Oklahoma tribes hope voting initiatives increase voter turnout
Native voters are often ignored by political campaigns. U.S. Census Bureau data of voters by race leaves them out of their racial profile data.
KOSU | By Katie Hallum (ᏧᏟ)
For example, in 2020, CNN listed Native Americans as “Something Else” when broadcasting exit polling.
This underrepresentation stems from historically low voter turnout, often caused by economic, social and geographical barriers.
Despite this, Indigenous voters have historically been important in swing states. The Navajo Nation is credited for President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in Arizona.
Here in Oklahoma, Indigenous voters are especially important. In the 2023 legislative session, a handful of bills involved tribal sovereignty, with several landing in the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Additionally, Oklahoma’s legislature bolsters important political figures who are tribal citizens, such as Gov. Kevin Stitt of the Cherokee Nation, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of the Cherokee Nation, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of the Chickasaw Nation and Rep. Ajay Pittman of the Seminole Nation.
This year's ballot asks Oklahomans if they want to keep the same Oklahoma Supreme Court justices Noma Gurich, Yvonee Kauger and James Edmondson, who voted favorably for the tribes. Earlier this year, the justices voted to allow tribes to extend multiple compacts with the state.
The Cherokee Nation has a long-standing initiative called “Cherokee Vote,” aimed at encouraging Cherokee citizens to vote and educating them on policies affecting tribal sovereignty.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. hopes it's enough to make a difference.
“I think Natives across the country can make a difference. For us, though, there's also some down-the-ballot matters of interest,” Hoskin said. “I really think sovereignty is uniquely on the ballot in Oklahoma. So there's lots of reasons that we should move Natives to the polls, both locally in Oklahoma and across the country.”
Other tribes, such as the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, have encouraged and reminded tribal citizens to vote by showing them how to register in their monthly magazine.
State-wide initiatives, such as the bi-partisan group Rock The Native Vote and the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma’s Warrior Up To Vote campaign, have gone on a tour across the state, registering tribal citizens en masse.
According to the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, these efforts have largely been successful.
Comanche Cares to Host 4th Annual Toy Drive
Donations to benefit families of Southwest Oklahoma
LAWTON, Okla., - Comanche Cares, a community giving initiative founded by Comanche Nation Entertainment, is hosting its 4thannual Toy Drive to spread holiday cheer to families and children in need across Southwest Oklahoma. The Toy Drive will be accepting donations every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. between November 5 and December 12.
"Giving back through our holiday toy drive has become a cherished tradition over the past four years,” said Steven Doyle, CEO of Comanche Nation Entertainment. “It's a wonderful way to bring joy to children and strengthen our community, reminding us that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting impact."
In the spirit of giving, Comanche Nation Rewards Club members can also benefit from donating. Player’s Club members who donate a toy valued between $5 and $25 can present their receipt to receive double their donation in Comanche Credit, up to $50. This offer is for members only and is redeemable once per member, per day, per property.
Donations can be dropped off at the following Comanche Nation Entertainment properties:
- Comanche Red River Casino in Devol at 196747 Highway 36
- Comanche Nation Casino in Lawton at 402 SE Interstate Drive
- Comanche Nation Spur Casino in Elgin at 9047 US Hwy 62
- Comanche War Pony Casino in Devol at 250652 E 2000 Rd
- Comanche Nation Star Casino in Walters at 263171 Highway 53
The Comanche Cares Toy Drive donates approximately $20,000 to $40,000 annually in gifts and toys to communities throughout Southwest Oklahoma every holiday season.
"The continued success of our annual toy drive reflects the strength and compassion of our community,” said Doyle. “Bringing joy to families and seeing the excitement on children's faces makes every effort worthwhile."
Donations benefit both the Comanche Cares Foundation and the Comanche Nation Tribe, in addition to local community organizations such as Fletcher Christmas store, Church of Good News, Mary Wade Christmas Pow Wow, Grandfield Fire, Charter Academy and Brown Indian Church.
For more information about Comanche Nation Entertainment and its community giving initiative Comanche Cares, visit www.comanchenationentertainment.com.
ABOUT COMANCHE CARES
Comanche Cares is a community giving initiative from Comanche Nation Entertainment. Comanche Cares organizes charitable events year-round, with drives for school supplies, food and toys. For more information, visit www.comanchenationentertainment.com.
Lowak Sho'li First American Humanities Forum to take place Nov. 18
ADA, Okla. - The Lowak Sho'li (Carry the Fire) First American Humanities Forum will take place 6 p.m., Nov. 18, at the Chickasaw Nation Ada Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi Ave.
This year’s theme is “First Americans in Medicine.” Four panelists in the medical field will be exploring their contributions within the First American community, as well as their work in medicine at large.
This year’s panelists will include Dr. John Krueger, Dr. Brandon Postoak, Dr. Judy Goforth Parker and Dr. Jesicah Gilmore. Ethan Cox will serve as moderator.
Community members are invited to learn more about health field careers, experiences and the state of medicine in Indian Country and how it will impact the future.
“The Lowak Sho'li First American Humanities Forum has taken place annually since 2012,” Ethan Cox, Chickasaw Nation Creative Arts Manager, said. “Our panelists bring individual, unique experiences in serving First Americans in the areas of medicine. They have a shared understanding of the importance of First American representation in these areas. This representation is not only important to today’s patients, but also vital to the future First Americans in medicine.”
As physicians serving the First American population, the panel will explore how First Americans can pursue a career in medicine, the rewards of the profession and how medical personnel stay current in research and practices. Resources and professional advice will be shared during the forum.
Presented in a Q&A format, Lowak Sho'li features scholars as they share insights about Chickasaw language, philosophy, history, culture and literature, among other topics including medicine. Scholars will also cover important current initiatives and challenges facing the First American population, cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
Lowak Sho'li gives local First American youth and college students the opportunity to meet with and learn from experts in various fields of study.
The event is open to the public at no charge.
Visit Chickasaw.net/Lowak to register.
For more information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Literary Arts Division at (580) 272-9236 or CreativeArts@Chickasaw.net.
About the panelists
Dr. John Krueger
John Krueger M.D., MPH has served as the Under Secretary of Medical Staff and Quality for the Chickasaw Nation since 2019. In this role he also serves as chief medical officer and chief quality officer. Dr. Krueger is a board-certified family physician. He completed medical school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 2000 and received his Master of Public Health from the T. H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health in 2014. Dr. Krueger is a 2010-2011 George W. Merck Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement (IHI) fellow and IHI faculty member.
Dr. Brandon Postoak
Dr. Brandon Postoak, a Chickasaw citizen, is an emergency medicine resident physician at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated medical school from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) in 2022. Before medical school, he attended East Central University (ECU) and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 2018. During his time at OSU-COM and ECU, he served in various roles to enhance the diversity of current and prospective students. These included serving as the Association of Native American Medical Students national president, the OSU Student Government Association diversity chair and member of the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program.
Dr. Judy Goforth Parker
Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, a Chickasaw citizen, serves as Commissioner of Health Policy for the Chickasaw Nation. She earned master’s degrees in nursing and advanced practice nursing at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing, before earning a Ph.D. in nursing from Texas Woman’s University. She has many years of experience working to increase quality of health care for First Americans throughout the United States. She also serves as chair of the Tribal Technical Advisory Group’s long-term services and support subcommittee.
Dr. Jesicah Gilmore
Jesicah Gilmore, a Chickasaw citizen, is a family practice physician at Council Oak Comprehensive Health Center in Tulsa. She attended the University of Oklahoma for medical school and residency. She practiced at Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, taking on administrative duties as chief medical officer, before transitioning back into full-time patient care.
A Night at the Rez Bar
Flat screen TVs have yet to find their way into the Rez Bar. Instead, patrons are tortured with 1980s rear projection 50” TVs. The Rez Bar boasts four of them albeit only two still work. If by working, you mean a picture with acute cataracts. The TVs were originally encased in faux walnut but now they are covered in battleship gray duct tape. On the plus side, they match well with the threadbare shag carpet of the Rez Bar.
Harjo, the burly proprietor of the bar, emerges through the swinging double doors of the kitchen. As usual he is wearing a bartender’s apron. It is liberally stained with ketchup, mustard, Blue Curacao, mint, and cigar ash. Harjo’s apron resembles a bad Jackson Pollock painting. He approaches our table.
“Bwwob Bwwwobbubwub,” Harjo says.
Me, Tarpalechee, Yahola, and Fixico all exchange quizzical glances.
“What’d he say?” Tarpalechee asks.
“I have no idea,” Yahola replies.
“Bwwob Bwwwobbubwub!” Harjo repeats with an angry frown.
“Haco! Take that cigar out of your mouth. We can’t understand a word you are saying. Wikvs!”
Harjo removes a fat stub of a cigar hanging out the side of his mouth. He wipes his sweaty bald head with a bar towel. He then sticks his big chiefy nose into the damp towel and let’s fly with a huge sneeze. It causes the cheap, dingy light fixture above to rattle.
“I said!” Harjo yells, “You bums want another round?”
“Do we want another round of this warmed-over rot gut? Sure! Who could resist?” Yahola answers.
“Yahola, I oughta throw your cvpo out!” Harjo says.
“But then you’d have to rely on this standing room only crowd to pay your bills,” Yahola replies sarcastically as he scans the nearly empty bar.
Harjo stalks off.
“And I’ll take a wagyu steak. Medium! It’ll pair well with this rot gut,” Yahola yells after Harjo.
Us Frybread Boys hoot, holler, and cackle.
“Goot Won!” Fixico says to Yahola.
Suddenly one of the old TVs that had been given up for dead springs to life. Even through its cloudy haze we can make out the Olympic competition. It is the pole vault event. I walk over and pound the top of the TV with my fist. A clear picture emerges.
A French pole vaulter is about to take his final attempt at clearing twenty feet. If he makes it, he will win the gold medal. As he dashes down the runway, we all lean forward and cheer him on.
He plants the pole and his legs and the bottom half of his body folds over the bar. It appears he has made it. But on his way down, the unusually large bulge of his crotch knocks the bar off. The competitor falls onto the mat and lays motionless. He then raises both hands to the heavens.
We sit in stunned silence. Yahola is the first to speak.
“Did you see that? Did what just happened?”
A replay clearly shows the vaulter would have cleared the bar were it not for the offending bulge.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” we all chortle in unison. “Unbelievable!”
“The bad news is he just lost the gold medal. The good news is that the ladies will be blowing up his phone,” Yahola jokes.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” we all again chortle in unison.
Yahola, a Native rapper says, “Hey guys! Guys! I’ve got a limerick for you. Listen up!”
“This is going to be good,” I say. “Ok, Yahola, lay it on us.”
Yahola stands for effect. “Ok, here it is,” he says.
“There once was a vaulter named Cory;
Who dreamt of Olympic glory;
When his legs cleared the bar;
That gold was not far;
Then his huge pole became the story.”
“Heyluh! That is funny, Yahola! That is fantastic!” I say as the Frybread Boys laugh and feverishly clap our hands in appreciation. Yahola grins widely, his pearly whites shining brightly.
“Hey boys! Check this out,” Fixico suddenly yells.
Fixico stands holding Harjo’s expensive McDermott pool cue.
“I’m going to pole vault over that pool table,” Fixico says.
“You’re all hodged up, Fixico,” I say. “Don’t do it!”
“Do it!” Tarpalechee and Yahola yell.
“Not with my McDermott! Noooo!” Harjo cries.
Fixico runs towards a pool table. He plants the thick bottom of the cue on the floor and his body ascends into the air. In mid-jump there is a loud crack as the pool cue breaks. Fixico lands awkwardly on the far side of the table. He falls off the pool table, badly twisting his ankle, stumbles forward and crashes into the 50” big screen TV. There is a loud explosion and a huge puff of smoke.
The Frybread Boys stand in stunned and shocked silence. Harjo is still covering his eyes. After a tense moment, the smoke clears and we see Fixico’s neon yellow Crocs sticking out where the picture tube used to be.
Amidst the debris, Fixico struggles to his knees. He pokes his head out of the picture frame. It’s the first time he has ever been on TV.
“Here’s Johnny!” Fixico says with a toothy grin.
“Heyluh!” Harjo exclaims. “You owe me for that McDermott!”
“You mean this secondhand cue? I’ll give you ten bucks for its salvage value,” Fixico responds.
The Frybread Boys once again gather ‘round hoisting the rot gut beer. Fixico, uncharacteristically quiet, sits holding his frosty beer mug against his swollen ankle. Just another night at the Rez Bar.
