Fair Special Edition
Jana Mashonee, above, a NAMMY winner and published author, will give a live performance 8 p.m. Oct. 2 during the Comanche Nation Fair. Actress Kateri Walker, left, is the Special Guest for the Comanche celebration.
From the Desk of Chairman Burgess Greetings (Ha’ Muarawe’) To all Our Relations, I hope that you who are planning to attend the Comanche Fair will be pleased with the activities scheduled. We are especially proud of the fact that we are giving a name to our ball field. It is being named in honor of Janice Totite Pewewardy. She achieved notable status in Oklahoma Softball history by being the only American Indian woman to be inducted into the Oklahoma Softball Hall of Fame. Janice is a tribal member who grew up and lived just down the road from where the Comanche Fair Tournament is played. The Business Committee at the urging of member Clyde Narcomey, agreed to name the field in honor of one of the Nations’ talented athletes. This is the 19th Annual Comanche Fair and we want to say “thank you” to all who have continue to come in the past and who plan to continue coming to the fair in the future. We know that Comanche Fair has become a ‘home coming’ event for many of our citizens and they truly enjoy our many activities that the family can participate in. A special thank you goes to the many program staff and sponsors who have stepped up and donated time, effort and materials to assist the Nation in making our visitors and relatives comfortable at the fair. Again we pray that each of you will find strength, renewed family ties and even new relations when coming to Comanche Nation Fair. May God Bless and Keep each of you healthy and whole. Michael Burgess-Chairman Comanche Nation
PR SRT STD US POSTAGE
2010 Comanche Nation
September 2010
PAID
Lawton, OK
PERMIT NO 49 STIGLER, OK 74462
VOLUME 10 EDITION 10
Courtesy Photos
NAMMY Award Winner Jana Mashonee and actress Kateri Walker Are Special Guests During 19th Annual Celebration The Comanche Nation Fair is pleased to have NAMMY Award Winner Jana Mashonee and actress Kateri Walker during this year’s celebration. Both are talented Native women who inspire through songs and words of inspiration. Jana Mashonee Jana Mashonee is a very busy woman. She has been on many covers of magazines like, Native Peoples, Natural Beauty and Health, Res Biz, Native Visions and Native Men magazines, among others. She has a new album out called “New Moon Born.” It has already won Best Pop Album at the Indian Summer Music Awards Show, nominated for the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards, and won her 8th NAMMY for song of the year. Her featured track is a cover of Sam Cooke’s soul classic, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” with Juno Award winning guitarist Derek Miller. Mashonee’s video for the song “The Enlightened Time” won Best Music Video at the Queens International Film Festival, the Buffalo-Niagara Film Festival, The Accolades Awards, 2nd place at the ReelHeart Film Festival and has been selected in several other film festivals across North America in 2007 & 2008. She has found success with chart-topping club hits like “More Than Life” and her cover of Led Zeppelin’s epic, “Stairway To Heaven,” earning her the honor of being the first Native American female to land on the Billboard dance charts. In addition to her touring and music videos,Mashonee has just finished writing her first book
entitled American Indian Story-The Adventures of Sha’kona, based on the GRAMMY nominated album of the same name. It is an uplifting story of a young heroine and her journey of self-discovery and courage, and is full of mystery and fantasy-filled adventure. Despite her fast-paced career, Mashonee has still found time to give back by establishing her nonprofit organization, Jana’s Kids, in 2002. Through the foundation, she helps Native American youth achieve their dreams. Starting in 2007, Jana’s Kids began awarding the David L. Boyle Family Scholarship to Native students. ‘I hope to raise more money so that I can fund a full two to four years of schooling for each person receiving a scholarship. Jana Mashonee is truly the embodiment of the ancient Lumbee proverb: “She walks in beauty in two worlds.” Kateri Walker Kateri Walker is a tribal member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Ontario, Canada; she is also of Belgian descent. Walker has received accolades for her work in Home and the The Strange Case of Bunny Weequod from the American Indian Film Institute, San Francisco. She also received an Outstanding Performance Award from the First Americans in the Arts Awards, Beverly Hills, for her work in Outside Ozona. Kateri is currently starring in the directorial debut of celebrated Mohawk artist Shelley Niro as Mavis Dogblood Lightning in Kissed by Lightning.
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The Comanche Nation News
In Loving Memory
As we celebrate life and tradition during the Comanche Nation Fair, we honor those who left to be with Ta Ahpuh, whose presence is still abundant Bill “No Shame” Ahhaitty Ida Attocknie Asah Vandal “Moon” Atauvich Albert Attocknie Francis Joseph Attocknie Lacota Attocknie Paul Attocknie Paul Joseph Attocknie Tahkony “TJ” Attocknie Oneda Blackstar Ermina (Docky) Burgess Ruben “Kahoo” Burgess Myra Burgess George Cable May Cable Shorty Cable Paul J. Campilongo Charles Chibitty Steve Chibitty Thomas Chibitty Wilma Chibitty Errol Choney Valerie K. Choney Kevin John Codynah (5/23/69-7/27/09) Douglas Dankowski Steffanie Bobelu Enamarado Ernest Fawbush Fisty Fawbush Anna Gover Angela Gwoompi Mona Karty Herrera (1949-2006) Hovarithka Morgan Hutchens Leona Howe Ethel Y. Wauqua Imotichey Terri Jake
Bessie Karty Joe Murphy Karty Bill Karty (1926-2009) Kiyou Rachael Martinez Melvin Leroy Mason Buster Mihecoby Bertha Monatatchi Edgar Monatatchi Lee Motah Melvin R. Nahno-Kerchee Reaves Nahwooksy Jr. (11/29/55-10/2/09) Delita Nelson Joyce “Doc” Tate Nevaquaya Joy Niedo Roe Kahrahrah Forrest Kassanavoid Marion Kassanavoid Nettie Coffey Kerchee Doug Komahcheet Rowena Komahcheet Decker Kopaddy Rickie Kosechata Henry “Hank” Lee Kostuzta Ralph Kotay Sharon Lee Alberta Leitz Belva Nahno-Kerchee Lopez Rev. Doc. Reaves and Clydia Nahwooks Ray Neido Clifford Ototivo Sr. Tim Ototivo Frieda Pauau Rhoda Pauau Perthtay Jessie Poahway
Mary Poafpybitty Rev. Carl Poafpybitty Ethlene Poafpybitty Kenneth Poafpybitty Sandra Poafpybitty Manolito “Heto” Portillo Lorraine Nahno-Kerchee Pewewardy Kelly Waydell Poemoceah (1929-1953) Oliver J. Poemoceah (7/21/81-11/19/09) Marcia San-Augistine Sarah and Marvin Saddleblanket Marie Saupitty Stanford Saupitty Stella Saupitty Roy Simmons Bill Southard Blossom Starr Donna Tahchawwickah Kimberly Tahchawwickah Preston Tahchawwickah Virgil Tahchawwickah Wipes Betty Tenequer Elsie Tissychy Henry Tomahsah Russell “Rusty” Wahkinney Tommy Wahnee George “Woogie” Watchetaker Frank Wauahdooah Howard and Thelma Whitewolf Olivia Kosechata-Wiedeman Brandon Williams Ida Wockmetooah Roy Wockmetooah
LaVerne “Cowboy” Pennah
May 1, 1933 – March 8, 2003
In Loving Memory of our Parents
You are truly missed & will never be forgotten.
Raymond Nauni and Violet Yellowfish Nauni
Rose, Civa, Wayland, Debbie, Rick & Kyshawn
By Children Bob, Marion, Raymond Jr., Vandell, Gwen, Chris
We Love You
In Our Hearts Forever
In Loving Memory of our Parents
You were our “SUNSHINE OUR MORNING AND NIGHT” Elton Simmons Tooahnippah October 21, 1913-May 8, 2007 Ruth Simmons Tooahnippah June 6, 1914-February 11, 2010 We know how much you loved us, as much as we love you, and each time you think of us I know you’ll miss us too. But when tomorrow starts without us, please try to understand. an Angel came and called our names and took us by the hand. The Angel said our place was ready, in heaven far above, and that we had to leave behind all those WE DEARLY LOVED. OUR CHILDREN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
In loving memory of (from top left):Pamela Tieyah Bobelu, Ronny Wockmetooah, Pasquerita “Patsy” Wockmetooah Tahah. Bottom (from left) Lillie Pratt Tomahsah Tieyah, Arlene Wockmetooah Jimenez We miss you everyday and we feel your love from heaven
From Anthony, Michelle, Mario, Rita, Roy Sam, Ronald Vern, Ronna Kay, Collette, Adria, Murray Jr., Melanie, Jolene, and our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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The Comanche Nation News
Sept. 25 1 p.m.-11 p.m. Youth Powwow -Watchetaker Hall-sponsored by the Comanche Nation Youth Program. Recognizing our tribal youth, this powwow highlights the future leaders of the Comanche Nation. Contests in youth divisions. Sept. 28-Sept. 30 2 p.m.-4 p.m. 7th Annual Comanche Nation College International Film Festival Workshops-James Cox Auditorium-Comanche Nation College. 1608 SW 9th St., Lawton, Okla. 6 p.m.-10 p.m.-Show time Indigenous Films- James Cox AuditoriumComanche Nation College. 1608 SW 9th St., Lawton, Okla.
Childr en’s Po wwowWatch etaker Sept. 25 Hall
Sept. 29 8 a.m. Camper Set Up and Registration for Rations- Campers register at the Law Enforcement Office. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Art Show participants turn in artwork -New Conference Room tion gistra e R d an Dusk-Native American Church Meeting. North of the powwow arena. Set up ept. 29 r e p .S Cam 8 a.m Sept. 30 Noon-Vendor Set Up 1:06 p.m.-Comanche National Museum Exhibit of Ft. Sill Indian School-Comanche National Museum, 704 NW Ferris Ave., Lawton. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Art Show participants turn in artwork -New Conference Room 7 p.m.-Watchetaker Hall-Comanche Hymn and Gospel Singing Oct. 1 7 a.m. Flag Raising Ceremony 8 a.m.-Dorothy Lorento Scholarship Golf Tournament- Ft. Cobb Golf All W Course, Ft. Cobb, Okla. Ar eeken d-Edu t Show . Bldg 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Voting for Comanche Nation Jr. Princess-Voting Booth near Confe rence Room powwow grounds 9 a.m.-Quilt Show Registration-Administration Building Conference Room. Daily door prizes. Noon-Carnival Opens-West of Bull Riding Pin-Children Ride Free all weekend 2 p.m.-Gourd Dance and afternoon specials-Powwow Grounds Distribution of Camper’s Rations-Watchetaker Hall Parking Lot-Time to be given at registration 5 p.m.-Supper Break 5:30- Dedication of Janice Totite Pewewardy Field-West of Carnival nival a s Car ing Aren ’ n e r d d i l r i l l h u C 6 p.m.-Art Show Reception-Education Building Conference Room Free West of B d n e eek 7 p.m. Powwow Grand Entry-Tiny Tot Contest; Junior Division Contests All W 7 p.m. Softball Tournament-Janice Pewewardy Softball Field-Across from Youth Shelter Oct. 2 7 a.m.-Flag Raising 8 a.m.-3/3 Basketball Tournament- Administration Parking Lot 8 a.m.-1K Fun Run-In front of Powwow Grounds
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Flag Ra isin 7 a.m. D g aily
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The Comanche Nation News
Softball Tournament-Janice Pewewardy Softball Field-Across from Youth Shelter 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Voting for Comanche Nation Jr. Princess-Voting Booth near powwow grounds 8 a.m.-Car Show-Location TBA 9 a.m.-Quilt Show-Administration Building Conference Room. Daily door prizes. 9 a.m.-Parade Lineup-Behind Janice Pewewardy Softball Field 10 a.m.-Parade Noon-Hotdog Feed-Education Building Parking Lot e Parad er 2 Noon ABKA of Lawton Karate Demonstration-Watchetaker Hall b t . Oc o 10 a.m Noon-Art Show-Education Building Conference Room 1 p.m.-Bull Buckout-Bull riding arena. North of powwow ground. Immediately following, Jr. Bullriding. Horseshoe Tournament-in front of PIO Building 2 p.m.-Bullriding-Bullriding Arena. Immediately following, Jr. Bullriding. 2 p.m.-Battle of the Bands-In front of Food Distribution Building 2 p.m.-Gourd Dance and afternoon specials 4 p.m.-Children’s Games-North of Education Building 4 p.m.-Turtle Race- North of Education Building. Noon O Free Hotdog s ct. 2 Ed 5 p.m.-Supper Break ucation Buildin g 7 p.m.-Grand Entry-Contests in Women’s Divisions Special Buckskin Contest sponsored by Jo Neda Sage, Friends and Family. Special Cloth Contest in honor of Nina Burgess. Junior Divisions will be paid. 8 p.m.-Teen Dance-Watchetaker Hall 8 p.m.- Concert Featuring Jana Mashonee- In front of Food Distribution Bldg. Oct. 3 7 a.m,-Cedar Ceremony-In front of Powwow Grounds. 7 a.m.-Flag Raising 8 a.m. Spirit Walk-in front of the powwow grounds ing rena Bullrid Bullriding A 3 8 a.m.-Softball Tournament -(If needed) Janice Totite Pewewardy Softball r 2 and Octobe . .m p 1 Field 9 a.m.-Skateboarding Competition Registration- Administrative Parking Lot 9 a.m.-Quilt Show-Administration Building Conference Room. Daily door prizes. 10 a.m.-Skateboard Competition-Administrative Parking Lot 10 a.m.-Quilt Show Judging-Old Conference Room-Administration Building 10 a.m.-Church Service-Watchetaker Hall Noon-After Church Meal - Watchetaker Hall 1 p.m.-Bull Buckout-Bull riding arena. North of powwow ground. Immediately following, Jr. Bullriding. 4 p.m Free Child 2 p.m.-Handgame Tournament- Watchetaker Hall . Oct. r 2 Nor en’s Game th of E s ducat 2 p.m.-Gourd Dance and afternoon specials. Powwow Grounds ion B ldg 5 p.m.-Supper Break 7 p.m.-Grand Entry-Contest in Men’s Divisions. Senior Divisions will be paid.
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The Comanche Nation News
How It All Began
By Jolene Schonchin/News Staff
The Comanche Nation Fair, in its 19th year in existence, is the largest fair in Southwest Oklahoma and brings thousands to the events that are sponsored by the Comanche Nation and ran by the Comanche nation employees. How the fair began is best told by its originator, former Chairman of the Comanche Nation, Wallace Coffey: “I became chairman in 1991 and I moved home from Denver, Colo. to assume that post. The beginning of my term I realized there was a low self-esteem amongst our people. It was evident; people were discouraged with regard to unemployment, and their well-being. According to our constitution, we must improve the environment, the health, the overall well-being of our people. After praying about it for a period of time, the Comanche Fair came to me. I asked my mother, who was living at the time, if she would like to go back to Craterville Park. She said that would be wonderful. I remember being there when I was a kid,” said Coffey. “So I began talking to Major General Fred Marty at the time. We started visiting; he came to us and we went to him. Essentially he said ‘no’ because if he allowed us to have it, then other tribes (the Kiowa’s) would want it. I said ‘it’s historically ours and that is where our winter encampment used to be’. I kept talking to him and he was very negative. I wrote a letter to Dick Cheney, who was the secretary of defense at the time. They were starting to close military bases and I told him to close Ft. Sill down and give it back to the Comanche’s, and we will heal it. Instead of bombing this land, we will heal it. Two weeks later, I got a call from Major General Fred Marty. He said ‘Wallace we need to talk,’ and that is when we got the okay for the fair. That was up until June 1992. At the Comanche Homecoming, we passed out flyers, Comanche Fair.1992. Craterville Park. (See back page) north of Cache,” said Coffey. “It (the fair) had all the events, horse races, food, parade, and camping, church service. That Wednesday of the fair, we had a Peyote Meeting, and prayed people would come, and good feelings would be abundant, and have weather, good intentions, and when they leave, they would feel good about themselves. People started moving in on Thursday and the camp site was packed. People came from all over. There was a thivah lady from Texas who wanted so much to be Comanche. She camped at the fair. I told her she can be Comanche all she wanted, but I cannot put her on the role. When she passed away she donated all her belongings to the Comanche Nation College,” said Coffey. “My brother Woogie was living and we had him do an exposition dance. We had a special fancy dance contest on his behalf and it was an amazing thing. We chose September because July and August were too hot, and the end of September the season was just changing and it wouldn’t be too hot in the day or too cold at night. So, it was just perfect. We had a pagent Sunday evening, and after the pageant the fair was over,” said Coffey. “I chose that time because the moon was full, and when it is full, it won’t rain. That was one of the old teachings I remembered. That one evening, the moon came over the east side of the mountains, and everyone was in awe,” he said. “We dedicated the RH Comanche helicopter, which was being constructed at the time, at the Comanche Fair. We did the Thuwee dance See Craterville, Page 10
The History of the Comanche Nation Fair
Courtesy Photo
Comanche Nation Fair taken in 1992 on top of one of the mountain ranges.
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The Comanche Nation News
CRYS
COMANCHE RESIDENTIAL YOUTH SHELTER Our mission is to provide a secure, stable environment for our children while they are in our care. Promote and encourage their hopes, dreams so the they will always know that there is always a place that they can always be safe from whatever brought them to us. Allow our children to be children and enjoy their live in an environment that embraces them and allow them to be who they are in their culture.
Craterville
Continued from Page 9
Contact Information Address: P.O. Box 908, Lawton, Okla., 73502 Phone: Child Abuse Reporting Hotline (800) 522-3511 Comanche Nation Child Protection (580) 492-3792 Comanche Nation Law Enforcement (580) 492-5991 Comanche Residential Youth Shelter (580) 492-4988 Comanche Nation Indian Child Welfare (580) 492-3765 Website www.comanchenation.com/CRYS/
and we all touched it with our weapons that it would be a good weapon,” said Coffey. “The Shoshone leadership came to be with us. Edgar Monetathchi was pleased the employees were running the fair, cooking in the back that Sunday afternoon. When we got through, Tommy Wahnee prayed over the food,” said Coffey. “It didn’t think it would ever be this big. It has come to the point where it has really outdone itself. I think the Comanche people needed it at the time, and they are the ones who I remember; many specials taking place at the fair, many dances. We even had a switch dance. We all met out there that Monday we had to pick up every piece of trash, every cigarette butt. And we gave it back the way we found it. They
(Ft.Sill) couldn’t believe how well we took care of it. I told them we have not lost our environmental sense about us. We treasure Mother Earth; we pray for her, she blessed us all,” said Coffey. The people who helped put the first fair together included Johnny Wauqua and Ozzie RedElk, who met with Ft. Sill representatives numerous times to iron-out the details of the Comanche Fair being at Craterville Park. The first Comanche Fair Committee was: Arts and Crafts-Carlotta Nowell; Pageant-Elton Yellowfish; Camp Coordinator-Stephanie Harrison; Parade-Kenneth Goodin; Carnival-Bill Shoemate; Parking-U.S. Army; Church Service-George Wallace Jr.; Powwow-Jerome Tahhahwah, Bobby Wallace, Bill Fodder; Daily Programs-Bobby Wallace; Powwow Contest-
Dink Nauni; Exhibits-Carlotta Nowell; Publicity-Bill Southard; Facilities-Butch Pahdocony; First Aid-Comanche Nation CHR; Run-Ken Karty; Food-Harold Pewewardy; Security- U.S Army and Comanche Nation; Fund Raising-Romelia Kassanavoid; Souvenir Book-Barbara Goodin; Games Sunday-June Sovo; Information-Francine Monenerkit; Youth Programs-Theresa Lopez. The 1992 Comanche Business Committee: Wallace Coffey-Chairman; Francine Monenerkit-Vice Chairman; Jackie L. Codopony Jr.-Secretary/Treasurer; Elton Yellowfish-Committeeman No. 1; Carol Cizek-Committeeman No. 2; George Wallace Jr.Committeeman No. 4; and Bill Shoemate-Committeeman No. 4.
Comanche Nation Caregiver Program The Caregiver Program provides assistance to all eligible Native Americans sixty (60) years of age and Grand parents sixty (60) years and older raising grandchildren who are eighteen (18) years and younger. The recipients must live in the geographic service areas of Comanche, Cotton, Tillman portions of Jackson, Jefferson, Stephens, Grady, Cleveland, Caddo and Oklahoma counties which include the towns and cities of Lawton, Cache, Indiahoma, Sterling, Cyril, Fletcher, Elgin, Anadarko, Apache and Oklahoma City. The program requires a Doctor’s Order with Diagnosis and condition of client and CDIB card for proof of tribal membership. If you are a caregiver then we can provide you with the following services: 1) Respite Care, 2) Supplies for the Recipients, 3) Information and Referral, and 4) Counseling, Support Groups and Caregiver Training. Please feel free to contact the Program Staff: Arlene Kemp, Director, (580) 4923282; Margaret Lovejoy, Administrative Assistant, (580) 492-3283. Fax: (580) 492-5653 Physical Address: 584 NW Bingo Road, Lawton, Okla. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 908, Lawton, Okla., 73502.
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The History of Craterville (Camp Eagle)
Taken from the 1992 Comanche Nation Fair Program Book
According to the Oklahoma Tract Books, Section 1, Township 2N, Range 14W was “Reserved for Reservoir Purposes by Craterville Mining and Water Power Co.”, Approved by the Secretary April 9, 1904. Thus was the beginning of what would be known to thousands as Craterville. It sprang to live in 1901 as a mining camp, where it was laid out as a townsite. Advertisement extolled its virtues as”--the most promising town in the wonderful new country
(in) the heart of the rich mining district of the Wichita Mountains. Because of its scenery, water, fishing and other attractions, it will be a summer resort for the southwest not exceed in Colorado or elsewhere.” When mining operations ceased, Craterville, so named by developers because it resembled a crater surrounded by mountains, became an amusement park. The names Frank Rush and Craterville were synonymous in the mid 1920’s and
1930’s. Rush came to the Wichita National Forest in 1907 and stayed until 1923, when he bought Craterville. In 1924 he entered into an agreement with the Indians to hold an all-Indian Fair each August at that location. Painted on buckskin, the covenant was signed by all the tribes involved. The first fair took place August 14, 15, and 16 in 1924. They were held each succeeding year until 1932, a total of
nine years. They included a parade, Indian Dances, archery contest and horse racing in addition to the agricultural and livestock exhibits. The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a resolution in 1931 that changed the name of the event to the “Oklahoma State Indian Fair.” It also provided $1,000 for premiums and a silver Governor’s cup to be awarded to the best agricultural exhibits. In 1933, after Rush’s death, the Craterville Fair com-
Numunu History Through Pictures
bined with an Anadarko Fair to become the American Indian Exposition. Craterville remained in operation as an amusement park until 1956 when the military acquired the land. It was renamed Camp Eagle and became a recreational area for Fort Sill. It presently serves and the NCO Academy for the army.