Comanche Tribal Council Forum
1063 NW Quanah Rd
Cache, OK 73527
ph: 580 429-3430
fax: 580 429-3430
editor
Newsletter
Comanche Tribal Forum
Newsletter
"We are Comanche, unique in our own way and we have the right to determine our own path."
Eleanor McDaniel
Tribal Council Meeting
May 8, 2010
9:00 am
Comanche Nation Complex Gym
Watchetaker Hall
Tribal Forum Community Meetings
Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 pm
Comanche Nation Complex
Old Conference Room
Primary Topics of Discussion
- The upcoming Tribal Council Meeting on May 8th
- A motion to amend the Tribal Council Meeting Agenda
Previous to the April 17th General Council Meeting, Michael Burgess made a public notice stating that tribal members must submit agenda items to the Chairman's Office by 5:00 pm on March 22, 2010.
Many items submitted as required were not put on the agenda.
Under the Comanche Tribal Constitution the Council Meetings are to be conducted according to the Robert's Rules of Order.
During the Tribal Council meeting on April 17 a motion was placed on the floor by Eleanor McDaniel and seconded by Glenetta Whitefeather to amend the agenda to include many omitted items and put important topics on top.
The top priority of the April 17 meeting was the Comanche Princess and the Eagles.
The tribal chairman ignored the motion and refused to address the motion.
Under Robert's Rules of Oder the business of the Tribal Council is controlled by the general will of the People.
Under the Comanche Tribal Constitution and Robert's Rules of Order the Comanche Tribal Council is the Supreme Governing Body of the Comanche Nation
The Tribal Council has the right of the majority to decide and have the final say on everything.
The tribal chairman did not run the meeting in a constructive and democratic manner.
Not all tribal members were allowed full participation without intimidation.
1. First and foremost as Chairman of the Comanche Nation, failed to adhere to the tribal budget as adopted by the Tribal Council. Failed to take corrective action while gaming profits continued to fall and the tribal budget requirements went unmet resulting in a financial crisis for the Comanche Nation.
2. As Chairman was directly responsible for the financial crisis of the Comanche Nation that resulted in enormous cuts in programs, direct services tribal members, many tribal worker lay-offs and decrease in the amount of per-capita payments.
3. As Chairman of the Comanche Nation he demonstrated a total lack of concern and unwillingness to act in the best interest of the Nation, Comanche Nation Nursing Program and all student nurses. He allowed the incompetent leadership of the College Council, President, Dean and Student Services Administrator to continue without providing graduate nurses with a proper transcript and diploma. He allowed for the mistreatment of nursing students and provided no resolve. As chairman, did not take corrective action and put the safety of the Nursing Program and all nursing students in jeopardy by allowing Nursing Director and Nursing Instructor to work with lapsed Nursing Licenses as required by the Oklahoma Board of Nuring and the Nursing Practice Act.
4. As Chairman of the Comanche Nation he failed to uphold the Comanche Naiton Constitution. Under Article X, Bill or Rights, Section 1. All member o the Comanche Nation shall enjoy without hindrance freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly and association. At the March 2010 CBC meeting, he denied student nurses the RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH by using extortion tactics to make them sign a statement of disclaimer before allowing them to speak of wrong doing at the college.
- Official Petition 03-10 to Remove Kathryn Harris Tijerina as President of the College Council and Banish Consuelo Lopez from employment with the Comanche Nation College and all other entities of the Comanche Nation
1. Since 2002, under the leadership of Katheryn Harris Tijerina the Comanche Nation College has operated on gaming dollars with no accreditation an not one graduate. Many tribal members have spent time and money for classes they cannot receive credit for or transfer credit to any other college or university. College degrees offered are fraudulent because because Comanche Nation College is not accredited. Students attending Comanche Nation College are not eligible for higher education scholarships or Pell grants because the college is not accredited. The college budget for 2010 was 1.8 million dollars and 1.4 million was spent in salaries. Since 2002 the college provided NO property inventories, NO audits, or NO financial reports to account for gaming dollars spent. The first step in the accreditation process is a LETTER OF INTENT. Katheryn Harris Tijerina announced in a College Council Community Meeting on March 23, 2010 that a Letter of Intent would be submitted on Monday. After 8 years, three college presidents and 12 million dollars plus we are now taking our first step in accreditation.
2. Under the leadership of Katheryn Harris Tijerina the Comanche Nation College Council demonstrated a neglect of duty that allowed for wrong doing at the college. Katheryn put the safety of the Nursing Program and all nursing students in jeopardy by allowing the college president to employ a Nursing Program and Nursing Instructor with lapsed nursing licenses. Katheryn was aware of the situation but as chairman or the college council she demonstrated a total lack of concern and willingness to take corrective action on behalf of the student nurses and the Nursing Program. Katheryn allowed the incompetent actions of the college president of the College President, Dean, and Student Services Administrator to continue without providing graduate nurses with an official transcript or diploma. Student nurses cannot get a nursing license without taking the nursing board exam. Student nurses cannot take the nursing board exam without an official transcript. Without a nursing license student nurses are being passed over for employment opportunities that cost them 18 months of hard work and scrafice.
3. As president of the Comanche Nation College, Consuelo Lopez put the Nursing Program in jeopardy. The Nursing Program is the only approved program a the college. The Nursing Program graduated nine students in October 2009, the only graduated of Comanche Nation College. Lopez withheld approved funding in the amount of $300,000 to the Nursing Program and misspent that funding on cost NOT related to the Nursing Program. She purchased new furniture for her office, painted murals on all walls of the college and remodeled the employee lounge and failed to provide nursing training equipment and failed to create a functional college library. Lopez withheld Nursing students their approved stipends and maintenance allowances which cause the nursing students extreme hardship and put their graduation in jeopardy. Lopez gave nursing students $65 to purchase uniforms and stethoscopes. Lopez used scare tactics to keep students quiet about wrong doing at the college. Lopez threatened students with dismissal if they spoke out about wrong doing and mistreatment at the college. Lopez fired many tribal members and replaced them using temporary employment services. Lopez hired her husband to work a the college. He drives a college vehicle that he is not insured to drive. He has keys to every door a the college. Lopez is not Comanche or Native American and does not embrace the Comanche Culture or our Comanche People.
- Petition for the recall of Robert Tippeconnie as Secretary/Treasurer of the Comanche Nation
1. Since elected, failed to maintain/adhere to the tribal budget as adopted by the Tribal Council.
2. Since elected, failed to insure for the security of funds allocated by the Tribal Council for the Elderly Nursing Home/Assisted Living facililty.
3. As Secretary/Treasurer was directly responsible fo the financial crisis of the Comanche Nation which resulted in enormous cuts in direct services to tribal members, many tribal worker lay-offs and reduction in the per capita payments.
4. Failed to adhere to tribal budget. Approved millions of dollars in unbudgeted costs. These costs were not included in the annual tribal budget adopted by the Tribal Council. Costs included an initial $6 million dollars to renovate the Comanche Nation Casino. Casino renovation project took an additional $2 million to complete. A total of $8 million dollars was spent to renovate th casino without approval of the Tribal Council and at the same time Tribal per capita payments continued to drop. Signed payment request approving the purchase of tour bus. Violated Tribal Council resolution by approving action to close the Comanche Nation Bingo operation.
5. As Secretary/Treasurer was in direct violation of regulations regarding CONFLICT OF INTEREST because he approved payments and enacted policies that directly benefited his brother and sister who are members of the Comanche Nation College Board.
6. As an officer of the Tribal Council and the Business Committee without proper authority, without due process and in direct violation of the Comanche Tribal Constitution, and the Indian Civil Right Act unlawfully dis-enrolled as many a 92 members of the Comanche Nation.
- Petition to Amend the Comanche Nation Consitution
ARTICLE VI - Business Committee
SECTION 7 (j)
AS READS: To promulgate and enforce ordinances and codes governing law and order to protect the peace, health, safety, and general welfare on land determined to be within Comanche Tribal jurisdiction.
AMEND TO READ: To promulgate and enforce ordinances and codes governing law and order to protect the peace, health, safety and general welfare on land determined to be within Comanche Tribal jurisdiction subject to the approval of the Tribal Council.
Without the approval of the Tribal Council the current Comanche Tribal Constitution allows the CBC to create laws ordinances, policies, contract and take action that has been detrimental to the Comanche Nation.
CBC closed the Bingo Operation and ignored Tribal Council resolution prohibiting the closing of the Bingo.
CBC Dis-enrolled Tribal Members without authority.
CBC approved $8 million dollar Casino renovation.
CBC will not adhere to budget as adopted by The Tribal Council.
Many actions of the CBC is taken behind closed doors and over the phone.
The Comanche Nation has paid millions of dollars in law suites for actions taken by the CBC behind close doors.
- Increase Per Capita payments from 40% to 60% of the proposed budget
Therefore be it resolved that the General Council Assembled amend the Revenue Allocation Plan to the following:
Community and Education 20%
Economic Development 10%
Tribal Government 10%
Per Capital Distribution 60%
Therefore be it futher resolved that the Comanche Business Committee forward this resolution an the minutes of this meeting to the appropriate approving official of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Resolution to Permanently Delete Comanche Nation College from the Annual Budget
The Comanche Naiton has spent more than $12 million in gaming on the College since 2002 with no accreditation and not one graduate.
The college budget for 2010 was $1.8 million dollars and $1.4 million was spent on salaries.
The college provides no accountability for property inventories, audits or financial reports.
The college courses and degrees offered are fraudulent because the college is not accredited.
Students attending Comanche Nation College are not eligible for higher education scholarships or Pell grants because the college is not accredited.
Now therefore be it resolved that in the best interest of the Comanche Nation the Comanche Tribal Council hereby takes immediate action to close the Comanche Nation College and all college funding accounts. The Comanche Nation College shall be permanently removed from the annual Tribal budget. The College Council is hereby permanently dissolved. Comanche Law Enforcement shall escort all employees off the Comanche Nation College premises and shall seize all cash, keys, property and assets and lock down the college building with no trespassing signs clearly posted. This action shall not be superseded without the expressed consent of the Tribal Council.
The Comanche Nation College is nothing more than a big house of fraud and a waste of valuable gaming dollars.
The Comanche People could use that building for so many other things that would be more benficial to the community.
- Resolution to Remove Gaming CEO
Year after year Comanche Nation gaming profits are on a steady decline and fail to cover 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 annual bugets as adopted by the Tribal Council.
The budget deficit resulted in a financial crisis fo the Comanche Nation causing the deletion of programs, enormous cuts in direct services to tribal members and tribal employee terminations, layoffs and furloughs.
The CBC, Gaming Board and Executive Manager failed to correct deficit.
The CEO ignored the mandate passed by the Tribal Council and closed the Bingo.
The Tribal Council has the reserved right to exercise supreme authority over all gaming operations, gaming board and gaming commission.
Now therefore be it resolved that the Comanche Tribal Council shall be responsible for hiring the Gaming CEO who shall be responsible for all gaming operations and must insure for maximum gaming profits. The Gaming CEO shall re-establish the Bingo Operation. The Gaming CEO shall provide a report of all gaming activity to include budget and audits to be published and disseminated bi-annually no later than 1 April and 1 October of each year. The Tribal Council shall reserve the supreme right to remove the Gaming CEO for neglect of duty or conduct that has brought disrepute upon the Comanche Nation. The current Gaming Ordinance shall be amended to reflect this action. The Tribal Council hereby directs the CBC to replace the gaming board members as per gaming ordinance.
Therefore be it further resolved that the Comanche Tribal Council shall immediately and permanently remove the current CEO (Chief Executive Officer) also referred to as Executive Manager of the Comanche Nation Gaming, Sharrod Tabbytite from employment with Comanche Nation Gaming and Comanche Nation and all its enterprises. He shall receive not severance pay, stipends, or bonuses. On this day the Tribal Council shall hire a Gaming CEO immediately following the approval of this resolution .
- Motion to rescind any and all action taken by the CBC to Disenroll Tribal Members
Under ARTICLE V, Section 7 of the Comanche Tribal Constitution, only the Comanche Tribal Council has the exclusive authority to change, modify, alter or revoke tribal membership subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior of his authorized representative.
The Tribal Council never adopted any ordinance that provides due process or equal protection under the law for disenrollment of tribal members. Erroneous enrollments cannot be addressed until an ordinance is adopted by the Tribal Council. It is the responsiblity of the CBC to draft such an ordiance for approval by the Tribal Council
The Comanche Nation Constitution provides the CBC with the authority to approve enrollment but does not provide the CBC with authority to disenroll any tribal member. The CBC approved erroneous tribal membership applications without question. The CBC must accept responsibilty for erroneous enrollments because they did not question the applications.
Actions taken by the CBC to disenroll tribal members without due process or equal protection under the law is a gross violation of the Comanche Tribal Constitution and the Indian Civil Rights Act.
MOTION
We hereby move that theTribal Council hereby approve to reinstate tribal membership and all powers and privileges provided by law to include per capita payments to all individuals disenrolled by the actions of the CBC and no further action shall be taken regarding disenrollment of any tribal member without the absolute approval of the Tribal Council.
- Resolution to bring the Comanche National Museum under the direct authority of the Comanche Tribal Government
The Comanche Museum had vacancies on the board and advertised in the local newspaper to fill those vacancies. Applicants were not required to be an enrolled Comanche Tribal member or Native Amercian. This action was NOT acceptable. The Comanche National Museum must be entirely controlled by the Comanche People or will not be Comanche. No exceptions.
The Comanche National Museum funded by gaming revenue was established as an institution where objects of artistic, historical and cultural significance to the Comanche Nation shall be kept and put on display. Futhermore the purpose of the Comanche National Museum is to preserve historic artifacts, history, language and culture of the Comanche and educate through programming and activities.
The Museum Board members are appointed by the CBC to insure that the museum operates in the best interest of the Comanche Nation and to insure that gaming dollars are spent for the purpose intended.
Now therefore be it resolved that in the best interest of the Comanche Nation the Comanche Tribal council hereby directs the CBC to bring the Comanche National Museum under the direct authority of the Comanche Tribal Government and shall appoint only enrolled tribal members to the Comanche National Museum Board. The museum shall be limited to a three member board. This action shall not be superseded without the expressed consent of the Tribal Council.
- Resolution to bring the Comanche Nation Funeral Home under the direct authority of the Comanche Tribal Government.
The Comanche Nation Funeral Home funded by gaming revenue was established to assist and support family members with funeral arrangements at the death of a loved one and assist individuals with advanced planning arrangements. The Comanche Nation Funeral Home provides a vital service in the burial of Tribal Members with love and dignity.
The Tribal Council must safeguard the Comanche Nation Funeral Home for all time and must insure that gaming dollars are spent for the purpose intended.
Now therefore be it resolved that in the best interest of the Comanche Nation the Comanche Tribal Council hereby directs the CBC to bring the Comanche Nation Funeral Home under the direct authority of the Tribal Government. This action shall not be superseded without the expressed consent of the Tribal Council.
- Resolution to bring the Revolving Loan Program directly under the the Tribal Government and eliminate the Revolving Loan Board.
The Revolving Loan Officer shall be under the direct supervision of the Tribal Administrator and will eliminate the need for a Revolving Loan Board.
Funds spent on Board stipends shall be redirected to cover cost of hiring a staff member to provide technical assistance to applicants in the successful development of a business plan. Tribal and Native American preference shall take priority in hiring any technical assistance staff member for the Revolving Loan Program.
The General Council agenda will include
2011 Proposed Budget
"A Rob Peter to Pay Paul Senerio"
Following items on the proposed budget are of particular interest and raise serious questions.
The 2011 proposed budget was published in March 2010 issue of the Comanche Nation Newsletter.
Last Year 20% paid for:
Chairman's Salary $50,000
CBC Stipends $18,000
Comanche Princess $3,000
Expo Fair Director $3,000
Total $74,000
2011 - 20% Fund
Simply states 20% Fund Will Be Invested
20% Funds Will Be Invested - Invest in what?
No Explanation!
For too long the Tribal Council has approved investing millions of dollars in Economic Development with zero dollar return.
Now we are suppose to invest in something we know nothing about.
2011- Tax Commission - Costs moved from 20%
CBC Stipend - $18,000Comanche Tribal Princess - 6,000
Expo Fair Director - $3,000
Comanche Tribal Princess - 6,000
Expo Fair Director - $3,000
Chairman's Salary - $75,000
Chairman's Salary Matched by Indirect Cost
$75,000
Total Chairman's Salary $150,000
We see funds moved here and there but most costs are moved to Community & Education where the biggest cuts are made.
Community & Education provides direct services to tribal members.
Under the Comanche Nation Constitution, Article VI, Section 7. The duties, responsibilities and authorities of the business committee shall include:
(d) To develop annual budgets for the financing of Comanche tribal operations and to present such budgets to the tribal council for final consideration as to adoption or rejection.
The CBC has the responsibility to establish the budget. The CBC should be held accountable when the budget is not adhered to. The constitution should also provide that failure to adhere to the budget be immediate grounds for removal of CBC members. If profits are falling then CBC must take corrective action. If the Gaming CEO isn't doing the job get rid of him. In the best interest of the Nation the budget should be of greatest priority. No excuses.
The CBC created approximately 25 or so boards, councils, commisions and committees and delegated their authority to these groups. When problems go unresolved the CBC will pass the buck. The CBC has no excuse for passing the buck. The CBC has the authority as delegated by the Tribal Council to take corrective action and over ride any board, council, commission or committee. The Tribal Council must make the CBC responsible for not takiing corrective action on behalf of our tribal members.
Some of the major line items on the 2011 Budget include:
CN Enterprises, Inc - $1,560,718
Economic Development - $803,000
Land Acquisitions - $3,000,000
Comanche Nation College - $1,850,00
Total $7,213,718
Comanche Nation cannot afford to invest anymore on Enterpises and Economic Development for zero return on our gaming dollars.
Comanche Nation needs to halt all land purchase until we can develop what we have.
Since 2005 we have spent over $12,000,000 on the Comanche Nation College with no accrediation and not one graduate. In 2010 Comanche Nation College spent approximately $1.4 million dollars in salaries. We need to re-direct $1,850,000 to better serve our Comanche People.
Re-direct $1,850,00 to Health Services. Divide equally to supplement the following Heath care programs:
Caresgivers Program
Many Elders, the handicapped and sick tribal members go without home health care.
Comanche Nation Nursing Program
We need to continue to train our tribal members as Nurses to care for our People.
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Facilitly
This facility is too long over due.
Prescription Assistance
Tribal members cannot afford to go without medicine.
Optometry
Tribal members cannot afford to go without sight.
Injury Prevention
At the very least, babies cannot go without car seats.
I-Care Program
If drugs and alcohol prevents tribal members from getting a job at the Casino then we need the I-Care program to help. In addition to the Substance Abuse Program, the I-Care Program could help more Tribal members overcome their addictions so they can get jobs.
The Tribal Council must move this money to better serve Tribal members. Many tribal members need housing. We havent' done enough to provide for housing. The Tribal Council could move $5,000,000 to create a Morgage program for Tribal Families. Tribal members could work with any realty, morgage company or financial institution to buy a pre-owned home. Home purchases must be affordable according to tribal members ability to pay.
$5,000,000 Proposed Morgage Program with a staff of 3 and an administrative budget of $150,000.
The Balance of $363,718 should be move to the Workforce Investment Agency to provide more tribal members with additional opportunities for jobs or on the job training in area agencies. We have not done enough to provide employment opportunities for tribal members. There are better ways to spend our gaming dollars. We can make this happen come General Council.
Tribal members deserve all the help we can provide.
Morgage Program - $5,000,000
Workforce Investment - $363,718
Comprehensive Health Care - $1,850,000
Total Proposed Services $7,213,718
$7,213,718 is a lot of gaming dollars to waste on bogus businesses that give us no return. We have spent $3,000,000 for land aquisition for the past five years or more and $9,000.000 plus on the college for the past five years. Comanche Nation has spent millions and millions and yet many tribal members need homes, jobs and health care.
What do you think ? Let me know. Call (580) 429-3430
or email editor@comanchenationtribalcouncilforum.com
Vote to stop wasting our gaming dollars!
March 6, CBC Meeting
Nursing Students were on the agenda. 7 nursing students stated their reason for wanting to talked to CBC was to address their unresolved problems with the Comanche Nation College. Nine nursing students graduated in October 2009 and Comanche Nation College failed to provide each of them with avalid transcript and diploma. The nursing students stated that the CBC would not allow them an opportunity to speak unless each student signed a statement that they would not hold CBC liable. They were taken into executive session behind closed doors one by one without any witnesses.
Comanche Nation Constitution
ARTICLE X - Bill of Rights
Section 1. All members of the Comanche Indian Tribe shall enjoy without hindrance freedom of worship, conscience, speech, press, assembly and association.
Extortion is a crime of getting something through illegal threats and force or other unacceptable methods.
The nursing student stated they felt intimated and hindered from speaking. This constitutes an unacceptable action.
The Tribal Council must take action to enforce the Bill of Rights and prevent this type of action from ever happening again.
KSWO TV News
Posted: Feb 25, 2010
Lawton, Ok - Some students who graduated from the Comanche Nation College of nursing program last fall are at their wits' end with the school. They said they finished all the requirements, but still haven't gotten their transcripts.
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing in Oklahoma City said they've been working with the College trying to get their paperwork straight. OBN said the college has sent transcripts that don't have the information they need to allow the students to take the nursing board or to get their licenses.
OBN said it's things like the name and address of the school, students' identification information, dates of course completion, the way the hours add up, and more. It's all missing. And until transcripts are right, OBN can't accept them.
Nursing graduates from Comanche Nation College said the school is holding them hostage.
"It's heartbreaking. I worked very hard. A year. I'm a single mother. I have two children. This was the beginnning of going into an RN program. It's everything I wanted to do. And I can't do it," said Jodi Eschiti-Breeden.
The graduates flip through several different transcripts the school issued but OBN said none are official enough. So the students can't take their board exams and they surely can't get a job as a nurse.
"There's no jobs that will take you out here without being licensed so it's very hard asking family members to help and coming to our tribe," said Leslie Weryackwe.
They said they've gone to the college and tribal leaders, but no one's helped yet. When 7NEWS talked with the College president, Consuelo Lopez, she said her comment was 'no comment'.
"We fulfilled all the requirements that they wanted. They wanted us to test. Now it's their turn. It's their time to do what they need to do but they haven't," said Weryackwe.
They say all everyone says is that they have to wait till the college fixes it. But they wish they never got involved with the school to begin with.
"I chose because this the Comanche Nation. I'm a member of the Comanche Nation and I felt like I would be proud to walk across that stage. That they'd be proud of me to see one of their students going on." said Eschiti-Breeden.
"I would have gone somewhere else to know that if I could have gone somewhere else, my paperwork would have gotten done and I would have already been a nurse," said Weryackwe.
On top of all this, OBN recommends students take their boards within three months of graduation. The graduates have already passed that deadline. And they're starting to worry that it will be more difficult for them to pass their boards.
Lawton Constitution Article click to read article
Letter to Oklahoma Board of Nursing click to read
Letter of Response from OBN click to read
Petition to Recall Secretary Treasurer
Eleanor McDaniel filed Comanche Nation Petition 01-10 to recall Robert Tippeconnie as Secretary/Treasurer of the Comanche Nation. The bill of particulars are as follows:
1. Since elected, failed to maintain the annual tribal budget as adopted by the Tribal Council.
2. Since elected, failed to insure for the security of funds allocated by the Tribal Council for the Elderly Nursing Home/Assisted Living facility.
3. As Secretary/Treasurer was directly responsible for the financial crisis of the Comanche Nation which resulted in enormous cuts in direct services to tribal members, many tribal workers layed-off and a reduction in per capita payments.
4. Failed to adhere to tribal budget. Approved millions of dollars in unbudgeted costs. These costs were not included in the annual tribal budget as adopted by the Tribal Council.
5. In direct violation of regulations regarding Conflict of Interest because he is the approving authority for payments made to his brother and sister that serve as board members of the Comanche Nation College.
A motion was pushed by Robert Tippeconnie to pass a "Code of Ethics". In 2004 the General Council approved to establish an Office of Ethics and Rules with a budget of $75,000.00 and a director to include a 7 member committee to enforce the code.
Robert Tippeconnie also insisted that every CBC member sign a sworn statement to uphold the "Code of Ethics". His own ethics as a member of the CBC are in serious question when he appears NOT to adhere to this code.
Code of Ethics for CBC
Serve the social and economic interest of the enrolled members of the Comanche Naiton as directed by the Comanche Constitution and the Comanche Nation General Council.
Demonstrate personal integrity: maintain truthfulness and honesty; do not work for personal gain; guard against conflict of interest or its APPEARANCE, such as nepotism, improper outside employment, misuse of Comanche resources or the acceptance of gifts; respect all Comanche People; and conduct official acts without bias or favor. Practice the highest moral principles in the performance of official duties.
Uphold the Comanche Nation Constitution, Acts passed by the General Council, and all other official codes, ordinances or regulations formally and legally established by the Comanche Nation General Council or as delegated to the Comanche Business Committee.
Uphold sovereignty and the Comanche Nation and federal government relationship.
Do not provide special favors or privileges to anyone, whether to gain something or not; and never accept, for you or your family, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by reasonable persons as influencing the business fo the Comanche Nation.
Make no personal promises of any kind that will place a burden on the Comanche Nation to accomplish them.
Engage in no business with the Comanche Nation, directly or indirectly, which would be of personal benefit. The engagement cannot also be done for one year after completion of a Comanche Business Committee term.
Never use any confidential information of the Comanche Nation for private or personal profit.
Immediately act upon corruption whenever or wherever discovered.
Above sworn statement signed by CBC
Under the leadership of Robert Tippeconnie as Secretary/Treasurer the financial affairs of the Comanche Nation are in serious question for the following reasons:
All Tribal programs took numerous cuts this year resulting in an enormous reduction in direct services to tribal members.
Indirect Cost is a cost pool for the overall tribal operations. Each program is charged for Indirect Costs. Recently Indirect Costs were raised from 8% to 24.5 % which will put an additional strain on the already struggling programs. The big hike in Indirect Cost will further eliminate direct services to tribal members.
Indirect cost pays for the services of Finley & Cook Accounting Firm. Comanche Nation pays over $500,000 to Finley & Cook every year. No report.
A payment request was approved and processed to purchase a big used bus in the amount of $220,000.00 plus numerous costs in repairs and towing.
A payment request was approved and processed to pay for $131,000.00 in hand sanitizer.
During his leadership as Secretary/Treasurer the "High Risk" status of the Comanche Nation goes unresolved and has prevented the tribe from receiving millions of dollars in government grants.
Since elected the tribe lacks audits from 2002 thru 2006. Presently, the Comanche Nation is still not current on audits.
Since elected, Comanche Nation land purchases, holdings and trust status unaccounted for and unreported.
Comanche Nation College received $1.8 million for 2009. Early into the year the college blew their budget. The College was operating in the RED but continued to receive large draw downs. For FY 2009 the college spent $1.4 million in salaries. Under the control of Consuelo Lopez the FY 2009 Nursing Program budget of $300,000.00 was also spent. Under the Sec/Trea leadership from 2005 to present the college has cost the Comanche Nation more than $12 million dollars with no accreditation and not one graduate. The college also blew $1.8 million in a Department of Labor grant plus a number of other grants. The tribal council must vote to remove this house of fraud from the budget and demand an investigation.
Consuelo Lopez was allowed to deny nursing students training allowances. Nursing students were intimidated when they voiced their grievances and threaten with dismissal for speaking out about wrong doing at the college. The college faculty, administration and leadership failed to provide students any help. As a result nursing students faced undue hardship. The Comanche College Council failed to take corrective action. Majority of College Council Members reside outside the State of Oklahoma. We pay travel, lodging and stipends to college council members to come from out of state to attend college meetings.
College Council Members:
Michael Burgess, Chairman
Kathery Tijerian, Sante Fe, NM
Garrison, Tahmahkers, Tempe, AZ
Mary Jo Tippeconnie Fox, Tucson, AZ
John Tippeconnie, III, University Park, PA
Linda Sue Warner, Lawrence, KS
Barbara Hobson, Norman, OK
Lotsee Patterson, Norman, OK
Under the current administration of the College to include the College Council, President, Dean, Student Services Administrator and Human Resources Director the College recently employed Marsha Tahquechi as Nursing Program Director and also employ a Nursing instructor both with lapsed Nursing Licenses. This is a direct violation of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing policies and laws in the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act and Rules. The Nursing Practice Act states that no one can present themselves in anyway as a nurse if their license is lapsed. It is unsafe and an act of liability for an instructor with a lapsed license to train student.
The Nursing Program is in Jeopardy
Nine nursing student graduated in Oct 2009 and were ready to take the Oklahoma Board of Nursing License Exam. All they needed was an acceptable transcript. Gene Pekah as Student Services Administrator prepared and signed transcripts for all nine students. All transcripts were improperly prepared and rejected. Gene Pekah submitted five batches of transcripts to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. As of today, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing has not received an acceptable transcript and nursing students are unable to test. Once they test they will be issued their Oklahoma Nursing License. Without their Nursing License these students are being passed over for job opportunities that they worked very hard to get. They cried out for help but have lost all hope and confidence in our leadership for the demonstrated lack of concern and incompetence.
Since elected Robert Tippeconnie served as a member of the Economic Development board. Funding for FY07 was $1,000,000, FY08 $1,000,000 and FY09 $1,400,000 for a grand total of $3.4 million. Under his leadership Economic Development failed to turn a profit on that $3.4 million. Comanche Nation cannot afford to waste anymore on Economic Development. The US economy is in a bad state of affairs and the unemployment rate throughout the country is at an all time high. If the Comanche Nation cannot stand on its own we will have no where to go. The tribal council must move to stop waste, fraud and abuse of dwindling gaming dollars by removing Economic Develoment from the budget.
We need to learn from the Fort Sill Apache Tribe because they have one Casino and they are the only tribe earning a 40% profit from gaming. They have a gaming CEO that knows how to make the most out of one square acre.
Under the direction of Sherrod Tabbytite we have spend $6 million plus in renovations at the Casino on Gore and he was allowed to closed the bingo. We are only seeing a decrease when we should be seeing an increase in profit. It is time for the General Council to make a change.
1063 NW Quanah Rd
Cache, OK 73527
ph: 580 429-3430
fax: 580 429-3430
editor
