There are some members of the Caddo Nation who feel we are not progressing and are in a downward spiral. Please afford me the opportunity to put these rumors to rest. Since I took office, which includes when I was vice-chairperson, I had a personal role in accomplishing;

1. Getting the roads of the tribal complex paved, and had the
   embankments on the hill shored to keep from washing away.
2. Re-modeling of the Cultural Building,
3. Obtaining motor fuel and severance taxes that serve as income for
   the tribe,
4. Creating a Caddo Tag Office so we could display the pride of the
   people and generate income for the tribe.
5. There is ongoing landscaping of the grounds surrounding the
   tribal complex,
6. The creation of the Caddo Museum, a Museum board that was
   originally paid for from our Motor Fuel fund.
7. Applying for and getting awarded "Aid to Tribal Governments"
   grants in order to fund more job opportunities
8. Set in place many codes and ordinances that were needed for the
   the tribe in areas such as environmental protection and
   Indian Child Welfare,
9. Brought the Caddo Firefighters program to the tribe. We now have 2
   fire engines that bring in revenue for the tribe, plus we have
   made a name for us everyplace they go. Aside from the
   two trucks, we have a fire van and a pick-up vehicle.
10. Our music has been inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall
   of Fame.
11. The NAGPRA and Historic Preservation office has become
   an admired program by many other tribes who aspire
   to have our expertise. Mr. Robert Cast has risen to
   THPO Status. We have signed dozens of Memorandums of
   Agreement with various Federal agencies all over the country.
   We continue to reclaim the remains of our ancestors and
   rebury them.
12. Finally, we have and are gaining more recognition by erecting
   monuments and building cemeteries both in Oklahoma and
   the original Caddo homelands to honor the Caddo Nation.

Our most recent accomplishments are:

1. The dedication and setting up of 2 large monuments
   that honor Caddo Veterans (we were the only tribe that did
   not have one),
2. We have significantly mondernized our technology -
   equipment in almost every government office has been
   upgraded. We are now server based technology, and
   we have hired an IT person to handle all computer and
   server based initiatives,
3. For the first time, we have hired a person on a full time basis
   to handle public relations via our quarterly newsletter.
   We have also established an official tribal web site -
    http://www.caddonation-nsn.gov/index2.html
4. We have acquired 363 acres of land for the Caddo Nation,
5. We have purchased a van for senior citizens and established
   two delivery routes to get needed meals to our members,
6. After many legal cases and court appearances the Nation has
   regained their Tribal Housing Program.
7. We conducted a secretarial election to make needed changes
   in the constitution
8. We gave money to the election board to purchase all needed
   equipment. We have a full time employee to better
   serve you and to maintain accurate election records.

We are currently in the process of;

1. Developing and coordinating three casino projects
   that were approved by a vote of the membership. What
   takes so long you ask? Land issues, the slowness of the
   BIA due to understaffing, and the ever changing rules and
   and regulations of the NIGC have been significant obstacles.
   Council is trying to protect the interest of the people
   by carefully scrutinizing all contracts and financial
   documents.
2. We are proud to have had 2 clean independent financial
   audits. The next audit is due shortly. We will
   then apply for Self-Governance. No longer will
   we be dependent to the local area office, and we
   will negotiate directly with Washington. That will be a
   feather in our hat.
3. We have applied for a $200,000.00 grant to establish a
   Caddo Nation Tribal Court - NO MORE CFR court for
   our membership!
4. Our office of Education is working on setting up a computer
   lab for the use of our membership families,
5. Our Lawyers are filing to claim Caddo water rights in
   Southwest Oklahoma,
6. We still have a claim against the Army Corp. Of Engineers,
7. We have an economic development specialist who is working
   on Codes and Ordinances that will help us legally
   engage in other business opportunities.
8. We are in the process of upgrading the Constitution and
   our Election Ordinances.

Remeber

For 2 years, a former Tribal Council had this tribe at a standstill, deep in tribal turmoil, and all 638 programs we given back to the Bureau. We are fortunate to get them back, and we would not have gotten them back if we did not now have a stable Government. Those same people have tried to remove me from office since the day I was officially elected, and they continue to try to this very day. Do they do this because all of these activities and accomplishments were not good enough for the tribe? Of course not, it is because they can no longer mismanage the government for their own personal agendas.

I had a bout with cancer, lost a son, a mother and several friends during these years, but that never interfered with my work for the people I love and want so much for.

Who can honestly say nothing has been done or nothing has been accomplished. I have represented my people all over the country with dignity and pride, and I will never let anyone take power over this great Nation.

I will continue to advocate for all Caddo people despite any adversity toward me personally or to my good staff and my most excellent Council. Let the entire Caddo Nation be the judge.

I'm glad that you have taken time to read this letter. I extend an invitation to all of you, adversary or not, to visit with me any time. If I am not available, please leave a number where I can reach you.

Also, feel free to contact any members of your Tribal Council.

Let's pull together not apart.

God Bless the Caddo Nation

[sign.LaRue Martin Parker]
LaRue Martin Parker
Chairman of the Caddo Nation