The Little Indian Runner Story Walk Takes Place at Elmer Thomas Park

On Saturday, December 10, at Elmer Thomas Park, Comanche Nation’s Department of Higher Education and Lawton Public Library partnered to host The Little Indian Runner story walk.

Comanche Nation Chairman and Author of The Little Indian Runner, Mark Woommavovah, said he dedicated the book to Lucas Owens, a Comanche Nation tribal member with autism.

“We wanted to figure out how we can honor Lucas, and we decided to write a book on something we know is running,” he said. “The proceeds from our book go to Autism Oklahoma, which we will give them a check, and we have every year during the autism walk to honor Lucas in Oklahoma City in the summer.”

Woommavovah said these events create more connections throughout the community.

“The impact we hope it has is to let them know that as Comanche people, we are here in the community. We want to add value to our community, and our programs are always reaching out to figure out what we can do to build that connection and partnership,” he said. “It was the idea of our public relations officer, Sarae Ticeahkie, that came up with this. ‘Why don't we do a community event and revolve it around our Lawton Public Library and some of our programs to put on the event for the community?’”

Runners received several items for their participation.

“We gave a book to every participant,” Woommavovah said. “They got a T-shirt, and they also got a medal. And our Comanche Nation First Lady, Amber, donated all the books for this event.”

He began writing the book in 2018.

“I was a year out from retiring from the Army, so I went into Barnes and Noble in Hawaii while we were stationed there, and they were having a book reading,” Woommavovah said. “And I thought to myself, ‘I can write a book.’ I went home and asked my wife, ‘What do you think?’ she goes, ‘Absolutely, what do you want to write it about?’ And I said, ‘I love running. Running is my passion. I'm going to write it about running and revolve it around our Comanche Nation.’ That's how we came up with The Little Indian Runner.”

 The book features many smiles and ends with the Lord’s prayer.

“It's a value that we want to bring to not only our community but our people,” he said.”

Woommavovah said there were serval entities that helped support the event.

“It was an honor, and we got so much support, not only from the Lawton Public Library but from the City of Lawton,” he said. “And first, I think it was Fort Sill Federal Credit Union came out, and they donated the backpacks. Walmart donated all the fruits for the event to include the water. And not only did it feel good, but all the family members came and they supported the kids. They ran with the kids the half mile from the top of the hill to Pavilion. And it was very heart-filling. And I think it was a great event. I know it was a great event for our community.”

Comanche Nation posts events across community platforms, including Facebook and KSWO, which features Numunu Hop on the second Tuesday of every month.