Caddo Nation News Archives - July 2005

New tribal officials sworn in (25 July 2005)

The winners of the 9 July 2005 tribal election were sworn into office Friday afternoon at the tribal complex. LaRue Parker was sworn in as Chairperson, Mary Lou Davis as Treasurer, Brenda Edwards as Binger District Representative, and Jeri Redcorn as Oklahoma City District Representative. The following people also took the oath of office to serve on the Hearing Board: Donna Benitez, Charlotte Bentley, Don Kelin, Kelly Parton, and Frances Kodaseet.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

The following results of the 9 July 2005 election have been certified as correct by the Caddo Nation Election Board. Winners are listed in bold-faced type.

Absentee
Anadarko
 Ft. Cobb
 Binger
 OKC
 All Polls
Chairperson: LaRue Martin Parker
 90
 27
 10
 31
 44
 202
Chairperson: Christine Smith Noah
 30
 18
 5
 26
 10
 89







Treasurer: Mary Lou Downing Davis
 88
 29
 10
 32
 46
 205
Treasurer: LaVonna A. Weller
 29
 16
 5
 24
 9
 83







Hearing Board: Donna M. Benitez
 80
 24
 10
 39
 40
 193
Hearing Board: Charlotte Bentley
 75
 29
 8
 34
 31
 177
Hearing Board: Don Kelin
 100
 25
 11
 28
 40
 204
Hearing Board: Kelly Parton
 77
 26
 6
 35
 31
 175
Hearing Board: Frances Cussen Kodaseet
 83
 30
 8
 31
 37
 189
Hearing Board: Dana Hodge Smith
 59
 17
 6
 31
 28
 141
Hearing Board: Diane Bentley Smith Sparks
 46
 18
 8
 27
 28
 127







Binger Representative: LaCreda Weller Daugomah
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 14
 n/a
 14
Binger Representative: Brenda Shemayme Edwards
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 27
 n/a
 27
Binger Representative: Tommy R. Kionute
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 7
 n/a
 7







OKC Representative: Jeraldine Redcorn
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 49
 49

The voters of the Caddo Nation should be commended for participating in the electoral process. By voting in tribal elections, you are taking an active role in the governance of the Caddo Nation.


The Caddo Nation is in receipt of the following letter regarding the composition of the Caddo Nation Election Board (11 July 2005)
United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Anadarko Agency
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005
July 7, 2005


To the Honorable Caddo Nation Tribal Council  Members:

Larue Parker, Chairperson, Caddo Nation
Joyce Hinse, Vice-Chairperson
Marilyn Threlkeld, Secretary
LaCreda Daugomah, Treasurer
Anna Donaghey, Anadarko Representative
Christine Noah, Binger Representative
Mary Pat Clark, Ft. Cobb Representative
Caddo Election Board Chairperson Teresa Keller, and
Caddo Election Board members Margaret Francis Rico and Dorothy Garrett

    This responds to inquiries about the current, legal composition of the Caddo Nation Election Board.

    This analysis begins with the Regional Director's decision letter of June 16, 2004, which recognized the following Caddo Nation Election Board members: Eloise Harjo (since resigned), Carol Swindell, Margaret Francis Rico, and Carol Ross.

    As the Regional Director's decision letter of June 16, 2004, did not recognize Teresa Keller and Dorothy Garrett as members of the Caddo Election Board, members of the Caddo Nation active membership properly confirmed and approved their appointments at the June 19, 2005 membership meeting as reflected in the attached minutes for that meeting. Thereafter, the Caddo Nation Election Board was comprised of Carol Swindell, Margaret Francis Rico, Carol Ross, Teresa Keller, and Dorothy Garrett.

    Some tribal members have expressed the opinion that the CFR Court decision of December 9, 2004 only recognizes Carol Swindell, Margaret Francis Rico, and Carol Ross as members of the Caddo Nation Election Board. However, the subject court order must be read in its entirety for Finding #7 reads as follows: "The Court further FINDS and ORDERS that all members of the Caddo Tribal Council shall follow, abide by, and be bound by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma as ratified on June 26th, 1976, and as amended January 9th, 1982." The agency interprets this to mean that the Caddo Tribal Council should continue their business in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Caddo Indian tribe of Oklahoma, including the removal or recall of any elected or appointed officer.

    On May 20, 2005, Caddo Election Board members Carol Swindell and Carol Ross were removed from their respective positions for failure to attend four (4) duly-called meetings of the Caddo Nation Election Board as reflected in the attached letters.

    Based on the foregoing sequence of events and actions, the Anadarko Agency hereby recognizes the following individuals as the current, legal members of the Caddo Election Board: Margaret Francis Rico, Teresa Keller, and Dorothy Garrett.

    This decision may be appealed to the Regional Director, Southern Plains Regional Office, P.O. Box 368, Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005, in accordance with the regulations in 25 CFR, Part 2 (copy enclosed). Your notice of appeal must be filed in this office within 30 days of the date you receive this decision. The date of filing your notice of appeal is the date it is postmarked or the date it is personally delivered to this office. Your notice of appeal must include your name, address, and telephone number. It should clearly identify the decision being appealed. If possible, attach a copy of this decision letter. The notice and the envelop in which it is mailed should be clearly labeled, "Notice of Appeal." Your notice of appeal must list the names and addresses of the interested parties known to you and certify that you have sent them copies of the notice. You must also send a copy of your notice of appeal to the Regional Director, Southern Plains Regional Office, at the address given above. If you are not represented by an attorney, you may request assistance from this office in the preparation of your appeal.

If no appeal is timely filed, this decision will become final for the Department of the Interior at the expiration of the appeal period. No extension of time may be granted for filing a notice of appeal.

I certify that I have sent copies of this letter to all individuals on the attached list of Interested Parties.

                Sincerely,

                [signed] Betty B. Tippieconnie
                Superintendent


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