Sovereignty and Cities Bring Governments Together at Symposium

On Monday, January 23, Oklahoma Municipal League held its Sovereignty and Cities: United Through Strength Tribal Nations and Municipal Symposium at the Fort Sill Apache Casino in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Mayors, tribal leaders and other area representatives were at the event to discuss current issues and how to network with each other for problem-solving between tribes and local municipalities. The City of Lawton held the event.

Comanche Nation Chairman Mark Woommavovah was in attendance at the event.

“One of the great things about this event is we are able to network with our counterparts,” he said. “They brought in the tribes from southwest Oklahoma and the mayors from their prospective city. We had City of Carengie, City of Walters mayor, all the mayor so they were able to see who that tribal chairman was and where their Comanche people and their city people interacted together.”

He said these events could help create steps to get to know the mayors and tribal leaders of the area.

“We had made those connections, now it’s our job as tribal leaders, as city leaders to follow up, to reach out, have breakfast together, have that cup of coffee together,” he said. “Get to know each other, build a friendship that’s where it starts. And just knowing each other, being able to call them on the phone it’s like ‘Hey, Mayor, I have an issue, can you help me with it?’ ‘How have you dealt with it in the past?’ That’s the type of connection we’re hoping to build through this program.

Wommovovah said he wants to have members of the tribe more involved with the City of Lawton.

“We live and thrive in Lawton,” he said. “Getting our directors out, to meet their counterparts. Our Economic Development department to meet the City of Lawton Economic Development department; introducing them to the Chamber. Having us as members of the Chamber is a big part of it. Members of other organizations like Rotary…United Way. We’re able to make these connections and work together to build a greater city of Lawton and greater tribal nations such like the Comanche Nation.”

He said his favorite part is networking.

“To shaking different mayors’ hands to make that personal connection and to follow up. I’ve been invited to sit down to have breakfast, to have coffee, and we’re going to make those connections,” he said. “It’s a great event and we’re continuing this event next year. And we’re going to grow even bigger with larger communities.”

Wommovovah said he’s most excited to build a connection with the other tribal nations.

“We go through the same thing, we go through tribal politics,” he said. “We have the courage to step up and lead our nations, plus the lessons learned. We ask each other ‘How did we handle certain situations?’ and we’re able to just share our experiences. That’s the biggest part and the biggest takeaway that I have from this convention, this conference.”

He said this event is part of the Comanche Nation Tribal vision.

“Comanche strong, stronger together,” Woommavovah said. “Being strong with our communities and being strong with our municipalities and the leadership.”

The day began with breakfast, and CIVA presented the colors. Comanche Nation CIVA Princess Arlene Sconchin signed the National Anthem.

There were several topics of discussion, including investing, community building, economic development and the State of the Tribal Nations.

There was also a presentation of plaques.