Comanche Nation Enterprises Moving Forward

CNE has been funded and will work for Comanches to develop a portfolio of for-profit self-managed business creating wealth and providing employment opportunities for Comanches.

The initial focus will be construction. The last issue of Comanche Nation News contained a survey to determine the number and type of construction business in which Comanches are currently involved. To date 25 Comanches have responded. If you are involved in construction either as an incorporated business owner or an individual contractor please, complete and return the survey or send your information to CNE, P. O. Box 7064, Lawton, OK 73506.

We are in discussion with three construction firms currently contracting with the Department of Defense to establish partnerships allowing Comanches to participate in some of those contract opportunities. As you know contracting with the Department of Defense is a complicated process but partnering with established defense contractors is an effecting method of expediting that process.

CNE is also exploring additional opportunities and we will keep you informed of those developments.

August CBC Highlights

The August CBC meeting was called to order by Chairman Coffey with all members present on August 2, 2008. One list of eligible new Comanche Nation members was passed, two enrollment lists were approved as ineligible. A resolution from the Transportation program was passed for oil and chip seal on Chibitty Road, alleviating a dust problem for a member with asthma who lives on the road. Also passed was approval of a Transit program application for BIA funds. In other business a resolution adding current Secretary/Treasurer Bob Tippeconnie to the Tax Commission bank accounts, replacing former Secretary/Treasurer Ed Tahhahwah, was passed.

Resolution #108-08 dealt with the nepotism clause of the Comanche Constitution, which states "A relative of a member of the Comanche Tribal Business Committee (to include wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother) shall not be employed within the Comanche Tribal governmental system." (Article XV, Section 1). The resolution defined "governmental" as those programs that are under the authority of the Tribal Administrator. These programs are generally those that fall under PL93-638. When asked, Tribal Administrator Wauqua stated that programs with their own commission or board of directors are not under his authority and are therefore not subject to the nepotism clause. These include the Tax Commission, Gaming, Comanche Nation Enterprises and Economic Development.

The CBC went into Executive Session to discuss other items.

Comanche Nation Enterprises presents plan for buffalo herd

Chairman of the Comanche Nation Enterprises, David Orme, presented a plan as requested for the disposition of the buffalo herd that still remains after the funding for the buffalo program was cut several years ago. As part of a much larger agricultural enterprise, the buffalo herd could become a money making operation in 5 years. Mr. Orme's plan includes the operation of a Farm and Ranch Center with a grain elevator and offering farm and ranch supplies; development of woodlands and waterways for recreational hunting and fishing and the development of the largest cow/calf operation in the state of Oklahoma. This enterprise could lease land from the tribe and from tribal members for farming and cattle. It could also lease un-leasable land (those parcels that have an abundance of wooded area or larger bodies of water) for hunting and fishing development.

In addition to preserving the buffalo for cultural purposes, the advantage to the Comanche Nation with this plan is that it brings competition to the leasing process, will offer as good as or better lease terms, better care of land (no over grazing), improved soil conservation, focused land acquisitions of small lots where land has been subdivided to heirs, profit returned to the Nation and employment for Comanches. VIEW CLIP

Medicine Bluff negotiation ongoing

Bill Voelker, chairman of the NAGPRA board, presented an update on the Ft. Sill plan to develop land near Medicine Bluff. Mr. Voelker stated that Ft. Sill has not moved in its decision to go ahead with its plans to build a training facility near Medicine Bluff but that he was proud of the Comanche leaders who stood up for the Nation and didn't let the Ft. Sill representatives intimidate or insult the Nation. VIEW CLIP

Codetalkers legislation update

Chairman Coffey and Committeeman Asepermy reported on their trip to Washington DC to lobby for recognition for all Native American codetalkers. The bill, presented by Senator Inhofe, provides for recognition of all codetalkers with a gold medal to their Tribe, silver medals to family members or descendants and bronze replicas for sale to the public. The first attempt failed, the last attempt passed the US House of Representatives but not the US Senate. The recent attempt has enough commitments to pass the Senate. Efforts are still being made to get enough votes to pass the House. VIEW CLIP