Comanche Elders Gather for Christmas Event
On December 5, the Comanche Nation Elder’s Council held its Christmas event at the Apache Casino in Lawton.
Chairman of the Comanche Nation Elder’s Council Sandra Toyekoya said there was recognition for elders, door prizes, and entertainment, including a singer, a band and a comedian.
She also said there were some from the outreach office in Dallas.
“And they just want to see how we do our Elders Council so that they could maybe get started building their own Elders Council in Dallas,” Toyekoya said. “Right now, they have a few members, but they're hoping to have a lot more members after this, but we're trying to help them get established.”
She said the Elders Council was established in 2004.
“We go to historical sites, we take bus trips, all of the elders sign up, just the elders, and we go to different places,” Toyekoya said. “We go to Albuquerque, New Mexico. We've been there a few times, but there are other places, too.”
She also said the council studies Comanche history.
“We don't know, there's so much Comanche history all up and down the United States, and so that's another part of our program,” Toyekoya said.
She said they were very excited about everyone who attended the event.
“We've grown from 60 members usually attending to now, we have over 100 members within the last year,” Toyekoya said. “We've grown to over 100 tribal members, elders, that come to our program.”
She said it’s essential for elders to come to these events.
“I believe number one is we're all family, and so most people don't get out to visit with family, or some can't get out, and they find this a common ground, the Elders Council,” Toyekoya said. “And not only that, the historical stuff that we have found and that we relate to them, they enjoy that also, and a lot of the fellowship. And we feed very well, we feed very well.”
She said the Elder’s Council looks forward to growing even more prominent.
“Maybe some of the towns, we have other centers like in Walters and in Apache, and we hope to reach out and have a monthly meeting in those different areas,” Toyekoya said. “So, we're just looking forward to a lot of things for our program.”
Comanche Nation Chairman Mark Woommavovah and Comanche Business Committee members also attended the Elder’s Council Christmas event.
