Newest Organization of Comanche Nation Welcomes Director
On April 30, Roxe Large began her role as director of Comanche Nation’s newest organization, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP).
She said she always wanted to be involved with MMIP and is new to the organization.
“It's something that I've always wanted to do, like, the passion was always there; always wanted to get involved,” Large said. “But having a full-time job and then I feel like I've been in school for half my life, so that like consumed majority of my time. So, I really never got a chance to get involved like I really, really wanted to.”
She said she wanted to start an organization outside of Comanche Nation. Her background is in legal studies and social services.
“After graduating Cameron University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice,” Large said. “Then I worked in social services for four years as a caseworker, received my Masters of Legal Studies in Indigenous People's Law, and then made that transition to the tribal court as executive assistant for two years.”
She wanted to expand her background in legal work.
“I wanted to make that transition into the legal field, which is something I was always passionate about, which was law,” Large said. “As an undergraduate, I always knew I wanted to get into the legal field, and so I applied at OU for a Master's of Legal Studies in Indigenous People's Law, and so there, that's where I learned about the tribal sovereignty and like the trilateral relationship between the federal government and tribal government and also with the state because with those laws it's very complicated.”
Her goal for MMIP and the Comanche Nation community is to seek restorative justice for the families of missing persons and the missing person as well.
“Also, to provide MMIP awareness for the community so that they are aware about the crimes associated with missing persons, which could be domestic violence, it could be stalking, kidnapping, human trafficking, any of those violent crimes,” Large said. “And then just to educate people about, you know, the procedures for a missing person and to also understand like the legal procedures, you know, with the relationship between the federal government and with, you know, BIA and the state and then our tribal government.”
She also wants to make time for the families and make connections throughout the community.
“So, they feel like they have somewhere to turn because often when these families turn to law enforcement agencies, often they just don't have the manpower or they don't have the education or, I mean, there's different factors,” Large said. “And often, you know, they're turned away, or they just don't provide, you know, that justice. And because dealing with the indigenous population, like, you know, we have a unique identity.”
She said those interested can be active with MMIP by contacting the office or attending outreaches and events. Large said flyers and advertisements will also be available.
“A lot of people don't even know what MMIP is, and then…learning the legal realm of it, it's very confusing,” Large said. “So, I think once that's generated in the community, then we can kind of become that voice for the families of missing persons.”
She said the department is essential because it closes the information gap.
“Because, unfortunately, our Indigenous people are the ones that fell through the cracks of the criminal justice system,” Large said. “And so, I think we fulfill that necessary gap in between like, you know, law enforcement and like the women's shelter and victim services and like social services. And so, I think this is what Comanche Nation needed for those families.”
Large said she hopes to set up a website for people to contact the department; however, she can be contacted at 580-713-8999 and roxe.large@comanchenation.com.
