VOLUME 18 EDITION 5
Annual General Council Meeting Brings over 300 Tribal Members
Comanche Nation Public Information Office, Lawton, OK www.comanchenation.com
Comanche Language Champions
See GENERAL COUNCIL, Page 3
Tribal Election Scheduled for May 13 By Jolene Schonchin/News Staff
The Comanche Nation will go to the polling sites May 13 to vote for members of the Comanche Business Committee, FY 2017-2018 budget, and on two questions pertaining to the distribution of extra funds and on the KCA Lang Use Committee. Secretary Treasurer Candidates Audrey Whitefeather Robert Tippeconnie
By Jolene Schonchin/News Staff
EDITOR’S NOTE: The article is an overview of the April 15 General Council Meeting, and NOT the official minutes. To obtain a copy of the official minutes, contact the Office of the Comanche Nation Chairman, (580) 492-3250. A quorum of 302 tribal members was present at the Annual General Council Meeting April 15 at Watchetaker Hall. Chairman William Nelson began the meeting by announcing this particular annual meeting marks the 50th Annual General Council meeting since the Comanche Nation separated from the Kiowa and Apache Tribes in 1967. Presentation Before the meeting was called to order, a Power Point Presentation was shown to the tribal audience, titled, “Comanche Nation State of the Nation: A Snapshot of Where we Were to Where We’re At.” Vice Chairwoman, Susan Cothren, narrated the presentation, beginning with an attorney comparison by fiscal years. “In 2013, the tribal council approved $500,000 for legal fees. This line item was overspent by $408,644, with very little litigation. In 2014, the tribal council approved $500,000 for legal fees. This line item was overspent by $450,250, with limited litigation. In 2015, the tribal council approved $500,000 for legal fees. This line item was overspent by $323,274, with limited litigation. In 2016, $500,000 was approved by the tribal council. $130,729 was saved due to good accountability of what’s actually needed. In 2017, the tribal council approved $419,531 for legal fees. At the halfway point of fiscal year 2017, there is $200,000 in that account,” explained Cothren. “We have Red River issues, the Guymon Casino issues, Election Board issues, a smoke shop that is a rogue smoke shop on Gore, we’ve got a LLC disassociation, past CDST II lawsuit is there, and forensic audit, working on that. This is what our attorney, at this point and time, has done for us, at a lot less money and a huge savings for the Comanche Tribe.” CBC No. 4, Clyde Narcomey, continued with the presentation, Annual Budget Comparison by Fiscal Years. “In 2012, the tribal council approved $39,987,451. The annual budget was overspent by $4,000,083. In 2013, the Tribal Council approved $41,479,500. Again, the annual budget was overspent by $4,000,813. In 2014, the Tribal Council approved $44,328,000. The annual budget was overspent by $14 million. In 2015, the Tribal Council approved $50 million. The annual budget was overspent by $3,000,679. This past year, 2016, the Tribal Council approved $50,532,943. The annual budget was not overspent, savings $3 million. In 2017, the Tribal Council approved $51,000,482. The annual budget is on track to be debit free and savings for another year,” said Narcomey. Nelson announced a forensic audit has been completed, and it is now with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. “I can bring all the findings
May 2017
Photo by Stacey Heminokeky
Courtesy Photo
Comanche language students from daycares and organizations traveled to Norman, Oklahoma April 3 and April 4 to compete at the Annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. Pictured, from Left: The IAM NDN Youth Choir placed first, singing Traditional Songs (in the Comanche language.) The Comanche Nation Daycare Center Courtesy Photo of Apache Okla., placed third performing the “Three Little Kittens” story in the Large Group Spoken Language category April 3. From left: The centers Master Teacher, Sharon Enriquez, Stella Cramer, Cheyenne Shaw, Jordan Harris, Blake Whiteshield and Eli Addi. Also, on April 3, the Preschool class took nine children to participate in the 15th Annual Youth Language Fair The children sang two songs, “Pabi John” and “The Number Song.” They placed first in the Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade Small Group Modern Song with Language. Comanche language winners from Left: Danni Whiteman (age 4), Mesa Tachawwickah (age 3), Siena Saupitty (age 4), Melynn Fagan (age 4), Niya Passah (age 3), Maloree Davis (age 3), Louis Valle (age 4), Karter Daily (age 3), Chase Elam (age 3). Congratulations to both the language students and language teachers.
Comanche Tribal Members are Cast for the AMC Series, “The Son”
By Jolene Schonchin/News Staff
Courtesy Photo
Siblings, Michelle and Aaron Nevaquaya, on the movie set of The Son.
Courtesy Photo
Donnell BigBear Heminokeky, center, plays “Comanche Chieftan.” in the series, The Son.
Aaron Nevaquaya, who is in 8th Grade at Elgin Middle School, says he his favorite subject is history. He, and his sister Michelle, had an opportunity to experience a historical era when they were cast in the AMC miniseries, “The Son.” Based on the New York Times best seller and Pultizer Prizenominated novel, The Son is a sweeping family saga that spans 150 years and three generations of the McCullough family. The ten-episode, one-hour drama traces the story of Eli McCullough’s, played by actor, Pierce Brosnan, transformation from good natured innocence to calculated violence. Nevaquaya, who has been in the arts throughout his young life as a model, in photo shoots, and dance performances, responded to the casting call for extras, where he, and his sister, Michelle, are in background scenes. He can be seen playing around the tipis. “My favorite scene when the two main characters were fighting and young Eli walked to me, and we had to accept him in our circle,” said Aaron. “My part was to hand him a Peace Pipe as acceptance.” He added his favorite character in the series is Charges-the-Enemy, played by Tatanka Means. Michelle Nevaquaya, who is the current Comanche Nation Jr. Princess, went to Austin, Tx. with her brother and parents so Aaron could get fitted for his costume. While they were there, she was asked to also be a part of the cast of extras, and she accepted.
Michelle, who is in 7th Grade at Elgin Middle School, can be seen hanging meat or carrying buffalo bladders in the background scenes. “My favorite scene is when young Eli is at the fire, and I am behind him picking at the meat,” she said with a laugh. Audrey Whitefeather Herrera, the mother of Aaron and Michelle, said she is very proud of them both, and she wanted to present them with options, such as being an extra in The Son. “It’s not an everyday conversation to say I was a part of a film production. It gives them a different perspective of film,” said Herrera. She added she was happy for all the tribal youth who were a part of the production, because they got to share the experience together. There were a total of 20 Comanche tribal members who were cast, according to Karamia Heumann of Brock Allen Casting. Also playing in the series is Donnell BigBear Heminokeky, who plays Comanche Chieftan. Heminokeky said, “I’m thankful to have been asked to be a part of this series. I’m a full-blood Comanche, and I felt honored to represent my tribe and speak our Comanche language. Not too many understood what I was saying but I explained to them. I look forward to going back next June to continue the second season.” The Son airs on Saturday evenings. For more information or to watch past episodes, go online to www.amc.com/shows/the-son
Business Committee No. 3 Ronald Red Elk Darrell Kosechequetah Tina Cook Business Committee No. 4 Clyde Narcomey Jack Codopony The 2018 Proposed Fiscal Year Budget Question: “8 Million Dollars (2016 EXCESS) to be divided equally to each individual enrolled Comanche Nation member in the form of a dividend check?” (Yes/No) Question: “To have business committee to formulate a one-year fact finding to be presented in 2018 as to separation from the KCA land use committee?” (Yes/No) The following polling sites will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, May 13. Anadarko Comanche Nation Outreach Office 117 SW 2nd St. Anadarko, Okla. Apache Apache Community Center Julia Mahseet Rd. Apache, Okla. Cache Cahoma Building 752 NW Quanah Parker Rd Cache, Okla. Lawton Comanche Nation Headquarters New Conference Room 584 NW Bingo Rd. Lawton,Okla. Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Outreach office 7390 S. Walker Suite G Oklahoma City, Okla. Walters Comanche Nation Community Center 905 E. Missouri St. Walters, Okla.
special section from chairman nelson pages 21-23 includes information about • forensic audit • nuhmu pahmu • hats off bull riding