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VOLUME 10 EDITION 10 Lawton, OK September 2010

NAMMY Award Winner Jana Mashonee and actress Kateri Walker

Are Special Guests During 19th Annual Celebration

2010 Comanche Nation Fair Special Edition

The Comanche Nation Fair is pleased to have NAMMY Award Winner Jana Mashonee and actress Kateri Walker during this year’s cel-ebration. 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 al-ready won Best Pop Album at the Indian Summer Music Awards Show, nominated for the 9th Annual Inde-pendent 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 win-ning 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 festi-vals across North America in 2007 & 2008. She has found success with chart-topping club hits like “More Than Life” and her cover of Led Zep-pelin’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 ad-venture. Despite her fast-paced ca-reer, Mashonee has still found time to give back by establishing her non-profit 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 re-ceiving a scholarship. Jana Mashonee is truly the embodiment of the an-cient 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 Na-tion, Ontario, Canada; she is also of Belgian descent. Walker has received acco-lades for her work in Home and the The Strange Case of Bunny Weequod from the American Indian Film Insti-tute, 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 Ma-vis Dogblood Lightning in Kissed by Lightning.

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 Coman-che celebration.

Courtesy Photos

From the Desk of Chairman Burgess

Greetings (Ha’ Muarawe’)

To all Our Relations, I hope that you who are planning to attend the Coman-che 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’ tal-ented 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 Na-tion Fair.

May God Bless and Keep each of you healthy and whole.Michael Burgess-ChairmanComanche Nation

September 2010 2 The Comanche Nation News

In Loving MemoryAs we celebrate life and tradition during the Comanche Nation Fair, we honor those

who left to be with Ta Ahpuh, whose presence is still abundantBill “No Shame” AhhaittyIda Attocknie AsahVandal “Moon” AtauvichAlbert AttocknieFrancis Joseph AttocknieLacota AttockniePaul AttockniePaul Joseph AttocknieTahkony “TJ” AttocknieOneda BlackstarErmina (Docky) BurgessRuben “Kahoo” BurgessMyra BurgessGeorge CableMay CableShorty CablePaul J. CampilongoCharles ChibittySteve ChibittyThomas ChibittyWilma ChibittyErrol ChoneyValerie K. ChoneyKevin John Codynah (5/23/69-7/27/09)Douglas DankowskiSteffanie Bobelu EnamaradoErnest FawbushFisty FawbushAnna GoverAngela GwoompiMona Karty Herrera (1949-2006)HovarithkaMorgan HutchensLeona HoweEthel Y. Wauqua ImoticheyTerri Jake

In Loving Memory of our Parents

You were our “SUNSHINE OUR MORNING AND NIGHT”

Elton Simmons TooahnippahOctober 21, 1913-May 8, 2007Ruth Simmons Tooahnippah

June 6, 1914-February 11, 2010We 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 our Parents

Raymond Nauni and Violet Yellowfish Nauni

We Love YouBy Children Bob, Marion, Raymond Jr.,

Vandell, Gwen, Chris

LaVerne “Cowboy”

PennahMay 1, 1933 – March 8, 2003

You are truly missed & will never be forgotten.

Rose, Civa, Wayland, Debbie, Rick & Kyshawn

In Our Hearts ForeverIn 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-grandchil-dren.

Bessie KartyJoe Murphy KartyBill Karty (1926-2009)KiyouRachael MartinezMelvin Leroy MasonBuster MihecobyBertha MonatatchiEdgar MonatatchiLee MotahMelvin R. Nahno-KercheeReaves Nahwooksy Jr. (11/29/55-10/2/09)Delita NelsonJoyce “Doc” Tate NevaquayaJoy NiedoRoe KahrahrahForrest KassanavoidMarion KassanavoidNettie Coffey KercheeDoug KomahcheetRowena KomahcheetDecker KopaddyRickie KosechataHenry “Hank” Lee KostuztaRalph KotaySharon LeeAlberta LeitzBelva Nahno-Kerchee LopezRev. Doc. Reaves and Clydia NahwooksRay NeidoClifford Ototivo Sr.Tim OtotivoFrieda PauauRhoda PauauPerthtayJessie Poahway

Mary PoafpybittyRev. Carl PoafpybittyEthlene PoafpybittyKenneth PoafpybittySandra PoafpybittyManolito “Heto” PortilloLorraine Nahno-Kerchee PewewardyKelly Waydell Poemoceah(1929-1953)Oliver J. Poemoceah (7/21/81-11/19/09)Marcia San-AugistineSarah and Marvin SaddleblanketMarie SaupittyStanford SaupittyStella SaupittyRoy SimmonsBill SouthardBlossom StarrDonna TahchawwickahKimberly TahchawwickahPreston TahchawwickahVirgil TahchawwickahWipes Betty TenequerElsie TissychyHenry TomahsahRussell “Rusty” WahkinneyTommy WahneeGeorge “Woogie” WatchetakerFrank WauahdooahHoward and Thelma WhitewolfOlivia Kosechata-WiedemanBrandon WilliamsIda WockmetooahRoy Wockmetooah

September 2010 3 The Comanche Nation News

September 2010 4 The Comanche Nation News

Sept. 251 p.m.-11 p.m. Youth Powwow -Watchetaker Hall-sponsored by the Coman-che Nation Youth Program. Recognizing our tribal youth, this powwow high-lights the future leaders of the Comanche Nation. Contests in youth divisions.

Sept. 28-Sept. 302 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 Auditorium-Comanche Nation College. 1608 SW 9th St., Lawton, Okla.

Sept. 298 a.m. Camper Set Up and Registration for Rations- Campers regis-ter at the Law Enforcement Office.8 a.m.-4 p.m. Art Show participants turn in artwork -New Confer-ence RoomDusk-Native American Church Meeting. North of the powwow arena.

Sept. 30Noon-Vendor Set Up1:06 p.m.-Comanche National Museum Exhibit of Ft. Sill Indian School-Co-manche National Museum, 704 NW Ferris Ave., Lawton.8 a.m.-4 p.m. Art Show participants turn in artwork -New Conference Room7 p.m.-Watchetaker Hall-Comanche Hymn and Gospel Singing

Oct. 17 a.m. Flag Raising Ceremony8 a.m.-Dorothy Lorento Scholarship Golf Tournament- Ft. Cobb Golf Course, Ft. Cobb, Okla.8 a.m.-6 p.m. Voting for Comanche Nation Jr. Princess-Voting Booth near powwow grounds9 a.m.-Quilt Show Registration-Administration Building Conference Room. Daily door prizes.Noon-Carnival Opens-West of Bull Riding Pin-Children Ride Free all weekend2 p.m.-Gourd Dance and afternoon specials-Powwow GroundsDistribution of Camper’s Rations-Watchetaker Hall Parking Lot-Time to be given at registration5 p.m.-Supper Break5:30- Dedication of Janice Totite Pewewardy Field-West of Carnival6 p.m.-Art Show Reception-Education Building Conference Room7 p.m. Powwow Grand Entry-Tiny Tot Contest; Junior Division Contests7 p.m. Softball Tournament-Janice Pewewardy Softball Field-Across from Youth Shelter

Oct. 27 a.m.-Flag Raising8 a.m.-3/3 Basketball Tournament- Administration Parking Lot8 a.m.-1K Fun Run-In front of Powwow Grounds

Children’s Powwow-Sept. 25Watchetaker Hall

Camper Set up and Registration

8 a.m. Sept. 29

Art ShowAll Weekend-Edu. Bldg Conference Room

Free Children’s Carnival

All Weekend-West of Bullriding Arena

Dedication of Janice Totite Pewewardy Field5:30 p.m. Oct. 1

Horseshoe Tournament

1 p.m.-Oct. 2 in front of PIO

Building Flag Raising7 a.m. Daily

September 2010 5 The Comanche Nation News

Softball Tournament-Janice Pewewardy Softball Field-Across from Youth Shelter8 a.m.-6 p.m. Voting for Comanche Nation Jr. Princess-Voting Booth near powwow grounds8 a.m.-Car Show-Location TBA9 a.m.-Quilt Show-Administration Building Conference Room. Daily door prizes.9 a.m.-Parade Lineup-Behind Janice Pewewardy Softball Field 10 a.m.-ParadeNoon-Hotdog Feed-Education Building Parking LotNoon ABKA of Lawton Karate Demonstration-Watchetaker HallNoon-Art Show-Education Building Conference Room1 p.m.-Bull Buckout-Bull riding arena. North of powwow ground. Immedi-ately following, Jr. Bullriding.Horseshoe Tournament-in front of PIO Building2 p.m.-Bullriding-Bullriding Arena. Immediately following, Jr. Bullrid-ing.2 p.m.-Battle of the Bands-In front of Food Distribution Building2 p.m.-Gourd Dance and afternoon specials4 p.m.-Children’s Games-North of Education Building4 p.m.-Turtle Race- North of Education Building.5 p.m.-Supper Break7 p.m.-Grand Entry-Contests in Women’s DivisionsSpecial 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 Hall8 p.m.- Concert Featuring Jana Mashonee- In front of Food Distribution Bldg.

Oct. 37 a.m,-Cedar Ceremony-In front of Powwow Grounds.7 a.m.-Flag Raising8 a.m. Spirit Walk-in front of the powwow grounds8 a.m.-Softball Tournament -(If needed) Janice Totite Pewewardy Softball Field9 a.m.-Skateboarding Competition Registration- Administrative Parking Lot9 a.m.-Quilt Show-Administration Building Conference Room. Daily door prizes.10 a.m.-Skateboard Competition-Administrative Parking Lot10 a.m.-Quilt Show Judging-Old Conference Room-Administration Building10 a.m.-Church Service-Watchetaker HallNoon-After Church Meal - Watchetaker Hall1 p.m.-Bull Buckout-Bull riding arena. North of powwow ground. Immedi-ately following, Jr. Bullriding.2 p.m.-Handgame Tournament- Watchetaker Hall2 p.m.-Gourd Dance and afternoon specials. Powwow Grounds5 p.m.-Supper Break7 p.m.-Grand Entry-Contest in Men’s Divisions. Senior Divisions will be paid.

Parade

10 a.m. October 2

Bullriding

1 p.m. October 2 and 3-Bullriding Arena

Free HotdogsNoon Oct. 2 Education Building

Free Children’s Games

4 p.m. Oct. 2 North of Education Bldg

Spirit Walk

8 a.m. Oct. 3 in front of powwow grounds

Church Service10 a.m.-Oct. 3Watchetaker Hall

Teen Dance8 p.m. Oct. 2 Watchetaker Hall

September 2010 6 The Comanche Nation News

September 2010 7 The Comanche Nation News

How It All BeganThe History of the Comanche Nation Fair

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 na-tion employees. How the fair began is best told by its originator, former Chairman of the Comanche Nation, Wallace Cof-fey: “I became chairman in 1991 and I moved home from Denver, Colo. to assume that post. The begin-ning of my term I realized there was a low self-esteem amongst our people. It was evident; people were discour-aged 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 pray-ing 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 encamp-ment 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 de-fense 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 Homecom-ing, we passed out flyers, Coman-che Fair.1992. Craterville Park. (See back page) north of Cache,” said Cof-fey. “It (the fair) had all the events, horse races, food, parade, and camp-ing, 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 start-ed 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 Co-manche Nation College,” said Cof-fey. “My brother Woogie was liv-ing 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 Septem-ber 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 Co-manche helicopter, which was being constructed at the time, at the Coman-che Fair. We did the Thuwee dance

See Craterville, Page 10

Comanche Nation Fair taken in 1992 on top of one of the mountain ranges.Courtesy Photo

By Jolene Schonchin/News Staff

and we all touched it with our weapons that it would be a good weapon,” said Coffey. “The Shoshone leader-ship 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 Co-manche 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 envi-ronmental 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 in-cluded Johnny Wauqua and Ozzie RedElk, who met with Ft. Sill representatives numer-ous times to iron-out the details of the Comanche Fair being at Craterville Park. The first Co-manche Fair Committee was: Arts and Crafts-Carlotta Nowell; Pageant-Elton Yellow-fish; Camp Coordinator-Steph-anie Harrison; Parade-Kenneth Goodin; Carnival-Bill Shoe-mate; Parking-U.S. Army; Church Service-George Wal-lace Jr.; Powwow-Jerome Tah-hahwah, Bobby Wallace, Bill Fodder; Daily Programs-Bob-by Wallace; Powwow Contest-

CratervilleContinued from Page 9

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) 492-3282; 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.

CRYSCOMANCHE RESIDENTIAL YOUTH SHELTER

Our mission is to provide a secure, stable environment for our children while they are in our care. Promote and en-courage 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.

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

Websitewww.comanchenation.com/CRYS/

September 2010 10 The Comanche Nation News

Dink Nauni; Exhibits-Carlotta Nowell; Publicity-Bill South-ard; Facilities-Butch Pahdo-cony; First Aid-Comanche Nation CHR; Run-Ken Karty; Food-Harold Pewewardy; Se-curity- U.S Army and Coman-che Nation; Fund Raising-Ro-melia Kassanavoid; Souvenir Book-Barbara Goodin; Games Sunday-June Sovo; Informa-tion-Francine Monenerkit; Youth Programs-Theresa Lo-pez. The 1992 Comanche Business Committee: Wallace Coffey-Chairman; Francine Monenerkit-Vice Chairman; Jackie L. Codopony Jr.-Sec-retary/Treasurer; Elton Yel-lowfish-Committeeman No. 1; Carol Cizek-Committeeman No. 2; George Wallace Jr.-Committeeman No. 4; and Bill Shoemate-Committeeman No. 4.

September 2010 11 The Comanche Nation News

The History of Craterville (Camp Eagle) According to the Okla-homa Tract Books, Section 1, Township 2N, Range 14W was “Reserved for Reservoir Pur-poses by Craterville Mining and Water Power Co.”, Ap-proved by the Secretary April 9, 1904. Thus was the begin-ning 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. Adver-tisement extolled its virtues as”--the most promising town in the wonderful new country

(in) the heart of the rich mining district of the Wichita Moun-tains. Because of its scenery, water, fishing and other attrac-tions, it will be a summer resort for the southwest not exceed in Colorado or elsewhere.” When mining opera-tions ceased, Craterville, so named by developers because it resembled a crater surround-ed by mountains, became an amusement park. The names Frank Rush and Craterville were synony-mous in the mid 1920’s and

1930’s. Rush came to the Wich-ita 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. Paint-ed on buckskin, the covenant was signed by all the tribes in-volved. The first fair took place August 14, 15, and 16 in 1924. They were held each succeed-ing year until 1932, a total of

nine years. They included a parade, Indian Dances, archery contest and horse racing in ad-dition 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 pre-miums and a silver Governor’s cup to be awarded to the best agricultural exhibits. In 1933, after Rush’s death, the Craterville Fair com-

bined with an Anadarko Fair to become the American Indian Exposition. Craterville remained in operation as an amusement park until 1956 when the mili-tary acquired the land. It was renamed Camp Eagle and be-came a recreational area for Fort Sill. It presently serves and the NCO Academy for the army.

Taken from the 1992 Comanche Nation Fair Program Book

Numunu History Through Pictures