beaver TakawanaTaps by

Jose Gallegos and Memorial Song

Honors byThe Auxiliary

Presetation of Numu Wounded Warrior Me-

dallionsCIVA Song Lunch by

Lisa Looking Glass Open to the Public

May 2013 10 The Comanche Nation News

Milestones

Obituary

Paul “Wally” Grayson Holder, 49 of Cache, OK, went to his heavenly home on, March 27, 2013. He was born Monday, De-cember 23, 1963 in San Francisco, California to Orlan and Vivian (Pah-cheka) Holder. Paul grew up in northern California. He graduated from Mira Loma High School and at-tended Okmulgee Tech. He was currently working at Goodyear Tires and had worked for Enterprise Crude Oil, worked as a chef in Sacramento, California for many years. He was a member of the Co-manche Nation of Oklahoma and also of Delaware descent. Holder was an outdoorsman he loved to play tennis, riding mountain bikes, and going ca-noeing.

Paul Grayson Holder Holder is survived by: a daughter, Chloe Holder; his parents Orlan and Vivian Holder of the home; sister and brother in law, Sherry and Thomas Hazlebeck of Alamogordo, New Mexico; aunts and uncles: Vir-gie Kassanavoid, Edna (Pahcheka) Poafpybitty, Paul David Pahcheka all of Cache, Joseph Deyo Pahcheka of Carnegie, Melody and Ron Maz-zocco of Phoenix, Arizona; Gloria Holder and Tommy Holder both of Anadarko, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by: grandparents: Elton and Julia Pahcheka and Jim and Myrtle (Par-ton) Holder, uncles: Bobby Pahcheka, Stacey Kassanavoid, Elton “Chick” Pahcheka Jr., and Jimmy R. Holder; couins: Byron Poafpybitty and Mark Kassanavoid; descendants of Pah-cheka, Pahvoput, Alvin and Honnie (Parker) Kosechequetah, Yannytat-chi, Herkeyah, Quanah Parker and Chony. Services was held at Co-manche Nation Funeral Home Cha-pel on, April 1, 2013 with Pastor Leonard Presley and Pastor Loyed Fultz officiating. Prayer service was, March 31, 2013 at Comanche Nation Fu-neral Home Chapel. Interment followed at Post Oak Cemetery under the direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home.

Happy Belated BirthdayPete Coffey, April 12Floyd Duran III, April 14Abel Vargas, April 15Cheryl Duran, April 15Ted Lopez, April 19Jeremy Shea, April 22Kable Shea, April 24Kristen Ototivo, April 26Mari Lynn Lavatai, April 29Carol Martinez, April 30George Martinez, April 30

Happy Birthday Kim Reiter, May Cassidy Peeler, May 2Miguel Rivera Jr., May 2Porseha Nicole Aitton, May 3Marie Etta Watson-Pebehsy, May 4Barron Martinez, May 10Anita Viddaurri-Mann, May 12Ansleigh Mowatt, May 12Kimberly Raiter, May 12Charles Lewis Jr, May 13Amiya Tonips-DeVine, May 15Modesto Schonchin, May 17Michael Brandon Huggins, May 19Ethel Boyden, May 20Carla Chappabitty, May 24Justus Wayt, May 26Michael Bordeaux Jr., May 27Bretta Komacheet, May 28

AnniversariesTed & Eva Asenap~May 24

Verno & Carole Giffin~May 28

Happy Belated BirthdayPete Coffey Jr.

April 12

Happy BirthdayAmiya Tonips-DeVine

May 15

Happy BirthdayModesto Schonchin

May 17

Happy BirthdayWil “Moopey” Niedo

May 18

Happy BirthdayEthel Boyden

May 20

Happy AnniversaryBilly Joe & Alice Wermy

Married61 years

Happy BirthdayBretta Komacheet

May 28

Happy AnniversaryFred & Alverta Allison

May 17, 1986

Married27 years

In Loving Memory

Alma Ototivo YellowfishDecember 28~May 4,

2004She is gone but forever in

my heart~Carmen Ototivo

In Loving Memory

Alexander MathewsMay 11~March 14

Love Always From you Family

In Loving Memory

Josephina Lynn ScottTahsequah

May 27

Birthday WishMommy will always have

you in her heart.

Don’t Forget to wish your Dad, Spouseor Relative a

Happy Father’s Day, June 16th,

in the Next edition of The Comanche Nation

News...Message of 50 words or

lessDeadline May 15

Don’t Forget to submit mile-stones for those special loved

ones; Just married, Anni-versaries, Birth Announce-ments, Birthdays. Deadline

for May 4/15/13 Call: Public Information Office

(580) 492-3386 Email:candacet@comanchenation.

com Or mail to: Comanche Nation/PIO

P.O. Box Box 908 Lawton, OK 73502

Happy MotHer’s DayCiva Hill

I Just wanted to wish you a happy Mother’s Day.

From your bestie, Ashley Nauni

Christine McCarthyG-Ma, Thank you for always being

there for me. I wish you a happy Grandmothers DayLove your Princess,

Ashley Nauni

Casey McCarthyHappy Mother’s Day Auntie. I Love you and thanks for everything you

do.Ashley Nauni

Pat Pewewardy We Love You

Alisha, Marques & Darius

Pat Pewewardy Happy Mother’s Day

We Love you.Lisa, Renee, Miranda, Myra, Ro-

landa, Rod Jr. & Terence

Sandra KartyHappy Mothers Day Mom

I Love You Very Much Cricket

Delayna Karty Happy Mothers Day

Kenric, Kilah

Charlene TahdooahnippahHappy Mothers Day

We Love You!Tommy, Lance, Will, Shandell &

Babies

Lily ShangreauxHappy Mothers Day!

Tom Bigbee

Billie Karty I love & miss you so much

Jana Karty

Ethel BoydenHappy Mothers Day Mom

“We Love You”From B.J., Charles, Lesley, Kyleigh,

Kalani & Mya

Alice WermyHappy Mothers Day Mom

& Grandma “ We Love You”

From Billy Joe, Kids, grandkids & great grandkids

Sandra ChicoHappy Mothers Day

Chucky Carol & Scotty

Kristen KalebHappy Mothers Day

Jay

JameeHappy Mothers Day

Barron, Bamder, Ryder

CherryHappy Mothers Day

Phillip Alexa

Deloris AitsonHappy Mothers DayFrom Susie & Kids

MomHappy Mothers Day

Terry & Christine Brinkman

Larue Parker, Eleanor McDaniel,

Jackie Atauvich, Nellie McGee,

Karen Sue Samis, Rozelind Asetamy, Betty

Wyrick, Wayla & Debbie, Jerri Locklear, Nivea

& KCWho can find a virtruous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Strength and honour are her cloth-ing and she shall rejoice in time to

come.A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Prov. 31:10,25, &

30.

Tinki, Torie Dean, Deborah Wright, Dorcas &

Orlana PereaHappy Mother’s Day to my wonder-ful & beautiful sisters & Daughter-

in-Law!Love You All Dearly

Mona Perea

Karen Y. HeminokekyYou’re a dependable source of

comfort, you’re the cushion when we fall. You help in times of trouble, you support us when we call. You are an inspiration & by far the best mom. We love you more than you know. No family could be luckier than

ours because we have you! Happy Mother’s Day!

Forever your Heminokeky Girls! P.S. Love you too dad!

Jeanette ConnahvichnahPohlemann

We Love you & Miss you!From The Chasenah Children

Linda SilverhornHappy Mothers Day!

Mary Laurenzana

June PahcoddyHappy Mothers Day!

From your Daughters Mary & Betty

Dara Dawn Happy Mothers Day Mommy!

Cayde Anthony Flores

Bretta KomahcheetHappy Mother’s Day Mom

Thank you for always being there! We love you!

Your Kids grandkids & great grand-kids

Mommy Dearest!Happy Mother’s Day

Love Des & the kiddos

Margie LargeHappy Mothers Day

Grandma!!Love, Shadrick, Tallie, Sunny &

Roxe

Glenda GoseyunHappy Mothers Day

We love You & thank god for bless-ing us with you.

Love, Sunny, John, Anthony, Alex & Ronnie

Mommy Happy Mother’s Day!

Love, Joaquin, Sean, R.J., Angel, Epimenia, Marty & Maiya

Rosalie Attocknie1-18-’26 to 10-25-’11

Always in our hearts. Miss you Momma

Bitty, Bushy, Boy Tsee, Bubba, Boss N & Baby, plus all the Begats

Dana AttocknieHappy Mothers Day

Love you lots, Syanne & Payton

DaughterHappy Mothers Day

to a beautiful & wonderful little girl who has become a mother herself.

Love you always! Mom

Anna Loyce Cozad-HumesJan.19, 1953-Oct. 15, 2012

I Said A Mother’s Prayer For YouI said a Mother’s Day prayer for you to thank the Lord above for blessing

me with a lifetime of your tender-hearted love. I thanked God for the caring you’ve shown me through the years, for the closeness we’ve enjoyed in time of laughter and of tears. And so, I thank you from the

heart for all you’ve done for me and I bless the Lord for giving me the

best mother there could be! Love All your kids &

grandkids

Santee PereaHappy Mother’s Day!Lots of Love & Kisses

From Masa, Mojo, Willow Wind & your Mother

Jewell Niedo Happy Mother’s Day!

Momma, How blessed we are to have you as our Mother. God truly knows what he is doing. You have always been an excellent example for us to fol-

low. We love you dearly! John, Squint, Tinki, Mona, Dorcas,

Moop & ChrisProverbs 31:28

Her children arise up & call her blessed;

Mother Thank you for always being a great

Mother. You’re our greatest blessing. Love you always, Angela & RC

Grandma“Happy Mother’s Day

Grandma”Love, Benny, Connie & Nancy

Mom“Happy Mother’s Day!”

We Love you Mom

Barbara Dankowski The Lord blessed us abundantly by giving us Barbara Dankowski for a mother. She is patient, compassion-ate, kind, loving, & faithful, a living example of all that we should be. She is a true prayer warrior and because of her effectual fervent prayers, our entire family remains covered with

God’s blessings and protection.

CarolHappy Mother’s Day to my Special

Stepmother and friend, Carol. I hope your Mother’s Day be as beautiful as

the love in your heart.Love JJ and Family

MomMy Mother is always with me.

She’s the smell of certain foods I re-member, flowers I pick and perfume

that she wore.She’s my breath in the air on a cold

winter’s day.My Mother lives inside my laughter.She’s crystallized in every teardrop.Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I love

you

To my DaughterI got something special to say,I wish you happiness, on the special Mother’s Day.I pray to God that you’ll always be fine,Even when your at your worst,I’m glad that your mine.I know I’m not the perfect Mom,But I do the best I can do, Everyday, I thank the Lord,For a daughter as special as you.

Love MoM

Tamera C. Willson Happy Mothers Day

From Mother Barbara Cook Lydia Niedo

Happy Mothers DayIn Loving Memory of our Mother we

all miss you & Love you.Your Family

GramHappy Mothers Day Gram!

We love you from Kaelan, Rebecca, Tater & Cruz Burgess

Jewel Niedo Mom, I thank God you adopted me, when you didn’t have to. I am sorry for the pain, sorrow, sleepless nights that I caused you. But through it all you made me better, & the man I am today. Because you loved me I have

been blessed. Have a Very happy mother’s day Momma.

Your son Moop

Meghan CruzHappy Mothers Day

to my beautiful daughterLove Mom

Linda Happy Mothers Day!

We Love YouRobyn & Christopher

SandraHappy Mothers Day!

Grandma We Love YouTalyn, Totsiyaa & Louis

Anna H. Wang-DuyDaughter, Its a wonderful feeling to see youtaking care of your family & doing it with such love & joy. I coundn’t have wished anything

better for your life & I’m so happy that you’re happy because you mean the world to me & you always will.

Happy Mothers Day Love Mom

May 2011 12 The Comanche Nation News

The children were amused with an Easter Egg Hunt and party given by Director Desiree Devine and her staff of the Lawton Comanche Childcare Center on March 28. The Easter party was filled with healthy treats and snacks for the children. Following the party, the staff hid eggs throughout the playground for the children to hunt. Easter baskets made of all shapes, sizes and mate-rial, including Spongebob, Cars, Disney, and Sesame Street, were used by the children to carry the colored eggs they discovered. The staff provided a fun-filled day for the children with an Easter Celebration.

Easter Eggs Discovered at Comanche Daycare CenterStory and Photos by Stacey Heminokeky/News Staff

Every age group at Numunu Turetu came out to participate during the Easter Egg hunt. The children really enjoyed themselves.

Kids sitting down and enjoying their snacks after a long hunt for the Easter Eggs.

Found her an egg but she went for the candy instead.

Comanche Nation Prevention and Recovery Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The Comanche Nation Pre-vention and Recovery held it’s An-nual Easter Egg Hunt on May 6 at the Comanche Nation Complex. Due to inclement weather on the original date which was set for April 26, the event was forced to be re-scheduled. Nonetheless, the event had a abundance of participants young and

old. Everyone that came out enjoyed the afternoon hunting eggs hoping to find the prize egg. Each category had special prizes for the lucky person who found that special egg. Prizes range from Xbox 360, Wii, Kindle Fire, I-Pad, to Wal-mart gift cards and much more.

One lucky person walked away with a 15 Ft. Metal Frame swimming pool. The Prevention and Recov-ery Program would like to thank all the volunteers and other programs that came out and helped with this year’s event. As always this event was a great success.

Story and Photos by Paula Karty/News Staff