Annual Elders Day Brings Holiday Joy
Comanche Nation hosted its annual Elders Day on Friday, December 6, at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton, Oklahoma.
The day began with flute music from Travis Komahcheet and a Comanche-translated version of The Star-Spangled Banner, sung by Yolonda Ramos and signed by Comanche Nation Princess Bluesky Tosee and Jr. Princess Arlene Schonchin.
Elgin Comanche language students also recited the Lord’s Prayer while Comanche Academy students sang Comanche hymns.
Brian Tieyah also sang Christmas songs.
Comanche youth dancers showed their skills for the Comanche elders, and Sarah Pohawpatchoko sang hymns before the day closed out.
Comanche Nation Chairman Forrest Tahdooahnippah, who hosted his first Edler’s Day, said the day celebrates the elders and their families.
“The elders are the main focus and celebrating them and their contributions, but something that's been impressive to me is how it goes beyond that…” he said. “It's about the families too, you know, and they bring their children and their grandchildren, and that's, you know, one of the reasons why we do celebrate our elders is because they are that kind of glue that holds our families together. So, it's just, it's about the elders but it's also just about our families too.”
Tahdooahnippah said they faced adversities in the past.
“You think about…these are people that some of them were born in the 30s or the 40s, the 50s, you know, at time periods when there was so much poverty and discrimination…decades before we had gaming or those sorts of things,” he said. “…They've had hard lives, but they persevered, they, you know, they raised us up, they gave their money, their effort, their time to give us good lives that we have. So, you know, we're just trying to pay it back and out of our recognition, respect for everything that they gave us despite all the hardships and adversities that they faced.”
Tahdooahnippah said he enjoyed his first time hosting Elders Day.
“I'm really enjoying myself. It's great to, you know, visit with friends, old and new, you know, seeing people that I know,” he said. “Seeing some of …my relatives, but then, you know, getting to meet new people for the first time is great, too.”
There were also raffle prizes given out at the event.
