VOLUME 18 EDITION 13
Eight Year Construction Plan Continue Amid Funding Uncertainty
Published by the Comanche Nation Public Information Office, Lawton, OK www.comanchenation.com
Native American Youth Delegates Speak With the President of the United States Tribal Youth from around the country discuss issues concerning Native Americans with President Barrack Obama
Comanche County projects to improve highways, roads and bridges may be in jeopardy Association of Oklahoma General Contractors Press Release
In 2016, the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation are preparing to continue forward with the Eight-Year Construction Work Plan designed to improve state and U.S. highways, interstates, roads, and bridges amid state funding uncertainty. The goal for these organizations and contractors is to bring elected officials and state leaders together to keep repairing and strengthening Oklahoma’s infrastructure. “The improvement of Oklahoma roads and bridges is a top priority for our organization, and we are excited that these repairs will be made,” said AOGC Executive Director Bobby Stem. “However, with a state budget shortfall looming, the plan $6.5 billion dollar budget may be in jeopardy. These repairs seem to be very costly, but in all honesty, the eight-year plan and ODOT funding is a mere 4.7% of the state‘s total budget. To cut funding now would amount to highway robbery for Oklahoma’s future.” Beginning in 2016, the plan will initiate projects in all 77 Oklahoma counties. The Eight-Year Construction Plan has designed improvements to fund 1,812 projects statewide; many local projects are included. In Comanche County, extensive work is planned to improve roads along US-62 at McCracken Rd. & McIntosh Rd. and US-62/I-44 Interchange. Total costs are projected to be approximately $6,530,200 in 2016, with additional projects taking place in following years. Comanche County is certain to see multiple benefits as a result of these improvements. These improvements are needed to ensure future job growth, economic development and improve road safety throughout the community. “These construction efforts will advance the prosperity of Oklahoma and make our state a better place for both residents and visitors on the roads,” said Stem. Gov. Mary Fallin, ODOT and AOGC are committed to developing Oklahoma’s infrastructure and look forward to the improvements planned for deficient roads and bridges across the state. However, funding for completion of current and future projects is in the hands of Oklahoma state legislators. About The Association of Oklahoma General Contractors The Association of Oklahoma General Contractors is a statewide organization promoting transportation through the state members including service providers and contractors who work together for the advancement of Oklahoma’s economy through transportation projects. For more information, visit WeBuildOklahoma.com.
Courtesy Photo
United States President Barrack Obama speaks with Tribal Youth Delegates from around the United States about issues concerning Native American Youth in today’s society.
Tribal member Philip Douglas serves as a Generation Indigenous Youth Ambassador. He attended the first annual White House Tribal Youth Gathering in Washington, DC in July. Mrs. Obama was the guest speaker for the event. He applied to serve as a Youth Delegate for the White House Tribal Nations Conference on November 5, which was held in Washington, DC. There were a total of 24 American Indian youth selected, who were all members of President Obama’s Generation Indigenous Youth Ambassador program, serving as Youth Delegates at the conference. Douglas received a phone call asking if he would sit on a panel with other youth to ask “government officials” questions. On November 3, Douglas received a phone call from the White
House. They informed Douglas that the government official he would sit on the panel with is President Obama and that no one else could know. That evening, the panelists had a conference call to prepare for the upcoming events. The Youth Delegates had meetings on November 4, in preparation for the conference on November 5. President Barack Obama spoke with 4 Native youth -- Tatiana Ticknor (Yup'ik, Tlingit, Dena'ina), Brayden White (St. Regis Mohawk), Blossom Johnson (Navajo Nation), and Philip Douglas (Seminole Nation, Comanche, Kiowa, Apache, Creek, and Seminole) of Norman, Oklahoma, 15, about issues including higher education, poverty and resources, health care, and racism in schools. The conversation was mod-
erated by Jude Schimmel (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation). During the two days of the conference, the youth panel were followed and interviewed by MTV’s Rebel Music crew. The video will air at a later date. Douglas is a sophomore at Norman High School, where he is a member of the Cross Country and Track teams and Indian Club. He is the son of Philip Douglas and Alice Kassanavoid. His grandparents are Dennis & Romelia Kassanavoid of Cache and Ray & Nora Douglas of Tulsa. Great grandparents are Woodrow & Winifred Kopaddy of Oklahoma City, (the late) Stacey and Virigie Kassanavoid of Cache, and the late Nipper & Cora Tiddark of Apache.
Tahdooahnippah Selected as Top 40 under 40 Native American "Mia Tahdooahnippah selected for National Native American Award"
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) Press Release
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is pleased to announce its 2015 class of “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipients. This prestigious award is bestowed upon individuals under the age of 40, nominated by members of their communities, who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and their community. Mia Tahdooahnippah, a member of the Comanche Nation and a resident of Lawton, OK is among the 40 under 40 award winners that were honored during the 40th Annual Indian Progress in Business Awards (INPRO) Gala last week at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The awards were a part of the leading economic development event in Indian Country – the Reservation Economic Summit (RES). “The 40 Under 40 award recipients are a diverse group of young men and women from across Indian Country who have all made invalu-
Tahdooahnippah able contributions to their communities,” said Derrick Watchman, Chairman of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. “We are proud to honor this extraordinary group of leaders, and I am excited to see what the future holds for them.” Tahdooahnippah is the Director of Training and Development
for Comanche Nation Entertainment, where she works to enhance the customer experience at five tribal casinos and a hotel. She previously served as the Compliance Director for the Comanche Nation Gaming Commission. Tahdooahnippah has earned Oklahoma’s Young Women in Business Award in 2003. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, and received her Master’s in Hospitality Administration from UNLV. “If we are to expand economic opportunity in Indian Country, we need innovative and entrepreneurial Native American leaders,” said Gary Davis, President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. “The 40 Under 40 recipients have all demonstrated their dedication to moving their communities forward, and I want to congratulate them on their achievements. This is a very deserving group.” For more information about RES and NCAIED, please visit http:// res.ncaied.org.
December 2015
Comanche Nation Holiday Happenings
The time has come to enjoy the holidays with family and friends, December holiday schedule includes several events for our Comanche members. The next meeting of the Comanche Nation Elders Council will be Monday, December 7, 2015. Plans for the Christmas Program are still in preparation and will be announced at a later date. The Annual Comanche Elder's Day will be held on Friday, December 11, at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton. The doors will open at 9am and the program will start at 10 a.m., the meal will be served at 11:15 a.m. The Elder Center Annual Christmas Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 17, at the Comanche Nation Elder Center in Lawton, at Noon. Edith Kassanavoid Gordon Assisted Living Center Bingo will be held on Saturday, December 12, at 1001 S.E. 36th St. Lawton, OK, the bingo will begin at 1 p.m. The IAMNDN will have a 70’s themed New Years Eve event, from 8 p.m.-12 a.m., December 31, at the Great Plains Coliseum.
How to Prepare for a Winter Storm
According to the American Red Cross Website, being prepared for a winter disaster, such an an ice storm or blizzard, will help your family be safe and sound if immediate aid is not available. Make a Prepareness Kit of: • Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day • Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food • Flashlight • Battery-powered radio (NOAA • Weather Radio, if possible) • Extra batteries • First aid kit • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.) • Multi-purpose tool • Sanitation and personal hygiene items • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) • Cell phone with chargers • Family and emergency contact information • Extra cash • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers) • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl) • Tools/supplies for securing your home • Sand, rock salt or nonclumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery • Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members • Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or woodor coal-burning stoves. For more information, go to www.redcross.org.