Comanche Nation Chairman Receives Award at Lawton Schools Event
On Friday, December 15, Comanche Nation Chairman Mark Woommavovah received the Friends of Education Award at Eisenhower Middle School in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Lawton Public Schools (LPS) hosted a district celebration for community members and teachers.
Raylisha Stanley Lawton Public Schools Indian Education Liaison said the award is given to anyone who helps with education.
“That helps grow any program, that helps our educators, and he has really done all of that for all of our schools, for our district, so by far, he was the one that should have gotten it,” she said.
The award is given to whoever does the most for the district.
“The relationship that we have built since he has taken over his position has been amazing, and it has been probably, from what I understand, has been probably the best relationship we've had with the tribe in years,” Stanley said. “I know he has helped with several of our students; he is all about education and supporting it and helping it, not only by bringing the language to Lawton Public Schools but just supporting the staff as well.”
She said it contributes to the tribal consultation.
“We always want to build that relationship with the tribes because our students, our Native students, are in all of our schools, not just Comanche students, but other tribes as well,” Stanley said. “Tribal consultation is very important so that we know what the Native American students need and what they see our need is in education and we want to meet those needs here at LPS.”
Woommavovah said he was representing himself and all of the native communities and the partnership built with LPS.
“Showing up, that's half the battle, just showing up and, at Lawton Public Schools, once they have reached out and they have accepted us as Native people, it was just joining in, making yourself seen,” he said. “Saying ‘Hi’ to the kids, building that partnership with each and every one of the high schools, junior high and elementary schools in the Lawton Public Schools system.”
Woommavovah said visiting the schools was a learning process.
“It took about, probably, about a year and a half to be comfortable with all the teachers, with all the administrations, and we have a wonderful person at Lawton Public Schools that had made this happen; it's Raylisha Stanley,” he said. “She has brought us all together. She is one of the most professional ladies I know that have not only brought us together but has showed the importance to the Lawton Public School, the leadership on how important it is to build these connections with our Native communities.”
Wommovovah said he wants to continue building the partnership with LPS.
“Not only with the Comanche Nation but with all the other tribes in the Lawton-Fort Sill area to include the Kiowas, the Apaches, Fort Sill-Apaches, the Delawares,” he said. “I mean, we have all of our tribal students that attend Lawton Public Schools, so we just need to continue to work and build those positive relationships.”
Wommovovah said students should be proud of their culture, heritage, and people. They should also tell tribal stories and be proud of whatever tribe they’re from.
“At the Comanche Nation, we have a vision, Comanche Strong, Strong Together,” he said. “And today it's Lawton Public Schools Strong, Comanche Strong, Stronger Together.”
