Caddo Nation News Archives - December 2004

Caddo Nation Tribal Council meeting held (21 December 2004)

Last week, in response to a case brought forth by LaCreda Daugomah, Christine Noah, Ann Donaghey, Mary Pat Clark, and Marilyn Threlkeld, Judge Phil Lujan issued an order stating that the following people are recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the CFR Court as Caddo Nation council members: LaRue Parker, Joyce Hinse, Frances Kodaseet, LaCreda Daugomah, Christine Noah, Ann Donaghey, Mary Pat Clark, and Marilyn Threlkeld. 

Judge Lujan also order that these eight council members are to meet together at the tribal complex on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. The first meeting of the month is to be a regular council meeting and will be held at 1 PM, while the second meeting will be a special council meeting and will commence at 10 AM. Failure to attend council meetings will be considered contempt of court.

As set forth in this court order, Chairperson LaRue Parker held a special council meeting at 10 AM on 21 December 2004. After waiting for an hour and a half for other members of the council to arrive, she called the meeting to order, held roll call, determined that a quorum was not present, and adjourned the meeting. Those present were LaRue Parker and Frances Kodaseet. Those absent were Joyce Hinse, LaCreda Daugomah, Christine Noah, Ann Donaghey, Mary Pat Clark, and Marilyn Threlkeld. Joyce Hinse was excused for being out of town, and Mary Pat Clark was excused for being ill.

The failure of LaCreda Daugomah, Christine Noah, Ann Donaghey, and Marilyn Threlkeld to attend this council meeting is a clear violation of the court order issued by Judge Lujan. Furthermore, it demonstrates these people's disregard for this court order and, more importantly, the Constitution of the Caddo Nation.

The next council meeting will be held on the first Tuesday in January at 1 PM at the tribal complex. The membership of the Caddo Nation is encouraged to attend this meeting. It is open to the public, as are all council meetings. The agenda will include a time for members to ask questions of the tribal council in regards to the retrocession of the 638 programs and the current state of the tribe.

Additional information, including the text of Judge Lujan's court order, will be posted here shortly

To the people of the Caddo Nation (17 December 2004)

At this blessed season may God shine his light on all our people, our neighbors, and our service people overseas. May God smile upon our elders, our sick, and those who are confined. May the New Year bring prosperity and peace to all.

From the Caddo Chairperson and the staff at the tribal complex -- MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A message to the Caddo people from Chairperson LaRue Martin Parker (13 December 2004)

All PL-638 programs have now been given back to the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the request of the following five council members: Christine Noah, Ann Donaghey, Mary Pat Clark, Marilyn Threlkeld, and LaCreda Daugomah. The BIA has made it very clear that there were no problems with our programs. They were voluntarily given back by these 5 people who did not even ask the Caddo people if that is what they wanted. They did not give the Caddo people a chance to have any say in the matter. They did not have and have not since held district meetings to ask the people if they could do this, much less have they come to a membership meeting to get permission or input from the Caddo people. These 5 people do not feel the governing body of this tribe, the membership, has any rights. Our forefathers worked hard to secure these programs for the people and to insure our sovereignty would be recognized. Now all of this is thrown aside by these 5 people just to make the membership believe that I lost these programs through mismanagement or embezzlement.

We have had a tribal audit, a housing audit, and an I.G. investigation prompted by these 5 people. The audits and investigations have come back clear. If I had done what these 5 people allege that I have done, these audits and investigations would have detected that and I would surely be in jail. For 2 years now, these 5 people keep saying I will be in jail next week, next month, etc., but the audits are clear. There has been no mismanagement or embezzlement of tribal funds.

As for our buffalo, my dream for this tribe was to build up a large enough herd that we could provide meat to the Caddo people, especially those who are suffering with diabetes. The other reason to have the herd is because I love animals, and buffalo in particular are symbols of Native American heritage, stamina, and determination to survive at any cost. We have and we will survive as a people, no matter how hard times get. The buffalo have plenty of hay, salt, and mineral licks. Money from the bison program is still there as a result of a budget carry-over. After that carry-over money is spent, we have identified people who are willing to donate hay and other supplies. The EPA staff checks on the bison daily. The buffalo have plenty of water, and when the water freezes in the winter, the staff breaks the ice. These Caddo buffalo are loved and cared for. The rumor that the buffalo are starving or malnourished has been started, again, by friends of the 5 council members who retroceded our programs in an effort to discredit me. What an embarrassment it must be to these people to know the truth and to know that the Caddo people recognize why they are doing these evil things to our tribe.

God bless you all during the holiday season. Let us all hope and pray that the new year will bring better times for the Caddo tribe.

LaRue Martin Parker

10 December 2004: Hasinai Society Gourd Dance. For more information, contact Shirley Gouge at 405.656.2344, extension 221.

The following article appeared in the Anadarko Daily News on 6 December 2004:

BIA to assume Caddo Nation adult program

OKLAHOMA CITY -- "The Office of Indian Education Programs (BIA) has assumed the operation of the Caddo Nation Adult Education Program, effective Dec. 13, 2004," according to Joy Martin, Education Line Officer.

To obtain service call the Oklahoma City Education Office at 405-605-6051. Further instructions will be given to the caller to receive services. No delays or problems are expected to obtain services and applications will be mailed.

Applicants must have a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood card.

"We regret that this action is necessary and pledge to you that you will continue to receive services," said Martin.


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